Parvati, ever eager for divine knowledge, asked Mahadeva: “By which son was she led, in order to free his father from debt?” Mahadeva replied, “O goddess, it was that illustrious sage Dadhichi, the supreme soul, who came to that sacred place to perform austerities. There, Dadhichi engaged in deep penance, his mind intent on spiritual discipline. But as he pursued his austerities, an asura named Kola arrived, intent on causing obstacles. Kola created many hindrances for the sage—there is no doubt about this. Witnessing these troubles, the wise Kahoda, Dadhichi’s virtuous son, devised a ritual with the purpose of destroying the asura. Through this ritual, the great demon Kola was indeed slain by her power. From this event, a sacred tirtha, a holy pilgrimage site, arose. Yet, O Parvati, in the Kali age, this holy place remains hidden from the world.” Thus concludes the chapter named Pippalada Tirtha, as recounted in the sacred dialogue between Uma and Maheshvara, in the Uttarakanda of the Padma Purana. Mahadeva then continued, “Afterwards, one should proceed to Bhutalaya, that sacred place which removes all sin. Bhutalaya is marked by a venerable banyan tree, and to its east stands a sandalwood tree. Whoever bathes at Bhutalaya on Krishna Ashtami, after fasting and offering black sesame seeds, will not become a wandering spirit after death. If one offers a water pot filled with sesame seeds to the ancestors there, it frees their forebears from the state of being ghosts—this is certain. Should a person bathe in the name of an ancestor who is a ghost, especially on the fourteenth or eighth lunar day, at dawn with pure water, that ancestor is released from ghosthood. Moreover, by bathing at this sacred place and seeing the Bhutalaya banyan tree, one receives the grace of Bhuteshvara and is freed from any fear of spirits. Beyond Bhutalaya lies another holy site known as Ghateshvara. Bathing there and beholding the place, one certainly attains liberation. Where the sacred river Abhramati flows, there is the great Ghata; seeing Mahadeva there, one is freed from all bondage. Whoever goes to this place and especially worships the Plaksha tree, will have all their earthly desires fulfilled through the power of their mind. After Ghateshvara, a pilgrim should journey with devotion to the renowned site of Vaidyanatha. There, by bathing and worshipping Shiva, and by properly satisfying the ancestors, one receives the fruits of all sacrifices. Victory, bestowed by the gods, destroys all sins, and those who see this place attain all manner of wishes.” Mahadeva then spoke again: “Next, O great goddess, one should visit the place where the mountain maiden, the slayer of Vritra, and Indra, the virtuous king of the gods, attained union. There, people with controlled minds bathe, and the merit gained is equal to that of ten horse sacrifices. Whoever performs ancestral rites there, offering balls made of sesame flour, purifies his lineage for seven generations, both past and future. After worship and bathing at the confluence, and honoring the leader of the celestial hosts, one is not troubled by obstacles nor deprived of prosperity. Parvati, curious, asked, ‘For what action did Purandara (Indra) come here from heaven? By what name is the river Vārtraghnī known? In Indra’s city, where Brahma’s praises ring out, whoever constantly honors this river—tell me of this union.’ Mahadeva replied, ‘This very question arose long ago in the world of mortals. King Yudhishthira, famed for his righteousness, once asked Bhishma, the wise and virtuous elder. I shall now recount to you what Bhishma explained. For ten thousand years and a thousand more, a terrifying battle raged between Vritra, the mighty asura, and Vasava, Indra. At last, Indra was defeated and, making an agreement with Vritra, abandoned the battle without deceit. He came to seek refuge in me. At the sacred confluence with Vārtraghnyā, Indra worshipped Shankara (Shiva), and I appeared to him in the sky, granting him a divine vision. From my own body, ashes fell upon the banks of the Kashyapi river. There, O goddess, a sacred linga called Bhasmagatra was established. Bhuteshvara, Bhasmagatra, was installed by Brahma himself. Simply by seeing it, one is freed from the terrible sin of killing a Brahmana. By performing the ancestral rites there at the beginning of the ages, all sins are washed away. I was greatly pleased with Indra, and I told him, ‘Whatever you desire, O god, I grant to you. With this union with the thunderbolt, you will swiftly slay Vritra.’ Indra responded, ‘O Lord, by your grace, I shall indeed slay the formidable son of Diti with the thunderbolt, as you watch, O best of gods.’ Having spoken thus, Indra set out toward the asura. At that moment, celestial kettledrums resounded, especially within the armies of the gods. The air was filled with the sounds of mridangas, dindimas, bheris, and many other instruments. Among all the demons, a great desire for victory arose. Mighty Maghavan (Indra) was instantly empowered. Seeing him thus possessed, the sages and serpents recognized his divine state. They praised Indra with hymns and shouts of victory. As Indra advanced, eager for battle, surrounded by the sages’ praises, his form became exceedingly radiant and difficult to behold. O goddess, at the height of the battle with Vritra, various lingas manifested upon my body. Fierce and blazing mouths appeared, an extreme pallor overcame me, my limbs trembled greatly, and my breath grew hot. Horripilation and intense trembling seized me, and a mighty exhalation arose. Terrifying meteors fell, striking the earth. Vultures, bats, hawks, and herons uttered dreadful cries, circling above Vritra like a wheel, foretelling the momentous events about to unfold.