After the great Lord Maheśvara had spoken, he fell silent, his words lingering in the air. Then Indra and the other gods, filled with devotion, journeyed to the sacred fords and holy shrines. Pleased, the best among the gods chose to make his abode in that sacred place. At this point, a group of sages, their hearts stirred by curiosity, turned to Sūta and implored, “Tell us, O Sūta, the auspicious story as it truly happened.” Sūta began his narration, describing how a sage went to the house of King Yayāti. Bowing respectfully, he was greeted warmly by the king, who said, “Welcome, best of sages. Today, my life has become fruitful by your presence.” Yayāti then spoke of a mountain well-known upon the earth, called Arbuda. “Tell me everything about it in detail, O devotee of pilgrimage,” he requested. The sage replied, “Even if I spoke for a hundred years, I could not recount all its glories in full. Yet, I shall tell you briefly of its principal holy places. Arbuda is especially renowned for bestowing the good fortune of sons upon women.” He recounted the story of a virtuous Brahmin woman named Gautamī, chaste and devoted to her husband. Gautamī journeyed to Arbuda and entered the Nāga-tīrtha, accompanied by her sons. They brought with them all the necessary implements for worship—darbha grass and many kinds of flowers. Among her sons, one was especially blessed, always serving his mother with devotion. Yet, Gautamī was afflicted by deep sorrow, for she was separated from her husband and bereft of a son. In her grief, she resolved to end her life and kindled a fire. But before she could proceed, a wondrous thing occurred: though she had not united with her husband, she suddenly became pregnant. A divine voice spoke from the sky, assuring her, “There is no fault of yours in this matter. It is due to the power of this sacred place. Whatever a man desires in his heart while standing in these waters, that wish is fulfilled. When you saw her son, the wish for a son arose in your heart. Therefore, desist, O virtuous wife. Blessings to you—you are without fault.” Hearing the celestial message, Gautamī was filled with awe at the unprecedented power of the holy place. She declared, “I will not go anywhere else, having experienced this supreme holy place.” In time, she gave birth to a son adorned with all auspicious marks. The sage continued, “Whoever performs the śrāddha rite here, his lineage does not perish. Any man who, free from desire, bathes here, or any woman who offers only flowers and fruits at this holy place, attains heaven, even that which is difficult for the gods themselves to reach.” He described how, by seeing certain revered ones there, a man attains the fulfillment of his purpose. There is a pond filled with pure water which washes away the sins of all who bathe in it. The sacred Gomati river has been brought there by the power of austerity. Whoever performs the śrāddha rite there with the grains of the sages, O king, gains immense merit. The sage recalled a verse once sung by the great-souled Nārada: “What need is there for giving śrāddha at Gayā, or for other elaborate sacrifices? Here, one rescues all his ancestors completely.” Nearby, the virtuous Arundhatī is present beside Vasiṣṭha. Whatever sins have been committed in childhood, youth, or old age—whoever, with focused mind, offers a lamp before Vasiṣṭha, is purified. Thus, the glories of Arbuda and its holy places were revealed, their sanctity shining forth for all who seek blessings and liberation.