In the sacred land where the five holy rivers flow—foremost among them the revered Sarasvati—every act of bathing or giving is imbued with sanctity. These waters are famed for granting all desires to those who approach them with devotion, and the region is especially remembered for bestowing liberation through the path of actionlessness. Within this blessed landscape, there existed the renowned Hunter Tirtha, a place that fulfills every purpose for those who seek, and another, the celebrated Brahma Tirtha, revered for bestowing both the rewards of heaven and ultimate liberation. Among these holy sites is the illustrious Shami Tirtha, known for its power to remove all sins. Hear now, O Narada, the story of its origin. There was once a mighty king named Priyavrata, the foremost among conquerors. On the southern bank of the Gautami river, accompanied by his priest, he undertook a sacred initiation. When the time came for the great horse sacrifice, the king was surrounded by priests and sages, and the venerable Vasiṣṭha himself presided as chief priest over the ceremony. But as the sacrifice began, a fearsome demon named Hiranyakas appeared at the sacrificial enclosure. At the sight of this Daitya, the gods, led by Indra, became fearful. Some fled to the heavens for safety. The sacrificial fire itself entered the shami tree for protection; Vishnu took refuge within the ashvattha tree, the sun entered the arka plant, Shiva entered the banyan, and Soma entered the palasha tree. The sacrificial fire also entered the waters of the Ganga. The Ashvins, seizing the sacrificial horse, became Vayu, the wind, and Yama himself took the form of a crow. Amidst this turmoil, the sage Vasiṣṭha, holding his staff, stood firm and, by his power, restrained the Daityas. With the demon subdued by his own strength, the sacrifice was able to continue unhindered. From that time onward, these holy places became renowned for bestowing the fruits equal to ten Ashvamedha sacrifices upon those who visit them. The first is Shami Tirtha, followed by the Vaiṣṇava, Ārka, Śaiva, Saumya, and Vāsiṣṭha tirthas—all of which are known to fulfill every desire. When the great sacrifice was completed, all the gods and sages, filled with satisfaction, spoke to Vasiṣṭha and King Priyavrata. They declared that these trees and the Ganga, which had been repeatedly approached with joy for the accomplishment of the Ashvamedha, should henceforth be revered. The gods proclaimed that these holy places indeed grant the fruit of the Ashvamedha sacrifice. Therefore, O Narada, by bathing and giving in these tirthas, one attains the sacred merit of the Ashvamedha itself—this is truth, not mere words. Now, hear also the names of other holy tirthas: Viśvāmitra, Hariścandra, Śunaḥśepa, Rohita, Vāruṇa, Brāhma, Āgneya, Aindra, Aindava, Aiśvara, Maitra, Vaiṣṇava, Yāmya, Āśvina, and Auśana. Among these, King Hariścandra, descended from the noble Ikṣvāku line, once welcomed the great sages Nārada and Parvata into his home. After honoring them with due respect, Hariścandra voiced the longing in his heart: “People strive for sons, but what truly happens with a son? Will he be wise or ignorant, excellent, middling, or otherwise? O revered sages, please dispel this constant doubt of mine.” Parvata and Nārada replied, “O king, the fruit of a son is manifold—onefold, tenfold, hundredfold, even thousandfold. The highest result is thus declared. For one without a son, there is no higher world; but when a son is born, and the father bathes, he attains that world. He gains the merit of ten Ashvamedha consecrations. The son is the means of self-establishment and the best banner of the family. Just as the gods became immortal through nectar, Brahmins and others attain immortality through sons. A son frees his father and grandfathers from the three debts. Without a son, O king, heaven and liberation are said to be unattainable. The son alone is the highest world, the very embodiment of dharma, desire, and wealth; he is liberation, the supreme light, the deliverer of all embodied beings. Without a son, heaven and liberation are very difficult to attain. The son is the highest in the world for the accomplishment of dharma, desire, and wealth. Charity given without a son, sacrifices offered without a son, and even birth without a son—all these are fruitless. Therefore, in all the three worlds, nothing is as desirable as a son.” Hearing these words, the king was filled with wonder and asked, “Tell me, by what means might I obtain a son? Where, how, and in what manner? By any method—through effort, mantra, sacrifice, or charity—I must have a son.” The two sages counseled him, “O best of kings, meditate well for a moment, then go to the Gautamī river. There, the lord of waters, Varuṇa, grants the highest wish. Varuṇa, renowned among the sages as the giver of all, will be pleased and in time grant you a son.” Hariścandra, heeding their advice, went to the Gautamī and worshipped Varuṇa with devotion. Pleased, Varuṇa appeared and said, “O king, I will give you a son who will be an ornament to the three worlds. If you sacrifice with him, your son will certainly be born.” Hariścandra replied, “I will sacrifice with him as you wish.” He then prepared a Varuṇa-offering and gave it to his wife. In due time, a son was born to the king. When the child was born, Varuṇa, lord of waters, spoke, “Today itself the son must be sacrificed. Do you remember the promise made before?” Hariścandra addressed Varuṇa in accordance with proper order, “When the child becomes ten days old and pure, then I will sacrifice with him.” Hearing the king’s words, Varuṇa returned to his own abode. But when ten days had passed, he came again and said to the king, “Now, O king, sacrifice as you have promised.