Asked about the special sanctity of Arunachala, Ramana Maharshi said that other holy places such as Kailash, Varanasi and Rishikesh are sacred because they are the abodes of Lord Siva whereas Arunachala is Lord Siva himself. However, as the above verse of "Arunachala Mahatmyam" says, Arunachala is a secret "kshetra". It is this place that bestows "jnana" (Self-knowledge) and because most people have so many other desires and do not truly want "jnana", Arunachala has always remained comparatively little known. But to those few who seek "jnana", Arunachala always makes itself known through some means or other.