Let me tell you the tale as revealed in the sacred verses. Even today, success springs forth—this is a truth spoken and established. There exists one, upon seeing whom, a man is instantly freed from all sins. In ancient times, the gods themselves, having beheld this being, overcame the mighty Daityas in battle, O best of kings. Yet, you may wonder: how did the Daityas, after conquering the gods, attain such great fame? Resolute in his purpose, Shukra made his way to the sacred Arbuda mountain. There, with incense, fragrant offerings, and ointments, he established a Śiva-liṅga in reverence. For a thousand years he worshipped, until at last, the blessed Shiva was pleased and appeared before him, saying, “Choose a boon, auspicious one, even if it be exceedingly difficult to obtain.” Shukra sought a boon by which those beings who attained it would live on, even when death was counted among them. Shiva, gracious and generous, again spoke to Shukra: “Choose another boon from me.” Shukra requested that any person who worships the liṅga with faith, by Shiva’s grace, should have little fear of death. Thus, even when the gods slew the Danavas many times in battle, by the power of Shukra’s knowledge, the sage revived them. In that sacred place, a man who bathes properly is freed from sins. If the ancestors are satisfied with water alone, how much more so when rice-balls are offered in devotion? Indeed, the place called Manikarnika is renowned throughout all the worlds. There, O King, the great sages known as the Valakhilyas attained perfection. As these sages, purified in mind, sat in meditation, a certain Kirata woman named Manikarnika arrived, afflicted by thirst, at midday. At that moment, a being of divine form appeared before her. Soon after, her husband came searching for her, asking, “If my wife, O slender-waisted one, has come here and been seen—” Tormented by thirst, overcome by hunger, and weeping repeatedly, she had attained a divine form, exceedingly rare even among the gods. The sages advised, “You too, quickly bathe here in this water.” He, along with his son, entered the waterfall. There, in that pool, he suffered and met his death. Manikarnika, grieving, built a funeral pyre with him and kindled the fire. The sages, overcome with supreme compassion, spoke to her in astonishment: “O beautiful one, why do you follow this man of great sin?” She replied, “What will I do with beauty, without my own husband? Whether he is ugly or handsome, poor or lord of wealth, he is mine.” The sages observed, “This boy, O best of sages, has come to your protection.” Filled with compassion, they looked at one another and then revived her husband. At that very moment, a celestial chariot, desired in their hearts, appeared. The couple, before those sages of purified souls, stood in awe. The woman, Maṇikarṇikā, was then addressed by those sages, her story forever woven into the sacred tapestry of Manikarnika, a place of liberation and divine grace.