With deep reverence, the sacred thread woven from the Universal Form—the very embodiment of all, the bestower of blessings, the destroyer of sin, and the uplifter of past and future generations—was given as an offering. Then, Agni spoke, revealing the profound fruits that arise from constructing a temple for Vāsudeva and other deities. He declared that such an act removes the sins of a thousand births for anyone who aspires to create a divine abode. Agni continued: When one, with a pure mind, builds a house for Kṛṣṇa, the sins of a hundred births are destroyed; the people rejoice when a house is made for Him. Those who undertake this noble task are freed from their sins and attain the world of Acyuta, leading tens of thousands of their ancestors and descendants along with them. After building a house for Hari, the builder swiftly guides his lineage to Viṣṇu’s world. The ancestors, adorned and radiant, dwell in Viṣṇu’s realm upon glimpsing its glory. Freed from the torments of hell, the builder of Kṛṣṇa’s temple—this divine abode—eradicates even the gravest sins, such as brahminicide. The merit gained from sacrifices is equaled by constructing a temple, and by building a temple for the gods, one attains the fruit of bathing in all sacred waters. Even if the temple is built with mere sand or through imperfect means, the results match those attained by warriors who fall in battle for the gods. One who builds a single temple attains heaven; with three, he reaches the world of Brahmā; with five, the world of Śiva; with eight, he abides with Hari. Building sixteen temples bestows both enjoyment and liberation. Whether the house for Hari is small, moderate, or splendid, the builder attains heaven, the world of Viṣṇu, and liberation in succession. Even the least temple, if built by a wealthy person, grants this merit; thus, having acquired wealth, one should build a shrine for the gods, even if it is modest. By building a temple for Hari, the merit increases, whether the expenditure is great or small. Whoever builds such a house is transported to the abode of Garuḍa-bannered Hari. Even children, while playing and making a house for Hari with sand, are granted the same destination. Those who build for Vāsudeva also reach His world, whether in a holy place, temple, sacred field, or auspicious location. The builder of Viṣṇu’s temple, as described, attains threefold fruits. By decorating a Vaiṣṇava temple with bandhūka flowers and sweet clay, those who plaster the house thus are led to the city of the Blessed Lord—even those who restore a fallen or half-fallen temple. Whoever repairs Hari’s temple attains double the merit, whether restoring what has fallen or protecting what is at risk. As long as the arrangement of bricks endures in Hari’s temple, the builder attains Viṣṇu’s world. He, along with his family, is honored there, and is virtuous and worthy of reverence in this world and the next. Whoever causes a shrine to be built for Kṛṣṇa, son of Vasudeva, becomes a doer of good, and his entire lineage is purified. The builder of a house for Viṣṇu, Rudra, the Sun, the Goddess, and others becomes renowned. What use are heaps of wealth to those who merely guard them, deluded by attachment? If a person, having gained wealth through hardship, does not build a shrine for Kṛṣṇa, his wealth is not enjoyed by ancestors, Brāhmaṇas, or the gods. Nor do his relatives enjoy it; his acquisition of riches is in vain. Just as death is certain for all, so too is the loss of wealth. The deluded cling to life and unstable riches, neither giving in charity nor enjoying their wealth. Such ownership brings no fame or righteousness; what merit is there in hoarding? Therefore, having obtained wealth—whether by fate or effort—one should give to worthy Brāhmaṇas and cause shrines to be built. Of all gifts, the making of shrines is superior, greater than other charities. Thus, the wise should build temples and similar abodes for Viṣṇu and others, establishing the dwelling of Hari with the best of devoted men. When it is established, the entire three worlds—all that moves and is still, past, present, and future, gross and subtle—are encompassed. From Brahmā down to a blade of grass, all arises from Viṣṇu, the god of gods, the all-pervading, the great soul. Having established a dwelling for Viṣṇu, one is not born again on earth. The fruit of building a temple for Viṣṇu is the same as for other gods. The merit of building a temple for Śiva, Brahmā, the Sun, Viṣvakarman, Caṇḍī, Lakṣmī, and others surpasses that of making images. There is no end to the fruit of installing images and performing sacrifices; merit increases from clay to wood, brick, stone, and gold images, destroying the sins of seven lifetimes at once. The builder of a temple attains heaven and does not go to hell; he uplifts a hundred families, leading them to Viṣṇu’s world. Yama, lord of death, instructed his attendants: ‘Those who have built temples for the gods are not to be led to hell, for they have worshipped images and performed sacred acts.’ He ordered them to bring the overseers of temples and similar places, letting them move about as proper, his command to be observed. No living beings under Yama’s authority will break their vows, except those who have taken full refuge in the infinite Lord of the world. Yama told his attendants to avoid such souls; for them, there is no jurisdiction here. Those in the world who are devoted to the Lord, whose minds are fixed upon Him, and who have Him as their supreme goal—those who always worship Viṣṇu—are to be left far from Yama’s reach, whether they are standing, sleeping, going, rising, stumbling, or still. Thus, the story celebrates the supreme merit and liberation bestowed upon those who build, restore, and honor temples for Viṣṇu and the gods, uplifting not only themselves but their entire lineage, and earning the highest blessing in this world and the next.