O wise one, do not let anger linger in your heart against Indra, the husband of Śacī. Be at peace, for the Maruts, your sons, have now attained immortality. Thus was Diti gently counseled, and then Shiva, the Bull-bannered Lord, turned his compassionate gaze upon her and spoke with kindness. He reminded Diti of her unwavering resolve—how she had undertaken severe austerities with the hope of bearing a single, illustrious son, one adorned with the sovereignty of the three worlds. Now, her efforts had borne fruit: her sons were virtuous, strong, and heroic. Shiva urged her to let go of sorrow and, without hesitation, to ask for further blessings, for her devotion had moved even the gods. Hearing these gracious words from the Lord of gods, Diti, her hands joined in reverence, bowed deeply to Śambhu and replied with heartfelt humility. She spoke of the supreme joy a parent feels at the sight of their child, a joy especially dear to the mother. If a child possesses beauty, strength, and valor, even a single son is enough to fulfill a mother’s heart; what need is there for many? Diti acknowledged that, through Shiva’s power, her sons would become mighty conquerors—brothers of Indra and true sons of Prajāpati. She expressed her gratitude, recognizing the grace of Agastya and Gaṅgā, and declared that wherever Shiva’s blessing is present, there could be no doubt of auspiciousness. Though her wish had been fulfilled, Diti, out of devotion, offered another prayer. She beseeched Shiva to listen and to do what would bring good to the world. When the Creator encouraged her to speak, Diti, ever humble, continued. She reflected on the rarity and honor of obtaining offspring in this world, a blessing cherished by the gods, and especially by mothers. If that child is virtuous, prosperous, and long-lived, she declared, what need is there for heaven or even Brahmā’s highest station? For all beings who desire rewards here and hereafter, the birth of a virtuous son is the greatest blessing. Therefore, she asked that Shiva’s favor be granted through the act of bathing at this sacred place. Childlessness, she said, is considered a great sin for both women and men, but by bathing in these holy waters, that fault is destroyed. Whoever bathes here and recites this hymn attains its reward. By giving gifts and bathing here for three months, one obtains a son; a woman without children, by bathing here, will be blessed with a son. Any woman who bathes here after her period will obtain sons within three months, and a pregnant woman who bathes with devotion, offering prayers and this hymn, will bear a son equal to Indra—there is no doubt. Diti was told to listen further: for those who do not obtain a son due to ancestral faults or the sin of stealing wealth, this is the supreme expiation. By offering rice-balls and pleasing the ancestors, and especially by giving gold, a son is surely obtained. Those who steal deposits, hide jewels, or neglect ancestral rites will find their lineage does not prosper. For those with such faults, this ritual is the path after death; but among the living, a praiseworthy lineage is born through the service of holy places. At the confluence of the Diti and Gaṅgā rivers, after bathing, one should worship the Lord Siddheshvara—the beginningless, endless, undecaying embodiment of eternal consciousness and bliss. That great god, in the form of a radiant linga, is served by gods, sages, perfected beings, gandharvas, and masters of yoga. One who worships with discipline and devotion, offering daily prayers and reciting this hymn on the fourteenth and eighth lunar days, who gives gold and feeds Brahmins at the Gaṅgā according to his means, will obtain a hundred sons. Having fulfilled all desires, such a person will finally reach Shiva’s city. Even a barren woman who recites this hymn anywhere will, without doubt, obtain a son within six months. From that day, the place was known as Putra-tirtha—the holy place of sons; by bathing and giving gifts there, all desires are fulfilled. Because of friendship with the Maruts, it is called Mitra-tirtha; because of Indra’s sinlessness, it is Shakra-tirtha; and where Indra obtained prosperity, it is Kamala-tirtha—each of these holy places bestows cherished wishes. Having declared, “All will be,” Shiva disappeared from their sight, and all those who had gathered and fulfilled their purpose departed as they had come. There, a hundred thousand holy places are proclaimed, each bestowing merit. Nearby lies the sacred Yama-tirtha, a place that increases the satisfaction of the ancestors, grants both seen and unseen wishes, and is revered by hosts of gods and sages. Now, listen to the power of this place, which destroys all sins. There was once a powerful pigeon named Anuhrada, whose wife was Heti—a bird who could assume any form at will. Anuhrada was the grandson of Death, and Heti, too, was of that lineage. In time, they had sons and grandsons. Yet, their enemy was a mighty owl, king of all birds. This owl also had sons and grandsons, fierce and powerful as fire. Enmity between these two noble birds endured for a long time. On the northern bank of the Gaṅgā stood the pigeon’s hermitage; on the southern bank resided the owl, king of birds, with his family. Between them, a prolonged conflict arose. With their sons, grandsons, and other powerful allies, the mighty pigeon and the mighty owl fought, yet neither could achieve victory or suffer defeat.