There was once a sage of extraordinary devotion, who lay upon the bare earth, enduring the touch of insects, thorns, and stones. He was steadfast in his vows, heroic in his postures, and generous in sharing with others. His life was marked by unwavering commitment to righteousness; he ate only the herbs of the forest, and granted fearlessness to all living beings. Having conquered anger and mastered his senses, his mind was always intent upon acquiring virtue. Deeply devoted to Brahman, the sage made his home at the sacred site of Puṣkara. There, he renounced all attachments, finding contentment within himself, free from longing or desire. Bhīṣma was told to listen: whoever dwells at Puṣkara, their destiny is remarkable. Their altars are adorned with pillars shining like the young sun, and their devotion to Brahman is unwavering. After death, such a person travels in a celestial vehicle, moving among those who roam at will, shining in the sky like a second moon. Accompanied by Gandharvas and Apsaras skilled in song, music, and dance, the sage enjoys their company for hundreds of millions of years. He journeys unobstructed to the realm of any deity, his brilliance enhanced by the grace of Brahman. Even if he falls from Brahma’s world, he proceeds to Vishnu’s realm; and if he falls from there, he goes to Rudra’s realm. Should he fall from that place as well, he is born on the islands of the earth, or in other heavens, enjoying pleasures as he desires. Having enjoyed sovereignty in these worlds, he is again born among mortals, becoming a king or prince, wealthy and happy. Whether Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, or those who dwell in the fields—if they are handsome, fortunate, beloved, renowned, and filled with devotion—they too share in this destiny. Those who are devoted to their own duties, of good conduct, long-lived, wholly devoted to Brahman, and compassionate to all beings, find their path blessed. Seekers of liberation who dwell in the great sacred place of Pushkara, when they die, ascend to the abode of Brahma in splendid aerial chariots. They are accompanied by hosts of Apsaras and wish-fulfilling, form-changing beings; or, if one offers his own body into the ever-blazing fire, he too attains Brahma’s world. The great-souled who meditate on Brahman reach the undecaying, eternal world of Brahma, where all enjoyments endure. That highest and most delightful world fulfills every desired aim. If one gives up his life in the sacred waters of Pushkara, he too attains the undecaying world of Brahma, the abode of the great-souled. There, they directly behold the god who destroys all suffering, surrounded by countless immortals, hosts of Rudras and Vishnus. Even men who die in the forest of Pushkara, even if Shudras, are not destroyed. They ascend in aerial chariots yoked with swans, radiant as the sun, adorned with jewels and gold, strong and fragrant with perfumes. These chariots are resplendent with incomparable virtues, songs of Apsaras, banners and flags, and the sounds of many bells. Endowed with wondrous marvels and those skilled in play and knowledge, shining brightly, drawn by excellent peacocks, they rejoice in Brahma’s world, enjoying pleasures as they desire for a long time. When they return to the mortal world, they are born into wealthy and prosperous families, enjoying happiness. But the man who accomplishes the Kārīṣī rite in the forest of Pushkara abandons all other worlds and dwells in Brahma’s world until the end of the aeon. He does not witness mortals tormented by their own actions; his path remains unobstructed, whether across, above, or below. Honored in all worlds, his fame spreads; he is self-controlled, wise in good conduct, and captivating to all the senses. He is skilled in dance, music, and song, charming and pleasant to behold, always adorned with unwithered flowers and divine ornaments. His complexion is dark as the petal of the blue lotus, his hair curly and dark; his companions are of unsurpassed beauty, slender-waisted, and filled with auspiciousness. Women endowed with all qualities of prosperity, proud of their youth, serve and delight those who dwell there upon the couch. Awakened from sleep by the sounds of lute and flute, he enjoys the happiness of a great festival—a happiness difficult to obtain for those who have not mastered themselves. All this is by the grace of Brahmā, the god of gods, the beneficent one. Bhīṣma remarked that the highest dharmas are those of conduct, devoted to the duties of the sacred field. Those devoted to their own righteous conduct, who have conquered anger and mastered their senses, attain Brahma’s world; this, to him, was not surprising. Indeed, even twice-born ones also reach other worlds, even without the Padma fast or such observances. But Bhīṣma asked about women, foreigners, Śūdras, birds, cattle, wild animals, the mute, the dull, the blind, the deaf—those lacking in austerity and discipline—what is their fate who dwell at Puṣkara? He was told: those who die at Puṣkara—women, foreigners, Śūdras, cattle, birds, wild animals—go to Brahma’s world with bodies of divine form, in aerial chariots shining like the sun. They are adorned with divine retinues, golden banners, diamond stairways, and pillars studded with jewels. They attain enjoyment of all desires, accompanied by wish-fulfilling beings and surrounded by thousands of women. The great-souled attain Brahma’s world and other desired realms; and, having fallen from Brahma’s world, they go in order to the islands of the earth. In a great and prosperous family, that twice-born is born wealthy; but those who have entered animal wombs—serpents, insects, ants—have a different destiny, which was yet to be revealed.