Listen to the sacred story of Puṣkara, the most revered of holy places, where the blessings of the gods and ancestors flow in abundance. It is said that whatever merit a mortal might gain by bathing at all the renowned sacred sites across the earth, he attains in full by immersing himself just once in the Jyeṣṭha pool at Puṣkara. Why elaborate further? Whoever reaches this triad—the field, the sacred place, and the auspicious path—achieves the highest spiritual state. At the proper time, in the sacred field and place, if one bathes, offers oblations, and gives gifts to a brāhmaṇa, he enjoys endless happiness. Especially auspicious are the month of Kārttika, the bright fortnight, the moon-adorned Vaiśākha, times of lunar or solar eclipse, and the land of the Kurus. Among all the fields and sacred places praised by ancient sages, Pitāmaha declared Puṣkara to be the most meritorious of them all. During Kārttikā, whoever bathes in the middle pool and gives wealth to a brāhmaṇa gains the reward of an Aśvamedha sacrifice. Even in the lesser pool, one who bathes with focused mind and gives even beautiful rice to a brāhmaṇa quickly attains the delightful world of Agni, bringing twenty-one generations along to enjoy great rewards. Thus, every person should strive earnestly to go to the auspicious Puṣkara. Upon reaching the Puṣkara forest, where the eastern Sarasvatī flows, one attains pure resolve, memory, wisdom, intelligence, and supreme compassion. These six qualities are alternate names for Sarasvatī, and wherever she began to flow eastward, that place became sanctified. Even those who merely stand on the bank and see the waters there receive the fruit of an Aśvamedha sacrifice—this is certain. If someone crosses over and bathes there again with concentrated mind, he becomes an attendant of Brahmā. Even simple offerings of vegetables made to the ancestors at this spot bring great enjoyments by their influence. Those who perform the prescribed śrāddha rites here lead their ancestors to heaven, rescuing them even from the pains of hell. After bathing, offering pure water mixed with kuśa grass and sesame satisfies one's ancestors. Of all the sacred fords, Puṣkara is regarded as the highest. It is called the original tīrtha, renowned among all tīrthas on earth. Established as the treasure-house of dharma and liberation, there is no tīrtha more excellent than this meeting of Sarasvatī. It grants all four aims of life—dharma, wealth, pleasure, and liberation—to those who enter its waters to remove impurity. The fruits gained are equal to the gifts of cows and gold, according to the wise. Through libations and offerings of balls of food, even ancestors dwelling in hell are brought to heaven, rescued by their sons at Puṣkara. Those who drink the water of Sarasvatī at Puṣkara attain imperishable worlds, honored by Brahmā and Viśveśa. Here, Sarasvatī becomes a ladder to heaven, accessible to men of merit. At every place, sages who know the essence of dharma frequent her waters, making the goddess pure and present everywhere. Yet at Puṣkara, Sarasvatī is the purest of the pure, and her sacred river is easily found in this world. Though rare at Kurukṣetra and Prabhāsa, and even at Puṣkara, this tīrtha is established as the foremost among all tīrthas on earth. Attaining the eastern Sarasvatī accomplishes all four aims of life, and whoever, after reaching it, seeks another tīrtha is like one who abandons nectar held in his hand and desires poison instead. Among tīrthas, the eastern is the best, the middle is middling. The wise should circumambulate the site to the right, keeping the smaller pool to their right, and bathe in all three, performing the ritual walk around them. Offering water mixed with sesame seeds to the ancestors pleases them, and they grant boundless rewards. One who bathes and purifies himself daily, then beholds his forefathers in every order—direct, reverse, separate, and together—receives their blessings. Daily bathing at Puṣkara is prescribed for those desiring the world of Brahma, for there are three pure peaks and three springs. The Puṣkaras are renowned—the smaller, the middle, and the eldest Puṣkara—but their reason is not known. They are called peaks and auspicious springs, and a man with intentions for dharma, wealth, pleasure, and liberation gains their fruit without fail. One who abandons his body there attains liberation without doubt. Purified and restrained, after bathing, he should give auspicious gifts to a Brahmin. By giving a single cow, purified by mantra, he attains worlds—what need is there for many words? Even at night, for those who desire it. Giving wealth after bathing brings endless happiness, and sages praise the gift of sesame seeds at Puṣkara. Bathing is always prescribed on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, and offering a ball of flour or jaggery there for the ancestors brings purification and leads to their world. Reaching the Puṣkara forest and then Sarasvatī, one enters concealment, as the goddess herself set out to go, facing west. Not far from that Puṣkara, there lies a place of great beauty, sanctified by her presence. Thus, Puṣkara and the eastern Sarasvatī, through bathing, offerings, and devotion, grant the highest rewards, bringing happiness, liberation, and fulfillment of all aims of life to those who approach with reverence.