Once, even the great Vāsudeva himself took up a sacred liṅga and was present upon the Arbuda mountain. From this divine act, a holy place known as Kṛṣṇa-tīrtha manifested on earth. It is said that whoever bathes in the holy waters of Kṛṣṇa lake and beholds that liṅga attains, without desire, the fruit of all gifts. For this reason, all should strive with devotion to bathe there. Especially on the eleventh day, with fasting and the senses under control, one who faithfully performs śrāddha in the morning and offers black sesame seeds to the brāhmaṇas at Kṛṣṇa-tīrtha is greatly blessed. Indeed, O King, even by merely seeing Kṛṣṇa-tīrtha, a person is purified. On the slope of that mountain lies a place known as Māmu-hrada. There, with faith and full concentration, one who bathes properly is sanctified. On the western side of Māmu-hrada stands a liṅga. Whoever bathes in these sacred waters and beholds that liṅga attains the highest good, a blessing rare even among all holy places. Those who perform śrāddha there, offering gifts and taking refuge in the image, are especially praised by the great sages, particularly for giving nīvāra grains. Now, O King, you asked to hear in detail about Mudgala’s hermitage, according to the proper tradition. Pulastya replied: Once, the great-souled sage Mudgala himself was present at that very place. At that time, a messenger approached Mudgala, saying, “I have been sent by the king of the gods, O best of sages. Tell me what you wish, and I shall do whatever is proper. Go and tell them all; I will come there afterwards. By my own merits, O best of the twice-born, I have come here. I shall perform great austerity and worship Maheshvara. I will tell you briefly, if your resolve is firm.” In that region are the delightful Nandana and other divine groves. There, O lord, neither hunger, thirst, sleep, nor laziness afflict a person; instead, one is delighted by many songs and dances. Thus, O ascetic rich in penance, people dwell there in heaven. Yet, O sage, Mudgala observed one flaw in heaven: no new merit can ever be gained there by any means. Whatever good is performed on earth, its result is enjoyed in heaven, but nothing can be newly earned there. In heaven, O best of twice-born, those with little merit see many others possessed of great splendor. As for myself, I have not performed much good in the mortal world, and so, seeing thousands of others falling from heaven after their merit is exhausted, I understand the true origin of virtue and fault. Therefore, O messenger, I have no desire whatsoever for heaven. You must clearly speak these words to the king of the gods on my behalf: “I will perform that act by which we will have no fear of falling; I will accomplish those worlds so that they are always free from downfall.” Pulastya continued: Having spoken thus, Mudgala, who was unattached to the pleasures of heaven, remained firm in his resolve. The messenger of Śakra, having heard these words in detail, returned. And the celestial vehicle, prepared for the divine messenger, was made ready by you, O King. Therefore, you must go there quickly and bring that sage by force if need be. Thus, the tale of the sacred places, the power of holy acts, and the resolute virtue of the sage Mudgala was revealed.