When the venerable sage arrived, King Raghu received him with utmost respect, performing all the prescribed rites using vessels of simple clay, as befitting the occasion. The great sage, well-versed in the power of words, observed these humble yet sincere arrangements for worship and, moved by Raghu’s devotion, addressed him with gentle and pleasing words. It was known that Raghu had already given away all his possessions, solely to fulfill the fee owed to his preceptor. After a brief moment of meditation, Raghu, with hands joined in reverence and humility, spoke: “O revered one, as long as I am able, I will strive with all my might for your sake.” With this resolve, Raghu set out, intent on conquering Kubera, the lord of wealth. As Raghu approached, Kubera, having been forewarned, understood his purpose. At that very place, a miraculous shower of gold descended, revealing the most excellent of gold mines. Raghu offered this wondrous mine to the sage, reporting all that had transpired to the king, including the superior quality of the discovery. This gold mine was said to grant swiftly the fulfillment of one’s heart’s desires. It was declared that this site would remain a supreme holy place, forever removing all sins. An annual festival was established to be observed there on the twelfth day of the bright half of the month of Vaiśākha. Having accomplished his purpose, Raghu, eager to fulfill his obligation, returned to the hermitage of his teacher. The king, his task complete, gathered the remaining wealth. Thus, the greatness of the gold mine was revealed by the eminent sage. Meanwhile, Viśvāmitra, filled with anger, addressed his disciple Kautsa, who was in a state of distress. Kautsa had repeatedly requested a difficult-to-obtain object as his honorarium. Viśvāmitra, foremost among sages and endowed with divine knowledge, undertook severe austerities in his own hermitage. One day, the sage Durvāsas, afflicted by hunger, arrived at the hermitage and called out loudly, “Give quickly pure and hot rice-milk to the one tormented by hunger, O Brāhmaṇa!” Hearing these words, Viśvāmitra promptly and carefully attended to his guest. As Viśvāmitra rose to serve him, Durvāsas gazed at him and said, “O best of Brāhmaṇas, endure for a moment until I return after bathing.” With these words, Durvāsas departed to his own hermitage. Viśvāmitra, steadfast in his austerities, remained unmoved, like a mountain. Kautsa, ever devoted to his vows, continued to serve his teacher faithfully. When Durvāsas returned, purified, he received the hospitality offered. After the eminent sage departed, Viśvāmitra, a treasure of ascetic power, addressed his disciple: “Let the honorarium be requested. Your service itself is the honorarium; return home, O observer of vows.” Yet Kautsa, earnest and persistent, continued to request the traditional honorarium from his teacher. Finally, Viśvāmitra instructed, “Gather fourteen measures of gold.” Thus directed, Kautsa reflected and then approached his teacher, seeking clarification: “Thus spoken by you, O best of sages, in response to what you have asked again.” Viśvāmitra then revealed, “In the southern direction, there is a sacred junction, frequented by the accomplished. There, O illustrious one, after bathing, people become free from impurity; the righteous, having bathed there with discipline, attain merit. Whoever gives gold and similar gifts to a Brahmin learned in the Vedas at the renowned confluence of the Tilodaki and Sarasvati rivers, and whoever, having fasted, satisfies the Brahmins, and whoever remains with one meal a day for a month, observing discipline there—all these attain great merit.” Thus, through the actions of kings, sages, and disciples, the sacredness of giving, austerity, and holy places was upheld, their greatness revealed for the benefit of all who seek righteousness.