O mighty-armed one, abandon your austerities—for whatever you have fixed in your mind shall be fulfilled. By the grace of Shiva-Ganga, nothing here is unattainable. My father, who is worthy of worship, has been insulted by you, my deities. If you show utmost affection to him and to me, then, by your efforts and by my own austerity, I will renounce enmity. Out of respect for his father, the son must act to remove all hostility. If you desire this, then all my wishes will be fulfilled. Hearing this, all the hosts of gods made Rahu a planet and Meghahasa the foremost among the Rakshasas. Then Rahu’s son, the lord of the Nairritas, arose and spoke again to the gods: “Let my fame be established.” He requested, “The power of this sacred place must be granted.” The gods agreed and bestowed everything that was in their minds. O sage among the gods, that sacred place was named after the lord of the Daityas, for all the gods had gathered there. That divine tirtha, where the lord of the gods resides, is difficult even for gods to attain. There, O Narada, are eighteen sacred sites worshipped by the Daityas; bathing and giving there destroy great sins. This place is known as Siddha-tirtha, where Shiva, lord of Siddhas, abides. Its power grants all accomplishments to people. Ravana, born in the lineage of Pulastya and renowned throughout the worlds, conquered all directions and reached the realm of Soma. As Ravana prepared to fight Soma, I spoke to him: “I will give you a mantra—desist from battle with Soma, O ten-headed one.” I gave him a mantra of one hundred and eight names associated with Shiva, to appease him. For those who are destitute, fallen, and afflicted by troubles, Shiva alone is the refuge in this world; there is no other. Empowered by the mantra, Ravana withdrew from Soma’s realm. Having attained victory, the Rakshasa, riding the Pushpaka, returned swiftly to the worlds, proud. He gazed upon the gods, the sky, the earth, the Nagas, the elephants, and the Brahmins; he beheld the great mountain Kailasa, abode of the lord of Uma. Ravana wondered, “Who among the great souls would dwell on this mountain? I will take this mountain away from the earth. Now that it has come to Lanka, the mountain quickly brings beauty and prosperity to Lanka, truly.” Hearing these words from his two Rakshasa ministers and perceiving their intent, they said sincerely, “It is not proper,” but the night-wanderer did not heed their words. Quickly stationing the Pushpaka, Ravana leapt to the base of Kailasa. The ten-headed one began to swing the mountain, and Shiva, knowing this, acted accordingly. Having defeated the guardians of the directions, as the proud enemy of the gods swung Kailasa, Shiva pressed with his toe, sending the ten-headed one to the netherworld and other realms. Hearing the cries of the crushed Ravana, Shiva, though angered, was pleased and, laughing with the goddess, granted him his desired boon—even though it was undeserved, Shiva gave it without doubt. Having received boons by Shiva’s grace, the valiant one departed. As he went to Lanka to worship Shiva, he approached the Ganga, born from Shiva’s matted locks. Having worshipped Shambhu with various mantras and Ganges water, the unwavering Ravana obtained the sword adorned with a crescent and attained perfection and prosperity. He accomplished the mantra given by me for the protection of the moon, and having duly worshipped Bhava, when the mantra was perfected, Ravana returned again to Lanka, satisfied. From that time onward, this exceedingly powerful tirtha became bestower of great accomplishments and desired objects, destroyer of all heaps of sin, and served by all the accomplished ones. Now, O Narada, listen as I describe the tirtha called Parushni-sangama, renowned throughout the three worlds, for it destroys sin. Atri worshipped Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara. When they were pleased, he said, “You shall become my sons.” Thus, a beautiful daughter was born to me, O gods, and those three—Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara—became my sons. He begot a daughter named Subhatreyi; Soma and Durvasa became the sons of that great-souled one. From Agni, Angiras was born from embers; thus, Angiras gave the radiant Atreyi to Atri. By the power of Agni, Parusha always spoke to Atreyi; and Atreyi was ever engaged in service. From her, the Angirases were born, mighty and valiant; Angiras always spoke harshly to Atreyi. The sons, the Angirases, always pacified their father. Once, distressed by her husband's harsh words, Atreyi, with folded hands and dejected, spoke to her father-in-law, the revered teacher. She said, “O fire-bearer, I am the wife of your son Atri; always devoted to service of the sons and my husband. My husband speaks harshly to me and looks at me in anger without cause; O chief among gods, pacify me—my husband is my deity.” Her father-in-law replied, “Your husband, Angiras the sage, was born from embers; O gentle one, let a course be prescribed so that he may become peaceful. Your husband, born of Agni, has come to you, O beautiful-faced one; then, by my command, you should flood him in the form of water.” Atreyi said, “I shall endure harsh words; let my husband not enter the fire. What is the use of living for women who are opposed to their husbands? I desire words of peace so that I may obtain my husband thus.” Agni spoke: “Agni is present in water, in bodies, in immobile and mobile beings; I am always regarded as the abode and progenitor of your husband.” Thus, the sacred stories of tirthas, boons, and the devotion of noble souls are remembered, each revealing the grace of the gods and the power of faith, austerity, and reverence.