By the favor of the sacred place, let your fame be spread far and wide upon the earth. Whoever bathes here with proper devotion will ascend to the world of Agni, the Fire-god. If a person, with full concentration, offers sesame at this holy spot, the act brings great merit. At this very place, the blessed Fire-god resumed his divine activity as before, restoring the sanctity and potency of the tirtha. Furthermore, anyone who recites the glories of this site each day upon rising in the morning attains the highest spiritual state. Even by merely hearing this account, one is freed from the sins accumulated day and night. It is said that where a man bathes properly at this tirtha, he is released even from the grievous sin of killing a Brahmin. In ancient times, there was a king named Indrasena, a ruler of the earth, whose devoted wife Sunanda lived solely for him, steadfast in her affection and virtue. In the course of time, fate befell King Indrasena and his family. The king was slain in battle, and his conqueror seized much wealth before departing for his own home. A messenger was sent with instructions: “Go and tell Sunanda that Indrasena has been killed in battle. If she, radiant and steadfast, resolves firmly to follow him in death, so be it.” Thus addressed, the messenger departed at once. Upon hearing these words, Sunanda, her face adorned with a gentle smile, prepared herself. When Sunanda, adorned with virtue, passed from this world, something remarkable occurred: a witness saw a second shadow above her body. This shadow was devoid of radiance, foul-smelling, and discolored—a sign of spiritual taint. Afflicted by destruction, grief, and deep sorrow, the witness lamented pitifully. On the advice of Brahmins, he undertook another journey, traveling to Varanasi and giving generous charity there. He visited the Kapalamocana tirtha, famed for destroying all sins. Yet, even at this sacred place, the second shadow did not leave him. Undeterred, he journeyed to the Pushkara forest, then to Amarakantaka, and onward to Prabhāsa, Soma’s holy place, and Kṛmijāṅgala. He wandered further to Rudrakoṭi, to Virūpākṣa, and then to Pañcanada, roaming the earth until he became weary from his long search for purification. After a thousand years had passed, his wanderings brought him to Mount Arbuda. There, he encountered groups of ascetics and learned brāhmaṇas accomplished in the Vedas. On that very mountain, he arrived at the holy place called Raktānubandha. There, at last, the second shadow—which arises from the sin of killing a woman—was nowhere to be seen. The foul smell vanished, his radiance grew greatly, and bards praised him in every direction as he prepared to return home. But as he crossed beyond Raktānubandha and Soma’s sacred place, the second shadow reappeared upon his body. Stricken with sorrow, he immediately returned to Raktānubandha. Recognizing the great sanctity of this holy site, the foremost of kings gave generous gifts to the best of brāhmaṇas and entered the sacred fire in a final act of purification. In that moment, he ascended a celestial chariot and cast off his mortal body, attaining the world of Śiva. Thus, it is said, among all holy places, Raktānubandha stands supreme and most purifying. From that time onward, this tirtha became renowned throughout the earth, celebrated as Raktānubandha. Whoever bathes there at the sun’s crossing, or performs śrāddha for the ancestors in Gayā, gains the highest spiritual benefit, their sins washed away and their path to liberation made clear.