Vinatā, the gentle mother of Garuḍa, addressed her illustrious son, the mighty lord of birds. With warmth and wisdom, she counseled Garuḍa, “My son, this is not the proper way. It is fitting to act with humility, not with pride or display. Words spoken in haste or arrogance are not appropriate, and to reverse what is right is never suitable.” She continued, “The virtuous should never resort to deceit, not even against their enemies. Just as the moon shines impartially upon the learned and the outcaste alike, so too should we act with fairness. Those who cannot act openly, my son, cause harm by trickery; base men, lacking the strength to act directly, try to impose their will by force.” With her heart set on peace, Vinatā then turned to Kadrū, the mother of serpents, and spoke with humility, “Tell me, Kadrū, what should I do to bring peace to your sons? Old age has gripped them—show me the way, and I will do what is needed to bring them relief.” Kadrū replied, “If my sons are anointed with water from Rasātala, then peace will come to them.” Hearing these words, Vinatā acted swiftly. She brought the water from Rasātala and anointed the serpents with it. At that moment, Garuḍa addressed Maghavān, the mighty Indra, wielder of a hundred sacrifices, and said, “Let the clouds pour rain here, for the welfare of the three worlds.” Obeying this wish, the rain-god showered down rain, and well-being returned to the serpents. The water from Rasātala, born of the sacred Ganges, revived them, restoring their youth and vigor. The place where Garuḍa brought this water for the destruction of old age and sorrow, where the serpents were anointed, became known as the abode of serpents. This water from Rasātala, which Garuḍa brought, is none other than the holy Ganges water, renowned for destroying all sins. Because it removed the old age of the serpents, this water, born of the Ganges, came to be celebrated as the “reviver of serpents.” For the destruction of old age and sorrow, on the southern bank of the Ganges, the river Vaṃjarā arose, carrying directly the essence of immortality. The Ganges, which emerged from Rasātala and removes the pain of old age, poverty, and suffering, is the same sacred river that appeared in the world of mortals. What more can be said of the place where these two sacred rivers meet? Even by remembering it, heaps of sins are destroyed. Who can truly describe the fruit of bathing and giving gifts at that confluence? The wise say there are a hundred thousand holy places there. Nowhere else is there a tirtha equal to the confluence with Vaṃjarā, which grants all prosperity and destroys all sins; even remembrance of it dispels calamities. There is also a holy place called Devāgama, which fulfills all desires and brings well-being, granting both enjoyment and liberation to people, and satisfaction to their ancestors. O Nārada, listen as I recount to you, with care, the events that took place there. A great rivalry arose between the gods and the asuras over wealth. Heaven belonged to the gods, while the asuras held sway over the earth. Having seized the realm of action, the asuras were everywhere. The asuras then killed those who offered sacrifices to the gods, depriving the deities of their shares in the sacred rites. Distressed by this loss, the gods approached me and asked, “What should be done?” I told them, “Defeat the asuras by force in battle, and you shall regain the earth, your rites, your offerings, and your fame.” Encouraged, the gods departed, eager for battle. The Daityas, Dānavas, and Rākṣasas, proud of their strength, also united, intent on victory. Among their leaders were Ahi, Vṛtra, Bali, Tvaṣṭṛ, Namuci, Śambara, and Maya, along with many other mighty warriors. The gods—Agni, Indra, Varuṇa, Tvaṣṭṛ, Pūṣan, the Aśvins, the Maruts, and the guardians of the worlds—also prepared for war, each skilled in their own weapons and ways. The Dānavas gathered in the southern ocean, exerting themselves greatly in battle, facing toward the southern direction. Trikūṭa, the foremost of mountains, was once the city of the Rākṣasas, and through that forest, all the asuras marched to the southern ocean. There, on Mount Malaya, all assembled. That region became the meeting place of the enemies of the gods. On the bank of the Gautamī river, Śiva himself was present among the gods, and so the hosts of gods gathered there. Mounted on their own chariots, the gods assembled at various places with pure intentions, on the sandy banks of the Gautamī. The gracious goddess, who grants desired boons to all ancestors, was praised, and after honoring the great god Maheśvara, the hosts of gods began to contemplate their safety together. They wondered among themselves, “What means is there for us, forcibly defeated by our enemies? For us, there is only one good—either victory or death. For the noble, life under the power of rivals is contemptible.” At that very moment, O son, a bodiless voice was heard: “Enough of distress, O hosts of gods! Quickly go to the Gautamī. With devotion, worship Hari and Hara, the two Lords, there. By their grace on the Godāvarī, what is difficult to attain?” Thus, with Hari and Īśa pleased, the gods attained the victory they desired, and, protecting the dwellers of heaven, they went forth everywhere. The place where the assembly of the gods took place became renowned as Devāgama. The seers who know the truth praise Devāgama, for there, O Nārada, are eighty thousand liṅgas of Śiva. That mountain is called Devāgama and is also known as Priya, the beloved. From then on, that holy place has been known as dear to the gods.