From that divine principle, all the medicinal plants of the world flourish abundantly; it is this force that brings fruits to maturity and ensures the birth of future generations. Guided by this same principle, those who perceive with the eye of scripture perform their daily sacrifices as prescribed, and through these sacred rites, they nourish the gods themselves. Thus, it is by this power that sacrifices are performed, the Vedas are sustained, and the castes—beginning with the twice-born—are established. All the hosts of gods, as well as herds of animals and every living being, owe their existence to it. It is rain that upholds the entire world, both immobile and mobile, and this rain, O best of sages, is produced by Savitṛ, the radiant deity. Savitṛ stands as the steadfast foundation of all; the fixed star is the Śiśumāra, and even that rests upon Nārāyaṇa. Deep within the heart of Śiśumāra abides Nārāyaṇa, the eternal and primordial supporter of all beings. Thus, O foremost of sages, I have described to you the cosmic egg—the Brahmāṇḍa—joined with the earth, the ocean, and all else. Tell me, what more would you wish to hear? The sages replied, “Please speak to us of the holy tīrthas and sacred places upon the earth, O knower of dharma, for our hearts long to listen.” He who keeps his hands, feet, and mind well restrained, who is adorned with learning, austerity, and good reputation—such a person attains the true fruit of visiting tīrthas. A mind that is purified, speech that is truthful, and senses that are under control—these are the bodily tīrthas that awaken the path to heaven. But if one’s mind is corrupted within, then bathing at tīrthas cannot purify him, even if he washes himself hundreds of times, just as a wine vessel cannot be cleansed by water alone. Neither sacred waters, nor gifts, nor vows, nor hermitages can purify one whose intentions are wicked, whose taste is for deceit, and whose senses are uncontrolled. Wherever a person dwells, having brought his senses under control, there itself is Kurukṣetra, Prayāga, and Puṣkara. Therefore, O best of sages, listen as I briefly recount the tīrthas and sacred places upon the earth as they truly are. Even if one had a hundred years, it would not be possible to describe in detail the greatness of the first holy place, Puṣkara, nor of Naimiṣāraṇya. Yet, I shall also speak of Prayāga, Dharmāraṇya, Dhenuka, Campakāraṇya, and Saindhavāraṇya. There are also the sacred forests and places such as Magadhāraṇya, Daṇḍakāraṇya, Gayā, Prabhāsa—the glorious holy land—and the divine Kanakhala. Bhṛgutuṅga, Hiraṇyākṣa, Bhīmāraṇya, Kuśasthalī, Lohākula, Sakedāra, and Mandarāraṇya are among the revered places. There is Mahābala, Koṭitīrtha which removes all sins, Rūpatīrtha, Śūkarava, and Cakratīrtha of great merit. Yogatīrtha, Somatīrtha, the holy Sāhoṭaka, sacred Kokāmukha, and the renowned Badarī mountain are counted among them. Somatīrtha, Tuṅgakūṭa, the holy Skandāśrama, Koṭitīrtha, Agnipada, and Pañcaśikha are also holy. Dharmodbhava, Koṭitīrtha, Bādhapramocana, Gaṅgādvāra, Pañcakūṭa, and Madhyakesara are sacred places. Cakraprabha, Mataṅga, the renowned Kruśadaṇḍa, Damṣṭrākuṇḍa, Viṣṇutīrtha, and Sārvakāmika are holy. Matsyatila, the splendid Badarī, Brahmakuṇḍa, Vahnikuṇḍa, and Satyapada are revered. Catuḥsrota, Catuḥśṛṅga mountain with twelve streams, Mānasā, Sthūlaśṛṅga, Sthūladaṇḍa, and Urvaśī are among the sacred places. Lokapāla, Manuvara, Somāhva mountain, Sadāprabha, Merukuṇḍa, and the holy Somābhiṣecana are also counted. Mahāsrota, Koṭaraka, Pañcadhāra, Tridhāraka, Saptadhāra, Ekadhāra, and Cāmarakaṇṭaka are sacred tīrthas. Śālagrāma, Cakratīrtha, the unsurpassed Koṭidruma, Bilvaprabha, Devahrada, and Viṣṇuhrada are holy. Śaṅkhaprabha, Devakuṇḍa, Vajrāyudha, Agniprabha, Puṃnāga, and the unsurpassed Devaprabha are revered. The glorious Vidyādhara, with Gandharvas, Brahmā’s lake, Sātīrtha, Lokapāla, and Maṇipuragiri are sacred spots. Pañcahrada, Piṇḍāraka, Malavya, Goprabhāva, Govara, and Vaṭamūlaka are tīrthas of great merit. Snānadaṇḍa, Prayāga, the secret Viṣṇupada, Kanyāśrama, Vāyukuṇḍa, and the excellent Jambūmārga are revered. Gabhasti Tirtha, Yayati Patana, Shuci, Koti Tirtha, Bhadravata, and the great forest of Mahakala are holy places. There is another Narmada Tirtha, Tirtha Vajra, Arbuda, Pingutirtha, Savashishtha, and Prithasangama. Daurvasika, the auspicious Pinjaraka, Rishi Tirtha, Brahmatunga, Vasu Tirtha, and Kumarika are sacred. Shakra Tirtha, Panchanada, Renuka Tirtha, the pure ancestral Tirtha, and the excellent Rudrapada are counted among the holy places. Manimatta, Kamakhya, Krishna Tirtha, Kushavila, Yajana, and Brahmavaluka are also tīrthas of renown. Pushpanyasa, Pundarika, Manipura, the northern region, Dirghasattra, Hayapada, and Anashana are sacred. The sources of the Ganga, Shiva, and Narmada, as well as Vastrapada, Daruvala, and Chhayarohana, are revered. Siddheshvara, Mitravala, Kalikashrama, Vatavata, Bhadravata, Kaushambi, and Divakara are holy places upon the earth. Such are the tīrthas and sacred places, O best of sages. Their glory is endless, and visiting them with a pure heart, self-restraint, and sincerity brings great merit, for the true tīrtha is found within a purified mind and controlled senses.