On the banks of the sacred Gautamī river, a Brahmin sage, learned in the Vedas and surrounded by assemblies of fellow Brahmins, reflected on his actions. Driven by misfortune, he had performed a deed for the sake of happiness—one that weighed upon his heart. Addressing the revered sage Ātreya, he spoke of the sweat of Indra, which Ātreya had removed, declaring it was but an imitation and assuring Ātreya that his welfare would certainly be secured. Ātreya then spoke with humility, promising to act as the others declared, invoking the sacred fire by the power of truth. He addressed the Daityas and then turned to Tvaṣṭṛ, the divine artisan, requesting, “Whatever you have done here, O Tvaṣṭṛ, out of affection for me—this position of Indra—withdraw it quickly and protect me, a Brahmin sage. Restore to me my place, my hermitage with its deer, birds, trees, and water as before; I have no use for divine things. All that has come to me out of order is not conducive to the happiness of the wise.” Tvaṣṭṛ, the lord of creatures, agreed, withdrawing the boon he had granted. The Daityas returned to their own places, making the land free of thorns, and Tvaṣṭṛ departed, seemingly smiling. Ātreya, surrounded by his disciples and wife, remained on the Gautamī’s bank, devoted to austerity. During a great sacrifice, feeling ashamed, Ātreya spoke, “Alas, such is the power of delusion—even my mind was led astray! What use was there for me in attaining the position of Mahendra? What did I do here before?” While Ātreya lamented, the gods addressed him, urging, “Cast off your shame, O mighty-armed one; great renown will be yours. Whoever bathes at the Ātreya Tīrtha, all living beings, will easily obtain merit. They will become like Indra, enjoying happiness just by remembering the place; there, the wise declare, are five thousand sacred bathing places. Named after Indra, Ātreya, and the Daityas, these are celebrated; bathing and giving gifts there bestow inexhaustible merit.” With these words, the gods departed, and the sage Ātreya was satisfied. In that sacred region, there is a holy place called Kapilāsaṃgama, renowned throughout the three worlds. O Nārada, let me recount a most excellent and sacred story from there. There once lived a sage named Kapila, famed for his knowledge of truth, stern yet gracious, devoted to austerity and vows. While Kapila practiced austerity on the bank of the Gautamī, Vāmadeva and other sages approached him. After King Vena was slain and righteousness vanished, leaving the kingdom without a ruler due to the curse of the Brahmins, the assembly of sages sought out Kapila as their teacher. With the Veda lost and righteousness gone, the sages asked, “What should be done, O best of sages?” Kapila meditated and then instructed them, “By churning Vena’s thigh, someone will arise from it.” The sages followed his guidance, and from Vena’s thigh emerged a great sinner, dark in color and fierce in strength. Afraid, the sages said, “Sit down!” Thus he became Niṣāda, and from him the Niṣādas were born. Next, the sages churned Vena’s right arm, which was endowed with righteousness, and from it arose Pṛthu, possessing a mighty voice and all auspicious marks. Pṛthu became king, glorious and endowed with the power of Brahma. All the gods honored him and granted him auspicious boons, including weapons and virtuous mantras. Kapila and the assembly of sages then spoke to Pṛthu, “Provide sustenance for living beings, for the herbs of the earth have been consumed.” Pṛthu, the best of kings, took up his bow and addressed the earth, “Give back the herbs that have been consumed, for the welfare of the people.” The earth, fearful, replied, “The great herbs have been consumed within me; how am I able to give them?” Angry, Pṛthu spoke again, “If you do not give them today, I will slay you and provide the great herbs myself.” The earth reasoned, “How can you, being wise, kill a woman, O best of kings? Without me, how will you sustain these beings?” Pṛthu answered, “Where the benefit of many comes from the loss of one, there is no fault in that, O Earth. By asceticism, I will sustain the beings. I see no fault here, nor do I regard these words as meaningless; for when enacted, happiness arises for many. The sages have declared that the killing of that one is greater than a hundred horse sacrifices.” The gods and sages soothed both the king and the earth, and addressed the divine mother, “O Earth, taking the form of a cow, and as milk and great herbs, give to King Pṛthu; then the king will be pleased, and the protection of the people will occur, and thus welfare will prevail.” The earth, assuming the form of a cow, sat near Kapila, and Pṛthu, born of Vena, milked the great herbs from her, thus restoring sustenance to all living beings.