Hear now the sacred account as revealed in the Skanda Purāṇa. It is said, without doubt, that those who err may find themselves enduring a long sojourn in the realm of Yama, the Lord of Justice. Therefore, having pledged oneself to righteousness, one should dedicate oneself sincerely to atonement and virtuous deeds. Afterwards, by offering clarified butter and gold in acts of redemption, one may lead oneself away from such consequences. Among the holy places upon earth, there is one of great renown: the waters of the Śiprā at Karkarāja. Bathing here is of supreme merit, for all the holy places, rivers, and oceans of the world are gathered in sanctity at this very spot. Indeed, Karkarāja is considered the foremost of holy places. Whoever listens to or recites this sacred story attains great benefit. On the earth stands Ṛṣabha, the foremost of mountains, attended by hosts of gods and gandharvas. There, O twice-born Vyāsa, lovely celestial maidens are ever at play, blessing the land with their presence. One who bathes at this holy place is surely blessed with good fortune. Especially auspicious is the eighth day of the bright half of the month of Bhādrapada, when the moon is in the Maitra constellation. Whoever performs the sacred rites at this time, O Vyāsa, attains the eternal worlds. This place is celebrated as Bindusaras, the bestower of all desired boons. O son of Satyavatī, know that the excellent rivers themselves have reached and merged at this holy site, and there they ever worship. In the bright fortnight of Bhādrapada, the fourth day is also proclaimed as sacred. There stands Manaḥkāmeśvara, the bestower of all desired boons. Here, a man, having attained a hundred wishes, becomes a fulfiller of desires. Now you may ask, how many holy places and shrines of the gods are there? O great sage, even Svayambhū, the four-faced Brahmā, could scarcely describe them all. Their number is as countless as the drops of rain that fall from the clouds, or the stars shining in the sky. In the heavens and on earth, this city itself is a holy place, filled with sanctity. Its rivers, lakes, and wells—all are holy in every way. Yet, I shall tell you the principal matters. He who rises each morning, pure in body and with a disciplined mind, who adorns himself with fragrances, sesame seeds, and rice grains, and who, during the sacred months of Ūrja, Mādhava, Vaiśākha, and Āṣāḍha, performs the prescribed rites at the holy place of the deity, in the presence of that deity, attains all the desired results. Vyāsa, eager to know more, requests to hear these details in full—the dialogue between Umā and Maheśvara regarding the rites of divine pilgrimages, and the knowledge of whatever holy places and liṅgas exist. Maheśvara proclaims to the great goddess: "The foremost field, O goddess, is always exceedingly dear to me. Here, at the confluence of the Nīla and Gaṅgā rivers, as well as the river Gandhavatī, reside eighty-four Lords and eight Bhairavas. Six Vināyakas are here, along with twenty-four goddesses. All the gods—Viṣṇu, Brahmā, and others—are established in this sacred land. Ten forms of Viṣṇu are described here. Listen now to their names, as I recount them to you: Nārāyaṇa, Hṛṣīkeśa, Vārāha, and Dharaṇīdhara..." Thus is extolled the supreme sanctity of Avanti and its holy places, where the divine presence in myriad forms blesses all who worship with devotion and purity.