Driven by his own will and a sense of curiosity, Ḍhuṇḍha journeyed to the realm of Indra. There, he beheld wondrous and graceful gestures—the exquisite movements of eyes and hands, gestures as delicate as those made with a needle, and hand-positions like the flag and others, all performed with enchanting beauty. Indra himself, along with the other gods, kept their eyes fixed upon the dancer’s radiant face. Meanwhile, O Goddess, Ḍhuṇḍha, ever playful, was present. In that assembly, Rambhā, immersed in her dance, was suddenly struck with a bouquet of flowers. A voice declared, “Fall, you, to the world of humans! You have disrupted the performance.” Thus, Rambhā was cast down to the mortal realm, where she lay unconscious, her senses bewildered. Coming to her senses, she lamented, “Alas, I have received the fruit of injustice, having acted out of delusion.” Resolving to restore herself, she declared, “By taking refuge in the path of righteousness, may I attain success.” With this resolve, Rambhā undertook severe austerities upon the great mountain Maheṃdra. Yet, O Goddess, when her aim was not achieved, she moved to the great banks of the Ganga—then to the Godavari, the Bhimarathi, the Kaushiki, and the Sharada, all auspicious rivers. Still, her pilgrimage and austerity seemed fruitless; the result of her efforts was in vain. At that moment, O Goddess, a bodiless voice spoke from the heavens. It proclaimed that all the sacred places on earth, beginning with Prayaga, were sanctified by the presence of a most holy linga, capable of fulfilling all desires. “By the grace of that linga, you will again attain Shiva,” the voice assured her. Hearing this celestial message, the group proceeded and beheld that auspicious linga, bestower of all prosperity. Then, from the midst of the linga, a voice issued forth, O son of Parvati. It prayed, “May my devotion to your lotus feet always remain unwavering. If you are pleased, O great Lord, quickly grant this boon. And those humans, O Supreme Lord, who see you—” Ḍhuṇḍha’s words, spoken by the linga, promised that those who heard them would always remain free from great sins. They would obtain supreme desires and become foremost among the hosts. Having received this boon, Ḍhuṇḍha, with joined palms, spoke again, and the linga, pleased, replied, “So be it,” O Parvati. By the mere sight of Dhundheshvara, success always comes to people. Those who worship the supreme Lord Dhundheshvara with devotion are alone virtuous in the world, alone dear to me. The merit that arises from a hundred Rajasuya sacrifices is theirs. Mental, verbal, physical, or secret sins—all these quickly depart upon seeing Dhundheshvara. Thus, O Devi, I have spoken: that Ḍhuṇḍha, leader of the hosts, shone together with the Ganas and became most pleasing to me. This, O Devi, has been told to you—the power that destroys sin. Then, Sri Mahadeva said: When the Lord of the universe is seen, sin is destroyed. In the Vaivasvata cycle, there was a great demon named Ruru, immense in size, with sharp fangs and terrifying appearance. By his power, the gods were shaken from their positions and left the abode of the immortals. Their wealth was seized, and they went to Brahma for refuge. Knowing Ruru to be invulnerable, the mighty demon, wicked in mind, slew both the righteous and others as well. At that time, the earth was devoid of the recitation of scriptures and sacrificial exclamations.