With gentle modesty, the great god Śiva drew near to the Goddess. Parvatī, filled with longing, spoke to the Lord of the gods: “Having obtained a son, I will depart and remain at his side, O lord.” Understanding her firm resolve, Śiva himself came forward in response. He addressed her with compassion: “O goddess of the gods, by granting you sight and speech, O beautiful-faced one, you have been released before the destined time, and our union has been ended. Therefore, a son will be born to you, arising from your own body. Take your own bodily impurity, O queen of the gods, in whatever form it may be, and let it be so.” Immediately, among the hosts of gods and especially among the demons, this command was made known. Thus addressed by the three-eyed Śiva, the queen of the gods was filled with contentment. When the fourth day arrived, O king, Śivā bathed according to the sacred rites. By Hara’s instruction, she fashioned Vināyaka, the four-armed one, from her own essence. Then, by Hara’s words, life was restored to him, and from that moment, he became renowned among all mortals. This illustrious being became known as Vināyaka, worshipped by the inhabitants of the three worlds. All the hosts of gods, devoted to pleasing the Goddess, rejoiced together. They declared: “This son of yours, O Goddess, shall be foremost among us all. This beautiful peak of the mountain, O Auspicious One, is sanctified by your service. Those who bathe here, in these supremely holy waters—especially those who, with focused mind, do so on the bright third day of the month of Māgha—will receive great merit.” Having thus spoken, all the gods departed for their own celestial abodes. Thus concludes the fifty-second chapter, entitled ‘The Greatness of Īśānī Peak,’ in the Arbuda Section, third part of the Prabhāsa Book, of the great Skanda Mahāpurāṇa. Long ago, at this very place, the world-creator Brahmā placed his sacred foot. In ancient times, Brahmā and all the other gods assembled there with concentrated minds. During their pilgrimage to the Lord of the Mountain, O king, their hearts were filled with deep devotion. Exhausted from their fasts, the gods addressed Brahmā: “O Grandfather, we are weary. Therefore, please give us some good instruction here. We have performed unrequested offerings, recitations, and sacrifices that are very difficult.” Hearing their words, Brahmā was moved with compassion. He placed his own footstep upon the lovely slope of the mountain, saying, “Let all the sages touch it, and then you shall attain the highest state. Here, without bathing, giving, vows, sacrifices, recitation, and the like, when this footstep is established by me, thousands of worlds attain it. Only unwavering faith must be practiced here. Whoever worships at the time of the full moon in Kārtika, having fed brāhmaṇas with sweet food according to their ability, and having worshipped that footstep, will reach the world of Brahma. Therefore, O best of men, this footstep should be worshipped with all effort.” Brahmā revealed another great and wondrous marvel: “In the Kṛta age, O king, this footstep appeared in its full length and breadth. In the Tretā age, it appeared with a red color. In the Dvāpara age, it became tawny and of small size.” Thus ends the fifty-third chapter, named ‘The Greatness of the Origin of Brahma’s Footstep,’ in the Arbuda section of the seventh Prabhāsa book, of the Skanda Mahāpurāṇa.