Thus, when Gaurī addressed Durgā, the goddess’s heart was heavy with disgust. Gautama, perceiving her distress, urged her, “O goddess, create a new sacred place, a tīrtha, that will destroy sin.” Durgā, anxious about the evil that lingered, listened to Gautama’s words. Then, from the stone surface, a fissure opened, splitting all the way down to the netherworld, and pure, deep water welled up. Durgā immersed herself in those sacred waters, and in that very moment, the liṅga that hung at the neck of the buffalo fell to the ground. Emerging from the tīrtha, Durgā’s sins were washed away by the holy waters. She circumambulated and bowed reverently to the Lord, the destroyer of sins. Witnessing Durgā freed from all impurities before their very eyes, Pārvatī gave her blessing for the slaying of Mahiṣāsura without delay. Durgā then took and consumed the auspicious liṅga that had belonged to the buffalo demon. Gautama declared, “Indeed, meditation upon you alone destroys all the sins of the worlds. Yet, following worldly custom, you have performed this act. There is a certain rite that cleanses the inner mind’s impurity. This is Aruṇādri, manifest before us, though concealed by the mountain of fire. O Kātyāyanī, you must perform worship and austerity there.” Thus addressed by Gautama, the Mother, from that moment onward, undertook penance, standing amidst five blazing fires. The daughter of the mountain shone like a golden rod, radiant and resplendent. Then, the auspicious full-moon day of Kārttikī arrived, and a wondrous light appeared, its splendor beyond all conditions. All around, gods and hosts of divine sages worshipped this light. Seeing the great radiance, Pārvatī was filled with awe and wonder. The mountain’s daughter praised the Lord of Aruṇādri with devotion, offering salutations: “Salutations to you, who wields the bow of Meru and dwells upon Mount Kailāsa. Salutations to you, honored by Varuṇa and other gods, radiant like the young sun. Victory to you, whose crest is adorned with the crescent moon, the ornament of Jahnu’s daughter. Victory to you, whose union with the mountain’s daughter brings forth the glory of Kāma. Victory to you, whose blissful dance is joined with the twilight hour. Victory to you, father of Heramba; victory to you, who cherishes Ṣaṇmukha.” Having repeatedly praised him, she fixed her gaze upon that divine radiance. Assuming her own exceedingly beautiful form, she became absorbed in contemplation. Out of surpassing pride, she renounced all her splendor and engaged in deep austerity. Meanwhile, Indra, accompanied by Puloma’s daughter, and the other guardians of the directions, the hosts of Gandharvas and Apsarases, the Vasus and other gods, the eleven great Rudras and the twelve Ādityas, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, serpents, spirits, and all the attendants of Śiva, gathered around Maheśāna, approaching him by the thousands. All were struck with intense wonder, as if witnessing the terror of the world’s end. Durgā abandoned the pain of separation, which had grown over many nights. She placed her eyes upon his toes, and with affection shining in her smiling body and graceful throat, she spoke, her heart full of love and reverence.