Once, the Moon abandoned Tārā, and the sage took her as his own. Śukra, seeking a resolution to the affair concerning Tārā, summoned the gods, the seers, and the hosts of ancestors. He questioned the rivers, their divine presiding deities, and the devoted herbs, searching for a way to restore purity to Tārā. Then, a revelation came to the gods: if Tārā bathed with devotion in the sacred Gautamī river, she would be purified. This was declared a supreme secret, not to be disclosed to anyone, for in every circumstance, Gautamī is the refuge for all people. Thus, Tārā, together with her husband, performed the prescribed bath in the Gautamī. As they did so, a shower of flowers descended from above, and cries of victory echoed. Once again, the gods, humans, and kings who uphold truth restored the wife of Brahmā, giving her back to him. With the wife of Brahmā purified by the gods and restored, all was well; that place became a sacred ford. This ford, made holy by the gods’ intervention, was proclaimed the destroyer of all heaps of sin, the fulfiller of all desires, and a source of joy and welfare for gods and their allies. Especially for Bṛhaspati, Śukra, and Tārā, the guru attained supreme bliss and spoke to the Gaṅgā, saying: “O Gautamī, you are ever worthy of worship, the giver of liberation to all. Especially when I am in Siṃha, you purify the three worlds.” He continued, “You will become the foremost of rivers, endowed with all sacred fords. Whatever fords exist in heaven, on earth, or in the netherworld, will come to bathe in you when I am in Siṃha, O Mother. The ford named Ānanda brings blessedness, fame, long life, increases health and prosperity, and generates good fortune and wealth.” Gautama declared five thousand fords there; by remembering or reciting their names, one is always united with one’s desires. At this place, where Śiva himself resides, Nandī forever moves along the banks of the Gaṅgā. Thus, it is called Nandītaṭa, and the ford is named Ānanda, for it increases all joy. It is also called Bhavatirtha, where Bhava—Śiva himself—abides, the soul of all beings, present throughout the universe, whose form is existence, consciousness, and bliss. Now, listen to this most auspicious and meritorious tale: there was a renowned scion of the Solar dynasty, a mighty upholder of the Kshatriya order, named Pracinabarhi. He was accomplished in all duties and ruled for thirty-five million years. He observed a vow: when he lost his youth, whether by separation from his beloved wife, sons, or dear possessions, then he would renounce the kingdom. Such conduct is fitting for the wise, noble-born, and discerning men. Though dwelling in solitude and dispassionate after the loss of wealth, even while ruling the earth, there was never separation from loved ones. Under his rule, there was neither affliction nor disease, nor famine, nor quarrel among relatives; no one was ever parted from another. Desiring a son, the wise king performed a sacrifice. The blessed Lord was pleased and granted him a boon as he wished. At the Gautamī riverbank, the god Maheshvara appeared to the king. With his wife, the king requested a son from Bhava. Bhava, pleased, said, “Behold my third eye.” The king saw Bhava’s eye, and from its radiance, a son was born—renowned as Mahima, the composer of the celebrated Mahimna Stotra. What is unattainable when the blessed Tripurāntaka is pleased, whom even Hari, Brahma, and all the gods follow? Having obtained a son, the king requested the supremacy of the tirtha for the sake of those afflicted by great sins, terrible diseases, and calamities. For the fulfillment of every desire of those troubled by misfortunes, Bhava granted preeminence, and thus it is called Bhavatirtha. There, by bathing and giving gifts, one attains all desires. By Bhava’s grace, Pracinabarhi obtained a son. Mahima was born on the Gautamī’s bank; that is Bhavatirtha, where seventy sacred bathing places bestow all blessings. The learned know of a tirtha called Sahasrakunda; merely remembering it brings happiness. Long ago, Rama, son of Dasharatha, after building a bridge across the great ocean, burned Lanka and slew his enemies, Ravana and others, in battle with arrows. Rama approached Vaidehi, speaking as the guardians of the worlds watched and her teacher stood before her. In the presence of Lakshmana, Rama addressed Sita, who had attained purity through fire: “Come, Vaidehi, you are pure; you deserve to ascend my lap.” Then the illustrious Angada and Hanuman said, “No, let us go to Ayodhya together with Vaidehi and our friends.” There, having attained purification, and as brothers, mothers, and even ordinary people watched, the princess was declared pure. On a most auspicious day in Ayodhya, she deserved to ascend the lap; whose doubt could arise regarding her conduct? Even so, the rumor among people had to be dismissed, especially among their own. Disregarding their words, Lakshmana, together with Vibhishana, acted. Rama and Jambavan called the princess; the gods blessed her, and she ascended the king’s lap. Joyful, they quickly departed in the splendid Pushpaka. Reaching the city of Ayodhya, they obtained their own kingdom. Thus, these sacred events unfolded, sanctifying the Gautamī river and its fords, bestowing joy, purity, and fulfillment upon all who come with devotion.