At the sacred gateway of the Ganga, at Prayaga, and where the holy river meets the vast ocean, there exist places of profound spiritual power. For those who seek liberation, there is no path equal to that of the Ganga herself. Even though she once fell from the favor of Shiva, Ganga remains forever auspicious, ever the remover of all sins. In the Dvapara age, Kurukshetra was the foremost of holy places, but in this present age of Kali, the Ganga surpasses all. There is nothing else in Kali Yuga that can so completely destroy the accumulated sins that are otherwise so difficult to remove. One who dies at the banks of the Ganga is born in heaven and does not see the realms of suffering. Especially in the sacred month of Magha, people journey to the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna at Prayaga. There, bathing for three days brings immense merit. Even if a person is healthy, free from disease, and endowed with all the senses, such an act ensures that he is honored in heaven for as many thousands of years as the moon, once freed from Rahu’s eclipse, shines spotless in the sky. Having enjoyed abundant pleasures in the heavens, he is granted return to that sacred place. For sixty thousand and six hundred years, this merit endures. When he finally falls from heaven, O king, he is born into a prosperous family. For a hundred thousand years, he is again honored in heaven, and after enjoying those pleasures, he returns once more to the holy place. Even birds who enjoy the fruits of this merit, upon falling from heaven, are reborn as righteous kings, and after their reign, they too return to that sacred confluence. Among the holy sites, Ṛṇapramocana is regarded as supreme. One who bathes there attains the world of the sun and is forever freed from all debts. The blessed ones have gathered where the Yamuna flows, for even the mere mention of this place from a thousand yojanas away destroys sin. Whoever gives up their life there attains the highest state, and those who die after bathing ascend to heaven, never to be reborn. Before the Lord of Dharma, all great sins are washed away—this is beyond doubt. The sages have declared that these holy places are established at Prayaga. In heaven, on earth, and in the sky, all recognize these places as Jāhnavī, the sacred Ganga. Know this region as the field of accomplishment, situated along her banks. There, the Lord of the Banyan tree always resides; it is a sacred place, a forest of austerity. One should recite these holy accounts in the ear of a friend or a devoted disciple, for this narrative is holy, delightful, purifying, and supremely righteous. Any twice-born who studies a chapter here attains purity, gains remembrance of his past birth, and rejoices in the highest heaven. Therefore, O Kauravya, bathe at these sacred places with a pure mind. Thus, the sage described all the sacred places that exist on earth. When questioned, he spoke everything that was to be known, and then departed. Freed from all sins, he went to the world of Rudra. Thereafter, the assembled sages questioned Sūta Uttara about the determination of the earth and related matters. They expressed their desire to hear about the sphere of the three worlds—the forests, the rivers, and the positions of the sun and planets as well.