O Nārada, listen attentively as I recount the true nature of these ancient events. Long ago, after Rāma, the illustrious son of Daśaratha, vanquished Rāvaṇa—the terror of all the worlds—he reclaimed Sītā. Rāma did not fight alone; with the valiant dwellers of Kiṣkindhā, he slew Rāvaṇa, his sons, and his mighty army on the battlefield. Victorious over his enemy and reunited with Sītā, Rāma set out for home. Accompanied by his devoted brother Saumitri (Lakṣmaṇa), the powerful monkeys, and the noble Vibhīṣaṇa, Rāma journeyed back, surrounded by the blessings of the gods themselves. Having performed the auspicious rites, glorious Rāma shone resplendently in the celestial Puṣpaka chariot—a wondrous vehicle once belonging to the lord of wealth, able to move at will with great speed. Together, they traveled toward Ayodhyā. Along the way, Rāma—the refuge of all who seek shelter and the destroyer of enemies—beheld the sacred Gaṅgā. He saw the Gautamī, purifier of the world, bestower of all desires, and remover of sorrows from both mind and sight. Overcome with joy, Rāma entered the banks of the Gaṅgā. With his voice choked by emotion, he addressed all the monkeys, especially Hanumān, saying: “O monkeys, by the power of this sacred river, my father, the great king, was freed from all sins and attained heaven. She is the mother of all beings, the giver of enjoyment, and even grants liberation; she destroys even the most terrible sins. No other river here is her equal. By her grace, enemies and misfortunes are destroyed—Vibhīṣaṇa has found steadfast friendship, Sītā was restored to me, and Hanumān became as kin. The destruction of Lankā and the defeat of the demon hosts all came through her service. Gautama, too, attained the refuge of Śiva, the lord with matted locks, by worshipping here.” Rāma continued, praising the Gaṅgā as the mother who grants all wishes, the destroyer of inauspiciousness, the purifier of the world, and the manifest source of all rivers, known as Savitrī. Hearing these words, the monkeys, filled with devotion, plunged into the river and worshipped with countless flowers and offerings gathered from all the worlds. After worshipping Śarva (Śiva) according to proper rites, Rāma praised him with words of deep feeling. The monkeys, delighted, danced and sang in joy. Surrounded by loving companions, Rāma spent that night in great happiness—free from all sorrow caused by enemies. Indeed, what suffering remains for one who serves the Gautamī? Filled with wonder, Rāma gazed upon his assembly of attendants and joyfully praised the Godāvarī as well. Honoring all his faithful companions, he experienced a happiness beyond compare. Yet, still unsatisfied at this holy place, Rāma said, “Let us remain here for some time, for four more nights, and then we shall return to Ayodhyā.” The monkeys gladly agreed. Thus, after worshipping the Lord, ruler of all, for four more nights, they journeyed to the sacred place beloved by Rāma’s brother. There stood the renowned Siddheśvara, by whose power the mighty ten-headed Rāvaṇa had been subdued. For five days they remained, each worshipping the liṅga they had established. Hanumān, son of the wind, faithfully followed Rāma, rendering service. As they prepared to depart, Rāma instructed Hanumān, “Remove all the liṅgas.” But he added, “Those installed by me, by knowers of excellent mantras, and by Śaṃkara’s other attendants should not be removed. The worship of Paraśaṃkara must not be neglected, nor should external rites be mixed with the worship of Bhava. Those who neglect proper worship of the Śivaliṅga, though they may seem well, are born among swords and leaves—faithless ones who do not fulfill their duties. By my order, such people are tormented by Yama’s servants in all manner of miseries.” Hanumān went to remove the liṅgas, but even with all his strength, he could not uproot them. He tried to seize one with his mighty tail, wrapping it around the liṅga, but it would not budge—a wondrous sight for both Hanumān and the king. Who could move the liṅga of such great power, established by Maheśa himself? Seeing it unmoved, Rāma, noble and mighty, departed at once. He invited the brāhmaṇas, performed worship, circumambulated, and, with supremely pure heart, bowed to all the liṅgas along with his companions. Thus, the sacred place became cherished by all the foremost residents of Kiṣkindhā. Here, even great sins are destroyed simply by bathing—there is no doubt of this. Once more, Rāma bowed to the Gaṅgā with devotion, saying, “Be gracious, Mother, to me, O Gautamī.” Again and again, amazed in mind, he gazed upon her and bowed. From that time, the gods called this place Kiṣkindhā-tīrtha, supremely holy. Whoever recites, remembers, or hears this account with devotion is freed from sin—how much more so by bathing or giving gifts here! Next, I shall speak of Vyāsa-tīrtha, belonging to the son of Pracetas, a tīrtha than which none is more sacred or grants greater accomplishments. I, too, had ten mind-born sons, creators of worlds themselves. Desiring to know the limits of creation, they spread across the earth with their energy. Again and again they were created and departed, but when I searched for them, they did not return—those who have gone are truly gone. Then, great sages were born, the divine descendants of Angiras, well-versed in the Vedas and Vedāṅgas, accomplished in all branches of knowledge. Having received their teacher Angiras’s permission and bowing to him, these resolute ascetics set forth to practice austerities, but did not seek their mother’s blessing. For the mother is to be honored above all, even more than teachers. Angered by their disregard, Nārada’s mother cursed her own sons: “Those who, ignoring me, have set out to practice austerities in every way—none of them shall attain success.” Thus, though they wandered to many regions, they could not perfect their austerities; obstacles pursued them everywhere—sometimes from demons, sometimes humans, women, or even their own bodies. At last, wandering thus, they came to Agastya, the treasury of austerity, greatest among ascetics, born from a jar, teacher of the world. The descendants of Angiras, born of the fire lineage, bowed to the lord of the southern quarter, tranquil and humble, and prepared to seek his guidance.