Even the most illustrious and fortunate sages, on every festival day, make it their practice to come together at this sacred place. Here, virtuous people bathe, finding spiritual merit in the holy waters. No matter how dire the calamity or how dreadful the epidemic, those who are truly devoted come here with unwavering faith. They offer a variety of foods and enjoyments in worship, and for them, no fault or sin arises from these offerings. In times of adversity, it is said that one should worship the guardian deity of the field with a focused and devoted mind. After bathing at this holy spot, accompanied by their families, devotees are to worship Maheshvara—Shiva himself—adorned in garments decorated with gold, jewels, and pearls. Especially significant is the bright fortnight of the month of Phalguna, on the fourteenth day. On this auspicious occasion, after bathing, a person should remain awake through the night, keeping vigil. The night is to be filled with incense, lamps, offerings, beautiful garments, ornaments, and other such items dedicated in reverence. By performing these acts, all sins are destroyed, and the devotee is honored in the world of Shiva. For every moment spent in wakeful worship during this night, one attains merit equal to that of performing an Ashvamedha sacrifice. Having thus properly worshipped and adored Shiva, O Vyasa, the devotee is said to be blessed as if they had gifted fourteen thousand cows with calves. Thus concludes the sixty-seventh chapter, “The Description of the Glory of Kutumbeshvara,” in the fifth Avantya section, celebrating the greatness of the Avantikṣetra, as told in the grand Skanda Mahāpurāṇa. Now, let us turn to the sacred site of Devaprayaga, renowned as the destroyer of all sins. O scorcher of foes, this is the supreme abode of the gods, where a sacred ford graces the land. On the eastern bank of the river Kṣiprā, this holy place is established. Here, the deity Mādhava is worshipped, known throughout the earth as the bestower of all rewards. Also present is Ānanda Bhairava, revered by all the gods. O Vyāsa, one who worships at this place never suffers the torments of Bhairavī. In the bright half of the month of Jyeṣṭha, on the tenth day when Wednesday and the Hasta constellation coincide, the pure and supreme birth of Gaṅgā is celebrated. On that day, anyone who bathes at this ford gains the merit of all sacred fords combined. Even by merely hearing of this holy event, one’s vow remains unbroken. Such a devotee is steadfast in many vows, self-controlled, and accomplished in the Vedas and their branches. Yet, sometimes, due to a minor fault, the completion of a vow may not occur. O Brahman, it once happened that a great ascetic came as a guest to such a devotee’s house. This guest was none other than Nārada, and he was honored in accordance with the scriptural injunctions. O venerable one, you, Vyāsa, know all things through the eye of knowledge. So, it is asked: by what association with sin did the breaking of the vow occur? In the land of Mahārāṣṭra, there once lived a well-known brāhmaṇa named Dhanasaṃcaka. Another brāhmaṇa, called Brahmadatta, was notorious for criticizing the Vedas and other brāhmaṇas. He was an atheist, denying gods and sacred fords, and he stole the wealth of others. Because of these misdeeds, his lifespan diminished and he became destitute. Eventually, abandoning theft, he began to associate with travelers. But his past deeds caught up with him, and the servants of Yama, the god of death, took him to the abode of restraint. There, he was seen by Dharmaraja, the lord of righteousness, who is ever devoted to his master. “Listen, all you attendants, with focused minds,” Dharmaraja proclaimed. “This sinner died on the bank of the Godā; for us, there is no cause there.” Indeed, whether the Sun is in the sign of Leo or Jupiter is in Br̥haspati, even then, people come to the bank of the Gautamī. Thus, the glory of these sacred places and the power of devotion, worship, and right conduct are revealed, as preserved in the timeless teachings of the Skanda Mahāpurāṇa.