Hearing the anguished cries of the one whose body had been crushed, Shiva, though angered, was nevertheless pleased. Laughing gently with the goddess by his side, Shiva granted the supplicant his desired boon, even though it was not deserved—there can be no doubt that Shiva bestowed it. Having thus obtained his boon through Shiva’s grace, the valiant one departed. He set out for Lanka, intent on worshipping Shiva, and on his way, he approached the sacred Ganga, who was born from Shiva’s own matted locks. With unwavering spirit, he worshipped Shambhu using various mantras and the pure water of the Ganges. Through this devotion, he received a sword adorned with a crescent and attained the perfection and prosperity he sought. He also accomplished the mantra I had given for the protection of the moon, having duly worshipped Bhava. Once the mantra was perfected, that mighty lord of the Rakshasas returned to Lanka, fully satisfied. From that time forth, this exceedingly powerful tirtha became renowned as a bestower of great accomplishments and desired objects, a destroyer of all accumulated sin, and a place revered and frequented by the accomplished ones. Now, O great sage, listen as I describe another sacred tirtha, famed throughout the three worlds—the Parushni-sangama. This holy confluence is celebrated for its power to destroy sin. In ancient days, the sage Atri worshipped Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara. When they were pleased with him, he declared, “You shall become my sons.” Thus, a beautiful daughter was born to Atri, and those three—Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara—became his sons. Atri begot a daughter named Shubhatreyi, and from her, Soma and Durvasa were born as sons to that great-souled sage. From Agni, Angiras was born from the embers, and Angiras gave the radiant Atreyi to Atri. By the power of Agni, Parusha always spoke to Atreyi, and she remained ever engaged in devoted service. From Atreyi, the mighty and valiant Angirasas were born. Yet, Angiras often spoke harshly to Atreyi. The sons, the Angirasas, always sought to pacify their father. Once, distressed by her husband’s harsh words, Atreyi, humbled and with folded hands, approached her revered father-in-law, the great teacher, and spoke: “O fire-bearer, I am the wife of your son Atri, ever devoted to serving my husband and his sons. Yet my husband speaks to me harshly and looks upon me with anger, though I have done nothing to deserve it. O chief among gods, please pacify me—my husband is my deity.” Her father-in-law replied, “Your husband, the sage Angiras, was born from embers. O gentle one, let a course be prescribed so that he may become peaceful. Since your husband, born of Agni, has come to you, O beautiful-faced one, by my command you should flood him in the form of water.” Atreyi responded, “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 thus obtain my husband.” Her father-in-law continued, “Agni is present in water, in bodies, in both the immobile and mobile beings. I am always regarded as the abode and progenitor of your husband. Knowing ‘I am that very self,’ you should not give way to anxiety. Consider with discernment: what are water, mothers, goddesses, fire, or even a father-in-law? Therefore, do not be disheartened, daughter-in-law. “When you said, ‘Water is my mother,’ and, ‘I am the wife of your son, O Agni,’ how could the mother also be the wife? This is contradictory, O Lord, due to the watery form. At first, she is a wife; by supporting, she is called bharya; by giving birth, she is jaya; through her own virtues, she is kalatram. O blessed one, you bear these various forms—do as I have instructed. Whoever is born from her is indeed her son, and she is truly his mother—there is no doubt in this. Therefore, those who know the essence of the scriptures say: she is not a wife when a son has been born.” Hearing these words from her father-in-law, Atreyi immediately assumed a fiery form and, with water, purified her husband. United, husband and wife took on the tranquil form of Ganges water and became a couple in this sacred state. Just as Vishnu is united with Lakshmi, Shiva with Uma, and the Moon with Rohini, so too was this couple joined together at that time. Flooding her husband, Atreyi assumed a watery form, and united with the Ganges, she became known as the river Parushni. Bathing in the Parushni grants the same merit as offering a hundred cows. There, the Angirasas performed many sacrifices and gave abundant gifts. The ancient texts speak of three thousand sacred fords at this place. On both banks, the fruits of sacrifices are distinct and well-known. Bathing and giving gifts at these places is considered superior even to the Vajapeya sacrifice, especially at the confluence of the Ganges and Parushni. The merit gained from bathing, giving, and similar acts there cannot be fully described. There is also a sacred place called Markandeya, which removes all sins, bestows the fruits of all sacrifices, is holy, and dispels a multitude of evils. Let me tell you now of its greatness, O Narada. Markandeya, Bharadvaja, Vasishta, Atri, and Gautama—together with Yajnavalkya, Jabali, and other sages—these authors of the scriptures, accomplished in the Vedas and their branches, gathered there. They were thoroughly versed in the Puranas, logic, and Mimamsa. In their discussions, these wise ones expressed their views on liberation according to their understanding. Some praised knowledge, some karma, and some both. Thus, while debating, they asked me for my opinion on both. Knowing my view, they went to the bearer of the discus and mace—Vishnu; and, understanding his view as well, those great sages departed. Again entering into discussion, they resolved to question Shankara. Having worshipped Bhava on the banks of the Ganges, they presented their question to him. Tripurantaka—Shiva, the destroyer of the three cities—declared the supremacy of action, saying that knowledge takes the form of action, and that very knowledge is called action.