O Yudhishthira, listen attentively to the sacredness of Prayaga, a holy place difficult for humans to attain. This is a site so revered that, after bathing in its waters, gods, demons, gandharvas, sages, siddhas, and charanas ascend to dwell in the heavenly realms. Hear again, O king, of Prayaga’s greatness—for simply hearing of it frees one from all sins, without doubt. For those who are afflicted, poor, or steadfast in their resolve, Prayaga is declared as the supreme refuge, never to be spoken of lightly. Even if a person is diseased, distressed, or aged, if he gives up his life between the Ganga and Yamuna, he finds himself amidst gandharvas and apsaras, playing in radiant aerial chariots that shine like gold and the sun. There, he enjoys all desired pleasures, say the foremost sages, in celestial abodes adorned with every kind of jewel, draped with countless banners, and surrounded by beautiful, auspicious women, delighting in their company. Awakened by the sounds of singing and music, he is honored in heaven until he forgets his earthly birth. When the merit of his good deeds is exhausted and he falls from heaven, he is born again in a prosperous family, rich in gold and jewels. The memory of that holy place remains with him, and by recalling Prayaga, he is drawn there once more. Wherever one might be—at home, abroad, in the forest, or in his own land—if he departs from this world remembering Prayaga, he attains the world of Brahma, as the sages declare. In that world, the trees grant all desires, the earth is golden, and sages, ascetics, and perfected beings dwell. There, on the beautiful bank of the Mandakini, surrounded by a thousand women, he delights in the company of sages as a result of his virtuous deeds. He is honored in heaven by siddhas, charanas, gandharvas, and gods. When he falls from heaven, he becomes a lord of Jambudvipa. Again and again, reflecting on virtuous deeds, he becomes endowed with virtues and wealth in this world—of this, there is no doubt. Whoever, established in righteousness and truth by deed, mind, and word, gives a cow between the Ganga and Yamuna—be it gold, jewels, pearls, or any other gift, for his own purpose, for his ancestors, or in worship of the gods—receives the full merit of that holy place. Yet, one should not accept gifts at such a holy place or in sacred shrines; on all such occasions, a twice-born should remain vigilant. The gift of a tawny-red cow, with golden horns, silver hooves, a bronze vessel for milking, and yielding milk, bestowed upon a worthy Brahmin at Prayaga—one who is calm, clad in white, learned in righteousness, and accomplished in the Vedas—at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna, along with precious garments and jewels, brings immense merit. For as many hairs as are on the cow’s body, for that many thousands of years the giver is honored in the heavenly world. Wherever that person is born, that cow is born with him; and by that act, he is spared from terrible hell. He reaches the northern Kurus and enjoys endless time. If one gives a single milking cow from among a hundred thousand, he delivers his sons, wives, and servants, each by each, through that one cow. Therefore, among all gifts, the gift of a cow is supreme. In difficult, perilous, and dreadful situations where great sins arise, only the cow provides protection; thus, it should be given to the best of the twice-born. O sage, just as you recount the greatness of Prayaga, so am I freed from all sins—there is no doubt of this. Tell me, O Lord, by what procedure should one go, with certainty in righteousness, to Prayaga? Reveal to me, O great sage, the prescribed rule. I shall tell you, O King, the proper order of pilgrimage, as laid down by ancient tradition and as seen and heard. Hear also the result for one who, desiring the pilgrimage to Prayaga, goes there mounted on a bull—he dwells in a dreadful hell, in a harsh region filled with the cries of cows, and his ancestors do not accept water from him. But he who bathes his sons and young children, gives them water to drink, and offers all gifts to Brahmins as he would for himself, attains merit. If a man goes by vehicle out of greed for wealth or out of delusion, all his efforts become fruitless; therefore, one should avoid going to Prayaga by vehicle. He who gives a maiden in marriage between the Ganga and Yamuna, with the proper Vedic rite and according to his means, is spared from terrible hell. He reaches the northern Kurus and enjoys endless time, gaining sons and wives who are righteous and beautiful. At Prayaga, one should make gifts according to his means; by this, the fruit of the pilgrimage surely increases—there is no doubt. Such a one dwells in heaven until the dissolution of creation. If a man, reaching the root of a banyan tree, gives up his life, he surpasses all worlds and goes to the realm of Rudra. There, the twelve suns, resorting to Rudra, burn fiercely; they scorch the whole world, but the root of the banyan remains untouched. When the worlds of the moon and sun are destroyed and the universe is but a single ocean, there Vishnu, the sacrificer, abides again and again. The gods, Danavas, Gandharvas, seers, Siddhas, and Charanas always serve that sacred confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna. From there, O king of kings, one should proceed to Prayaga, praising it, for Brahma and the other gods, seers, Siddhas, and Charanas are present there. The guardians of the worlds, the Sadhyas, the honored ancestors, Sanatkumara, and the foremost sages are likewise present. Also gathered are the great sages led by Angiras, the supreme Brahmarshis, as well as the Nagas, Suparnas, Siddhas, and all those who move in the sky. Thus, O Yudhishthira, is the glory of Prayaga, celebrated by all beings, and the supreme destination for the virtuous.