All the sacred ponds of the earth and the supreme Gayā-tirtha are renowned among holy places, and the confluence where they meet has long been celebrated. It is here, too, that the auspicious tale of Shani’s birth has been told. But now, the question arises: how and by whom, and at what time, does the greatness of Purushottama—Lord Vishnu—manifest? And when did this sanctity arise in the blessed Mahakalavana? O dear one, listen: there is no river on earth to equal the Shipra. The Shipra is unique, for it is born in Vaikuntha itself—the celestial abode of the gods—and is famed as the destroyer of fever. In the Varaha Kalpa, it is even called ‘Vishnu’s body,’ so great is its holiness. Let me briefly recount the auspicious story of the Shipra. Mahadeva, pure and all-pervading, is present in every world. Once, the mighty Shiva, seeking alms but not yet having received any, journeyed to Vaikuntha. For many days he had wandered, hungry and intent on defying the world, his heart burning with anger. In his hand he carried a skull, and with it he repeatedly begged for alms. After speaking thus, he raised his hand and placed his index finger upon it. Suddenly, from that finger, a great stream of blood began to flow. The stream welled up and poured forth, and in Vaikuntha itself there immediately appeared a river—one that would purify the three worlds. This river, the Shipra, was thus born, and as it destroys fever, so I, Vyasa, declare its glory. In those days, the lord of the Daityas fought fiercely, unrestrained and mocking. Angered by his defiance, Vasudeva—Lord Krishna—swiftly took up his discus. The Daitya’s resolve was broken, his faults cut off, and wounded by many sores, he became terrified and drew near. In the ensuing battle, Krishna cut off the thousand arms of the Daitya king. As he stood unmoving, Vyasa, Maheshvara—Shiva—arrived at that very place. There, Krishna and Maheshvara came together and engaged in a fierce battle. Krishna, intent on victory, readied the Vaishnava weapon, determined to destroy Hara. At the same time, Shambhu too prepared his own weapon, eager to take Krishna’s life. Krishna released a stupefying missile upon Shiva, who stood on the battlefield, yawning repeatedly for a short while. Then, overpowered by anger, Maheshvara created a fever—a being with three eyes, three heads, short stature, three legs, and a terrifying form. Urged on by Shiva, this fever attacked Krishna’s army, breaking their ranks and causing the foremost warriors to flee in terror. Struck by the fever, they were afflicted, yawning and tormented by pain. Seeing his followers thus suffering, Krishna, greatly enraged, created the Vaishnava fever—a force even more dreadful. A terrible battle arose between the two fevers, and they raged throughout all the worlds, finding no peace anywhere. At last, both fevers plunged into the Shipra river—and there, in her sacred waters, they attained supreme peace. The Vaishnava fever, too, arriving there, performed immersion and was pacified. From that time onward, at all times, the Shipra instantly became the destroyer of fevers. Thus, those who immerse themselves in the Shipra with a focused mind are freed from all ailments. Such is the glory of the sacred Shipra, the river born from the divine, bestowing health and liberation on all who seek her.