When the sages, radiant with wisdom, saw him, they gently raised him up from the earth. With humility, he bowed before these ascetic souls, whose spiritual power shone brightly. Addressing them, he confessed, “I am wretched, lifted up by all of you; I was sunk in the mire of sin.” The sages, compassion in their hearts, replied, “O son, since you remained with single-pointed mind in this termite mound—” and having spoken thus, these austere sages departed, each to their own direction. Journeying to Kuśasthalī, they worshipped the great Lord. Inspired by the divine, he received poetic insight from the Lord, and from that inspiration, he composed delightful poetry. From that time onward, the Lord of gods was known as Vālmīkeśvara. Thus, the excellent liṅga called Vālmīkeśvara has been described. For those who bow with devotion, honor awaits in the world of Rudra. Seeing Bhīmeśvara, if a man worships with devotion and care; if one bathes Gargeśvara with sesame oil; if he fasts on the fourteenth day, using water mixed with sesame seeds; if he gives a thousand cows with pure intent; if he worships Kāmeśvara with saffron ointments; if he bows to Cūḍāmaṇi on the ninth day of the bright fortnight of Kārtika; if he worships Caṇḍīśvara, fasting on the dark eighth day—by approaching all these holy places of Maheśvara, which are rich in merit, one attains great blessings. Thus concludes, in the glorious Skanda Mahāpurāṇa, within the section of eighty-one thousand verses, in the fifth Avanti division, the chapter named ‘The Description of the Greatness of the Holy Places of Śukreśvara, Bhīmeśvara, Gargeśvara, Kāmeśvara, Cūḍāmaṇīśvara, Caṇḍīśvara, and others.’ Then, a devotee asked, “Tell me now, O revered one, the measurement of the great Kāla forest.” The reply came: “I shall now explain it to you; listen as I speak. The Kāla forest stretches for a yojana in all directions, adorned on every side. Its gateways gleam, decorated with golden pots. Mighty gatekeepers, appointed by the great Lord Śiva, stand guard: Piṅgaleśa, in the form of a child, stands in the east, shining like fire. In the south is the great yogi Kāyāvarohaṇeśvara, appointed by Maheśa, standing in Varuṇa’s region. Empowered by Śaṃkara, he accomplishes all tasks. Those who die here journey to Rudrapura in celestial chariots that fulfill all desires. By bowing to the five Lords, in reverse and direct order, one is freed from all sins—even those accumulated over many births. With this very body, the devotee reaches the world of Rudra. Now listen to that which destroys all sins. One should perform śrāddha and bow to Mahākāla and Īśāna, the Lord. Then, approach the god Gaṇeśa, Piṅgaleśvara. Having reached Mahākāleśvara, bathe again with senses controlled, and spend the night in the direction of Īśāna, observing night-fasting. On the twelfth day, after bathing in the morning, proceed as before. On the thirteenth day, worship Bilveśa in the west. On the new moon, pure and bathed, worship Mahākāleśvara. After singing, dancing, and other offerings, bow down and ask forgiveness.” Thus, the sacred journey and rituals within the Kāla forest, and the greatness of the holy places, are revealed for all who seek liberation and divine grace.