Whoever offers a variety of fruits to the Lord of Śoṇa is counted among the virtuous. Those who make offerings to the Lord of Śoṇa mountain on the day of the full moon are truly blessed. At the sacred confluence on the new moon, anyone who devoutly presents tubers and roots attains great merit. On the day marked by the Aśvinī star, the devoted should present garments to the Lord of Aruṇa. When the Kṛttikā constellation is ascendant, lamps are the fitting offering, and during Rohiṇī, one should offer silver. On Punarvasu, musk is to be given; on Puṣya, camphor. Pūrvaphālguni calls for the offering of betel, while incense is to be given during Uttaraphālguni. When Svāti shines in the sky, a group of fragrant women should be offered, and during Viśākhā, scattered offerings are appropriate. On Mūla, pearls are to be presented, and on Pūrvāṣāḍhā, a crown. During Dhaniṣṭhā, the game of eight squares is the proper gift, and on Śatabhiṣak, garments once again. When Revatī is ascendant, a golden chariot should be offered to Śoṇaśaṃbhu. The Lord is to be especially worshipped as the sun moves through the zodiac, beginning with Aries. Offerings of kuṭaja flowers, nīpa blossoms, jīvantī, jasmine, and other fragrant blooms are pleasing to Him. During the mutual conjunctions, both forms of the Lord should be bathed with the sacred pañcāmṛta, and the eyes should be purified with pañcagavya as well. The bathing rite should be performed with milk, all the while reciting the holy Praṇava. In the morning, the Lord should be worshipped with rudra-tulasī; at midday, with kṛtamāla flowers. At sunrise, He should be bathed with water from a thousand pots. Especially on the sacred night of Śivarātri, the triśikha bilva leaves are used in worship. Singing, instrumental music, and dance should accompany these rites, all performed in accordance with divine scriptural injunctions. In the month of Pauṣa, the Agneyī festival is to be observed for the Lord, and in Vaiśākha, under the Viśākhā constellation, one should follow the Śiva-tantra. On Prābodhikā in the month of Mārgaśīrṣa, at dawn, one must prepare and sing the Sāman hymns. On Śani-pradoṣa, under the Ārdrā constellation, during Vyatīpāta, and on all festival days, the Lord is to be worshipped. The Lord should also be honored at initiations, thread ceremonies, weddings, and the birth of a son. Even on one’s own birth star, in times of prosperity, adversity, or fear, at the taking of vows, at the binding of the feet, and at the onset of new prosperity—at all these times, remembrance of the Lord is auspicious. Whether one remembers, sees those who are far away, or has reached life’s end, the Lord’s grace is near. What more can I say, dear child? Raising his arm, the sage spoke thus: By remembering, the mind and ears are sanctified; by hearing, one’s sense of hearing and sight are purified. In this sacred land of Aruṇa, those who are embodied and have taken birth are especially blessed. Even for those who have left the body elsewhere, here, by the rite of śrāddha, merit is attained. Ayodhyā, Mathurā, Māyā, Kāśī, Kāñcī, and Avantikā—these holy cities are renowned, but the sanctity of Aruṇa is unique. Having spoken thus, the son of Śilāda was again addressed by Mṛkaṇḍu’s son. Mārkaṇḍeya said, “O wise one, you have placed a great burden upon me. Truly, it is fitting that your mind is seized by curiosity. How can all this be spoken of fully, even by one who knows? Or how, even having heard it, can it be fully grasped by those filled with wonder? Now, let your mind recall the marvelous deeds of the enemy of Smara, the destroyer of Kāma. The wondrous deeds of Śiva are endless and ever captivating.