With joyful hearts, the gods began their journey toward the great river, obeying the command given to them. At the same time, accompanied by her companions, the goddess prepared herself to travel eastward. Among all the rivers, Sarasvatī was recognized as the foremost. It was believed that even the wild animals who drank the waters of the Eastern Sarasvatī would ascend to heaven, just as the most virtuous among the twice-born attained heaven through sacrifice. This Eastern Sarasvatī was revered as a wish-fulfilling gem, the very source of the fulfillment of desires. After gazing toward the southern direction, Sarasvatī turned to face the west. She then spoke to Gaṅgā, saying, “Go to the eastern direction, O goddess. Do not forget me, and return as you came.” At this point, Bhīṣma spoke up, asking, “How was Rāma instructed by Mārkaṇḍeya here? When and how did their meeting occur, O sage? Who is Mārkaṇḍeya’s father? How was this great ascetic born? Tell me his lineage and true name, O great sage.” Pulastya replied, “I will recount the origin of Mārkaṇḍeya. In a former age, there lived a renowned sage named Mṛkaṇḍu, the greatly fortunate son of Bhṛgu. He dwelled in the forest with his wife, practicing severe austerities. There, a son was born to him. When the boy was only five years old, still a child, he excelled in virtues. One day, a wise man saw the boy wandering in the yard. After spending a long time there, the sage discerned the boy’s destined purpose. Mṛkaṇḍu, eager to know his son’s fate, asked the wise man about the length of the boy’s life. ‘Tell me the number of years—whether few or many—of his lifespan,’ Mṛkaṇḍu requested. The wise man replied, ‘The Creator has set your son’s lifespan at six months, O lord of sages. Do not grieve—this is truly declared.’ Hearing these words, Mṛkaṇḍu performed the initiation ceremony for his son. He instructed the boy, ‘Greet the sages.’ Obediently, the young Mārkaṇḍeya joyfully offered his salutations to all, unaware of distinctions of caste, greeting everyone he met. Five months and twenty-five days had passed. Then, by that path, the seven sages arrived. The boy saw them and greeted each one. The sages blessed him, saying, ‘May you live long.’ Observing that his life was nearly spent—only five days remained—they became concerned and took the boy to Brahma. Arriving before Grandfather Brahma, they bowed and explained everything, greeting him respectfully. In the presence of the sages, Brahma declared that the boy would have a long life. Hearing this, the sages were pleased. Brahma, filled with wonder at the sight of the sages, asked, ‘For what purpose have you come, and who is this boy? Explain to me.’ The sages replied, ‘This is Mṛkaṇḍu’s son, whose lifespan is brief. Please grant him a long life.’ Though the boy was short-lived, the sage had performed his investiture, given him the sacred thread and staff, and instructed him, ‘Whomever you see wandering on earth, O boy, you must greet them with respect.’ Thus, Mārkaṇḍeya became accustomed to greeting elders during pilgrimage, guided by divine arrangement. The sages told Brahma, ‘We have blessed the boy to be long-lived. How can our words be true along with yours?’ Brahma responded, ‘This earth is established by the truth of speech in every way.’ Brahma then declared, ‘The boy Mārkaṇḍeya shall have a lifespan equal to mine; at the beginning and end of the kalpa, so I consider, O best of sages.’ Having accomplished their purpose, the sages sent the boy back to earth. The brahmins continued their pilgrimage, and Mārkaṇḍeya returned home. After their departure, he spoke to his father, saying, ‘I was taken to Brahma’s world by the sages who know Brahman. I have been made long-lived, granted boons, and released. These blessings and others have been given to me, dispelling your anxiety. At the beginning and end of the kalpa, I shall exist continuously. By the grace of Brahma, the creator of the worlds, O father, I will go to Pushkara, intent on performing austerities. There I will worship Grandfather Brahma, lord of the gods, who grants all desires and removes adversities. I will please Brahma, the giver of all happiness, the refuge of Indra and the others, Grandfather of all the worlds.’ Hearing these words, the eminent sage Mṛkaṇḍu was filled with supreme joy, and for a moment, he breathed deeply. Composing his mind with courage and a cheerful heart, he said, ‘Today my birth is fulfilled, and my life has been well-lived. Through you, my son and heir, I have become a bearer of the lineage, for you have seen the creator of all worlds, the Grandfather. Go now and behold the Lord of gods, Brahma, who dwells at Pushkara. Having seen the Lord of the universe, there is neither old age nor death.