Sūta said, “O brāhmaṇas, when Viṣṇu vanished, the excellent sage Nārada roamed over the Earth, seeing Śiva Liṅgas in the various holy centres with piety. In the course of his wanderings over the Earth, O brāhmaṇas, with his mind full of devotional pleasure, he saw many forms of Śiva that confer worldly pleasures and salvation on the devotees. On knowing that Nārada of divine vision was wandering over the Earth, the two attendants of Śiva approched him who by that time had become pure in mind. They bowed to him and touched his feet. With a desire to secure release from the curse they spoke to him respectfully.