Having listened attentively to the words of Nārāyaṇa, the Earth, filled with curiosity, addressed him with reverence. “O Lord,” she said, “my heart is eager to know. Please reveal everything to me. What is this threefold nature you speak of, O God, in your pure and auspicious words?” In response, the divine being took up a radiant skull, glowing with great energy. He spoke gently, “O lotus-eyed one, listen well to this excellent account of mine. Long ago, at night in the cremation ground beloved by Rudra, a profound event unfolded—one even those of firm vows do not know to this day. After slaying children, elders, and women in the form of the triple city, the great yogin, Rudra, lost the sovereignty of his mind, and his magical power was destroyed. There, upon that very spot, Shiva stood, surrounded by all his hosts. Meditating upon him, I knew that Shankara would return again, though his yogic power was lost, his awareness and knowledge destroyed, and he stood powerless, the great lord of all beings, shrouded in confusion. I questioned him, ‘Why do you stand here, Rudra, enveloped in delusion? You are the very separation of Vaiśākha, the origin, the ultimate refuge. Why do you not recognize your true self, even though your attendants are all around you? Therefore, answer me truly what I have asked, for I have come here for the sake of your beloved.’ With eyes scorched by the burden of sin, Rudra spoke sweet words. He acknowledged me—Nārāyaṇa, the one god, the great lord of all worlds. ‘I have now attained union and knowledge, and am free from distress. I know you, and you know me, O Mādhava. Brahmā, however, knows only what lies between us, not beyond.’ Thus, having spoken to me, Hara, the great lord of beings, said, ‘By your grace, O Viṣṇu, I have destroyed that Tripura. In that event, children and elders were slain, scattering in all directions. Their yoga and magic were lost, their sovereignty destroyed, O Mādhava. Now, O Viṣṇu, tell me truly the means of purification, the destroyer of sin.’ As Rudra pondered, I spoke to him, and the blessed supreme lord listened. He asked, ‘O Viṣṇu, what is that sacred place, equal for all, where we shall go? For the purpose of purifying this sin, I have spoken these words.’ I revealed, ‘There, souls remain by their own will, free from all desire. With firm resolve, they stay for thousands of divine years. The flesh of those who were slain, and the foods you cherish, will be present. But when a thousand years are completed, you will stand again, purified. There, abiding in Gautama’s hermitage, you will come to know your true self. Constantly, a skull filled with sin will be fixed upon your head.’ Thus, after granting Rudra this boon, I vanished from that place. Therefore, O Earth, know that I never find the cremation ground pleasing. O blessed one, this is why the cremation ground is repugnant to me, and I have told you the reason.