By the mighty Vritra’s hand, a well was fashioned—so deep it became known as the Very Deep Well. From its sacred depths, a goddess arose, radiant and powerful, the destroyer of vast hordes of sin. This river, born of that well, is as holy and purifying as the Ganga herself; indeed, it is said to be the best among rivers. Simply beholding her pacifies the burdens of sin. Listen, O Goddess, to an ancient tale, for by hearing it, even the most grievous sinners are released from their faults and freed from the binding chains of karma. In the city of Campaka there once ruled a king—a man whose ways were ever wicked. He was harsh by nature, an oppressor of his people, unrighteous though he wore the mask of righteousness, and relentless in his reviling of Vishnu. He had committed terrible deeds: slaying gods and Brahmins, desecrating holy hermitages, scorning the Vedas, and twisting their truths. Though wealthy, he was foolish, cruel, and deceitful, given to false scriptures and the violation of others’ wives. This king’s name was Vidaruna, and truly, he was a fool. By the workings of fate, one day he came upon this sacred river. He was out hunting, his body afflicted by leprosy—a disease he had incurred through his relentless abuse of Brahmins. He wandered the forest, tormented by thirst, accompanied by his friends. Dismounting from his horse, he drank from the river’s waters and returned home. Miraculously, by drinking that water, his leprosy vanished without a trace, and his mind became clear and pure. From that moment, devotion to Vishnu blossomed within him. He began to bathe regularly in the river, and through this practice, he was purified, blessed with wealth and happiness, and performed many sacrifices. He gave gifts to Brahmins, and in the end, attained the Vaishnava abode. So, O Goddess, know this well: the river Vetravati is especially sacred. Brahmins who bathe here are liberated, and so too are Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras, O best of the gods. Wherever one bathes, the bonds of sin are broken—be it in the holy months of Kartika or Magha, even those who are outcastes or revilers of the Vedas. Bathing at the river’s confluence, especially where it meets the Sabravati, frees one from all sin—even the slayer of Brahmins is released. The city of Khetaka, near this river, shines with divinity, resembling heaven itself. There, Brahma himself performed many yogas. Bathing and eating there ensures one will not be reborn. This river is remembered as the second Ganga, especially in this Kali age. Those who desire happiness, those who seek wealth, those who long for heaven—by bathing here again and again, they enjoy joy in this world and ultimately attain the eternal abode of Vishnu. The kings of the Solar and Lunar dynasties have come to the Vetravati, bathed in her waters, and found supreme contentment. Merely seeing the river removes suffering; touching it destroys mental sin; bathing and eating there makes one eligible for liberation. Bathing, reciting prayers, and offering oblations here bring endless rewards. Those who journey to Varanasi should also perform the Chandrayana vow with devotion. Coming to Vetravati, O best of gods, brings great merit, and dying here is especially auspicious. Such a soul, transformed, attains four arms and ascends to the supreme abode of Vishnu. All the holy places of earth, the gods, and the ancestors—indeed, all of them—reside at Vetravati. What more needs to be said? There is no place on earth equal to Vetravati. I, Vishnu, as well as Brahma, the gods, and the supreme sages, all dwell here. All the deities reside at Vetravati, and those who bathe here—once, twice, or especially thrice—are surely liberated. Thus concludes the chapter celebrating the greatness of Vetravati, as told in the Uttarakanda of the glorious Padma Mahapurana. Now, O Goddess, listen as I recount the greatness of Sābhramatī. The eminent sage Kashyapa performed great austerities for many years upon the delightful Arbuda mountain, a place thickly covered with all manner of trees. There, where the pure and sin-destroying Sarasvati flows, the sage undertook his severe penances. One day, Kashyapa journeyed toward Naimisha, where all the sages were gathered in lively discussion. The twice-born sages approached Kashyapa and respectfully requested, “O Kashyapa, for our pleasure, bring the Ganga here.” They added, “By your name, that Ganga, the best of rivers, will be known.” Hearing their words, Kashyapa bowed to the twice-born and returned to the Arbuda forest, near the Sarasvati’s banks. There, he performed the most difficult austerities. I myself was worshipped by Kashyapa, and so I appeared before that excellent Brahmana and said, “Choose a boon, O auspicious one—whatever is in your heart.” Thus, the sacred rivers and the power of penance are revealed, their stories woven with the blessings of the gods.