Even after completing his arduous pilgrimages, Bhārgava—known to all as Rāma—remained tormented by deep sorrow and reflection. He thought to himself, “The sin of killing a Brāhmaṇa still clings to me; all my righteous deeds seem fruitless. If this is so, how has my ruin come about?” At that very moment, Nārada, the foremost of sages, appeared before him. Rāma’s face was cast down, his heart heavy with dejection, and his mind caught in anxious thoughts that returned again and again. In his distress, he addressed Nārada, saying, “O divine sage, hear my supreme words. Because my father was defeated, I slew the rulers of the earth. Without ceasing, I destroyed the worlds, acting mercilessly and without sorrow. I have performed sacrifices, completed the Aśvamedha, and given many gifts. I have practiced austerities on mountains, made offerings, and recited sacred texts without interruption—but none of these lead to the highest state if killing has occurred. Therefore, all such acts are rendered fruitless.” Upon hearing Rāma’s words, the venerable Nārada replied, “O Rāma, why do you not now remember Hari, your true self? You yourself have spoken before of the destruction of the sin of brahmahatyā. In that sacred place, the great liṅga destroys the sin of killing a Brāhmaṇa. There abides Jaṭeśvara, the greatly fortunate one, bestower of all accomplishments.” Hearing Nārada’s counsel and recalling that supreme field, Rāma swiftly journeyed to the great Kālavaṇa. There, from the midst of the liṅga, I, the Lord, graciously emerged, O goddess. To Jāmadagnya, I spoke: “I grant you your desired boon.” Rāma responded, “May my devotion to your lotus feet, O goddess, ever be abundant.” Thus was I addressed by him, and I was pleased, O Pārvatī. From that day forward, the god would be renowned by Rāma’s name. Those who worship with devotion the supreme god Rāmeśvara will have all their sins from birth destroyed in that very instant. He alone is virtuous and worthy of worship, both in this world and the next. Those who rejoice in the god’s sight and worship likewise—even the most terrible sin, the killing of a thousand Brāhmaṇas, and the rare fruit that is difficult for Brāhmaṇas to obtain through great sacrifices like the Vājapeya—shall be granted. Heroes who face death in battle for the sake of cows and Brāhmaṇas have always conquered the worlds, just as Rāma conquered the three worlds. Thus, O goddess, I have told you the glory that destroys sin. Śrī Viśvanātha continued: “By whose mere sight one does not fall from heaven—O Pārvatī, hear now of Cyavana, the son of the great sage Bhṛgu. On the beautiful bank of the Vitastā river, Cyavana performed austerities for many years. As time passed, O goddess, his body became entirely covered with ants. It happened that a king’s daughter came to that excellent forest for pleasure. This king had four thousand women as his consorts. The princess, adorned with all ornaments and surrounded by her companions, was curious. Her mind confused, she took a thorn and, out of curiosity, pierced the mound, not knowing Cyavana was within. The sage, thus pierced, became extremely distressed in both eyes. The king, suffering greatly, found his urine and feces blocked. The king then asked his people, ‘Who has committed an offense here against the great-souled Bhārgava? Whether it is known or unknown, speak of it now without delay.’ The ruler of the earth spoke both gently and harshly in his search for the truth. Seeing her father so distressed, Sukanyā, the princess, then spoke to him.