From that sacred place, the soul rises to the supreme world of Prajapati, where he is surrounded by gandharvas, apsaras, accomplished beings, sages, and vidyadharas. In that celestial realm, he enjoys a multitude of pleasures, delighting in their variety for sixty aeons. When this period of joy concludes, he ascends further, reaching the wondrous abode of Shakra, the king of the gods. There, in Shakra’s realm, he is enveloped by gandharvas, kinnaras, accomplished beings, gods, vidyadharas, serpents, secretive apsaras, sadhyas, and other excellent deities. Amidst these divine beings, he experiences happiness for fifty aeons. When that time has passed, he journeys to the world of the gods, a realm adorned with splendid celestial palaces. For forty aeons he enjoys rare pleasures in this divine world. Thereafter, he attains the Nakshatra world, a place exceedingly difficult to reach. In Nakshatra, he delights in excellent pleasures for thirty aeons, as his heart desires. Then, O best of Brahmins, he ascends to the world of the Moon. This is the domain of Soma, beautifully adorned by all the gods. There, he enjoys rare and exquisite pleasures for twenty aeons. Afterward, he journeys to the world of the Sun, a realm revered by the gods, wondrous and virtuous, attended by gandharvas and apsaras. In the sun’s world, he delights in auspicious pleasures for ten aeons. O best of the twice-born, after this, he attains the world of the Gandharvas, exceedingly rare and difficult to reach. There, he enjoys all pleasures for one aeon, as he wishes. When this period concludes, he descends to earth and is born as a righteous king. He becomes a universal monarch, endowed with great prowess and adorned with all virtues, ruling his kingdom according to dharma and performing sacrifices with excellent gifts. At the end of his reign, he reaches the world of yogis—a realm that grants liberation and is supremely auspicious—where he enjoys excellent pleasures until the very dissolution of creation. From there, he returns to earth and is born in the noble lineage of yogis, esteemed by the virtuous, in a rare and excellent Vaiṣṇava family of brāhmins. He becomes a distinguished brāhmin, versed in the four Vedas, performing sacrifices with the fruits of his labors. Embracing Vaiṣṇava yoga, he ultimately attains liberation. Thus, O brāhmins, have I described the fruits of pilgrimage, which grant both enjoyment and liberation to men. What more would you wish to hear? The sages respectfully replied, “O Lord, we wish to hear about Viṣṇu’s world—a realm free from affliction, delightful to all beings, charming, and filled with every wonder. Please tell us of its measure, its pleasures, its splendor, and its power. By what actions do those devoted to dharma reach there? Is it by seeing, touching, or bathing at holy places? Tell us in detail and truth, for our curiosity is great.” The Lord replied, “Hear, O sages, of the supreme, highest abode—desired by devotees, blessed, virtuous, and the destroyer of worldly existence. I shall speak of the foremost of all worlds, called Viṣṇu’s, wondrous and virtuous, a place honored throughout the three worlds. “In Viṣṇu’s world, aśoka, pārijāta, mandāra, and campaka trees flourish, along with mālatī, mallikā, kundā, bakula, and nāgakesara. There are puṃnāga, atimukta, priyangu, tagara, arjuna, pāṭala, mango, khadira, and radiant forests of karṇikāra trees. Nāraṅga, jackfruit, lodhra, neem, pomegranate, sarja, grape, lakuca, date, madhuka, and other fruit-bearing trees abound. Kapittha, coconut, palm, śrīphala, and countless wish-fulfilling trees stand alongside other beautiful wild trees. “There are groves of sarala, sandalwood, nīpa, devadāru, auspicious añjana, jātī, clove, kaṅkola, and trees fragrant with camphor. Clusters of betel leaves and areca nut trees grow, as do many other trees adorned with fruits in every season. Flowers of every kind bloom from clusters of creepers. Sacred waters fill various lakes, and the air is alive with excellent birds of many species. “Hundreds of ponds, filled with delightful water, are adorned with lotuses, hundred-petaled blossoms, and splendid kokanada flowers. Charming red and blue water-lilies, fragrant kahlaras, and other aquatic flowers of many colors are beautifully arranged. Swans and karandavas glide across the waters, while chakravakas, koyaṣṭikas, dātyūhas, and flocks of excellent karandavas and ravākas fill the air. Cātakas, priyaputras, jīvaṃjīvakas, and other divine aquatic creatures sing sweetly, delighting all who hear them. “Thus, the realm is adorned with various divine and wondrous trees and sacred waters, all most delightful. There stand divine palaces, adorned with many jewels, moving at will, made of gold, shining brilliantly, and filled with celestial Gandharvas. Young Apsarases, radiant as the sun, are adorned and accompanied by golden beds and seats, offering every enjoyment. “Those who dwell there move freely through the sky, bearing banners, adorned with pearl necklaces of countless colors, and decorated with golden ornaments. The air is rich with the fragrance of various flowers, sandalwood, and aloe, filled with the pleasant sounds of diverse instruments. Those whose minds are swift as the wind, surrounded by the tinkling of ornaments, delight in that city, revered by all the worlds. “Always accompanied by beautiful women—Gandharvas, Apsarases, and others—whose faces are like the moon, charming and lovely, whose breasts are full and prominent, waists slender, complexions both dark and fair, and who move with the grace of intoxicated elephants. These women surround the best of men, fanning him with camaras whose handles are of gold, adorned with many jewels. “Such, O sages, is the wondrous world of Viṣṇu.