O King, the sage instructed you to journey to the sacred Gautamī River, accompanied by your officiating priests, the chief priest, the sacrificial animal, the Brahmin boy Śunaḥśepa, Rohita, and your own son. There, you were to perform the sacrifice—but crucially, without causing the death of Śunaḥśepa. The sage assured you that the rite would reach its fulfillment in this way, so you, wise and devoted, set out as directed. Obedient to this counsel, you, the best among kings, proceeded swiftly to the banks of the Ganges, joined by the illustrious Viśvāmitra and the chief priest Vasiṣṭha. Along with the sage Vāmadeva and other ascetics, you arrived at the Gautamī Ganges, where you were ritually consecrated for the human sacrifice. With great care and reverence, you prepared the altar, the sacrificial pavilion, fire-pits, posts, and the animals, ensuring every detail was performed according to sacred rule as the sacrifice commenced. Śunaḥśepa, chosen as the sacrificial victim, was bound to the post with mantras and sprinkled with holy water. Witnessing this, the sage Viśvāmitra addressed all present, calling upon the gods, the sages, King Hariścandra, and especially Rohita, to give their consent for this noble Brahmin, Śunaḥśepa. Viśvāmitra entreated that all the deities who were to receive the offering should individually grant their approval, especially regarding Śunaḥśepa. He declared that Śunaḥśepa, properly consecrated with mantras, with all his bodily elements, was to be offered as the sacrificial victim in the fire. Then he invited the foremost Brahmins, after approving his words, to go to the Gautamī, bathe, and worship the gods individually. He urged them to sing praises with mantras and hymns, to proceed joyfully, delighting in auspiciousness, and prayed that the sages and gods—the enjoyers of the oblation—would protect Śunaḥśepa. The sages agreed, saying, “So be it,” and the king himself consented. Śunaḥśepa then went to the holy Ganges, purifier of the three worlds. After bathing in those sacred waters, Śunaḥśepa praised the gods who were to receive the oblation. Pleased by his devotion, the hosts of gods spoke to Śunaḥśepa in the presence of Viśvāmitra, declaring, “Let this sacrifice be completed without the killing of Śunaḥśepa.” Varuṇa himself then addressed you, O king, and thus your renowned human sacrifice was brought to fulfillment. By the grace of the gods, the favor of the sages, and the sanctity of that holy place, your sacrifice was completed. Viśvāmitra, honoring Śunaḥśepa before the assembly and the gods, accepted him as his own son, making him the eldest among his children. However, Viśvāmitra's other sons did not accept Śunaḥśepa’s precedence. In response, Viśvāmitra cursed those who considered themselves superior to Śunaḥśepa in seniority, and honored those who did not. Thus, O best of sages, all this occurred as you requested, on the southern bank of the Gautamī. That place is adorned with countless renowned pilgrimage sites, celebrated by gods and mortals alike. There are eight thousand and fourteen holy places there, beginning with those of Hariścandra, Śunaḥśepa, Viśvāmitra, and Sarohita. Bathing and offering gifts at these sites bestows the fruit of a human sacrifice; such is the greatness of these holy places. Whoever recites, causes to be recited, or listens to this account with devotion, even if childless, shall obtain a son and whatever else is dear to the heart. Now, listen, Nārada, to another sacred tale of great merit that took place at the Soma-tīrtha, a site that increases the joy of the ancestors. Soma, the king of nectar, once dwelt among the Gandharvas and not among the gods. The gods, desiring Soma, approached me and spoke of their distress: Soma, brought by the Gandharvas, once gave life to the gods, but now, the gods and sages, greatly troubled, sought a way for Soma to become theirs. Then the goddess of Speech spoke to the gods: “The Gandharvas are always passionate for women; after giving them me, O gods, you should obtain Soma from them.” The immortals replied, “We cannot give you away, for without you we cannot exist, nor can we be without Soma.” Speech assured them, “I will return again; meanwhile, devise a plan and perform a great sacrifice.” She instructed that if the gods assembled on the southern bank of the Gautamī, bringing their focus to the sacrifice, the best among them would surely come. The Gandharvas, ever fond of women, made a wager with her, and the hosts of gods abided by Sarasvatī’s words. On the sacred mountain Devagiri, divine messengers summoned the gods, Yakṣas, Gandharvas, and serpents. From that time, the mountain became known as Devagiri, for there the hosts of gods, Gandharvas, Yakṣas, and Kinnaras assembled. The gods, Siddhas, sages, and eight classes of divine beings gathered as the great sacrifice was performed on the bank of the Gautamī by the sages. There, surrounded by the gods, the thousand-eyed Indra spoke. Sarasvatī, honoring the Gandharvas, proposed a wager with the immortal soul as the stake. At her word, the Gandharvas, passionate for women, gave Soma to the gods and took Sarasvatī for themselves. Thus, Soma became the possession of the Apsarases, the Gandharvas, and Sarasvatī; but the goddess of Speech remained there, close to the gods. Even now, she comes secretly each day, saying, “Let it be done quietly.” Therefore, O Nārada, the buying of Soma is still accomplished in this way.