Then the Blessed Lord addressed the gathered immortals, proclaiming, “My devotee shall not go to death.” Hearing this, the immortals respectfully replied, “O Lord, if it were so, then all the gods and all beings, both moving and unmoving, would become immortal. There would be no distinction between mortal and immortal, O Lord, who are the essence of the universe.” Shambhu, the gracious Lord, spoke again, “Let my words be heard—my devotees, those devoted to Vishnu, and those who serve the sacred Gautami. We are always the masters; death does not hold power over the master. Yama should never bring news concerning them. Those who have sought refuge in Shiva are never overpowered by affliction, disease, or the like; at that very moment, they are liberated.” Therefore, the hosts of gods said to Shiva, “All those associated with Yama are to be honored.” Then the Blessed Lord, the master of all, spoke to Nandi, his faithful vehicle, “With water from the Gautami, you must anoint the dead Yama.” As commanded, Nandi anointed all the followers of Yama with the sacred Gautami water. Revived by this act, they rose alive and departed toward the southern direction. On the northern bank of the Gautami, Vishnu and all the gods remained, worshipping the great god Maheshvara. There were gathered eighty thousand, fourteen thousand, and yet another six thousand, and likewise an additional six thousand. On the southern bank, there are thirty thousand holy places; this is the sacred account of Śvetatīrtha, O Nārada. Where Death himself fell is known as Mṛtyutīrtha; merely hearing of this place bestows a thousand years of life. Bathing and making offerings there destroy all sins; hearing, reciting, and remembering this account removes impurity and grants enjoyment and liberation to all the worlds. This place is also known as Śukratīrtha, which bestows all accomplishments upon people, removes all sins, and destroys all diseases. In those days, Aṅgiras and Bhṛgu, both supremely righteous sages, each had a son—wise, radiant in form and intellect. Their sons were named Jīva and Kavi, devoted to their parents. Seeing their sons together, the two sages spoke, “Let there be only one teacher for both our sons at all times; therefore, let one instruct, and let the other remain at ease.” Aṅgiras quickly said to Bhṛgu, “I will teach; let Bhārgava remain happily.” Bhṛgu agreed, and entrusted his son Śukra to Aṅgiras. However, the two sons were always taught separately, with partiality. After a long time, the young Śukra spoke up, “With partiality you teach me constantly; such partiality between sons and disciples is not proper for teachers. Foolish instructors act with partiality toward disciples; for those of unequal mind, there is no measure of sin.” He continued with humility, “O teacher, you are well understood; I bow to you again and again. I should go to another teacher; you ought to permit me. O Brahman, I should go to my father if he is impartial; otherwise, I will go elsewhere. Master, you are asked and I depart.” Having received permission, Śukra left his teacher Bṛhaspati. Having obtained knowledge, he considered seeking his father. He wondered, “Whom should I ask? Who is the highest teacher?” Remembering this, he approached the wise elder Gautama. “Who should be my teacher, O best of sages? Tell me who is fit to be teacher. I will go to him who is teacher of all three worlds.” Gautama replied, “Worship the Lord of the universe, Śaṃbhu, the divine teacher of the world. Having become pure in the waters of Gautamī, worship Śaṃkara with hymns. When the Lord of the universe is pleased, he will grant you knowledge.” Following Gautama’s words, the descendant of Bhṛgu went to the Gaṅgā, bathed, became thoroughly pure, and with a devoted heart, offered praise: “I am a child, with the mind of a child, O Lord who bears the crescent moon; I know nothing of how to praise you—salutations to you. Abandoned by my teacher, I have no friend or companion; you alone are my Lord in every way, O Lord of the universe—salutations to you. You are the teacher of those who possess teachers, the greatest among the great; I am but a small child, O all-pervading one—salutations to you. For the sake of knowledge, O Lord of the gods, I do not know your path; please look upon me with compassion, O witness of the world—salutations to you.” As Śukra thus praised him, the Lord of the gods was pleased and said, “Choose a boon as you wish, whatever is difficult even for the gods to obtain.” With joined hands and a noble mind, Śukra replied, “The knowledge which is not accessible even to Brahmā and the sages—that knowledge, O Lord, I request from you; you are my teacher and deity.” The best of the gods graciously granted Śukra the mṛtasaṃjīvinī knowledge—the secret of reviving the dead, unknown even to the gods—when he requested it.