Hearing the words of the goddess, the supreme Lord, bestower of boons, gently inhaled the fragrance of her lotus-like face. With a smile, he spoke to Girijā, his beloved: “This most secret and sacred field, Vārāṇasī, is eternally mine. It is the very cause of liberation for all beings. Here, O goddess, perfected souls—those steadfast in my vow, marked by various emblems, ever yearning for my world—dwell in this holy city. They engage in the highest yoga, their minds united and senses subdued, in a land adorned with many trees and filled with the songs of diverse birds. Lakes resplendent with lotuses and water-lilies grace this place, ever attended by hosts of apsarases and gandharvas. Thus, this auspicious city shines with celestial beauty. I delight to reside here always, and let me tell you why: my mind is fixed in this place, and my devotee, who constantly offers his actions to me, abides here as well. Nowhere else, O goddess, can liberation be attained as it is here. Indeed, even one who dies here by mere desire is destined for liberation. This, my divine city, is the greatest of all secrets—known to Brahmā and the other gods, to the perfected ones and to seekers of freedom. Therefore, this field is supreme, and it is my highest goal. It is called Avimukta, for I never abandon it, nor do I ever let it go. This is my sacred field, Avimukta—not Naimisha, Kurukshetra, Gangadvara, or Pushkara—none of those compare. Bathing or serving in those places does not grant liberation as this place does. By what is attained here, Avimukta surpasses them all. Liberation may be found at Prayāga, if I accept it, but even above Prayāga—the foremost of sacred fords—this blessed Avimukta excels. Truth is the Upaniṣad of dharma; tranquility, the Upaniṣad of liberation. Yet even the wisest do not know the Upaniṣad of this sacred field and ford. Whether one is enjoying, sleeping, playing, or engaged in various actions, if a being gives up life at Avimukta, he surely attains liberation. Even if a man has committed thousands of sins, it is better for him to become a ghost here than to gain the lordship of a thousand Indras in heaven without Kāśī. Therefore, Avimukta must be served for those seeking liberation. Here, the great ascetic Jaigīṣavya attained supreme accomplishment. Because of the greatness of this field and devotion to me, the cave of Jaigīṣavya is revered as the foremost place among yogins, the most desired spot. There, through constant meditation on me, the fire of yoga blazes intensely, and one attains the highest liberation—rare even for the gods. Here, sages who know all doctrines gain liberation through subtle signs of the linga; elsewhere, such attainment is rare. To these wise ones, I reveal the supreme power of yoga, union with the Self, and the very place they have longed for. Here, in my domain, Kubera, by dedicating all his actions to me, attained lordship over the hosts simply by serving this place. And Samvarta, who is to come, is also my devotee; by worshipping me here, O goddess, he too will achieve the highest perfection. The yogi Vyāsa, son of Parāśara and a great ascetic, will also be my devotee and the upholder of the Vedas. He too, O lotus-eyed one, will delight in this holy place, that foremost of sages, along with Brahmā, the divine seers, Viṣṇu, and even the Sun. The king of the gods, Śakra, and all the other dwellers of heaven—these great souls, O virtuous one, all worship me here. Other divine yogis, of concealed forms and great souls, also worship me here, ever single-minded in their devotion. Even a man whose mind is attached to sense-objects, who has abandoned the delight of righteousness—if he dies in this place, he is not reborn in the cycle of existence. But those steadfast, free from possessiveness, pure, self-controlled, devoted to vows, and free from worldly undertakings—all of them are absorbed in me. Those wise ones, having approached the God of gods, free from attachment, attain here the highest liberation by my grace, O virtuous one. That supreme liberation, which even a yogi cannot attain in thousands of lifetimes, is attained here by my grace. This place called Goprekshaka was established long ago by Brahmā. Here, O beautiful-faced one, behold the divine abode of Kailāsa. Whoever comes to Goprekshaka and sees me here is freed from misfortune and released from sins. This is also called Kapila Lake, so named by Brahmā—a most sacred and great pilgrimage site, created from the milk of cows. Here too, I am known as Vṛṣadhvaja, for I have established my presence, O goddess, and am always visible to you. See here the auspicious waters and the lake made by Brahmā. In this land, I have been propitiated by all the gods. ‘Go to the place of peace, O Lord’—thus, Shiva, having become tranquil, was established here by Brahmā, the supreme creator. After Brahmā gathered the sacred presence, it was again established by Viṣṇu. Then, troubled in mind, Viṣṇu was questioned by Brahmā: ‘Why have you installed this linga which I brought?’ Viṣṇu, his face showing anger, replied to Brahmā: ‘My devotion to Rudra among the gods is supreme and exceedingly great. It is I who established the linga, and it shall bear your name.’ Thus, as Hiraṇyagarbha, I am established here. Whoever beholds this Lord of gods will attain my world.