Listen attentively, O highly fortunate and sinless one, as I recount this sacred tale. In the house of a cāṇḍāla, it is indeed so—there is no doubt about it. Yet my devotee is born in a pure, bhāgavata household, and through such a birth, humans are able to cross the great hardship of being born in the wombs of cāṇḍālas. To purify himself, one should eat only once every four days and sleep upon a bed beneath the open sky. Having thus become pure and following the proper rules, he should remain steadfast on the path of actions prescribed by me. By performing whatever purifies worldly existence, one attains true auspiciousness. Now, hear truly the result of my own fault and offense. One becomes a vulture, lord among those who dwell in the sky, for seven years; after that, he is born as a piśāca, a flesh-eating spirit, for fifteen years. Having heard this from Nārāyaṇa, the Earth herself spoke, her curiosity kindled: “O God, I am greatly curious; please tell me everything. What is this threefold nature, O Lord, in your pure and auspicious words?” Then the divine one took up a radiant skull, glowing with great energy. O lotus-eyed goddess, listen well to this excellent account of mine, which took place at night in the cremation ground so dear to Rudra. Even today, O sinless one, those of firm vows do not know these mysteries. Once, having slain children, elders, and women in the form of the triple city, the yogin lost his sovereignty of mind, and his magical powers were destroyed. There, on that very spot, Shiva stood, surrounded by all his hosts. Then, meditated upon by me, O goddess, Shankara shall return once more. Rudra, the great lord of all beings, found his magical power lost. His awareness faded, his knowledge destroyed, his yogic power gone—he stood powerless. I asked him, “Why do you stand here, Rudra, shrouded in confusion? You are the separation of Vaiśākha, you are the origin, you are the ultimate refuge. Why do you not recognize yourself, though you are surrounded by your attendants? Therefore, tell me truly that which I have asked you. For the sake of your beloved, it is for this reason that I have come here.” With eyes scorched by sin, Rudra spoke sweet words. The one god, Nārāyaṇa, the great lord of all worlds, replied: “I have attained union and knowledge, and now I am free from distress. I know you, and you know me, O Mādhava. But Brahmā knows only what lies between us, not beyond.” Thus, after Hara, the great lord of beings, spoke these words to me, he said, “By your grace, O Viṣṇu, I have destroyed that Tripura. There, children and elders were slain, scattered in all ten directions. Their yoga and magic lost, their sovereignty destroyed, O Mādhava. O Viṣṇu, tell me truly the means of purification, the destroyer of sin.” As Rudra pondered these things, I spoke to him. Upon hearing my words, the blessed supreme lord asked, “What is that place, O Viṣṇu, which is equal, where we shall go?