With devotion, I first offered worship to the ancestors, presenting them with tulasi leaves, sandalwood, and pure water. Having completed these rites, I journeyed to the sacred land of Kośalā and approached the banks of the holy river Sarayū, whose waters are carried by the wind. Upon arriving there, I was purified by the touch of all the people who had gathered. In that place lies the revered ford known as Gopratāra, a site so rare and sacred that even the gods consider it difficult to reach. There, as prescribed by tradition, I performed my bath and all the necessary rituals. Once these were complete, I traveled onward to Kāśī, the royal city presided over by Umāpati. Bowing low before Lord Viśveśvara and also before Bindumādhava, I bathed with heartfelt devotion at Maṇikarṇikā and at the sacred well of knowledge. I remained in Kāśī for three nights, immersing myself in its sanctity, before returning once again to Prayāga. It was there, on the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight of Pauṣa, that Prajāpati is manifest. In the month of Māgha, I rose early and bathed at dawn. From Prayāga, my journey led me to Naimiṣa, on the banks of the Gomati river. That place is extraordinary, for there all the sacred fords are present by their own power. From there, I traveled to Mathurā, where the holy place called Viśrānti is found. Nearby is the supreme sacred ford known as Asikuṇḍa, along with other revered sites such as Kṛṣṇagaṅgā, Dhruvā, Akrūra, and Keśikālīya. The Yamunā flows there, a river of immense sanctity, renowned for fulfilling all desires. On both her banks spread twelve forests, resplendent with wealth and beauty. This land is majestic, traversed by the gods, and fulfills all purposes. Those who bathe in her waters or drink from her are freed from birth and death; they are not born again. My travels then brought me to the supremely sacred city of Hastināpura, where the Ganges—the greatest of rivers—emerged from the lotus feet of Śrīpati. From there, I made my way to the abode of Nārāyaṇa, nestled in the Himalayan land. After beholding Mādhava, I continued on to Kedāra. There, I worshipped the Lord of the Universe and drank again from the pure waters of the Hamsa. My journey then led me to the greatly sacred Haridvara, on the banks of the Jahnavi. At Haridvara, after bathing and offering satisfaction to the ancestors, gods, and sages, I made my way to Kurukshetra, where the eastern Sarasvati flows. There too, with my senses restrained, I performed all the prescribed rites. After worshipping at the lotus feet of the Lord of Shri, I departed for Pushkara. On my way, I encountered my friend Vimala, a twice-born who was traveling from the holy site of Indraprastha to Vraja. Guided by him, I was led once more to the place of the Rakshasi. Turning back from there, I returned to Shakraprastha, the giver of all wishes. In that revered place stands Dvaraka, constructed by Vishnu himself. There, Vishnu was seen directly in human form, just as he had declared. Both my friend and I bathed there, seeking to attain devotion to Vishnu. By the grace of Vishnu in the form of Krishna, that devotion was granted to us both. In that holy place, I heard the voice of Hari, though his form remained unseen. From there, I obtained devotion and then set out towards Pushkara. The water from that sacred place of Dvaraka, held in my water-pot, is supremely holy—I, the night-wanderer, declare this truth. What you have asked of me, I have now recounted. Seeing your present misfortune, compassion wells in my heart. Tell me, what shall I do for you today? I am under your authority. May knowledge arise in you—so saying, I sprinkled them with the holy water. By the touch of that water, recalling all their past births and deeds, they abandoned their fierce Rakshasa bodies. Attaining divine forms, they ascended the seventh celestial chariot and became apsarases, bowing in reverence to the twice-born sage. They spoke, “O best of the twice-born, by contact with the water of Dvaraka, we are freed from our Rakshasa existence and now ascend 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 continued: Having spoken thus, they mounted their celestial chariots and, with my permission, departed toward the east. O king, by the banks of the Yamuna stands Dvaraka; merely hearing of its greatness frees a person from all sins. The merit acquired by feeding a hundred Vedic Brahmins is gained simply by hearing the glory of Dvaraka. Just as there is joy in properly worshipping Govinda, so too is there happiness in hearing the greatness of this Dvaraka. The merit gained by giving twenty measures of gold during a solar or lunar eclipse is likewise attained by listening to this account. Hearing this pure story of the attainment of a son grants one a son here, and the supreme devotion that my friend attained is also bestowed. Whoever listens with faith to the liberation of those demonesses will, like them, ascend in a splendid chariot to the abode of the gods. Thus has the greatness of the noble king and of Dvaraka—revered by the people of the three worlds and situated at Indra’s holy place—been described. What further supreme merit shall I narrate before you? Speak, for in the pursuit of the highest good, there should be no delay. Thus ends the two hundred and eighth chapter, entitled “The Story of Dvaraka,” in the section on the greatness of Kalindi, in the Uttarakanda of the glorious Padma Purana, which comprises fifty-five thousand verses. Yudhishthira then asked, “O sage, which holy place’s greatness did Narada describe to King Shibi when he had gone to Indra’s sacred site? Therefore, O foremost of sages, my desire to hear is aroused; please tell me the virtuous conversation between Shibi and Narada, for I bow to you and thirst for your nectar-like words.” Saubhari replied, “O king of righteousness, King Shibi, having heard Narada’s account of the supreme greatness of Dvaraka, respectfully asked him further.” Shibi said, “O best of gods, son of Brahma, I have heard the supreme greatness of Dvaraka, which stands on the bank of Indraprastha, and it is wondrous to me.