Health was restored, blamelessness granted to Śacī’s husband, and Agastya’s curse began to fade away. At this auspicious moment, I approached Kaśyapa with reverence and spoke: “O Prajāpati Kaśyapa, you, along with the Vasus and the guardians of the world—go swiftly to the Gautamī river with Indra. There, bathe and together praise Maheśāna, the great Lord.” By the grace of Śiva, I assured him, all would be well. Kaśyapa accepted these words and journeyed to the Gautamī at once. After bathing in its sacred waters, he raised his voice and praised the Lord of gods with these very verses, seeking relief from all suffering. Indeed, only two are declared as supreme: Gautamī, the holy river, and Śiva, the ocean of compassion. Kaśyapa’s hymn rang out: “Protect, O Śaṅkara, Lord of the gods; protect, O one worshipped by the worlds; protect, O pure Lord of Speech; protect, O wearer of serpents. Protect, O Dharma, rider on the bull; protect, O seer of the three Vedas; protect, O Lord of Lakṣmī, bearer of the earth; protect, O Śarva, clad in elephant hide. Protect, O destroyer of Tripura; protect, O one adorned with the crescent moon; protect, O Lord of sacrifice, Lord of Soma; protect, O giver of desired boons. Protect, O abode of compassion; protect, O giver of auspiciousness; protect, O source of all; protect, O preserver, O Indra. Protect, O illuminator, Lord of wealth; protect, O one worshipped by Brahmā; protect, O Lord of all, Lord of the perfected; protect, O complete one—salutations to you.” He continued, “For embodied beings whose minds are troubled by wandering in the dreadful wilderness of worldly existence, you alone, O Śiva, ocean of mercy, are the refuge.” As Kaśyapa praised thus, the Bull-bannered One, Śiva, appeared before him and graciously offered a boon. Kaśyapa, with humility, spoke to Śiva and described in detail Indra’s actions: the curse, the destruction of Diti’s sons, the mutual enmity, Śakra’s sinful attainment, and the receiving of the curse—these Kaśyapa recounted, as Vṛṣākapi had spoken to Diti and Agastya. He prayed, “May the Maruts, your sons—fifty in number, save one—become fortunate and share in the sacrificial offerings. May they always live joyfully together with Indra. Wherever there is a share of offerings for Indra in a sacrifice, the Maruts shall be present there first—this is certain. Indra, together with the Maruts, shall never be defeated; he shall always be victorious. Dwell happily, O lord of creatures. From this day onward, whoever commits such fratricide shall suffer the destruction of their lineage and ruin.” Śaṃbhu then addressed Agastya, the tiger among sages, with care: “You too, O sage, should not harbor anger against Śacī’s husband. Be at peace, O greatly wise one; the Maruts have become immortals.” Śiva, the Bull-bannered One, spoke graciously to Diti as well: “Thinking, ‘May I have a single, great son, adorned with sovereignty over the three worlds,’ you undertook austerity with firm resolve. Today, your effort has borne fruit—your sons are virtuous, strong, and heroic. Cast off your sorrow, and without hesitation, ask for other boons as well, O beautiful-browed one.” Hearing these words, Diti, with hands joined in reverence, bowed to Śambhu and spoke: “In this world, the highest joy for parents is to see their child; but especially, O honored by the gods, it is most dear to the mother. And if that child possesses beauty, strength, and valor—even a single son is enough; what need is there to speak of many? By your power, my sons will certainly be mighty conquerors, brothers of Indra, and truly sons of Prajāpati. By the grace of Agastya and the favor of Gaṅgā, O god, where your blessing is present, what doubt can there be of auspiciousness? Though my wish is fulfilled, still, out of devotion, I make this request to you. Listen, O god, to my words and do what is good for the world.” When the creator of the world invited her to speak, Diti humbly continued: “Obtaining offspring in this world is rare and honored by the gods; especially, a son is most dear to the mother—how can this be described? And if that son is virtuous, prosperous, and long-lived, what need is there for heaven or even the highest station of Brahmā, O Lord of gods? For all beings who desire rewards in this world and the next, the attainment of a virtuous son is always most desired. Therefore, let your favor be granted here through bathing. Indeed, childlessness—whether for a woman or a man—bears the fruit of great sin if barrenness arises. But by merely bathing here, that fault is destroyed; whoever bathes and recites this hymn attains its reward. By giving gifts and bathing here for three months, one obtains a son; and a woman without children, by bathing here, will obtain a son. Any woman who has bathed after her period and bathes here will obtain sons within three months; and a pregnant woman who bathes here with devotion—if she bathes with offerings and praises me with this hymn, her son will be born equal to Indra—of this there is no doubt. And, Diti, listen: for those who do not obtain a son due to ancestral faults or the sin of stealing wealth, this is the supreme expiation.” Thus, through the grace of the Lord, the river, and the power of devotion, the blessings of children, virtue, and auspiciousness were bestowed upon all who sought them.