When Harṣaṇa sought to understand the workings of dharma, he approached Dharmarāja with sincere questions. Dharmarāja, the lord of righteousness, answered him truthfully and thoroughly, revealing every aspect of the path of action without leaving anything unsaid. He explained, “Those who never transgress what is ordained by dharma, O humans, never see hell—not even once. But those who disregard scripture, proper conduct, and the wise, and who commit forbidden acts, are destined for hell.” Upon hearing these words of dharma, Harṣaṇa was filled with joy and spoke again. He said, “Your father is Tvaṣṭṛ, fierce in nature; your mother is Viṣṭi, also formidable; and your brothers are great-souled ones, by whom your mind has been pacified. They will all become beautiful, faultless, and bestowers of auspiciousness. Tell me now, O best of gods, what action I should perform, for I am ready to do it. Otherwise, I will not be able to reach them.” Dharmarāja, thus addressed, replied, “Harṣaṇa, your mind is pure; you are truly Harṣaṇa, without doubt. There may be many sons in a family, but not all continue the family line—it is only one son who sustains the family. He who is the foundation of the family, who acts lovingly toward his parents, and uplifts his ancestors, is truly a son; the other is like a disease to the family. Because you have spoken appropriately and pleasingly to me, O maternal grandfather, go now to Gautamī after bathing, with a disciplined mind. Praise Viṣṇu, the source of the universe, peaceful in nature, with a joyful heart. If he is pleased, he will grant all that you desire.” Harṣaṇa, having heard these words of dharma, went to the pure Gautamī. There he praised Hari, the lord of gods. Pleased by Harṣaṇa’s devotion, Hari granted him the welfare of his family, dispelled all misfortune, and blessed him, saying, “May welfare be yours.” From that time, Viṣṭi, the mother, was considered auspicious, the father was auspicious, and so were the sons. That sacred place became known as Bhadratīrtha. At Bhadratīrtha, Hari, the lord of auspiciousness, grants every blessing to those who worship there. For those who come to that holy place, he bestows all accomplishments, for he is the sole repository of auspiciousness, manifest as Janārdana, god of gods. Nearby is the Patatri Tīrtha, famed for destroying disease and sin. Merely by hearing of it, a person becomes fulfilled. In ancient times, two sons of Kaśyapa were born—both divine: Saṃpāti and Jaṭāyu, who appeared in that noble lineage. The sons of Tārkṣya Prajāpati are Aruṇa and Garuḍa; and from their line came Saṃpāti, the best of birds. Another, named Jaṭāyu, was renowned as the younger brother. Both brothers, filled with mutual rivalry and pride in their strength, once soared into the sky to bow to the sun. As they approached the sun’s blazing vicinity, their wings were burned, and, exhausted, they fell upon a mountain summit, motionless and bereft of consciousness. Aruṇa, seeing his kinsmen fallen and overwhelmed by sorrow, spoke to Bhaskara, the sun-god: “O blazing one, console these two before they perish.” The sun-god agreed and revived the two birds. When Garuḍa heard of their plight, he arrived with Viṣṇu. Together, they comforted Saṃpāti and Jaṭāyu, bringing them happiness. Nārada and others also came, and all proceeded to the Ganga to dispel the birds’ suffering. Thus, Jaṭāyu, Aruṇa, Saṃpāti, Garuḍa, Surya, and Viṣṇu all went to that holy place, which bestows great merit. It became known as Patatri Tīrtha, the destroyer of poison and fulfiller of all desires. There, Surya, Viṣṇu, Garuḍa, and Aruṇa themselves reside, dwelling on the bank of the Gautamī, as does the bull-bannered god Śiva. With all three deities present, that sacred place is supreme. There, after bathing and purifying oneself, one should bow to these gods; freed from afflictions and ailments, one attains the highest happiness. Another sacred place is known as Vipra Tīrtha, also called Nārāyaṇa. Its story is wondrous. In the altar region lived a certain Brahmin, accomplished in the Vedas. His sons were wise, virtuous, beautiful, and compassionate. The youngest, Asandiva, was especially virtuous, endowed with all knowledge and great intellect. One day, as his father was intent on arranging Asandiva’s marriage, night fell, and Asandiva lay sleeping. In that state, lacking remembrance of Viṣṇu and inattentive, he was seized by a cruel-looking, shape-shifting Rākṣasī. She swiftly carried him to the southern bank of the Gautamī, to the northern shore of Srigiri, a place frequented by many Brahmins. There stood a city, the abode of righteousness and Lakṣmī, ruled by King Brihatkirti, who was endowed with all royal virtues. At the end of the night, the Rākṣasī, accompanied by the Brahmin’s son, reached that prosperous and enchanting city. In her shape-shifting form, she roamed the earth, and, now appearing aged and terrifying, she spoke to Asandiva on the southern bank of the Godavari. She said, “This is the Ganga, O foremost of Brahmins. At dusk, let it be worshipped by the excellent Brahmins, assembling as is proper. Yet, at the appointed time, the best Brahmins do not diligently worship at dusk. Those who are low-born, as declared by the lords of the gods, are the lowest and the best among the outcastes. Say to them: ‘I am your mother, and you are my child.’ If you do not, you will meet your destruction now. But if you act according to my words, O best of twice-born, I will make you happy and do whatever pleases you. Again, I will return you to your land, your home, and your teachers. Truly, this is so.” Thus, the sacred narratives and the power of these holy places are revealed, showing the path of dharma, the blessings of the gods, and the wondrous ways in which righteousness is upheld and suffering dispelled.