Long ago, in the sacred regions where the Gautamī river flows, there arose places of immense spiritual power. Among these, Yakṣiṇīsaṃgama became renowned, for from that time onward, bathing and giving charity there granted the fulfillment of all desires. Another holy site, Durgātīrtha, was sanctified where Śaṃbhu, accompanied by Śivā, was pleased with Viśvāvasu. This supreme Śaiva tirtha was celebrated for its power to remove all heaps of sin and destroy misfortune. Of all the foremost sacred places, it was considered the very essence, revered among sages and granting all accomplishments to those who sought it. Another eminent tirtha, Śuklatīrtha, was famed as the sacred place that bestows all attainments upon men. Even by merely remembering it, one could obtain every desire. It was here that the righteous sage Bharadvāja, renowned for his supreme virtue, lived with his wife Paiṭhīnasī, a woman adorned with excellent qualities. Paiṭhīnasī dwelt on the bank of the Gautamī, devoted to her husband, and performed sacrificial rites, preparing cakes for Agni and Soma, and for Indra and Agni. As she cooked the sacrificial cake, suddenly, from the smoke, a terrifying figure emerged, so dreadful that he struck fear into the three worlds, and he devoured the cake. Bharadvāja, the great sage and best among the twice-born, confronted him, demanding, “Who are you, who out of anger destroys my sacrifice here?” Hearing this, the demon replied, “Know me, Bharadvāja, as Havyaghna, so renowned. I was born at twilight, the eldest son of Pracīnabarhis. Brahmā 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 younger brother. I will destroy the sacrifice, I will cut down the sacrificial post, I am the ender of rites.” Yet, Havyaghna 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. Hear my words in brief, Bharadvāja: Long ago, in the presence of gods and demons, I was cursed by Brahmā. When I propitiated the Grandfather of the worlds, he said: ‘When the best of sages anoint you with nectar, then the curse will end for you, and not otherwise. When you do thus, all will come to pass.’” Bharadvāja responded kindly, “You are my friend, O wise one. Tell me by what means I may protect the sacrifice; I will do that.” But Havyaghna lamented, “The gods and the Daityas together churned the ocean of milk. With great difficulty they did not obtain the nectar—how then can it be easy for us? If you are pleased with me in friendship, tell me what is easy to obtain.” Hearing this, the demon joyfully revealed, “Nectar is water from the Gautamī (Godāvarī), nectar is called gold, nectar is clarified butter produced from cows, and nectar is also Soma. Anoint me with these, or with these three: water from the Gaṅgā, clarified butter, and gold. Of all, the divine water from the Gautamī is the highest nectar.” Hearing this, Bharadvāja was exceedingly pleased. With reverence, he took the nectar-like water of the Gaṅgā in his hand and anointed the demon, the sacrificial post, the animals, the priests, and the sacrificial ground. All became pure white from the sage’s anointing, and the demon, once black, became white in an instant, reborn with great strength. Bharadvāja completed the entire sacrifice with splendor. The priests, after being dismissed, cast the sacrificial post into the waters of the Ganges, where it remains to this day. The post, consecrated with ambrosia, became a site of great identity. At this sacred place, the demon addressed Bharadvāja once more, “I depart, O Bharadvāja; the rite has been completed by you again. Therefore, at this sacred site, those who perform bathing, giving, and worship—whatever desired fruits there are from the sacrifice shall be obtained. Even by remembrance, O sage, sins are always destroyed.” Thus, from that time onward, the sacred site became known as Śuklatīrtha. In the Gautamī river, within the Dandaka forest, the gateway to heaven stands open. On both banks, O tiger among sages, there are seven thousand other sacred sites, bestowing all accomplishments. Another renowned tirtha, Cakratīrtha, is famed as the destroyer of sin by mere remembrance. Its power is immense, as narrated to Nārada. The seven famous sages, led by Vasiṣṭha, took up residence on the bank of the Gautamī and performed a sacrificial session. When a great obstacle arose, caused by exceedingly fearsome demons, the sages approached the narrator and reported the demon menace. Then, O Nārada, through the power of illusion, a woman was created in the form of delight. Merely by her sight, the demons were destroyed. The woman was given to the sages, and by command, the sages took the illusion and returned. She is known as Ajaikā, with the form of black and red, and called Muktakeśī; she remains even now in her own form. She bestows delusion upon the three worlds, taking any form she desires, and by her power, all the foremost sages became unsettled in mind. Again, the sages, having been initiated for sacrifice, approached the Gautamī, the best of rivers. Once more, the demons came to destroy the sacrifice. Near the Yakṣa enclosure, seeing the illusion, the foremost demons began to dance, sing, laugh, and cry. By the power of Māheśvarī, the great illusion, they became exceedingly arrogant. Among them, the lord of the demons, Śambara, was mighty. Thus, these sacred places along the Gautamī river became sanctified through divine events, spiritual trials, and the grace of sages and deities, bestowing blessings, accomplishment, and liberation to all who approach them with reverence.