Listen, O noble one, to the story of those devoted souls who serve Nārāyaṇa, the four-armed Lord. The Vaiṣṇavas who cherish desires in their hearts, through their devotion, reach the blessed realm of Vaikuṇṭha. Yet, with the passage of time, even these devotees gradually become free from all desires. Except for the brāhmaṇa Vaiṣṇavas, all others—across countless births—retain their desires. Consider the twice-born, those who dwell at sacred fords and practice austerities with devotion; the Brāhmaṇas of Bhārata who faithfully observe their own duties and worship the radiant Sun; those who, remaining steadfast in their duties, are devoted to Śiva, Śakti, or Gaṇeśa; and those who worship other deities, yet never stray from the path of their prescribed duties. Among them are also the twice-born who, though desireless and devoted to Hari, neglect their own duties, and the Brāhmaṇas who abandon their duties to serve other gods. Thus, among all the varṇas, those who remain devoted to their own duties are uplifted, but those who neglect their duties surely descend into hell. Brāhmaṇas devoted to their own duties, as well as those who honor such devotion, reside in celestial realms for as long as fourteen Indras rule the heavens. Those who are bound by desires attain these worlds, but desireless Vaiṣṇavas do not return to such cycles. There, in those worlds, those who have given cows, silver, wives, garments, grain, fruits, and water dwell for a period equal to a manvantara. Those who give gold, cows, copper, and similar gifts reside there for ten thousand years. The one who gives land and abundant grains to Brāhmaṇas enjoys those realms for as long as the sun and moon endure. Those who, with devotion, bestow a house upon a Brāhmaṇa, earn merit for as many years as there are particles of dust within that house, especially if given on an auspicious day. To whichever deity and to whomever a house is given, the merit is great; yet, the merit from building a mansion is four times greater, and constructing public works yields a hundredfold reward. Whoever gives a pond for the benefit of all beings in the land of Bharata attains a hundredfold reward compared to constructing a reservoir, the proper measure of which is four thousand bows in length. If a maiden is given in marriage to a worthy recipient, the giver earns merit equal to that of ten reservoirs. Likewise, the same fruit is gained from creating a pond, and even from removing mud from it. The one who plants a sacred fig tree and establishes its roots, or who gives a flower garden for the welfare of all beings, is blessed indeed. Whoever builds a temple to Viṣṇu in the land of Bharata, if it is adorned and spacious, receives fourfold reward. One who, filled with devotion, builds a swing-temple for Hari, or who constructs a royal road lined with mansions, gains equal merit as that from giving to Brāhmaṇas or to the gods. After enjoying happiness in heaven and other higher realms, all such benefactors return to the land of Bharata. A virtuous Brāhmaṇa, after experiencing supreme joy in heaven and beyond, is reborn in Bharata. Even a Kṣatriya or Vaiśya, after a hundred million kalpas, returns to this sacred land, blessed by the fruits of their pious deeds.