As the story unfolds, the noble pigeon, having offered himself as a guest to the hunter, addresses his devoted wife: “As long as I remain here, your duty as a wife is incomplete. Now, let me become the honored guest—grant me this, O auspicious one.” With these words, his faithful wife rises and, filled with reverence, circumambulates the sacred fire three times. In her heart she remembers the four-armed Lord, great Vishnu, the soul of all beings, the refuge and beloved of devotees. Then, with calm resolve, she says, “Enjoy as you please,” and enters the fire, casting her life into the flames. Witnessing this act of supreme devotion, the hunter is moved and exclaims, “Alas! Shame upon the life of a human body—see how the king of birds has performed such a heroic deed for my sake.” As the hunter laments, the female bird speaks to him: “Release me, O noble one; my husband is departing far away.” Hearing her plea, the hunter, trembling with awe, swiftly opens the cage and sets her free. She circles her husband by the fire and sings to him, her voice filled with love and duty. She proclaims, “This is the highest duty of women: to follow the husband. This path is prescribed in the Vedas and honored throughout all worlds. Just as one who grasps a snake pulls it from its hole, so a devoted wife follows her husband and ascends to heaven with him. For as many years as there are hairs—three and a half crore—on the human body, a wife who follows her husband dwells in heaven.” Having bowed to the earth, the gods, the Ganges, and the trees, she comforts her offspring and turns to the hunter: “Through your grace, O noble one, I have attained this. Forgive me regarding my offspring, for I now go with my husband to heaven.” With these words, the virtuous bird enters the sacrificial fire. As she is consumed by the flames, cries of victory echo all around. In the sky, a radiant palace appears, shining like the sun. Upon it, the divine couple, now resembling the gods, are seen seated in splendor. Filled with joy, they speak to the astonished hunter: “Come, let us go to the realm of the gods; you too are invited, O wise one. You are the guest who has become the stairway to our heaven. Salutations to you.” Seeing the couple ascend to the glorious palace, the hunter, setting aside his bow and joining his hands in reverence, calls 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 divine pigeons reply, “Go to the Gautami river, and may you fare well. Confess your sin to her. By bathing there, you shall be freed from all sins. Once purified, bathe again in the Ganga, and you will obtain the merit of an Ashvamedha sacrifice and become virtuous. In the sacred Gautami, where Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and Sambhu dwell, bathing again will allow you to shed your impure body. Then, ascending the splendid palace, you will surely go to heaven.” Hearing their guidance, the hunter does as instructed. He bathes in the holy rivers, is freed from sin, and ascends the radiant palace, taking on a divine form. Wearing celestial garlands and garments, honored by groups of apsaras, the pigeon, his wife, and the hunter—all three, by the power of the Ganga, rise together to heaven. From that time, the place became known as Kapota. There, bathing, giving, and honoring ancestors are performed, and acts such as recitation and sacrifice done at that sacred spot lead to endless merit. The narrative then turns to another sacred story. Karttikeya, the supreme holy place known as Kaumara, is so powerful that merely hearing its name brings prosperity and beauty. After the demon Taraka was slain and peace returned to the heavens, Parvati affectionately spoke to her eldest son, Karttikeya: “By my command and your father’s favor, enjoy the pleasures of the three worlds as you wish, with a joyful mind, and with those dearest to your heart.” Thus addressed by his mother, Vishakha (Karttikeya) delighted in the company of the wives of the gods, and the goddesses too enjoyed themselves. O Narada, as Karttikeya enjoyed the company of the goddesses, the gods in heaven found themselves unable to restrain him. They went to Parvati and informed her of the rites concerning her son. Though she and the gods repeatedly tried to restrain him, Karttikeya, powerful and six-faced, remained attached to women and did not obey. Parvati, fearing a curse and filled with anxiety, began to reflect deeply. Out of motherly affection, and knowing that the wives of the gods had to be long protected for the fulfillment of the gods’ purposes, she pondered again and again. Wherever Skanda (Karttikeya) went to take delight, Parvati herself would assume a similar form and act accordingly. When Karttikeya summoned the wives of Indra and Varuna and gazed upon them, he saw the form of his mother in each. Overcome with reverence, he turned away and summoned another, but again saw his mother’s form and was filled with shame. Thus, in many women he saw the same form, perceiving the entire world as filled with his mother. The son of Ganga then became detached from enjoyment. Realizing that his withdrawal was caused by his mother’s intervention, he thought, “If I am restrained now, I had already begun before.” Thus, the wisdom and devotion of the divine play out, shaping the destinies of gods and mortals alike.