In that sacred land, those noble souls who undertake a fast unto death, surrendering themselves wholly, are freed from all fear at the moment of their passing. Carried by the vehicle of Brahma, they ascend to heaven. Even the smallest gift offered there by those whose hearts know Brahman brings immense reward: for a hundred lifetimes, such thoughtful givers enjoy the fruits of their offerings. When rites are performed for the departed—especially for those whose bones are broken or scattered—at this holy place, those who perform them reach Brahma’s world and dwell there in happiness. Any act of worship, recitation, or offering made here by the devoted yields inexhaustible results, especially for those who revere Brahma. The simple act of offering a lamp grants wisdom that surpasses the senses; the gift of incense bestows a place attended by Brahma himself. Indeed, there is no need for lengthy explanation: whatever is given at this confluence—whether for the living or the dead—bears endless fruit. Bathing in these waters, reciting sacred verses, and making offerings here all bring unending rewards. It was at this very place that Rama himself came to offer the funeral cake for his father Dasharatha. Following the guidance of the sage Markandeya, Rama performed the ancestral rites at a four-sided pond, where people gather to make such offerings. All who offer the funeral cake there are said to journey to heaven in vehicles drawn by swans. Even Brahma, the Creator, performed ancestral rites in that very pond. Here, the greatest sacrificers have conducted ceremonies with the finest gifts, honoring the Vasus, the ancestors, and the Rudras as forefathers, while the Adityas are acknowledged as their great-grandfathers. All three groups, summoned together, were addressed by Virinchi (Brahma), who instructed them, “You must always accept the funeral offerings and rites performed here. Whatever ancestral rite is carried out in this place yields endless fruit.” Thus, fathers and grandfathers, satisfied by these offerings, are nourished and find fulfillment, ascending to heaven through the gift of rice balls. Therefore, abandoning all else, one should become a giver of rice balls in the east, diligently satisfying all the ancestors. Before the Lord of the East, in this original holy place, simply beholding the site grants liberation. By touching the water here, one is freed from the bondage of birth; by immersion, one becomes an attendant of Brahma. Whoever bathes at this original holy place and gives even a little food with a concentrated mind generally attains heaven. If, after bathing, one gives wealth—even a small amount or a bit of gold—to devotees of Brahma, that person rejoices in heaven. Why seek anything greater at the eastern Sarasvati? The fruit of bathing here equals that of the highest austerities and sacrifices. Those who drink the sacred waters of the eastern Sarasvati are not to be considered mere mortals, as sage Markandeya declared. When one reaches the Sarasvati, there is no restriction for bathing—whether one has eaten or not, whether day or night. This holy place is remembered as the foremost among all eastern holy sites, a destroyer of sin and a generator of merit for all beings. Those whose minds are pure, who bathe here and worship Janardana (Vishnu) according to their ability, ascend to heaven. Among the gods, Vishnu is supreme, and where Sarasvati is served by him, that place on earth is declared the highest by Brahma’s son. Therefore, this great holy place is known as Mahodaya, where Sarasvati stands, gazing toward the Mandakini. This site is proclaimed by Svayambhu (the Self-born) as the supreme of all holy places, where one gains merit equal to that found at the Mandakini. At this spot, the goddess Sarasvati, praised by the gods, once stood alone, sorrowful and lost in thought. Seeing her thus, Brahma created a beautiful, pure-eyed companion for her; Hari (Vishnu) too appeared swiftly in the form of a lotus-eyed doe. Indra, lord of the gods, created a radiant companion, and Shiva, the blue-throated, bull-bannered god, did likewise. The three-eyed one (Shiva) generated a companion for Sarasvati, and, observed by her companions, Sarasvati shone among the divine beauties. Joyfully, the gods began to journey to the great river, as commanded, and Sarasvati, with her companions, prepared to go east. Among them all, Sarasvati is regarded as the best. Even the wild animals who drink the waters of the Eastern Sarasvati will, like the twice-born who perform sacrifices, ascend to heaven. The Eastern Sarasvati is thus to be known as a wish-fulfilling gem. This great river fulfills all desires. After turning toward the south, Sarasvati then faced west. She said to Ganga, “Go to the eastern direction; do not forget me, and return, O goddess, as you came.” At this point, Bhishma asked, “How was Rama instructed here by Markandeya? How did their meeting happen, at what time, and when, O sage? Of whom is Markandeya the son? How was this great ascetic born? Tell me his lineage and name as it truly was.” Pulastya replied, “I will tell you again of Markandeya’s origin. In a former age, there was a renowned sage named Mrikandu, the fortunate son of Bhrigu. Living with his wife and practicing severe austerities, Mrikandu dwelled in the forest. There, a son was born to him. When the boy was just five years old, though still a child, he excelled in virtues. A wise man, passing by, saw the boy as he wandered in the yard.