Listen, O noble one, to the sacred narrative of the many forms and holy abodes of the Supreme Lord Śiva. He is celebrated in many places and by many names: first as Somanātheśvara, then as Ghuṣmeśvara, next as Bhīmaśaṃkara, and also as Ghaṃṭeśvara. He is known as Ūṣareśvara and Candrādityeśvara. The Supreme God is venerated as Rāmeśvara, and Śaṃkara is also called Vālmīkeśvara. He is revered as Vighnahasteśvara and as Caṃcaleśa, then as Karṇeśvara and Pṛthukeśa. He is proclaimed Avimukteśvara and Hanumatkeśvara, and is famed as Biṃdukeśa and Vālukeśvara. All the sacred fords, or tīrthas, are indeed these very liṅgas, O noble one. Among them, four great-souled ones are known as the gatekeepers. At the southern gate resides Kāyāvarohaṇeśvara, while Dardureśvara is revered at the northern gate. In the delightful and purifying Mahākālavana, these sacred ones are renowned, and the number of liṅgas there is beyond reckoning, O Vyāsa. Each sacred ford is named according to the deity established there. Likewise, the nine auspicious planets are honored in this holy region. Among them, Śiva is known as Narāditya and as Someśvara, and also as Bṛhaspatīśvara and Śukreśvara. The planets themselves are powerful: they grant kingdoms and they take kingdoms away. Therefore, one who bathes at the holy places of the planets should offer worship to the planets. Thus, Vyāsa, I have described to you the gods and the sacred places. In times of severe affliction caused by the planets, in poverty, or in terrible distress, those excellent men who always worship within this sacred field’s enclosure receive great blessings. A sonless man gains a son, a poor man attains wealth, his lineage becomes unending, and he is honored in the realm of Śiva. The greatness of the Avanti tīrtha is pure and established in the Vedas. Yet again, you ask, O foremost knower of Brahman, how many tīrthas are here. The dialogue between Umā and Maheśvara, and the wisdom shared by Nārada, all speak of these tīrthas. Now, O virtuous one, I will tell you about them. From Puṣkara onward, and all others across the earth, the tīrthas are countless—thousands, hundreds of millions, O noble one. On the mountain, the Kinnaras pour down showers of mist-like drops, and truly, I do not know the number of tīrthas on earth. Yet, I shall tell you of the principal and most revered ones. These are the well-known observances that must be performed, O subduer of foes. Whoever performs them properly becomes like Śambhu himself. The fruit of such observances is obtained within five days at the end of the month of Vaiśākha, and one should especially bathe in Avantī during Mādhava as well. By bathing at the holy place according to prescribed rule, and by observing the annual vow, one becomes purified.