Radiant and filled with divine splendor, Arjuna—son of Kunti and famed as Dhananjaya—stood in awe as he beheld a wondrous sight before him. His heart brimming with delight, he addressed the enchanting woman who had appeared: “Who are you, O blessed one? From where do you come, O dweller in the waters?” The woman replied with gentle dignity, “I am an Apsaras, O mighty-armed hero, one who roams the forests of the gods. My companions and I—renowned among the Varga, ever favored by Dhanapati—are four in number, all beautiful, all able to move wherever we wish. Together, we journeyed to the abode of the guardians of the worlds, and there we beheld a Brahmin, steadfast in his vows. “He was handsome, learned, and wandered alone, his austerity so radiant that we were enveloped in his brilliance. Like the sun itself, he illumined the entire region. Amazed by his penance and his wondrous, supreme form, we descended, intent on disturbing his meditation. I, Saurabheyi, Samichi, Budbuda, and Lata approached him, singing and laughing, seeking to entice him. “But the great-souled Brahmin paid us no mind. Steadfast in his pure austerity, he remained unmoved by our charms. Angered by our intrusion, he cursed us: ‘You shall become aquatic beings and dwell in water for a hundred years.’ “Greatly distressed, O best of Bharatas, we all sought refuge with the Brahmin, whose austerity was unwavering. Humbled, we pleaded: ‘Proud of our beauty, youth, and charm, we acted improperly. Forgive us, O Brahmin. This punishment has come upon us as a result of our own actions, for we sought to tempt one whose soul is steadfast. Righteous men consider women to be inviolable; therefore, grow in virtue and do not harm us. A Brahmin is called friendly to all beings and knowledgeable of righteousness; let this be true, O blessed one, for this is the teaching of the wise. The virtuous protect those who seek refuge; we have sought refuge with you, and so you ought to forgive us.’ “Moved by our plea, the righteous Brahmin, performer of auspicious deeds, granted us mercy, shining like the sun and moon. He said, ‘Though a hundred, a hundred thousand are called inexhaustible, here the measure is a hundred, and this is not termed inexhaustible. When you, as grasping spirits, seize men with your hands, then the best of men will lift you from the water onto land. At that time, you will regain your own forms. I have never spoken falsehood, not even in jest. From that time forward, these sacred places will be known as “women’s tirthas,” holy and purifying for the wise.’ “Having saluted and circumambulated the Brahmin, we departed, our hearts heavy with sorrow. Where, we wondered, might we together find, in such a short time, the man who could restore us to our former state? As we pondered, we beheld the illustrious sage Narada, radiant with divine brilliance. Delighted, yet ashamed, we saluted him and stood before him. He asked the cause of our sorrow, and we told him all that had befallen us. Hearing our tale, Narada spoke: ‘On the southern shore of the ocean, there are five sacred places, holy and beautiful. Go there without delay. There, the tiger among men, Dhananjaya of the Pandavas, pure in soul, will free you from sorrow, without doubt.’ Having spoken, Narada vanished from our sight. Trusting his words, we journeyed here. Today, O sinless one, you have truly freed me. “These are my companions—four others remain in the water. Perform this noble deed, O hero, and free them all.” Hearing this, Arjuna, foremost of the Pandavas, entered the sacred place. At once, he was seized by the grasping spirits, but he quickly emerged from the water, rescuing them one by one. As each was lifted from the water, she at once regained her apsaras form, adorned with all her ornaments. Thus, the mighty Arjuna freed them all. Rising from the water, restored to their true forms, the apsarases shone as they had before. Having thus purified the sacred places and given the apsarases leave to depart, Arjuna resumed his journey to Maṇalūra to see Citrāṅgadā. There, with her, the king begot a son named Babruvahana. Seeing his son, Arjuna addressed Citravahana, the king: “Take Babruvahana as the bride-price for Citrangada; by this, O king, I shall be freed from my obligation.” Again, Arjuna spoke to Citrangada: “Remain here and prosper. Let Babruvahana grow up.