At the command of the king, a messenger was dispatched with grave tidings: he was to go and inform Sunanda that Indrasena had fallen in battle. The king further instructed that, should Sunanda—the radiant and virtuous lady—choose to follow her beloved in death, the messenger was to honor her resolve. Without delay, the messenger set forth to deliver his message. Upon hearing the news, Sunanda, adorned with virtue and graced by a gentle, beautiful smile, received the words with serene acceptance. In due course, when Sunanda, steadfast in her virtue, departed from this world, a remarkable sight was witnessed: above her body, a second shadow appeared. This shadow, however, was unlike the first. It was devoid of radiance, foul-smelling, and discolored—a manifestation of impurity and sorrow. The one who witnessed this was overcome by grief and lamented bitterly, tormented by the pain of loss and destruction. Seeking guidance, he turned to the Brahmins, who counseled him to undertake a journey of atonement. He traveled to Varanasi, where he gave generously in charity. Yet, even at the Kapalamocana tirtha, renowned for destroying all sins, the troubling second shadow did not depart from him. Undeterred, he continued his pilgrimage, journeying through the sacred Pushkara forest and onward to Amarakantaka. He visited Prabhāsa, Soma’s holy place, and Kṛmijāṅgala. His wanderings took him to Rudrakoṭi, Virūpākṣa, and Pañcanada. For a thousand years he roamed the earth, growing weary in his search for purification. At last, he arrived at Mount Arbuda. There, he encountered groups of ascetics and learned Brahmins, accomplished in the Vedas. On that mountain, he reached the holy place called Raktānubandha. It was here, at last, that the second shadow—born of the killing of a woman—vanished. The foul smell disappeared, his radiance increased greatly, and bards sang his praises in all directions as he prepared to return home. But when he crossed beyond Raktānubandha and Soma’s holy place, the second shadow reappeared upon his body. Stricken with sorrow, he immediately returned to Raktānubandha. Knowing the immense sanctity of this holy site, the king gave abundant gifts to the foremost Brahmins and entered the sacred fire as an act of supreme purification. In that moment, he ascended a celestial chariot, casting off his mortal form. The best of kings thus attained the blessed realm of Śiva. Among all holy places, Raktānubandha was proclaimed the highest and most purifying. From that time forth, it became renowned on earth, celebrated as Raktānubandha. It is said that whoever bathes there at the sun’s crossing, or performs śrāddha in Gayā, the field of the ancestors, or gives the gift of a cow during an eclipse of the moon or sun, gains great merit. Pulastya then spoke: “O foremost of kings, after this, one should proceed to the great Vināyaka.” Yayāti inquired, “How did Vināyaka attain greatness here in ancient times?” It was recounted that, for amusement, Vināyaka created a delicate child. However, the child was born headless, though its limbs were whole, because there was no ointment for the head. Parvati then instructed Skanda to quickly bring the ointment for the sake of the child’s head, wishing him well. By Gaurī’s command, the ointment was obtained and applied to the body where it was needed. Parvatī, however, repeatedly cautioned, “Do not touch me.” Thus, because of this, leadership especially arose from the limbs. And so, through these sacred journeys and divine acts, the greatness and sanctity of these holy places and beings became known throughout the world.