O wise sage, listen to this sacred tale, where the glory of Suvarṇā, the daughter of Agni, is praised. Her power and excellence shine wherever she dwells, and it is wished that she may freely move about. Suvarṇā, destined to become Kamala herself, would be pure from that day onward, and both her children were granted freedom of action. Yet, the merit of these two children is such that it has never existed nor will it ever be matched. After these words were spoken, Shambhu revealed himself there as Shiva, manifesting in the form of the linga for the welfare of all worlds. Agni, having received boons through his two sons, was pleased, and Suvarṇā rejoiced with her husband, living righteously. Their son, too, fulfilled his resolve joyfully. But then, O sage, Suvarṇā, the radiant daughter of Agni, was deceived by Śārdūla, the lord of the Dānavas. Disregarding righteousness, Śārdūla abducted her, the embodiment of fortune and beauty. He carried Suvarṇā, renowned throughout the worlds, to the netherworld. Thus, Agni’s son-in-law, Dharma, and Agni himself, the receiver of offerings, repeatedly praised Viṣṇu, the lord of the worlds, and together petitioned the mighty Viṣṇu for help. Hari, in his compassion, cut off Śārdūla’s head with his discus, and Viṣṇu restored Suvarṇā, the beauty of the worlds, to her rightful place. O Nārada, Viṣṇu presented her, beloved as both the daughter of Maheśvara and of Agni, to Maheśvara. Maheśa, delighted, embraced her again and again. At the very spot where the shining 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 celebrated as belonging to both Śaṃkara and Viṣṇu, truly accomplished. There, Agni and eternal Dharma attained bliss. O best of sages, tears of joy fell from Agni, and thus a river was born, called Ānandā and also Nandinī. The confluence of this river with the Gaṅgā is supremely holy. At this very meeting, Suvarṇā herself abides in person. She is known by many names: Dākṣāyaṇī, Śivā, Āgneyī, Ambikā, the support of the world, Śivā, and Kātyāyanīśvarī. Ever granting the wishes of devotees, adorning both banks, Agni performed austerities there, and that sacred place became known as Tapovana. O sage, such are the holy places on both banks of the river; bathing and giving gifts there fulfills all desires and is most auspicious. On the northern bank, there are fourteen thousand sacred places; on the southern bank, sixteen thousand. Scattered here and there, each has its own signs and many names, which I shall tell you briefly. Whoever hears, recites, or remembers these sacred places and their stories, becomes completely fulfilled in all desired matters. Whoever, having learned of these events, bathes and performs rites there, gains prosperity and righteousness. The western ford from Abjaka is called Śārdūla; it surpasses all other fords at Varanasi and elsewhere. There, after bathing, one honors and satisfies the ancestors and gods, and, freed from all sins, is exalted in Vishnu’s realm. Between Tapovana and Śārdūla, countless fords exist; their greatness cannot be described by anyone here. There too is the ford called Indratirtha, and the confluence of the river Phena, where Vrishakapa and Hanumata are also found. Abjaka, as mentioned, is where the god Trivikrama is present. Bathing and giving gifts there makes rebirth exceedingly rare. Now, O sage, I will recount the events that took place on the southern bank of the Gaṅgā; listen with devotion and discipline about Indreshvara on the northern bank. Namuchi, powerful and intoxicated with pride, was an enemy of Indra. Indra fought him and, with Phena, struck off his head. From the waters, Namuchi’s head, struck by Phena in the form of a thunderbolt, was severed and the foam fell upon the southern bank of the Gaṅgā. Piercing the earth, it entered the netherworld, and the Gaṅgā water that arose from the netherworld is renowned as purifying the universe. By the path marked by the thunderbolt, it reached the surface of the earth, and that water is called Phena, the river known as Phena. Its confluence with the Gaṅgā is famed as holy, destroying all sins, just like the meeting of the Gaṅgā and Yamuna. There, Hanumat’s mother, by merely leaping, was freed from the form of a cat through the grace of Viṣṇu and Gaṅgā. That ford is called Marjara, as I have told you before, and Hanumata as well; the story there has already been recounted. Now listen attentively about Vrishakapa and Abjaka. Hiraṇya, famed as the powerful elder of the Daityas, is also there. Having performed austerities, he became invincible even to the gods, fierce and terrible. His mighty son was always difficult for the gods to defeat. He was known as Mahāśani, and his wife was Parājita. Mahāśani fought Indra for a long, unbroken time. Of great valor, always at the forefront of battle, Mahāśani defeated Indra, who was accompanied by a serpent, and reported this victory to his father. Thus, O sage, these sacred events and places, woven together, sanctify the land and grant auspiciousness to all who hear, remember, or visit them.