Summoned by the priests through the proper Vedic mantras, the gods came to partake of their share of the sacred offerings. Yet, O best of the twice-born, they confessed, “We are not independent. Though we enjoy the oblations as called by the priests, we act only as the Veda directs and are bound by its authority. Thus, O Brahmin, report all of this to the Vedas themselves.” Hearing this, Devāpi, after purifying himself with great care and devotion, invoked the Vedas with focused meditation and austerity. In response to his sincere call, the Vedas themselves appeared before him. Bowing repeatedly in reverence, Devāpi conveyed to them the words of the priests, the message of Agni, and the declarations of the gods. The Vedas replied, “We too are dependent, O dear one, subject to the will of the Supreme Lord. He alone is the unfailing support of the entire universe, remaining himself untouched and unsupported. He is the sole abode of every power, the inexhaustible treasury of all riches. That Great God is the creator, the destroyer, the Supreme Lord of all. “We, O Brahman, are composed of sound. It is our duty to speak and to know, and so we will answer your questions. We know by whom those were taken, his name, his city, and his strength. We know who devoured them, or if they are lost. This much is within our knowledge. We also know your capacity, whom you ought to worship, and where; and by following this path, you will recover those you seek.” After hearing these words, Devāpi pondered deeply over the teachings of the Vedas in his heart. The Vedas declared, “This alone is the truth: you will recover all those who were taken to the netherworld. Enough of your sorrow—bow to us and listen. Go to the Gautamī river, O Devāpi, and there praise the Great Lord. If you please him with your devotion, the compassionate one will surely grant your wish. If Lord Śiva is satisfied by your praise, then King Ṛṣṭiṣeṇa and his wife Jayā will be restored to you. Your father Upamanyu, too, dwells unharmed in the netherworld. By the boons of the Great Lord and by slaying the demon, you will gain fame and righteousness—this alone is possible, nothing else.” Thus instructed by the Vedas, Devāpi went to the Gautamī river. There, after bathing and performing the prescribed rites, the young brāhmaṇa began to praise the Great Lord. Devāpi prayed, “O Lord of gods, I am but a boy, and you are the guru of all gurus. I have no power to praise you—O Śambhu, I bow to you. The scriptures do not know you, nor do the gods, nor the sages, nor even Brahmā or Viṣṇu. You are who you are—salutations to you. “You protect those who are helpless, afflicted, poor, sick, or sinful in this world, O Great Lord. The gods of heaven, worshipped through austerity, discipline, and mantras, receive from you the fruits they desire, O Lord of the worlds. Whatever is asked or given, whatever is desired, you grant it, for you alone reverse the fortunes of all. Even those who are ignorant, sinful, or sunk in the ocean of hell—by uttering your name, ‘Śiva,’ O Lord of the universe, you protect them.” As Devāpi offered these heartfelt praises, the Three-eyed Lord appeared before him and spoke: “Ask for your boon, Devāpi; enough of this sorrow, child.” Devāpi replied, “O Lord of the universe, I wish to obtain the king, the queen, my father, my teacher, and the death of my enemy.” Hearing Devāpi’s request, the Lord of all said, “So be it.” By Śaṃkara’s command, all that Devāpi had asked for was accomplished. Once again, Śaṃbhu, ocean of compassion, spoke to Devāpi and sent Nandin, bearing the trident, to fulfill his wish. Nandin journeyed to the netherworld, Rasātala, where he slew the foremost of the Asuras, rescued their fathers and others, and brought them back to Devāpi. Afterwards, the wise King Ārṣṭiṣeṇa performed an Aśvamedha sacrifice. At that grand ritual, fire blazed, priests chanted, gods and sages recited the Vedas. There, Śaṃbhu himself appeared, devoted to his follower Devāpi, and that very place became a sacred tīrtha of the Lord of the universe. This tīrtha destroys all sins, grants every accomplishment, bestows merit, and ensures eternal fame for those who visit. When the Aśvamedha was completed, the gods granted boons to all present. Having bathed in the Gaṅgā and fulfilled their wishes, they ascended to heaven. From that time, there have been fifteen thousand and eight hundred tīrthas at both tīrthas; bathing and giving there is known to yield great fruit. In that land lies the place called Tapovana, the confluence of the Nandinī, and Siddheśvara; the tīrtha of Gautamī is on the southern bank. Śārdūla is also renowned among them. Listen to its story, for by hearing it alone one is freed from all sins. In ancient times, Agni, the fire-god, was the hotṛ, the carrier of oblations for the gods. He took as his wife the beautiful Svāhā, daughter of Dakṣa. Once, Svāhā was childless and undertook severe austerities, seeking a son. As she performed her penance, pleasing her husband Agni, the blameless Svāhā was addressed by him: “Children will be born; do not perform austerities, O beautiful one.” Hearing her husband’s words, Svāhā ceased her penance, for to a woman, nothing is more desirable than her husband’s word. Time passed, and when the gods were threatened by Tāraka and Kārttikeya had not yet been born, a long period of secrecy ensued. The gods, frightened of Maheśvara and Bhavānī, assembled together. For the fulfillment of their purpose, the celestials approached Agni.