Therefore, the goddess of speech herself granted Gautama the gift of knowledge, and Agni, the radiant god, bestowed beauty upon him. Having thus spoken to Gautama, the aged woman, with reverence, addressed the fire-god Vibhavasu and prayed with devotion. Through her prayers, the sage Gautama was endowed with both knowledge and beauty. Now graced with wisdom, fortune, and charm, Gautama joyfully accepted the aged woman as his wife. Together, they spent many happy years in their mountain cave, their hearts content and their life harmonious. One day, as the joyful couple dwelled in their secluded cave, a group of pure and illustrious sages arrived at their abode. Among these wandering ascetics were Vasiṣṭha, Vāmadeva, and other great sages, journeying to holy places, who came upon Gautama’s cave. Recognizing their arrival, Gautama and his wife received the sages with due honor and hospitality. Yet, among the visitors, some—especially the younger and middle-aged, intoxicated by their own youth—looked upon Gautama and his aged wife and laughed at the sight. They jested, saying, “Is this your son or your grandson? How did Gautama become so old? Tell us the truth, O blessed one.” Some remarked, “For the old, a young woman is poison; for the old woman, a young man is nectar. After a long time, we see such a union of opposites.” The couple listened in silence as these words were spoken. After being received as guests, the great sages eventually departed. Deeply distressed and ashamed by what they had heard, Gautama and his wife, though wise, sought counsel from the eminent sage Agastya. They asked him, “O wise one, is there a land or holy place where supreme benefit may be quickly attained—where both enjoyment and liberation are granted?” Gautama added, “O Brahman, I have heard from the sages that at Gautamī all desires are fulfilled, without doubt.” Agastya replied, “Therefore, O great-minded one, go to Gautamī, the destroyer of sins. I will follow you; do as you wish.” Hearing Agastya’s words, Gautama and his aged wife journeyed to Gautamī. There, the venerable sage undertook intense austerity with his wife at his side. Gautama offered heartfelt praise to the god Śambhu and also to Viṣṇu, and he sought to please the goddess 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 withered by drought, O Kṛṣṇa. You are the stairway out of the fortress of Vaikuṇṭha; you are the river whose waves are like nectar. O Gautamī, be the refuge for those who have fallen and are tormented.” Pleased by his devotion, the goddess Gautamī spoke joyfully to Gautama and his aged wife, who had sought her protection in their distress. She said, “You should anoint your wife with water mixed with sacred mantras, using pitchers and proper offerings. Then your beloved wife will become beautiful, with lovely limbs, charming eyes, endowed with all auspicious marks, and attain a delightful form. Again, you, anointed by your beautiful wife, will also attain a handsome form, graced with all auspicious marks.” Accepting Gaṅgā’s words, Gautama and his wife performed the rites as instructed. By the grace of Gautamī, both attained radiant beauty. The water used in their consecration flowed forth and became a river, renowned thereafter as Vṛddhā. This river came to be known as the Vṛddhā, and Gautama was called Vṛddhagautama by the assembled sages. Vṛddhā herself addressed the goddess Gautamī, Gaṅgā manifest in visible form, saying, “O goddess, let this river bear my name, Vṛddhā, and let your confluence with her be the most excellent of sacred fords. Here, there shall be increase of beauty, good fortune, sons and grandsons, long life, health, welfare, victory, and love. By bathing, giving, and performing rites here, the ancestors are greatly purified.” Gaṅgā replied, “So be it,” to Vṛddhā, who was greatly aged and dear to Gautama. The liṅga established by Gautama became famed as Vṛddhāliṅga. There, the sage enjoyed happiness with his wife; those who bathe and give there attain all their desires. From that time, the sacred place became known as Vṛddhāsaṃgama. This holy site is also called Ilā Tīrtha, bestowing all accomplishments upon people, purifying even the gravest sins, such as killing a Brahmin, and granting every desire. Now, in the lineage of Vaivasvata, a king named Ila was born. With his great army, he ventured into the hunting forest. The king wandered through the dense woods, alive with wild beasts, adorned with various birds, and shining with clusters of trees. Intent on the hunt, Ila moved through the forest and spoke to his ministers, “All of you return to the city, governed by my son. Protect the land, treasury, army, and kingdom, and also him. Let Vasiṣṭha, too, depart, taking the sacred fires as our father would. I, being wise, will dwell in the forest with my wives. Let those who delight in the pleasures of the forest—horses, elephants, humans, and those who enjoy hunting—go from here to the city.” Obediently, they departed. Ila himself journeyed slowly to the jeweled mountain Himavat, where he took up residence. There, he discovered a cave adorned with various jewels. Within that cave, a Yakṣa lord named Samanyu was renowned.