As the commotion continued, the venerable sage Narada arrived at the scene, his presence commanding attention. Observing the gathering, he addressed them: “Why are you all making such noise here?” he asked, his voice gentle yet firm. “Choose your boon quickly; separation will not occur.” Narada explained that at this sacred, though unfortunate, place, anyone—man or woman—who bathes and weighs themselves with sesame seeds or salt, or with jaggery or honey, offering these to the goddess Parvati, will be blessed. He described how offerings made with sugar bring increase, and jaggery, when applied to the limbs, grants fullness. Narada continued to instruct them: twelve pairs must be offered to the goddess and the god as food. A belt woven from vetra grass and a bodice, along with garments of silk, are to be given. In the months of Ashadha, Shravana, or Bhadrapada, a woman of highest quality is born, just as the goddess Uma herself. During the ceremony of weighing, the woman must wear representations of those two deities. Whatever is given, offered, or recited at this place multiplies a millionfold. There is no doubt, Narada assured them, that after death, such a woman attains the realm of Gandharvas and Apsarases. Witnessing this supreme attainment, the couple, after worshipping with fragrant flowers, may reach the world of Rudra. Narada then spoke of the goddess’s true form, in which separation is never seen, and declared that all those women who have performed these rites have gone to heaven. To the south, behind the goddess, lies the Maheṣa pond, a sacred site. There, a man who bathes and carefully worships the Mothers gains merit. Vyasa then asked: “How was the demon Maheṣa slain in the field of Rudra?” The story unfolded: the great Lord, taking up a fragment of the skull radiant with Brahma’s energy, shone like a blazing flame. The Lord of the universe, in playful sport, bewildered the gods. He reached the most sacred field, where he resided, and placed the flaming skull before his attendant hosts. Uttering a mighty roar, the hosts resounded in all ten directions. The terrible sound shook the demon Maheṣa, scourge of the gods. Unable to endure it, seized by wrath, the wicked demon—unconquerable by the gods—rushed forward, surrounded by fierce demons, tens of millions strong, all armed for battle. Seeing this, the Lord, bearer of the Pinaka bow, addressed his hosts: “He comes swiftly—therefore, you must slay him.” As the great demon approached, the hosts of gods struck him with showers of arrows, swords, and maces. When Maheṣa was slain, the great Lord spoke to the gods. Meanwhile, Vyasa, from that skull arose fierce Bhairavas, who rushed to report to the great Lord. From this event, the Mothers of the Skull became renowned in the field, possessing great power. Long ago, when the skull was established and split open, this power came to be. Even today, that great and divine lake shines forth there. Whether water is placed in a vessel, poured out, cold, hot, or boiled, its sanctity remains. Formerly, even Brahma, surrounded by hundreds of deities, came to that place, honoring its sacredness.