Hearing the words of the assembled sages, both Gautama and his wife were overwhelmed with distress and shame. Seeking guidance, Gautama—wise and thoughtful—turned to the eminent sage Agastya, accompanied by his aged wife, and respectfully asked, “O wise one, is there a land or holy place where supreme benefit can be quickly attained, a place that grants both enjoyment in this world and liberation beyond?” Gautama continued, “O Brahman, I have heard from learned sages that all desires are fulfilled at Gautamī. There is no doubt about this.” Agastya, the great sage, replied, “Therefore, O great-minded one, go to Gautamī, the destroyer of sins. I will follow you—do as you wish.” Heeding Agastya’s words, Gautama journeyed to Gautamī, taking his aged wife with him. There, the venerable sage undertook intense austerities with his wife by his side. Together, they offered heartfelt praises to Lord Śambhu and to Viṣṇu, and Gautama especially sought to please Gaṅgā for the sake of his wife. In his prayers, Gautama declared, “O Śiva, in this world, you alone are the refuge for those whose hearts are weary, just as a beloved, shady tree is the comfort for travelers in the desert. You are the remover of all sins for beings high and low, O Kṛṣṇa, like a rain cloud that revives crops withered by drought. You are the stairway out of the fortress of Vaikuṇṭha, the river with nectar-like waves. O Gautamī, become the refuge for those who have fallen and are tormented.” Pleased by his devotion, Gautamī—the worthy refuge—spoke joyfully to Gautama and his aged wife, who had sought her protection in their distress. She instructed, “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, all auspicious marks, and a delightful form. In turn, you, anointed by your beautiful wife, will also attain a handsome form, endowed with all auspicious marks.” Accepting Gaṅgā’s words with reverence, the couple performed the ritual as instructed. By the grace of Gautamī, both Gautama and his wife regained beauty and youthful vigor. The water used in their consecration flowed forth and became a river, renowned among sages as Vṛddhā. From then on, the river was known as Vṛddhā, and Gautama himself was called Vṛddhagautama by the sages. Vṛddhā addressed Gautamī, the manifest Gaṅgā, 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, dear to Gautama. The liṅga established by Gautama there became famed as Vṛddhā. In that sacred place, the best of sages found joy with his wife, and all who bathe and give there have their wishes fulfilled. From that time onward, the holy site became known as Vṛddhāsaṃgama. This place is also renowned as Ilā Tīrtha, bestowing all accomplishments, purifying even the gravest sins such as the slaying of a Brahmin, and granting every desire. In the lineage of Vaivasvata, a king named Ila was born. With his great army, he ventured into the hunting forests. The king wandered through dense woods teeming with wild beasts, adorned with many birds, and shining with clusters of trees. Intent on hunting, the foremost of kings roamed the forest and addressed his ministers, “Let all of you return to the city, governed by my son. Protect the land, the treasury, the army, and the kingdom—and care for my son. Let Vasiṣṭha also depart, taking the sacred fires as our father would. I, wise as I am, 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—return to the city.” The ministers agreed, saying, “So be it,” and departed. Ila himself journeyed slowly to the jeweled mountain Himavat, where he made his dwelling. There, Ila discovered a cave adorned with many jewels. Within resided a renowned Yakṣa lord named Samanyu. His wife, Samānā, devoted to her husband’s vows, dwelled with him in that delightful, excellent city. The wise Yakṣa, with his wife, would wander in the form of a deer, delighting in dance and song as they pleased in their forest. Though the Yakṣa knew all, even while in the form of a deer, Ila was unaware that the cave was guarded by the Yakṣa. The spacious house of the Yakṣa, adorned with jewels, became the seat of the king, surrounded by his great army. Ila settled there, making his dwelling in the Yakṣa’s home. Angered by this unrighteousness, the Yakṣa—together with his wife in the form of a deer—pondered, “I cannot defeat Ila, nor does he give when asked. My house has been seized by him—what should I do?” He considered, “How could I slay this intoxicated king in battle?” Thus resolved, the Yakṣa king sent forth his own brave, bow-wielding Yakṣas. He commanded them, “Having conquered the fierce king Ila in battle, drive him from my house as one would from any other place.” At their lord’s command, the Yakṣas, eager for battle, approached Ila and declared, “Come out from this cave dwelling! If you do not flee, defeated in battle, where will you go?” At these words, King Ila, enraged, prepared to engage in battle with the Yakṣas.