The wise recount that there is a sacred tirtha known as Sahasrakunda, a place so holy that even remembering it brings happiness to the heart. In ancient times, after the great Rama, son of Dasharatha, had built a bridge across the vast ocean, he set Lanka ablaze and vanquished his foes—Ravana and others—in fierce battle, his arrows bringing victory. When the battles were over, Rama approached his wife Vaidehi, as the guardians of the worlds looked on and her teacher stood before her. In the presence of Lakshmana, Rama addressed Sita, who had proven her purity by the trial of fire: “Come, Vaidehi, you are pure; you deserve to ascend my lap.” But then the illustrious Angada and Hanuman intervened, saying, “No, let us return to Ayodhya together with Vaidehi and our friends.” There, having been purified, and as brothers, mothers, and even ordinary people bore witness, the princess was declared pure. On a most auspicious day in Ayodhya, Rama affirmed, “You deserve to ascend my lap; who could harbor any doubt about your conduct?” Yet, even so, rumors among the people had to be dispelled, especially among their own kin. Disregarding such talk, Lakshmana, together with Vibhishana, acted as needed. Rama and Jambavan then called for the princess. The gods themselves blessed her, saying, “Be well,” and she ascended the king’s lap. Filled with joy, they all departed swiftly in the splendid Pushpaka chariot, and upon reaching Ayodhya, they regained their kingdom. All were joyful, ever devoted to Rama. But after some days, a cruel and baseless rumor arose from ignoble sources. Hearing this heavy and false accusation against Sita, who was not born of a womb, Rama abandoned her; for noble families cannot endure even false reproach. Near the hermitage of the foremost sage Valmiki, Lakshmana—though weeping himself—left behind the innocent and grieving Sita, obeying the command of elders, which cannot be defied. After some days, Rama and Saumitri (Lakshmana) prepared for the great horse sacrifice. There, Rama’s two illustrious sons arrived. Lava and Kusha, renowned for their melodious voices like the sage Narada, sang the entire Ramayana, enchanting as Gandharvas. These royal sons, recounting all of Rama’s deeds, approached the sacrificial ground, their virtues shining forth. Heroic and known as Vaidehi’s children, the two sons were revealed and were consecrated in due order. Rama placed them on his lap, embracing them again and again. For those suffering in the world, for all embodied beings who are lost, the embrace of one’s children is the highest solace. Rama repeatedly caressed and kissed his sons, finding rest in their presence. Yet, he sat deep in thought, sighing again and again. At that moment, the Rakshasas from Lanka arrived. Sugriva, Hanuman, Angada, Jambavan, and all the other Vanaras, led by Vibhishana, came as well. They approached the king upon his throne, but not seeing Sita, Hanuman and Angada—adorned with golden armlets—were perplexed. They asked, “Where has Mother Sita, born from the earth, gone? Only Rama is here.” The gatekeepers replied, “She has been abandoned by Rama.” While the guardians of the worlds looked on and Sita’s story was spoken of, Sita again entered the fire for purification; yet Rama remained unmoved. Because of words among the people, Rama abandoned his beloved. Saying, “Let us die,” they returned again to the river Gautami. Rama, along with the citizens of Ayodhya, approached Lava and Kusha. Arriving at the Gautami, they engaged in supreme austerity. Again and again, remembering and sighing, they longed for Sita, the mother of the world. Renouncing all worldly attachments, they devoted themselves to serving Gautami. Rama, lord of the three worlds, arrived with his brother. After bathing in the Gautami, he devoted himself to the worship of Shiva. Surrounded by thousands, Rama cast off all sorrow. The place where this happened is known as Sahasrakunda. There are ten other holy sites there, each bestowing every desired result; bathing and giving gifts there bring a thousandfold reward. On the bank of the sacred Gautami, great sages beginning with Vasishtha performed a sacrifice that destroys all sin and rescues from every calamity. In the thousand sacred pools, by the grace of the earth, that great ascetic obtained all his heart’s desires. By the favor of the river Gautami, destroyer of Rakshasas, the holy place called Sahasrakunda became renowned for its merit. There is also the Kapila Tirtha, remembered as Angirasa; it is also called Aditya and is known as Saimhikeyam. On the southern bank of the Gautami, O best of sages, Angiras performed sacrifices to the Adityas, who then granted him the southern land as a gift. Later, the Adityas departed from Angiras to practice austerities. That land, becoming Saimhiki, began to devour all people. Alarmed, the inhabitants went to Angiras, having learned through knowledge that the land was Saimhiki. Following the Adityas, the Angirases said, “Let them take back the land that was given.” But the Adityas replied, “No.” The wise do not accept as a gift land that has been taken back, whether given by oneself or by another; whoever seizes land, whether self-given or given by another— Thus, the story of Sahasrakunda, its sanctity, and the deeds of Rama and the sages, is remembered with reverence and awe.