Of all the sacred places upon the earth, Agastyeśvara is renowned as the foremost, the very first among them. Once, Umā, the divine goddess, inquired, “How did this place come to be known as Agastyeśvara?” She wished to understand the origin of this holy site, famed for dispelling all sins and granting the fulfillment of every desire. Long ago, a time came when the gods were vanquished by the mighty demons. Stripped of their joy and sovereignty, the devas wandered the earth, disheartened and bereft of their former glory. In their despair, they happened upon a radiant being, his luster shining like the sun itself. Awestruck by his brilliance, the gods respectfully approached him, for he shone with a splendor that commanded reverence. These gods, having been cast down from heaven by the victorious Dānavas, turned to this sage—Agastya—for aid. Hearing their plight, Agastya was moved to anger on their behalf. With the blazing power of his asceticism, he unleashed rays so fierce that the Dānavas were burned up, their might reduced to ashes by his radiance. Thus, the Daityas were utterly vanquished through the sage’s divine energy. Yet, after this great act, the noble Agastya was overcome with sorrow. He lamented, “A terrible sin has been committed—by slaying the Dānavas, I have incurred a grievous fault. What shall I do now? Where can I go, and how may I be purified of this burden?” As he pondered thus, the Grandfather of all, Brahmā himself, approached Agastya. Brahmā addressed him: “O best of sages, I have come to you—state your reason quickly.” Agastya replied, “O Lord of gods, ruler of the universe, there is a burning in my heart. Please, by your grace, tell me the means of atonement, O best of the gods.” The compassionate Brahmā answered, “Listen attentively. In the great, divine forest of Mahākāla, attended by hosts of Yakṣas and Gandharvas, to the south of the sacred place of the Piśāca, there is a holy portion of that forest. There, worship the auspicious Liṅga which removes all sins.” Agastya, following Brahmā’s counsel, became wholly devoted to the worship of that Liṅga in the prescribed place. Pleased with his devotion and difficult austerities, the Supreme Lord declared, “O goddess, I am pleased with this great-souled sage. By his devotion and penance, the terrible sin of brahmahatyā incurred from slaying the Dānavas is destroyed for him.” Agastya then humbly said, “If you, O God, are gracious and compassionate to those who seek refuge, and if I continue in austerity and righteousness, may no further obstacles arise for me.” The Lord replied, “So it shall be, O wide-eyed one. The god you have worshipped is indeed the destroyer of brahmahatyā. Agastyeśvara, as he is now known, is celebrated in all the three worlds, adorned with the five seals out of compassion for that Liṅga.” The Lord further proclaimed, “Those who behold that great Liṅga with devotion become noble-souled, blessed with sons and prosperity. Praised by the foremost Gandharvas, they dwell eternally in the realm of Rudra. Mortals who perform meritorious deeds here attain the supreme state. Who would not bow to that Śiva, the destroyer of misfortune? One is freed from all sins, even those as grave as brahminicide, which lead to hell. The merit gained here equals a hundred Rājasūya sacrifices. What need is there, then, for various pilgrimages, gifts, or ritual baths elsewhere? On the eighth and fourteenth days, according to one’s capacity, a devotee may rescue a hundred maternal and paternal ancestors. Even those who see this Liṅga by mere chance, without feeling, are blessed.” Thus, O Goddess, the supreme greatness of the Liṅga of Agastyeśvara has been revealed to you.