He is the lord of the three worlds—how could he possibly abandon his station or his duties? Yet, with gentle words, he replied, “What you have said is indeed true.” Then, with kindness, he offered, “Therefore, auspicious one, choose a boon—whatever you desire from me, I shall grant.” In response, she requested, “Then please grant me but one day to play with him.” The boon was given: “On the thirteenth day of the bright half of Caitra, O queen of the gods, both day and night shall be yours.” Thus, that sacred pool on earth came to be known as Śiva-Gaṅgā. Afterward, embracing her again and again, he at last let her go. When Gaṅgā departed, she lowered her face modestly, her demeanor gentle and humble. Thus, O king, these are the events that took place in ancient times at that very pool. It is said that one who bathes there during the bright half of Caitra is freed from all inauspiciousness; whatever misdeeds may have occurred are utterly destroyed, and by the number of hairs on his body, a man surely attains heaven. Thereafter, the great lord, unchanging in form, established the liṅga. But why, you may wonder, was that liṅga cast down by the great-souled Vālakhilyas? Let me recount this wondrous tale as it truly happened. When Satī, steadfast in truth, met her end, Kāmadeva, wielding his flower-bow, swiftly approached the great lord. Seeing Kāmadeva rushing toward him, Tripurāntaka vanished out of fear and made his way to the hermitage of the Vālakhilyas—a place sacred and adorned with noble trees. There, the women, deluded by desire and clad only in the directions, spoke sweetly to him, constantly urging, “O king, enjoy with us.” Some embraced him, others kissed him, but the blessed Śambhu, the supreme lord, remained untouched by desire. He simply walked ahead of them, unmoved. Observing the strange behavior that had overtaken their wives, the sages became greatly distressed. In their anguish, they pronounced a curse, saying, “You mock us with our wives, and all this occurs because of your constant presence among us.” By the words of Brahmā, O royal sage, the earth itself trembled. All the hosts of gods, gripped by fear, went to the Grandfather, Brahmā, and reported everything, saying, “O lord, we do not know, O best of gods, the cause of this calamity.” Brahmā replied, “The liṅga of Pinākin has been cast down by the Vālakhilyas. Therefore, I have assembled all the gods there. Until the dissolution of the world, born of untimely calamity, at the hermitage of the Vālakhilyas where that liṅga fell, let us offer our salutations.” “Salutations to the one who dwells everywhere and is the essence of all sacrifices. Salutations to the lord of all, the supreme light, the god. Salutations to Tryambaka, to Bhīma, to the wielder of the blessed Pināka. O best of gods, in this world, both moving and unmoving, there is nothing that is not pervaded by you, O lord, for you are the source of creation and destruction. The elements, beginning with earth, were created by you, according to your will.” And so, they prayed, “Therefore, O Lord of the gods, be gracious to this liṅga.