Once, there was a sacred herd of cattle set aside by the gods for sacrifice, and these cows were entrusted to the vigilant care of a guardian bitch. This faithful creature kept watch over the herd, but those who followed her were none other than the Rākṣasas, the Daityas, and the Dānavas—beings renowned for their opposition to the gods. One day, the wise among these asuras, seeking to gain access to the sacrificial cows, approached the mother of the two four-eyed dogs. With cunning words and tempting gifts, they tried to win her over, hoping to succeed in their purpose. Yielding to their persuasion, the guardian bitch faltered, and so the cattle—auspicious and destined for the gods’ sacrifice—were stolen away by the sinful Rākṣasas. After this grievous act, the bitch, having been bound with ropes, struck, and led away by the Rākṣasas, came before the gods and gradually revealed what had transpired. She told them, “O gods, I was seized and beaten by the Rākṣasas, and the cattle appointed for your sacrifice were taken.” Hearing her words, Bṛhaspati, the wise preceptor of the gods, quickly addressed the assembly. He declared, “This one is changed in form; I perceive her sin. By her own intent, the cattle were led away—not by any other cause. Her actions, though she appears virtuous, betray her guilt.” At Bṛhaspati’s command, Indra, king of the gods, struck the bitch with his foot. From the force of his blow, milk gushed from her mouth. Indra, husband of Śacī, then spoke, “You drank the milk, O bitch, and gave it to the Rākṣasas; thus my cattle have been taken away.” The bitch pleaded, “O Lord, I have committed no offense, nor has anyone else. There is neither fault nor neglect on my part, O ruler of the gods. Why are you angry? Truly, your enemies are powerful.” But the teacher of the gods, having meditated and understood her actions, confirmed, “O Śakra, it is true. This one has sided with the enemies and acted wickedly.” Thus, Indra cursed her: “You, O bitch, shall become the most sinful among mortals, ignorant and a doer of evil.” By this curse, she was born among humans, and, afflicted by Maghavan’s words, became exceedingly dreadful due to her sins. Indra, seeking to recover the stolen cows, reported the matter to Viṣṇu, the Supreme Lord. Viṣṇu took up his renowned bow, Śārṅga, worshipped by the gods and feared by the Daityas, to restore the sacred cattle. In the Daṇḍaka forest, Janārdana, the Lord of the universe, confronted the powerful Daityas, Dānavas, and Rākṣasas. There, in the Daṇḍaka forest, Viṣṇu slew the Rākṣasas who had stolen the cows, earning the name Śārṅgapāṇi at that very place. As he fought the sons of Diti and the Rākṣasas, they fled in terror toward the southern direction. Viṣṇu, mounted on Garuḍa, pursued them relentlessly, striking them with arrows from Śārṅga, swift as the mind. On the northern bank of the Gaṅgā, Viṣṇu’s mighty arrows destroyed the enemies of the gods. With resounding, skillfully aimed shafts, he utterly annihilated those who had wronged the gods. At the very spot where the gods recovered their cows, the place became known as Bāṇatīrtha—celebrated as Vaiṣṇava and Gotīrtha among people. For the sake of the cattle, the gods stationed the cows on the southern bank of the Gaṅgā, and all the gods gathered there to settle them. In the midst of the river, they created an island as a refuge for the cows, and with the cattle there in the Gaṅgā, the gods performed their sacrifice. That island came to be known as Yajñatīrtha, the sacred island of cows in the Gaṅgā’s midst, a place of worship for the gods, auspicious and a fulfiller of all desires. The very power of Gaṅgā herself, taking form, became the boat that carries souls across the boundless ocean of worldly existence. Viśveśvarī, the divine yogamāyā, the giver of fearlessness to her true devotees, established the Gorakṣa tīrtha on the southern bank of the Gaṅgā. Meanwhile, the two four-eyed dogs, sons of Saramā and dear to Yama, recounted in detail their mother’s curse and all their offenses. Having properly reported the matter and expressing their wish for happiness, they asked Yama about the means to remove the curse upon them. Sauri, together with the two dogs, spoke to his father Sūrya. Hearing this, Sūrya addressed his son, the best of gods, at the Gaṅgā: “O child, bathe with utmost devotion and concentration in the Gautamī river, purifier of the three worlds, within the Daṇḍaka forest. Praise Brahmā, Viṣṇu, myself, and Śiva in proper order, with all your heart; by doing so, you will obtain our favor.” Hearing his father’s words, Yama, joyful in mind, offered oblations to the gods for the satisfaction of the two dogs. With a mind firmly composed, he pleased the foremost of the gods in the purifying Gautamī and in the Gaṅgā. Accompanied by his two dogs, Yama, the glorious lord of the southern region, pleased Brahmā on the southern bank. On the northern bank, Dharma himself worshipped Īśāna and Viṣṇu, granting the best boon to Saramā, the remover of poison, and requested many boons for the welfare of the worlds. Those who bathe at these tirthas, invoking Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Maheśvara, attain all auspicious desires, whether for themselves or others. Whoever bathes at Bāṇatīrtha and remembers Śārṅgapāṇi (Viṣṇu) will never know poverty or suffering, age after age. Those who, having bathed at Go Tīrtha or Brahma Tīrtha, observe vows, offer salutations to Brahmā, and circumambulate the island, are said to have circumambulated the earth with its seven continents. Even the gift of a little wealth there to a Brahmin brings great merit.