To the mighty destroyer of the three cities, to the great Time itself, the slayer of Andhaka and many others; to the Lord adorned with a serpent as his sacred thread and a garland of Rudras; to the one whose eyes are fire, moon, and sun—who is beyond the grasp of mind and speech; to Śambhu, who dwells upon Kailāsa and has made the Himālayan peaks his hermitage—the following events unfolded. Śiva, the auspicious one, addressed Soma, the Moon, saying, “Choose a boon, O auspicious one—whatever desire abides in your heart.” Soma, with devotion, requested, “Grant the cherished wish of those devotees who worship this liṅga.” The Lord of the gods replied, “Especially in this holy place of yours, from today onward, O protector of cows, another supreme form of mine will certainly reside here—of this, there is no doubt. I will grant you boons, O auspicious one, that are difficult even for the gods to obtain. Together with Viṣṇu, I have deliberated, O treasure of arts, and we have resolved: Of the two mountains here, the stones known as Viṣṇu-śilā and Śiva-śilā—may a boon be granted to Revā, who has wished, ‘May I have a son like you.’” “In the form of a liṅga, O goddess, with Gaṇeśa at the forefront, you are known as my other form, O auspicious one, as the water-formed manifestation (jalamayī). Thus, having received this boon, Revā came here into my presence.” Long ago, the river Gaṇḍakī also performed severe austerities for ten thousand years, O wise one. For a hundred divine years, she practiced penance, meditating upon Viṣṇu with unwavering devotion. Pleased, the compassionate Lord who cherishes his devotees spoke to her with sweet words, “With steadfast devotion, choose a boon, O virtuous one.” Long ago, Gaṇḍakī beheld Viṣṇu, the bearer of the conch, discus, and mace. She exclaimed, “Ah, O Lord, I have seen you, who are difficult even for yogis to behold. Then you entered me, and thus you are called Puruṣa. That Brahman, without beginning or end, infinite as proclaimed in the Vedas—that supreme power, remembered as the primal mother of the world, is truly yours. The Puruṣa is without qualities, unmanifest, whose nature is pure consciousness and is stainless. Having entered your own yogic power, you have attained the state of being the agent. Even as this world is created by the interplay of the three qualities, it is not otherwise. Just as a red hibiscus flower appears in a clear crystal, so too do you pervade all things. Even Brahmā and other wise ones do not truly know you as you are. In this deluded world stands one who knows but little. Therefore, greatness in the world is sought only by your grace. You are compassionate to the afflicted—do not deny me, O Lord.” The compassionate Lord said, “Therefore, O beautiful-hipped one, ask for a boon—even that which is ordinarily unattainable, in every way. Who, having obtained my presence, could have any wish left unfulfilled?” With joined palms, bowing down, Gaṇḍakī spoke sweet words: “O Viṣṇu, enter my womb and become my son.” The Lord considered the wish of the river, ever eager for his company, and, out of compassion, he resolved in his mind to grant it. Assuming the form of the sacred Shalagrama stone, Viṣṇu entered her womb, thus fulfilling her heart’s desire.