For the sake of Soma and others, the sacred fords—those holy places renowned for their spiritual potency—gathered in the sacrificial pavilion. Each arrived in due order, assembling within the Gaṅgā: some took the form of mighty rivers, others became gentle streams, some appeared as tranquil lakes, and still others manifested as hymns. All these sacred fords are celebrated as distinct, each with its own spiritual significance. Within them, devotees perform bathing, recite prayers, offer oblations, and make offerings to their ancestors. These holy places grant all desires, bestow enjoyment, and serve as vessels of liberation. Whoever recites their names or remembers them is freed from all sins and attains the city of Viṣṇu. There is a place called Pravarāsaṃgama, where the greatest river flows, and where the god Siddheśvara, benefactor of all worlds, resides. At this place, a fierce encounter once occurred between the gods and the demons. Yet, O great sage, despite their conflict, there was also mutual affection among them. Both parties, seeking each other's welfare, consulted together upon reaching Mount Meru. They resolved, “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 to us. 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 well-disposed, began to churn the abode of Varuṇa together. Using Mount Mandara as the churning rod and Vāsuki as the rope, all the gods and demons churned the ocean, the domain of Varuṇa. From this churning arose the sacred nectar, beloved by 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, 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, all the gods gathered and consulted together. They recognized that, by divine arrangement, their enemies had departed. “Nectar must never be given to the enemies under any circumstances,” they declared. Bṛhaspati affirmed this, saying, “So be it,” and counseled 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 asked Bṛhaspati, “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 and bowed, recounting everything that had occurred. At their command, my son, I went with them to Hari. Everything was told to Vishnu and to Shambhu, the destroyer of poison. Together—myself, Vishnu, Shambhu, the gods, Gandharvas, and Kinnaras—we went to the cave of Meru. The demons remained unaware of this gathering. Having appointed Hari as protector, 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, and the wielder of the discus, Vishnu, stood as protector. The Daityas, Dānavas, and Rākṣasas did not know of this, except for Rahu, the great wise one, son of Simhika. Rahu assumed the form of a god and entered among the Maruts to drink Soma. Holding a drinking vessel, Rahu was recognized by the Sun, who informed Soma about the Daitya. Soma gave the nectar to Rahu, who had taken the form of a god, and then reported this to Vishnu. Vishnu, raising his discus, swiftly cut off the head of the Daitya who had drunk the nectar. Yet, O child, that head became immortal. The body, deprived of its head, fell to the earth, landing on the southern bank, touched by nectar. O tiger among sages, the body shook the earth near the Gautami; and that body, my son, became wondrously immortal. The body longed for the head, and the head longed for the body; both became immortal, and this Daitya became exceedingly powerful. With the head united to the body, he began to devour all the gods. Therefore, the gods resolved, “Let us first destroy this body lying on the earth.” Greatly agitated, they approached Shankara, saying, “O best of gods, destroy the Daitya’s body lying on the earth; you are the ocean of compassion, the protector of those who seek refuge. Do so, that the Daitya’s body may not be joined with the head.