Upon reaching the sacred Sarasvati river, pilgrims find themselves free from all restrictions: they may bathe whether they have eaten or not, whether it is day or night. This holy place stands foremost among all sanctuaries in the east, renowned for its power to destroy sins and generate merit for living beings. Those whose minds are pure, who bathe in the river and worship Janardana according to their ability, are assured of attaining heaven. Among the gods, Vishnu is supreme; wherever Sarasvati is served by him, that place is declared by the son of Brahma as the highest holy site on earth. Thus, Sarasvati is regarded as Mahodaya, standing there and gazing toward the Mandakini. This holy place, proclaimed by Svayambhu as the greatest among all, grants merit equal to that gained at Mandakini. At this spot, the goddess Sarasvati, praised by the gods, stood alone, sorrowful and with a sad face. Seeing her thus, Brahma created a companion for her, beautiful and pure-eyed. Hari, too, appeared swiftly as a doe, lotus-eyed. Indra, lord of the gods and bearer of the thunderbolt, created a radiant companion as golden as the sun. Shiva, the bull-bannered god with a blue throat, did likewise, generating another companion for Sarasvati. Surrounded by these companions, Sarasvati shone among the divine beauties. Joyfully, the gods began to set out for the great river, as commanded; and Sarasvati, with her companions, prepared to journey eastward. Among them all, Sarasvati is regarded as the best. Even the wild animals who drink from the waters of the Eastern Sarasvati will attain heaven, just as the best of the twice-born do through sacrifice. This Eastern Sarasvati is to be known as a wish-fulfilling gem, the cause for the fulfillment of desires. Looking south, Sarasvati then turned to face west. She addressed Ganga, saying: “Go, indeed, to the eastern direction. Do not forget me, and return, O goddess, as you came.” Bhishma then asked, “How was Rama instructed here by Markandeya? How did their meeting happen, and at what time, O sage? Of whom is Markandeya the son? How was the great ascetic born? Tell me his lineage and name as it truly was, O great sage.” Pulastya replied, “I will tell you again of the origin of Markandeya. In a former age, there was a renowned sage named Mrikandu, greatly fortunate and the son of Bhrigu. He lived with his wife, practicing severe austerities in the forest, and there a son was born to him. When the boy was five years old, though still a child, he excelled in virtues. A wise man saw him wandering in the yard, and after staying there for a long time, became aware of the boy’s destined purpose. Mrikandu asked the wise man about the length of his son’s life. ‘Tell me the number of years—whether few or many—of his lifespan,’ Mrikandu requested. The wise man replied, ‘The Creator has set your son’s lifespan at six months, O lord of sages. Do not grieve—this is truly declared.’ Hearing this, Mrikandu performed the initiation ceremony for his son. He told the boy, ‘Greet the sages.’ Thus instructed, the boy joyfully offered his salutations, not knowing distinctions of caste, but saluting all. Five months and twenty-five days passed. Then, the seven sages arrived by that path. The boy saw them and greeted each of them. They said to him, ‘May you live long,’ and observed that his life was nearly spent. Knowing he had only five days left, and being afraid, they took the boy and went to Brahma. They bowed to Grandfather Brahma, informed him of everything, and greeted him respectfully. In the presence of the sages, Brahma declared the boy would have a long life. Hearing this, the sages were pleased. Brahma, filled with wonder, asked, ‘For what purpose have you come, and who is this boy? Let it be explained.’ The sages replied, ‘This is Mrikandu’s son, of short lifespan. Please make the boy long-lived.’ Though the boy was short-lived, the sage performed the investiture, gave him the sacred thread and staff, and instructed him, ‘Whomever you see wandering on the earth, O boy, you must greet them with respect.’ The boy, seen wandering on earth, became habituated to greeting elders, due to pilgrimage and divine arrangement. There, the boy was told, ‘Be long-lived, child.’ The sages wondered how their words could be made true along with Brahma’s. Brahma, Grandfather of the worlds, said, ‘This earth is established by the truth of speech in every way.’ He continued, ‘The boy Markandeya shall have a lifespan equal to mine; at the beginning and end of the kalpa, so I consider, O best of sages.’ Thus, the sages, having accomplished their purpose with Grandfather Brahma in Brahma’s world, sent the boy again to earth.