O King, with unwavering faith, the people worshipped that sacred liṅga, knowing it to be a source of immense blessing. It was renowned for its power to remove all sins and bestow upon its worshippers a radiant beauty of form. In ancient times, there lived a celebrated celestial nymph named Vapu. In those days, there was also an Ābhīrī woman, marked by deformity and a misshapen face. One day, as she wandered the slopes of Mount Arbuda in search of fruit, a wondrous transformation occurred. She was suddenly adorned with divine garlands and garments, her limbs taking on a celestial grace. By the power of that holy place, she was utterly changed, O great King, her appearance now beautiful and auspicious. As fate would have it, a celestial being, delighting in sport upon the mountain’s highest peak, beheld her. Captivated by her lovely gaze, he wondered—could she be a goddess, a nāga maiden, a siddhā, or a vidyādhari? His heart was stolen by her beauty, and he addressed her, “O lovely-browed, lotus-eyed one, you have bewitched my mind.” The woman explained, “I had come here merely to gather fruit, but I slipped and fell into the mountain stream. After bathing in its waters, I was transformed—this beautiful and auspicious form is now mine.” She continued, “All the gods are now under my sway; what more could I desire?” Hearing her words, the celestial being, now free from passion, spoke to her gently, “O slender-waisted one, I am pleased by your humility. I shall grant you the highest boon: whoever bathes here with devotion will win the favor of all the gods. They shall be blessed with beauty such as even the gods themselves rarely attain.” With these words, he ascended with her in a celestial chariot, carrying her towards heaven. Thus, O best of kings, because she had attained such a wondrous form, a tradition was born. On the third day of the bright half of Māgha, the gods themselves gather at that sacred water-reservoir. There, other divine maidens, as well as Siddha and Yakṣa women, also bathe and acquire a beauty like hers. To the east of that holy place lies a beautiful cave, where the maidens of Pātāla come to bathe. After bathing and collecting the sacred water, they enter the cave. Whoever is anointed with that water becomes accomplished and invincible—none, whether in heaven or on earth, can overpower such a one. The flowers and fruits of that place fulfill every task and desire. Within the cave, the stones scattered about resemble conch-shells. If a barren woman drinks that water, especially when it is marked with sesame seeds, she will be blessed. Even mortals afflicted by disease are healed if they bathe there; the afflictions caused by spirits, ghosts, and fiends are instantly destroyed. Even insects, moths, fiends, birds, and beasts are touched by its grace. Truly, such wonders as are found at this Rūpa-tīrtha have never been seen before, nor will they be elsewhere. A question arises, O Brāhmaṇa: why is this place considered superior to all others? The answer lies in ancient times, when Indra lost his kingdom and Bali became lord of the three worlds. Then, the great Viṣṇu was born as the son of Aditi, destined to destroy the Asuras. As soon as Hari was born, Aditi placed him at that very waterfall. This, O King, is the true and only reason for the supreme sanctity of this place. Moreover, the tilaka tree, foremost among all trees, was cherished and cared for as dearly as a son. Thus, O King, I have told you the supreme glory of this sacred site—a place that grants every desire to those who seek its blessings, both in this world and the next.