In the sacred land known as Kamala-tirtha, Indra himself once attained prosperity. This holy place, revered by all, is famed for fulfilling every cherished desire. It is said that here, countless sacred sites—numbering a hundred thousand—bestow immense merit upon those who visit. After Shiva had declared, “All will be,” he vanished from sight, and those who had gathered, having accomplished their purposes, departed as they had come. Among these holy places is Yama-tirtha, renowned for increasing the satisfaction of the ancestors and for granting both visible and hidden wishes. It is a place revered by hosts of gods and sages. Let me recount the power of this tirtha, which destroys all sins. Long ago, there lived a mighty pigeon named Anuhrada, whose wife Heti was a bird gifted with the power to assume any form at will. Anuhrada was the grandson of Yama, the god of death, and Heti was Yama’s granddaughter. In time, they had sons and grandsons. Their adversary was a formidable owl, the king of birds, who also had a lineage of fierce sons and grandsons, powerful as blazing fire. Between these two noble families of birds, a deep enmity endured for a long time. On the northern bank of the sacred Ganga, the pigeon Anuhrada established his hermitage, while the owl king resided on the southern bank with his own family. A prolonged and bitter conflict arose between them, each side supported by their sons, grandsons, and powerful allies. Yet, despite their might, neither the pigeon nor the owl could achieve victory or suffer defeat. Seeking supremacy, the pigeon Anuhrada worshipped Yama, the lord of death and his ancestor, and was granted the Yama weapon. This boon gave him an advantage over all others. Similarly, the owl king, having propitiated Agni, the fire-god, gained extraordinary strength. Thus, a terrifying battle broke out between the two, each frenzied and determined. In the midst of this fierce combat, the owl unleashed the Agni weapon upon the pigeon, while the pigeon retaliated by casting Yama’s nooses at his enemy. The battle raged on, with the owl struck by the staff and nooses of death—just as in the legendary conflict between the crow and the crane. Witnessing the blazing weapon approaching her husband, Heti, the pigeon’s devoted wife, was overcome with sorrow, especially as she saw her sons encircled by fire. In her anguish, Heti approached the flames and offered heartfelt praises: “I bow to the lord of offerings, the enjoyer of sacrifice, whose form is neither visible nor hidden, whose essence pervades all things, and by whom the gods consume oblations. You are the mouth of the gods, the bearer of their offerings, their priest and messenger. I seek refuge in you, O Vibhāvasu, who dwell within as breath and outside as the giver of food, the accomplisher of sacrifice, the victorious one.” Hearing her sincere prayers, the fire-god Agni responded, “This weapon of mine, O pigeon-wife, is unfailing and has already been unleashed. Tell me, faithful one, upon whom it should rest.” With unwavering devotion, Heti replied, “Let the weapon rest upon me—not upon my sons, nor upon my husband. Be truthful, O lord of offerings, Jātavedas. Salutations to you.” Pleased by her words and her steadfast devotion to her family, Agni declared, “For your sake, Heti, I grant safety to your husband and sons. My weapon will not burn you, your husband, or your sons. Go now in happiness, O pigeon-wife.” Meanwhile, on the other side, the owl’s wife saw her husband ensnared by Yama’s nooses and struck by his staff. Distressed and fearful, she approached Yama and addressed him with reverence: “Out of fear of you, O lord, people flee; out of fear of you, they practice celibacy and virtue; out of fear of you, they become steadfast in their duties, embrace non-violence, seek solitude in the forest, cultivate gentleness, and partake in soma-drinking.” Yama, guardian of the southern direction, listened to her supplication and said, “Choose a boon, auspicious one. I will grant whatever your heart desires.” The devoted owl-wife replied, “My husband is bound by your nooses and struck by your staff. O best of gods, protect my sons and my husband as well.” Moved by her words and filled with compassion, Yama responded, “O auspicious one, tell me where the nooses and staff should go.” She answered, “Let the nooses you cast fall upon me, O lord of the world. Let the staff rest in me alone.” With great compassion, Yama declared, “May your husband and sons all live, free from suffering.” Thus, Yama withdrew his nooses, and Agni recalled his weapon. Peace was made between the pigeon and the owl, both now divine in their understanding. The two gods addressed the birds, “Choose the boon you desire.” With humility, the birds replied, “We have been graced by your presence, which is rarely attained except through conflict. But we are sinful birds—what need have we for a boon from you, O best of gods? If a boon must be given, let it be granted to you both with affection. We do not seek any boon for ourselves, even if it is auspicious and offered.” They continued, “He who seeks only for his own sake, O lords of the gods, is truly to be pitied. But one whose life is always devoted to the welfare of others—his life is fruitful. Fire, water, the sun, the earth, and all forms of grain exist for the sake of others, especially among the virtuous. Even Brahma and the other gods are subject to death; knowing this, O lords of the gods, striving for one’s own sake is in vain.” Thus, through the grace of Yama and Agni, peace and wisdom prevailed, and the power of selfless devotion was revealed at the sacred Yama-tirtha.