യുധിഷ്ഠിരാ, ജ്ഞാനം, യോഗം, തീർത്ഥയാത്ര—all these are attained only through great effort. By practicing them diligently, one reaches the supreme state. This knowledge shines forth in all three times—past, present, and future—and leads one to the heavenly realms. Then, Yudhishthira asked the great sage, “How have all these glories of പ്രയാഗം been described? Please tell me everything, so that I too may be delivered.” The sage replied, “Hear, O King, all that has been declared about Prayaga: Brahma, Vishnu, Ishana, the gods, and the imperishable Lord—all are present there. Brahma creates all beings, both immobile and mobile; in the supreme world, Vishnu sustains them, and all creatures flourish. When the aeon ends, Rudra withdraws the entire universe, but the holy place of Prayaga never perishes. He who truly sees the Lord of all beings, sees reality. By striving in this way, one remains and attains the highest state. Tell me, Yudhishthira, how this tradition remains, and for what reason the foremost beings of the worlds abide here. In Prayaga, Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara dwell; I will tell you the reason—listen to the truth, O Yudhishthira. The region of Prayaga extends five yojanas; they remain here for protection and to ward off evil deeds. To the north of Pratishthana, Brahma abides in disguise; the Blessed Lord, in the form of Veni Madhava, stands there. The Supreme Lord, having become a great banyan tree, stands there as Maheshvara. Then the gods, Gandharvas, Siddhas, and great sages always protect the region, to prevent evil deeds. Whoever offers oblations there does not see his own sin or hell; thus, Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara are present at Prayaga. The seven continents, the oceans, and the mountains on earth remain protected here until the cosmic dissolution. And all the many others, O Yudhishthira, who dwell here—whatever is on earth is established here, created by the three deities. This field of Prajapati is renowned as Prayaga; this sacred and pure Prayaga, O Yudhishthira, rule as your own kingdom, O king, together with your brothers, O sinless one. Yudhishthira, along with all his brothers and his wife Draupadi, bowed to the Brahmanas, satisfied his teachers and the gods. At that moment, Vasudeva also arrived there; Madhava was worshipped by all the Pandavas together. With Krishna and all the great souls, Yudhishthira, son of Dharma, was again anointed in sovereign rule. Meanwhile, the great sage Markandeya, having said ‘farewell,’ soon returned to his hermitage. Yudhishthira, righteous in soul, remained there with his brothers; after giving a great charity, the noble-minded son of Dharma stayed on. Whoever, rising early, reads this glory and remembers Prayaga every day, attains the highest state, is freed from all sins, and goes to the world of Rudra. My words must be followed, O great king: always recite and offer oblations at Prayaga, free from affliction. Remember Prayaga always with us, O Yudhishthira; you yourself, O king of kings, will surely attain the heavenly world—there is no doubt. Whoever goes to Prayaga or dwells there, that person, purified from all sins, attains the world of Rudra. He who refrains from accepting gifts, is content, self-controlled, pure, and free from pride, attains the fruit of pilgrimage. He who is not prone to anger, is truthful, speaks truth, firm in his vows, and regards all beings as himself, attains the fruit of pilgrimage. Sacrifices have been prescribed by the seers and also by the gods in due order, but, O king, the poor are not able to perform sacrifices. Sacrifices require many implements and a great variety of materials; only wealthy men can sometimes accomplish them. But, O lord of men, there is a rite that even the poor can perform; know, O Yudhishthira, that it yields merit equal to the fruits of sacrifice. This is the supreme secret of the seers, O best of the Bharatas: the meritorious act of pilgrimage to holy places surpasses even sacrifices. Ten thousand holy places and thirty million sacred rivers go to the Ganga in the month of Magha, O bull among the Bharatas. Be at ease, O great king, and enjoy your kingdom without hindrance; you will see again, O king of kings, the sacrificer in particular. Having spoken thus, the illustrious and great ascetic Markandeya vanished there before King Yudhishthira. Then, together with his companions, the king bathed his limbs there, and, following the prescribed rite, attained supreme contentment. So you too, O divine sage, set out for Prayaga; after performing the ablution today, you will have accomplished your purpose. Having spoken thus, Nandisha vanished there; and Narada too quickly set out towards Prayaga. There, having bathed and recited mantras, performing the prescribed rites, and giving gifts to the foremost twice-born, he then returned to his own house. Later, a question arose: “O Lord, how many continents and oceans are there, and how many mountains? How many regions are there, and which rivers are remembered within them? What is the measure of the great earth, and likewise of Lokāloka? Tell also the extent, the dimensions, and the courses of the moon and the sun. Tell us all this in detail, as you know the truth; we wish to hear everything you say.” ഇങ്ങനെ, പ്രയാഗത്തിന്റെ മഹത്വം, ദൈവങ്ങളുടെ സാന്നിധ്യം, തീർത്ഥയാത്രയുടെ ഫലങ്ങൾ, യജ്ഞങ്ങളെക്കാളും അതിന്റെ മഹത്വം—all these were revealed to Yudhishthira and his companions. The glory of Prayaga shines eternally, and those who remember it, worship there, or listen to its greatness, attain supreme bliss and liberation.