Wherever there are insects, moths, and all the creatures that dwell in the waters of the sacred river Śiprā, a wondrous truth prevails. Even those who have committed great sins elsewhere, if they come at the end of their lives and take refuge on the banks of Śiprā, are blessed. When the auspicious month of Mādhava arrives, the best among men immerse themselves in her waters, seeking purification and grace. It is said that even the flesh of a king who has committed wrongs, if carried away by the wind and reaching Śiprā, is sanctified. Indeed, ponds, wells, and lakes offer ever-increasing auspicious fruits, but among all these, certain rivers hold supreme merit. The Tāpī river is said to be ten times more meritorious than ordinary waters, and the Godāvarī even greater. Yet Śiprā surpasses them all—ten times greater still, pure, and a destroyer of sin. The very flesh of Damana, once in contact with Śiprā, was purified. Such is the beauty and sanctity of this river that graces the earth in Avanti. When the hosts heard these words spoken by Dharmarāja, they were filled with wonder at the greatness of Śiprā. The Purāṇas themselves sing of her supreme glory, recounting the liberation of Damana and the unparalleled power of Śiprā to purify and uplift. Thus concludes the fiftieth chapter, "The Greatness of Śiprā," in the section on Avanti of the mighty Skanda Mahāpurāṇa. Now, just as Amṛtabhavā is renowned in the netherworld and greatly esteemed by the serpents, a remarkable event once took place. Lord Rudra, known as Shambhu, desiring alms and tormented by hunger, journeyed to the world of the serpents. With eyes reddened by need, holding his trident, he went from house to house in Bhogavatī, calling out in a pitiable voice, "Give alms." There, in that realm, were kept twenty-one vessels filled with nectar. Shambhu, the origin of all souls, arrived and, finding no one willing to offer him alms, emptied every vessel of nectar before rising up and departing from that place. When the serpents discovered their nectar gone, they were bewildered and distressed. "Whose deed is this?" they cried. "What has happened, that our nectar has disappeared? Who, angered against us, has taken away our excellent nectar?" All the serpents, together with their wives and children, gathered in confusion and sorrow. Moved by their plight, a bodiless voice spoke aloud, revealing the truth: "Shambhu came here seeking alms, hungry, from house to house. Yet no one gave anything to Pinaki in the city of Bhogavatī. Therefore, at the end, all the nectar was lost from your vessels, O best of serpents. But do not despair—there is a foremost river on earth, renowned as Śiprā. By merely beholding her, all sins are destroyed. Go there, worship the Lord of gods, and perform the proper rituals. Then, nectar will again exist in your world as before." At that moment, Vyāsa, the great sage, uttered a divine speech, witnessed by all. The serpents, together with their women, children, and elders, set out for the sacred region of Kālavan. Everywhere there, the earth was strewn with flowers and shaded by noble trees. The banks were adorned with jeweled steps, and lotus fragments decorated the waters. Great and fortunate sages, famed among the lineages of Bhṛgu and Aṅgiras, were present. The Vasus, the Ādityas, the Ashvins, and the Maruts also gathered there. All worshipped Śiprā at the hour of twilight, absorbed in deep meditation. There, the blessed and devoted wives remained with their husbands, and royal sages, having attained the path of liberation, were seated in peace and fulfillment. Thus shines forth the supreme greatness of Śiprā, purifier of all, destroyer of sin, and bestower of liberation.