After a moment of deep meditation, Nārada gently closed his eyes and then spoke with clarity. He urged, “Go swiftly, even though distressed, to the delightful and vast Kāla forest. There, worship the supreme liṅga known as Īśāneśvara.” He explained that in the ancient Īśāna epoch, by the grace of Īśāna, the highest place was attained—even upon the head of Śaṃkara himself. Nārada assured them, “By worshipping that liṅga alone, one’s heart’s desire is truly obtained.” Hearing these words, the gods were filled with joy. They offered their praises: “O Īśāneśāna, O Lord, O Īśāna, O Tatpuruṣa, homage to you! Three-eyed one, radiant Lord, great god, beloved of Umā, obeisance again and again! Salutations to Śambhu, salutations to Rudra, O Virūpākṣa, repeated salutations!” They acknowledged that all stationary beings, all creatures, and all moving things are pervaded by him. They declared, “The sky is your head, O gods; the moon and sun are your eyes. Your arms stretch to all directions, and your belly is the vast ocean. Indra, Soma, Agni, Varuṇa, the gods, the asuras, and the great serpents—all beings are pervaded by you, O Lord of the worlds.” “You alone are the remover of fears, the destroyer of enemies,” they said. Yet, despite their efforts, none had attained supreme liberation. Only through worshipping him did they bow in every way. Then, enveloped in smoke, a great flame arose, burning the demon, and by the power of this liṅga, the gods regained their own domains. They firmly believed that sovereignty is the nature of this one. Those who worship the one called Īśāna and Īśvara are ever worshipped by the gods, gandharvas, and apsarases. Brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, śūdras, women, and maidens—whoever is established in discipline and properly performs the viewing—are always capable in all actions, O illustrious one. Thus, O goddess, your power, destroyer of sin, has been described. By the mere sight of this Lord, the world attains its desired objects. In the Nandana forest, endowed with all enjoyments and filled with parrots, cuckoos, chakoras, and kuraras, Indra—the enemy of Vṛtra—was seated, honored by the foremost of the gods. At that moment, an apsaras’s mind wandered; she became distracted, recalling something out of carelessness. The best of the gods, Indra, grew angry and pronounced a curse upon her: “Therefore, go to the world of humans, deprived of your radiance.” Shaken by Indra’s wrath, that apsaras fell to earth. Lamenting pitifully, she cried, “What wrong have I committed?” Her companions, the entire host of apsarases, were tormented by grief for her. Like a lotus in a cloudy sky that does not shine while asleep, so too did she lose her radiance. Surrounded by her circle of friends, Rambhā was seen, her face beautiful as the moon. Yet, the apsarases appeared overwhelmed by sorrow. Coming together, Rambhā asked, “Why are the best of the apsarases like this?” They recounted to her that ancient story. With great care, he explained to them a beneficial means.