Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c4.1340

c4.1340

2) How Āpastamba tīrtha came into existence. Once he met Agastya Muni and asked him who was superior among the gods Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva. Agastya declared that Śiva stood supreme of the lot and gave him advice as to how to please Śiva. Following his instructions Āpastamba did penance on the banks of the river Gautami and Śiva appeared before him, blessed him, and made that place a holy one. Śiva declared that those who, bathed at that place would obtain 'Divyajñāna' (Divine knowledge enabling one to know the past, present and future). From then onwards that place was known as Āpastamba tīrtha.