Urvaśī, Menā, Rambhā, and Tilottamā, the celestial maidens, found themselves trembling with fear when asked to approach the sage Viśvāmitra. They hesitated, voicing their reluctance to go, but Indra, the lord of Śacī, pressed them further. With pride and depth in their voices, the four apsarases responded together to Purandara, the thousand-eyed god. They declared their intention: they would go to the son of Gādhi, Viśvāmitra, whose radiance shone from his austerities, and attempt to distract him with their dance, song, beauty, and youthful allure. They spoke of their irresistible charm—within their glance, smile, speech, and playful manner, the god of love himself dwelled. Who could resist such enchantment? When Indra agreed to their plan, the apsarases traveled to the great river, where they found Viśvāmitra absorbed in deep austerity. He stood upon the earth, unassailable as death itself, reminiscent of Dhūrjaṭi, steadfast and immovable. For a thousand years, the apsarases could not even bear to look directly at him. Nevertheless, they kept their distance, engaging in dance, song, and flattery, hoping to break his concentration. But when Viśvāmitra, the tiger among sages, noticed them, he was filled with anger. Who would not be angered by such contrary behavior? Even the great-armed sage, though free from desire, laughed at Indra’s attempt. Freed by the two apsarases, Indra was then cursed by Viśvāmitra: “You shall become of a liquid form.” Because Indra had come there to make the sage falter, Viśvāmitra declared he would become light. Yet, appeased by the apsarases, Viśvāmitra granted release from the curse. When the two celestial maidens, in their divine forms, met with the Ganga, the curse caused them to instantly become river-forms. Thus, the pair of apsarases became known as two rivers. Their mutual union led to their meeting with the Ganga and Asu. Throughout all worlds, Shiva is renowned as the bestower of enjoyment and liberation, residing there, visibly granting all attainments. At that sacred place, bathing and beholding Shiva frees one from all bonds. This place is known as Koṭitīrtha, situated on the southern bank of the Ganga. Merely remembering it releases one from all sins. There, where the deity Koṭīśvara resides, everything is multiplied a crore-fold. Two crores are fully present among the auspicious bestowers of holy places. Now, listen attentively, O Nārada, to the story I will declare. The eldest son of Kaṇva, famed as Bāhlīka, was born to Kaṇva, who was renowned among people for mastering the Vedas and their limbs. Kaṇva performed rituals and sacrifices with his wife, who was also accomplished in the Vedas. He dwelled on the bank of the Gautamī river, honored by the world, performing morning offerings with his wife, focused and sacrificing into the fire. Kaṇva always remained steadfast, sometimes preparing for sacrifice. After offering one oblation into the kindled sacrificial fire, he took the material for the next oblation in his hand. At that moment, the fire suddenly extinguished. Absorbed in thought, Kaṇva wondered what should be done, deliberating within and reaching great distress. Between the two oblations, the sacrificial fire had gone out. He realized that another fire, both Vedic and worldly, must be obtained. He pondered: where should the second oblation be offered, and where should the next fire be obtained? As he considered this, a divine voice spoke: “You must not obtain another fire here; whatever fragments remain nearby will suffice.” When the wood is half-burnt, O king of Brahmins, offer the oblation. Kaṇva protested, saying “No,” but the divine voice repeated its instruction. It explained: “The son of Agni is Hiraṇya; the father is also the son. What is given to the son, for the beloved, will be for the father’s pleasure. One should give to the father, and the son should give; it will be multiplied a crore-fold in delight.” Thus spoke the divine voice, and all the great sages concurred. Having determined the entirety of righteousness, they acted as prescribed. Knowing this, in this world, what is given to the son becomes the father’s. By the benefit of offspring and similar means, parental affection arises as it should—not by any other means in this world, as is well known. This truth is established and honored in all realms. When given there, all merit becomes multiplied a hundred million times, O son. Relief from mental fatigue arises, and great happiness is born. Again, that word was spoken at this excellent Kanva ford. By the power of its merit, it became a great ford, yielding greater fruit than all the fords in the three worlds. Whatever is done there—bathing, giving, and the like—with devotion and concentration, one obtains all the fruit in full, multiplied a hundred million times, O sage. Whatever is performed here by people—bathing, giving, and the like—know that all of it is multiplied a hundred million times. Therefore, it is called the Hundred Million Ford. Where this event concerning Agneya, Kanva, and the golden grandson named Vani occurred, that is the Hundred Million Ford, for it yields the fruit of a hundred million fords. The greatness of the Hundred Million Ford cannot be expressed, even by Vachaspati and others, or by any other gods. Whatever act is performed here, in whatever manner, by the grace of the Godavari, all becomes multiplied a hundred million times. Whoever gives a single cow to a foremost twice-born at the Hundred Million Ford, by the greatness of that ford, attains the fruit of a hundred million cows. Whoever, having become pure at that ford, gives land with a mind endowed with faith, attains a result multiplied a hundred million times.