Perfect in every auspicious mark, beyond the reach of the senses, unchanging and unmoving, subtle as the finest essence, radiant with the form of pure light and eternal in nature—such is the One being praised. Free from both existence and non-existence, all-pervading, transcending the bounds of nature, to Him, the Lord of the universe, the bestower of happiness and supreme ruler, I offer my reverent salutations. Long ago, it was King Dharma who, in the sacred presence of the banyan tree, offered hymns of praise to this supreme being and then bowed low in deep obeisance. Witnessing the king's devotion, I, Antaka, saw that exalted one bowing with joined palms. Curious, O goddess, I asked him the reason for his hymns of praise. I addressed him, saying, “O Vaivasvata, mighty-armed, foremost among the gods, for what purpose have you praised me so? Kindly tell me, briefly.” Vaivasvata replied, “In this holy and renowned abode of the Supreme Person, there is an excellent image fashioned from sapphire, capable of fulfilling all desires. Those who gaze upon this image, O lotus-eyed one, with single-minded devotion and faith—if they are free from worldly desires—attain the abode known as the White Realm. Therefore, O slayer of enemies, I find myself unable to perform my duties as before. Be gracious, O great lord, and withdraw this image, O master.” Upon hearing these words, Yama responded, “Very well, I shall conceal it all around with sand.” Then, O goddess, I covered that sacred image with creepers, so that men seeking only heaven would not behold it there. I hid it further with creepers and adorned it with golden ornaments, and then sent Vaivasvata to his own city in the southern direction. When the sapphire image was thus hidden in that sacred and renowned field of the Supreme Person, whatever events took place there were recounted in detail by Janārdana, the god of gods, to her long ago. He spoke of the departure of Indradyumna, the king’s viewing of the field, the description of that holy land, and the construction of the temple. He narrated the great horse sacrifice performed there, the king’s vision in a dream, and the wondrous sight of the sacred wood upon the shore of the salt ocean. He described the vision of Vāsudeva and the king of sculptors, and the making of the divine image in all its detail. He told of the installation of all the deities in the most excellent temple, the recitation of the Kalpa at the time of pilgrimage, the story of the sage Markandeya, the installation of Shankara, the glory of the five sacred fords, and the vision of the trident-wielding Lord. Also narrated were the vision of the banyan tree and its merits, the special sight of Baladeva and Krishna, the full glory of Subhadra, the vision of Narasimha, and the recitation of the merits gained at dawn. The story included the vision of Anantavasudeva, praise of his qualities, the glory of Shvetamadhava, and the sight of Svargadvāra. The greatness of the ocean, the rituals of bathing and offering libations, the merit of bathing in the sea, and the story of Indradyumna were all described. The fruits of the five sacred fords, the greatness of the festival of Jyeshtha, the holy place of Krishna with the plough, and the rewards of the festival pilgrimage were all recounted, as was the repeated description of Vishnu’s world and of the sacred field. All this, the Supreme Person had told her in ancient times. Now, the listeners spoke: “O god, we wish to hear the remainder of the story of the king. Having gone to that excellent field, what did the lord of men do?” The sage replied, “Listen, O best of sages, and I will briefly relate the king’s viewing of the field and his deeds. Having journeyed there, the king beheld that field, renowned throughout the three worlds, and saw its beautiful places and flowing rivers. There is a river of great merit there, emerging from the foot of the Vindhya mountains, called Svittropala. It is auspicious and removes all sins. Another great river, equal to the Ganga in sanctity, with a powerful current, flows to the southern ocean—this is the Mahānadi, famed for its holy waters. Adorned with beautiful eddies, it enters the womb of the southern ocean; on both its banks are villages and cities. O best of sages, the land is fertile and delightful, filled with joyful and prosperous people, adorned in fine garments and ornaments. There, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras are seen, each devoted to their own duties, peaceful, and marked with auspicious signs. The Brahmins, their mouths red with betel and adorned with garlands, are learned in the Vedas, versed in the six limbs and the pada-krama. Some are devoted to the sacred fire rites, others to meditative worship, all skilled in the meaning of the scriptures, sacrificers, and generous with gifts. At the four royal crossroads, in forests and groves, assembly halls, palace mansions, and temples of the gods, the people engage in the recitation of histories and ancient tales, the Vedas and their branches, auspicious treatises, and discussions of poetry and science. The women of that land are proud of their beauty and youth, endowed with all auspicious marks, with broad, shapely hips and faces like lotuses. Their complexions are dark, their countenances resembling the autumn moon; all have full, high breasts and shine with prosperity, lovely to behold. Adorned with golden bangles and divine garments, they resemble the inside of a banana blossom and radiate with the brilliance of lotus filaments. Charming, with lips like ripe bimba fruit, their long eyes reaching to their ears, with beautiful faces and lovely hair, they are graceful in movement and expression. Thus did the king behold the wonders of that sacred land.