Hearing the words spoken by the Rākṣasa, Śākalya was moved with compassion. Alongside him, Sarasvatī, the gracious bestower of boons, also spoke. Śākalya addressed the Rākṣasa, saying, “O lord of the Daityas, quickly offer praise to Janārdana; if you wish your desires fulfilled, there is no path but the praise of Nārāyaṇa.” Sarasvatī added, “Listen, O Rākṣasa: in this world, everything has its cause. The goddess is already pleased with you, and by my words, what you seek shall come to pass.” Accepting their guidance, Paraśur replied, “So be it.” He then bathed in the sacred Ganges, purifier of the three worlds. Cleansed and focused, he stood facing the holy river. There, as foretold by Śākalya, he beheld Sarasvatī herself—her form divine, adorned with celestial fragrance, sustaining the world. Paraśur saw her as the remover of ignorance, the mother of all, the ruler of the earth. With his heart humbled and his sins washed away, he approached her in reverence. Śākalya, the wise teacher, urged him: “Without delay, praise the creator. Through your devotion, may I too receive that divine power—do as I have instructed.” Sarasvatī responded, “So be it.” Blessed by her grace, Paraśur began to praise Janārdana. He offered many words of praise to Hari. Pleased by this devotion, Hari—the ocean of compassion—granted the Rākṣasa a boon, declaring, “Whatever is in your heart, O Rākṣasa, let it come to pass.” By the combined grace of Śākalya, Gautamī, Sarasvatī, and Narasiṃha, every blessing was bestowed upon him. Though Paraśur had been wicked, by the grace of all sacred places and the favor of the wielder of the Śārṅga bow, he ascended to heaven. From that time onward, the holy site became known as Sarasvata. Bathing and giving gifts there brought honor in the world of Vishnu. Many sacred tirthas arose on Mount Shveta, originating from Vaga, Vaishnava, Shakala, and Parashu. This place is called Chiccika, a holy site that destroys all diseases, removes anxieties, and brings complete peace to all who visit. Let me describe its true nature: it rests on that pure and excellent mountain, on the northern bank of the Ganga, where Gadadhara, the Lord with the mace, resides. There dwells Chiccika, king of birds, known as Bherunda—a flesh-eater who always resides on Mount Shveta. The mountain is adorned with flowers and fruits of every kind, served by trees blossoming in all seasons, attended by the foremost Brahmins, and beautified by the Gautami river. The area is alive with Siddhas, Charanas, Gandharvas, Kinnaras, and Apsaras. Nearby stands a mountain, a safe haven for creatures both two-footed and four-footed. Upon this mountain, surrounded by sages, there is no place for disease, suffering, hunger, thirst, anxiety, or death. In that region lived a ruler of the east named Pavamana, devoted to the warrior’s duties, prosperous, and a protector of gods and Brahmins. With great strength and accompanied by his priests, he entered the forest, enjoying the company of charming women, music, dance, and every pleasure. Armed with his bow and surrounded by hunters fond of the chase, he wandered the wilds until, growing weary, he approached a tree. This tree, rooted on the bank of the Gautami, was surrounded by many birds, revered like a householder sage who knows righteousness. Seeking shade beneath the chief of mountains, King Pavamana, along with his retinue, rested and gazed upon the splendid landscape. There, he saw a large, two-faced bird of striking beauty, lost in thought and weariness. Curious, the king questioned him: “Who are you, two-faced bird? You seem deeply troubled. No one here appears to suffer—why, then, are you grieved?” Slowly, with his mind somewhat calmed, the bird Chiccika sighed and replied to the king: “I have no fear of anyone, nor has anyone harmed me. This mountain is adorned with flowers and fruits and attended by sages. Yet, I see the mountain as empty, and so I grieve. I find no happiness, I am never satisfied, I cannot sleep or find rest or contentment anywhere.” The king, astonished at these words, asked, “Who are you? What sin have you committed? Why do you see this mountain as desolate? Here, all beings are satisfied with a single mouth—will you find no satisfaction even with two? What evil deed have you done in this birth, or perhaps in a previous one? Tell me the truth, and I will protect you from great fear.” Sighing deeply, the bird, who was in fact a brahmin named Ciccika, spoke: “I will tell you my former story, O Pavamana. Listen: I was once a foremost twice-born, accomplished in the Vedas and their branches. Born into a noble family and known for wisdom, I was a destroyer of duties, fond of quarrel, speaking one thing in front, another behind, and yet another among people. I was always distressed by others’ prosperity, deceiving the world with illusion, ungrateful, devoid of truth, and skilled in slandering others. I betrayed friends, masters, and teachers, practiced hypocrisy, was extremely cruel, and tormented many by thought, deed, and word. My only delight was in harming others, breaking pairs, destroying groups, and ever violating boundaries.” Thus, the story unfolds, revealing the sacredness of Sarasvata and Chiccika’s tale of past deeds and present suffering, set amidst the divine landscape of Mount Shveta.