In ages past, the goddess journeyed to Kāñcī, a city adorned with golden gateways, to undertake her austerities. There, she obtained the most excellent water-lily, born of the mind—a flower imperishable and unceasing, which she employed in worship. This sacred water-lily, she proclaimed, should always be observed by kings and ever protected, for by its presence, all desired accomplishments may be attained and the goddess herself is delighted. She instructed that the water-lily must be carefully guarded by those who approach it, and that her radiant form would be seen in the maiden who partook in its presence. Upon her declaration, the granter of boons, pleased, bestowed every blessing that was desired. Ever accompanied by Gaurī, the bestower of boons, and surrounded by all enjoyments, the goddess assured that all who see and worship her become fulfilled in their purpose. Prosperity, in full measure, always comes to these devotees. By upholding this greatness, they obtain the destruction of sin and receive the grace of Sadāśiva, as well as the vision of the crimson mountain. Thus, by Śiva’s command, the goddess descended from the summit of Kailāsa. Although there are other places of the god upon the earth, it is here—at Kāñcī—that Sadāśiva himself abides, in the very form of Aruṇācala. This radiant liṅga, revered by all the gods, shines forth; by the brilliance of the Lord of Aruṇācala, all sins are washed away. Through circumambulations, salutations, austerities, and observances, Śaṃkara is not so pleased by austerities, yogas, or gifts as he is by devotion at this place. The eternal Vedas, along with the Itihāsas, remain established in heaven, yet the full glory of Sadāśiva is not known even to me, nor to the wielder of Śārṅga. The gods, with Hari at their head, and the wish-fulfilling trees from the beginning of the kalpa, all honor this greatness. For him, there is neither the fault of Kali, nor the outbreak of afflictions or diseases. Thus, all this has been told to you, which is the refuge at the feet of Śambhu. Drinking the delightful fruit of austerities from the twin cups of the Vedas, the sage Sanaka obtained this knowledge. Now, in the second half of the greatness of Aruṇācala, while residing in the sacred Naimiṣāraṇya, the sages approached Sūta and asked: “O Sūta, tell us—which is the foremost Śaiva place among all the holy sites?” Sūta replied: “Listen, all of you, to what was formerly heard from the mouth of Nandīśvara. Nandīśvara, you have spoken of the greatness of Mādhyeśvara. Yet, O Lord of gods, ocean of compassion, tell us again. There is nothing in these three worlds unknown to you. Among heaven and liberation, for people, the earth is truly superior. You have already described the threefold fruit for people, but when merit is exhausted, the first two are generally diminished. That attainment, as you have said, is accessible only through pure knowledge. Where, in what place, does such knowledge arise, without study of scripture and the like? Among embodied beings, the rest depend on the practice of knowledge, yoga, and action. But by the greatness of that place, even with little effort, embodied beings—by merely wearing ash and rudrākṣa, or by remembering the Lord even once—even by residing there unintentionally, for embodied beings, for those born in mixed castes, or who have entered animal wombs—attain liberation and grace.” Thus, the sages listened as the greatness of Aruṇācala was revealed, a place where the divine presence bestows blessings and knowledge beyond measure, and where all who approach, regardless of their birth or actions, may find fulfillment and the destruction of sin.