On both banks of the sacred river, there were a hundred excellent holy fords, each renowned for their power to remove all sins and to grant every accomplishment to those who visited them. Among these, on the northern bank of the Ganges, was the most celebrated of all: Pūrṇatīrtha. It was said that even if one bathed there unknowingly, auspiciousness would surely come to them. So great was Pūrṇatīrtha that words could not do it justice. Who among all beings could truly describe its glory—a place where even the mighty Viṣṇu, wielder of the discus, and Śiva, bearer of the trident, had established themselves? Long ago, at the dawn of a kalpa, there lived Dhanvantari, the son of Āyuṣ. He performed many grand sacrifices, foremost among them the Aśvamedha, and gave generously in charity, enjoying all the pleasures life could offer. Yet, as time passed, he realized the inherent inequality in worldly enjoyments and, with a heart turned toward the highest truth, he embraced supreme detachment. He understood that whether on a mountain peak beyond the ocean, on the bank of the Ganges, in the house of Śiva or Viṣṇu, or especially at a sacred confluence, all austerities, offerings, and recitations performed there become imperishable. With this knowledge, Dhanvantari undertook great austerity at Pūrṇatīrtha, the confluence of the Ganges and the ocean. Endowed with wisdom and renunciation, he sought refuge at the feet of Bhīmeśa and devoted himself to intense penance. In those ancient times, a powerful demon, having been defeated in battle by a king, fled in fear and took refuge in the ocean for a thousand years. When Dhanvantari entered the forest to pursue his austerities, his son inherited the kingdom. When the king became detached from worldly life, the demon, seeing his opportunity, emerged from the ocean. While Dhanvantari was deep in penance on the riverbank, the demon—called Tama—came to him, seeking refuge. Dhanvantari, constantly devoted to recitation, offering, and the knowledge of Brahman, perceived the presence of his enemy. He resolved, “I will destroy this foe.” Sensing this, Tama departed from the ocean. Dhanvantari reflected, “I, this powerful king, have destroyed him many times. Now again, I will defeat this enemy.” Tama, using his magic, assumed the form of a beautiful woman. She approached the king, radiant, singing and dancing with laughter, her beauty captivating. Dhanvantari beheld her, lovely in every limb, calm and devoted, her faith apparent. Moved by compassion, he spoke gently, “Who are you? Why do you dwell in this dense forest? What brings you such delight? Tell me, O auspicious one, I ask you.” The woman replied, “O King, while you are present, what other cause for joy could there be in the world? I am the fortune of Indra; seeing you, I am filled with longing. Out of joy, I move before you again and again. Yet, because of the absence of countless merits, I am difficult for all to attain.” Hearing her words, Dhanvantari’s mind was captivated. He swiftly abandoned his arduous penance, his thoughts dwelling only on her, devoted and intent upon her. Thus, the king took refuge in her alone. But as he entered the darkness of delusion, he vanished, his great austerity destroyed. At that moment, I arrived to grant him boons. Seeing him bewildered, fallen from his penance, as if lifeless, I consoled him with many reasons. I named his enemy “Darkness” and caused the fall of his austerity. “Your purpose is accomplished, O King,” I told him. “Do not grieve. Women bring both joy and suffering to men. All are so, but especially one who is made of illusion.” Hearing this, the king, his confusion dispelled, joined his hands and addressed me, “What shall I do, O Brahman? How may I reach the end of my austerity?” I instructed him, “Praise Janārdana, the god of gods, with all your effort. Then you will attain success. He is the creator of all worlds, ancient, known through the Vedas, the giver of all attainments to men. There is no other in the three worlds.” Taking this to heart, the noble king went to the foremost mountain, Himavat. With palms joined, he offered heartfelt praise to Viṣṇu with deep devotion: “Victory to you, O Viṣṇu! Victory, O inconceivable one! Victory, O conqueror! Victory, O unchanging one! Victory, O cowherd, lord of Lakṣmī! Victory, O Kṛṣṇa, who is the universe! Victory to you, lord of beings, who reclines on the serpent! Victory, all-pervading Govinda, creator of the universe—salutations! Victory to you, O god who supports and sustains the universe! Salutations to you, lord of victory, who are both existence and nonexistence! Victory to you, righteous Mādhava! Victory to you, fulfiller of desires, who are desire itself! Victory to you, Rāma, ocean of virtues! Victory to you, giver of nourishment, lord of prosperity, bestower of auspiciousness! Victory to you, lord of beings, creator of men, giver of action, who are action itself! Victory to you, clad in yellow garments! Victory to you, lord of all, embodiment of auspiciousness, lord of sattva, knower of the Vedas! Victory to you, source of birth, abiding in birth, supreme self! Salutations! Victory to you, giver of liberation, who are liberation itself! Victory to you, giver of enjoyment, O Keśava! Victory to you, lord of the worlds, destroyer of sin, affectionate to devotees, bearer of the discus—salutations! Victory to you, bestower of honor, who are the mind itself! Victory to you, worshipped by the worlds, giver of righteousness, who are righteousness itself, leader beyond worldly existence! Victory to you, giver of food, who are food itself! Lord of speech—salutations! Giver of power, who are power itself, granter of supreme victory and boons! Victory to you, giver of sacrifice, who are sacrifice itself! Victory to you, lotus-eyed one! Victory to you, giver of gifts, who are the gift itself! Victory to you, slayer of Kaitabha!” Thus did Dhanvantari pour forth his praise, seeking the grace of the supreme Lord.