In days of old, Hanuman, the mighty son of the Wind, took up the sacred river Ganga and swiftly guided Adrika—who had assumed the form of a cat—to the bank of the Gautami. From that moment, the place became renowned as Piśāca and Añjana, for it was there that Brahma himself had approached the mountain and showered blessings, fulfilling all desires and bestowing auspiciousness. To the east, fifty-three yojanas away, lies a site called Mārjāra, and from there, the regions of Dhanumanta and Vṛṣākapi are found. Another revered place is Phenāsaṅgama, famed as a bestower of all desires and celebrated for its auspiciousness. Its true nature and greatness are extolled in the scriptures, O auspicious one. Now, listen attentively, O Nārada, as I recount the glory of yet another sacred ford, known as Kṣudhātīrtha, which grants all desires to humankind. Once, there lived a sage named Kaṇva, famed for his austerity and mastery of the Vedas, who wandered among hermitages. One day, tormented by hunger, he came upon the holy hermitage of Gautama. There, Kaṇva saw abundance—food and water in plenty—while he himself suffered from hunger, and Gautama flourished in prosperity. Observing this disparity, Kaṇva became detached from worldly cravings. Gautama, the best among the twice-born, reflected, “I am steadfast in my austerity.” Thus, Kaṇva resolved, “Though I am afflicted by hunger and my body suffers, I shall not eat in Gautama’s dwelling. Instead, I will beg for food in a manner that is equal for all.” With this resolve, the wise Kaṇva thought, “I shall go to the Gautamī Ganga and obtain merit and wealth.” So he went to the sacred river. After bathing and purifying himself, with his mind focused, he sat upon a seat of kusa grass and began to praise the Gautamī Ganga, expressing his deep distress from hunger. He offered salutations: “O Ganga, remover of supreme suffering, I bow to you. Homage to you, O Hunger, cause of all people’s distress. Homage to you, O auspicious one, born from the matted locks of Maheshana; homage to you, who escaped from the jaws of great death. For the virtuous, you are the form of peace; for the wicked, you are the form of wrath. In the form of a river, you remove all heat and sin from everyone. In the form of hunger, you bestow suffering and sin upon all. Salutations to you, O goddess, who brings auspiciousness, destroys sin, grants peace, and removes poverty.” As Kaṇva thus praised, two forms appeared before him—one enchanting like the Ganges herself, the other terrifying in aspect. With joined palms and after bowing deeply, the best of the twice-born addressed them: “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 these words, the two goddesses joyfully spoke to the sage: “Speak your desire, O blessed one. Choose your boons, O virtuous one.” Bowing low, Kaṇva addressed Gaṅgā and Hunger in turn: “O goddess, grant me delightful wishes—wealth, long life, riches, enjoyment, and liberation. O Gaṅgā, bestow these upon me.” Having spoken thus, Kaṇva addressed both Gautamī, Gaṅgā, and Hunger: “O Hunger, O Thirst, O Poverty, may you and your kind depart from me and my descendants. Go to those who are more sinful and harsh; may you never return here. For those afflicted by hunger who praise you with this hymn, may poverty and sorrow never exist—let this be another boon. And those who, with devotion, bathe, give, recite, or perform other acts at this sacred ford, may they be blessed with prosperity. Whoever recites this hymn, whether at the ford or at home, let there be no fear from poverty or sorrow—this too is my wish.” The goddesses replied, “So be it,” and departed. Kaṇva returned to his abode. From that day, the ford became known as Kaṇva’s Gaṅgā and was also named Hunger, for it removes all sin and increases the satisfaction of ancestors. O Brahman, there is another famed ford called Cakra-tīrtha. By bathing there with devotion, one attains the world of Hari. On the bright eleventh day, by fasting and bathing at the confluence of the Gaṅgā, one attains the eternal abode. Long ago, a remarkable event occurred there. There was a wealthy merchant named Vishvadhara. In his later years, he was blessed with a son—virtuous, handsome, playful, and pleasing to behold. This beloved son, dearer to his parents than life itself, passed away in due time. Overwhelmed by grief, the couple resolved to die alongside their son, lamenting, “Alas, son! Alas! By the hand of cruel fate, you have been taken from us by wicked destiny. Though you were in the prime of youth, O ocean of virtues, you have been snatched away. To us, you were more precious than life itself, exceedingly rare.” Their pitiful cries of anguish reached Yama, the lord of death. Filled with compassion, Yama swiftly left his own city and stood on the sacred bank of the Godavari, meditating on Janardana. In a short time, everywhere, people began to grow old. Yama pondered, “Tell me, how vast is the earth, and by whom is it filled? No creature dies; the earth, burdened, is oppressed by the weight.” Then, O best of sages, the goddess Earth herself hastened to where Indra, the conqueror of enemy cities, resided with the gods. Seeing her, Indra bowed and gently inquired, “What is the reason for your coming? Tell me, O Earth, why are you here?” Thus, the sacred stories of these holy fords and the deeds of sages and gods are remembered, shining with the enduring light of Sanātana Dharma.