The Earth, seeking clarity from Nārāyaṇa, spoke reverently: “You dwell within all forms, and especially within the sacred Śālagrāma stone. Tell me, how many such forms should be worshipped in a household? Is there a distinction in their worship? What are the rules for venerating Shiva and others?” Nārāyaṇa responded with gentle wisdom, “In a home, two Shiva lingas should not be worshipped together, nor should three Śālagrāma stones be placed for worship. Likewise, two chakra stones from Dwaraka, or two images of Surya, are not to be worshipped side by side. A pair of Śālagrāma stones may be worshipped, but never two together among pairs. O Earth, those sacred objects that have been burned or broken within the house should never be worshipped. Yet, if a Śālagrāma stone is broken but its chakra remains intact, it may still be worshipped; even if fractured or cracked, the auspicious Śālagrāma stone retains its worthiness. “O Devi, there are twelve types of stones arising from Śālagrāma. By worshipping twelve crore lingas with golden lotuses, one attains immense merit. Whoever worships a hundred Śālagrāma stones with devotion also gains great merit. All images of deities are to be worshipped by people of all castes. However, O Earth, Śālagrāma stones should not be touched by those of inferior caste. If, out of ignorance, a Shudra or a woman touches it, but devotion exists within them, then, O Earth, by drinking the water that has washed the feet of the stone, all sins are destroyed. Through association with the Śālagrāma stone, purification always occurs. “Hear further, O Earth, of the merit that arises when the Śālagrāma stone is accompanied by gold. When the ocean itself is gifted to a worthy recipient, the fruit of such worship cannot be described even in a hundred years. This secret concerning the installation of images has now been revealed to you, along with the procedures at the beginning of worship. What else do you wish to hear?” Thus concludes the one hundred and eighty-sixth chapter, named “The Number and Details of Installing Silver, Gold, and Other Liṅgas,” in the ancient and divine scripture of the Śrī Varāha Purāṇa. Having heard these teachings from Nārāyaṇa, the steadfast Earth, true to her vow, spoke again: “There is one supreme secret I wish to know, and you alone are worthy to reveal it to me. What is the greatness of the ancestral sacrifice, O king Somadatta? What is its merit, and how exactly is it performed? Please tell me in detail.” Nārāyaṇa replied, “Your question is well asked, O blessed Earth. Yet, O beautiful one weighed down by burdens, you are deluded. I shall explain to you the origin and determination of the Śrāddha rite. When all was devoid of light, without radiance, and enveloped everywhere in darkness, I alone reclined upon the serpent couch, facing away. Wrapped in the sleep woven of illusion, I either remained awake or slept, as a thousand ages passed by in each cycle. “O fair-hipped one, I have upheld you for five hundred days. That which you seek to know, I shall reveal. Out of wrath, I created the Lord, the destroyer of demons. Thus, we three gods, having made the earth into a single ocean, filled all with water, so that nothing else was perceived. I remained beneath the banyan tree, assuming by illusion the form of a child. O beautiful one, I restrain you; you know this, O auspicious Earth. Then, by means of illusion, water emerged there.” Thus, Nārāyaṇa began to unveil the mysteries of the ancestral sacrifice and the origins of creation to the Earth, guiding her with wisdom and compassion.