From the storehouse of the cosmic egg, Rakshasas of countless forms were born—fierce beings, intoxicated by their own power and wielding terrible weapons. Driven by their hunger, they turned their gaze upon Brahma, intent on devouring him. In that moment of peril, I turned to Vishnu, the teacher of the worlds, seeking his protection. Vishnu, ever the upholder of righteousness, prepared himself to destroy the Rakshasas, his discus ready in his hand. With his divine discus, Vishnu cut down the Rakshasas, and when the evil ones were vanquished, he filled his conch with their essence. By this act, the earth was cleared of thorns and heaven freed from enmity. In great joy, Hari sounded his conch, and with that triumphant note, all the Rakshasas were utterly destroyed. The very place where these wondrous events unfolded, sanctified by the power of Vishnu’s conch, became known as Shankhatirtha. This holy site is a source of all welfare for people: it grants every desire, brings merit, and is auspicious even when merely remembered. It bestows long life, health, wealth, and sons. By remembering or reciting the glories of this place, one attains all wishes; O sage, its merit equals that of ten thousand sacred places and it removes all sins. Indeed, those ten thousand sacred places, renowned as destroyers of all sins, have their power proclaimed by the god Maheśvara himself. Nowhere else can one find a representative of the destruction of sin equal to these. There is another holy place, called Kiṣkindhā, which is said to fulfill all desires. It pacifies all sins, for there Bhava himself is present. Listen, O Nārada, as I describe its true nature. Long ago, Rāma, son of Daśaratha, slew Rāvaṇa, the terror of the worlds. With the noble dwellers of Kiṣkindhā, he battled Rāvaṇa and his sons and army on the battlefield; having destroyed his enemy, Rāma recovered Sītā. Accompanied by his brother Saumitri, the mighty monkeys, and the powerful Vibhīṣaṇa, Rāma, the king, returned home, attended by the gods. Having performed auspicious rites, the glorious Rāma shone in the celestial Puṣpaka chariot, once the treasure of the lord of wealth, which moved at will with great speed. Together, they journeyed toward Ayodhyā, and as they traveled, Rāma—the refuge of the distressed and destroyer of foes—beheld the sacred Gaṅgā. He saw the Gautamī, purifier of the world, bestower of all desires, who removes the sorrows of mind and eyes. Overcome with joy, the king entered the bank of the Gaṅgā, and with a voice choked with emotion, he addressed all the monkeys, led by Hanumān. “O monkeys,” he said, “by her power, my father, the lord, was freed from all sins and attained heaven. She is the mother of all beings, giver of enjoyment, and even grants liberation. She destroys the most terrible sins—there is no other river here equal to her. By her power, enemies and misfortunes are always destroyed; Vibhīṣaṇa gained lasting friendship, Sītā was recovered, and Hanumān became kin. Lankā was destroyed, the hosts of demons slain, all by serving her. Gautama, by worshipping the best of gods, attained Śiva, the refuge with matted locks. She is the mother who grants all desires, the destroyer even of inauspiciousness, the sole purifier of the world, the manifest source of all rivers, the Savitrī.” Hearing these words, all the monkeys plunged joyfully into the river and performed worship according to the proper rites, offering many flowers and gifts gathered from all the worlds. Having duly worshipped Śarva, the king praised him with words filled with devotion, and the monkeys, delighted, danced and sang in celebration. Surrounded by loving companions, their hearts full of affection, Rāma spent that night in happiness; all sorrows from enemies vanished. Truly, what suffering remains for one who serves the Gautamī? With wonder, Rāma gazed upon his assembly and joyfully praised the Godāvarī; honoring all his attendants, he experienced happiness beyond compare. Still unsatisfied with this holy place, Rāma said, “Let us remain here for some time; let us stay here for another four nights, and then return to Ayodhyā.” The monkeys agreed, and after worshipping the Lord, ruler of all, for four more nights, they journeyed to the sacred place dear to his brother. There stands the renowned Siddheśvara, famous throughout the world, by whose power mighty Rāvaṇa was subdued. They spent five days there, each worshipping the liṅga they had established. There, Hanumān, son of the wind, followed the king, performing devoted service. As they were about to depart, the king said to Hanumān, “Remove all the liṅgas.” But he added, “Those installed by me, by knowers of excellent mantras, and by other attendants of Śaṃkara, should not be removed. The worship of Paraśaṃkara must not be neglected, nor should external rites be mingled with the worship of Bhava. Those who, out of disregard, fail to perform the proper worship of the Śivaliṅga, though they may appear well, are born among swords and leaves—such faithless ones do not fulfill their duties. By my order, such people are cooked as is fitting by the servants of Yama in all manner of miseries.” Hanumān then tried to uproot the liṅga with his arms, but could not. Wishing to use his tail, he wrapped it around the liṅga, but even then could not move it. Such a wondrous thing occurred for both the lord of monkeys and the king! Who could move the liṅga of such great power, established by Maheśa himself? Seeing it unmoved, the noble king departed at once. After inviting the brāhmaṇas, performing worship, and circumambulating the liṅgas, Rāmacandra, with a heart supremely pure, bowed to all those liṅgas along with his companions. Thus, the sacred place became attended by all the foremost residents of Kiṣkindhā; here, by merely bathing, even great sins are destroyed—of this there is no doubt. Again, with devotion, Rāma bowed to the Gaṅgā, saying, “Be gracious, Mother, to me, O Gautamī,” and, his mind filled with wonder, he gazed upon her and bowed again and again. From that time, the gods called this Kiṣkindhā-tīrtha supremely holy. Whoever recites, remembers, or hears its glories with devotion is freed from sin—how much more so by bathing or giving gifts there! Next to this is the tīrtha known as Vyāsa-tīrtha, belonging to the son of Pracetas; nothing is more sacred or grants all accomplishments beyond this.