Desiring to protect the ocean and ensure the welfare of all the worlds, the eminent sage Agastya resolved to perform a most extraordinary deed. He proclaimed, “For the good of all beings, I shall drink up the very abode of Varuna—the ocean itself.” Having declared his intention, Maitrāvaruṇi, his companion, urged that whatever preparations needed to be made should be done swiftly, and then proceeded ahead. With righteous anger and a steadfast heart, Agastya began to drink the vast ocean as all the worlds looked on in astonishment. Witnessing this awe-inspiring act, the gods, led by Indra, were struck with deepest wonder. They praised Agastya, honoring him as their protector and creator, the sustainer of the worlds, saying, “By your grace, the universe attains its highest state.” As Agastya was honored by the gods, the chief Gandharvas sang his praises, and showers of divine flowers rained down upon him. Under his power, the mighty ocean was rendered completely dry. Seeing the ocean emptied of its waters, the gods rejoiced exceedingly. Seizing their divine weapons, they set forth with undaunted spirit and slew the Danavas—those mighty, swift, and roaring demons who could not withstand the force of the powerful celestials. Though the Danavas fought back fiercely, filling the air with terrifying cries and tumultuous battle for a brief moment, they were no match for the gods. Their strength, already diminished by the fiery austerities of purified sages, failed them, and they were destroyed. The battlefield shone with the bodies of the slain Danavas, adorned with golden ornaments, earrings, and armlets, lying resplendent like blossoming kimshuka trees. Yet, some of the Danavas, the foremost among the sons of Kālaya, managed to escape by tearing open the earth goddess herself and taking refuge in the subterranean realms. With their enemies vanquished, the gods once again turned to Agastya, the foremost among sages, and offered him heartfelt praise: “By your grace, O highly fortunate one, the worlds have attained great happiness. By your power, the mighty and terrible Kālīyas have been destroyed. O great sage, replenisher of the worlds, restore the ocean—release again into it the water that you drank.” Agastya, venerable among sages, replied, “That water has already been digested by me; let another means be considered.” He advised the gods to undertake efforts themselves to refill the ocean. Hearing this, the gods were astonished and disheartened. After respectfully taking leave of Agastya, all the assembled people and brahmins departed as they had come. The gods, together with Viṣṇu, followed Brahmā, the Grandfather, and gathered to deliberate on how to restore the ocean. With joined palms, they discussed the replenishment of the sea. Then Brahmā, the Grandfather of the worlds, addressed them: “Go, all you gods, as you wish and as you desire. In due course, the ocean will return to its natural state. But it will be King Bhagiratha, moved by the plight of his ancestors, who will again fill the ocean with the stream of the Ganges.” At Brahmā’s command, the gods and the best of sages departed. Pleased, Brahmā spoke to Agastya: “By your deeds, the task of the gods—the destruction of the Danavas—has been accomplished. The gods have been delivered by you, and I am truly pleased. Ask for any boon you desire, and I shall grant it.” With deep reverence, Agastya replied, “O Lord, this task for the gods has been accomplished by me while residing here. May my hermitage become the foremost of all hermitages, just as you have declared.” Brahmā granted his wish, saying: “Those who, after making pilgrimage to Puṣkara, come here and bathe in these pools, offering libations to the ancestors and gods, and perform worship here, will gain inexhaustible merit. Those who offer arghya, whether great or small, and cakes of rice and barley to the foremost brahmins, will dwell in heaven, and their ancestors will be satisfied until the very dissolution of the cosmos. Whoever, even with simple roots, fruits, or tubers, satisfies a sage here will reach the abode of the Seven Sages and rejoice for countless ages. Whoever ascends the mountain of sacrifice and witnesses the emergence of the Ganges as it flows northward towards Pushkara, and performs ablutions here with devotion to ancestors and gods, attains the fruit of an ashvamedha sacrifice without doubt. Feeding a single Brahmin here is as meritorious as feeding a crore, and the food and drink given here become inexhaustible. Whatever desire a person wishes for will be fulfilled, and one who bathes here will not be born into a lower womb. Among places, this is the highest; among sacred sites, the foremost. I have granted this, O best of sages, and it shall be so. Here, the sins of both women and men, from birth, are destroyed immediately upon bathing.” Having spoken thus, the blessed Brahmā, grandfather of the worlds, took leave of Agastya and departed. Agastya remained in his hermitage, which thus became renowned as its origin. O descendant of the Kurus, now hear of the hermitages of the seven sages: Atri, Vasiṣṭha, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Angiras, Gautama, and others—Sumati, Sumukha, Viśvāmitra, Sthulashira, Samvarta, and Pratardana.