O best of kings, there is a sacred rite that must be performed, and it is to be undertaken by Brāhmaṇas who face the north. These Brāhmaṇas are to be clad in yellow garments and adorned with golden rings, seated upon a deer skin, and reciting the prescribed mantras according to the proper procedure. As part of the ritual, an invocation is made: “O Gaṅgā, Yamunā, O five rivers, O auspicious lakes, hear this of mine.” When this is pronounced correctly, it brings about the destruction of obstacles—afflictions, diseases, fierce ailments, fevers, and the like. All this I have explained to you, as you requested. Whoever recites this properly on the fourth day, with a focused mind, and worships with concentration, whatever desire he contemplates will be fulfilled. There is a tale of a virtuous woman named Pārthā, the beloved and faithful wife of Devala. She was once childless, the illustrious wife of the sage, and lived sustained only by air, without food, maintaining an even mind as she sat in meditation. Suddenly, piercing the surface of the earth, a Shiva-liṅga arose. She worshipped this supremely blessed and most pure liṅga, and it is said that whatever desire a person holds in mind while worshipping it will be fulfilled. This liṅga became known as Partheshvara and gained renown throughout the world. Filled with wonder, Pārthā worshipped the liṅga at that time, and from then onward, it became famous upon the earth. There, after bathing properly, one perceives the liṅga with devotion. On the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight, one should keep vigil before it. Whoever, with concentration, performs the offering of rice-balls there, is blessed. Thus concludes the thirty-third chapter, named ‘The Description of the Glory of Partheshvara,’ in the third Arbuda section of the seventh Prabhasa book of the Skanda Mahapurana. Now, O king, let us speak of the place where Vishnu himself is always present. Tell me everything in detail, O sage, about the time and place. When the light of the moon, sun, and wind was lost, and dissolution had come, at the end of a thousand ages, the lotus-seated one awoke. The four-faced one, Brahma, wandered until he saw from afar. Then, the four-faced one spoke: “Who are you, and by whom were you created?” Govinda replied, smiling gently, “I am the original, sole man; you too were created by me.” But Brahma spoke harsh words, rebuking him: “You were created by me, fool; I am the first, without doubt.” Thus, O King, those two beings of great splendor argued with each other. With fists, arms, nails, teeth, and by pulling, they fought fiercely. At the end of a thousand years, between those two, at that very moment, a bodiless voice spoke: “Whoever among you reaches the end of this great liṅga of Maheśvara—let one go downward and one upward, by my command.” Obeying, Krishna split the earth and quickly went below, where that great soul saw Kālāgni Rudra. Desiring to go further downward, he moved with all his speed. Thus is the story as told in the sacred verses.