As the tale unfolds, Arbuda, seeking to leave a mark upon the earth, prayed that he might become renowned by his very name. In accordance with divine command, he established his own hermitage there, amidst a grove of splendid trees—jackfruit, campaka, mango, priyangu, bilva, and pomegranate. Within this sacred haven stood the greatest of sages, accompanied by the venerable Arundhati. It was said that to bathe in those holy waters could lift even the gravest sinner to the heavens; indeed, those who immersed themselves there would attain the highest spiritual state. Especially auspicious was the act of giving sesame at this site, particularly during the sacred month of Māgha. Yet, beyond elaborate rituals, the simple act of bathing here was extolled as supremely meritorious. Moreover, it was believed that to behold the radiant face of Vasiṣṭha was to be freed forever from the cycle of rebirth. Sūta continued the narration: Once Vasiṣṭha had established his hermitage in that place, the revered sage devoted himself wholly to spiritual practice, living only on fruits. For five hundred years, he sustained himself on water alone, undertaking austere penances. In the heat of summer, he practiced the five-fire austerity; during the chill of winter, he remained immersed in water. Pleased by Vasiṣṭha’s unwavering devotion, Mahādeva—Lord Śiva himself—appeared before the sage. Awestruck, Vasiṣṭha began to hymn the Lord: “Salutations to Śiva, the pure, the all-pervading, the immortal! Salutations to the gross and the subtle, the all-encompassing, the great soul! Salutations to the bearer of the crescent moon, to him who is clothed in the directions! Salutations to you whose form is knowledge, who is attainable through knowledge! O Lord of Kāśī, repeated salutations to you, Lord of the Mountain! O beloved of Gaurī, salutations to you whose nature is auspiciousness, to you of universal form, pure and great-souled!” Pleased, Śiva addressed Vasiṣṭha, “I am pleased with you. May good fortune be yours—choose a boon, O steadfast one.” As he spoke, the mountain split open, and a liṅga—the sacred symbol of Śiva—arose before the sage. Śiva explained, “This was promised before to the great-souled mountain. By your words, O best of Brāhmaṇas, all will indeed come true. Whoever among mortals recites this hymn to me with devotion shall be blessed. O best of sages, I was sent here by Indra for the sake of what is dear to me. To the north of this god stands a sacred pool; whoever goes there attains the supreme state, free from old age and death. From the split mountain, my liṅga has emerged, and because of its greatness, it shall never be moved from its place.” Having thus spoken, Maheśvara fell silent. Then Indra and the other gods came to visit the holy fords and shrines of that region. Pleased, the greatest of the gods chose to make his abode there. At this point, Sūta’s listeners, filled with curiosity, implored him, “Tell us this auspicious story just as it happened.” Sūta recounted how he went to the house of King Yayāti, bowed before him, and was greeted warmly. Yayāti said, “Welcome, O best of sages. Today my life is truly blessed. There is a mountain named Arbuda, famed throughout the earth. Tell me everything about it in detail, O devotee of pilgrimage.” Sūta replied, “Even in a hundred years, I could not recount all its glories in full. Yet, I will briefly tell you of its principal holy places.” And thus, the sacred story continued to unfold.