Having arrived at that sacred place of divine worship, even the smallest offering poured into the holy fire brings forth blessings equal to those gained from the grand Ashvamedha and other great sacrifices. Simply reciting the Gayatri mantra—the mother of the Vedas—there, even once, is honored as the full study of the Vedas themselves. Such a one, free from selfish desire, becomes fit for liberation. If a devotee bathes on the southern bank and, with heartfelt devotion and proper rites, worships the goddess Shakti, all desires are fulfilled. She, the Mother, embodies the very power of Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara, and is formed from the three Vedas. She grants every wish, bestowing children and wealth upon her worshipper. With discipline and devotion, if one bathes and beholds Aditya, the radiant Sun, on the southern bank, it is as though all desired sacrifices, with their many offerings, have been performed. Similarly, upon bathing on the northern bank of the Ganga and beholding and saluting Daityasudana—Vishnu himself—one attains Vishnu’s own supreme abode. Should one, after bathing at Yama Tirtha, gaze upon Yameshvara, worshipped there, and do so with a steadfast mind, one’s aims are swiftly accomplished. For the ancestors, such acts—bathing, giving, reciting, and praising at these holy places—bring inexhaustible merit, fruitfulness, and ever-growing fame. Even those ancestors whose deeds were stained with sin find liberation. O Narada, know that there are eight thousand sacred places, grouped in threes, where bathing and giving charity bestow endless merit. To simply remember these places is itself holy, destroying the sins of countless births. By hearing of them in the company of one’s ancestors, or reciting their glories with one’s family, even the gravest of sins are destroyed by divine command. Whoever, self-controlled, bathes there, performs the rites, and gives even a modest gift, is blessed. By offering oblations to the ancestors and bowing to the gods at these sites, one gains wealth, grain, fame, strength, long life, and abundant health. Sons, grandsons, a beloved wife, and every other cherished desire are granted; united with one’s dear ones, honored by kin, the heart finds contentment. Such a devotee rescues even ancestors languishing in hell, purifies the family line, and, joined with loved ones, at life’s end remembers Vishnu or Shiva—and so attains liberation, just as the gods have proclaimed. There is also a sacred place called Yakshini-sangama, bestower of all rewards. Bathing and giving charity there fulfills every desire. At this place, the lord of the Yakshas grants both enjoyment and liberation by his very sight; simply bathing there yields the fruit of a great sacrificial rite. Once, the sister of Vishvavasu, named Pippala, who lived with her teacher, came to the assembly of sages on the banks of the Gautami. Seeing those sages thin and worn, she laughed arrogantly and loudly proclaimed, “Let it be heard! Let it be heard! Let it be firm!” Offended by her discordant voice, the sages cursed her: “Become one who causes flow!” Thus, she became a river at that very spot, renowned as Yakshini. Then Vishvavasu, honoring the sages and the three-eyed god, joined with Gautami and transformed her into a sacred river. From that time, the holy place has been known as Yakshini-sangama. Bathing and giving charity there brings all desires to fruition. Where Shambhu, accompanied by Shiva, was pleased with Vishvavasu, that supreme Shaiva tirtha is also famed as Durgatirtha. It removes every heap of sin and destroys all misfortune; among all the foremost sacred places, it is truly the essence, O great sage, a holy site renowned among the wise, granting all accomplishments to men. Another sacred place is called Shuklatirtha, bestower of every attainment. By merely remembering it, all desires are fulfilled. There lived a sage named Bharadvaja, renowned for his supreme righteousness, and his wife Paithinasi, adorned with noble virtues. She dwelt on the bank of the Gautami, devoted to her husband, preparing sacrificial cakes for Agni and Soma, and for Indra and Agni. As the sacrificial cake was cooking, a being emerged from the smoke—terrifying to the three worlds—who had eaten the cake. “Who are you, who out of anger destroys my sacrifice here?” thundered the great sage Bharadvaja. The demon replied, “Know me, Bharadvaja, as Havyaghna, so renowned. I was born at twilight, eldest son of Pracinabarhis. Brahma granted me a boon: ‘Devour sacrifices as you please.’ My younger brother is Kali, powerful and exceedingly fearsome. I am black, my father is black, my mother is black, and so is my brother. I will destroy the sacrifice, I will cut down the sacrificial post, I am the ender of rites.” Bharadvaja pleaded, “Protect my sacrifice, you for whom dharma, the eternal law, is dear. I know you as a true twice-born, a destroyer of sacrifice—protect my rite.” The demon answered, “Hear me, Bharadvaja. Long ago, in the presence of gods and demons, I was cursed by Brahma. When I propitiated the Grandfather of the worlds, he said: ‘When the best of sages anoint you with nectar, then your curse will end.' Only then will all come to pass.” Bharadvaja asked, “You are my friend, O wise one. Tell me how I may protect the sacrifice; I will do it.” The demon replied, “The gods and Daityas churned the ocean of milk, yet with great effort did not obtain the nectar—how can it be easy for us?” Bharadvaja said, “If you are pleased with me, tell me what is easy to obtain.” The demon, delighted, replied, “Nectar is water from the Gautami, nectar is called gold, nectar is clarified butter from cows, and nectar is also Soma. Anoint me with these, or with these three: water from the Ganga, clarified butter, and gold. Of all, the divine water from the Gautami is the highest nectar.