From that moment onward, the tīrtha became renowned throughout the worlds, its fame rising to the highest heights. Especially on the bright fifth day of the lunar fortnight in the sacred month of Śrāvaṇa, at the holy Sahasradhārā tīrtha, it is said that a person who bathes there attains heaven itself. O best among men, whoever approaches this tīrtha with reverence and, to the best of his ability, performs the prescribed bathing and acts of charity, surely reaps the highest merit. At this point, the sage Kṛṣṇadvaipāyana spoke gentle and sweet words. “Hearing your account has filled my mind with supreme joy. As I listen, please tell me truthfully about another excellent tīrtha.” Agastya replied, “Hear me, O brāhmaṇa. I shall tell you of another tīrtha, unsurpassed in its greatness. Only the Lord can fully describe the glory of this gateway to heaven. “It begins from the thousand streams in the waters of the eastern Sarayu. The extent of this gateway to heaven has been described by the learned masters of old. I speak only truth, truth, and again truth—never does my speech swerve from what is true. “Abandoning all other divine and earthly sacred places, one should especially perform the morning bath here. O twice-born, even creatures relinquish their lives within the bounds of this gateway to heaven. “Behold this gateway to liberation, which grants men the attainment of heaven. The gateway to heaven is exceedingly difficult to reach—even the gods themselves find it almost unattainable, and there is no doubt about this. “Here, at the gateway to heaven, supreme accomplishment is found; here, supreme passage is gained. All acts of meditation, study, and giving performed here become inexhaustible in their merit. “The sins accumulated over a thousand lifetimes, all the burdens of past births, are washed away here. Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, those of mixed castes, worms, foreigners, and others of impure birth—all are purified. Insects, ants, all manner of beasts and birds, even makers of lotus garlands and birds bearing Garuda’s banner—whether they come with desire or without, or simply by reaching this sacred place—are uplifted. “Sages, gods, accomplished ones, Sadhyas, Yakshas, and the hosts of Maruts are all present here. At midday, the hosts of deities themselves make their presence felt at this gateway. “Those who fast here and have mastered their senses, those devoted to giving food, those who give jewels and land—all receive great merit. Here also dwell the perfected ones, the great souls, the sages, and the ancestors. “The god of gods, Hari himself, has assumed a fourfold form and is present here. The eternal four-faced one—Brahmā—having abandoned his own world, is established here as well. Shiva, dwelling on Mount Kailāsa, is also present at this sacred place. “Even a mass of sinful deeds as great as Mount Meru or Mandara is destroyed here. The destination attained by those devoted to knowledge and austerity, and by those who perform sacrifices, is also reached here. Sages, gods, and hosts of asuras devoted to recitation and oblation all attain great fruit here. “The merit gained from residing in Kāśī for six thousand years, or by those united with yoga who relinquish their bodies in Vārāṇasī, is equaled by the destination attained here. Indeed, one who dies at this gateway to heaven does not see hell at all. “All sacred places—whether on earth, in the atmosphere, or in heaven—are encompassed here. Those who attain devotion to Viṣṇu at this tīrtha delight with unshakable certainty. “By applying strength in every way, and with power established in austerity, even if struck down, the wise one may live, though pierced by hundreds of weapons.” Thus, the greatness of this tīrtha, the gateway to heaven, was revealed, its glory shining as a beacon of liberation for all beings.