The Moon, longing for a boon that seemed nearly impossible to grant, approached the divine. Compassionately, the Lord addressed him, saying, “I will grant you this, O Moon, even though it may be very difficult to obtain.” Yet, the Lord confessed, “My body, O lord of the world, has been afflicted by consumption. The curse of that great soul cannot be undone.” Despite this, the Lord instructed the Moon, “Therefore, you must treat all those maidens equally, according to my command.” A new decree was set: “O Moon, when Krishna wanes, you will diminish; when Shukla waxes, you will grow.” Thus, the Moon’s phases were ordained, linking his radiance to the cycles of time. The Lord then spoke of the sanctity of a particular place: “Whoever bathes here with devotion will surely attain the highest state. By offering piṇḍa, O Lord of the gods, one’s ancestors will go to heaven.” The reason for this holiness was revealed: “Because your radiance was received here, in this pure-watered tirtha, therefore, this will be known as the renowned Prabhāsa Tirtha. People who bathe here will attain the supreme state. For them, O Moon, the merit will be equal to performing the ancestral rites at Gaya.” The Moon, blessed by this decree, enjoyed all the wives born from Daksha. At this sacred tirtha, the twice-born performed austerities with offerings of piṇḍa and water. Long ago, there lived a Brahmin named Piṇḍodaka. He struggled in his studies, his mind clouded and dull. At that very time and place, the goddess Sarasvati herself appeared. She saw the Brahmin, weary and filled with dispassion, and asked gently, “Why are you not joyful at heart? Why have you come here?” Piṇḍodaka replied, “Deprived of knowledge, O blessed one, I now desire death. Goddess Sarasvati does not move on the tip of my tongue; for me, death is better than life in this mute condition.” Sarasvati, full of grace, declared, “On the pleasant night of the thirteenth day, O twice-born, I will dwell here. Let this tirtha, O pure-smiled one, become renowned by my name.” Thus, she blessed him, saying, “This sacred place will become renowned by your name. Whoever bathes here at the junction of night on the thirteenth day will—here, O best of twice-born, my presence will always remain.” Having spoken thus, the goddess vanished, astonishing all the people with the sacred influence of the site. So concludes the twenty-first chapter, named “The Greatness of the Piṇḍodaka Tīrtha,” in the Arbudakhaṇḍa of the Prabhāsa Book within the Skanda Mahāpurāṇa. Sarasvati, the goddess, grants all desires to people, both in this world and the next. She is the all-pervading power by whom the entire universe is filled. Long ago, in the age of the gods, a demon king named Kaliṅga arose. By his might, he pervaded all—the three worlds, both moving and unmoving—and reached even the world of Brahmā, accompanied by all the gods. This demon terrified gods and humans alike. The Vasus, Maruts, Sādhyas, Viśvadevas, and divine sages were all afflicted. The demons themselves consumed the shares of the sacrifices, taking from the gods what was theirs—a tale whose fame endures throughout the three worlds. Out of fear, the gods became invisible and remained hidden. Some subsisted on one meal, some fasted, others lived on air alone. Many practiced severe austerities, enduring great hardships. Some devoted themselves to recitation and offering, while others were absorbed in meditation. All worshipped the supreme power, the goddess, for the sake of their own purpose. Through their devotion, they attained liberation from the bondage of actions.