As the illustrious sage proceeded along his path, the gods themselves honored and praised him. Led by Mahādeva, he entered that sacred place, where Mahādeva revealed its wondrous beauty to the twice-born sage. After receiving further honor from Mahādeva, the sage departed from the heights of Kailāsa. With his heart full of supreme devotion, Mādhava journeyed onward to Vaikuṇṭha. By the grace of this holy place, the twice-born sage—fortunate beyond measure—beheld a divine vision of Govinda, and rejoiced in the presence of Hara. Thus, O King, the glory of Śivakāñcī has been recounted to you. Now, listen with full attention to the greatness of another sacred place—the Seven Fords—which bestows upon devotees the fruits of all four aims of life. Simply by seeing, touching, meditating upon, or even remembering this holy site, one gains merit, as did Vasiṣṭha and other exalted sages in days of old. It was here, O King, that the great sages performed severe austerities for the purpose of creation. Marīci, steadfast in righteousness, undertook bathing rites here to obtain a son. By the power of this place, he was blessed with Kaśyapa, an excellent son. Atri, too, pleased the foremost of the gods through his penance, and from him were born Soma, Durvāsas, and Datta. Aṅgiras, devoted to dharma, also gained sons here, from whom arose the Aṅgirasa Brāhmaṇas. Pulaha obtained a virtuous son, Dambholi, and it was here that Agastya himself was born from the sacred waters. Pulastya, through his austerity, was also blessed with a son. Kubera, the greatly fortunate friend of the Lord of Uma, was born at this very site. To Kratu were born thousands of Vālakhilya sons. By the grace of this holy place, all those sages who observed celibacy were granted sons, including the great ascetic Vasiṣṭha, who obtained sons such as Rajā and others. Thus, O best of kings, the greatness of this place has been described, though there exist many more sacred sites—Kapila’s hermitage, Kedara, Prabhasa, and countless others—whose full glory could not be recounted even in tens of thousands of years, not even by those as wise as myself. Having spoken thus, the eminent sage Nārada, foremost among ascetics, departed through the sky, singing the praises of Nārāyaṇa. King Śibi of the Uśīnara lineage, having heard from the sages about the glory of Indraprastha, felt himself fulfilled. There, after bathing according to sacred rites, he performed all the prescribed ceremonies before returning to his own city. O mighty one, I have now described to you the greatness of Indraprastha, purifier of people and the holiest place upon the banks of the Yamunā. In the age of Kali, those without faith will fail to honor it, O king of Indraprastha, though it is the crest-jewel of all sacred places. The merit gained from hearing the eighteen Purāṇas and the Mahābhārata arises from the greatness of Indraprastha. The fruit obtained by bathing at dawn during the auspicious month of Māgha is granted to those who faithfully listen to its glory. Whoever hears of this greatness with faith satisfies his ancestors, the gods, and the sages. By hearing of this sacred place, one gains the merit of the most difficult vows—Kṛcchra, Atikṛcchra, Pārāka, and Cāndrāyaṇa—as well as the fruits of all great sacrifices, including the Aśvamedha. Thus, O Śaunaka, Sūta continued, King Yudhiṣṭhira, having heard from Saubhari the greatness of Indraprastha, journeyed to Hastināpura. After dismissing his noble brothers, led by Duryodhana, he returned to the holy Indraprastha with the intention of performing the Rājasūya sacrifice. Coming from Dvārakā, the king worshipped Govinda, his family deity, with the Rājasūya. This sacred place grants liberation—even to one who curses it, it brings benefit. Knowing this, Hari himself slew Śiśupāla there. By dying at this holy site, Śiśupāla too attained union with Kṛṣṇa, the bestower of all blessings. At the very place where Śiśupāla was slain and the duel took place, Bhīma created a great and spacious pond with his mace. This Bhīma-kuṇḍa, renowned as a purifier of the earth, lies on the southern bank of the Kālindī, half a cow-pen’s distance from the ground. The merit gained by bathing in the Kālindī at Indraprastha is certainly obtained at this pond as well. Whoever dwells in that sacred field for a year, performing circumambulation and other rites, has his faults forgiven. One who circumambulates it annually is not tainted by the faults and sins associated with the place. Without circumambulation, perfection is not attained; therefore, those who desire merit should offer circumambulation at this holy site. As one circumambulates, reciting the name of Hari without distraction, every step brings the merit of giving a Kapila cow. Whoever, on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of Caitra, circumambulates Śakraprastha is freed from all sins. Thus ends the two hundred and twenty-second chapter, called the "Description of the Seven Holy Places—Kāśī, Gokarṇa, Śiva, Kāñcī, and Bhīma-kuṇḍa at Indraprastha," in the section on the greatness of the Kālindī, in the Uttara-khaṇḍa of the glorious Padma Mahāpurāṇa, comprising fifty-five thousand verses. Then, Śaṅkara declared: Whether in service or in worship, one devoted to mantra must rely on a proper mantra; for a mantra taught by a non-Vaiṣṇava does not lead to the highest attainment.