When Maināka, the son of the noble mountain, fled in fear and entered the depths of the ocean, his parents were overcome with worry. They wondered aloud, “What shall we do now? How will our welfare be secured, with our son gone and this intense fear of a curse looming over us, along with the pain caused by his absence?” In the midst of this turmoil, a decision was made. The elders called upon Nandivardhana and spoke with urgency, “There is a dreadful chasm here—fill it quickly. Use branches of palāśa, khadira, dhava, and śālmalī trees to close the gap.” Yet, Nandivardhana hesitated, for the chasm was filled with fierce men, wild beasts, and various Bhillas. “O best of mountains,” he pleaded, “I am not fit to go there in any way.” Seeing his fear, the sage Vasiṣṭha, full of compassion, addressed the trembling Nandivardhana: “Do not be afraid. My dwelling shall always be upon your head, right here. This place is adorned with trees of many forms, with leaves, flowers, and fruits. I promise, I myself will bring Maheśvara here for your sake.” Then Vasiṣṭha approached Arbuda, the mighty serpent, and spoke to him with gentle words, “May you prosper here today, friend, endowed with humility. I will remain here with you, without doubt. But out of affection, brother, let me say this: let fame come by my name; I desire nothing else.” Having bowed to his parents, Arbuda set out with the sage, entering a land abundant with divine, auspicious trees, flowing rivers, and cascading waterfalls. By the sage’s words, Arbuda freed Nandivardhana from the chasm, lifting the burden of fear. Grateful, Nandivardhana addressed Arbuda, “Choose a boon, O steadfast one.” Arbuda replied, “If you are to grant something, listen, best of twice-born. Let this pure stream of water that flows on this very peak be my boon. Here I shall always reside, O sage, out of friendship and affection.” Vasiṣṭha blessed the place further: “Even a barren woman who merely bathes here will be granted a son endowed with all auspicious marks. On the bright fifth day of the lunar fortnight, those who worship here with fruits, who bathe here with devotion, or who perform śrāddha here with concentration, will be blessed.” Then, approaching Nandivardhana, Vasiṣṭha spoke kindly, “Choose a boon, child; I am pleased with you, O sinless one.” Nandivardhana replied, “May your presence here always remain, without fail. And just as I am known as Arbuda, so may I attain fame on earth.” At Vasiṣṭha’s command, he established his own hermitage there, amidst groves of jackfruit, campaka, mango, priyangu, bilva, and pomegranate trees. The best of sages stood there, together with Arundhati, his devoted wife. Vasiṣṭha declared, “By bathing here, even those who have committed great sins will ascend to heaven. All who bathe here shall attain the highest state. Whoever gives sesame here, especially in the sacred month of Māgha, is blessed. What more need be said? One should simply perform the holy bath here. For upon seeing the face of Vasiṣṭha, there is no further rebirth.” Thus, having established his hermitage in that sacred place, the venerable sage Vasiṣṭha sanctified the land, bringing blessings to all who came.