Thus, when Ciccika, the twice-born sage, had spoken, the king led him with reverence to behold that divine being and the sacred Gaṅgā. Standing before the holy river, Ciccika entered her purifying waters—Gaṅgā, the sanctifier of all three worlds. For, as the scriptures declare, so long as a person has not gazed upon you, O Gaṅgā, O Gautamī, purifier of the worlds, he is deemed sinful both in this life and the next. With humility, Ciccika prayed, “Therefore, O best among rivers, though I am full of faults, lift me up! In this world of embodied souls, there is no other path but you, sprung from the lotus feet of Viṣṇu.” Filled with faith and a purified mind, he sought refuge in Gaṅgā alone, bathing in her waters while inwardly repeating, “O Gaṅgā, protect me.” After his ablutions, Ciccika bowed to Gadādhara, while the mountain-dwellers looked on. Granted permission by Pavamāna, he immediately ascended to heaven. Pavamāna himself, accompanied by his followers, returned to his own city. From that time, the holy place became known as Pāvamāna. The learned in the Vedas recognize Gadādhara as Koṭitīrtha, a site where every act performed yields results multiplied millions of times. This place is also called Bhadratīrtha, renowned as the remover of all misfortunes, the pacifier of all sins, and the bestower of profound peace. Now, hear of the families of the gods. Uṣā, the virtuous wife of Tvaṣṭṛ, is beloved of Āditya. Chāyā, too, is wife to Savitṛ, and their son is Śanaiścara. Viṣṭi, his sister, was of fearsome and sinful form. Savitṛ pondered to whom he could give this daughter in marriage. But, hearing of her terrifying appearance, the people said, “What shall we do with such a wife?” As time passed and no suitor came, Viṣṭi sorrowfully spoke to her father. “A father who gives his young daughter to a worthy man attains fulfillment in this world; if not, he is considered sinful. Between her fourth and tenth year, the father should carefully arrange her marriage. A maiden should be given to a suitor who is prosperous, learned, youthful, of noble family and reputation, and well-guarded. If a father acts otherwise, he is condemned to hell. Even among the learned, giving a maiden in marriage is the highest righteousness, O Bhāskara. For those foolish fathers, overwhelmed by desire, hell awaits. On one side, the whole earth with its mountains and forests; on the other, a well-adorned, unblemished maiden—whoever sells a maiden, or even a horse, cow, or sesame seeds, finds no atonement in Raurava or any other hell. The sin of trading a maiden in marriage is beyond description. As long as she is innocent and plays in the dust, so long should the maiden be married; else, her parents fall to a lower state. The son is the very form of the father; the father is reflected in the son. Who would not wish happiness for his own child? Whatever a father gives, honors, or does for his daughter is imperishable, leading to endless merit. Who would not bring happiness to sons and grandsons? Whoever brings joy to maidens gains prosperity.” Thus Bhāskara addressed his argumentative daughter Viṣṭi: “What can I do? No one accepts you, for you have a terrifying appearance. Lineage, beauty, age, wealth, learning, conduct, and character—we possess all these, but not yours, O auspicious one. What can I do? Where can I give you? You reproach me in vain—why?” Having thus spoken, Bhāskara said again, “If you consent, O Viṣṭi, I will give you today to whomever you choose. Approve me for this.” Viṣṭi replied, “A husband, sons, wealth, happiness, lifespan, beauty, and affection all arise from one’s previous actions. Whatever good or bad deeds a being has done before, their results are surely experienced, even in another life. The father must always avoid his own fault, for the fruit will be as the conduct was. Thus, the father establishes the marriage according to his own lineage; the rest is determined by fate—what is destined will happen.” Hearing these words, Tvaṣṭṛ gave his fearsome daughter Viṣṭi, who terrified the world, in marriage to his son Viśvarūpa. Viśvarūpa too was frightening in appearance, and as they lived together, their forms and natures matched. Sometimes there was affection between them, sometimes discord. They had a son named Gaṇḍa, and another called Ati-gaṇḍa. The youngest, Dharṣaṇa, was red-eyed, wrathful, wasteful, and ill-tempered, yet he alone became a recipient of merit. One son, virtuous, fortunate, peaceful, pure-minded, and clean, once went to visit his maternal uncle in the abode of Yama. There, he saw many beings—some suffering, some as if in heaven. After bowing in respect, he questioned his maternal uncle about the eternal law: “Father, who are those happy ones, and who are those being cooked in hell?