If one has committed the grave sin of stealing gold, there is a sacred path of atonement: journey to the Śoṇa mountain and there, with sincerity, worship Lord Hara using the sacred bilva leaves. For one who has transgressed by approaching his teacher’s wife, the prescribed place of penance is the Aruṇa mountain, the holy seat of the Kṛttikās. At this hallowed site, he should offer worship to Śrī Śoṇācala Śaṃkara for a period of three months, reciting daily the six-syllable mantra devoted to the Lord. Through this steadfast practice, his sins are washed away. If a person has abducted another’s wife, he should, with senses controlled and a humble heart, give wealth to a devotee of Maheśvara according to his capacity, within this blessed region. Even one who has poisoned another can find purification by observing vows in the Aruṇa field, just as described for others. Should a slanderer, who nonetheless honors the Vedas, undertake vows in the Aruṇa field, he too gains merit. Likewise, even an arsonist is absolved if he observes the prescribed vows in the Aruṇa field for three months. One who has reviled dharma itself can find purification by dwelling with vows in the Śoṇa field for a full year. If a person has betrayed his ancestors, a month of vigilant observance in the Aruṇa field brings absolution. During times of planetary eclipses, it is meritorious to feed many Brahmins. Even those burdened with the gravest sins—such as the killing of a woman or a child—can be purified by approaching the Śoṇa field. Those who have committed secret sins, if they come to the Śoṇa field with controlled senses, are likewise cleansed. A liar, by dwelling with vows in the Aruṇa field for six months, is freed from his fault. Those who have damaged wells or similar sources of water, upon reaching the Śoṇa field with devotion, are purified. If someone has stolen land, he should return land to the deity—an act that yields great spiritual fruit. One who has stolen a house should build a new temple for the Lord. Even those who have harmed others, by dedicating their wealth to Maheśvara while dwelling in the Śoṇa field, find purification. If a person has eaten the flesh of animals or similar acts, three fortnights of vow-observance in the Śoṇa field bring absolution. Simply by proclaiming “Lord of Śoṇa Mountain” three times, one is freed from sin. Those who long for liberation should recite the mantra of Aruṇeśvara with reverence, for all acts performed for Aruṇa Mountain yield their auspicious rewards directly. Even in moments of greatest joy, the wise are urged to utter the name “Aruṇa Śaṃkara.” Whoever dwells for three days in the field of Aruṇa is freed from all sins. This sacred place, this Aruṇa mountain, is none other than the southern Kailāsa, imbued with immeasurable sanctity. Even by simply remembering this place, one accrues vast merit. Indeed, the merit of actions performed at the Śoṇa field surpasses even those performed at the Setu. A wise person should perform the great Rājasūya and Aśvamedha sacrifices upon the Śoṇa mountain, for it is as if he has completed a hundred Cāndrāyaṇa vows or ten thousand Sāṃtapana rites. All rites performed here according to the prescribed rules yield double their usual result. Thus, through the words of Nandikeśvara, the sage’s son learned the means to counteract even the torments of hell. All-encompassing prosperity surely comes to one who follows these sacred paths. On Mondays, the Lord of Aruṇādri should be worshipped with musk and oleander flowers; on Thursdays, the Lord of Śoṇa should be honored with white lotuses. On Fridays, offer campaka and jasmine flowers, and on Saturdays, propitiate the Lord of Aruṇa with jātī blossoms. On the first lunar day, make an oblation to the deity; on the second, offer curd-rice with devotion; and on the third lunar day, satisfy the Lord of Śoṇa with sweet cakes. In this way, through worship and right conduct at these holy places and times, even the heaviest burdens of sin may be lifted, and the devotee blessed with merit and liberation.