Desiring the destruction of all his adversaries, a noble soul asked for this boon. The divine beings, hearing his request, granted it, saying, “So be it,” and then departed for heaven from the effigy they had manifested. These effigies, O Partha, were then worshipped by the great-hearted Śaṃkara. For a day of Brahmā, he honored them with intensely red hundred-petaled lotuses. For thousands of years, he continued his worship with fragrant and beautiful blue lotuses. He adorned the effigies with auspicious red water-lilies and lotuses. It was understood that if deprived of these two—lotuses and water-lilies—heaven itself would feel as bleak as death. Yet, Śaṃkara declared, “O Lord, I have no desire for this boon.” Instead, he said, “Take these, O hero, and establish them at Kuśasthalī. Wherever these effigies are installed, all sins will be destroyed. Pilgrimages during the months of Āṣāḍhī and Kaumudī will become especially auspicious. I shall come there, accompanied by the hosts of Apsarases. When the clouds gather, I will cause rain to fall at that place.” Having bowed to the Sun—the Lord worshipped by Brahma and others—Vyasa relates that Vasava (Indra) gave the two images to Partha. Meanwhile, in Dvaraka, Narada sought to invite Krishna to Kuśasthalī. He caused the chief of Brahmins to hear the message: “Come, Krishna, to Kuśasthalī.” Then, O Pandava, Indra gave these images to you as well. He descended from the sky and embraced the Pandava, saying, “My birth has become fruitful; joy has arisen within me, O Arjuna.” After these words, Vyasa and those two departed for Kuśasthalī. Vyasa instructed, “Go, Arjuna, to the eastern direction and install one image.” “I too shall go north, O sage, to establish the other at the river,” he added. Partha traveled east and found an auspicious place. “I shall install the Sun god while Pandava meditates,” said Vyasa, and he described to Partha the unbearable brilliance of the deity. Unable to endure the radiance, Partha addressed the god, “O protector of cows, be gentle in form and beautiful to behold for the people. Let mortals on earth be purified by your sight.” With his right hand, the deity granted fearlessness through the gesture of protection. By the radiant god, his own brilliance was revealed. When the auspicious moment arrived, Hari filled the great conch. One whose body is afflicted by abundant impurities and faults becomes free from sin merely by reciting the Sun’s name. Who among poets, however ambitious, would dare to praise the Sun, who is lauded by Brahma and other sages? What remains uncreated by those skilled sages, praised for their mastery of scripture and its diverse applications? Yet, even so, after deep reflection, I shall praise the pair of feet of the Sun, revered by the Guru of the three worlds. For as long as the Sun does not rise, the world remains unmoving; no actions attain success. The peaks of trees do not shine, nor do the clusters of flowers close their eyes in blooming forests. When the Sun rises in the sky, the hosts of gods and siddhas, along with Brahma, demons, sages, kinnaras, men, nāgas, and yakṣas all awaken. When the Sun sets, the world sleeps; when he shines again, it awakens once more. For those endowed with enthusiasm, strength, guidance, and valor—whose service, application, and creation are devoted to the Sun—their efforts find fulfillment through his grace.