Hearing their mother’s earnest words, the three rakshasa brothers set out for the forest, O sage, determined to undertake great austerities. Immersed in deep penance, they sought boons from me, as did their maternal uncle Marica and their maternal grandfather. Guided by his mother’s counsel, one of the brothers asked for the city of Lanka as a boon. Yet, because of a fault arising from their mother, bitter enmity sprang up among the brothers—a discord rooted in the very nature of the demons. This enmity soon erupted into a fierce battle between two of the brothers, a struggle rivaling the epic wars of gods and asuras. In that conflict, Ravana, the mighty, conquered his elder brother, the peaceful Lord of Wealth, and seized for himself the Pushpaka chariot, the city of Lanka, and all dominion. With his victory proclaimed throughout the three worlds, among all beings moving and unmoving, Ravana declared, “Whoever gives refuge to my brother shall be put to death by me.” Thus exiled and shunned, Vaisravana, the Lord of Wealth, found no sanctuary anywhere. In his despair, he went to his grandfather Pulastya, bowed in reverence, and pleaded, “Driven out by my wicked brother, what should I do? Tell me, O revered one, where I might find refuge or sanctuary—whether by fate or at some sacred place.” Pulastya, hearing his grandson’s sorrowful words, replied, “Go to the Gautami Ganga, 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 shall find auspicious success; do this together with me.” Accepting his grandfather’s guidance, Vaisravana, with his wife and his aged parents, journeyed to the Gautami Ganga. There, purified by sacred bathing and observance of vows, he praised Shiva, the Lord of gods, bestower of enjoyment and liberation. With deep devotion, he sang, “You alone, O Shambhu, are the Lord of all that moves and does not move in the universe; there is no other. If anyone here, out of delusion, acts arrogantly, disregarding 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 from impurity—O God, that son became the Lord of Obstacles by your glance. Such is the wondrous play of your divine sight! When Girija, bathed in tears and separated from her husband, was seen by you, O Lord, Manmatha and Rati regained their former fortune from Soma.” As Vaisravana continued his praise, the Three-eyed Lord Shiva appeared before him, delighted, and offered him a boon of his choice. Yet when Dhanada and Pulastya remained silent, Shiva, pleased, urged them again and again, “Ask for a boon!” At that moment, a bodiless, divine voice resounded, declaring to Maheshvara that the office of Lord of Wealth was to be attained. Understanding the hearts of Pulastya and Vaisravana’s father, the divine voice spoke auspicious words: “What is to be, will be; what is being given, is as if already given; what is to be attained, is as if already attained.” Thus, oppressed by many enemies and the pain of humiliation, Vaisravana worshipped Someśvara and received the sacred liṅga, lordship over the directions, abundant wealth, forgiveness of offenses, as well as wife and sons. Hearing this divine proclamation, the Lord of Wealth addressed Shiva, saying, “So be it, let it be as you have spoken.” The Lord of gods agreed, accepting the divine voice, and granted auspicious boons to both Pulastya and the sage Viśravas. Having congratulated the Lord of Wealth, Shiva departed, and from that time, that holy place became known as Paulastya and Dhanada. There, Vaiśravasa, the auspicious fulfiller of desires, resides; whatever acts of bathing or worship are performed there bestow great merit. This place is also known as Agnitirtha, which grants the fruits of all sacrifices and removes every obstacle. Listen, O sage, to the merit of this sacred place. Here, Jātavedas, the brother of Agni and the carrier of offerings for the gods, dwells on the bank of the Gautami. It was here that Madhu, the powerful son of Diti—beloved of his brother and of Dakṣa—slew Agni’s excellent brother before the eyes of assembled sages and gods. All looked on as Madhu struck down Jātavedas, and, deprived of him, the gods could no longer receive their offerings. Grieving for his slain brother, Agni was seized by great anger and entered the waters of the Ganges. When Agni immersed himself, both gods and humans released the vital spark of Agni within them, and thus they came to be known as “those with Agni’s life.” Wherever Agni entered the water, all the gods, sages, and ancestors gathered at that very spot. Lamenting, they cried, “Without Agni, we cannot live!” They praised Agni, longing for his return, for without him, offerings to gods, rites for ancestors, nourishment for humans, and the sprouting of seeds could not be accomplished. They implored him, “Revive the gods with offerings, the ancestors with ancestral rites, humans with cooked food, and seeds by moistening.” Agni replied, “He who went before me, my younger brother, was able; whatever fate befell Jātavedas while your work was being done, let that be. Whether that fate be mine or the gods’, I am unable to accomplish the task; in all respects, the work belongs to Jātavedas, not to me. I have come to this state, but I do not know what will become of me; here or elsewhere, I may not have the power to pervade all. Even so, when an action is being performed, that alone is my course.” The gods and sages, moved by devotion, spoke to Agni, “We shall grant you long life, delight in your duties, power to pervade, and strength; we shall also give you the preliminary and concluding offerings, O carrier of oblations.” Thus, by the grace of the gods and the sacredness of the place, harmony and order were restored, and the sanctity of Agnitirtha was established for all ages.