Rama, the valiant scion of the Raghu lineage, engaged in fierce battle and slew the mighty Narantaka, as well as the formidable Yamantaka, Malaadhya, and Malikaadhya. His prowess did not end there: Rama vanquished Indrajit, the fearsome Kumbhakarna, and at last, Ravana himself. Afterward, he tested Sita’s purity in the fire and, satisfied, bestowed the kingdom of Lanka upon the righteous Vibhishana. With the great Vasudeva accompanying him, Rama ascended the Pushpaka chariot and, effortlessly, returned to Ayodhya, the city he had once ruled. Out of deep love for his younger brothers, Rama, ever devoted, installed Bharata and Shatrughna as sovereigns over all the kingdoms, ruling as the king of kings. Thereafter, Hari—the Lord himself—worshipped his ancient form for ten thousand and one hundred years. Enjoying the earth bounded by the ocean, Rama, the glorious descendant of Raghu, ruled his kingdom and, at the appointed time, entered the supreme Vaishnava state. Before departing, Rama entrusted that very sacred image to the lord of the ocean, saying, “Blessed one, you shall protect this image, adorned with the jewels of the waters.” Ages passed, and when the Lord of the world entered the Dvapara age, the earth herself, distressed by the decline of righteousness, appealed for help. Responding to her plea, that blessed Lord descended into the house of Vasudeva, accompanied by Sankarshana, for the destruction of Kamsa and others who oppressed the world. At that time, O Brahmins, for the benefit of all the worlds and to fulfill every desire, that sacred image was, for another reason, set aside. In the most excellent, holy, and rare field of Purushottama, the ocean, lord of rivers, himself raised the image from the waters. From that moment onward, in that very field which grants liberation, the Lord has abided, bestowing all desired fruits to the gods. Those who take refuge in Ananta, the Lord of all, with devotion—by word, mind, and deed—always attain the supreme state. Even seeing Ananta once with devotion, worshipping and bowing down, grants one ten times the merit of performing a Rajasuya or Ashvamedha sacrifice. The devotee, radiant as the sun and riding in a celestial chariot adorned with tinkling bells and every conceivable pleasure, is uplifted along with twenty-one generations of his ancestors. Attended by celestial women and praised by Gandharvas, he attains the city of Vishnu. There, he enjoys supreme pleasures, free from old age and death, his form divine and resplendent, until the dissolution of creation. When his store of merit is exhausted, he returns to earth, and if he is a twice-born knower of the four Vedas, by practicing Vaishnava yoga, he attains final liberation. Thus, O best of sages, have I described the endless greatness of the Lord. Who could ever recount all his virtues, even in a hundred years? So have I told you of the boundless glory of this supreme field, Purushottama, which grants both enjoyment and liberation and is exceedingly rare. There dwells Krishna, the lotus-eyed Lord, bearer of the conch, discus, and mace, clad in yellow garments—the slayer of Kamsa and Keshi. Those who behold Krishna there, worshipped by gods and demons alike, along with Sankarshana and Subhadra, are truly blessed—of this there is no doubt. Those who always meditate on Krishna, the Lord of the three worlds and bestower of all desires, are liberated, without question. The devoted, who remember Krishna at night and again upon rising, their separate bodies merge into him, just as an offering poured with mantra enters the sacrificial fire. Therefore, O best of sages, Krishna, the lotus-eyed, should be diligently seen in that sacred field by those who desire liberation. The wise who behold Krishna, Sankarshana, and Subhadra at the time of lying down and rising, attain the abode of Hari. Those who, with constant devotion, see the Supreme Person, Rauhineya, and Subhadra at all times, attain the world of Vishnu. Whoever remains for four months of the rainy season in Purushottama on earth attains a merit greater than that of pilgrimage to all holy places. Those wise ones who always reside there, with senses and anger subdued, gain the fruit of the highest austerity. Whatever result a man obtains by performing austerities at other holy places for ten thousand years, he attains in a single month at Purushottama. The fruit gained by austerity, celibacy, and renunciation of attachment is always attained there by the wise. Whatever merit is declared to arise from bathing and giving gifts at all holy places, that is gained daily by the wise in Purushottama. There, one who is pure and devoted gains every day the fruit that comes from proper pilgrimage, vows, and discipline. A person with controlled senses obtains daily the same result that is gained by men through various sacrifices. Those who give up their bodies there, in that supreme place of Purushottama, attain liberation, reaching the wish-fulfilling tree—of this there is no doubt. Those who abandon their bodies between the Banyan and the Ocean attain the rare supreme liberation—there can be no doubt. Even one who, without desire, gives up his life there becomes free from suffering and attains the difficult-to-obtain liberation. Creatures such as worms, insects, moths, and others born in lower wombs, by abandoning their bodies there, also attain the highest state. See, O twice-born, the delusion of people regarding other holy places! Whatever is obtained at other sacred sites by the name of Purusha is surpassed here. He who, even once, beholds Purushottama with faith becomes the best among thousands of men.