The divine radiance, a vision witnessed by both gods and mortals, was revealed in all its glory. It was decreed that this brilliance would shine supremely in the constellation known as Kṛttikā, so that all beings, upon seeing it, might be freed from every sin. Ambikā, accompanied by her devoted companions, reverently circumambulated this sacred presence. Upon the slopes of the Aruṇa mountain, she fashioned a liṅga that gleamed like emerald, its beauty radiant and pure. She adorned the ground all around with lotus petals and buds, as if her very gaze itself worshipped the red mountain. The Mothers, gratified, offered fragrant gifts and ornaments, and she was surrounded by celestial women and the wives of sages, all carrying offerings. With a heart full of longing for union with Śiva, Ambikā stood there, reminiscent of the mountain-born goddess at the sacred wedding fire. At Śaṃbhu’s command, the gods—the lords of the celestials—gathered around her, joined by the beloved consorts of all the guardians of the directions. The mountain maiden stood radiant among them, embodying the very essence of the lord of the mountains, her presence bringing a cool, soothing peace. She stood as a living testament to the virtue of her arduous penance, her former playfulness now transformed into steadfast austerity. Immersed in contemplation, she pondered how to bring coolness and comfort to both herself and her beloved, standing within the waters as if to declare her own greatness to the world. Having attained the heights of penance, she stood poised, as if to bring tranquility to its culmination, washing the liṅga with the pure waters of sacred fords. Her devotion was for the satisfaction of the lord of the crimson mountain, her breasts untouched, her heart pure. Clouds and lightning below seemed to wave chowries in her honor, and she was adorned by the presence of Siddhas, Cāraṇas, Gandharvas, and Vidyādharas. Her form resembled the sacred path to Aṣṭāpada, worshipped by the guardians of the eight directions, and she was surrounded by those endowed with eightfold devotion and eightfold wisdom. The scene glowed with garlands of golden and silver halls, enlivened by the music of vīṇās, flutes, cymbals, and the rhythmic clapping of hands. She was to be worshipped by day, as the divine bull-bannered one, granting equal vision to all, her presence as if uniting day and night perpetually. At that auspicious moment, Indra, the thousand-eyed king of the gods, arrived with all the hosts of heaven. A cool, refreshing breeze, imbued with the waters of the celestial Ganga, began to blow. The forests on the golden-crested peaks swayed gently, and all the seasons, led by joyful Spring, came forth to witness the sacred event. Hosts of beings—of every form, the accomplished and the supreme sages—gathered together, while the air was filled with the fragrance of camphor and saffron powder. The atmosphere resounded with the rhythms of mṛdaṅga, karaṭala, jhallarī, paṭaha, and dundubhi drums. Celestial women danced without ceasing, accompanied by the singing and music of tumbaru lutes. Amidst this divine celebration, Shiva himself, the ocean of compassion, approached Ambikā, who stood with her face lowered in modesty. He came gracefully, accompanied by his own beloved and surrounded by the assembly of gods and great sages. The king of gods, Indra, offered Shiva auspicious cloths, fragrant with the breezes’ scents. Adorned with garlands and sandal paste, both Shiva and Ambikā approached each other, splendidly decorated in gleaming white, radiant and resplendent in the midst of all the assembled divinities.