On the sacred northern bank of the Yamunā, just south of the holy city of Prayāga, lies a revered place known as “Release from Debt.” This tirtha is celebrated as the most supreme among sanctuaries. It is said that even a single night spent there, accompanied by a ritual bath, frees a person from every debt, grants them entry to the heavenly worlds, and ensures they remain forever unburdened. Upon hearing this account of Prayāga, the listener’s heart is cleansed and uplifted by its praise. Filled with devotion, he asks, “O Lord, what is the fruit of fasting at Prayāga? What world does one attain when purified of all sins by such austerity?” The sage responds, “Hear, O king, of the rewards that come from fasting at Prayāga. A wise man, full of faith and self-control, is able to attain these fruits. Even if he is whole of body, free from disease, and possessed of all his senses, at every step within Prayāga he gains the merit of an Aśvamedha sacrifice. Moreover, he delivers ten ancestors before him and ten after; he is freed from all sins and attains the highest state.” The listener marvels at this fortune, saying, “Indeed, the gain of dharma here is great. With so little effort, one attains such vast virtue. Many virtuous ones have performed countless horse sacrifices to gain such results. Yet, my curiosity remains—how can this be?” The sage answers, “Listen, O king, to what the self-born Brahmā once declared before the sages, which I too have heard. The region of Prayāga extends five yojanas wide, and upon merely entering this land, at every step one gains the fruit of a horse sacrifice. If a man gives up his life here, he redeems seven ancestors who have passed and fourteen yet to come. Knowing this, O king of kings, one should always be devoted to service. Men lacking faith, whose minds are clouded by sin, cannot attain Prayāga, which is protected by the gods. Those led by mere affection or greed for wealth, driven by desire, cannot gain the true fruit of pilgrimage or merit.” The listener inquires further, “What becomes of the one who, ignorant of what should or should not be done, sells all his goods at Prayāga? Tell me, O Grandfather.” The sage reveals a great secret, “Whoever bathes at Prayāga for one month with controlled senses is freed from all sins and attains the supreme state. If one who has broken trust bathes three times daily and lives on alms for three months, he too is freed at Prayāga—of this there is no doubt. Even if one, out of ignorance, undertakes pilgrimage and such acts here, he enjoys all desires fulfilled, is honored in heaven, and dwells in abundance. One who is complete in knowledge always enjoys pleasures, and by him, ancestors and great-grandfathers are rescued from hell.” The sage continues, “You, follower of dharma and knower of truth, have asked these questions repeatedly. For your sake, this ancient secret has been revealed. Today my own birth is made fruitful, my lineage blessed, simply by seeing you, O sage. By seeing you, O righteous one, I am freed from sin, and now I know myself, cleansed of all stain. By fortune, your birth and lineage are blessed. Reciting these glories increases merit; hearing them destroys sin.” The listener asks, “What is the merit of the Yamunā? What is the fruit there, O great sage? Tell me all that you have seen and heard.” The sage replies, “The goddess Yamunā, daughter of the Sun, is renowned in the three worlds. Flowing beside Prayāga, she is a blessed river. Just as Gaṅgā emerged, so too did Yamunā, and by her praise, she destroys sin across thousands of yojanas. There, by bathing and drinking her waters, one attains great merit and witnesses auspicious things. By immersing and drinking there, one purifies up to seven generations; whoever gives up his life there attains the highest state. On the southern bank of the Yamunā is Agni Tirtha, and to the west, the tirtha of Dharmaraja called Naraka. Those who bathe and die there ascend to heaven and are not reborn. Thousands of such tirthas exist on the southern bank of the Yamunā. To the north lies the tirtha of the great-souled Aditya, named Niranjana, where the gods and Indra reside. Those who worship there at twilight, thrice daily, are served by the gods and wise beings alike. Be devoted and perform bathing at these tirthas, for many destroy all sins. Those who bathe there and die ascend to heaven and are not reborn. The Gaṅgā and Yamunā are both equal in their fruits; only due to her seniority is Gaṅgā worshipped everywhere. Thus, O son of Kunti, bathe at all these tirthas, for whatever sin is committed in life is destroyed instantly. Whoever rises early and recites or hears this is freed from all sins and attains the heavenly worlds.” The sage then speaks of the tradition he has heard from Brahmā: “In the Purāṇa born of Brahmā, it is said that thousands, hundreds, and tens of thousands of tirthas are holy, pure, and grant the highest state. Somatirtha is of great merit and destroys great sins; by bathing alone, O king, it saves hundreds. Therefore, one should strive to bathe there. On earth, Naimisha is holy; in the sky, Pushkara; and among the three worlds, Kurukshetra is distinguished. Yet, having abandoned all these, why do you praise only one? What is spoken here is immeasurable, not to be doubted, and truly unsurpassed.” Thus, the glory of Prayāga and the Yamunā is revealed, their sanctity and the fruits of devotion extolled for those who seek liberation and virtue.