Endowed with unwavering faith and devotion, the great Lord Śiva was deeply pleased. Thus, in this world, that sacred place would be renowned by the name Kaṭeśvara. It was decreed that any woman, who, though freed by her husband, suffers the sorrow brought by a co-wife—yet who is blessed with sons and good fortune, and who holds her husband as dear as her very life—would receive a boon from the Lord, just as Gaṅgā herself did when she worshipped Him. Especially for women, this blessing would remove the affliction caused by co-wives. So concludes the sixty-second chapter, extolling the greatness of Kaṭeśvara and Gaṅgeśvara, found in the Arbuda-khaṇḍa of the Prabhāsa-khaṇḍa within the Skanda Mahāpurāṇa. Now, O King, hear a summary of the greatness of Arbuda. Even if one were to speak of its wonders for hundreds of years, the accounts composed by the sages should be cherished at every step. There is no holy place, no accomplishment, no tree, O King, like those that dwell upon the delightful Arbuda mountain. What is the use of life, of wealth, or of recitations, O King, when even the insects, moths, animals, birds, and deer who die there—whether with desire or without—are blessed? And whoever listens daily to this Purāṇa with faith is uplifted. Therefore, with all effort, one should undertake a pilgrimage there. Thus ends the sixty-third chapter, describing the fruits of hearing the greatness of Arbuda, in the Arbuda-khaṇḍa of the Prabhāsa-khaṇḍa. Salutations to Śrī Jagadambā! Now begins the Avanti-khaṇḍa, and the greatness of the Avanti region is told. Vyāsa proclaimed: Even the creators of beings, out of great fear of worldly existence, bow to that Lord who has entered the unmanifest and is realized by those whose minds are established in meditation. Let us narrate those deeds, with effort, in which faith arises. The Lord said: In the worlds, the river Gaṅgā, famed as the threefold path, exists. The goddess Yamunā, daughter of the sun, is renowned for purifying the worlds. The rivers Chandrabhaga, Vitasta, and Narmadā at Amarakantaka are also present. Kedāra, Pushkara, and Kayāvarohana are included among the sacred places. There resides Śrī Mahākāla, the fire that consumes sin. That sacred place grants both enjoyment and liberation, and destroys the stains of Kali. Whatever sacred sites exist, whatever lingas are found, I wish to hear about them; indeed, my curiosity is very great. The foremost field, O great goddess, destroys all sins. At the abode of Mount Meru, there is a peak adorned with jewels. It is wondrously decorated with various minerals and has a pure crystal altar. The mountain is filled with herds of deer and lions, and crowded with groups of elephants. Its flower-strewn grounds are adorned by clusters of trees shaken by the wind. There are vine-covered dwellings, places for pleasure, and refuges for accomplished sages and Vidyādharas. In that exceedingly delightful forest, the entire land shines. There, the sweet sound of celestial maidens' songs resounds, mingled with the mighty reverberation of many musical instruments. The mountain is adorned with millions of pillars, shining like spotless mirrors, and with the exuberant grace of the Apsaras as they display their skill in dance. Assemblies of sages gather there, attended by groups of ascetics. There, the Lord of Speech was established, devoted to the worship of Śaṅkara. From among the sages, the sage Krishna Dvaipayana arose.