When the great Aśvamedha sacrifice was completed, the gods, pleased with the devotion and rituals, granted boons to those who had performed it. After bathing in the sacred waters of the Gaṅgā, their wishes fulfilled, the gods ascended joyfully to the heavens. From that time forth, it is said that there have been fifteen thousand and eight hundred tīrthas at both of the sacred sites, their sanctity enduring through the ages. Bathing and giving charity at these tīrthas are known to yield immense spiritual merit. Among these holy places are Tapovana, the revered confluence of the Nandinī river, and Siddheśvara. On the southern bank lies the tīrtha of Gautamī. Śārdūla is also renowned among them. Listen now to their story, for by hearing it alone one is freed from all sins. In ancient times, Agni, the fire-god, served as the hotṛ—he who carries the oblations to the gods. Agni was wed to the beautiful Svāhā, daughter of Dakṣa. For a time, Svāhā remained childless and, desiring a son, she undertook great austerities, performing intense penance to please her husband, the fire-god. Pleased with her devotion, Agni gently addressed his blameless wife: “Children will be born to you; do not continue these austerities, O beautiful one.” Hearing her husband’s reassuring words, Svāhā ceased her penance, for the word of one’s husband is most desirable for a devoted wife. Then, after some time, a great fear arose among the gods due to the demon Tāraka. Kārttikeya, who was destined to defeat Tāraka, had not yet been born, and much time had passed in secrecy and concern. The gods, frightened by the threat of Tāraka and mindful of Maheśvara (Śiva) and Bhavānī (Pārvatī), assembled together. Seeking a solution for their peril, the celestials approached Agni and said, “O illustrious one, go to Śaṃbhu, who is worshipped by the three worlds. Inform him of the fear that has arisen from Tāraka.” They added, “It is not proper to approach a place where husband and wife are together in privacy; even for ordinary people, this is the rule—how much more so for the mighty wielder of the trident! If anyone listens to the private conversation of a loving couple, that person finds no deliverance from hell. Śaṃbhu is the lord of all worlds, the great Kāla, bearer of the trident—who could dare observe him in his private moments with Bhavānī? Yet, when such great danger threatens, what rule can bind us? Since fear has arisen from Tāraka, you must go, even if it means taking another form or speaking as is fitting.” They continued, “After conveying our message, return quickly to Śaṃbhu; then, O sage, we shall offer worship in both worlds.” Thus, by the command of the gods, Agni assumed the form of a parrot—Dhūtaśana—and swiftly went to the place where the Lord of the worlds, Śiva, was enjoying himself with Umā (Pārvatī). As a parrot, the fire-god approached in fear, but Havyavāhana (Agni) could not enter through the doorway. So he stood at the window, bowing his head and trembling. Seeing this, Śaṃbhu laughed and said privately to Umā, “Look, O goddess, a parrot has come—Dhūtaśana, by the command of the gods.” Ashamed, Pārvatī said to her Lord, “Enough, O Lord.” The Lord of the gods then addressed Agni, who had taken the form of a twice-born. Calling him repeatedly, Śiva recognized Agni and said, “Do not speak here; open your mouth, receive this, and carry it away.” So saying, Śiva cast his seed into Agni’s mouth. Filled with this powerful seed, Agni found himself unable to depart. Weary, he made his way to the bank of the celestial river. There, Agni cast the seed into the Kṛttikās (the starry goddesses), and from this union, Kārttikeya was born. Whatever remained of Śiva’s seed within Agni’s body, Agni divided and cast into his own wife, Svāhā, who was especially desirous of a son. Comforted by her husband, she received the seed, and it was foretold that her lineage would arise from this act. Remembering this, Agni released Śiva’s great energy, and from the union of Agni’s seed in Svāhā, a supreme pair was born: Suvarṇa and Suvarṇā. These two, unmatched in form upon the earth, ever brought delight to Agni and increased the joy of all the worlds. With affection, Agni gave Suvarṇā to a wise sage for the sake of righteousness. Then, for Suvarṇa’s son, he made a cherished resolve, and thus the sage arranged the marriage of the son and daughter. Because of this mutual mingling of seed, both Suvarṇa and Suvarṇā became Agni’s offspring. Suvarṇa, the son, took on many forms, assuming the appearance of the best among the gods. He would go wherever he wished, taking the form and beauty of the beloved wives of Indra, Vāyu, Kubera, Varuṇa, and the great sages. Sometimes, the son of the sage would even assume the form of the husband among devoted wives, and, ever noble in conduct, he delighted in fulfilled desire with them. Likewise, Suvarṇā, wife of Dharma and daughter of Svāhā, became unrestrained, going wherever her mind wished. Taking the form of a wife, Suvarṇā enjoyed the company of husbands among men, demons, gods, sages, ancestors, and others who possessed beauty, generosity, steadiness, and depth. She would become the very form of whichever goddess a god desired as wife, delighting with him, drawing his mind by various means and fulfilling his desires. Witnessing the conduct of Suvarṇa and Suvarṇā, all the gods and demons became angry and cursed both the son and daughter of Agni. “This act, being transgressive and deceitful, is sinful,” they declared. “Therefore, O carrier of oblations, let your son be ever wandering and marked by transgression. Likewise, let Suvarṇā never be devoted to one alone, O Agni, nor satisfied with one partner. Let her associate with many, of various kinds and despised forms—this shall be the fault of your daughter.” Hearing these words of the curse, Agni, greatly afraid, approached me and said, “Tell me the means of atonement for my son and daughter.