Let the mountain remain, for its radiance is truly difficult to endure. This is no ordinary mountain, O Rudra; its brilliance rivals that of a divine peak. It shines with its own light, bringing prosperity to the entire world. Yet, by your command, the Śoṇa mountain brings happiness to people. From this day, at our request, let us worship the beautiful Lord of the Aruṇa mountain right here in this valley. The valley is adorned with kesara trees, mangoes, nāga, puṃnāga, and kesara blossoms. O Lord of gods, ocean of compassion, you should be present here; otherwise, even if the god is pleased, our minds will not be purified. On the eastern side of the Śoṇa mountain stands a lofty peak. The Vedas and their limbs, the Dharmaśāstra, the Purāṇas, and the Śiva scriptures all point to you, O Lord, as the supreme guru for the welfare of devotees. Among these sacred texts, how should we worship you? Then the embodiment of compassion, the Lord of the world and son of the Earth, spoke: “You should worship me according to the path taught in the Kāmika scripture. I believe that the Śaiva Saṃhitā has been forgotten by you both, out of delusion.” At that very place, an auspicious liṅga appeared. Mukunda and Kamalāsana were both amazed upon seeing it. They constructed a temple for the Lord of Śoṇagiri and excavated a sacred lake nearby. In time, they established the city called Aruṇā. In that sacred place, Brahmarṣis, gods, Gandharvas, and celestial women took residence. The holy fords became wells, as did the Gaṅgā and other rivers. Goloka itself transformed into a cow-pen, and the Vedas were said to have assumed form there. Beings such as ghosts, spirits, piśācas, vetālas, and kaṭapūtanās were also present. Even Dhūrjaṭi, Śiva himself, came there in the form of a siddha, out of curiosity. He is never unrecognized by anyone and always shines everywhere. For a long time, they worshipped the Lord of Śoṇādri with devotion. They performed initiations and rites, becoming their own teachers. Each morning, after bathing, they gathered flowers, leaves, and fruits. They constantly recited all the supreme mantras with clear articulation. With circumambulations, salutations, and ever-new gestures of mudrā, they worshipped Śiva with the five Brahmas, the six limbs, and other sacred rites. By worshipping Viṣṇu and Brahmā, they attained the knowledge of Śiva. Thus, I once heard this secret from the mouth of my father, Śilāda. Yet even so, curiosity seizes me, as it does these sages. Listen attentively, O Markandeya, wise one. Surely you know how, in ancient times, Dakshayani became the wife of Shiva, and how, angered by her husband, she opposed Daksha, the lord of progenitors. Then, by the command of Hara, Virabhadra acted as he was ordered.