The kingdom, its treasury, army, and every treasure once belonging to Pramati passed entirely into the hands of Citraseṇa. Yet, Pramati’s son, Sumati, though still a child, spoke with remarkable strength and clarity to the wise priest Viśvāmitra, known also as Madhucchandas. With deep concern, Sumati asked, “What sin did my father commit? Where is that great-minded one now bound? How will he return to his own place? How can he be freed from these bonds?” Hearing Sumati’s earnest words, Madhucchandas, the foremost of sages, reflected and then revealed Pramati’s fate: “Your father, O wise one, sits bound in the world of the gods. Deprived of his kingdom by many deceptions and faults, he has fallen.” The sage continued, “Whoever enters the assembly of gamblers partakes in suffering. Gambling, drinking, meat-eating, and such ruinous habits lead only to misfortune, O prince. Indeed, only those with sinful natures are born to sinful acts; each of these leads to misfortune, sin, and hell. Through chariots, seats, speech, and other means, those who follow deceit corrupt even noble families—what then of gamblers themselves? The wife of a gambler suffers constantly, and the gambler himself, sinful, suffers whenever he sees a woman. Seeing her, joyless, he who acts wickedly always laments: ‘Alas, in this cycle of existence, there is no sinner equal to me.’ A gambler who has lost all worldly pleasure is never happy, neither in this world nor the next. He always appears thus: his mind burned by shame, bereft of virtue, joyless, his pride consumed, wandering about.” Madhucchandas advised, “For those twice-born, occupations free from deceit are esteemed. Agriculture, cattle-keeping, and trade may be pursued—but never with deception. Whoever seeks wealth through deceitful means is deprived of virtue, prosperity, pleasure, and noble lineage by his own actions. Even in the Veda, such acts are condemned; your father regarded them so. Therefore, what has been spoken must be followed, dear one. Who among the wise can surpass the path ordained by the Creator?” Upon hearing these words, Sumati asked, “What should my father Pramati do so that he may regain the kingdom?” After thoughtful reflection, Madhuchhanda replied, “Go to Gautami, dear one. There, worship Śaṃkara, Aditi, Varuṇa, and Viṣṇu. By their grace, you will be released from the bonds.” Sumati accepted the sage’s counsel, saying, “So be it.” He quickly journeyed to the Ganges, bowed to Janārdana, worshipped Śaṃbhu, and practiced austerity with disciplined vows. For one thousand years, Sumati performed these austerities, and by his devotion, he freed his father from the bonds of the gods and restored the kingdom to him. Released from bondage by the grace of Śiva and Īśa, Pramati received his kingdom from his son, gained the knowledge of the Gandharvas, and became dear to Indra. From that time onward, the Śaṃbhu, Vaiṣṇava, and Urvaśī tīrthas became known as the Kaitava tīrtha. By the grace of Śiva, Viṣṇu, and the mother of rivers, there is nothing unattainable at this holy place. Bathing and giving there grant abundant merit, release from sinful bonds, and destroy all misfortune. Now, the Samudra tīrtha is proclaimed, granting the fruit of all tīrthas. Its nature will be described; listen, O Nārada, with focused mind. Released by Gautama, the Ganges—destroyer of sins—flowed toward the eastern ocean for the benefit of the worlds. The divine river, held in a water-pot, was carried by myself upon my head, and by Śaṃbhu, the supreme soul. Born from the feet of Viṣṇu, Gaṅgā was brought to the mortal realm by the great-souled brāhmaṇa, and by remembrance alone destroys sins. Upon seeing the most venerable ocean, the teacher pondered what should be done; she who is worthy of worship by the lords of the world, honored by Brahma and Īśa. “If I do not go to her, it would be a violation of righteousness,” he thought, “for one who, out of delusion, does not attend upon a great soul who has come, is at fault. For such a sinner, there is no protector in either world.” Having considered thus, the Lord of Jewels, humble and embodied, with joined palms, addressed Gaṅgā, the queen of rivers: “Whether the water is in the netherworld, on earth, or in the sky, let it enter me alone here; I will not say anything further. Within me are jewels, nectar, mountains, Rākṣasas, and Asuras; I bear all these and other fearsome beings as well. Within me, Viṣṇu, joined with Lakṣmī, always sleeps; for me, nothing among the moving or unmoving is impossible. One who, out of pride, does not rise to greet a great one who has arrived, falls away from righteousness and attains hell. I do not feel any fatigue from bearing them, except for the defeat by Agastya; but you, in your greatness, surpass even these, and so do I.” Then he said, “O goddess Gaṅgā: come to me in equality and union; I am not able to join with you in many forms. O goddess, you shall come together with me, and I will unite with you, not otherwise. Gaṅgā, if you come in many forms, then consider this.” To him, the Lord of Waters who thus spoke, Gaṅgā, the goddess Gautamī, replied, “Do this as I say.