All the groups of sages, troubled by the deeds of the rakshasas, went to Sauri—Saturn, the slow-moving son of the Sun, steadfast in his vows and deep in austerity. They reported to him the evil acts of the rakshasas. Sauri listened and replied, “When my austerity is complete, O twice-born ones, I shall slay the rakshasas; if my austerity is incomplete, I am unable to do so.” The sages, eager for relief, assured Sauri, “We will grant you great austerity.” Thus addressed by the brahmins, Sauri replied, “It is done,” accepting their offer. Taking on the guise of a brahmin, Sauri approached the rakshasa, who had assumed the form of the Ashvattha tree. Sauri, appearing as a brahmin, performed circumambulation around the tree. As he did so, the wicked rakshasa, deceived by illusion, regarded him as a brahmin and began to devour him, as was his custom. Entering the rakshasa’s body, Sauri saw the eyes and entrails. The wicked rakshasa was seen by Manda, the son of the Sun. Instantly, the rakshasa was reduced to ashes, like a mountain struck by a thunderbolt. Having turned Ashvattha to ashes, Sauri then approached the other rakshasa, who had taken the form of a brahmin. Sauri, alone, approached this rakshasa—the abode of evil—who was reciting as a brahmin. Sauri appeared as a disciple, humble in manner. The pippala tree, as before, consumed the offspring of the Sun; and, as previously, after being eaten, it examined the entrails within its belly. Merely by being seen by Sauri, the rakshasa was reduced to ashes. Having slain both rakshasas, the son of the Sun said, “Now tell me, what should I do?” All the ascetics, headed by Agastya, were filled with joy and became pleased. They granted boons as desired to Sauri, the slow-moving one. Delighted, Shani—the powerful son of the Sun—addressed the brahmins: “Those who, through my doorway, regularly hang offerings on the ashvattha tree, all their undertakings will succeed, and they will not suffer afflictions arising from me. Those who bathe at the holy place named Ashvattha, all their undertakings will succeed; this is another boon. Those who, at the abode of Mandavara, rise in the morning and touch the ashvattha tree, may the afflictions caused by the planets be dispelled for them.” From that time onward, the holy place became known as Ashvattha and Pippala; the holy place of Shanaishcara was established there, along with Agastya and Sattrika. It was also called Yajnika and Samaga. There were one thousand and sixteen such places. Bathing and giving there grant the fruit of sacrificial rites. That place is known as Soma Tirtha, as declared by the great souls; by bathing and giving there, one attains the fruit of drinking Soma. The mothers of the world were formerly the herbs, esteemed by living beings; even my own mothers, divine ones, are older than those. In these herbs are established dharma, self-study, and sacrificial acts; by them, the entire three worlds, with moving and unmoving beings, are sustained. By them, all diseases are removed without doubt; food is produced by them, and all living beings are protected. The herbs, revered by the world, spoke to me without pride: “O best among gods, grant us a husband, a king.” Having heard their words, I said to the herbs, “You shall all obtain a husband, a king who increases delight.” Hearing this, the herbs asked me again, “Where should we go?” I told them, “Let the mothers go to Gautami.” When Gautami was pleased, your king will be worshipped by the world. Having gone, O best of sages, they praised the Gautami river: “What would the people living in the world do, afflicted by various groups of sins and suffering, if you do not come to earth, O Gautami, with your sacred waters at Shambhu’s edge? Who knows the destiny of those who bear a human body, or of the rivers upon the earth, O sovereign of waters? O Mother Ganga, destroyer of great heaps of sin, you are always easily accessible. Who indeed knows your glory, O Ganga, revered by the three worlds, Mother of the universe? Even Smara’s enemy, embraced by Gauri, bears you upon his head. Salutations to you, Mother, bestower of desires; salutations to you, embodiment of Brahman, destroyer of sin; salutations to you, who issued from Vishnu’s lotus feet; salutations to you, who emerged from Shambhu’s matted hair.” Thus praised, the goddess said, “What shall I grant?” “Grant us a husband, O Mother of the world, a king of great splendor,” they requested. Then the river Ganga spoke to the herbs: “I am of the nature of nectar, and you, O herbs, are immortal mothers. I shall give you Soma, whose soul is nectar, as your husband.” The gods and sages, and Soma himself, accepted these words, as did the herbs. Then they all returned to their own abodes. There, the great herbs obtained as their king Soma, whose essence is immortality, who removes all suffering and heaps of sin. That place is known as Soma-tirtha, bestower of the fruits of drinking Soma; by bathing and giving gifts there, ancestors attain heaven. Whoever hears this daily, or recites it with devotion, or remembers it, attains long life, becomes wealthy, and has children. It is known as Dhanya-tirtha, bestower of all desires for people, bringing abundance, security, and removal of all calamities. The herbs, having joyfully obtained Soma as their lord, spoke the desired words of all the world and of Ganga. There is a sacred Vedic story, known to those learned in the Vedas, about someone who gives fertile land—a mother equal to one’s own mother.