O Nārada, hear now of the sacred wonders along the southern bank of the holy river, where countless places of pilgrimage abound—eighty thousand, fourteen thousand, and another six thousand, and again six thousand more. Among these, thirty thousand are especially revered, and this is the sanctified region known as Śvetatīrtha. There, where Death himself once fell, lies the renowned Mṛtyutīrtha. To simply hear its name is to gain a thousand years of life. Those who bathe in its waters and offer gifts there are freed from all sins. Even by hearing, reciting, or remembering this tīrtha, one is cleansed of impurity and granted both worldly enjoyment and ultimate liberation. This place is also known as Śukratīrtha, famed for bestowing all accomplishments, removing sins, and destroying diseases. In ancient days, the supremely virtuous sages Aṅgiras and Bhṛgu each had a radiant and wise son: Jīva and Kavi. Both boys were devoted to their parents, and seeing them together, the fathers conferred and decided that only one teacher should instruct both sons. Thus, they agreed that one would teach while the other would remain at ease. Aṅgiras quickly volunteered, saying to Bhṛgu, “I will teach; let Bhārgava rest happily.” Bhṛgu consented, entrusting his son Śukra to Aṅgiras. Yet, the two boys were taught separately and with partiality. After a long time, young Śukra, feeling this unfairness, spoke out: “You teach me with partiality, which is not proper for a teacher. True instructors do not discriminate among their disciples, for such unequal minds incur great sin.” With humility, Śukra bowed to his teacher and said, “O revered one, I will seek another teacher—perhaps my father, if he is impartial; otherwise, I will go elsewhere. Permit me to depart.” With the teacher’s blessing, Śukra set out and, reflecting deeply, wondered whom he should approach as the highest teacher. He turned to the wise elder Gautama and asked, “Who should be my teacher, O sage? Tell me who is worthy, for I seek the preceptor of all three worlds.” Gautama advised him: “Having purified yourself in the waters of Gautamī, worship Śaṃkara, Lord of the universe, with hymns. When He is pleased, He will grant you knowledge.” Following these words, Śukra, son of Bhṛgu, bathed in the Gaṅgā, became pure, and offered his heartfelt praise to Śiva: “O Lord who bears the crescent moon, I am but a child, ignorant 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—salutations to you. You are the teacher of those who possess teachers, greatest among the great; I am but a small child—salutations to you. For the sake of knowledge, I do not know your path; please look upon me with compassion, O witness of the world—salutations to you.” Pleased by these sincere praises, the Lord of the gods appeared before Śukra and said, “Choose a boon, whatever you desire, even that which is difficult for the gods to obtain.” With joined hands and noble mind, Śukra replied, “O Lord, grant me that knowledge which is not accessible even to Brahmā and the sages. You are my teacher and my deity.” Śiva, the best of the gods, granted Śukra the secret knowledge of mṛtasaṃjīvinī—the art of reviving the dead—a wisdom unknown even to the gods. All other worldly and Vedic knowledge may be gained elsewhere, but when Śaṃkara is pleased, nothing remains unattainable. Having received this supreme knowledge, Śukra returned to his father and teacher, and with great honor, became the preceptor of the Daityas. In time, Kaca, son of Bṛhaspati, also obtained this knowledge from Śukra. Through Kaca, Bṛhaspati and the gods themselves, each in turn, acquired the great wisdom called mṛtajīvinī. The very place where Śukra obtained this knowledge by worshipping Maheśvara on the northern bank of the Gautamī is known as Śukra-tīrtha. Bathing or giving gifts there bestows inexhaustible merit, increases lifespan, and grants health. Nearby lies Indra’s Tīrtha, famed for destroying the sin of killing a Brahmin. Even the mere remembrance of this place removes hosts of sins and afflictions. In former times, after slaying Vṛtra, Indra was pursued relentlessly by the sin of Brahmahatyā. Fleeing in fear, he wandered everywhere, but the sin followed close behind. At last, Indra entered a great lake and hid within a lotus stalk, taking the form of a thread, and there the lord of Śacī dwelled, seeking refuge from his pursuer. Thus, O Nārada, are the holy tīrthas and the sacred stories of their power and the great souls who sought knowledge and liberation upon their banks.