In that sacred place, where his bile fell to the earth, it gleamed with a reddish glow. Realizing within himself, “I am accomplished,” he began to dance with joy. So powerful was his dance that even the mighty oceans were stirred and troubled. O best of kings, as he continued this ecstatic dance, all the worlds themselves trembled. Witnessing these extraordinary events, all the hosts of gods approached the destroyer of desire, seeking his intervention. Then, assuming the form of a Brahmin, the best among the twice-born was addressed by Shambhu himself. Shambhu spoke, “A great power has arisen and manifested, from which my blood has turned to bile. For this reason, O twice-born, I am seized by excitement and thus I dance.” To demonstrate further, Shambhu struck his own thumb with his forefinger and said to Mankanaka, “Look, Brahmin, at my hand.” Pulastya narrates that upon seeing this, the Brahmin was filled with wonder, and at once recognized the bull-bannered one as none other than Shiva. He declared, “Certainly, I have recognized you; this realization abides firmly in my heart. This power you have revealed belongs to no one but you.” Shiva, pleased, offered a boon: “Choose your blessing, for you have excelled in the art of dance.” Mankanaka, blessed by Shiva, was told, “By your favor, people shall obtain the fruits of the Rājasūya and Aśvamedha sacrifices. They will attain the highest state, free from old age and death. Here, at the renowned confluence of the Ganga and Sarasvati, those who give gold to worthy Brahmins, according to their ability, will be especially blessed.” Having thus spoken, O king, the god of gods, Maheshvara, vanished from sight. Now, hear further, O king, of another wondrous event that took place there in ancient times. All the sages, out of friendly rivalry and playful sport, gathered together in great numbers. It was said that any Brahmin who arrived late would be transformed into a dog. Thus, competing with one another, they journeyed carelessly to Arbuda. All these ascetics were peaceful, accomplished in the Vedas and learned in sacred lore. At that very moment, great Shiva, filled with supreme compassion and devotion, appeared before them. Instantly, Maheshvara was seen by all present. The sages, beholding him together, were filled with awe and devotion. All the faithful Brahmins praised him with Vedic hymns. Then Mahadeva spoke: “I am pleased, O sages, by your supreme faith. May the highest fruit arise from this simultaneous vision of the Lord. Those who are blessed with such a vision shall gain the merit of all holy bathing places.” The sages then requested, “Let a single liṅga, made equal to a crore, be established here, O Bull-bannered One, so that by seeing it, people may obtain the fruit of beholding a crore liṅgas.” Suddenly, breaking through the great mountain, such a liṅga emerged. At that very moment, a bodiless voice proclaimed, “Whoever worships this liṅga on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of Māgha, O Brahmins, shall have their merit multiplied a crore times. The fruit will be a crore times greater, equal to the merit of offering śrāddha at Gayā.” Then, all the sages, overjoyed, worshiped the liṅga with perfumes, incense, and ointments, honoring the divine presence that had so wondrously manifested before them.