Once, the wise narrator recalled how he had carefully listened to the great sages recount these sacred truths. In ancient times, they explained, those who died at that holy place—after bathing there—ascended to heaven, never to be born again. Many are the holy places on earth, each capable of removing all sins, but now, said the narrator, let me briefly sing the praises of Prayaga. At Prayaga, the resplendent Sun, drawn by his seven steeds, eternally protects the sacred Yamuna river. Lord Hari himself guards the divine Mandala, venerated by all the gods. Indeed, the gods collectively safeguard this auspicious place, which is renowned for eradicating all sins. Such is the sanctity of Prayaga that even remembering it destroys all one’s sins. Simply touching its sacred mud frees a person from the burden of wrongdoing. The very moment one enters Prayaga, all sins are consumed. Even those who have committed evil deeds may reach the highest state by virtue of this holy site. In this way, O king, bathing at Prayaga ensures honor in heaven. If, at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna, a person consciously surrenders his life, he attains all his heart’s desires, as declared by the foremost sages. Adorned with auspicious marks, he delights among beautiful women in the heavenly realms. For as long as he does not recall his earthly birth, he is honored in heaven. When reborn, he takes birth in a prosperous family, surrounded by gold and jewels. Whether a person is in his own land, in the forest, in a foreign country, or at home, he attains the world of Brahma—so say the sages. He journeys to that realm where seers, sages, and perfected beings abide, and there he rejoices in their company, the fruit of his actions at Prayaga. When his time in heaven ends, he descends to earth as a lord of Jambudvipa. Established in truth and righteousness in deed, mind, and speech, he may give gold, pearls, or other gifts. Yet, for him, the pilgrimage bears no fruit until he attains its intended result. Thus, at all times, a twice-born should remain vigilant. If one gives a cow with golden horns, silver hooves, a cloth around its neck, and yielding milk, he is honored in Rudra’s realm for as many thousands of years as he has given such gifts. But, according to the ordinance of the sages—based on what has been seen and heard—there are further results. Listen, for instance, to the outcome for one who mounts a bull: the ancestors of such a person do not receive water. Therefore, he should ensure gifts are given to Brahmins, to all, as he would wish for himself. Otherwise, his pilgrimage remains fruitless, and he should avoid taking the first bath. However, if his marriage is performed according to the sage’s rule, within his means, then, having journeyed to the northern Kurus, he rejoices in the realm of immortality. Surpassing all worlds, he attains the realm of Rudra. There, the guardians of the worlds, the perfected beings, and the ancestors honored by the world reside, and Hari the Blessed One is present, preceded by the progenitors. O tiger among kings, Prayaga is renowned throughout the three worlds. The merit gained here is equal to that of performing the Rajasuya and Ashvamedha sacrifices.