In the heart of a sacred cave, the divine Kātyāyanī ever abides, acting ceaselessly for the welfare of the world. O king of kings, it is said that whoever beholds her there with single-pointed devotion on the eighth day of the bright fortnight receives her special grace. Thus concludes the chapter describing the greatness of Kātyāyanī, as told in the third Arbuda section of the seventh Prabhāsa division of the grand Skanda Mahāpurāṇa. Now, hear the tale of Piṇḍāraka Tīrtha. In ancient days, there was a place where great austerities were performed by Maṃki and another brāhmaṇa. Maṃki, though a brāhmaṇa only in name, once dwelled upon a beautiful mountain. Over time, he acquired wealth and came to possess a pair of oxen. He also seized a camel, binding it firmly by the neck. With the oxen and the camel under his control, Maṃki eventually grew detached from worldly life. Leaving behind the village, he journeyed into the forest. There, Maṃki dedicated himself to spiritual practice, bathing three times daily and reciting the sacred Gāyatrī mantra. It was at this time, along that very path, that Śaṃkara, the great Lord, passed by. He was suddenly seen by Piṃḍāra, a soul of great merit. Piṃḍāra approached and said, “Let my seeing you not be in vain, O brāhmaṇa. Grant me a boon. Do as I ask, O Lord; nothing else remains in my heart. Let this place, Piṇḍāraka, be renowned as a sacred ford by my name.” Śaṃkara replied, “This place shall indeed become a holy site called Piṇḍāraka. On the auspicious eighth day, I shall reside here, and those who come and honor this place shall attain the supreme abode where I dwell eternally.” Thus, Maṃki—now known as Piṇḍāraka—performed severe austerities there, day and night. After a long time, he relinquished his body and ascended to heaven. Therefore, O king, it is declared that one should bathe at this sacred ford with devotion and recite mantras, especially on the eighth day, and offer a cow in charity for the highest merit. Thus ends the chapter on the greatness of Piṇḍāraka Tīrtha. Now listen, O king, to the marvels of Kanakhala, a mountain famed for destroying sins. Once, during a solar eclipse, a king journeyed to the sacred ford at Kanakhala. While bathing, he carelessly dropped a great amount of gold into the water. After his ritual bath, he returned home filled with regret over the loss. When another eclipse occurred, he again visited the ford and bathed, but the gold could not be found, no matter how he searched. Yet, O king of kings, it is proclaimed that there is no true loss here, neither in this world nor the next. The gold that fell into the waters has, in truth, multiplied a crore-fold at this holy site. Thus, it is fitting that one should perform śrāddha rites here, especially with gifts of gold, for their merit becomes immeasurable. The offerings made to Brāhmaṇas here are without limit. Hearing of this wondrous sanctity, the goddess of speech herself arose from the sky. The king, his heart filled with satisfaction, then gave a pure and exceedingly great gift, moved by compassion and dedicated to both ancestors and gods. By the power of this generous act, the king attained great merit. Whoever performs śrāddha at Kanakhala during the sun’s transit, O king, and bathes in its waters, brings satisfaction to the sages, the gods, and the mighty serpents. Thus, the stories of these holy places are told, each sanctified by divine presence, noble actions, and the blessings that flow to all who approach them with faith.