When Indra, having slain Vṛtra, was afflicted by the terrible sin of Brahmin-killing, the grandsire Brahmā sought to relieve him. Summoning Agni, the fire-god, Brahmā addressed him: “O Jātavedas, accept a fourth part of Śakra’s Brahmin-killing sin.” Agni, the radiant one, questioned the grandsire: “O Lord, by what means shall I be freed from this sin? Please tell me truly, O honored one.” Brahmā replied with compassion: “Whenever you blaze, O Agni, those who approach you shall never use you for seeds, herbs, sesame, fruits, roots, sacrificial sticks, or kuśa grass. At that moment, they will abandon you and remain apart. O carrier of offerings, in this way, let the fever of your mind caused by Brahmin-killing depart.” Accepting the command, Agni, the eater of offerings, was thus freed from distress, and Brahmā’s purpose was fulfilled. Next, Brahmā summoned the trees, herbs, and grasses, and spoke to them. The trees, herbs, and grasses, afflicted like Agni, addressed Brahmā: “O grandsire, the sin of Brahmin-killing is already inherent in us by nature; please do not cause us further suffering. We already endure fire, cold, rain driven by wind, and are constantly subjected to cutting and splitting.” Brahmā replied: “If any man, out of delusion, cuts or splits you without cause, that sin will fall upon him.” Thus reassured, the trees, herbs, and grasses honored Brahmā and departed as they had come. Then, Brahmā called forth the Apsarases, the celestial nymphs, and spoke to them with gentle, consoling words: “O beautiful ones, a fourth part of this Brahmin-killing sin, which has come from Vṛtra, must now be borne by you.” The Apsarases agreed: “O lord of gods, by your command we accept it. But, O grandsire, please consider the means for our liberation.” Pitāmaha replied: “If any man has intercourse with a woman during her menstrual period, she will swiftly depart from him; let the fever of your minds subside.” The Apsarases joyfully accepted this, and returned to their own places, delighting with the daughter of the mountain. Afterwards, Brahmā turned his attention to the waters. At his summons, all the waters gathered and, bowing to him, the goddess of immeasurable energy spoke: “O god, we have come at your command. Instruct us, O master.” Brahmā said: “This dreadful Brahmin-killing sin, which came from Vṛtra, has reached Indra. You must accept a fourth part of it.” The waters consented: “As you command, O lord of the world. But please consider the means for our liberation, for you alone are the refuge of all.” Brahmā answered: “If a man, deluded in mind, discharges phlegm, urine, or feces into you, he will quickly remain there, and then you shall be liberated from this sin. This is the truth I speak to you.” Thus, by the command of the gods, Indra was freed from the sin of Brahmin-killing and became exceedingly joyful. In ancient times, Indra had been tormented by this sin, but after performing austerities at the holy place of Vārtraghnī, his soul was purified and he ascended to heaven. Having completed the horse sacrifice, he became free from all sin. Thus, the sacred place called Vārtraghnī became renowned for its power, O daughter of the mountain. After these events, the divine river Vārtraghnī, from the confluence, entered the abode of Varuṇa—the ocean—together with Bhadrā. The ocean, desiring her affection, approached Vārtraghnī and, with loving attachment, united with her. Bhadrā, or Subhadrā, who was once her companion, took the path as an assistant, manifesting the form of Śrī herself. Their auspicious union occurred on the northern shore of the ocean. At that holy place, whoever bathes and offers pure water, and bows to Varāha, attains the abode of Varuṇa. By that path, the blessed Viṣṇu entered the ocean. Having conquered the Dānavas and all obstacles of the gods, the god Yajña-Varāha, after agitating the abode of the Makara, played there for a long time and then emerged from the mire. Then Pārvatī asked: “O god, tell me in detail about the entry of Yajña-Varāha into the clouded region and his emergence from the mire.” Mahādeva replied: “Long ago, Varāha Hari, assuming the form of a boar for the sake of the gods, entered the earth. He lifted the goddess Earth out of the mire, and there arose a great sacred place called Varāha. Whoever bathes there attains liberation without doubt. There, one should perform śrāddha for the ancestors’ liberation; thus released, he goes to a great and blissful world together with them.” Thus ends the chapter glorifying the holy tirtha of Varāha, as recounted in the Uttarakhaṇḍa of the glorious Padma Mahāpurāṇa.