No god, demon, gandharva, yaksha, serpent, or kinnara could bring death to Hiraṇyakaśipu. Not even humans or birds could cause his end. Yet, he proclaimed, a hero would arise—one destined to become his death. This fierce and righteous being, a law-giving demon, would seize both Hiraṇyakaśipu’s tradition and his world. Those who had suffered under Hiraṇyakaśipu’s authority would be liberated from their distress through this hero’s advent. Therefore, it was declared, all should go to the sacred Mahākāla forest, the domain of the great Lord. This holy place lies to the south of Saṃgameśvara and to the north of Karkarāja. There stands the supreme abode known as Nṛsiṃha, the sacred seat of that divine form. "Go swiftly," they were urged, "for there you shall regain the worlds once more." Upon reaching the Mahākāla forest, where the pure waters of the river Śiprā flow, all are to perform ritual bathing, offer gifts, and conduct other sacred rites, including the worship of Nṛsiṃha. It was there, in his own fierce form, that the foremost of demons, Hiraṇyakaśipu, was slain by Nṛsiṃha. With a single blow of his divine hand, Nṛsiṃha ended Hiraṇyakaśipu’s tyranny. From that time onward, the gods themselves began to perform worship at midday in honor of this event. Thus, O Vyāsa, the supreme sacred place came to exist on earth in Avanti. Those who perform holy acts there attain the highest spiritual state. Whenever the fourteenth day, known as Nṛsiṃha day, arrives, those who worship Nṛsiṃha, Lord of the gods, with focused devotion, receive his blessings. Whoever, with devotion, beholds the god Agastyeśvara at that place, receives great merit. It was there as well that Hanuman, the son of the wind, attained the highest accomplishment through his devotion. Those who honor other deities at this sacred site fulfill all their desires. For the sake of accomplishment, the son of Mitra and Varuṇa performed austerities there. Men, accompanied by their wives, should undertake the Sāvitrī vow at this holy place. Wherever one bathes and gives charity at a sacred site, good fortune follows. If one makes offerings of seven kinds of grain and five precious gems, and crafts a golden image of Sāvitrī according to his ability, he attains abundant prosperity and many enjoyments. A woman who performs the Sāvitrī vow becomes especially dear to her husband. Thus, in the glorious Skanda Mahāpurāṇa, in the eighty-one-thousand section, in the fifth Avantya division, in the greatness of the Avantī region, the sixty-sixth chapter named 'The Description of the Glory of the Nṛsiṃha Sacred Place' comes to an end. Now, Vyāsa, hear further of this supreme sacred place, renowned and excellent upon the earth. Its foremost shrine bestows the fruits of all other sacred places. In ancient times, for the sake of his family, Dakṣa, the lord of creatures, performed great austerities here. Desiring worthy offspring, that righteous soul kept a strict vow for a long time. At this pure sacred place, after bathing, one should recite the eternal Brahman. By the grace of this holy site, abundant progeny is granted. Even Brahmā himself performed exceedingly difficult austerities here, and Mahādeva, at this very place, attained the position of Brahman. The goddess, bearing the auspicious seat, is famed as Bhadrakālī and is worshipped here. At the entrance stands Bhairava, the guardian of the field, always cared for by the Goddess as a mother tends her son, and he remains ever present at this sacred place.