When the Lord of Wealth, Dhanada, heard the invitation, he agreed, saying, “So be it.” Accompanied by his devoted wife and his aged father and mother—Pulastya among them—he journeyed to the sacred Gautami Ganga. There, after bathing in the holy waters and observing vows of purity, he turned his mind to praise Shiva, the Lord of gods, the bestower of enjoyment and liberation. With deep reverence he addressed Shambhu: “You alone are the sovereign of all that moves and does not move in this universe; there is no other. If anyone here, out of delusion, acts arrogantly and disregards even you, such a one is truly to be pitied. By your eight forms, you sustain all creation; by your command, all things exist. The wise recognize you as the very Veda itself, and none ignorant of your ancient greatness endures. “What the Mother once spoke in jest—that your son would be born from impurity, O God—by your glance, that son became the Lord of Obstacles. Such is the play of your divine sight! When Girija, her body bathed in tears, was separated from her husband, you, Lord, spoke of Manmatha, the god of love, and his consort Rati, regaining their fortune from Soma.” As Dhanada poured forth these praises, the Three-eyed Lord Shiva appeared before him, delighted, and offered him a boon of his choice without further words. Yet when Dhanada and Pulastya stood silent, Shiva, pleased, urged them again and again: “Ask for a boon!” At that very moment, a bodiless, divine voice resounded, declaring to Maheshvara that the office of Lord of Wealth was to be attained. Knowing the minds of Pulastya and Vaisravana’s father, the celestial 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, a divine and auspicious proclamation echoed. Having been oppressed by many enemies and the pain of humiliation, Dhanada had worshipped Someshvara and, as a result, received the sacred linga, lordship over the directions, abundant wealth, forgiveness of offenses, a wife, and sons. Hearing the celestial voice, the Lord of Wealth addressed Shiva, the god of gods and wielder of the trident, saying, “So be it, let it be as you have spoken.” Shiva, Lord of gods, agreed, accepting the divine voice, and likewise granted Pulastya and the sage Vishravas auspicious boons. Having congratulated Dhanada, the Lord of Wealth, Shiva departed. From that time, the holy place became renowned as Paulastya and Dhanada. Thus, Vaiśravasa, the auspicious one who fulfills all desires, resides there; whatever bathing or pious acts are performed at that sacred site bestow great merit. This holy place is also known as Agnitīrtha, bestower of the fruits of all sacrifices and remover of obstacles. Listen now to the merit of that sacred site: There, on the banks of the Gautami, dwells Jātavedas, the brother of Agni, the divine carrier of offerings for the gods. In an assembly of sages, the powerful son of Diti, Madhu—dear to his brother and to Daksha—killed Agni’s excellent brother before the eyes of the sages and gods. While all present looked on, Madhu struck down Jātavedas; with his death, the gods no longer received their offerings. Grief-stricken at the loss of his beloved brother, Agni was seized by great anger and entered the waters of the Ganges. As Agni entered the sacred river, both gods and humans released the vital spark of Agni, and thus came to be called “those with Agni’s life.” At the very spot where Agni entered the water, all the gods, sages, and ancestors gathered together. Lamenting, the dwellers of heaven cried, “Without Agni, we cannot live!” They especially praised Agni, imploring him: “Revive the gods with offerings, the ancestors with ancestral rites, humans with cooked food, and seeds by moistening.” Agni replied, “He who went, 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; whether 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 all the sages spoke to him with devotion: “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. You are the foremost mouth of the gods, the first to receive oblations; whatever substance is offered by you, O best of gods, we shall enjoy.” Pleased by their words, Agni was satisfied—in sacrificial and worldly matters, both here and hereafter. By the command of the gods, Agni, the knower of all births, radiant with seven flames of blue and red, became fearless and capable everywhere. Thus, Agni is called born from water, from the śamī tree, and from sacrifice; drawn from the water, the gods anointed him, the radiant one. From then, Agni became all-pervading, dwelling in both realms. As they had come, the gods departed, and this place became known as the sacred Agni-tīrtha. There were seven hundred holy places there, each endowed with virtue. Whoever, self-controlled, bathes and gives charity there attains the full and flawless fruit of an Aśvamedha sacrifice, auspicious and complete. There too is the divine ford, the Agni-tīrtha of Jātavedas. A linga established by Agni himself, of many colors, stands there; merely by seeing that deity, one obtains the merit of all sacrifices. The knowers of the Veda call this the sacred place of debt-release. Hear now its nature, O Nārada.