Renowned throughout the three worlds was the wise Nahuṣa, lord of the sleepless, whose fame shone like a beacon among gods and beings. He, bearing a hundred hoods and many forms, resembled a mountain crowned with countless peaks. Alongside him stood Vinata, king of the nāgas, accompanied by Kambala and Aśvatara—mighty serpent lords. Karkoṭa and Dhanañjaya, too, were present, sovereigns among serpents, as were the very embodiments of time: day and night, the lunar fortnights, the months, and the years themselves. Then, as all the gods, yakṣas, and siddhas assembled, a wondrous gathering took place. The assembly of the gods was beautiful, gracing the summit of the lord of mountains. There, the air was fragrant and gentle, pleasing to the touch. The gods and gandharvas sang melodiously, while the apsarases danced in joy, their movements a celebration of divine grace. Amidst this gathering, he—together with the king of the gods and the other deities—became agitated, their hearts stirred by the grandeur of the moment. Immediately, they began to bow in reverence to the assembled beings. With quick hospitality, he welcomed them, offering water for their feet and hands, and inviting them to be seated. Present were the Ādityas, Vasus, Rudras, Maruts, and the Ashvins, as well as Viśvāvasu, Hāhā, Hūhū, Nārada, and Tumburu. Vāsuki and the other mighty serpent kings joined the assembly, along with yakṣas, vidyādharas, the planets, the oceans, and the mountains themselves. All these exalted beings, joyful and gracious, bestowed their blessings upon him: “May the god Paśupati always be pleased with you, O sage. May your movements everywhere be unhindered, O sinless one. May you live, mighty one, free from disease, immortal, and happy.” Thus addressed by the gods, Nandī replied with humility and devotion: “O joyful best of gods, whatever is dear to you all, I am blessed by your benediction; I am always to be employed by you. Order me, for I am commanded; therefore, O excellent gods, instruct me as you wish.” Śakra, the king of the gods, spoke: “Let us all, O sage, behold the mighty lord, the chief of the gods—the immovable, fierce, and auspicious god Śarva himself. Tell us quickly, O great sage, where is that place?” Nandī replied to Śakra, his mind fixed on Paśupati: “O lord of the gods, O lord of heaven, you are worthy to hear the truth as it is. On this Muñjavaṭa mountain, when I worshipped the steadfast one, he was pleased and departed from here. I am afraid to say where he has gone. Let us diligently search for the Blessed Lord, O Indra.” Thus concludes the chapter entitled ‘The Granting of Boons by Nandikeśvara’ in the glorious Varāha Purāṇa, in the section on the greatness of Gokarṇa. Now begins the account of the greatness of Gokarṇeśvara and Jaleśvara. There, Śakra, together with all the hosts of gods, assembled once more. All the gods rose up from the great mass of rocks and began their search. They scoured all the realms: heaven, Brahmā’s world, and the world of the nāgas. Yet, exhausted and greatly distressed, they could not find that sacred place again. Seeking the god, they searched through mountains and forests, wandering through widespread groves and all the pleasure gardens. Nowhere did the gods find any trace of Śambhu. They did not see Śiva there, and fear entered their hearts. The immortals, gathering together, sought refuge in me. I saw only one means left: to meditate, adorned with the ornaments of enmity. For we had thoroughly searched all the three worlds, save for one place—the region of the śleṣmātaka forest on earth.