In the sacred narrative of Pushkara, it is told that this holy place abounds with wondrous marvels and is filled with those skilled in the arts of play and knowledge. The land shines with virtue, its beauty enhanced by the presence of splendid peacocks and those drawn to its excellence. Those steadfast souls who die in Pushkara ascend to the world of Brahma, where they rejoice for ages, freely enjoying pleasures as their hearts desire. After a long sojourn in Brahma’s realm, when they return to mortal existence, they are born into wealthy and prosperous families, surrounded by happiness. Yet, the one who performs the sacred Kārīṣī rite in the Pushkara forest attains an even greater destiny: forsaking all other worlds, he reaches Brahma’s world and dwells there until the end of the aeon itself. In that exalted state, he is untouched by the suffering of mortals, his path unimpeded in all directions—across, above, and below. Honored in every realm, his fame spreads far and wide. He is self-controlled, wise in the laws of good conduct, and delightful to all the senses. Gifted in dance, music, and song, he is charming to behold, ever adorned with fresh, unwithered flowers and divine ornaments. His complexion is dark as the blue lotus petal, his hair curly and deep, and his companions are of unsurpassed beauty, slender-waisted and auspicious in every way. Women endowed with every quality of prosperity, proud in their youth, serve and delight those who dwell there, especially on the couch of pleasure. Awakened each day by the sweet sounds of lute and flute, he enjoys the happiness of grand festivals—joys unattainable to those who have not mastered themselves. All this comes by the grace of Brahma, the beneficent god of gods. Bhīṣma, wise and revered, declares that the highest dharmas are those of righteous conduct, devoted to the sacred field. Those who conquer anger and master their senses, remaining steadfast in dharma, attain Brahma’s world—this is no surprise to the learned. Even without undertaking severe fasts or observances, the twice-born may reach other blessed worlds. But what of those who are not twice-born—women, foreigners, Śūdras, birds, cattle, wild animals, or those lacking austerity and discipline? Bhīṣma inquires about their fate at Pushkara, and it is revealed: whoever dies at Pushkara—be they women, foreigners, Śūdras, cattle, birds, or wild creatures—ascend to Brahma’s world, their bodies transformed into divine forms. They travel in shining aerial chariots, radiant as the sun, adorned with golden banners, stairways of gold and diamond, and jewel-studded pillars. Surrounded by divine retinues and thousands of wish-fulfilling companions, they enjoy every desire. The great-souled reach Brahma’s world and other desired realms; and when their time there ends, they return to earth, born in order upon its islands. The twice-born are reborn in prosperous families, while those who have entered animal wombs—serpents, insects, ants, whether born on land, in water, from sweat, eggs, or wombs, with or without desire—if they die in Pushkara’s forest, they too ascend to Brahma’s world in radiant chariots. In the difficult age of Kali, people are driven by sin, and no other means can secure dharma or heaven as surely as dwelling at Pushkara, devoted to the worship of Brahma. In this age, those who reside there attain their purpose, while others remain fruitless and suffer. Even if one commits sins at night, driven by desire or anger, by deed, mind, or speech, if he purifies himself in the morning by approaching Brahma at Pushkara, he is freed from those sins. Coming purified at sunrise, in the presence of the sun, he is cleansed of his misdeeds. By mental concentration and the practice of union with Brahman, one is freed from sin; even seeing Brahma at midday brings liberation. Should one err between midday and sunset, merely beholding the evening Sandhya of Brahma releases him from fault. Even those who indulge in the pleasures of the senses, if they remain at Pushkara, devoted to Brahma and established in austerity, are considered equal to those who subsist on air—no matter if they eat delicious food three times a day. Men of virtuous deeds who reside at Pushkara enjoy great blessings by the power of this sacred place. Just as no body of water equals the great ocean, no holy place matches Pushkara. There is no field more sacred or superior in qualities than the Pushkara forest. Here, all the gods—Indra, Vishnu, Ganesha, Kumara, Revanta, the Sun, Shivaduti, and the ever-welfare-bringing maiden—are continually satisfied by the austerities, restraints, and worship offered by the virtuous. Even great vows, fasts, and rituals performed elsewhere cannot compare to simply dwelling effortlessly in the chief Pushkara forest. The twice-born who remain here fulfill all their desires and attain the supreme, imperishable state, equal to that of Brahma. In former ages, the required time for such merit was long: twelve years in Krita, one year in Treta, a month in Dvapara, but in the Kali age, a mere day and night suffices, O Bhīṣma. The fruit of dwelling in this sacred place is granted in this very world, as Brahma, the god of gods, has declared. There is no field on earth greater than this; therefore, with all one’s effort, one should seek refuge in the holy forest of Pushkara.