For those who engage with this sacred tale, there is no evil deed that can touch them, no poverty to afflict them, and no misfortune to cast its shadow. Whoever seeks wealth, children, knowledge, or harbors many desires—each and every one of their wishes is fulfilled, and such a person becomes truly blessed. Those who listen to this holy story, or recite it daily, are graced with all these boons. Thus concludes the forty-fourth chapter, called ‘The Description of the Story of Padmavati,’ in the section extolling the greatness of the Avanti region, from the fifth Avanti Khanda of the glorious Skanda Mahapurana, which comprises eighty-one thousand verses. Now, let me tell you of Kumudvati, who was born at the very moment the city of Padmavati came into being. Once, during a pilgrimage, I journeyed to Kushasthali. Simply by beholding this sacred place, one is freed from even the grievous sin of killing a Brahmin. There, priests of noble deeds perform various sacrifices, and the virtuous wives of sages also serve. It is said that eleven Rudras reside there, along with twelve Suns. The eight guardian elephants of the directions are present, as are fourteen Manus. Gandharvas, Apsaras, Kinnaras, Nagas, Rakshasas, Siddhas, and ascetics—all these divine and mystical beings gather in that holy place. Eight renowned Bhairavas and four sons of the Wind are also counted among its hosts. These divine beings and their fierce groups have been described. Daksha, foremost among Prajapatis; Diti, mother of the gods; cows led by Surabhi; and all stationary and moving beings are found there. All the sacred places, rivers, and springs converge, alongside seven cities, three villages, nine forests, and nine wastelands. The four oceans are present, as are various kinds of jewels, peaceful royal sages, and Brahmins accomplished in the Vedas. The Vedas themselves, the Purāṇas, the Smṛtis, songs, and musical compositions—all are there. By merely seeing Kumudvati, I became free from fever and was purified. I bathed in all the sacred waters, becoming pure and composed. Having beheld Padmavati, pure and bestower of all desired boons, I found that there was no sorrow, no poverty, no ignorance, nor uncontrolled senses. All the inhabitants are mutual friends, always helpful to one another. Delightful gardens, forests, and groves adorn the land, sparkling with various jewels and beautiful golden vessels. Here, Śaṃkara always dwells together with Umā. The city is ever radiant, bathed in beams filled with moonlight; forever blooming, dark-hued, as if possessing the form of eternal youth. In the mountain caves and within the darkness of the caverns, in charming household ponds and throughout rows of halls, the lakes adorned with fully blossomed kumudvatī flowers shine brightly. The rivers, lakes, ponds, wells, and marshes—all are graced by the kumudvatī, which remains in bloom throughout every season. Those who, with focused mind, perform śrāddha for their ancestors upon the kumudvatī flower attain imperishable śrāddha; the offerings made become inexhaustible. Whatever act is performed here, all of it becomes inexhaustible. Thus ends the forty-fifth chapter, named ‘The Account of the Glory of Kumudvatī,’ in the section on the greatness of the Avantī region, from the fifth book of the eighty-one-thousand-verse Skanda Mahāpurāṇa. Now, O blessed Vyāsa, listen as Brahmā spoke to the gods.