Some birds carry burdens of a thousand, others a hundred, and some only ten; there are those who easily sustain themselves, while we struggle to fill even our difficult bellies. Some creatures store their grain and wealth in deep pits, others keep their wealth bundled in sheaves, and still others hide it in pots—but as for us, our wealth is simply what we can hold in our beaks. Now, a weary and shivering guest has arrived at our humble abode. How am I to honor him, O auspicious one? Even fire, water, kind words, grass, wood, and the like—these too should be given to one who asks, for this hunter is afflicted by the cold. Hearing these loving words, the king of the pigeons climbed up the tree, looked all around, and spotted a fire burning in the distance. He flew to the fire, grasped a burning stick in his beak, and brought it back to kindle a fire before the hunter, who was cold and exhausted. Again and again, the king of pigeons placed dry wood, leaves, and grass upon the fire, though it was the middle of the night. As the fire blazed, the hunter, chilled to the bone, warmed his tired limbs and found comfort. But the compassionate female pigeon saw that the hunter was still tormented—this time, by the fire of hunger. She said to her husband, “Do not release me, O noble one. With my own body, I shall satisfy the suffering hunter; may you, virtuous one, attain those worlds reserved for those who honor their guests. As long as I remain, your duty is not fulfilled; here I become the honored guest—permit me, O auspicious one.” Having spoken thus, she circumambulated the fire three times, remembering Lord Vishnu, the four-armed soul of all, the great refuge and beloved of devotees. She said, “Enjoy as you please,” and entered the fire herself. Seeing her cast her life into the flames, the hunter cried out, “Alas! Shame upon the life of a human, for the king of birds has performed such a heroic act for my sake.” As the hunter lamented, the female pigeon addressed him, “Release me, O noble one; my husband is departing far away.” Hearing her words, the hunter, trembling with awe, quickly opened the cage and set her free. She then circled her husband and sang to him by the fire, proclaiming, “This is the highest duty of women—to follow the husband; this path is prescribed in the Vedas and honored in all worlds. Just as one who grasps a snake forcibly pulls it from its hole, so does a devoted wife follow her husband and ascend to heaven with him. For as many years as there are three and a half crore hairs on a human body, a wife who follows her husband dwells in heaven.” Bowing to the earth, the gods, the Ganges, and the trees, and comforting her offspring, she spoke to the hunter, “Through your grace, O noble one, I have attained this; forgive me regarding my children, for I go with my husband to heaven.” Having said this, the virtuous bird entered the sacrificial fire; as she entered the flames, cries of victory arose. In the sky above, a radiant palace appeared, shining like the sun. Upon it, the divine pigeon couple, resplendent as the gods, were seen seated together. Filled with joy, they spoke to the hunter, who was struck with wonder, “Come, let us go to the realm of the gods; you have been invited, O wise one. You, our honored guest, are the stairway to our heaven. Salutations to you.” Seeing them ascend the splendid palace, the hunter, setting aside his bow and joining his hands in reverence, called out, “Do not abandon me, O greatly fortunate ones! Do not give anything to one who does not understand. I am your honored guest here; please tell me the means of atonement.” The pigeon couple replied, “Go to the Gautami river, may you fare well; confess your sin to her. By bathing there, you will be freed from all sins. Purified, when you bathe again in the Ganga, you will obtain the merit of an Ashvamedha sacrifice and become virtuous. In the sacred Gautami river, where Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and Sambhu dwell, by bathing again, you will leave behind your impure body. Ascending the splendid palace, you will surely go to heaven.” Hearing these words, the hunter did just as he was told. He bathed in the sacred rivers, was freed from sin, and ascended the splendid palace, taking on a divine form. Adorned with heavenly garlands and garments, honored by groups of apsaras, the pigeon, the pigeoness, and the hunter—all three, by the power of the Ganga—ascended to heaven together. From that time on, that holy place became known as Kapota. There, bathing, giving, and honoring the ancestors are performed. All acts of merit—recitation, sacrifice, and the like—performed there lead to endless virtue. In another sacred place, Karttikeya is honored as the supreme tirtha, known as Kaumara. Merely hearing its name makes one prosperous and handsome. When the terrible demon Taraka was slain and peace returned to heaven, Parvati, with deep affection, spoke to her eldest son Karttikeya, “Enjoy pleasures as you wish throughout the three worlds, those dear to your heart, by my command, with a joyful mind and by your father’s favor.