Then, my devoted wife approached the holy man, fell reverently at his feet, and brought him into our home. Though I had earlier insulted him, this great soul harbored no anger; my wife’s genuine reverence filled him with joy, as if he were among dear friends. She worshipped him properly, seated him with honor, and respectfully offered him food, saying, “O lord of life, conqueror of the three worlds, please partake of this meal.” Encouraged by my virtuous wife, I too addressed the holy man, my face cast down in humility, while hers shone with brightness: “Arise, relieve your hunger.” After these words, that slender-waisted woman herself washed his feet and seated him again on the finest seat. I gave the wise one a vessel filled with food, and, at my wife’s urging, offered him water as well. Having eaten, that righteous soul, undisturbed and content, departed from our house, softly chanting, “Hare Rama, Hare Krishna.” O merchant, the merit of this act was accomplished not by me, but by my wife; it is by her virtue that, in this very birth, I have obtained the blessed waters of the sacred place. Śivaśarman continued: After relating these words, Viṣṇuśarman stood before the demon. Then, the travelers—your former bearers—appeared in the sky in divine bodies and spoke to you. They said, “O lord of men, noble one, though we met untimely death, through your grace and by drinking this sacred water, we have attained divinity. Because of our greed for wealth, we wandered with you, but now, even at the moment of death, all desire for riches has left us. The sacred water of this king of holy fords remained within us, and by its power, we have found friendship with the Lord of Wealth. We bow to you, and now go, O master, to your city in aerial chariots brought by his attendants, adorned with various jewels. Proceed without delay at this sacred ford that reveals the Veda—cross over together with him and swiftly bring him across as well.” Śivaśarman said: Having spoken thus, they departed northward, their aerial chariots resounding through the heavens with a melodious jingling. Then my father, the merchant Śarabha, spoke to the night-wandering demon: “Arise, quickly take me to the sacred ford that reveals the Veda. Afflicted by fever, I cannot go on foot; there is no one but you who can bring me to that holy place.” The night-wanderer replied, “So be it,” comforting the merchant. He lifted my father onto his shoulder and swiftly carried him to the sacred ford. There, both the merchant and the demon stayed, performing only the ritual bath at that most excellent of fords. When I heard of my father’s great and severe suffering, my mother sent me forth, and I left my home. Arriving at the sacred place, I saw my father stricken with fever. I bowed my head to him, received his blessing, and he spoke to me: “Why have you come here, dear son, along this long road? Remain here for a few days, fulfilling your own duties. A friend of mine, a demon named Vikaṭa, is coming here; rise and fall at his feet in salutation. Do not fear him, for he has abandoned violent deeds; now, having reached this sacred ford, he stands here in my presence.” As my father instructed, I rose and prostrated myself fully at the demon’s feet. The rākṣasa lifted me up with his arms, embraced me warmly, and said, “Welcome, friend’s son,” bestowing his blessings. He continued, “O dear one, you are truly fortunate to have come here, hearing of your righteous father’s severe affliction. You will gain merit for your father by offering sesame water at this sacred place; after bathing, perform your own rites, and you will remember your previous birth.” Thus addressed, I entered the excellent waters of the holy place to bathe, and as I did, I recalled both the auspicious and inauspicious deeds of my previous birth. Having bathed properly, I came before my father and asked the rākṣasa about his story, curious how he had gained such righteousness. Hearing from my father about the rākṣasa’s story and that of the traveler and his steeds, I then composed a hymn of praise to the lord of the holy place. “My father will be freed from disease,” I resolved, “and when that happens, I shall return home. Here, I have remained for ten days.” But within those ten days, O father, my father’s death occurred, as he stood half-submerged in the waters of this supreme holy place. Then, Viṣṇu himself arrived, mounted on Garuḍa, his chest radiant with splendor, his form dark as a fresh rain cloud. He was clad in yellow garments, with four arms and lotus-reddened eyes, accompanied by Brahmā, Indra, and other ancient deities, all attended by their retinues. Hosts of virtues served him, Kinnaras sang his praises, and everywhere he was glorified by Hāhā, Hūhū, and others. Granting his own divine likeness, Viṣṇu placed my father upon Garuḍa, and, surrounded by Brahmā and the rest, ascended to Vaikuṇṭha. Seeing my father attain the very form of Viṣṇu, I reflected deeply; realization dawned within me as I witnessed this wonder. Truly, the greatness of this supreme holy place cannot be described; one who dies in its waters attains the four-armed form of the Lord. I resolved never to abandon this lord of holy places, for its greatness is steadfast and direct, dispelling all desires for wealth, disease, and other cravings.