The sages, troubled and earnest, approached the revered Agastya and asked, “O venerable one, despite our repeated efforts and many methods, why do our austerities not succeed? What error holds us back? What should we do? What path of austerity should we adopt here? Please, O best of Brahmins, show us the means. You are renowned for your penance, wisdom, and tranquil nature. Among the wise, you are foremost in speech, ever peaceful among the self-controlled, compassionate, and a doer of good. Free from anger and hatred, you speak only truth. We trust you, for those who are proud, cruel, untruthful, and neglectful of their teachers do not know true knowledge. Please, guide us.” Hearing their humble plea, Agastya sat in silent meditation for a moment. Then, slowly, he addressed them all: “You possess calm minds and were created by Brahmā himself as progenitors. Yet your austerity was insufficient—recall the cause of your downfall. Those created before you by Brahmā, who found happiness, and those who went forth seeking again, all became descendants of Angiras. You too have gone forth repeatedly. In time, you will surpass even the progenitor himself, without doubt. “Now, go and perform austerities at the sacred Gaṅgā, purifier of the three worlds. There is no other means in this world except the Gaṅgā, beloved of Śiva. There, at that holy place, worship the giver of knowledge in the hermitage. That great soul will dispel all your doubts, for without a true teacher, no one attains perfection.” At this, the sages asked, “Who is called the giver of knowledge—Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Maheśa, Āditya, or the Moon? Or is it Agni or Varuṇa, O best of sages? Who is truly the giver of knowledge?” Agastya replied, “Listen well. That which is water is also Agni; that which is Agni is called Sūrya; that which is Sūrya is truly Viṣṇu; and that which is Viṣṇu is Bhāskara. That which is Brahmā is indeed Rudra; and Rudra is all this. In whom all exists, that knowledge—he is the giver of knowledge here. “There are many teachers—preceptors, inspirers, commentators, expounders, and those who give the body—but among them, the giver of knowledge is supreme. True knowledge is that by which all division is destroyed. The one, non-dual Śambhu is described in many ways by the wise—Indra, Mitra, Agni—because of the illusion of differences.” Hearing Agastya’s words, the sages sang hymns as they departed. Five journeyed to the northern Gaṅgā, and five to the southern. There, as instructed, they worshipped the deities, seated themselves properly, and absorbed their minds in contemplation of the truth. All the hosts of gods were pleased with their devotion, for the role of the creator had been established by the source of the universe at the beginning of the age—for the removal of unrighteousness, the establishment of the Vedas, the benefit of the worlds, and the attainment of dharma, desire, and wealth. When the true meaning of the Purāṇas, Smṛtis, Vedas, and Dharmaśāstras is determined, the desire for the role of creator arises; you will attain such a form. In time, they will become Prajāpatis, especially when unrighteousness arises and the Vedas are in decline. When the Vedas are in distress, future Vyāsas will be born among them—whenever dharma declines or the Veda wanes. Then, those Vyāsas will act for the welfare of all. The supreme bank of the Gaṅgā will be the place of their austerity. There, Śiva, Viṣṇu, Agastya, Āditya, Agni, and Water are always present in every form. Nothing is more purifying or superior than these; having attained those forms, it is the supreme Brahman. Śiva, the all-pervading one and essence of all beings, especially abides there, out of compassion for all creatures. Surrounded by all the gods, he bestows his grace at that place. Know those who perform such austerities as Dharma-Vyāsas and Veda-Vyāsas. That holy place is known by that name throughout the three worlds. Its waters wash away the mire of sin, dispel the darkness of delusion and pride, and grant all attainments to people—it is the unsurpassed Vyasa Tirtha. There is also a holy place called Vañjarāsaṃgama, renowned throughout the three worlds, ever served by sages, perfected beings, and royal seers. Once, Garuḍa, the mighty king of birds, found himself in servitude to the serpents. Distressed by the sorrow of serving his mother, he often reflected alone, sighing deeply, “Truly blessed are those who have performed meritorious deeds and are never subject to servitude. Only those who are free from the control of others are fortunate. They live happily, singing, sleeping, and laughing—blessed are the self-reliant. Shame, shame on those who remain under another’s power.” Overwhelmed by such thoughts, the great-minded Garuḍa, sorrowful, approached his mother and questioned her, “Mother, by whose fault—yours, my father’s, or mine—have you become a servant? Tell me the reason, for I am asking you.” His mother, the beloved younger brother of Aruṇa, replied, “There is no fault of anyone else; I have declared my own fault. She whose word is overturned becomes a servant—this I have stated. I, along with Kadrū, made a wager. By her deceit, I was defeated, and Kadrū became my mistress. Fate, my son, is powerful—what does it not bring about? Thus I became a servant to Kadrū, O son of Kaśyapa; and when I became a servant, you too became a servant, O twice-born one.” Hearing this, Garuḍa, deeply distressed, remained silent, pondering the course of destiny.