O Vyāsa, listen as the sacred tale unfolds. There were those beings whom Shambhu, Lord Shiva, obtained for sport, destined to be consumed by the Paulas. The very sight of all these beings is considered auspicious, their presence potent enough to destroy the influence of malignant spirits and beings. It was then that Mahāsena, the mighty commander of the gods and the steadfast son of the Ganges, having taken up the divine spear, fulfilled his great vow. With valor and resolve, he vanquished the lord of the demons, clearing the world of its thorns. In his triumph, Mahāsena restored the prosperous, obstacle-free kingdom to Indra, the king of the gods. Following this victory, a wondrous event occurred: Bhogavatī, the subterranean realm, was split open by the spear’s power. In that moment, all the sacred places upon the earth, and those hidden within the oceans, became connected in sanctity. Thus, among the three worlds, Koṭitīrtha was declared supremely holy, surpassing all others. O sage, one who bathes at Koṭitīrtha and beholds the glorious Koṭīśvara Śiva is greatly blessed. A person devoted to honoring his ancestors and performing the sacred śrāddha rites at this place brings immense benefit to his forefathers. Whatever offerings—be they food, water, or ritual acts—are made at Koṭitīrtha for the sake of the ancestors, bear fruit beyond measure. Whoever donates a milch cow at this sacred spot earns merit equal to the number of hairs on that cow and all her descendants. If one beholds the bearer of the spear—Mahāsena—on the full moon or new moon, or enters the holy waters of Koṭitīrtha with a pure heart, he is especially blessed. Should a person, devoted to his ancestors, perform the rite of releasing a bull there, the merit gained surpasses even that of gifting a hundred Kapilā cows, famed for their auspiciousness. Even if one bathes in a mere pond at Koṭitīrtha with controlled senses, he becomes honored like a forefather. Whoever, in the night, offers the oil-named oblation to the Mothers at this place, or bathes in Viṣṇu’s pond during the sacred months of Caitra or Phālguna, is freed from all sins and attains the world of Viṣṇu. With a mind disciplined by devotion to Lord Abhayeśvara, such a person is reborn as a generous and sovereign king. If one beholds Lord Agastyeśvara, observes a fast, and controls his senses, he should, according to his ability, fashion an image of Agastya from gold or silver, and worship him with fruits and flowers available at the time. The seven principal grains and their respective fruits are to be offered in worship. This vow should be observed for seven years, honoring the sage Agastya, Kumbhayoni, son of Mitra and Varuṇa. Vyāsa, listen attentively to the results of offering arghya at this sacred place: Upon death, the devotee attains heaven; if he continues to live, he is reborn in a noble family. Whoever daily listens to or recites this sacred account with concentration is greatly blessed. You ask, O Vyāsa, for what reason Koṭīśvara is so called and why he is associated with fire; why Nara-dīpa bears its name, and why the second is called Vaṭa-mātaraḥ; why Śūleśvara is so named, and the mention of Oṃkāra; and how the divine city of Ujjayinī is remembered as Saptakalpā. Know that by name and by deed, Ujjayinī is foremost, dwelling through seven great aeons. In the first aeon, she was known as Svarṇaśṛṅgā; in the second, as Kuśasthalī. In the fifth aeon, the city was renowned as Cūḍāmaṇi. At the end of each kalpa, the mountain called Suvarṇaśṛṅga and others are remembered as sacred. One who visits these holy places, especially Koṭitīrtha, is freed from the sins accumulated over seven lifetimes—of this, there is no doubt. Thus, the glory of these sacred sites and the power of devotion are revealed to the wise.