Once again, the earnest seeker approached the wise Sanaka, who was renowned for his mastery of knowledge and realization. With deep reverence, he implored, “Out of your supreme compassion, O knower of the true meaning of the scriptures, please enlighten me. Tell me of that which destroys evil dreams, brings merit and righteousness, removes sin, and bestows auspiciousness. Speak of that which calms all diseases and increases the span of life.” Sanaka, moved by compassion, responded: “The supreme sages speak with one voice of the sacred union of the Ganga and the Yamuna. This confluence is cherished by both sages and all who seek merit. The Yamuna, born of the radiant Sun and Brahma, joins with the Ganga to bring forth great auspiciousness. Their union has the power to destroy all sins and remove every calamity. “Among all holy places, O seeker, the most sacred is known as Prayaga. It is here that sages of old performed countless sacrifices, yet all those great deeds do not equal even a sixteenth part of the merit gained by bathing with but a single drop of Ganga’s water. Even the mere touch of her waters frees one from sin—how much more so for those who immerse themselves in her sacred flow! “The gods themselves are served by sages—how much more should ordinary people serve them? At Prayaga, beneath the altar, there is a radiant eye to be known, shining forth. What greater blessing could there be than this? It grants one a resemblance to Vishnu himself. Those who are graced by this, mounted on celestial vehicles, ascend to the supreme abode, lifting thousands along with them to the world of Vishnu. “Know this without doubt: Vishnu has stood in all the sacred fields. By the mere touch of my body, one becomes equal to the gods. The earth born of Ganga leads one to the form of the Imperishable. Yet, devotion to the proclaimer of dharma is exceedingly rare among men. A person, endowed with such devotion and placing the root-born Ganga on his head, attains the abode of Vishnu. Even one who merely desires this with a pure heart will also reach Vishnu’s abode. “Not even Vishnu himself can alter this truth—so what can others do with many words? For indeed, people may go to hell even while residing at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna, should they lack true devotion. Likewise, devotion to Tulasi, and to those who proclaim the glories of Hari, frees one from all sins and assures attainment of Vishnu’s world. Freed from all sins, one may also reach the world of the Sun. “The auspicious transits of Aries, Taurus, and Capricorn bring purification to the entire world. Sacred rivers like the Tungabhadra, Kaveri, Kalindi, and Bahuda are also celebrated, but among all such holy places, the Ganga is remembered as the foremost. In every way, this all-pervading Ganga destroys all sins. She purifies, and she is the purifier—why, then, do people not serve her with devotion? “Varanasi, known as Kashi, is renowned and attended by all the gods. For those who have heard the scriptures, Kashi’s glory has been praised again and again. There, having shaken off all sins, souls ascend to the world of Shiva. Even those burdened with many sins can attain a state free from affliction and may reach the Shaiva state. “Having become the sole sovereign on earth and having reached Kashi, one attains liberation. Indeed, for those who even utter the name of Kashi, the four aims of life—dharma, artha, kama, and moksha—are never far away.