On the sacred banks of the Gautami river, the Earth herself spoke, proclaiming that whatever is given there—whether sesame, cows, wealth, or grain—becomes inexhaustible charity. She asked Bhauvana, the lord of the earth, “What will you give me?” She continued, “Whoever gives even a single mouthful on the banks of the Ganga, by him I am wholly given; now, what will you give me, O Bhauvana?” Hearing these words of the Earth, Bhauvana, the generous ruler, pondered and agreed, saying, “So be it.” He then bestowed abundant food to the brahmins. From that time forward, that sacred place became renowned as the site of ten horse sacrifices. It was declared that anyone who bathes there attains the merit equal to performing ten ashvamedha yajñas. Elsewhere, on the southern bank of the Gautami, lies another holy site, revered by those learned in the Vedas. This place, called Paishacha, is situated beside the Brahmagiri mountain. O wise Narada, there is also a mountain there named Anjana. Upon that mountain, a celestial nymph, who had fallen from grace due to a curse, came to reside. This nymph was known as Anjana, who, by virtue of her excellent form, became a female monkey. Her husband was Kesari, and another companion was named Adrika. Anjana, wife of Kesari, was thus transformed into a cat by the power of the curse, and dwelled on the slopes of Anjana mountain. Kesari, renowned throughout the world, journeyed to the southern ocean. During his absence, the great sage Agastya arrived at Anjana mountain. Both Anjana and Adrika worshipped the illustrious Agastya, each in accordance with custom and with deep devotion. Pleased by their service, the sage offered them a boon of their choosing. They both requested, “O lord of sages, grant us sons.” Agastya, the best of sages, blessed them, saying, “So be it. You shall have sons, the strongest among all, benefactors of all worlds.” With this, he departed to the southern direction. In due course, Anjana and Adrika, filled with joy, sang, danced, and laughed together atop the mountain peak. Vayu, the wind god, and Nirriti, deity of dissolution, saw them in their merriment. Overcome by desire, the two gods swiftly approached. Anjana and Adrika, seeking blessings, said, “May we, as husband and wife, become the bestowers of boons, O gods.” The deities replied, “So be it,” and vanished from the mountain summit. Thus, Hanuman was born to Anjana and Vayu, and to Adrika and Nirriti was born Adri, lord of the piśācas, the spirits of the night. Yet, both mothers lamented, “Through the sage’s boon, two sons have been born, but our forms are deformed, our heads marred.” This, they were told, was due to the curse of the lord of Shachi. Then, the blessed Vayu and Nirriti declared, “By bathing and giving gifts at the Gautami, your curse will be lifted.” Having spoken thus, the gods disappeared, pleased. Moved by affection, Adri, in the form of a piśāca, took Anjana and bathed her in the sacred Gautami to relieve her suffering. Likewise, Hanuman took the waters of the Ganga and swiftly led Adrika, in her feline form, to the Gautami’s banks. From that time, the place became known as Piśāca and Añjana, the very site where Brahma himself had once approached the mountain, bestowing all desires and auspiciousness. To the east, fifty-three yojanas away, lies a place named Mārjāra. From there are found the sacred sites of Dhanumanta and Vṛṣākapi. There too is Phenāsaṅgama, a confluence bestowing all desires and auspiciousness, whose true greatness and nature are celebrated. Now, listen, O Narada, to the tale of Kṣudhātīrtha, a holy place of immense merit, granting every desire to those who seek it. Once, there was a sage named Kaṇva, devoted to austerity and foremost in Vedic knowledge. Wandering among many hermitages, he was tormented by hunger. He came upon the holy hermitage of Gautama, abundant with food and water, while he himself suffered from hunger, and Gautama enjoyed prosperity. Observing this disparity, Kaṇva became detached. Yet Gautama, steadfast in his own austerities, thought, “Though I am afflicted by hunger and my body suffers, I will not eat in Gautama’s dwelling, but will beg in a manner equal to all.” With this resolve, Kaṇva decided, “I shall go to the Gautamī Ganga and obtain wealth.” He went to the sacred river, bathed, purified himself, and with a concentrated mind, sat upon a seat of kusa grass. There, he praised the Gautamī Ganga, expressing his deep distress from hunger: “Salutations to you, O Ganga, remover of all suffering. Homage to you, O Hunger, cause of all people’s distress. Salutations to you, O auspicious one, born from the matted locks of Maheshana. Homage to you, who escaped from the jaws of great death. To the virtuous, you are peace; to the wicked, you are wrath. In the form of a river, you remove all heat and sin from everyone. In the form of hunger, you bring suffering and sin to all. Salutations to you, O goddess, who brings auspiciousness, destroys sin, grants peace, and removes poverty.” As he thus praised, two forms appeared before him: one enchanting, like the Ganges herself, and the other terrifying in aspect. Kaṇva bowed with joined palms and spoke again: “O source of all auspiciousness, O Brāhmī, O auspicious Māheśvarī, O Vaiṣṇavī, O three-eyed goddess, O Godāvarī, salutations to you. O Godāvarī, born from the matted locks of Tryambaka, destroyer of Gautama’s sin, who flows in seven streams to the ocean, salutations to you. O goddess, destroyer of dharma, desire, and wealth for those who commit all sins; full of sorrow and greed, O hunger, salutations to you again and again.” Hearing the heartfelt words of Kaṇva, the two forms joyfully spoke to the sage, “Speak your desire, O blessed one; choose your boons, O virtuous one.