O King, there was once a man afflicted by leprosy, whose suffering was great. Upon drinking the sacred water of the Vetravatī, his leprosy vanished without doubt, and his mind became especially pure. From that moment, O Lady of the Gods, a deep devotion to Lord Viṣṇu arose within him, and he began to bathe regularly in those holy waters. He was transformed—his body became pure, he gained many forms of wealth, and he enjoyed happiness in this world, performing numerous sacrifices. By giving gifts to Brahmins, he ultimately attained the Vaishnava abode. Thus, O Goddess, know especially the greatness of the Vetravatī river. All Brahmins who bathe there, O delight of the mountain, are liberated—indeed, even Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras, O best of the gods, find freedom from the bonds of sin wherever they perform their bathing rituals. Whether in the sacred months of Kārtika or Māgha, even those who are outcastes or revilers of the Vedas are freed from sin by bathing at the confluence of rivers, especially where the Vetravatī meets the Sabravatī. There, even a slayer of Brahmins is always freed from sin. The city of Khetaka, situated there, is divine and resembles heaven itself. It was there, O Goddess, that Brahmā performed many yogic practices. By bathing and eating in that place, one is freed from the cycle of rebirth. The Vetravatī is remembered as the second Gaṅgā, especially in this Kali age. Those who desire happiness, wealth, or heaven, after bathing again and again in her waters, enjoy happiness in this world and then attain the eternal abode of Viṣṇu. Those born in the Solar and Lunar dynasties, upon coming to Vetravatī and bathing there, have attained supreme contentment. By merely seeing the river, suffering is removed; by touching her waters, mental sins are surely destroyed; and after bathing and eating there, one undoubtedly becomes eligible for liberation. Through bathing, recitation of sacred texts, and offering oblations, one attains endless reward. If one then proceeds to the holy city of Vārāṇasī and performs the Cāndrāyaṇa vow with devotion, great merit is gained. Especially at Vetravatī, if one meets death there, one attains the highest merit. Such a soul, becoming four-armed, goes to the supreme abode of Viṣṇu. All the holy places on earth, the gods, and the ancestors—all of them, O queen of the gods, reside at Vetravatī. What more can be said? There is truly no holy place on earth equal to Vetravatī. I, Viṣṇu, as well as Brahmā, the gods, and the supreme sages—all the deities dwell at Vetravatī. Whether one bathes there once, twice, or especially three times, liberation is certain. Thus ends the one hundred thirty-fourth chapter of the Padma Purāṇa, glorifying the greatness of Vetravatī. Now, O Goddess, listen as Mahādeva relates the greatness of Sābhramatī. The eminent sage Kaśyapa performed severe austerities for many years on the delightful Arbuda mountain, which was thickly covered with various trees. There, where the lovely Sarasvatī flows—pure and destroyer of sins—Kaśyapa undertook his penances. One day, O Goddess, he journeyed toward Naimiṣa, where many sages were gathered, engaged in sacred discussions. The twice-born sages approached Kaśyapa and respectfully requested, “O Kaśyapa, for our happiness, please bring the Gaṅgā here.” They further declared, “By your name, that Gaṅgā, the best of rivers, will henceforth be known.” Accepting their words with humility, Kaśyapa returned to the Arbuda forest, to the bank of the Sarasvatī, and there performed supremely difficult austerities. I, Mahādeva, was worshipped by Kaśyapa, and being pleased, I appeared directly before that excellent Brāhmaṇa. “Choose a boon, auspicious one, whatever is in your heart,” I told him. Kaśyapa replied, “O Lord of gods, you who grant boons, the sacred Gaṅgā, destroyer of sins, who rests upon your head—may she be given especially to me.” I replied, “Accept her, O best of Brāhmaṇas.” Then, having released a single lock of hair, I gave Gaṅgā to Kaśyapa. Joyfully, he took her and returned to his own place. The holy place called Keśarandhra became Kaśyapa’s dwelling, and there, surrounded by sages, he resided. The river, brought by Kaśyapa, became known as Kāśyapī, the best of rivers. By merely seeing her, even a slayer of Brāhmaṇas is said to be freed from sin. Pārvatī then asked, “What merit arises merely from bathing at that holy place? Tell me, O Viśvanātha, compassionate one, show mercy to me. What merit comes from seeing, and what from bathing? Tell me its greatness, O Brāhmaṇa, let nothing be left untold.” Mahādeva replied, “I have heard of many holy places and shrines, and by the grace of Lord Viṣṇu, of the rivers that flow to the ocean: Gaṅgā, Yamunā, Revā, the great river Tāpi, Godāvarī, Tuṅgabhadrā, Kauśikī, and Gallikā; Kāverī, Vedikā, Bhadrā, the sin-removing Sarayū, and many other rivers on earth that remove all sins.