To the east of Pattaneśvara, there stands a supreme liṅga, radiant and revered. Once, upon hearing my words, you conveyed to the best of the twice-born: “By worshipping this liṅga, you will obtain an excellent son.” Inspired by your guidance, the brāhmaṇa, resolved in heart, followed your advice and journeyed to that sacred spot. There, he beheld the great liṅga—renowned as the bestower of sons and destroyer of sins. After some time had passed, I emerged together with you, revealing myself. “Know that I am Śarva,” I said. “Tell me, what shall I do for you? Whatever boon you desire, O Brahman, I shall grant you today.” With deep devotion, the best of sages spoke joyfully from his heart. Then, O goddess, I declared: “Mṛkaṇḍa, the best of sages, endowed with prosperity and knowledge, long-lived, all-knowing, and wise.” At that very moment, the great ascetic Mārkaṇḍeya appeared, steadfast in righteousness and immersed in austerity since birth. O goddess, you were satisfied with his austerity from the very moment of his birth. O best of brāhmaṇas, those who see me with supreme devotion will, by that connection, always be free from sorrow wherever they go. The three-eyed one, lord of the hosts and perfected beings, attended by accomplished Gandharvas, declared: “Those who worship me with heartfelt, fragrant flowers—” Thus, with that liṅga, the great ascetic Mārkaṇḍeya’s power and the Lord’s power were both revealed. O goddess, the greatness of Mārkaṇḍeya and of the Lord has been described. By whose mere sight all prosperity arises. There was once a king named Ripuṃjaya in the age of Brahmā. He devoted himself to the worship of the gods, observed vows, practiced charity, meditated, and engaged in noble self-study. He protected his subjects as if they were his own children, caring for them completely. His people flourished, blessed with children, wealth, grain, and every desire fulfilled. Yet, as he ruled the earth, O Pārvatī, King Ripuṃjaya found joy only in visiting Ujjayinī. Then, by me—Gaṇeśa, known as Śiva, chief of the hosts—I spoke to Gaṇeśa: “Go, my son, to my beloved.” Thus addressed, O goddess, Gaṇeśa replied with joined palms, “So be it.” When the host of Śiva departed, O fair-smiling one, I was satisfied. Then, taking the form of a mendicant, possessing many potent herbs, I wandered. Those afflicted by spirits, poison, and various ailments sought my aid. Whoever was childless became blessed with children, relying on the power of my mantra. Hearing his words, many were filled with curiosity. I dispelled their most formidable diseases, accepting gifts of gold, jewels, fine garments, and offerings of grain, villages, towns, and more. In this way, I dwelled there for fourteen years. Ah, what a supremely difficult task for a king! How devoted he was to the welfare of his people! As he reflected, Śiva, in the guise of a mendicant and accompanied by his attendants, appeared. Meanwhile, among those devoted to the king’s welfare, there was a woman of incomparable beauty, yet childless and longing for a son. Knowing the king’s power to grant all desires, the nāga women approached him with curiosity. Within the mendicant’s dwelling, the queen, attentive and undistracted, spoke to the mendicant, who was absorbed in thought and engaged in alms. Thus, the sacred events unfolded, revealing the grace of the Lord and the devotion of the wise.