Wherever a person is born, if he has given the gift of a cow, that very cow is born alongside him in his next life, shielding him from the torment of terrible hells. Instead, he attains the blessed northern Kurus, where he enjoys endless happiness. Even if one gives just a single milking cow from among a hundred thousand, the merit is so great that it delivers his sons, wives, and servants—each one is saved by the virtue of that single cow. Thus, among all gifts, the gift of a cow is held supreme. In times of peril, distress, or when great sins threaten, it is the cow alone that offers protection. For this reason, one should always give cows in charity to worthy Brahmins. Just as you have described the glory of Prayaga, so too am I, by merely hearing it, freed from all sins—there is no doubt in this. But, O Lord, how should one undertake the journey to Prayaga in a manner that is truly righteous? Tell me, O great sage, the prescribed method for this sacred pilgrimage. Listen, O King, as I recount the ancient and proper order of pilgrimage, as it has been both seen and heard by the wise. Know also what becomes of those who, wishing to journey to Prayaga, travel there mounted on a bull: such a person is doomed to dwell in a dreadful hell, tormented by the cries of cows; even his ancestors refuse to accept water from him. But one who bathes his sons and children, gives them water to drink, and makes all proper offerings to the Brahmins as he would for himself—he is blessed. If a man travels by vehicle out of greed or delusion, all the merit of his pilgrimage is lost; thus, one should avoid going by vehicle. And if a maiden is given in marriage between the Ganga and Yamuna, with proper Vedic rites and according to one’s means, the giver is spared the terrors of hell, reaches the northern Kurus to enjoy endless happiness, and is blessed with virtuous and beautiful children and wives. At Prayaga, one should make gifts according to his ability, for such generosity greatly multiplies the fruits of pilgrimage. Indeed, he dwells in heaven until the very dissolution of creation. If someone, upon reaching the root of a banyan tree, gives up his life there, he surpasses all worlds and attains the realm of Rudra. Even when the twelve suns, in the company of Rudra, burn and scorch the universe, the root of the banyan tree remains untouched by their fire. When the worlds of the moon and sun are destroyed and the universe becomes a single ocean, there, again and again, abides Vishnu, the eternal sacrificer. The gods, Dānavas, Gandharvas, seers, Siddhas, and Cāraṇas always serve this sacred place—the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna. From there, O king of kings, one should proceed to Prayaga, singing its praises, for there are present Brahma and the other gods, seers, Siddhas, and Cāraṇas. The guardians of the worlds, the Sādhyas, the revered ancestors, Sanatkumara, and the foremost sages gather there as well. The great sages led by Angiras, the supreme Brahmarshis, the Nāgas, Suparṇas, Siddhas, and all those who move through the sky are present. The oceans, rivers, mountains, Nāgas, Vidyādharas, and even blessed Hari himself, accompanied by the lords of creatures, reside there. Between the Ganga and Yamuna lies the very womb of the earth; Prayaga, O tiger among kings, is renowned across the three worlds. There is nothing holier than Prayaga in all existence. Simply by hearing of this sacred place, by uttering its name, or by touching its earth, one is freed from sin. Whoever, steadfast in their vows, bathes at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna attains a reward equal to the greatest sacrifices—the Rajasuya and Ashvamedha. Let no words—whether from gods or men—shake your resolve to go to Prayaga, O dear one. Ten thousand sacred places and sixty crores more are present there, O descendant of Kuru. The destination reached by a wise man, united with yoga and established in truth, is also attained by one who gives up his breath at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna. Those who have not visited Prayaga, O Yudhishthira, have not truly lived; they are deceived in all three worlds. By seeing this supreme abode of Prayaga, one is freed from all sins, just as the moon is freed from Rahu’s grasp. There, on the broad bank of the Yamuna, dwell the Nāgas Kambala and Ashvatara. Bathing and drinking there frees one from all sins. If a man visits the renowned shrine of Mahadeva, he delivers all ten of his ancestors, both before and after him. By performing ablutions there, he gains the merit of the Ashvamedha sacrifice and attains the world of the gods until the end of creation. On the eastern bank of the Ganga, O Bharata, is the famous well called Samudra and the renowned Pratishthana, celebrated in all three worlds. If a celibate, having conquered anger, stays there for three nights, his soul is purified of all sins and he obtains the fruit of the Ashvamedha sacrifice. To the north of Pratishthana and east of the Bhagirathi lies the tirtha called Hamsaprapatana, famed throughout the three worlds. By merely bathing there, one attains the merit of an Ashvamedha and is honored in heaven as long as the sun and moon endure. Hear also what awaits one who gives up his life at the sacred and vast Hamsapandura, the blessed place where Urvashi delighted. For sixty thousand and six hundred years, he enjoys heaven along with his ancestors. He beholds Urvashi herself in heaven and is continually honored by sages, Gandharvas, and Kinnaras. And when his merit is spent and he falls from heaven, cast down from the sky, he is granted a hundred maidens, each resembling Urvashi. Such is the glory and sanctity of Prayaga and its sacred environs, O king; to know and honor them is to be cleansed of all sin and to attain the highest rewards.