Hear now the sacred account of the most revered holy places, where the performance of ancestral offerings brings immeasurable merit. Among these, the places named Aṅgāraka, Ātmadarśa, Alaṃbuṣa, Vatsavrāteśvara, and Gokāmukha are renowned as supreme. Govardhana, Hariśchandra, Purachandra, and Pṛthūdaka, along with Sahasrākṣa, Hiraṇyākṣa, and the sacred Kadalī river, are likewise held in high esteem. There are other names, too, such as Saumitrisaṃgata, Indranīla, Mahānāda, and Priyamelaka—each of these is always praised as a place where offerings to ancestors are especially meritorious. It is said that all the gods themselves are present at these sacred sites, and whatever is given there yields rewards a hundred crore-fold. The sanctity continues with the Bāhudā river and the auspicious Siddhavaṭa, the holy place called Pāśupata, and the river Paryaṭikā. At each of these, ancestral offerings bestow rewards a hundred crore times greater than elsewhere. There is also the sacred place of the Five Fords, where the Godavari river, flowing with a thousand lingas and dividing into right and left streams, sanctifies the land. This is the holy abode of Jamadagni, the supreme seat of joy, where, out of fear of the demon Pratika, the Godavari attained her perfection. Here, surrounded by hosts of celestial nymphs, offerings to gods and ancestors, acts of charity, and śrāddha ceremonies yield results a hundred million times greater. Likewise, there is the place of a thousand lingas, the supreme Raghaveśvara, where the holy river Sendrakala flows—a place once visited by Indra himself. It was here that Indra, having slain his enemy Namuci, performed austerities and attained heaven. At this spot, the śrāddha offerings made by mortals grant endless rewards. Other holy places include Puṣkara, Śālagrāma, and the renowned Śoṇapāta, where the sage Vaiśvānara resides. There are also the sacred Sarasvata tīrtha, Svāmitīrtha, the holy river Malaṃdarā, Kauśikī, and Candrakā. Vidarbha, the swift river Vegā, the eastward-flowing Payoṣṇī, Kāverī, Uttaraṅgā, and the mountain Jālaṃdhara are all sanctified sites. At these holy places, the performance of śrāddha brings the highest results. The same is true at Lohadaṇḍa tīrtha and at Citrakūṭa. Everywhere, the banks of the divine Gaṅgā and other auspicious rivers are sacred, as are Kubjāmraka and Urvaśīpulina. There are tīrthas that grant liberation from worldly existence and those that free one from debts. At all these ancestral holy places, śrāddha brings the highest reward. Among them are Aṭṭahāsa, Gautameśvara, the tīrtha of Vasiṣṭha, and Bhārata; Brahmāvarta, Kuśāvarta, Haṃsatīrtha, the renowned Piṇḍāraka, and Śaṃkhoddhāra. Bhāṇḍeśvara, Bilvaka, Nīlaparvata, the tīrtha of Badarī, and Sarvatīrtheśvareśvara are also sacred. So too are Vasudhārā, Rāmatīrtha, Jayantī, Vijayā, and Śuklatīrtha. Those who perform śrāddha at these places attain the highest state. There are also Mātṛgṛha and Karavīrapura, and the tīrtha named Saptagodāvarī, the lord of all tīrthas, where those desiring infinite merit should offer śrāddha. In Kīkaṭa lies the holy Gayā and the sacred forest of Rājagṛha, the hermitage of Cyavana, and the sacred river Punahpunā. The worship of the senses, as well as visiting a river again and again, is praised—especially where this verse, lauded by Brahmā, is recited. Many sons are to be desired, for even if one among them goes to Gayā, or performs the Aśvamedha sacrifice, or releases a blue bull, he brings great joy to the lineage. This verse is recited at sacred fords and shrines by all who gather there. Who, in our lineage, will be the son to go to Gayā, who, by his journey, will gladden both the seven ancestors and those who come after? This ancient tradition also speaks of maternal grandfathers: the son who, having gone to the Gaṅgā, casts the bones of his ancestors there fulfills his duty. Or who will offer water with seven or eight sesame seeds, or perform the offering of rice-balls in any of the three forests? First in Puṣkara forest, then in Naimiṣa, and again, upon reaching Dharmāraṇya, he should devoutly offer śrāddha. At Gayā, at Dharmapṛṣṭha, in the lake of Brahmā, and at the sacred fig tree at Gayā, whatever is offered to the ancestors there becomes imperishable. He who, having performed these offerings, travels along the path quickly leads his ancestors dwelling in hell to heaven. In his lineage, O king, no one becomes a ghost; by the offering of rice-balls, both ghosthood and bondage are removed. A sage with copper-colored hands pours water at the root of a mango tree; thus, the mango trees are watered, and the ancestors are satisfied—one act, renowned, accomplishes two purposes. No other gift surpasses the offering of rice-balls at Gayā; by a single offering, those seeking liberation are satisfied. The best of sages declare that the giving of grain and wealth is supreme; whatever is given at the holy fords of Gayā is said to be the highest cause of righteousness. Whoever, with a pure heart and great joy, beholds that great mountain and river, having gone to the southern or northern part of Mānasā lake, and bows to the foremost twice-born, attains the true fruit of birth. Whatever a mortal desires, he surely obtains. Thus, I have briefly described the collection of holy fords. Even the lord of speech could not recount them all in detail—how much less could a human being?