By the command given, it was decreed, “Serve at the sacred shrine of Caṇḍikā.” As these words were spoken, all the desires and disturbances that had troubled those present swiftly departed, leaving a sense of peace and clarity. Understanding the significance of this command, the directive was clear: “Go quickly there, O best of kings.” For whoever journeys to behold Caṇḍikā at Aburda, O king, that very son who resides within this hermitage shall become the deliverer of all present. Indeed, by one, the kingdom is gained; by the second, heaven itself is attained. Therefore, with all effort and earnestness, one should undertake the journey to this sacred place. Other holy places are certainly purified by acts of bathing and giving, without any doubt. Furthermore, whoever hears this account regularly, with true faith, or in whose house this sacred story is kept written in a book, or the person, O lord of the earth, who recites it with devotion, all such individuals are blessed. Now, on the lovely slopes of the mountain, there was a place where the serpents once performed intense austerities. Having long ago heard of the curse pronounced by their mother Kadru, all the serpents were filled with deep fear. In their sorrow, they lamented, “We are tormented by our mother’s curse, O best of serpents.” She had declared that those among them who were devoted to austerity, righteous, and well-disciplined would not be burned by the sacrificial fire of Parīkṣit. Therefore, they were advised to remain devoted to austerity and maintain unwavering concentration. It was said that by the mere mention of the goddess, all calamities would be destroyed. By her grace alone, they would become free from affliction, for whether divine or human, none else could grant them true liberation. Having bowed reverently, the serpents departed towards Mount Arbuda. There, they broke through the earth’s surface on the mountain, and, steadfast in their vows and devotion to the goddess, they remained. They stood continually, performing sacred fire offerings and reciting the highest prayers. Some used their own teeth as mortars, others crushed substances with stones as part of their penance. Among them, some of the gods performed singing and music in front of the goddess, enhancing the sanctity of their devotion. Greatly pleased by their steadfastness, the goddess appeared before them and spoke: “I am satisfied with you, my children. For what purpose have you undertaken such austerity?” The serpents replied, “On the command of the serpent king, we have come to you for refuge. Please protect us from the fear that arises from the curse and the fire, for in Parīkṣit’s sacrifice, the fire is destined to consume us.” The goddess, ever compassionate, assured them, “Remain without fear and enjoy abundant pleasures. When the sacrifice is completed, you will return again to your own abode. This very sacred place, the Nāga lake, will manifest on earth. Whoever bathes in its waters shall have no fear of calamity. All the pleasures known on earth, whether divine or human, shall be granted to those who seek refuge here.” Thus, the serpents who sought the protection of the goddess remained on that excellent mountain. After a long time, when the sacrifice of Parīkṣit was to take place, the serpents, having been granted permission by the goddess, bowed repeatedly in gratitude. Even today, O king, on the fifth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Śrāvaṇa, it is said that one should, with utmost effort, perform the śrāddha rites there. Thus concludes the sacred narrative of the glory of Nāgodbhava Tīrtha, as told in the third section of Arbuda, in the seventh Prabhāsa section, of the eighty-one-thousand-verse Śrī Skanda Mahāpurāṇa.