O King, there is a sacred place where, on the eleventh day, anyone who performs a śrāddha, having merely bathed, is immediately freed from all sin. Such is the glory of Śuklatīrtha, as revealed in the ancient scriptures. Now, listen further to the greatness of the goddess Kātyāyanī, renowned as the destroyer of the demon Śumbha. In days of old, there lived upon the earth a mighty demon named Śumbha. By a boon granted from Śaṃkara himself, Śumbha became the lord over gods, demons, and rākṣasas alike, casting all the worlds into fear and turmoil. Bereft of hope, the hosts of gods journeyed to Mount Arbuda, where they devoutly worshipped the manifest goddess, the queen of the gods. Moved by their devotion, the goddess appeared before them, radiant and compassionate. The gods pleaded, “O Auspicious One, destroy this Śumbha, for it is ordained that he can only be slain in battle by another. Once before, when we were overpowered by Bāṣkala, you protected us—protect us now again.” Thus invoked, the goddess challenged Śumbha to battle. But Śumbha, seeing her as a woman, scoffed at her challenge and commanded his demon warriors, “Seize this wicked one with the harsh voice—she must be captured alive!” At his word, the demons rushed toward the goddess. Yet, with but a glance, she reduced them all to ashes. Śumbha, enraged, shouted, “Stop! Stop!” as he raised his terrible sword. But in that very instant, he too was consumed, reduced to ashes like a moth in a blazing fire. Terrified, the surviving demons fled to the depths of Pātāla, the underworld. All the gods rejoiced and offered praises to the victorious goddess, their queen. She declared, “Here itself, on Mount Arbuda, I shall remain, O best of gods.” The gods lamented that, without sacrifices and gifts, even heaven itself had become tainted. Yet they were comforted, for the goddess assured them, “You shall see me here always, O pure ones, on the eighth day of the bright fortnight.” And so the goddess went to the mountain called Arbuda. Reaching the heart of a cave, she took her seat and, from there, ever acts for the welfare of the world. O king of kings, whoever beholds her with focused mind on the eighth day of the bright fortnight is especially blessed. Now, hear also of the holy place where Maṃki and a brāhmaṇa once performed austerities. Long ago, Maṃki was a brāhmaṇa by name alone, O king, and for a time he dwelt upon a beautiful mountain. There, he acquired wealth and subdued a pair of oxen. He also seized a tied camel, keeping it firmly at its neck, and, astonishingly, he walked about with the oxen hanging from his own neck. But in time, Maṃki grew detached from worldly things. Leaving behind the village, he sought the solitude of the forest. There, he bathed three times a day and faithfully recited the excellent Gāyatrī mantra. It was at this very time that Śaṃkara himself passed by that path. He was seen suddenly by Piṃḍāra, the great-souled one. Piṃḍāra prayed, “Let my seeing you not be in vain—grant me a boon, O brāhmaṇa. Do as I ask, O Lord, for nothing else remains in my heart.” He asked, “Let this place be renowned as a sacred ford by my name. Let it be called Piṇḍāraka.” Śaṃkara replied, “So be it. On the great eighth day, I shall reside here. Those who come to this holy site shall attain the supreme abode where I eternally dwell.” Thus it was that Maṃki, now known as Piṇḍāraka, performed austerities day and night at that sacred place, making it forever holy for all who seek liberation.