After performing the sacred bath with proper rites, the devotee beheld me and remained steadfast at that holy place, worshipping in countless ways, never ceasing in devotion. But at that time, a most wicked Kaulika, assuming a sinful form, approached and offered meat upon Shiva. Witnessing this impure act, Vishvamitra declared, “This evil deed has been committed by a sinner.” He observed that Sharva, the supreme soul, had not punished the offender, and so resolved, “I shall pronounce a curse—there is no doubt.” Thus, after careful consideration, the curse was pronounced upon me, O goddess. In this dreadful Kali Yuga, I must remain completely hidden; having spoken thus, the eminent sage departed. From that moment onward, O goddess, I have remained concealed by the sage’s curse. Yet, if someone performs worship at my particular place, all their sins are instantly destroyed. Those who fashion an image of me from clay and worship it, or who dwell especially at my place during Kali Yuga, are known as Khaṅgadhāreśvara. In the Kṛta Yuga, this place was called Maṃdira; in the Tretā, it was known as Gaurava; in the Dvāpara, it was renowned everywhere; and in the Kali Yuga, it is remembered as Khaṅgeśvara. My abode lies in the southern part, O Lady of the Gods; knowing this, the wise always establish an image there. Whoever worships regularly at this site attains their desired results—dharma, wealth, pleasure, and liberation upon earth. Those who offer incense, lamps, food, sandalwood, and similar offerings to the Lord of the Worlds, O Great Goddess, are freed from suffering—this is true, true, O beautiful-faced one. Thus concludes the chapter on the greatness of Dhāreśvara in the Uttarakhaṇḍa of the Padma Mahāpurāṇa. Mahādeva then spoke: Near Dugdheśvara lies a most holy pilgrimage site, delightful and renowned upon earth as Pippalāda. There, following his mother’s instruction, the sage once performed intense austerities and produced a being called Kṛtyā, whose power equaled the submarine fire. Desiring to free his father from debt, the great soul Dadhīci accomplished this; by bathing and drinking there, one is freed from the sin of killing a Brahmin. Upon the bank of the Sābhramatī, the lord Pippalāda remains concealed; bathing there, O goddess, grants eligibility for liberation. One must properly install pippala trees at this site; having done so, O great goddess, one is released from the bondage of karma. Pārvatī then asked, “For what reason was that Kṛtyā produced? Tell me about her. What did she do before? By which son was she led to free his father from debt?” Mahādeva replied: That best of sages, Dādhīci, arrived there seeking austerity; by that great sage, the supreme soul, tremendous tapas was performed. Then, an asura named Kola appeared, intent on causing obstacles, creating many hindrances. Seeing this, Kahoda, Dādhīci’s wise son, devised a ritual to slay the demon. By Kṛtyā’s power, the great asura Kola was slain. From this event, a great sacred place arose, which in the Kali age remains hidden, O Parvati. Thus ends the chapter named Pippalada Tirtha in the dialogue of Uma and Maheshvara. Mahadeva continued: Then one should journey to Bhutalaya, the sacred place that removes sin. Bhutalaya is marked by a banyan tree, and to the east stands a sandalwood tree. A person who bathes at Bhutalaya on Krishna Ashtami, having fasted and given black sesame seeds, does not become a ghost after death. He who offers a water pot with sesame seeds for his ancestors frees them from ghosthood; there is no doubt. By bathing in the name of one whose ancestors are ghosts, especially on the fourteenth or eighth lunar day in the morning with pure water, one is released from ghosthood. Having bathed at Bhutalaya and seen its banyan tree, by the grace of Bhuteshvara, one is freed from fear of spirits. Beyond Bhutalaya lies another sacred place, Ghateshvara. Bathing there and beholding it, one certainly attains liberation. Where the sacred river Abhramati flows is the great Ghata; seeing Mahadeva there brings freedom, without doubt. Whoever goes there and worships the Plaksha tree attains all desired wishes through the mind. Thus is the Ghateshvara Tirtha. Next, one should go with devotion to Vaidyanatha, bathing at the sacred site and worshipping Shiva. By properly satisfying the ancestors, one gains the fruit of all sacrifices; victory bestowed by the gods destroys all sins, and seeing him, people always attain various desires. Mahadeva spoke further: Then, O great goddess, one should visit the place where the mountain maiden, the slayer of Vritra, and Indra, the virtuous one, attained union. There, people with controlled minds perform bathing, and the fruit gained equals that of ten horse sacrifices. Whoever performs the ancestral rite there, offering balls made of sesame flour, purifies his lineage for seven generations, both past and future. Having worshipped properly and bathed at the confluence, honoring the leader of the hosts, one is not overcome by obstacles nor deprived of prosperity.