At Agni’s report, Indra, the king of the gods, swiftly assumed the form of a hawk and soared through the sky. With keen eyes and great speed, he seized the pot, which was now filled and covered with meat. The disciples, witnessing this astonishing act, hurried to inform their sage: “O best of sages, the hawk, misguided in intent, has taken the pot!” Hearing this, the blessed sage grew angry, his mind turning toward cursing Hari. But Indra, aware of the sage’s intent, caused the pot to overflow with honey instead of meat. Hari then placed the pot among the meteors, now brimming with honey. Yet, upon seeing this, Viśvāmitra’s anger only deepened. In his wrath, the great Kauśika spoke: “Give us only the dog’s flesh, the true nectar for us. If you do not, I shall reduce you to ashes!” Indra, now frightened, replied, “Offer honey as prescribed, and drink it with your sons. What use is this impure dog’s flesh, O great sage?” But Viśvāmitra insisted, “No, what is the use of a single portion eaten? All beings are suffering—what is the point of that honey, O Hari? If it were nectar for all, I would eat the pure nectar; otherwise, let the gods and ancestors eat this dog’s flesh. Afterwards, I will eat that flesh—there is no falsehood in me.” Alarmed, Indra, the thousand-eyed, immediately summoned the clouds. He caused them to rain down nectar-like water, and all beings, blessed by this holy nectar properly offered by Hari, were purified. After first satisfying the gods and then the three worlds, sage Viśvāmitra, together with his disciples and his wife, partook of what remained. From that time onward, that sacred ford became supremely holy, for it was there that the lord of the gods came and offered nectar to the worlds. The holy ford, now free from flesh, arose at that spot, bestowing great merit upon all people. Bathing and giving gifts there grant the fruit of all sacrifices. Thus, the ford has been remembered by many names: Viśvāmitra’s Ford, the Madhu-ford, the Indra-ford, the Śyena-ford, and the Parjanya-ford. It is also known as the Śveta-ford, famed throughout the three worlds, auspicious and holy. Merely by hearing its name, one is freed from all sins. Once, there lived a brāhmaṇa named Śveta, a dear friend of Gautama, who was deeply devoted to hospitality and worship. He dwelled on the bank of the Gautamī, and with mind, action, and speech, he was devoted to the worship of Śiva. Always meditating on and honoring Śiva, Śveta was the best among twice-born men. When the time came for that excellent brāhmaṇa, devoted to Śiva, to depart at the end of his full lifespan, the messengers of the lord of the southern quarter arrived. Yet, O Nārada, they could not even enter his house. When the appointed time had passed, Citraka spoke to Death: “Why does Śveta, whose life is spent, not come, O Death? Why have your messengers not yet arrived? This is not fitting for you.” Death, angered by this, went himself to Śveta’s house. Seeing his messengers standing outside, terrified, Death asked, “What is this, messengers?” They replied, “Śveta is protected by Śiva—we are not able even to look at him. For those whom the Lord of the Mountain is gracious to, what fear can there be?” Death, holding his noose, entered where Śveta was. Yet Śveta, absorbed in devotion, did not perceive Death or Yama’s servants. Śveta was worshipping Śiva with deep devotion, and nearby, an ascetic saw Death holding his noose and, astonished, spoke: “Why do you look here, O Death, at the staff-bearing one?” Death replied, “I have come here to take Śveta; therefore, I look at the best of twice-born.” The staff-bearer said, “You go.” But Death cast his noose at Śveta. At this, the staff-bearer, angered, struck Death with the staff given by Shiva. Death, the noose-holder, fell to the ground. The messengers, seeing Death slain, quickly reported everything to Yama—the killing of Death by the staff-bearer. Dharma, Yama the buffalo-rider, became furious. He summoned Citragupta, his mighty attendants, the rod of Yama, and his guards. He called forth the buffalo, spirits, goblins, diseases, eye ailments, abdominal diseases, and ear pain as well. He summoned fever of three kinds, sins, and the various hells, commanding them all to hurry. With these and many others, Yama himself swiftly departed. Surrounded by these hosts, Yama came to where Śveta, the best of twice-born, was. Seeing Yama approaching, Nandi, armed and ready, spoke. Vināyaka, Skanda, Bhūtanātha, and the staff-bearer were also present. A battle then broke out, terrifying to all the worlds. Kārttikeya himself, with his spear, struck down Yama’s attendants and even slew the powerful lord of the southern quarter. Those of Yama’s followers who survived reported this wondrous event to Āditya. Āditya, together with the gods, hearing of this great happening, came to me—Vishnu—along with Indra, Agni, Varuṇa, the Moon, the Sun, the Aśvins, the guardians of the worlds, the hosts of Maruts, and many others. We all went to Yama. There, on the bank of the Ganges, the lord of the south lay dead, powerful, surrounded by oceans, rivers, serpents, and countless beings. The lords of the gods gathered to see Vaivasvata Yama. Seeing Yama and his army slain, the gods, seized by fear, with hands joined in reverence, again and again addressed Śambhu, seeking his grace.