Hear now the story as it unfolds, O wise one. It is said that when a man addresses a woman as ‘mother,’ she is to be revered as such, and any union with her is a grievous sin. The very thread of life for one who commits such an act is cut short. In fact, union with one’s own mother brings a fault that is four times more severe than other sins. The consequence for such a transgression is dire indeed: the sinner falls into the dreadful Kumbhīpāka hell, and remains there for as many ages as there are of Brahmā himself. The torments of that hell are described as terrible—its wheel spins round like a potter’s wheel, its edge is sharp like a sword, and it is infested with worms, hot and molten as fire, like a spear. Such is the extent of the sin for a man who unites with his teacher’s wife. Now, Ghṛtācī, celestial nymph, once declared, “Today I will go to the abode of Kāma, to that lover’s beloved.” When Viśvakarman, the divine artisan, heard these words from Ghṛtācī, anger arose in him. In his wrath, he cursed her with a terrible curse. After speaking with Viśvakarman, Ghṛtācī departed for Kāma’s abode. By the will of Kāma and the cowherd, she was soon born in Bhārata, the earthly realm. She was born with full memory of her past life, and, taking up the path of asceticism, she became an ascetic. She performed severe austerities, and her body shone with the radiance of heated gold. By the power of Viśvakarman, the artisan of the gods, she bore nine sons. At this, Śaunaka, the sage, asked, “Where did she give birth to these nine sons, and after how many days?” The Sūta replied: Overcome by grief, Viśvakarman went to the abode of Brahmā. There, after bowing and praising Brahmā, he recounted the entire story. That very brāhmaṇa, having been born on earth, became an artisan once more. He made crafts for everyone, everywhere, always—wondrous, various, astonishing, and delightful works. Once, at Prayāga, after completing a craft for the king, he saw Ghṛtācī in her new ascetic form—young and radiant. At the sight of her, desire arose in him; he became bewildered and lost his senses. The brāhmaṇa, who was Viśvakarman himself, spoke to her: “Think not of me in that way, O slender-waisted one; I am Viśvakarman. I shall grant you release from your curse; seek me, O beautiful one.” Hearing these words, Ghṛtācī, now in her new form as a cowherdess, replied: “How could I be united with you here, on the sacred banks of the Gaṅgā in Bhārata? O Viśvakarman, this Bhārata is a land sacred for action. Birth here is gained as the fruit of asceticism by the righteous, for the sake of liberation. She whom the goddess Nārāyaṇī, sovereign of illusion, is pleased with—she alone attains birth here. Whoever, deluded and attached to sense objects, is born in Bhārata—such is their fate. I remember everything, O gods; I am one who recalls past births. I perform austerities for the sake of liberation on the supremely holy bank of the Gaṅgā. Whatever sin is committed elsewhere is destroyed in the Gaṅgā. And even that is destroyed by austerity in the holy place of Nārāyaṇa.” Hearing Ghṛtācī’s words, Viśvakarman, swift and subtle as the wind, took her to the delightful valley of Malaya. There, upon a charming bed of flowers, fragrant with the breeze carrying the scents of blossoms and sandalwood, he enjoyed union with her in the secluded forest. From that passionate union, Ghṛtācī became full with an exceedingly heavy pregnancy. O Śaunaka, she, endowed with knowledge and skilled in all the arts and crafts, prepared to bring forth her sons.