In days long past, there lived a noble king named Ṛtadhvaja, beloved son of Ṛṣṭiṣeṇa. Ṛtadhvaja was famed for his virtue, intelligence, heroism, and unwavering devotion to the duties of a warrior. One day, drawn by the thrill of the hunt, he ventured deep into the forest and, seeking rest, entered a cave. This king was young, strong, and gifted with great intellect. As he lay resting, an apsaras named Suśyāmā, daughter of the king of the Gandharvas, beheld him. At that moment, desire blossomed between them—Ṛtadhvaja longed for her, and she for him. Thus, the wise king enjoyed her company; when his desire was fulfilled, he took leave of her and returned to his kingdom. From this union, Suśyāmā bore a daughter—myself. As she departed, my mother spoke to me: “Whoever enters this cave, O blessed one, will become your husband.” With these words, she left, and since then, no other man had entered the cave—only you. My father ruled for eighty thousand years, performing austerities within this cave, before ascending to heaven. Another ruler followed for ten thousand years, and then my brother, too, departed for heaven. Now, O Brahman, I remain here alone, without mother or father, and have no other occupation. I am mistress of myself, established as a warrior maiden. Therefore, steadfast in my vows and seeking a husband, I beseech you to accept me. Though I am blessed with a thousand years of life and am young while you are old, this union seems unfitting. Yet, you were destined to be my husband; I consider none other. The Creator has given you to me—please do not reject me. If you do not desire me, though I am uncorrupted and faithful, I will abandon my life before your very eyes, for death is preferable to the pain of separation from a beloved. Such abandonment is not sinful. Hearing these words, Gautama, the sage, replied: “I am without austerity, lacking knowledge, and possess nothing. I am not a suitable husband for you—I am unattractive and deprived of pleasures. I am toothless; what can I do? I am without learning. Therefore, O auspicious one, first obtain beauty and knowledge, then fulfill your words.” Thus spoke the aged woman to the twice-born. But the woman responded: “By my austerity, O twice-born, I have pleased the goddess Sarasvati; and Agni, the giver of beauty, has granted me beauty. Therefore, the goddess of speech will grant you knowledge, and Agni will bestow beauty upon you.” Having spoken thus, she prayed to Vibhavasu and made the sage endowed with knowledge and beauty. Transformed, Gautama now possessed knowledge, fortune, and charm. Joyfully, he made the aged woman his wife, and together they spent many happy years in the cave, their hearts content. One day, as the joyful couple dwelled in the cave on the mountain, pure sages arrived. Among them were Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, and other great sages, wandering to holy places. Recognizing their arrival, Gautama and his wife honored them. Yet, some among the sages laughed at him—those young and intoxicated by youth, and those of middle age. Seeing Gautama and the aged woman, they jested, “Is this your son or grandson? How did Gautama become old? Speak the truth, O blessed one.” They laughed, saying, “For the old, a young woman is poison; for the old woman, a young man is nectar. We have witnessed this union of opposites after a long time.” The couple listened as the sages spoke, and after being received as guests, all the great sages departed. Deeply distressed and ashamed by their words, Gautama and his wife questioned the eminent sage Agastya: “What land or holy place is there where supreme benefit is quickly attained, O wise one, granting both enjoyment and liberation?” Agastya replied, “O Brahman, I have heard from the sages: all desires are fulfilled at Gautamī, of this there is no doubt. Therefore, go to Gautamī, the destroyer of sins; I will follow you—do as you wish.” Heeding Agastya’s counsel, Gautama and the aged woman journeyed to Gautamī. There, the venerable sage performed intense austerity with his wife, offering praise to Śambhu, to Viṣṇu, and pleasing Gaṅgā for the sake of his wife. He prayed, “In this world, for those whose hearts are weary, you alone are the refuge, O Śiva, like a beloved tree full of shade for travelers in the desert. You are the remover of sins for all beings, high and low; like a rain cloud for crops, O Kṛṣṇa, for those withered by drought. You are the stairway out of the fortress of Vaikuṇṭha; you are the river with nectar-like waves. O Gautamī, become the refuge for those fallen and tormented.” Then, pleased, Gautamī, the worthy refuge, spoke words to Gautama, who was accompanied by the aged woman, bringing joy to one who had sought her protection in distress.