The demonesses, tormented by unbearable hunger and thirst, approached the brahmin with humility and hope. “O best of brahmins,” they pleaded, “tell us of the holy places where you have bathed. All such places are sanctified, able to liberate even those of evil birth like us. Our suffering is severe—please help us.” The brahmin responded kindly, recounting his sacred journey. “From the hermitage at Avanti,” he began, “I traveled to the city of Hari. From there, I made my way to Dvaraka, where I bathed in the waters born of Soma. My pilgrimage then led me to the holy site of Prabhasa on the ocean’s shore, and from there to the Setu, the supremely pure causeway. Afterwards, I reached the greatly sacred land of Kishkindha, where Vali, the monkey king, was slain by Rama. My path then took me to a monastery on the banks of the Sarasvati and Narmada, where Bhāratī is revered by all. Continuing south, I entered Veṇī, where I beheld the cities of Śiva-Kāñcī and Viṣṇu-Kāñcī—places where, upon death, beings may be reborn as Śiva or Viṣṇu themselves. From there, I journeyed to Utkala, the abode of Hari and Īśvara, who directly grant the four aims of life and are sought by all devotees. After worshipping them and offering the prescribed food, I received their grace. My pilgrimage continued to the confluence of the Ganges and the ocean, where I satisfied the gods, sages, and ancestors according to sacred rites. At the place where the Ganges emerged with a hundred mouths, I arrived and then proceeded to Gayā, where I offered oblations as prescribed. I worshipped the ancestors with tulasi leaves, sandalwood, and water, then traveled to Kośalā and the Sarayū, whose waters are carried by the wind. There, purified by the touch of all the people, I reached the sacred ford called Gopratāra, rare even for the gods. I bathed and performed the prescribed rites, then continued on to Kāśī, the royal city of Umāpati. There, I bowed to Lord Viśveśvara and Bindumādhava, bathing with devotion at Maṇikarṇikā and at the well of knowledge. I stayed in Kāśī for three nights before returning to Prayāga, where Prajāpati is manifest on the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight of Pauṣa. In the month of Māgha, I bathed at dawn, then journeyed to Naimiṣa on the banks of the Gomati, where all sacred fords exist by their own power. From there, I reached Mathurā and the site known as Viśrānti. Nearby is the supreme sacred ford Asikuṇḍa, as well as Kṛṣṇagaṅgā, Dhruvā, Akrūra, Keśikālīya, and other holy fords. The Yamunā flows there, greatly sacred and fulfilling all desires, her banks adorned with twelve resplendent forests—majestic, traversed by the gods, and granting all purposes. Those who bathe and drink there are freed from rebirth. Next, I arrived at the supremely sacred Hastināpura, where the Ganges, best of rivers, sprang from the lotus feet of Śrīpati. My journey then took me to the abode of Nārāyaṇa in the Himalayas; after seeing Mādhava, I arrived at Kedāra. There, I worshipped the Lord of the Universe and drank the water of the Hamsa, before coming to the greatly sacred Haridvara on the bank of the Jahnavi. After bathing and satisfying the ancestors, gods, and sages there, I reached Kurukshetra, where the eastern Sarasvati flows. At Kurukshetra, with my senses controlled, I performed all the rites and worshipped the lotus feet of the Lord of Shri, then set out for Pushkara. On the way, I met my friend Vimala, a fellow twice-born, who was coming from Indraprastha to Vraja. By his guidance, I was again led to the place of the Rakshasi, and turning back from there, I returned to Shakraprastha, the giver of all wishes. There stands the sacred Dvaraka, constructed by Vishnu himself. In that place, Vishnu was seen directly in human form, just as his words declare. Both Vimala and I bathed there, seeking devotion to Vishnu, and that devotion was granted to us by Vishnu in the form of Krishna. I heard the voice of Hari there, though I did not see his form; from that place, I attained devotion and then journeyed toward Pushkara. The water I now hold in this vessel comes from Dvaraka, lord of that holy place. This water is supremely sacred—I, a night-wanderer, declare this. What you have asked, I have now recounted. Seeing your present misfortune, compassion fills my heart. Tell me, what shall I do today? I am at your service. May knowledge arise within you.” So saying, the brahmin sprinkled the demonesses with the holy water. By the touch of that water, the demonesses remembered all their past births and deeds. Instantly, they shed their fierce Rakshasa forms. Attaining divine bodies, they ascended the seventh celestial chariot, becoming apsarases. Bowing to the twice-born sage, they spoke with gratitude: “O best of twice-born, by the union with the water of Dvaraka, we are freed from our Rakshasa existence and now go to the abode of the gods. O twice-born, this Dvaraka, situated within Indraprastha, is supreme; there is no other holy place in the world that grants all desires as this does.” Narada then said: Having spoken thus, the apsarases mounted their celestial chariots and, with the sage’s permission, departed eastward. O king, by the banks of the Yamuna stands Dvaraka; simply hearing of its greatness frees one from all sins. The merit gained by feeding a hundred brahmins learned in the Vedas is attained merely by hearing the glory of this sacred place.