Then, from the very body of Rāhu, there arose the supreme and auspicious river known as Amṛtā, endowed with the power of Rudra himself. This most beautiful and exalted river began to flow, and at her emergence, five thousand sacred places of immense merit manifested along her course. At that very spot, Śambhu—Lord Śiva—stood eternally, revered by all the gods. The assembled deities, filled with delight, offered their worship separately to both the goddess and the sacred river. Their hearts brimming with joy, the gods granted boons to Amṛtā: “As Śambhu, Lord of the gods, is worshipped throughout the world, so too shall you receive worship. O goddess, abide here for the welfare of all worlds. Remain always, O mistress of the essence, bestower of all accomplishments to all beings.” They proclaimed that by praise, by recitation, and by meditation, she would grant all desires. Whoever worships her with devotion, seeking any boon, will always bow before her, and by her command, all their undertakings will succeed, for this is the eternal abode of Śiva and Śakti together. Because of this, the sages named that place the City of Abode, for it was there that the delighted gods once granted boons to the supreme goddess. The confluence with the Gaṅgā at this site became renowned and beloved of the gods; whoever bathes there attains either the fruits of enjoyment or liberation itself. Whatever is yearned for in the heart—even that which is difficult for the gods to obtain—is surely granted here. Having bestowed these blessings, the gods departed. From that time onward, this sacred place became known as the foremost of all confluences, inspired by the Lord of gods and set in motion by his power. Amṛtā herself became celebrated as the immortal one, the greatest of all rivers. Now, hear the story of the confluence called Vṛddhāsaṅgama, where Vṛddheśvara Śiva abides—a tale that destroys all sin. There was once a sage named Gautama, also called Vṛddha, renowned for his great austerity. He had a son, who, though twice-born by birth, was a child marked by a physical deformity: he was born without a nose and bore an unusual appearance. Filled with dispassion, the boy wandered from place to place, visiting many sacred sites, but, ashamed of his looks, he kept away from his teacher and did not study with other disciples. Nevertheless, Gautama somehow initiated his son, and then Gautama himself set out to wander. For a long time, the twice-born Gautama sustained himself solely by his knowledge of the Veda, yet he did not pursue further study. During this period, Gautama did not practice the full range of scriptural duties, but, steadfast in his vows, he performed the daily fire ritual. By reciting only the Gāyatrī mantra, he maintained the status of a brāhmaṇa; his sole practices were fire worship and recitation of the Gāyatrī. In this way, Gautama, a great soul, properly worshipped the fire and the Gāyatrī and thus attained the status of a true brāhmaṇa. Gautama’s lifespan increased greatly; he became long-lived, but he did not take a wife, nor was there anyone to give him a maiden in marriage. Thus, he dwelled in various sacred places, forests, and holy hermitages, wandering and living a solitary life. Eventually, Gautama found his way to Śītāgiri and decided to take refuge there. In that place, he discovered a delightful cave, adorned with creepers and trees. The best of brāhmaṇas sat down and resolved to make this cave his dwelling. As he pondered, he saw an extraordinary woman enter the cave. She was emaciated, her limbs loose with age, steadfast in austerity, living in celibacy, dispassionate, and dwelling in solitude. Seeing her, the eminent sage rose to offer his respects, but the woman restrained him, saying, “You will become my teacher; you should not bow to me. Whoever bows to their teacher loses lifespan, knowledge, wealth, fame, virtue, and even heaven.” With hands joined in reverence, Gautama spoke to her in astonishment: “You are ascetic, elderly, and foremost in virtue, O radiant one. I am young and possess little knowledge. How can I be your teacher?” The woman then replied, “My beloved son was named Ṛtadhvaja, dear to Ṛṣṭiṣeṇa; he was renowned as virtuous, intelligent, heroic, and devoted to the duties of a warrior. Once, drawn by the hunt, Ṛtadhvaja entered this very forest and rested in this cave. He was young, intelligent, capable, and endowed with great strength. As he rested, an apsaras named Suśyāmā, daughter of the king of the Gandharvas, beheld him. Seeing him, the king desired her, and she desired the king. Thus, the wise king sported with her, and when his desire was fulfilled, he took leave of her and returned home. “From Suśyāmā, O wise one, I was born. As she departed, my mother spoke this to me: ‘Whoever enters here, O blessed one, will become your husband.’ Having said this, my mother departed, O wise one. Therefore, you alone have entered here; no other man ever has. “My father ruled for eighty thousand years and performed austerities here; then he attained heaven. After my father’s ascent, another ruled for ten thousand years, O eminent sage.