Homage was offered to the formidable and peaceful Lord, the steadfast cause of all creation. Salutations were made to Śaṅkara, to Maheśa, the lord of mountains, and to Śiva himself. It was proclaimed that soon, the ocean of worldly existence would be crossed. With mind devoted, one approached the great god Īśāna, who faces all directions. Thus, he went to the cherished abode of the god of gods, the mighty wielder of the trident. It was declared: whoever listens to or recites these sacred words is freed from all sins. O best of Brahmins, by the grace of Vāsudeva, a person is released from sin. Thus spoke the great yogi, the revered sage Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana. In time, she gave birth to Sāmba, a noble and excellent son. Both he and his brother were endowed with virtues and were considered further embodiments of Kṛṣṇa himself. These two, having effortlessly conquered Indra and defeated the powerful demon Bāṇa, stood victorious. Thereafter, Nārāyaṇa, with supreme wisdom, resolved to return to his own divine abode, his earthly work complete. The eternal one, having fulfilled his purpose, came to Dvārakā to be seen by all. There, he sat upon the seats together with the wise Rāma. He declared that all deeds had been accomplished and urged the best of sages to be pleased. Yet, he foretold that in this age, all people would indeed follow after sin. By these teachings, the best of the twice-born are freed from the sins born of the Kali age. Let the sins of those devoted to the Supreme Person be destroyed. By following the procedures prescribed in the Vedas, they will attain that supreme state. In the age of Kali, devotion to Nārāyaṇa will flourish among the faithful. However, those who harbor hatred for Maheśvara will not reach that state. Those who revile Pinākin will swiftly perish, and those who slander the god Īśāna will fall into countless hells, whether by deed, mind, or speech—even with effort—toward his devotees. In the Kali age, such people must be carefully avoided by the devotees. Cursed by Gautama on earth, they are not to be spoken to by the best of the twice-born. Having uttered the sacred syllable 'Om,' the excellent ones quickly departed to their own abodes. Withdrawing his entire lineage, the divine one went to that supreme state, beyond description. "It is not possible to speak of it in detail," it was said. "What more do you wish to hear?" Freed from all sins, one is honored in the heavenly worlds. Then, O Sūta and others, there was a request to briefly describe the nature of these great souls. Pārtha, the supremely righteous Pāṇḍava and subduer of foes, saw the sage Kṛṣṇadvaipāyana walking along the path. Arjuna, seeing him, fell to the ground in respectful prostration, casting off his sorrow. He asked, "O lord, where are you going so quickly, and to which place? What task is mine, O lotus-eyed one?" The sage, surrounded by his disciples, sat down upon the riverbank and replied, "I go now to the great city of Vārāṇasī, the sacred abode of the god. There, in the age of Kali, great sinners will arise, devoid of caste and stage of life. In this age, expiation is the remedy for all sins.