There are certain souls, the scriptures declare, who shine as the foremost among the Bhāgavatas, the true devotees. These are those who, upon witnessing acts of worship, feel their hearts rejoice; who never speak ill of others, remaining pure in their words and thoughts. Those who are receptive to virtue wherever it is found, who treat both enemy and friend with impartiality—such are recognized as the highest devotees. Eager to serve the virtuous, devoted to those who speak the words of the Lord, and enthusiastic pilgrims to holy places, they are counted among the greatest Bhāgavatas. Some are steadfast in their devotion to the sacred names of Hari, while others dedicate themselves to acts of public good, like digging ponds and wells. Those who hold the cow and the Gāyatrī mantra dear, whose bodies are thrilled with goosebumps at the thought of the divine, and whose ears bear the marks of sacred wood—these too are honored as the foremost devotees. Those who possess land sanctified by the Lord’s presence, who speak the true meanings of the Vedas, who bear the three sacred lines, and those adorned with rudrākṣa beads—all these are recognized as the highest among devotees. Above all, those who possess supreme devotion to Hari stand as the very highest. Those who delight in virtue wherever it is found, who act with equal-mindedness, and who are steadfast in meditation upon Shiva—these are also counted among the greatest devotees. Those who are unwavering in seeing all beings as one, who perform every action for the sake of the Lord, are likewise exalted. Indeed, the Lord Himself proclaims that even He could not fully describe the greatness of such devotees, not even in hundreds of millions of ages. Among these devotees, the one who stands as the refuge of all beings, who is self-controlled, friendly, and steadfast in righteousness, is especially praised. Immersed in meditation upon the Lord’s form, such a soul attains the highest liberation. Having bestowed these teachings and granted a boon, the Lord of the gods vanished from sight. The devotee, inspired by these words, faithfully observed the highest dharma and performed sacrifices according to the prescribed rites. His actions, consumed by the fire of meditation, led him to supreme liberation. Indeed, whatever one desires in the heart, that is surely attained—there is no doubt. What more, then, could be said about the greatness of devotion to the Lord? Yet the seeker’s longing for wisdom was not quenched. Once again, he approached Sanaka, the sage accomplished in knowledge and realization, and asked, “Out of supreme compassion, O knower of the scriptures, speak to me. Tell me of that which destroys evil dreams, brings merit, righteousness, and auspiciousness, removes sin, pacifies all diseases, and increases the span of life.” Sanaka replied, “The supreme sages speak of the union of the Ganga and Yamuna as the source of such blessings. Sages and men who seek merit attend upon this sacred confluence. The Yamuna, born of the Sun, and Brahma—when these sacred rivers unite, auspiciousness abounds. Their union destroys all sins and removes every calamity. Among all such places, the most sacred is known as Prayaga. There, all the sages have performed various sacrifices, sanctifying it further with their presence and rites.