With a heart full of devotion, the Mother took and consumed that most auspicious liṅga, the sacred emblem of her Lord. It is well known that even meditation upon him alone is enough to destroy all the sins of the worlds, yet, following the ways of the world, she undertook this act herself. Gautama, wise among sages, spoke to her of a rite that cleanses the inner mind of all impurity. He revealed that before them stood Aruṇādri, the sacred mountain, concealed within the fiery mountain, a place of profound spiritual power. “O Kātyāyanī,” he said, “you must perform worship and austerity there.” Thus instructed, the Mother—Pārvatī, daughter of the mountain—began her penance. She stood amidst five blazing fires, her resolve unwavering, radiating like a golden rod, her form luminous and resplendent with spiritual brilliance. In the fullness of time, the auspicious full-moon day of Kārttikī arrived. On that sacred night, a wondrous light appeared, its splendor unconditioned and beyond compare. Gods and hosts of divine sages gathered all around, worshipping this great radiance. Beholding this magnificent light, Pārvatī was filled with awe and wonder. With deep devotion, she praised the Lord of Aruṇādri: “Salutations to you who wields the mighty bow of Meru and dwells upon Mount Kailāsa. Salutations to you, honored by Varuṇa and all the gods, radiant as the young sun. Victory to you, adorned with the crescent moon, 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 graces the twilight hour. Victory to you, father of Heramba; victory to you, who cherishes Ṣaṇmukha.” After offering these heartfelt praises, she fixed her gaze upon the radiant light, becoming absorbed in its brilliance. Assuming her own supremely beautiful form, she relinquished all her splendor out of surpassing pride and immersed herself in austerity once more. At this moment, the heavens themselves drew near. Indra, accompanied by Puloma’s daughter, and the other guardians of the directions arrived. The hosts of Gandharvas and Apsarases, the Vasus and other gods, the eleven great Rudras and the twelve Ādityas, along with Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, serpents, spirits, and all the attendants of Śiva, surrounded Maheśāna by the thousands. All were struck with intense wonder, as if witnessing the terror and awe of the world’s end. Now, the Mother abandoned the pain of separation that had grown over many nights. With affection shining from her smiling form and graceful throat, she placed her eyes upon his lotus feet and spoke with reverence: “Because all should be worshipped, I too have joined my hands in devotion.” Śiva, the Lord, replied with gentle wisdom: “O Lady of the Gods, this bewilderment of yours is eternal and innate. What need have you of austerities and harsh meditations? I am Nārāyaṇa, you are Lakṣmī; I am Brahmā, you are Sarasvatī. You are Vāruṇī, and I am the lord of serpents; you are Rohiṇī, I am the moon. You are Jāhnavī, I am the ocean; you are Meru, I am the earth. You are wisdom, I am the king of kings; you are tranquility, I am the wind. You are knowledge, I am that which is to be known; you are speech, and I am meaning, O Pārvatī. In creation, preservation, dissolution, and the granting of grace, I am the Lord. O goddess, your body is sustained by your own will; you are the very essence of consciousness and light. Even that which knows no remedy is now being acted upon by me.” Thus, in the presence of gods and sages, the eternal union of Śiva and Pārvatī was celebrated, their oneness proclaimed, and the universe bathed in their divine grace.