Then I spoke to Vahni, the fire god, and said, “O Vahni, go to Gautamī and worship Śaṃkara there. Announce your presence and purpose to the Lord of the Universe.” I explained that, by the power of Maheśvara residing within him, such extraordinary offspring had been born to him. Therefore, it was his duty to inform the god of gods about the curse that had befallen them, so that Śambhu might ensure the welfare and protection of his children. I urged him to praise both the god and goddess with devotion, assuring him that Śiva would be pleased, and that his cherished desires concerning his offspring would be fulfilled. Following my instructions, Agni went to the sacred Gaṅgā and worshipped Maheśvara with disciplined words and Vedic praises. He offered salutations to the Lord of the universe, the creator and originator of all, whose form is the cosmos itself—stainless, self-born, and the source of all things. Agni praised the Three-eyed One, who manifests as fire to destroy, as water to create, and as the sun to protect. Pleased by Agni’s devotion, the blessed, endless, and imperishable Lord appeared and granted Agni a boon, honoring him before the gods. Humbly, Agni addressed Śiva, saying, “Your power resides in me, and from it a beautiful son, Suvarna, renowned in all the worlds, was born. Likewise, Suvarna became a daughter from you, O Lord of the world. From the union of our powers, and due to a certain fault, both these children were born. Because of this transgression, the offspring were flawed and cursed by all the gods. O Lord, bring them peace.” Moved by Agni’s plea, Śambhu spoke auspicious words: “From my power and from you arose Suvarna, of great prowess. All prosperity is gathered in this Suvarna. There is no doubt—he will be the purifier of all three worlds. He alone is nectar, beloved of the gods, the source of enjoyment and liberation, and the sacrificial fee. He alone is the form of everything; even among teachers, he is the teacher. Know his power as the highest, the supreme power that comes from me. Since this power is established in you, there is no need for deliberation. Without it, all is incomplete; with it, all wealth is fulfilled. Even if living, all men are as good as dead without Suvarna. A man without virtues but with wealth is honored, while one with virtues but no wealth is not. Therefore, nothing will surpass Suvarna; yet, though excellent, Suvarna is fickle. By her, everything, whether lacking or complete, becomes whole. Through austerity, recitation, and offerings, she is attained in all three worlds. Her power and excellence are praised everywhere; wherever she remains, let her come and move freely. Suvarna will become Kamala herself, pure and auspicious. From today onward, let both your children act freely. Yet, the merit of these two is unique—never before and never again.” Having spoken thus, Śambhu manifested there as Śiva, in the form of the linga, for the welfare of all worlds. With these blessings upon his two children, Agni was filled with joy, and Suvarṇā, his daughter, rejoiced in righteousness with her husband. Their son, too, lived happily, fulfilling his purpose. However, Suvarṇā, the radiant daughter of Agni, was deceived by Śārdūla, lord of the Dānavas, who, disregarding righteousness, abducted her—the very abode of fortune and beauty—and took her to the netherworld. Thus, Agni and his son-in-law Dharma, both afflicted, repeatedly praised Viṣṇu, the lord of the worlds, and together made their earnest plea to the mighty Viṣṇu. Responding to their call, Hari cut off Śārdūla’s head with his discus and restored the goddess Suvarṇā, the beauty of the worlds. O Nārada, Viṣṇu then presented her, beloved as the daughter of both Maheśvara and Agni, to Maheśvara. Delighted, Maheśa embraced her again and again. At the very spot where Viṣṇu’s radiant discus severed Śārdūla’s head, that place became known as Cakratīrtha and also as Śārdūla. There, Viṣṇu brought Suvarṇā to Śaṃkara. That sacred place is renowned as belonging to both Śaṃkara and Viṣṇu, truly accomplished and holy. There, Agni and eternal Dharma found bliss. O best of sages, at that place, tears of joy fell from Agni, and thus the river Ānandā, also called Nandinī, was born. The confluence of this river with the Gaṅgā is supremely holy, and there, at that very meeting, Suvarṇā herself still abides. She is known by many names: Dākṣāyaṇī, Śivā, Āgneyī, Ambikā, the support of the world, Śivā, and Kātyāyanīśvarī. Ever granting the wishes of devotees, she adorns both banks of the river. There, Agni performed great austerities, and that sacred place came to be called Tapovana. O sage, thus are the sacred places on both banks of the river; bathing and giving gifts there fulfills all desires and brings auspiciousness. On the northern bank are fourteen thousand holy sites, and likewise, on the southern bank, sixteen thousand.