The gods, with hearts full of reverence, approached Brahmā, the Grandfather of all, and pleaded for incomparable protection of righteousness. With their words, minds, and bodies, they declared their refuge in him, seeking his grace. Brahmā, the supreme knower of Brahman, listened to their praises and responded kindly, “Indeed, I shall grant you the vision you desire, for it is unfailing.” He invited them, “Speak, O sons, whatever you wish; I shall grant boon after boon.” The gods, grateful, replied, “O Blessed One, this very boon is most sufficient and great for us. The lotus you have cast, we have named with an auspicious sound.” Yet, their concern lingered. They asked, “O god, for what reason has the earth trembled and the worlds been disturbed? Surely, this cannot be without cause. Let the reason be spoken.” Brahmā explained, “For your welfare, and for the protection of the gods, I placed this lotus. Hear now the reason: The demon Vajranabha, who steals the lives of children, has seized the lowest region of the underworld. Knowing of your coming, that wicked one, armed and engaged in austerities, desired to slay even the gods along with Indra. His destruction was accomplished by me through the dropping of the lotus. Proud of his kingdom and power, he was thus slain.” Brahmā continued, “May devoted Brahmins, learned in the Vedas, never fall into misfortune but attain good fortune again. Among gods, demons, humans, serpents, rakshasas, and all beings, I am the same, O dwellers in heaven. For your welfare, that sinful one was destroyed by me through a mantra; and by seeing this lotus, he attained the worlds gained by the virtuous. By the lotus released by me, this place on earth will become known as Pushkara, a great and holy tirtha, bestowing purity and merit. It is regarded as bestowing merit on all creatures; indeed, a favor has been granted to the devotees who seek devotion.” He revealed further, “By constant residence in this forest, and at the request of the trees, the sinless Mahakala came to this forest for my sake. To you who practice austerities, great knowledge has been revealed. O gods, hold in your hearts both your own good and that of others. You should be seen on earth in various forms. A man who, out of hatred, afflicts a wise Brahmin is struck down by sin. Such a person cannot be freed from sin even in a hundred million births. One should not kill or slander a Brahmin learned in the Vedas and their branches, for when one is killed, a hundred million are as if slain. One should feed with faith a Brahmin who knows the end of the Vedas; the one who is fed is as if a hundred million Brahmins have been fed—of this there is no doubt. Whoever gives alms to ascetics, filling their bowls, is freed from all sins and does not attain a bad state, just as I am the eldest, the best, and the grandsire of all the gods.” Brahmā emphasized, “In the same way, the knower is always to be worshipped, unattached and without possessions. This vow, approved by me, is for liberation from worldly bondage. Composed by me for the twice-born, it is the cause of non-return. If one who has not conquered his senses abandons the Agnihotra sacrifice, he quickly goes to Raurava, led away by the servants of Yama. One who performs petty acts for worldly livelihood, whose mind is attached, who is passionate, fond of women and wealth, who eats alone, delights in tasty food, and serves agriculture or trade, who is ignorant of the Veda, who reviles the Veda, or who approaches another man's wife—one corrupted by such faults—such a man, or even one who converses with him or corrupts a good vow, goes to hell. One who is discontent, of divided mind, wicked, and a doer of evil should not be touched physically; if touched, one is purified by bathing.” Having spoken thus, the blessed Brahmā, together with the immortals, established the sacred field as proper. He described its boundaries: to the north is the Chandranadi, to the east as far as the Sarasvati, to the east from Nandana entirely, as far as Kalpa with Pushkara. This altar was made for the sacrifice by Brahmā, creator of the worlds. The eldest should be known as the first and as the purifier of the three worlds—that is famous as the Brahma sanctuary; the middle as belonging to Vishnu; the youngest as belonging to Rudra. Brahmā made it first. This is the foremost and supreme field, spoken of as secret in the Vedas. He declared, “The forest called Pushkara, where Brahmā, the lord, is present—Brahmā himself bestowed favor on this piece of earth. For the favor of the twice-born and all who dwell on earth, the land was made with an altar surrounded by gold and diamonds, adorned with various inlaid gems, made most beautiful in every way. There the blessed Brahmā, the grandsire of the worlds, delights. Vishnu and Rudra, the two gods, the Vasus, the Ashvins, and the Maruts with mighty Indra, and the dwellers in heaven also delight there. This has been truly declared to you, for the benefit of the worlds, in accordance with the collection and with proper mantras and rites.” He concluded, “The twice-born who recite the Vedas, devoted to serving their teacher, all dwell near Brahmā, blessed by him.” At this point, Bhīṣma spoke, “O Lord, by what method should those who dwell in sacred places, desiring to reach the world of Brahmā, live in the forest or at Pushkara? Should this be done by men, or by women, or by those established in the social orders and stages of life? What should those who reside there practice? Tell me all of this.” Thus, the story unfolds, revealing the establishment of the holy Pushkara, the destruction of evil, the sanctity of the Vedas and Brahmins, and the profound blessings bestowed by Brahmā for the welfare of all beings.