On the sacred southern bank of the Gautamī river, a great assembly of gods gathered, drawn together for a momentous sacrifice. The best among them came, making the ritual their central focus. Amidst this divine congregation, the Gandharvas—ever enchanted by women—challenged me to a wager. The gods, having agreed, abided by the words of Sarasvatī, the goddess of speech and wisdom. Soon, divine messengers ascended the holy mountain Devagiri, calling forth the gods, Yakṣas, Gandharvas, and serpents, each group summoned separately. From that moment, O sage, the mountain became renowned as Devagiri, for it was there that the hosts of gods, Gandharvas, Yakṣas, and Kinnaras gathered. As the sages performed the grand sacrifice on the bank of the Gautamī, the gods, Siddhas, sages, and eight classes of celestial beings assembled, their presence sanctifying the event. Amidst them all, surrounded by the gods, the thousand-eyed Indra spoke. Near Sarasvatī, the Gandharvas were honored, and she proposed a wager: “Let there be a contest between us, with the immortal soul as the stake.” At her command, the Gandharvas, driven by their passion for women, offered Soma—the divine elixir—to the gods and took Sarasvatī for themselves. Thus, Soma became the shared possession of the Apsarases, Gandharvas, and Sarasvatī. Yet, the goddess of speech remained close to the gods. Each day, she would come secretly, whispering, “Let it be done quietly.” And so, O Nārada, the purchase of Soma came to be conducted in this discreet manner. It was decreed that the buying of Soma must always be done quietly; thus, both Soma and Sarasvatī came to belong to the gods. Neither Soma nor Sarasvatī remained with the Gandharvas, and all returned to the bank of the Gautamī for the sake of Soma. There, a vast multitude gathered: cows, gods, mountains, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, Siddhas, Sādhyas, sages, Guhyakas, Gandharvas, Maruts, serpents, all herbs, mothers, and guardians of the worlds. Twenty-five rivers, O sage, converged in the Gaṅgā at that place where the full offering is given, making it known as the site of the complete narration. Listen, O Nārada, to the names of the sacred fords that assembled at the Gautamī: Somatīrtha, Gāndharva, Devatīrtha, Pūrṇatīrtha, Śāla, the confluence with Śrīparṇā, Svāgatā, Kusumā, Puṣṭi, Karṇikā, Vaiṇavī, Kṛśarā, Vāsavī, Śivaśaryā, Śikhī, Kusumbhikā, Upārathyā, Śāntijā, Devajā, Aja, Vṛddha, Sura, and Bhadra—all joined with the Gautamī. These, along with countless other streams and rivers, all the sacred fords of the earth, converged upon the mountain of the gods. For the sake of Soma, and other divine purposes, they came to the sacrificial pavilion, gathering in the Gaṅgā in proper order. Some appeared as rivers, others as streams, some as lakes, and some as hymns. Each is renowned as a distinct sacred ford, where bathing, recitation, oblation, and offerings to ancestors are performed. They grant all desires, bestow enjoyment, and are vessels of liberation. Whoever recites or remembers their names is freed from all sins and attains the city of Viṣṇu. There is a place called Pravarāsaṃgama, where the greatest river flows and the god Siddheśvara, benefactor of all worlds, resides. At this sacred site, a fierce encounter took place between the gods and demons; yet, O great sage, there was also mutual affection among them. Seeking each other's welfare, the gods and demons consulted together upon reaching Mount Meru. “By producing nectar, we shall attain immortality. Let us all drink this supreme nectar and become deathless. United, we shall protect the worlds and attain happiness, abandoning conflict, for conflict is the cause of suffering. Freed from envy, we shall enjoy the wealth gained through friendship, for conduct rooted in affection always brings happiness. Whatever hostility occurred in the past should never be remembered; not even for the sovereignty of the three worlds or for liberation is happiness found in enmity, but only in freedom from it.” Thus, mutually pleased and united, the gods and demons churned the abode of Varuṇa together. Using Mount Mandara as the churning rod and Vāsuki as the rope, they churned the ocean, the abode of Varuṇa. From this great effort arose the sacred nectar, beloved of the gods. When the pure nectar was obtained, they spoke to one another: “Let us return to our own abodes, our task accomplished and our fatigue spent. Let all be divided equally among all, according to propriety. At the auspicious moment when all have assembled, O best of gods, let this sacred nectar be divided.” Having said this, all the Daityas, Dānavas, and Rākṣasas departed. When the hosts of Daityas had gone, the gods consulted together. “By divine arrangement, our enemies have departed, O subduers of foes; nectar must never be given to the enemies under any circumstances.” Bṛhaspati replied, “So be it,” and then advised the gods, “They do not know as the wicked do; therefore, drink the nectar accordingly. This is the prescribed counsel for the defeat of enemies.” Thus, through divine assembly, sacred wagers, and the churning of the ocean, the gods secured Soma and nectar, and the sacred sites flourished, granting liberation and blessings to all who remember their names.