Let me tell you a wondrous tale from the sacred scriptures: It is said that one should praise Viṣṇu, the source of the universe, with a peaceful and joyful heart, for when he is pleased, he grants all that is desired. Harṣaṇa, having heard these words of dharma, made his way to the pure waters of the Gautamī. There, with reverence, he praised Hari, the lord of gods. Pleased by this devotion, Hari granted Harṣaṇa the welfare of his family, dispelled all misfortune, and blessed him, saying, “May welfare be yours.” From that time, Viṣṭi was known as auspicious, as was the father and his sons. The sacred place itself came to be called Bhadratīrtha, the auspicious ford. There, Hari, the lord of auspiciousness, bestows all blessings upon those who worship him. At that holy site, manifest as Janārdana, the god of gods, he grants every accomplishment to the devoted, for he alone is the repository of all that is auspicious. In that blessed land is also the Patatri Tīrtha, famed for destroying disease and sin. Even to hear of it brings fulfillment to a person. In days of old, two divine sons of Kaśyapa were born: Saṃpāti and Jaṭāyu, both illustrious in their lineage. They descended from Tārkṣya Prajāpati, whose sons were Aruṇa and Garuḍa. Saṃpāti, the best of birds, was born in this line, as was his younger brother, Jaṭāyu, who too became renowned. These two brothers, proud and strong, were filled with friendly rivalry. One day, they soared into the sky together, intending to bow to the sun. As they drew near the sun’s fierce radiance, their wings were scorched and they became exhausted, falling senseless upon a mountain summit. Aruṇa, overcome with sorrow for his fallen kinsmen, addressed Bhaskara, the Sun-god: “O blazing one, comfort these two before they perish.” The sun-god, moved by Aruṇa’s plea, revived Saṃpāti and Jaṭāyu. When Garuḍa heard of their plight, he quickly arrived in the company of Viṣṇu. Together, they comforted the birds and brought them happiness. Nārada and others too came, and all went to the banks of the sacred Gaṅgā to dispel their suffering. Thus, Jaṭāyu, Aruṇa, Saṃpāti, Garuḍa, Sūrya, and Viṣṇu all assembled at that holy place, which grants great merit. This place is known as Patatri Tīrtha—the ford of the birds—destroyer of poison and fulfiller of all desires. There, Sūrya, Viṣṇu, Garuḍa, and Aruṇa themselves reside. They dwell upon the bank of the Gautamī, as does the bull-bannered god Śiva. With these three deities present, the sacred place is supreme. One who bathes there, becomes pure, and bows to the gods is freed from all afflictions and ailments and attains the highest happiness. Another sacred spot is known as Vipra Tīrtha, also called Nārāyaṇa. Listen to its wondrous tale: Within the altar region lived a Brahmin, well-versed in the Vedas. His sons were wise, virtuous, beautiful, and compassionate. The youngest, Asandiva, was especially endowed with knowledge and intellect. As Asandiva’s father busied himself with arranging his son’s marriage, night fell, and Asandiva slept. At that moment, having forgotten Viṣṇu, the gentle-minded Asandiva was seized by a fierce, shape-shifting Rākṣasī. Swiftly, she carried him to the southern bank of the Gautamī, near the northern shore of Śrīgiri, a place frequented by Brahmins. There stood a city, abode of righteousness and Lakṣmī, ruled by King Bṛhatkīrti, who possessed all royal virtues. At the end of the night, the Rākṣasī, with the Brahmin’s son, reached this prosperous city, enchanting in its forms. Taking on various shapes, the Rākṣasī wandered the earth, and on the southern bank of the Godāvarī, she, now appearing aged, addressed Asandiva menacingly: “This is the Gaṅgā, O foremost of Brahmins. At dusk, let it be worshipped by the best Brahmins, as is proper. Yet, at the appointed hour, many do not diligently worship. Those who are low-born, as declared by the lords of the gods, are the best among outcastes. Say to them, ‘I am your mother, and you are my child.’ If you do not, you will meet your end. But if you do as I say, O twice-born, I will make you happy, do whatever pleases you, and return you to your land, your home, and your teachers. This I promise.” Confused, Asandiva asked, “Who are you?” Though a foremost Brahmin, he was bewildered by her magic. The Rākṣasī, skilled in deception, tried to win his trust with many oaths and said, “I am known everywhere as Kankalini.” Asandiva replied, “Whatever you have declared, I will do, without doubt. Whatever pleases you, I will say and do.” Hearing this, the Rākṣasī, though old, remained beautiful and adorned with divine ornaments. She took Asandiva everywhere, proclaiming, “This is my son, a repository of virtues.” People, seeing the handsome Brahmin youth and the old woman of apparent virtue, believed her to be his mother. In time, an excellent Brahmin, seeing Asandiva’s virtues, gave his own daughter in marriage to him, presenting the Rākṣasī as the foremost among them. The maiden, delighted with her virtuous husband, thought herself fulfilled. But Asandiva, seeing his wife’s virtues, was deeply troubled, thinking, “This Rākṣasī, evil in form, will surely devour me. What shall I do? Where shall I go? To whom shall I tell this? Who will save me from this great danger? My wife is auspicious, virtuous, beautiful, and youthful, yet even she, by some evil fate, will be devoured by the Rākṣasī.” Meanwhile, that formidable Rākṣasī, though old in form, had gone elsewhere at that time. Thus, the tale unfolds, revealing the power of sacred places, the blessings of the gods, and the trials faced by the virtuous.