Long ago, in the days when the world was still young, a great event unfolded for the destruction of the demon Tāraka. The mighty sage, with steadfast resolve, drank the seed of Śiva. From that potent seed, an embryo began to form within him, and when the wives of the sages beheld the glow of this embryo, they were filled with desire for the sage. Among the wives of the seven sages, all had completed their monthly rites of purification except for Arundhatī. In six of these women, a pregnancy manifested, born from that fire-born seed of Śiva. These radiant women, their bodies purified by their monthly observances, gathered together, troubled in heart, and asked one another, “What shall we do? Where shall we go? By what action will we gain merit?” After deliberating thus, the six distressed women hurried to the sacred Gaṅgā. There, with heavy hearts, they released their embryos into the river; as they entered the water, the embryos took the form of foam. United by the current and the wind, all these embryos merged into one, and from this union, the child Ṣaṇmukha was born. Having thus discharged the embryos, the wives of the sages returned home. But when their husbands saw that their forms had changed, they rebuked them, saying, “Go, go quickly! Independent conduct is not proper for women.” Thus, O child, those six women were cast out by their husbands. Overwhelmed by sorrow and abandoned, the six women wandered until they were seen by the divine sage Nārada. He approached them and said, “Kārttikeya is born from Hara. He is known as the son of Gaṅgā, fire-born, and the slayer of Tāraka. Go to him without delay; pleased with you, he will grant you enjoyment.” Heartened by Nārada’s words, these women—the Kṛttikās—approached Ṣaṇmukha and told him all that had transpired. Kārttikeya listened and consented, saying, “Let all of you go to the Gautamī, bathe, and worship Maheśvara. I too will come there, and then proceed to the abode of the gods.” Obeying his words, the Kṛttikās bathed in the sacred waters of the Gaṅgā and the Gautamī. After worshipping the Lord of the gods, and by his grace and Kārttikeya’s instruction, they too ascended to the abode of the gods. From that time onward, the sacred site became known as Kṛttikā-tīrtha. Whoever bathes there at the conjunction of the lunar mansion Kārttikā and the day Kṛttikā attains the merit of all sacrifices and becomes a righteous king. Even by remembering or hearing of this holy tīrtha, one is freed from all sins and blessed with long life. Now, O great sage, listen to the tale of the Daśāśvamedhika tīrtha, a place so holy that merely hearing of it bestows the fruit of a horse sacrifice. Viśvarūpa, the illustrious and powerful son of Viśvakarman, had a son named Bhauvana, who was himself mighty and renowned. Bhauvana’s priest was the wise Kaśyapa, skilled in all knowledge. Desiring to perform ten horse sacrifices at once, Bhauvana asked his revered teacher Kaśyapa, “Where shall I offer sacrifice to the gods?” The learned Brahmin replied, “O best of kings, establish the sacrificial ground wherever the foremost Brahmins have begun great rituals.” Following this advice, groups of seers became officiating priests in the sacrificial enclosure, and Kaśyapa began ten horse sacrifices simultaneously. The rituals commenced, but as they were brought near completion, the king became anxious. Leaving that sacrificial ground, he began the rituals anew elsewhere. Yet, wherever he commenced, obstacles and faults arose, and the sacrifices remained incomplete. Troubled, the king spoke to his teacher, “Because of faults of place, or time, or perhaps of myself or you, the ten horse sacrifices have not reached completion.” Distressed, both king Bhauvana and the chief priest Kaśyapa went to Saṃvarta, elder brother of the lord of hymns, and sought his counsel: “Venerable one, where can ten horse sacrifices performed at once be brought to completion? Tell us that place and the teacher who can guide us.” After meditating, Saṃvarta, the best of seers, answered, “Go to Brahmā, the supreme teacher; he will reveal the place.” Bhauvana, accompanied by Kaśyapa, also came to me and recounted all regarding the teacher and the place. I then said to my son Bhauvana and to Kaśyapa, “Go to the Gautamī; O king of kings, that land is sanctified by sacrifices. Kaśyapa, master of the Vedas, is the foremost teacher there; by his grace and the sanctity of the Gautamī, blessings will be attained. With a single horse sacrifice or simply by bathing there, the merit of ten horse sacrifices will be gained.” Hearing this, King Bhauvana went to the banks of the Gautamī, with Kaśyapa, and undertook the horse sacrifice. When the great ritual was begun and brought to completion, the king prepared to give away the earth as a gift. At that moment, as he honored the Brahmins, priests, and assembly, a voice resounded from the sky, saying, “O king, wishing to give the earth with its mountains, forests, and groves to the priest Kaśyapa, you have already given everything. Renounce the desire to give land; instead, give food, which yields great merit. In all the three worlds, there is no virtue equal to the gift of food. Especially since you have performed this horse sacrifice with many gifts and with faith on the bank of the Ganga, your duty is fulfilled—may good befall you; there is no need for further deliberation here.” Still, the Earth herself spoke to Bhauvana, who wished to give her away: “O universal sovereign, son of Viśvakarman, do not give me again and again; I keep sinking into the midst of the waters, therefore I should not be given.” Afraid, Bhauvana asked, “What should be given?” And again, the Earth, surrounded by Brahmins, spoke to Bhauvana, ready to reveal the highest gift.