On the second day, the revered sage Agastya, having seen the queen, began to speak. With compassion, he lamented, “Alas, how many remain ignorant of the supreme greatness of the Liṅga! Even incomplete vows are fulfilled simply by seeing it.” Turning his gaze upward, Agastya praised, “Excellent, excellent, O Lord of the universe! Well done, Bhadrāśva, steadfast in your vows!” He continued, “On the seventh day, I beheld him dancing with his wife. What is the cause of such joy for this devotee of Brahman, who is moved to dance? The priest himself is bewildered—such is the fate of those who do not understand my view. Yet, even kings are born through the merit of seeing him. O Brahman, your intention at this moment is beyond our knowing. “In the city of Haridatta, you are indeed her husband. That merchant, journeying to Mahākāla, approached the great god Maheśvara. After worshipping, as long as he remained at home, you both served as guardians. By that accumulated merit, your birth took place in the house of Priyavrata. Through association with another, excellent beings were born, and because of that god’s greatness, they performed many sacrifices for the unborn. “Therefore, O king, I have recounted to you this ancient account.” Hearing these words from the great-souled Kumbhayoni, the king departed with the sage Agastya and his retinue. With faith in his heart, he once again beheld the Liṅga described by Agastya. Then, radiant as the sun, the god was pleased and spoke to the king, bestowing blessings: “Lineage, power, prosperity, long life, and freedom from disease shall be yours.” Thus addressed by the lord of gods, the king returned to his own domain. The accumulated deeds of many births and the collection of partial vows—these find fulfillment here. Therefore, the god Khaṇḍeśvara is renowned in the three worlds. All partial vows are swiftly fulfilled, and all attain completeness by seeing Śrī Khaṇḍeśvara. By seeing this god, one is freed from obstacles caused by sin; by seeing him, one attains the fulfillment of life’s purpose. When Khaṇḍeśvara is worshipped, all the gods, including Indra, are worshipped as well. Those who worship Lord Khaṇḍeśvara with faith—offering incense, lamps, salutations, recitations, and various hymns—become long-lived, virtuous in conduct, and pure in body. By the grace of Khaṇḍeśvara, they are born thus; of this, there is no doubt. Among those blessed are Vishnu, Brahma, Indra, Kubera, Agni, and others. Thus, O goddess, I have told you of the power of Khaṇḍeśvara, the destroyer of sins. Know also that Pattaneshvara, Lord of the City, grants success to people. Once, O goddess, on Mount Mandara, in a beautiful cave, you asked me, ‘For what reason did you leave the delightful Kailāsa mountain?’ That cave resounded with the songs and music of Siddhas, Charanas, Gandharvas, and Kinnaras. It was alive with cuckoos, chakoras, and flocks of curlews. In the vast, empty forest of Mahakala, overgrown with shrubs and creepers and adorned with bears, monkeys, jackals, and other creatures, you asked, ‘How did the Lord come to dwell there? This is my curiosity.’ Thus, O goddess, you questioned me in that beautiful cave on Mandara, seeking to know these ancient and sacred mysteries.