When the time came to sanctify a place and remove its impurity, the assembled gods, sages, and the auspicious ones prayed, “Bring peace to this land, O gracious one. Be merciful and grant us boons here, where we cleanse away all that is impure. Let this place, destined for the consecration of the Lord of gods, be blessed with many gifts. May we freely give alms here, and may you permit it, for this is where the divine installation will occur.” They proclaimed that this land would fulfill every desire for those who came, abundant in grains, trees, and fruits, untouched by drought or famine. The revered sage Māṇḍavya, honored by all, agreed to their wish. So, at that very spot, the great consecration was performed, and all impurity was dispelled. Thus, after the installation of the Lord of gods and the birth of the pure one, the region became known as Mālava. The Gautamī Gaṅgā was brought forth, and with her sacred waters, the gods, the sages, I myself, and Viṣṇu performed the consecration together. Vasiṣṭha, Gautama, Agastya, Atri, Kaśyapa, and many other sages, gods, yakṣas, and serpents all assembled there. With that holy water, they bathed and consecrated the Lord; again, I and the husband of Śacī—Indra—used water from a special vessel. The river, after being used in this sacred act, became holy; it was sprinkled, and thus, the Gaṅgā was joined to this place. From then on, the confluence at that spot became renowned, ever visited by sages, and was honored as a sacred tīrtha, a holy pilgrimage site. At the confluence of the sprinkled river, the sacred place came to be called ‘Indra’s,’ where seven thousand auspicious tīrthas were said to exist. Bathing and giving gifts there, especially at the confluence, brings imperishable merit—no further deliberation is needed. Whoever recites or listens to this account is freed from all sins, whether committed in thought, word, or deed. Now, let me tell you of the Paulastya tīrtha, which bestows all accomplishments and can even restore lost kingdoms. Long ago, the lord of the northern quarter, blessed with prosperity and power, ruled as king of Laṅkā. He was the eldest son of Viśravas. His brothers—Rāvaṇa, Kumbhakarṇa, and Vibhīṣaṇa—were mighty and radiant, rivals to each other by nature. All were sons of Viśravas, born of a rākṣasī mother, and thus were rākṣasas themselves. With the aerial chariot I had granted him, the lord of wealth—Vaisravana—journeyed with his brothers. He often came to me, devoted and respectful. But Rāvaṇa’s mother, angered by her situation, spoke to her sons, “Because of my disfigurement, I will die—I cannot live. The gods and demons are rival brothers, ever seeking to destroy each other, driven by the desire for victory and supremacy. Such rivalry is pointless; those who cling to it are neither true men nor seekers of true victory—their lives are empty.” Hearing their mother’s words, the three brothers went to the forest to perform great austerities. From me, these three rākṣasas, as well as their maternal uncle Marīca and their grandfather, obtained boons. Then, prompted by his mother, one brother asked for Laṅkā itself. Because of this, great enmity arose among the brothers, a result of their demonic nature. A fierce battle ensued between the two brothers, like the clash of gods and demons. Rāvaṇa overcame his elder brother, the peaceful Lord of Wealth, and seized the Pushpaka chariot, the city of Laṅkā, and all its treasures. He proclaimed his victory throughout the three worlds, among all beings, moving and unmoving, declaring, “Whoever gives refuge to my brother shall be put to death by me.” Banished by his brother, Vaisravana found no shelter anywhere. In his distress, he went to his grandfather Pulastya, bowed, and pleaded, “Driven out by my wicked brother, what should I do? Where can I find refuge or sanctuary, whether by fate or at some holy place?” Pulastya replied, “Go to the Gautamī Gaṅgā, my son, and there praise the great god Maheshvara. In the midst of the Ganga’s waters, your brother will not be able to reach you. You will find auspicious success—do this together with me.” Accepting his grandfather’s guidance, the Lord of Wealth went with his wife and his aged father and mother, Pulastya. Arriving at the Gautamī Gaṅgā, he purified himself with a sacred bath, observed vows, and praised Shiva, the Lord of gods, the giver of enjoyment and liberation: “You alone, O Shambhu, are Lord of all that moves and does not move in the universe; there is no other. If anyone, out of delusion, acts arrogantly and disregards even you, he is truly to be pitied. With your eight forms you sustain all; by your command, everything exists. The wise know you as the Veda itself, and none ignorant of your ancient greatness can be found. What the Mother once said in jest—that your son would be born of impurity—by your glance, that son became the Lord of Obstacles. Such is the play of your divine sight! When Girija was separated from you, bathed in tears, you restored Manmatha and Rati to their former good fortune through Soma.” As he thus praised, the Three-eyed Lord appeared before him, delighted, and offered him any boon he wished. When Dhanada and Pulastya stood silent, Shiva, pleased, urged them again and again, “Ask for a boon!” At that moment, a bodiless voice resounded, declaring to Maheshvara that the office of Lord of Wealth was to be attained. Understanding the minds of Pulastya and Vaisravana’s father, the divine voice then uttered auspicious words, sealing the blessing upon them.