In the celestial realm, the noble parents of Pippalāda, longing to see their beloved son, sat amidst divine women who gently fanned them, while the Kinnaras sang their praises. When Pippalāda beheld his mother and father, he bowed deeply before Śiva, his heart overflowing with joy that brought tears to his eyes, and somehow found words to speak to them. He reflected sorrowfully, “Other sons, who uphold their family, deliver their parents; but I, while in my mother’s womb, was only a cause of pain. Even so, through delusion, I now see them, though my understanding is so poor.” Overcome with emotion at the sight of his parents, Pippalāda was unable to speak, and the gods themselves addressed his mother and father. They said, “Blessed are you, child, in all the worlds, whose fame has reached the heavens. Śiva has been directly realized by you, and the gods have been comforted through you. Through such a son, a lineage is never diminished.” At that moment, a shower of flowers descended from heaven upon Pippalāda’s head, and the gods proclaimed victory as the great sage appeared. Dadhīci, his father, blessed his son, and together with his wife, bowed to Śambhu, Gaṅgā, and the gods, then spoke to Pippalāda: “Obtain a wife, be devoted to Śiva, and serve Gaṅgā. Beget sons according to the proper rites, perform sacrifices with due gifts; then, having fulfilled your duties, my child, ascend to heaven for a long time.” Pippalāda replied, “I will do so,” and Dadhīci, reassuring his son and wife again and again, prepared to depart. With the permission of the hosts of gods, Dadhīci ascended once more to heaven, and all the gods, with reverence, addressed Pippalāda: “Pacify the sorcery, may good fortune be yours; that great fire which has arisen.” Pippalāda answered honestly, “I am not able to restrain it; I do not speak untruth. You yourselves should address that sorcery. Seeing me, that exceedingly fierce one will act contrary.” So the gods went to the sorcery and spoke words to appease her. The fire, powerful and terrifying, spoke according to their wishes: “Let both be brought, for I am created only for the consumption of all, O twice-born ones. Thus, fire is born from me; otherwise, how could it be so? The five great elements, both immobile and mobile beings likewise, let all be known as entering my mouth; nothing will remain unsaid.” After deliberating, the gods addressed both, saying, “Let both consume everything in due order.” The submarine fire then spoke to the gods, “By your wish, O best of gods, everything is food for me.” That submarine fire became a river, joining with the Ganges. The immortals called it Vahni and knew it as the original fire of beings. The waters were to be known as the eldest, and the fire as the first. The gods instructed, “Make the ocean, lord of the waters, your food. Go and enjoy as you wish.” But Fire asked the immortals, “How shall I go there, to the waters? If you bring me there, into the great water—” The gods wondered, “How will you, O Fire, reach there?” Fire replied, “Let the virtuous maiden carry me. Placing me in a golden vessel, let her carry me wherever my path may be.” Hearing this, they spoke to Sarasvatī, the maiden, “Lead this fire swiftly, with your head, to Varuṇa’s abode.” Sarasvatī responded, “Alone I am not able to bear it; joined with four, I could swiftly carry it to Varuṇa’s abode.” Hearing her words, the gods spoke separately to Gaṅgā, Yamunā, Narmadā, and Tapatī. Together, Sarasvatī and the other rivers carried the fire, placing it in a golden vessel and bearing it upon her head, journeying to Varuṇa’s abode. There, they placed the fire where Somanātha, lord of the world, dwells with the gods in Prabhāsa, adorned with the moon. The five rivers, led by Sarasvatī, brought forth the fire, and the great Agni resides there, slowly drinking the water. Then all the hosts of gods addressed Śiva, the best among the gods, “Tell us, as well as for our cows, what is the purifier of bones.” Śiva replied, “By carefully bathing in the Gaṅgā, both gods and cows are freed from those sins—of this there is no doubt.” The bones from the bodies of sages, once washed there, became pure by that very washing. That holy place where the gods were freed from sin is a destroyer of sins; bathing and giving gifts there removes even the sin of killing a Brāhmaṇa. Where the purification of cows takes place is called Gotīrtha; by bathing there, a wise person obtains the fruit of a cow-sacrifice. Where those blessed Brāhmaṇa bones were, O Nārada, that is to be known as Pitṛtīrtha, which increases the joy of the ancestors. Ashes, bones, hair, or nails of any living being, if transferred to that holy place, remain there as long as the moon, sun, and stars endure. Even one who has performed evil deeds attains residence in heaven; thus, from the holy place of Cakreśvara, three tīrthas arose. Then, O Nārada, the gods and cows were purified and addressed Śambhu, saying, “Let us go to our own abodes; here the Sun is established. While the Sun remains here, all the gods are established.” “O Lord of the worlds, may it be permitted for us to go; for the Sun is indeed the eternal self of this world, both moving and unmoving.