In the sacred tradition, it is said that the ritual concerning Soma, especially its purchase, must be conducted quietly. By such careful observance, Soma and Sarasvatī came to reside with the gods, no longer remaining with the Gandharvas. When Soma and Sarasvatī departed from the Gandharvas, all beings—cows, gods, mountains, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, Siddhas, Sādhyas, sages, Guhyakas, Gandharvas, Maruts, serpents, all herbs, mothers, and guardians of the worlds—gathered on the banks of the Gautamī, drawn there by the desire for Soma. At that sacred spot, twenty-five rivers converged into the Gaṅgā, especially where the full offering was made. This place became known as the site of the complete narration. O sage Nārada, listen to the names of these sacred fords that gathered at the Gautamī: Somatīrtha, Gāndharva, Devatīrtha, Pūrṇatīrtha, Śāla, the confluence with Śrīparṇā, the sacred confluence called Svāgatā, the meeting with Kusumā, the confluence of Puṣṭi, the auspicious confluence with Karṇikā, the confluence with Vaiṇavī, with Kṛśarā, with Vāsavī, and also Śivaśaryā and Śikhī; Kusumbhikā, Upārathyā, Śāntijā, Devajā, Aja, Vṛddha, Sura, and Bhadra—all these united with the Gautamī. These and many others, accompanied by streams and rivers, all the sacred fords of earth, assembled at the mountain of the gods. For the sake of Soma and other purposes, they came to the sacrificial pavilion, gathering in the Gaṅgā in proper order. Some appeared as rivers, some as streams, some as lakes, and some even as hymns. Each is renowned as a distinct sacred ford, where bathing, recitation, oblation, and offerings to ancestors are performed. These places grant all desires, bestow enjoyment, and serve as vessels of liberation. Whoever recites or remembers them becomes freed from all sins and attains the city of Viṣṇu. Among these holy sites is Pravarāsaṃgama, where the greatest river flows and the god Siddheśvara, benefactor of all worlds, resides. It was here that a fierce encounter took place between the gods and the demons. Yet, O great sage, mutual affection also existed among them. So, upon reaching Mount Meru, the gods and demons, seeking each other's welfare, consulted together. They resolved, "By producing nectar, we shall attain immortality. Let us all drink this supreme nectar and become deathless." United in purpose, they declared, "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, the gods and demons united and 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 churning arose the sacred nectar, beloved of the gods. When the pure nectar was obtained, they spoke to each other, "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, let this sacred nectar be divided." Having said this, all the Daityas, Dānavas, and Rākṣasas departed. When the hosts of Daityas had gone, all the gods consulted together. By divine arrangement, their enemies had departed. The gods resolved that nectar must never be given to their enemies under any circumstances. Bṛhaspati agreed, saying, "So be it," and spoke these words to 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. The wise in policy declare that enemies are to be wholly distrusted and hated; they are not to be trusted, nor confided in, nor made partners in counsel. Nectar must not be given to them, for then they would become immortal. If those Daityas, our enemies, become immortal, we shall not be able to defeat them; so nectar must not be given to them." Having thus deliberated, the gods then spoke to Bṛhaspati, asking, "Where shall we go? Where should the ritual be performed? Where shall we drink? Where shall we stay? Tell us this first, O Bṛhaspati, just as it is." Bṛhaspati advised, "Let the immortals go to Brahma and ask him about the supreme course; for he is the knower, the speaker, the giver, and the grandsire." Hearing these words, the gods came to me, bowed, and reported all that had occurred. At their command, I went with them to Hari. Everything was told to Viṣṇu and to Śambhu, the destroyer of poison. I, Viṣṇu, and Śambhu, along with the gods, Gandharvas, and Kinnaras, went to the cave of Meru, unknown to the demons. Hari was appointed as protector, and the gods stood ready to drink Soma. Among them, Aditya was recognized as worthy to partake of Soma, and the others were not. Soma gave the portion of nectar to the givers, while the wielder of the discus stood as protector. The Daityas, Dānavas, and Rākṣasas did not know of this, and thus the gods secured the nectar for themselves.