He journeyed to the beautiful mountain and, after offering worship to the Lord there, he installed his son upon the throne, entrusting him with the kingdom. Then, he departed for Arbuda. Thus, O King, all that pertains to Kedāra has been recounted to you. Now, between the months of Māgha and Phālguna, on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, it is prescribed that a royal procession should be performed for him. Whoever keeps vigil at Kedāra on that auspicious night, having bathed at the sacred confluence of the Gaṅgā and Sarasvatī—which grants all desires—and drinks the pure water from the pool called Kedāra, will be blessed. Furthermore, whoever listens daily to this account with supreme devotion, O King, attains merit. From that place, the Gaṅgā herself emerged and flowed into the eastern ocean. Similarly, the goddess Sarasvatī came forth from the mango tree. The origin of Kedāra here is indeed a matter of wonder. Listen attentively, for this tale has been heard and handed down. The holy places, beginning with the Gaṅgā, and the celestial sites, beginning with Kedāra, were visited by all the great sages, O king of kings, who then proceeded to Brahmā. In the assembly of the gods, all the sacred places gathered, and during their conversation, Indra addressed the four-faced Brahmā. Indra said, “O Lord, I wish to learn about the merit and greatness of these places.” He continued, “It is said that the Kṛta Yuga consists of twenty-eight thousand years. The Tretā Yuga is declared to be one million two hundred thousand years. Dvāpara Yuga is described as eight hundred thousand and sixty-four thousand years, and Kali Yuga as four hundred and thirty-two thousand years.” “In the Kṛta Yuga, dharma stands firmly on four legs, and Janārdana appears in a white hue. At that time, dharma is practiced by all, and people do not suffer untimely death. Desire, anger, fear, greed, envy, and malice are absent from the world. Then, in the Tretā Yuga, dharma stands on three legs. In that age, sacrifices are performed by living beings, bestowing the results they desire, through austerity, celibacy, bathing, and various acts of charity.” “Next comes the third age, called Dvāpara Yuga. In this period, acts of recitation, sacrifice, and austerity are performed, but with a desire for results. Kings wage war against each other upon the earth. Then, the dreadful Kali Yuga, the fourth, begins. Viṣṇu assumes a dark complexion, and sin becomes prevalent. Kings become greedy for wealth, consumed by hundreds of desires and delusions. Cows yield little milk, and the twice-born are devoid of truth. The wicked, too, lack truth in Kali Yuga.” “In the twelfth year, women will become pregnant. All castes and stages of life will become indistinguishable. The sacred fords will lose their sanctity, entirely defiled by foreigners.” Upon hearing all this, those assembled then addressed Brahmā, the one of unmanifest birth, seeking guidance and wisdom.