Yudhishthira, ever earnest in his quest for truth, approached the wise sage and asked, “You speak so highly of the supreme divine state and the enjoyments it brings, yet you also praise dharma that seems to require little effort. Why is this so? Please resolve my doubt, for you have seen and heard much.” The sage replied, “One should never speak of what ought not to be believed, even if it seems obvious, especially before a person whose mind is clouded by sin and who lacks faith. Those who are faithless, impure in heart, ill-minded, and bereft of auspiciousness—these, as you have learned, are truly sinners.” “Now, listen as I reveal to you the greatness of Prayaga, both as it is seen and as it is heard, for I shall relate its glory. Whether one has seen or not seen, or has only heard—if one makes scripture the authority, one should strive to unite the self with yoga. Yet, there are others who struggle and still do not attain yoga; even after thousands of lifetimes, yoga is achieved by humans only with great difficulty.” “In the same way that yoga is attained after a thousand practices, so too is it for the one who gives all manner of jewels to the Brahmins. Yet, even with such gifts, a man does not obtain yoga. But at Prayaga, at the moment of death, all these blessings are gained—nowhere else is this so.” “Let me explain the chief reason, O Bharata. Have faith and listen: Brahman is present everywhere, in all beings. Whatever exists in a Brahmin, even if some claim it is not Brahman, still, Brahman must be honored everywhere, in all creatures. Therefore, the wise across all worlds should honor Prayaga, for truly, O Yudhishthira, Prayaga is the king of sacred fords and is most worthy of reverence.” “Even Brahma, the Creator, constantly remembers Prayaga, the supreme tirtha. Having reached this king of sacred fords, nothing else is worth seeking. For who, having attained divinity, would wish to become human again? In this way, understand, O Yudhishthira, the holiness of which I have spoken.” Yudhishthira, deeply moved, said, “I have heard your words and am filled with wonder. How is it that such attainments come from yoga, and that residence in heaven is gained through action? Those who give, indeed, receive enjoyments and the fruits of their deeds, such as cows. But I ask again—by what actions is the earth itself obtained?” The sage answered, “Listen, O king, strong-armed one, how through prescribed acts—the earth, cows, fire, Brahmins, scriptures, gold, water, and women—are gained. But those who revile their mother and father, the lowest of men, can never ascend; so declares the Lord of all creatures.” “Thus, the attainment of yoga is most difficult. Those who commit evil deeds fall into a terrible hell. If one steals elephants, horses, cows, carts, jewels, pearls, gold, or anything in secret, and then gives it away as a gift, such a person does not reach heaven. The true enjoyers there are those who give with pure hearts; those who act otherwise are tormented again in hell.” “So, O Yudhishthira, I have spoken to you of yoga, dharma, giving, and the fruits of truth and untruth, existence and non-existence. Now, let me explain as the Sun himself has declared.” “Hear again, O king, of the greatness of Prayaga, as well as Naimisha, Pushkara, Gotirtha, and the ocean Sindhu. There is Gaya, Citraka, and the confluence of the Ganga with the ocean, and many other sacred places, including holy clusters of stones.” “At Prayaga, there are ten thousand sacred bathing places, and thirty crore more, always established there, as the wise declare. Three fire-altars stand there, and from their midst, the sacred Jahnavi—the Ganga—emerges, honored by all tirthas. The goddess Yamuna, daughter of the Sun and renowned in all three worlds, joins with the Ganga, bringing benefit to all beings.” “The land between the Ganga and Yamuna is known as the womb of the earth. O tiger among kings, even the sixteenth part of Prayaga cannot be matched. Vayu has said that three and a half crore sacred bathing places exist in heaven, on earth, and in the sky—all are considered to be the Ganga.” “Prayaga is the seat of Kambala and Ashvatara, and also of Bhogavati; it is the altar of Prajapati. There, O Yudhishthira, the Vedas and sacrifices take form, and ascetic sages devoted to austerity worship Prajapati. The gods themselves worship there with sacrifices, and kings bearing weapons do likewise. Therefore, O Bharata, nothing is more holy in the three worlds.” “By its power, O mighty one, Prayaga surpasses all other sacred places: ten thousand tirthas and three crore more are found there. Where the blessed Ganga flows, that land is the abode of ascetics, known as the field of the perfected, adorned by the bank of the Ganga.” “Know this as truth, both for the virtuous and for yourself. Recite it in the ear of a friend or a devoted disciple. This is blessed; this leads to heaven; this is true, this is happiness, this is holy, this is righteous, this is purifying, this is the highest dharma. This is the secret of the great sages, the destroyer of all sins. Even a twice-born who studies this becomes pure and attains heaven.” “Whoever hears of this sacred tirtha daily, always with a pure heart, attains the memory of past births and rejoices in the highest heaven. The good attain these sacred places by following the example of the virtuous. Bathe at the tirthas, O Kauravya, and do not let your mind be crooked.” “Because you have asked rightly, O mighty one, I have told you all this. In doing so, your ancestors and grandfathers are delivered. Vow, charity, austerity, pilgrimage, all sacrifices with proper gifts, yoga, Sankhya, good conduct, and other means of knowledge—all these together do not equal even the sixteenth part of Prayaga.” Thus, the sage revealed to Yudhishthira the unparalleled sanctity of Prayaga, the supreme tirtha, the very heart of dharma and the highest path to liberation.