Hear now a tale of sacred truth, for the words spoken here are ever true and never false. All holy places, whether divine or earthly, are surpassed by the sanctity of this gateway to heaven. Thus, it is here that one should especially perform the morning bath, for creatures relinquish their lives within this hallowed threshold, O twice-born, and thereby gain passage to heaven. Behold this gateway to liberation, granting men the attainment of heavenly realms. The gateway to heaven is exceedingly difficult to reach—even the gods themselves find it nearly unattainable. Yet, at this very threshold, supreme accomplishment is found; here, the highest passage awaits. All acts of meditation, study, and giving performed here become inexhaustible in their merit. No matter how much sin has accumulated from previous births over a thousand lifetimes—whether one is a Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra, of mixed caste, a worm, a foreigner, or of impure birth; even insects, ants, beasts, and birds; makers of lotus garlands, birds bearing Garuda’s banner; those with or without desire, or those who have come to the sacred place—sages, gods, accomplished ones, Sadhyas, Yakshas, and the hosts of Maruts—all are drawn to this gateway. At midday, the hosts of deities make their presence known here. Those who fast at the gateway to heaven and have mastered their senses, those devoted to giving food, and men who give jewels and land—these, along with perfected ones, great souls, sages, and ancestors, all dwell in this sacred place. The god of gods, Hari himself, assumes a fourfold form here. The eternal four-faced one, Brahma, having abandoned his own world, is present as well. Shiva, dwelling on Mount Kailāsa, is established here too. Even a mass of sinful deeds as great as Mount Meru or Mandara is destroyed at this gateway. The destination attained by those devoted to knowledge and austerity, and by those who perform sacrifices, is granted here. Sages, gods, and hosts of asuras devoted to recitation and oblation all find fulfillment. The fruit obtained from residing in Kāśī for six thousand years, and the destination of those united with yoga who relinquish their bodies in Vārāṇasī, are both realized at this gateway. One who dies at the gate of heaven does not see hell at all. Whatever sacred places exist on earth, in the atmosphere, or in heaven, all are surpassed here. Those who attain devotion to Viṣṇu delight with full certainty. By applying power in every way, and with power established in austerity, even if struck down, the wise may live, though pierced by hundreds of weapons. If separated from life at the gate of heaven, one attains the supreme destination. For all who reach the gate of heaven, that time is auspicious. As many sins as people commit on earth with the body, all are washed away here. Especially on the fifteenth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Jyeṣṭha, a thousand moon-offering ceremonies are performed by those devoted to vows and yoga. When these are accomplished, great sins are destroyed and heaven is attained by people. The origin and prescribed method for the moon vow and its completion are likewise described. Even the ocean of nectar came here to witness directly the greatness of this sacred place. In due order and according to rule, many wondrous events accompanied its arrival. Having obtained that grace, with its own name at the forefront, the ocean of nectar became part of the glory of this holy gateway. Thus is revealed the unparalleled sanctity and merit of the gateway to heaven, where gods and sages gather, sins are destroyed, and liberation is assured.