Gautama, a venerable sage, found himself alone after his brother had ascended to heaven. With no occupation, no mother or father, he lived in solitude. One day, an aged woman approached him, declaring to Gautama, "O Brahman, I am mistress of myself, a warrior maiden established in vows. I seek a husband—accept me, for I am steadfast and faithful." Yet she hesitated, saying, "I am blessed with a thousand years of life, and you surpass me in age. I am young, you are old; this union does not seem fitting." Still, her heart was resolute: "You were destined to be my husband. The Creator gave you to me; I consider no other. You should not reject me." But if Gautama would not accept her, she vowed, "If you do not desire me, who am uncorrupted and faithful, I will abandon my life right now, before your very eyes. For embodied beings, death is preferable to the pain of separation from a beloved; such abandonment is not sinful." Hearing these words, Gautama replied, "I am without austerity, lacking knowledge, and possess nothing. I am not a suitable husband for you, being unattractive and deprived of pleasures. I am toothless, what can I do? I am without austerity or learning. Therefore, O auspicious one, first obtain beauty and knowledge, then fulfill your words." The aged woman, undeterred, said to the twice-born sage, "By my austerity, I have pleased the goddess Sarasvati; likewise, Agni, the giver of beauty, has granted me beauty. Therefore, the goddess of speech will grant you knowledge, and Agni, the beautiful god, will bestow beauty upon you." Having spoken thus, she prayed to Vibhavasu and made Gautama endowed with knowledge and beauty. Now possessing wisdom, fortune, and charm, Gautama joyfully accepted the aged woman as his wife. Together, they spent many happy years in a cave, their minds content. Once, as the joyful couple dwelled in their mountain cave, pure sages arrived—Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, and others, wandering to holy places. Recognizing their arrival, Gautama and his wife honored them. Some among the sages, especially the young and those intoxicated by youth, laughed at the couple. They teased, "Is this your son or grandson? How did Gautama become old? Speak the truth, O blessed one." Others remarked, "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." Hearing these words, Gautama and his wife felt deeply distressed and ashamed. Seeking guidance, they approached the eminent sage Agastya. Gautama asked, "What land or holy place is there where supreme benefit is quickly attained, O wise one, granting both enjoyment and liberation?" Agastya replied, "I have heard from the sages that 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 words, Gautama and his wife journeyed to Gautamī. There, Gautama performed intense austerity with his wife, offering praise to Śambhu, to Viṣṇu, and pleasing Gaṅgā for the sake of his beloved. 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, in every way, 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." Pleased, Gautamī, worthy of refuge, spoke to Gautama and his aged wife with joy, "You should anoint your wife with water mixed with mantras, using pitchers and proper offerings. Then your beloved wife will become beautiful, with lovely limbs, charming eyes, endowed with all auspicious marks, and will attain a delightful form. Again, you, anointed by your beautiful wife, will attain a handsome form, endowed with all auspicious marks." Joyfully, the couple did as instructed by Gaṅgā. By her grace, both attained beauty. The water used for their consecration became a river, renowned as Vṛddhā. Gautama was henceforth called Vṛddhagautama by the assembled sages, and Vṛddhā addressed Gautamī, Gaṅgā manifest in visible form, "O goddess, let this river be named after me as Vṛddhā; and let your confluence with her be the most excellent of sacred fords. There will be increase of beauty, good fortune, sons and grandsons, long life, health, welfare, victory, and love; and by bathing, giving, and performing rites there, the ancestors are greatly purified." Gaṅgā agreed, "So be it," to Vṛddhā, greatly aged and dear to Gautama. The liṅga established by Gautama is famed by the name Vṛddhā. There, the best of sages attained joy with the aged woman. Bathing and giving at this sacred place grants all desired wishes.