O King, it is said that in this age of Kali, there is no remedy greater than the worship of the sacred Gaṅgā, especially at the holy confluence of Prayāga. Listen once more to the greatness of Prayāga: merely hearing of its glory frees one from all sins, without any doubt. On the northern bank of the Gaṅgā lies a sacred ford called Mānasa. If one fasts there for three nights, all desires are fulfilled. The merit one gains by giving away cows, land, or gold is equaled simply by remembering this holy ford. Regardless of whether a person approaches the Gaṅgā with desire or without, if he departs this world there, he surely attains heaven and is spared the torments of hell. Such a soul, awakened by the melodious songs of celestial apsarases, departs in a radiant chariot drawn by swans and cranes, and enjoys the pleasures of heaven for thousands upon thousands of years. When his merit is finally exhausted and he falls from heaven, he is born into a noble family, surrounded by wealth, gold, jewels, and pearls. During the auspicious month of Māgha, sixty thousand sacred fords and sixty crores of rivers are believed to gather at the confluence of the Gaṅgā and Yamunā. Bathing there for three days in Māgha bestows the same merit as giving a hundred thousand cows in charity. Those who kindle the sacred fire between the Gaṅgā and Yamunā are freed from disease and deformity, and are blessed with the fullness of their senses. For as many hair follicles as are on a person’s body, for that many thousands of years he is honored in the world of heaven. Afterward, when the heavenly pleasures are spent, he is born as a lord over Jambudvīpa, enjoying great prosperity, and the memory of that sacred place lingers within him. If one enters the waters at the renowned confluence during a lunar eclipse, he is freed from all sins, and attains the world of Soma, where he delights for sixty thousand years, honored among the gods. If he should fall from Indra’s heaven, served by men and Gandharvas, he is reborn into a prosperous family. There are those who, with great devotion, drink the blazing waters with head downward and feet upward; such a person is honored in heaven for a hundred thousand years. Should he fall from there, he becomes a performer of the Agnihotra sacrifice, enjoying earthly pleasures and again seeking the sacred confluence. Some, in supreme sacrifice, cut their own flesh to give to birds, or allow their bodies to be consumed by birds—these, too, are honored in the world of Soma for a hundred thousand years, and when they return to earth, they become righteous kings, beautiful, virtuous, learned, and gentle in speech. After enjoying worldly pleasures, they are drawn once again to the holy place. On the northern bank of the Yamunā and the southern side of Prayāga is a sacred spot known as ‘Release from Debt.’ It is held supreme; one who stays a single night and bathes there is freed from all debts, attains heaven, and remains forever free from debt. Upon hearing this account, the king’s heart is purified by the praise of Prayāga. Eager to know more, he asks the Lord about the fruits of fasting there, and what world awaits one who is thus purified. The Lord replies: Listen, O king, to the fruits of fasting at Prayāga. A wise man, full of faith and self-control, attains these blessings. Even if he is whole in body and healthy, at every step he takes there, he gains the merit of an Aśvamedha sacrifice. He liberates ten ancestors before him and ten after, is freed from all sin, and achieves the supreme state. The king marvels at the great fortune of dharma, noting that with little effort, so many virtues are gained. He wonders how such results, equivalent to many horse sacrifices, can be attained so easily, and asks for his doubts to be dispelled. The Lord then shares what was spoken by the self-born Brahmā before the sages: The region of Prayāga stretches five yojanas wide. Simply by entering that land, one gains, at every step, the fruit of a horse sacrifice. Whoever gives up his life there saves seven ancestors who have passed and fourteen yet to come. Knowing this, one should always be devoted to service, for those who lack faith and whose minds are clouded by sin cannot attain Prayāga, which is protected by the gods. Those who are driven by desire for affection or wealth cannot receive the true fruits of pilgrimage or merit. The king asks about the fate of those who, ignorant of what should or should not be done, sell all their goods at Prayāga. The Lord reveals a great secret: whoever bathes at Prayāga for a month, with controlled senses, is freed from all sins and attains the supreme state. Even those who have broken trust, if they bathe three times daily and live on alms for three months, are freed at Prayāga—this is certain. If, out of ignorance, one undertakes pilgrimage and such acts, he still enjoys all desired pleasures, is honored in heaven, and obtains abundance. The one who is complete in knowledge enjoys pleasures and rescues his ancestors and great-grandfathers from hell. The Lord concludes, “O follower of dharma and knower of truth, because you have asked again and again, this ancient secret has been revealed for your sake.