In that sacred region, the Lord of the universe—the glorious, all-pervading creator and master of all—resided, radiating his divine presence. The place once known as Kuśasthalī, renowned in ancient times, had come to be called Hemaśṛṅga. Thus concludes the forty-first chapter, "The Description of the Reason for the Name Kuśasthalī," as narrated in the profound dialogue between Vyāsa and Sanatkumāra, within the section extolling the greatness of the Avanti region, in the fifth Avanti Khaṇḍa of the mighty Skanda Mahāpurāṇa. Now, listen as the tale continues. In days long past, there came a time when the gods were defeated by the formidable armies of the demons. Seeking refuge, the gods ascended to the summit of Mount Meru, a majestic peak shrouded in forests and dotted with mountain caves. There, they gathered together, mutually honoring and worshipping one another, sharing amongst themselves the reasons that had brought them to that exalted place. United in purpose, the gods, along with their companions, proceeded to the abode of the god of gods, the great Lord Maheśvara. He, the eternal bestower of prosperity and success, was surrounded by sages and celestial bards—illustrious seers like Bhārgava and the foremost among divine sages, Nārada. The assembly was graced by hosts of Prajapatis and the fourteen Manus, and frequented by virtuous, meritorious people of impeccable conduct. The place itself was adorned with jeweled gems and elegant steps, beautified by divine lakes. It was a realm free from the six waves of suffering, where birds resided and sang praises to the Lord of gods, the master of the universe. There, the assembled gods and sages offered their homage: to the fierce one in the form of Narasimha, to the boar incarnation Varaha, and to Vāsudeva, the peaceful lord of the Yadus. As they were engaged in these hymns of praise, a bodiless voice suddenly spoke from above. The voice resounded from the delightful, great forest of Time, attended by hosts of Brahmarshis. It spoke of a beautiful place called Kuśasthalī, served by Siddhas and Gandharvas. The voice revealed that, at the end of the age, all moving and unmoving beings meet their destruction—all rivers, oceans, lakes, and groves, as well as the luminaries, the moon, and the sun. In that final dissolution, the entire universe is pervaded by Viṣṇu, who draws all things into himself, while the blessed Śaṅkara remains. The voice continued: "The Veda is the essence of all sacrifices, and compassion is the essence of all righteousness. Therefore, O best of gods, this land of the Kurus is truly beneficial. Yet, Kāśī is ten times greater, and Gayā is ten times greater than Kāśī. The merit of thousands of eclipses and tens of thousands of planetary conjunctions, or a gift given at the waning of a hundred thousand moons, is equal to a thousand gifts given at the two solstices. Therefore, O gods, this city called Kuśasthalī is supremely beneficial. All of this, O best of gods, shall indeed become imperishable. But when your merit is exhausted, O gods, you are afflicted by that. Therefore, you should go there, perform bathing, giving, and other sacred rites upon the earth." Having heard these words, which echoed from the sky, all the gods returned to the forest of Maheśvara. There, they found a place filled with the four castes, attended by sages and gandharvas. In that blessed realm, there was no one poor, dull, foolish, diseased, or envious. The people were generous, peaceful, virtuous, and free from old age and disease. Men and women lived there in harmony, the women devoted to their husbands. Beholding such a wondrous city, the gods were filled with supreme joy. For it was a place always served by the virtuous, endowed with all sacred bathing places, and radiant with the blessings of the divine.