In the sacred narrative of the Padma Purana, the glory of the holy river Sarasvatī and the revered sites of Pushkara and Nandā unfolds with profound reverence. It is said that whoever approaches the goddess Sarasvatī and utters her name is blessed with happiness in life and, upon death, ascends to the celestial realms. Those who perform virtuous deeds and relinquish their bodies at her banks become kings among the Vidyādharas, enjoying supreme happiness. For men, bathing in and drinking the waters of Sarasvatī is described as a ladder to heaven. Especially on the prescribed day, those who bathe with devotion are considered most blessed. Those who die there, having reached heaven, rejoice in supreme delight, and Sarasvatī continually bestows good fortune upon women who visit her sacred banks. Fasting on the third day brings good fortune, and even a mere sight of Sarasvatī liberates one from accumulated sins. Those who touch her waters are regarded as great sages, and giving silver at her banks results in being reborn with handsome features. Sarasvatī, filled with holy waters, is the virtuous daughter of Brahmā, known as Nandā, vast and flowing southward. Not far along her course, she turned to face another direction, and from that moment, the goddess became manifest and visible to all. Her sacred banks are adorned with fords and shrines, frequented by sages and perfected beings. In all these places, Sarasvatī is the source of righteousness, and by bathing, drinking, or giving gold in her waters, one gains immense merit. At the Nandā ford, gifts offered by those who have bathed, especially to the golden-complexioned earth goddesses, yield inexhaustible fruits. Great sages declare that giving grain and wealth at these fords is highly praiseworthy, and whatever is given there becomes the highest cause of righteousness. Whoever undertakes the vow of fasting unto death at these holy places, whether woman or man, attains union with the Divine and enjoys the fruits in Brahma’s abode as desired. Even those who have died nearby, whether stationary or moving beings whose karmas are exhausted, suddenly and forcibly obtain the rare fruit of sacrifice. Thus, Sarasvatī, the great river and bestower of righteousness, should be diligently served by those afflicted by the sufferings of birth and existence, for she grants all merit and auspicious results. Bhishma, reflecting on these wonders, spoke: “I have heard of the supreme glory of Pushkara and Nandā. When the multitude of sages arrived at Pushkara, merely by seeing its face, they all attained perfect beauty. I have heard all this. Tell me now about the sacred threads and acts of devotion performed there. How was the division of the holy places made by those great souls? Which sacred places were established in the hermitage by the great seers?” He continued, “Long ago, Vishnu placed his footprints on Yajña Mountain, and there the mighty serpents created the fivefold holy place with their great venom. By whom was the pond for offering ancestral cakes first constructed? How did the northward-flowing Ganga and Sarasvatī come to be underground? How should the pilgrimage at Tripushkara be performed by Brahmins learned in the Vedas? What fruit arises from that?” Pulastya replied, “You have posed a great and weighty question. Therefore, focus your mind and listen to the great fruits of these holy places. One whose hands, feet, and mind are well-controlled, who possesses knowledge, austerity, and fame, attains the fruit of pilgrimage. One who refrains from accepting gifts, is content with whatever comes, and is free from pride also attains the fruit of pilgrimage. One who is free from anger, truthful in conduct, firm in vows, and regards all beings as oneself attains the fruit of pilgrimage.” He revealed the supreme secret of the sages: In ancient times, at the ancestral sacrifice, a multitude of ascetics, fierce in their austerities and numbering in the crores, gathered and, relying on the sight of the sacred face, remained at chief Pushkara. Having attained supreme beauty, those foremost sages were filled with great joy, longing for a vision of Brahma. With sacred threads, they measured the earth in all four directions, established the divisions of the holy places, and remained devoted to worship. As they stood nearby, the Grandsire Brahma was pleased with them, and seeing the multitude of wise ones, he honored them. He declared, “From today onward, your righteousness will increase. Whoever comes here and first enters the water with any limb will float for the sake of form, and having made the pilgrimage, there is no doubt he will be shaped by the sacred site within the circle measuring a yojana. Its breadth is half a yojana, and its length is one and a half yojanas; this is the measure of the sacred site, established by the multitude of sages.” Pulastya continued, “Merely by going to Pushkara, a man attains the fruit of the Rajasuya and Ashvamedha sacrifices. The great and holy Sarasvatī has entered the chief Pushkara, where Brahma and the other gods, sages, siddhas, and charanas assemble on the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra. There, one should perform ablution, devoted to honoring ancestors and gods, attaining the fruit of the cow sacrifice and uplifting one’s lineage. Having satisfied the ancestors and gods, one is honored in the realm of Vishnu. Bathing there, a mortal becomes pure like the moon, attains Brahma’s world, and reaches the highest path. Among men, the sacred site of the god of gods is renowned throughout the three worlds. Pushkara, famed by name, destroys even the greatest sins, and among ten billion sacred sites, it shines supreme.” Thus, the sacred story reveals the supreme merit and auspiciousness bestowed by Sarasvatī and the holy places, urging all seekers to approach with devotion, discipline, and reverence.