After the brahmins had completed their pilgrimage and departed, the sage Markandeya returned to his home. Once he was settled, he approached his father, Mrikandu, and spoke of the extraordinary experiences he had undergone. “Father,” Markandeya said, “the sages who know Brahman took me to Brahma’s world. There, I was granted boons, made long-lived, and then released. All these blessings and more have been bestowed upon me, dispelling your worries. At the beginning and end of each kalpa, I shall exist without interruption.” He continued, “By the grace of Brahma, the creator of the worlds, I will go to Pushkara, intent on performing austerities. There, I will worship Grandfather Brahma, lord of the gods, who grants all desires and removes adversities. I shall please Brahma, the giver of happiness and refuge of Indra and the others, the Grandfather of all worlds.” Hearing Markandeya’s words, Mrikandu was overcome with supreme joy; for a moment, he breathed deeply, composing his mind with courage and a cheerful heart. He replied, “Today my birth is fulfilled, my life well-lived. Through you, my son and heir, who has seen the creator of all worlds, I have become a bearer of the lineage. Go now and behold Brahma, the Lord of gods, who dwells at Pushkara. Once you have seen the Lord of the universe, there is neither old age nor death. At Pushkara, happiness, prosperity, and inexhaustible ascetic merit arise for men. There are three shining peaks and three springs there.” Mrikandu explained further, “There are three Pushkaras—one youngest, one middle, and one eldest. Though we do not know the reason, these are named after peaks and auspicious springs. Brahma, Vishnu, and Rudra are always present there. Among all places on earth, O great king, none is holier than Pushkara; its water is pure and renowned in the three worlds. Those blessed ones who see Pushkara behold the path to Brahma’s world. Whoever worships the sacred fire there for a hundred years, or even dwells at Pushkara for a single Kartika month, achieves great merit. Such deeds I was not able to perform nor accomplish by action. Therefore, my son, you have conquered death without effort. There, the Lord of gods, Brahma, the Grandfather of the worlds, was seen. No mortal on earth will be equal to you; I am truly satisfied by you, who were born for five years. By my boon, you shall attain the status of those who live long—there is no doubt. Such is my blessing.” Mrikandu concluded, “Thus, all say: ‘Go to whatever worlds you desire.’ By the grace obtained through you, my son, an ashram was established, known as Markandeya’s ashram. There, by bathing and becoming pure, one attains the fruit of a Vajapeya sacrifice. A man purified from all sins becomes long-lived.” Then, the sage Pulastya spoke, “Now I shall tell you another ancient history—how Pushkara, the holy place, was established by Rama. Long ago, Rama, with Sita and Lakshmana, departed from Chitrakuta. They reached the ashram of the sage Atri, and Rama questioned him, ‘Which are the holy places, O great sage, and what is the sacred field? Tell me of that place where, having gone, a man does not experience separation from yogins or from his own kin. Through this exile in the forest, the king’s death, and separation from Bharata, I am tormented by these three sorrows.’” Hearing Rama’s words, the foremost of Brahmins, Atri, meditated for a long time and then replied, “Well asked, O hero, enhancer of the Raghus’ line. My father established a renowned tīrtha called Pushkara. There are two famous mountains, the boundary-sacrifice mountains, and between them are three sacred pools: the eldest, the middle, and the youngest. Go there and satisfy Dasharatha with the offering of ancestral cakes. It is the foremost of holy places and the best of all sacred fields. O best of the Raghu line, there is also the delightful Aviyoga well, and another auspicious well with pure water. By offering ancestral cakes in those places, the fathers attain liberation; this was declared by the Grandsire at the time of the great flood. Go there, O Raghava, and perform the rites repeatedly.” Having heard this, Rama replied, “So be it,” and set his mind on going. He crossed the Rksha mountains, then the city of Vaidisha, and forded the river Carmanvati, reaching the Yajna mountain. Swiftly passing beyond, he stood at the middle Pushkara, where he satisfied his ancestors with water and all the gods as well. At the end of his bath, Rama, wise and noble, saw the eminent sage Markandeya arriving there with his disciples. Approaching him respectfully, Rama asked, “O lord, in which direction is the well that grants freedom from separation? I am the son of Dasharatha, known among men as Rama. I have come by Atri’s instruction to see that well of good fortune. May the blessed one tell me the location of that place and those wells?” Thus addressed, Markandeya replied, “Well done, O Raghava, may you be blessed. You have acted righteously in coming here now on pilgrimage to these holy places.