All the ascetics, led by the venerable sage Agastya, were filled with deep joy, their hearts uplifted and content. In their delight, these sages granted desired boons to Sauri, the slow-moving one—Shani, the mighty son of the Sun. Overcome with happiness, Shani addressed the gathered Brahmins, saying, “Those who, at my doorway, regularly offer their gifts upon the ashvattha tree—let all their endeavors succeed, and let them be free from any afflictions caused by me. And those who bathe at the holy place called Ashvattha will find success in all their undertakings; let this be another boon. Furthermore, for those who, at the abode of Mandavara, rise early and touch the ashvattha tree, may the hardships brought by the planets be dispelled.” From that day, that sacred spot became known as Ashvattha and Pippala, the holy place of Shanaishcara, together with Agastya and Sattrika. It was also called Yajnika and Samaga, and there were counted a thousand and sixteen such holy places. Bathing and making offerings at these sites bestowed the merit of performing great sacrifices. This place was also celebrated as Soma Tirtha by the wise. Bathing and giving charity there granted the spiritual fruit equivalent to drinking Soma itself. The herbs—those mothers of the world, honored by all living beings—were once considered the oldest and most revered. Yet even older than these were my own divine mothers. Within the herbs are established dharma, self-study, and sacrificial rites; by their power, all three worlds, with their moving and unmoving beings, are sustained. Through them, all diseases are certainly removed; they produce food and safeguard all creatures. These world-revered herbs, free from pride, spoke to me, saying, “O best among gods, grant us a husband, a king.” Hearing their plea, I replied, “You shall all have a husband—a king who brings you delight.” Hearing the promise of a king, the herbs asked again, “Where should we go?” I answered, “Let the mothers go to the river Gautami.” When Gautami was pleased, your king would be worshipped by the world. So the herbs went and praised the Gautami river. They sang: “What would people do, suffering from countless sins and afflictions, if you, O Gautami, did not come to earth with your sacred waters at Shambhu’s edge? Who knows the fate of mortals or the destiny of rivers, O sovereign of waters? O Mother Ganga, destroyer of vast heaps of sin, you are always easily accessible. Who can fathom your glory, O Ganga, revered by the three worlds, Mother of the universe? Even Shiva, embraced by Gauri, bears you upon his head. Salutations to you, O Mother, fulfiller of desires; salutations to you, embodiment of Brahman, destroyer of sin; salutations to you, who sprang from Vishnu’s lotus feet; salutations to you, who emerged from Shambhu’s matted locks.” Thus praised, the goddess Ganga spoke: “What shall I grant you?” The herbs replied, “Grant us a husband, O Mother of the world, a king of great splendor.” Ganga then said 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, sages, and Soma himself accepted these words, as did the herbs, and all returned to their respective abodes. There, the great herbs gained Soma as their king—he whose essence is immortality, who removes all suffering and sin. That sacred place became known as Soma-tirtha, bestower of the fruits of drinking Soma; by bathing and giving gifts there, one’s ancestors attain heaven. Whoever hears this story daily, or recites it with devotion, or remembers it, attains long life, prosperity, and children. This place is also called Dhanya-tirtha, the giver of all desires, bringing abundance, security, and the removal of all calamities. The herbs, joyful to have Soma as their lord, spoke the wishes of the world and of Ganga herself. There is a sacred Vedic tale, known to the learned, of one who gives fertile land—a mother equal to one’s own mother. Whoever gives near the Ganga attains all desires—fertile land, cows, and herbs, all in joy. A devoted person who gives to one who embodies Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva should know that such a gift is imperishable, and he will attain all desires. Knowing that herbs are of Soma’s lineage, and that Soma is their lord, whoever gives herbs as taught by the Brahmanas attains all desires and is honored in the world of Brahma. The herbs of Soma’s lineage, pleased, spoke again and again: “O King, whoever gives us in the Ganga, we carry him across; and you, supreme lord of herbs, all that moves and does not move is under your dominion. The herbs converse with Soma, their king: whoever gives us to the Brahmins, we carry him across. We are of the form of Brahman, and of the very essence of life; O King, whoever gives us to the Brahmins, we carry him across. Whoever, steadfast in vows, always gives us to the Brahmins, O King, has our devotion; we carry him across. Whatever in the world, fixed or moving, is engaged by us—whoever gives us to the Brahmins, we carry him across. Whatever is offered as oblation, as ancestral offering, as nectar, or anything enjoyed—whoever gives that which is most excellent, O King, we carry him across.” Thus, the blessings and sanctity of Soma-tirtha and the holy herbs were established, their story a source of merit and fulfillment for all who hear, remember, or act upon it.