After the great sage Agastya had slain the Dānavas, his heart was overcome with sorrow. Though he had accomplished a mighty deed, Agastya was deeply troubled, feeling that he had committed a terrible and grievous sin by killing the Dānavas. In his anguish, he wondered, “What shall I do now? Where can I go? How can I be purified of this great burden?” As Agastya pondered in this way, the Grandfather of the worlds, Lord Brahmā, appeared before him. “You are seen, O best of sages,” Brahmā said. “Tell me quickly the reason for your distress.” Agastya bowed and replied, “O God of gods, Lord of the universe, there is a burning sorrow within my mind. Please, O best of the gods, show me the means to purification by your grace.” Brahmā, the foremost among the gods, spoke kindly: “Listen with care and attention. In the great, divine forest of Mahākāla, attended by Yakṣas and Gandharvas, there is a sacred region to the south of the Piśāca’s holy place. There, worship the auspicious Liṅga, which removes all sins.” Agastya, with a devoted heart, journeyed there and became wholly absorbed in worshipping that sacred Liṅga. The Lord was pleased with the great-souled sage’s devotion and his difficult austerities. “I am pleased by your devotion and penance,” the Lord declared. “The terrible sin of brahmahatyā, arising from the slaying of the Dānavas, is destroyed for you, O best of sages.” Agastya, with gratitude, said, “If you, O God, are gracious and compassionate to those who seek refuge, and if I practice austerity and righteousness, then may no obstacle arise for me.” The Lord assured him, “So it shall be, O wide-eyed one. The god whom you have worshipped is the destroyer of brahmahatyā. Agastyeśvara, as he is called, is renowned in the three worlds, adorned with five seals out of compassion for that Liṅga.” “Those who behold that great Liṅga with devotion become blessed with greatness, sons, and prosperity. Praised by the foremost of Gandharvas, they dwell eternally in Rudra’s realm. Mortals who perform meritorious deeds there attain the supreme state. He destroys all misfortune—who would not bow to that Śiva? One is freed from even the gravest sins, such as brahminicide, which lead to hell. The merit gained is equal to that of a hundred Rājasūya sacrifices. What need is there for many pilgrimages, gifts, or ritual baths? On the eighth and fourteenth days, according to one’s capacity, one rescues a hundred maternal and paternal ancestors. Even those who see it by chance, without special feeling, are blessed. O Goddess, this is the supreme greatness of the Liṅga that I have revealed to you.” Śrī Rudra continued, “Hear now of the second Liṅga, Guheśvara, the destroyer of sins. Long ago, in the blessed Devadāru forest during the Rāthaṃtara kalpa, a devoted ascetic practiced yoga constantly, dwelling in peace and self-restraint. Desiring spiritual accomplishment, he reflected, ‘How may I become perfected?’ With this thought, he began supreme austerities. Then, at a certain moment, the daughter of the mountain (Pārvatī) was struck, and upon witnessing this wondrous event, the ascetic was filled with amazement. ‘Such is the power of austerity!’ he exclaimed. ‘Today I have truly attained success!’ Though his body was lowly and impure, it was seized by great joy, and the twice-born sage began to dance. As this Brahmin danced in ecstasy, all the world—both moving and unmoving—danced with him. In that moment, neither study of the Vedas, nor the utterance of ‘vaṣaṭ,’ nor any ritual acts were performed anywhere; all creation was caught up in the wonder of his realization.