Vyāsa, filled with gratitude and awe, addressed the venerable sage before him: “I am truly blessed, favored, and fulfilled, O sage. For one who has not journeyed to Ayodhya, all other efforts are fruitless.” He continued, “By your kindness, O great one, you have declared to me the true path of dharma. Now, O foremost of Brāhmaṇas, you too should return to your own hermitage.” With these words, Agastya—the sage renowned for his austerities and born from a pot—took his leave. His eyes wide with wonder, steadfast and contemplative, he made his way back to his hermitage. Yet, the brahmin, seeking to attain all that his heart desired, journeyed to Ayodhya. There, upon beholding that supreme and holy place, the very source of great marvels, he was filled with reverence. Satisfied, the foremost of brahmins, the sage, returned once more to his hermitage. Vyāsa proclaimed: “Whoever has heard of the greatness of Ayodhya from me and performed the pilgrimage according to the prescribed rites, and whoever, with devotion, recites this incomparable glory, will be blessed. Therefore, people should always listen to this with effort and attention. Gold and other gifts, according to one’s ability, should be given to a twice-born as an offering of gratitude. This original and righteous greatness of the sacred field, described with ample injunctions, is realized only through supreme devotion. Whoever, at any time, gives wealth to the reciter according to his means, gains immense merit.” With the completion of this account, the narrative turns to a new chapter. “Victory to the yogi of Aruṇagiri!” is proclaimed—he who bears the mighty, hard-to-cross king of serpents upon his head, and whose brow is adorned by the crescent moon, shining as a lamp for all. The sages, eager to learn, entreated, “We wish to hear from you the greatness of Aruṇācala.” Thus requested, Sūta addressed the assembly: “Long ago, Sanaka approached the four-faced Brahmā with the same question. Listen attentively, all of you, for I shall now recount what transpired.” “In ancient times, Brahmā, the lotus-seated creator, dwelled in Satyaloka. Through your grace, O sages, all knowledge arose within me. By the glory of your devotion, the mirror of my mind was purified. The essence of the Vedas and Vedāngas is the undisturbed knowledge of Śiva. The Śaiva liṅgas upon earth, as well as the divine ones, O ocean of mercy, all point to that liṅga of mine—pure, divine, and radiant with unbroken splendor. By merely remembering its name, all sins are destroyed. That Śaiva brilliance, your eternal support of the world, is imperishable.” “Thus, filled with devotion and curiosity, Brahmā meditated for a long time upon Śaṃbhu, enthroned on the lotus. Once again, as before, he beheld the pillar of radiant light that was Śiva. Receiving Śiva’s command, Brahmā sought to obey it. His body was marked with goosebumps, born from the vision of Śiva. Contemplating the yoga of Śiva, I remembered you all with reverence.” “Supreme devotion to Śiva arose in you through your many austerities. Your deeds, undisturbed and pure, bring purification to the entire world. In your conversations, associations, play, and mingling together, let the wondrous Śaiva manifestation of old be heard.” “I and Nārāyaṇa were both born at the dawn of the universe. By our own nature, we arose and, in time, quarreled with each other. The urge for battle between us grew exceedingly fierce. For what purpose does such a conflict arise between these two, threatening destruction to the worlds? At this very moment, both of them, deluded, are intensely focused on each other.” Thus, the sages listened, eager to hear the ancient and wondrous story of Śiva’s glory and the origins of cosmic strife.