Whoever gives gifts near the sacred Ganga finds all their desires fulfilled—fertile lands, cows, and healing herbs, all bestowed with joy. When a devoted soul offers gifts to one who embodies the forms of Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva, let it be known: such gifts are imperishable, and all the giver’s wishes come true. Understand, too, that the herbs belong to the lineage of Soma, for Soma is their lord. Whoever, knowing this wisdom as taught by the Brahmanas, offers herbs in the proper way, will see all their desires come to fruition and will be honored in Brahma’s celestial realm. These very herbs of Soma, pleased by such offerings, speak again and again in their joy. “O King,” they proclaim, “whoever gives us in the Ganga, we carry him across to the other shore. And you, supreme lord Soma, all that moves and does not move is under your sway.” The herbs converse with Soma, their king, saying, “O King, whoever gives us to the Brahmins, we carry him across the ocean of existence.” “We are of the very form of Brahman, and indeed, of life itself. O King, whoever gives us to the Brahmins, we carry him across. Whoever, steadfast in their vows, always gives us to the Brahmins, O King, has our devotion; we carry such a one across. Whatever in this world, whether fixed or moving, is engaged by us—O King, whoever gives us to the Brahmins, we carry him across.” “Whatever is offered as oblation, ancestral rite, nectar, or any enjoyable thing—whoever gives what is most excellent, O King, we carry him across. Whoever hears, remembers, or recites this Vedic verse with devotion, O King, we carry him across.” Where this verse is recited together with Soma, the king, on the banks of the Ganga with the sacred herbs, that place is called the holy ford of grain. From then onward, that ford becomes medicinal, auspicious, immortal, Vedic, and is revered as a mother’s ford. Whoever bathes, recites, offers oblations, gives gifts, performs ancestral offerings, or gives food there, earns endless merit. On both banks of the Ganga, there are more than six hundred thousand fords—each one a destroyer of all sin and a bringer of prosperity. Now, hear of the sacred confluence of Vidarbha and also of the confluence of Revati. What transpired there is known to those versed in the Purana, and I shall recount it for you. Once there lived a sage named Bharadvaja, renowned for his great austerity. His sister was Revati, who was deformed in appearance and whose voice was harsh and distorted. Seeing his sister’s plight, the mighty Bharadvaja, troubled in heart, stood upon the southern bank of the Ganga and pondered deeply. “To whom can I give this sister of mine, this maiden of dreadful appearance?” he thought. “No one will accept her, yet a sister must be given in marriage. Alas, for a daughter is often the sole cause of sorrow; for a living being, at every step, it is as if death itself, even while alive.” As Bharadvaja thus reflected in his splendid hermitage, a great sage approached him. This sage was but sixteen years old, handsome, calm, self-controlled, and a repository of virtues. He was known by the name Kaṭha. Bowing respectfully to Bharadvaja, Kaṭha was duly honored by the elder sage, who then asked the reason for his visit. Kaṭha replied, “I have come as a seeker of knowledge, desiring your instruction; please do what is appropriate.” Bharadvaja answered, “Study whatever you wish—Puranas, Smritis, Vedas, and the many sources of Dharma.” Kaṭha replied, “I know all this, O wise one; speak without delay. A noble-born, dharma-devoted, obedient, humble, and learned disciple is attained only through merit.” “O Brahmin, teach me, your disciple, who is free from sin, devoted to service, faithful, noble-born, and truthful.” Bharadvaja agreed, saying, “So be it,” and imparted all knowledge to Kaṭha. Pleased and grateful, Kaṭha then spoke to his teacher: “I wish to give you a gift, O teacher—whatever pleases your heart. Speak, even if it is difficult to obtain. O teacher, I bow to you.” He continued, “Even after gaining knowledge, those who, out of delusion, do not satisfy their teacher, go to hell for as long as the moon and stars endure.” Bharadvaja then said, “Accept my sister as your wife, according to proper rites; live with her with affection—this is the gift I request.” Kaṭha objected, “A disciple should always be to the teacher as a brother or a son, and the teacher as a father; how, then, can this relationship be?” But Bharadvaja insisted, “Do my bidding, which is true; my command is your gift. Remember everything, O Kaṭha, and take Revati with full intent.” Kaṭha, honoring his teacher’s word, replied, “So be it,” and took Revati by the hand as she was duly given. Then, looking upon her, Kaṭha, along with Revati, worshipped Śaṅkara, the lord of the gods, seeking to bring her beauty and to please Shiva. By the grace of their worship, Revati became beautiful, with lovely limbs and incomparable form; the water from her consecration flowed there. That place became, within the Ganga, a river named Revati, renowned for bestowing beauty and good fortune. Again, with various kinds of sacred darbha grass, Kaṭha performed consecration for the attainment of auspicious form, and that became the river Vidarbhā. Whoever bathes with faith at the confluence of Revati and the Ganga is freed from all sins and is honored in the world of Vishnu. Likewise, O sage, whoever bathes with faith at the confluence of Vidarbhā and Gautamī attains both enjoyment and liberation in that very moment.