O revered one, listen closely to this sacred account. Among all the holy fords and venerated liṅgas that grace the earth, there is one field that is especially beloved to me above all others. This foremost place is supremely meritorious, renowned for its power to remove every sin. Within it flows the Nīlagaṅgā, the fourth and most exalted among the celebrated rivers. O Goddess, this river bestows three times the merit of the Gaṅgā herself and grants the fruits of all four aims of human life—dharma, artha, kāma, and mokṣa. In this sacred region stand perfected liṅgas, which bestow both worldly enjoyment and final liberation. Here, as tradition remembers, dwell the eleven Rudras and twelve Ādityas. When I myself visited this place—the auspicious Mahākāla forest—I found it filled, across a yojana in extent, with these divine presences. Now, let me describe in detail those sacred spots that indeed absolve all sins. Foremost among them is the Agastyeśvara liṅga, renowned on earth as the first of its kind. At this point, Umā inquired, “How did this place come to be known as Agastyeśvara?” Know that this holy site dispels every sin and grants the fulfillment of every wish. Long ago, a time came when the gods were defeated by the demons. Stripped of their enthusiasm and sovereignty, the gods wandered the earth, dejected. In their despair, they beheld a radiant being, shining with the brilliance of the sun. Recognizing his splendor, the gods offered their respects to this luminous sage. These gods, cast down from heaven by the victorious Dānavas, approached the sage Agastya and poured out their woes. Hearing their plight, Agastya was moved to anger. By the power of his blazing energy, he burned up the Dānavas, and his radiance scorched the Daityas as well. Having slain these demons, the great-souled Agastya was suddenly overcome with grief. He lamented, “A terrible sin have I committed, for I have slain the Dānavas. What shall I do? Where can I go? How may I be purified?” As he pondered thus, the Grandfather Brahmā himself appeared before him and said, “O best of sages, state your reason quickly for this distress.” Agastya replied, “O God of gods, Lord of the universe, my mind burns with sorrow. Please, by your grace, show me the means of purification.” Brahmā, the best of the gods, spoke kindly: “Listen carefully. In the great, divine forest of Mahākāla, attended by Yakṣas and Gandharvas, there is a sacred area to the south of the Piśāca’s holy place. There, worship the auspicious Liṅga, which destroys all sins.” Following Brahmā’s guidance, Agastya became wholly devoted to the worship of that Liṅga. I tell you, O goddess, I was deeply pleased by the great-souled sage’s devotion and difficult austerity. I declared to him, “Your devotion and penance have pleased me. The sin of brahmahatyā incurred from slaying the Dānavas is destroyed for you, O best of sages. If you continue in austerity and righteousness, no obstacle will arise for you. The god you have worshipped is the destroyer of brahmahatyā.” Thus, the god Agastyeśvara became renowned throughout the three worlds, adorned with the five seals, out of compassion for that Liṅga. Those men who behold that great Liṅga with devotion are blessed indeed.