At that very moment, a demon named Kṣeṇaka entered the city of Vārāṇasī, which had fallen silent and deserted. This emptiness was not by chance; the city had long ago been cursed by the great Nikumbha, who decreed that Vārāṇasī would remain empty for a thousand years, again and again. Yet, as soon as Nikumbha’s curse took effect, Divodāsa, the lord of the people, acted swiftly. He established a splendid city at the edge of his realm, beside the river Gomati, ensuring his people had a new place to flourish. The sages, curious about the origins of the curse, asked: “For what reason did Nikumbha curse Vārāṇasī? And why did that righteous one curse the sacred field?” Sūta replied, recounting the events: King Divodāsa, a royal sage, having obtained the new city, dwelt there as a mighty ruler, and the city prospered under his care. At the same time, Maheśvara, having taken a beloved wife, lived with the goddess among the gods. By the command of the gods, Maheśvara’s attendants—rich in ascetic power and taking many forms as previously described—pleased the great goddess. Mahādeva rejoiced because of their devotion, but Menā, the goddess’s mother, was not pleased. She constantly found fault with both the god and the goddess, saying, “Your husband Maheśvara is improper at my side; he is entirely poor here, yet he lives untroubled, O sinless one.” Hearing her mother’s words, the goddess—by her feminine nature—could not bear it. Yet, smiling, the boon-giver went to Hara’s side. She approached Mahādeva, her face downcast, and spoke: “O god, I will not stay here; take me to your own abode.” Thus addressed, Mahādeva surveyed all the worlds for a suitable dwelling. He chose, on earth, the illustrious Vārāṇasī, the sacred field. Knowing that Divodāsa had settled there, Bhava summoned Gaṇeśa, who stood by his side, and spoke to him: “O lord of the gaṇas, go to the city and make Vārāṇasī empty; use gentle means, for that king is exceedingly powerful.” Then, Nikumbha went to Vārāṇasī and appeared in a dream to a barber named Maṅkana. He said, “I will bring you prosperity; choose a place for me, O sinless one. Make an image in my likeness and install it in the city.” Maṅkana, following the vision, did everything as he had seen in the dream, obtaining the king’s permission according to proper rule. A great worship was performed constantly there, with perfumes, incense, garlands, and other beautiful offerings. With offerings of food, the place became exceedingly wondrous; thus, the Lord of the Hosts was worshipped there always. Nikumbha granted thousands of boons to cities: sons, gold, longevity, and all desired things. The king’s chief queen, renowned as Suyaśā, came for the sake of a son, prompted by the king. She performed great worship, requesting sons, and returned many times for the same purpose. Yet Nikumbha did not grant sons, for a reason. If the king became angry about this, something would occur. After a long time, anger entered the king. Nikumbha granted a being at the great gate of the cities, and out of affection, he gave boons by the hundreds—but nothing else happened. He continued to be worshipped by the people in the city, as well as by the queen, who sought a son. Yet, he did not grant a son, and the king, feeling betrayed, declared, “He does not deserve worship from me in any way; I will destroy the place of that wicked one.” With firm resolve, the king—his mind sinful—destroyed the abode of Gaṇapati with evil intent. Seeing the temple broken, the Lord approached the king and said, “Except for an offense against me, you have destroyed the place without cause. Suddenly, your city will become empty, O ruler of men.” Thus, by that curse, Vārāṇasī became empty. Nikumbha, having cursed the city, then led it to Mahādeva. Mahādeva, the Supreme Self, made the city empty. Equal in divine splendor to the great-souled goddess, the goddess delighted there, as did Maheśvara when she delighted. Yet, the goddess did not find pleasure there, due to the wonder of the house. For the sake of the goddess’s play, the Lord spoke: “I will not leave the house, for Avimukta is my home.” Smiling, he said, “Avimukta is indeed my home. I will not go, O goddess; you may go, I will remain here and delight.” Therefore, the place is called Avimukta, as declared by the Lord himself. Thus, Vārāṇasī was cursed, and Avimukta was proclaimed—the place where the god dwells, honored by all gods, through the three ages, Maheśvara with the goddess. In the Kali age, that city of the great-souled one becomes invisible; when it disappears, it again dwells elsewhere. Vārāṇasī, having been cursed, returned to its settlement. A hundred excellent archers, the sons of Bhadrasrenya, came there. Having slain them, King Divodāsa established his settlement, seizing the kingdom of Bhadrasrenya by force. Bhadrasrenya’s son, named Durdama, was spared by Divodāsa out of compassion, for he was but a child.