In ancient times, a sage dwelled in a secluded place, wholly devoted to his spiritual practice. Sustained first by fruits, he later subsisted on water alone for five hundred years, demonstrating unwavering discipline. Throughout the scorching summers, he performed the five-fire austerity, sitting amidst blazing fires; in the cold winters, he immersed himself in water, enduring the extremes of nature as part of his ascetic vows. His dedication was so profound that Mahādeva, the great Lord Śiva, became pleased with him. When Śiva appeared before the sage, the sage was filled with wonder and reverence. He began to chant a hymn, offering salutations to Śiva—the pure one, the all-pervading, the immortal. He praised the Lord as both the gross and the subtle, the great soul who pervades all. The sage honored Śiva as the bearer of the crescent moon, the one clothed in the directions, whose form is knowledge and who is attainable through knowledge. He addressed Śiva as the Lord of Kāśī and the Lord of the Mountain, offering repeated salutations. He hailed Him as the beloved of Gaurī, whose nature is auspiciousness, and as the pure, universal form and great soul. Pleased by the sage’s devotion, Śiva said, "I am pleased with you; may good fortune be yours—choose a boon, O steadfast one." As He spoke, a liṅga emerged before the sage, breaking through the mountain itself. Śiva explained, "I had previously promised this 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—" He continued, "O best of sages, I was sent by Indra for the sake of what is dear to me. In the northern direction of the god, there is always a sacred pool; whoever goes there attains the supreme state, free from old age and death. By splitting the mountain, my liṅga emerged from there. Because of the greatness of this liṅga, it will never move from its place." Having spoken these words, the great Lord Maheśvara fell silent. Soon after, Indra and the other gods visited the sacred fords and shrines, honoring the holy places. Pleased, the best of the gods made his abode there, sanctifying the land. At this point in the narration, Sūta is approached by seekers, their curiosity awakened. They request, "Tell us the auspicious story as it happened." Sūta then goes to the house of King Yayāti, bows to him, and the king welcomes him warmly, saying, "Welcome, best of sages; today my life has become fruitful." Yayāti asks about the Arbuda mountain, renowned upon the earth, and requests Sūta to tell him everything in detail, especially as a devotee of pilgrimage. Sūta replies, "Even in a hundred years, I am unable to speak of it in full detail. I will tell you briefly the principal holy places." He explains that Arbuda especially bestows the good fortune of sons upon women. There was a virtuous, chaste Brahmin woman named Gautamī, deeply devoted to her husband. She journeyed to Arbuda and entered the Nāga-tīrtha, the sacred serpent pool. Accompanied by her sons, she arrived at that holy place, bringing all necessary implements—darbha grass and various kinds of flowers—for worship. Sūta remarks, "Blessed is this son of hers, for he always serves her." Gautamī, separated from her husband and bereft of a son, was deeply afflicted with sorrow. Yet, even without union with her husband, she suddenly became pregnant. Overcome by confusion and grief, she resolved upon death and kindled a fire. But Sūta assures, "There is no fault of yours in this matter, due to the power of this sacred place." Thus, the story unfolds, revealing the sanctity and miraculous power of Arbuda, the blessings of Śiva, and the transformative grace bestowed upon the devoted.