Once, the gods spoke with reverence to the great Lord Rudra, recalling the austerities he had performed: his vow of nakedness, bearing the skull, and the tawny cloth he wore as part of his sacred observances. They praised him, saying, “O god, it is by placing me first that you are worshipped according to the proper rites.” Eager to understand, they entreated, “O great god, please tell us in brief the proper procedure for your worship.” Pleased by the gods’ exultant cries of victory, Rudra departed for his celestial abode atop Mount Kailāsa. The gods, too, returned to the heavens and to their own realms, just as they had come. All the wondrous deeds performed by the great god Rudra became known throughout the earth, spreading his glory everywhere. Thus concludes the chapter extolling the greatness of Rudra. Now begins the account of the holy mountain. There lived a certain brahmin named Satyatapa, who, despite his birth in the noble lineage of Bhrigu, had become overcome by greed. The sage Durvasa, steadfast in his own vow, journeyed to the mighty Himavat mountain. Curious about Satyatapa, someone asked, “Tell me, O illustrious one, what kind of person was he? I am eager to know, for Satyatapa was once a brahmin of the Bhrigu line.” It was revealed that Satyatapa, through association with outlaws, had himself become like one of them. Yet, after receiving thorough instruction from Durvasa, he shone forth brightly once more. On the bank of the river Puṣyabhadrā, there stood a divine rock known as Citraśilā. There, Satyatapa, possessed of great austerity, stood performing severe penance. In his devotion, the sage even cut off his own left index finger, but no blood, flesh, or marrow was seen—such was the power of his asceticism. Nearby, beneath an auspicious banyan tree, a pair of celestial kinnaras was present. At dawn, bathed in clear light, these kinnaras ascended to the world of Indra. There, they were asked, “Tell us something wonderful and unprecedented that you have witnessed.” Standing before the assembly, the kinnaras spoke of what they had seen concerning Satyatapa. “On the bank of the river Puṣyabhadrā,” they said, “there occurred a great and excellent wonder.” They recounted all they had heard about the miraculous flow of ashes from Satyatapa’s penance. Hearing of these marvels, the gods said, “Come, O Viṣṇu, let us go to the excellent side of Himavat.” Thus addressed, Viṣṇu assumed the form of a great boar and appeared before the sages. Meanwhile, Indra, armed with bow and sharp arrows, was present in the forest. The sages exclaimed, “O Lord, here you have been seen as a great and mighty boar!” Upon hearing this, the sage Satyatapa began to reflect deeply. He thought, “Otherwise, my household will surely perish from hunger—there is no doubt.” Torn between his duty and his family, he could not decide what to do. After a moment, a thought arose within him: his eyes watched the movements of living beings, his tongue yearned to speak, and he desired what had been released. He saw before him the wounded boar, pierced by a spear, that had come to his hermitage. Yet, standing before the Lord of gods, Satyatapa declared, “There is no greater boon on earth than that I have seen you, O Lord, before me. And let liberation be my second boon—may I attain release.” At these words, the divine form became invisible and departed, yet remained present in spirit. As long as the great sage Satyatapa remained in that auspicious place, his purpose was fulfilled. Thereafter, he traveled around the earth, visiting holy places. He performed the sacred rites: washing the feet, sipping water, and giving cows in charity, before finally taking his seat. At last, a divine voice addressed the humble sage, who stood before it with joined palms: “My son, you have succeeded through your austerity; you have become one with Brahman, O virtuous one.