Hear now a sacred account from the Padma Purāṇa, as revealed by Śrī Mahādeva to Umā, the Queen of the gods. Mahādeva proclaims: “I grant all desired wishes—even those sought by the fourteen Indras themselves. Here, those brahmins who arrive and perform Rudra-japa and similar rites, especially with devotion and care, receive from me happiness in women, happiness in sons, and an increase in prosperity. Listen well to this truth.” He continues, describing the sanctity of the holy places and their divine power. “At Kambutīrtha, after bathing and offering libations to the ancestors, one should worship Nārāyaṇa, the flawless Lord of lords. By properly giving gifts to the brahmins according to established rules, the power of this tīrtha grants the devotee entry to the world of Viṣṇu. Long ago, the royal sage Viśvāmitra, wise and yearning for offspring, undertook intense austerities at Kambutīrtha. Sustained only by air, fasting and subsisting on wind alone, he dedicated himself to worshipping Viṣṇu and meditating upon Him. Through this austerity, Viśvāmitra obtained the offspring he desired. And so, any man who visits Kambutīrtha seeking children will surely be blessed with progeny—this is true, true, O beautiful-faced one. Such is the glory of Kambutīrtha. Afterwards, one should journey to the tīrtha called Kapīśvara, foremost among the gods, near Raktasiṃha—a place renowned for destroying great sins. In ancient times, during the battle between Rāma and Rāvaṇa, the monkeys brought a great mountain to construct the bridge. At this site, named Kapīśvarāditya, they established a sacred tīrtha. Here, bathing and offering libations to the ancestors, and beholding Kapīśvarāditya, frees one from the sin of killing a brāhmaṇa. Bathing is especially auspicious on the eighth day of Caitra. There, led by Hanumat, the monkeys bathed for three days, demonstrating the power of Kapitīrtha. At this tīrtha, one who bathes and worships Kapīśvara becomes handsome and enjoys many pleasures—there can be no doubt. Whoever desires strength, righteousness, or a son, all these blessings are granted by the power of Kapitīrtha. Thus concludes the chapter on the glory of Kapitīrtha, as spoken in the Padma Mahāpurāṇa’s Uttarakhaṇḍa, in the dialogue between Umā and Maheśvara. Mahādeva then instructs: “O Queen of the gods, next one should go to the great pilgrimage site of Brahmavalli. Hear directly, O best of the gods, the nature of this sacred place. Where the waters of the Brahmavati meet those of Brahmavalli, that confluence is called Brahmatirtha, esteemed as equal to Prayaga. There, by offering pindas, the ancestors are satisfied for twelve years, just as Brahma has declared. Especially at Brahmavalli, the merit gained is equal to performing rites at Gaya; when these rites are performed knowingly, the ancestors attain satisfaction. Gifts of cows, land, and food made here yield merit equal to those donations. Sanaka and other sages, after bathing according to prescribed rites and meditating on the supreme Brahman, have attained the realm of Vishnu here. At Pushkara, on the Ganga, and in the field of Amarakaṇṭaka—whatever fruit a person obtains by visiting those places, that fruit is also attained at Brahmavalli. Those who give gifts during lunar or solar eclipses receive the same reward here, O Queen of the gods; they acquire divine forms, bearing the conch, discus, and mace. After bathing, wearing a garland of tulasi, and remembering Narayana, they ascend to heaven and reach the blissful, eternal abode of Vaikuntha. Thus is the greatness of Brahmavalli. Next, one should visit Vrishatirtha, renowned at Khandatirtha. There, after bathing, cows who once resided in Goloka attain heaven. By the righteousness of Khandatirtha, these cows, mothers of the world, who had fallen from their realm due to a curse, are restored; hence it is called Khandatirtha.” Parvati inquires, “Whose curse befell the world-mothers, the cows, in ancient times? How did they fall from their realm, and how were they protected by righteousness?” Mahadeva explains: “Once, while playing in Goloka with their mothers, a bull released dung and urine, which fell upon the head of Hara. Because of this offense, Hara pronounced a curse upon them: ‘You will lose awareness and depart from your own realm, going to earth.’ The cows, thus cursed, appeased Hara and petitioned: ‘May we again attain our realm.’ Hara granted their wish, saying, ‘When, at the Brahmavati pilgrimage near Brahmavalli, you bathe in the lake called Khanda, you will surely attain heaven.’ Then, after bathing in that lake with the lord of the cowherds, the cows, purified, ascended to heaven, near Mahadeva. A man who bathes at the cow-pond and performs offerings to the ancestors there attains the world of cows, free from burning and destruction. By staying there without food and offering a ball of cow-dung, one prospers happily for as long as the fourteen Indras reign. The fruit obtained by giving away ten million cows is also attained at the Khaṇḍa Tīrtha—of this there is no doubt. Whoever drinks the sacred water mixed with bull’s urine at the Khaṇḍa Tīrtha is instantly purified—there is no doubt. There has never been, nor will there be, a holy place greater than Khaṇḍa Tīrtha; those who go there, O best of gods, are blessed with merit. Upon arrival, one should worship the cows, then worship the bull, and finally bathe with focused mind.” Thus, from the words of Mahādeva, are revealed the glories of these tīrthas—Kambutīrtha, Kapīśvara, Brahmavalli, and Khandatirtha—each bestowing blessings, merit, and liberation to those who approach with reverence and devotion.