A group of devoted sages gathered around a young boy, offering him their blessings and wishing him a long life. The boy was deeply pleased by their affectionate devotion. Among these sages was Aṅgirā, renowned for his divine knowledge. With a sense of wonder, Aṅgirā addressed the assembly, revealing a troubling prophecy: “This boy will meet his end on the fifth day.” He urged the sages to devise a means by which the boy might be granted a longer life. Responding to this call, the sages took the boy with them and journeyed to the world of Brahmā. Upon their arrival, the boy did not greet Brahmā, and the seven sages, their hearts delighted, continued their quest. They made their way to the holy places upon the mountain called Arbuda. Swiftly, they arrived from afar, and the boy honored them. Yet, it was foretold that on the fifth day, his death would come, despite their efforts. The sages assured Brahmā, the Four-faced One, that their words, together with his, were not false. Upon seeing the young sage, Brahmā’s heart was gladdened. The sages, joyful, then returned home, bringing the boy with them. There, his father, the eminent sage Mṛkaṇḍu, was present. Seeing his son, Mṛkaṇḍu cried out in grief, “Alas, my son, my son!” His heart was full of righteousness, yet overwhelmed by sorrow. He lamented, wondering how his son could fall under the power of death without even performing the necessary rites. As he mourned in many ways, the boy, his heart now filled with joy, departed. Seating his son on his lap, Mṛkaṇḍu asked him the reason for his long absence and the boon of witnessing Brahmā’s world, the lotus-born. He pleaded, “For my sake, speak the truth, so that this mental anguish may subside. I will worship the Four-faced One in the same way.” Hearing these nectar-like words from his son, Mṛkaṇḍu, the twice-born sage, was moved. He quickly journeyed to the delightful Arbuda mountain. In that sacred hermitage, during the month of Śrāvaṇa, the full fruit of ancestral rites could certainly be obtained. Whoever, following the practice of the sages, satisfied the foremost Brāhmaṇas there, and whoever bathed there with proper faith, would be blessed. Then, O best of kings, one should proceed to the supreme linga that removes sin. By touching, seeing, or especially worshipping it, one becomes free from all sins and is honored in Shiva’s realm. Thus concludes the forty-second chapter, describing the glory of Uddalakeshvara in the Arbudakhanda of the Skanda Mahapurana. There also stands the linga established by the Siddhas, which destroys all transgressions. Nearby is a beautiful pond, filled with pure water. Whatever desire a person contemplates while bathing there, O king, is fulfilled. Thus ends the forty-third chapter, describing the glory of Siddheshvara. Pulastya then spoke: In that holy place, the diggajas—those celestial elephants whose souls were purified—once practiced austerity. They, along with others who bear the weight of the earth, led by Airavata, sanctified the land. Thus concludes the forty-fourth chapter, describing the power of Gaja Tirtha. There, whose fame was established by all the gods themselves, whoever performs the shraddha—especially on the new moon day—certainly delivers their ancestors, even those who have attained a most difficult state. Thus ends the forty-fifth chapter, describing the glory of the origin of Shri Devakha, in the Arbudakhanda of the Skanda Mahapurana.