Having first fulfilled his sacred duties by offering worship to the gods and then bringing satisfaction to the three worlds, the sage Viśvāmitra, accompanied by his disciples and his devoted wife, partook of the sanctified remnants of the offerings. From that time onward, the holy ford where these events unfolded became renowned as supremely sacred, for it was there that the lord of the gods himself had come and offered nectar to all the worlds. This pure and flesh-free ford arose on that spot, bestowing great merit upon those who approached it. Bathing in its waters and giving gifts there were said to yield the fruits of all sacrifices. Since that time, 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 as auspicious and holy. Indeed, merely by hearing of this sacred place, one is freed from all sins. Once, there lived a brāhmaṇa named Śveta, a dear friend of Gautama, who dwelled on the banks of the Gautamī river. Śveta was deeply devoted to hospitality and worship, and with mind, speech, and action, he worshipped Lord Śiva. Always meditating upon and honoring Śiva, Śveta was counted among the best of the twice-born. When the time came for this excellent brāhmaṇa, devoted to Śiva, to complete his lifespan, the messengers of the lord of the southern quarter—Yama—arrived to fetch him. Yet, O Nārada, they could not even enter his house. When the appointed time had passed, Citraka spoke to Death himself, questioning, “Why does Śveta, whose life is spent, not come, O Death? Why have your messengers not yet arrived? This is not fitting for you.” Angered, Death went himself to Śveta’s house. There, he found his own messengers standing outside, terrified. Death asked them, “What is this, messengers?” and they replied, “Śveta is protected by Śiva—we are not able even to look at him. For those granted the grace of the Lord of the Mountain, what fear can there be?” Determined, Death entered, holding his noose. But Śveta, absorbed in worship, perceived neither Death nor the servants of Yama. As Śveta continued his devoted worship of Śiva, an ascetic nearby noticed Death and, astonished, addressed him: “Why do you look here, O Death, at this staff-bearing one?” Death replied, “I have come here to take Śveta; therefore, I look at the best of the twice-born.” The staff-bearer then commanded Death to depart. But Death, undeterred, cast his noose at Śveta. Angered, the staff-bearer, wielding the staff given by Śiva, struck Death, causing the noose-holder to fall to the ground, lifeless. Seeing Death slain, the terrified messengers quickly reported everything to Yama: how the staff-bearer had killed Death. Enraged, Dharma—Yama himself, the buffalo-rider—summoned Citragupta, his mighty attendants, his rod, and his guards. He called forth the buffalo, spirits, goblins, diseases of many kinds—eye ailments, abdominal diseases, ear pain—as well as fevers of three types, sins, and the various hells. He commanded them all to hasten, and then Yama himself departed swiftly. Surrounded by this fearsome host, Yama approached the place where Śveta, the best of the twice-born, was. Seeing Yama and his army advancing, Nandi, armed and resolute, stepped forward to speak. Vināyaka, Skanda, Bhūtanātha, and the staff-bearer were also present. A terrible battle erupted, terrifying to all the worlds. Kārttikeya himself, with his mighty spear, struck down Yama’s attendants and even slew the powerful lord of the southern quarter. The surviving followers of Yama fled and reported these astonishing events to Āditya. Hearing of this great and wondrous occurrence, Āditya and the other gods, accompanied by the guardians of the worlds, came to me—Lord Viṣṇu, Indra, Agni, Varuṇa, the Moon, the Sun, the Aśvins, the Maruts, and many others. We all went to Yama. There, on the banks of the Ganges, lay the mighty Yama, slain, and with him, the oceans, rivers, serpents, and countless beings were thrown into turmoil. The lords of the gods came to see Vaivasvata Yama, and seeing his army destroyed, they were seized by fear. With hands joined in reverence, the gods addressed Śambhu again and again, praising him: “Ever devoted to your worshippers, ever the destroyer of the wicked, O primal creator, homage to you! O blue-throated one, beloved of Brahmā and the gods, homage to you! To take your devotee Śveta, the twice-born, whose life was ended, Yama and all the others were powerless. Seeing your supreme satisfaction and your truth in loving your devotees, O Lord, we understand: those who seek refuge in you, O compassionate one, are not subject even to the scrutiny of Death. Knowing this, O Śiva, all worship you alone with supreme devotion. You alone are the Lord of all worlds—do you not remember, O Śaṅkara? Without you, who else is capable here of establishing order, O Lord?” As the gods praised him thus, Śiva appeared before them and said, “What shall I give?” The gods replied, “This Vaivasvata Dharma is the ruler of all embodied beings; he has been established as the guardian of the world for the regulation of righteousness and unrighteousness. He does not incur death, nor is he a wrongdoer or sinner; without him, nothing at all would exist, not even from the creator of the world. Therefore, O Lord of gods, revive Yama along with his retinue and vehicle. O master, let the request of the great not be in vain.” Then the Blessed Lord Śiva said, “I will certainly revive Yama, if today the gods approve my words.” And all the gods, together with Hari, Brahmā, and the others, in whose power lies the entire universe, replied, “We accept the statement you have made, O Lord.