There once lived a virtuous woman named Pārthā, renowned for her devotion and purity, the beloved and faithful wife of the sage Devala. Though illustrious, she remained childless for a long time, yet her heart did not waver. Sustained only by air, she abstained from all food, maintaining an even mind as she sat steadfast in deep meditation. In the midst of her penance, something wondrous occurred: suddenly, piercing through the surface of the earth, a Shiva-liṅga arose before her. It radiated a supreme purity and blessedness. The divine message came: "Worship this most sacred Shiva-liṅga, for whatever desire a person holds in their mind while worshipping here, that wish shall be fulfilled." This liṅga would come to be known as Partheshvara and would become renowned throughout the world. Filled with awe and wonder, Pārthā worshipped the liṅga with deep devotion at that very moment. From then onward, the Partheshvara liṅga became famed upon the earth, drawing seekers from far and wide. Those who bathe properly and approach it with devotion are blessed with divine perception. On the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight, it is said, one should keep vigil before this sacred liṅga. Whoever, with single-minded concentration, offers rice-balls there, receives great merit. Thus concludes the thirty-third chapter, known as 'The Description of the Glory of Partheshvara,' from the third Arbuda section of the seventh Prabhasa book of the Skanda Mahapurana. Now, O King, let us turn to another wondrous tale—a story of the time and place where Lord Vishnu himself is ever present. Listen as the sage recounts these ancient events in detail. There came a time when the lights of the moon, the sun, and the wind were extinguished, and the universe was enveloped in dissolution. After the passage of a thousand ages, the lotus-seated Brahmā awoke from his deep slumber. He wandered through the vast emptiness, until from afar he beheld another being. Approaching, the four-faced Brahmā addressed him: "Who are you, and by whom were you created?" The other, Govinda—Lord Vishnu—smiled gently and replied, "I am the original, the sole man; you too were created by me." But Brahmā, unwilling to yield, spoke harshly and rebuked him, insisting, "You were created by me, fool! I am the first, without doubt." Thus, O King, these two radiant beings, Brahmā and Vishnu, entered into a fierce argument, each claiming primacy. Their debate escalated into a physical struggle; with fists, arms, nails, teeth, and by pulling, they fought with great might. For a thousand years they contended with one another. Then, at the end of that long struggle, a bodiless, divine voice resounded between them: "Whoever among you reaches the end of this great liṅga of Maheśvara, let one go downward and one upward, by my command." Obedient to the voice, Krishna (Vishnu) split the earth and quickly descended below. There, he beheld Kālāgni Rudra, the fierce aspect of Shiva, blazing with fire. Desiring to go further downward, Vishnu pressed on with all his might, but was soon overcome by exhaustion and scorched by the wondrous fire. At last, having reached the liṅga, he paused and worshipped it with heartfelt devotion. Meanwhile, Brahmā rose upward, traveling through the sky in his swan-chariot. After a thousand years, he came upon a ketakī flower drifting down. "Where are you going, O Brahmā, upon this endless, great path?" the flower asked. Brahmā explained the challenge: "Whoever among us attains the end of this liṅga will be declared greater, the other lesser—so has Pinākin (Shiva) decreed. If I find the end, I shall return to earth victorious." But the ketakī flower replied, "Your effort is in vain, O Lord of the world; there is no end to this liṅga." As Brahmā fell from the summit of the liṅga, time slipped away, and he realized the futility of his quest. Thus, the glory of Partheshvara was established, and the limitless, eternal nature of Shiva revealed to gods and mortals alike.