Hearing his father’s words, the king of the serpents humbly accepted and replied, “So be it.” With his virtuous wife by his side, he took on whatever form he desired. Together with his father, mother, and sons, he ruled over a vast and prosperous kingdom. When his father departed for the heavenly realms, the serpent king entrusted his own position to his sons, ensuring the lineage’s continuity. Afterward, accompanied by his devoted wife, his wise ministers, and many others, he journeyed to the sacred city of Śiva. From that time onward, this holy place became renowned as Nāgatīrtha, the serpent’s ford. There, in Bhogavatī, where the divine Lord of Serpents is enshrined, bathing and making offerings bestow the merit of all great sacrifices. Another sacred site is known as Mātṛtīrtha, the Mother’s Ford, a holy place that grants all accomplishments to those who visit. Even remembering this holy place frees beings from suffering. In ancient times, a terrible battle erupted between the gods and the asuras. The gods, despite their might, could not overcome the formidable hosts of the dānavas. At that crucial moment, I approached the trident-bearing Lord Śiva, who stood among the assembled gods. With hands joined in deep reverence, I began to praise him with many words. I recalled: “When the gods and asuras churned the ocean and the deadly poison arose, O Great Lord, who but you could have consumed it? Even Kāma, the god of love—worshipped by Hari and all the gods—was destroyed by your gaze and vanished. Churning the ocean, you granted the best treasures to the gods and, with your blue throat, bore the terrible poison. Who else could have endured such a deed?” Pleased by these praises, the Blessed Lord, the three-eyed creator, spoke: “I will grant whatever you desire. Let the foremost among the gods speak their wishes.” The gods addressed him: “O Bull-bannered One, come and dispel the terrible fear caused by the demons. Destroy our enemies and protect us, for you are our Lord and Master. O Śambhu, had you not acted as our friend without cause, what would all beings suffering in sorrow have done?” Thus addressed, Śiva immediately went to confront the enemies of the gods. There, a fierce battle ensued between Śaṅkara and the haters of the gods. As the three-eyed Lord fought, he grew weary and assumed a dark and terrible form. Drops of sweat fell from his brow. In this dark form, Śiva decimated the demon hosts. Terrified at the sight, the asuras fled from the summit of Meru to the earth below. Hara pursued them, scattering them in all directions across the world. Enraged, Rudra chased the enemies relentlessly, and as he fought, more drops of sweat fell to the earth. Wherever a drop of Śiva’s sweat touched the ground, O sage, mothers of Śiva’s own form were born. These mothers approached Maheśvara, saying, “Let us devour the asuras!” Surrounded by the hosts of gods, the Blessed Lord spoke: “Let all the rākṣasas who have come down from heaven to earth, and those who have sought refuge in the netherworld, hear my words. Wherever the enemies flee, let the mothers pursue them. Those who have descended out of fear, follow them to the netherworld along with the enemies.” Obeying his command, the mothers broke through the earth and descended to the netherworld, where the daityas and dānavas were hiding. There, the mothers destroyed all those terrible enemies of the gods. Afterward, the gods approached, and the mothers departed by the same path they had come. As long as the mothers journeyed, so too did they return. The gods remained on the banks of the Gautamī, seeking refuge there, until both the mothers and the gods had left that place. That place of departure became a sacred field, renowned for bestowing victory, where each of the mothers originated. Each mother’s ford is distinct, and in various places, passageways to the netherworld were visible. The gods, in gratitude, granted boons to the mothers, promising them worship in the world equal to that given to Śiva. “May worship always be given to the mothers as it is to Śiva,” declared the gods before they vanished, leaving the mothers to dwell there. Wherever these goddesses reside is known as the Mother’s Ford—a place where even the gods offer service, and how much more so should humans and others. Bathing, giving gifts, and making offerings to the ancestors at these places is considered inexhaustibly meritorious, as declared by Śiva himself. Whoever hears, remembers, or regularly recites the account of the Mother’s fords becomes long-lived and happy. There is yet another ford, difficult even for the gods to reach, known as Brahma’s Ford. This sacred place grants both enjoyment and liberation to those who come. When the gods’ army stood firm and the demons had entered the netherworld, the mothers followed them there as well. At that moment, my fifth mouth—taking the terrifying form of a donkey—spoke among the gods’ army as I stood present. “O demons, why do you flee? Have no fear! Come quickly—I will devour all the gods in an instant!” I declared. The gods, terrified by my intent, turned to Viṣṇu and pleaded, “Save us, O Lord of the universe! This is Brahmā’s mouth. O wielder of the discus, cut off its head!” Viṣṇu replied, “If that head is cut off, it will consume all that moves and does not move. Let us recite a mantra here, O gods. Listen carefully: the three-eyed one is the cutter of the donkey’s head, and he alone will bear it. There is no doubt. I, Śambhu, have been praised and invoked by all in this way.” Thus, through the grace and might of the gods and the Lord, the world was protected, and the sacred fords established—places of worship, liberation, and inexhaustible merit for all beings.