The mere sight of that greatest of mountains was revered as the highest act of purification. There, all the sacred waters were invoked to cleanse away every fault. With the recitation of the Aghamarṣaṇa hymn and the presence of the liṅga, ritual bathing was performed, and Śiva—who is himself Aruṇādri—was worshipped with heartfelt offerings and devoted service. Hearing the sage’s words, which brimmed with the essence of Śiva, the mountain-born Goddess—protector of the worlds—felt deep satisfaction and honored the assembled gods. In that moment, Girijā cast aside her doubts, which had arisen from her fear of causing harm to a devotee of Śiva. Then, a wondrous voice, sweet to the ear, resounded from the sky. It spoke of the Ganga, Yamuna, Sindhu, Godavari, and Sarasvati, calling them forth. The voice proclaimed that nine sacred places should manifest upon that very stone surface. In the holy month of Ashviyuja, when the constellation Jyeshtha appeared, the ritual month was to be concluded there, a rite equal to the worship of the guardians of the directions. These sacred waters and sites were to be established at the forefront of all holy places, for the benefit of the world. The celestial voice assured that by these acts, the threefold suffering of the three worlds would surely be alleviated. The Goddess was instructed to install these sacred sites with unwavering devotion, always seeking the welfare of all beings. A great festival, lasting ten days, was to accompany the rites. In the evenings, she was to worship the divine form at Shonachala, following the sacred prescriptions. By performing these acts, she would bring about the protection of all the worlds. With steadfast resolve, the mountain maiden undertook both tasks through her austerities. In that very moment, the nine sacred places appeared, manifesting on the spot. With the sages’ approval, she immersed herself in the sanctified waters. Her inner radiance suffused the site, causing it to shine with a newfound brilliance. Yet, even in this sacred work, her heart was restless, tormented by longing for Śiva. With a gentle smile, she created a lotus upon the water, and, in that instant, the sacred places became fulfilled, bearing the fruits appropriate to the time. When the month of Kārtika arrived, under the auspicious star Kṛttikā, as night descended, the Mother of the Universe worshipped the liṅga fashioned from the Aruṇa mountain itself. To this liṅga of the radiant mountain—destroyer of all great sins—she offered her prayers. Though the liṅga was of the form of fire, it became tranquil, bestowing blessings upon the worlds. With devotion, she addressed the Lord of Aruṇa, best of mountains, an ocean of beauty and form: “O God, you are proclaimed as the seed of all radiance. What Brahmā once beheld, and Viṣṇu sought—grant me a vision of that divine brilliance, supreme and remover of all faults.” In response, that supreme radiance manifested, filling the expanse of the worlds with its dazzling light. The Goddess beheld a brilliance like millions of fires at the world’s dissolution. Overcome with wonder and joy, the lotus-eyed Goddess rejoiced. At that moment, a golden man with a melodious voice appeared before her and said, “This radiant form has now been seen by you. You have performed great austerities upon the earth—what more do you desire? Truly, all has been pacified by the sight of this radiance.” Suddenly, moved by the depth of her devotion, she seized the liṅga, which was situated at his throat.