Whatever a person truly desires in their heart while standing in those sacred waters, so it comes to be. Once, as you gazed upon her son, the longing for a child welled up within your own heart. Because of this, you are advised to let go of your yearning; blessings be upon you, O virtuous wife, for you are blameless. As these words, spoken by a divine messenger, echoed down from the sky, you listened with reverence. The extraordinary power of this holy place revealed itself to you, unlike anything you had known before. Having experienced the sanctity and grace of this supreme tirtha, you resolved never to seek another. In due course, she bore a son adorned with all auspicious marks. Know this, too: whoever performs the rite of śrāddha here ensures the survival of their lineage. Any man, free from personal desire, who bathes at this spot, and any woman who offers even simple flowers and fruits here, attains a heavenly realm so exalted that even the gods find it difficult to reach. It is said that, by beholding certain holy ones, a person attains the highest fulfillment of purpose. There stands a pond, its clear waters washing away the sins of all who immerse themselves. Through great austerity, the sacred Gomati river itself has been brought here, O best of kings. If one performs the rite of śrāddha here, using the grains favored by the sages, the merit is immense. In ancient times, the great-souled Nārada sang a verse: “What need is there for śrāddha at Gayā, or for elaborate sacrifices elsewhere? Here, one rescues all one’s ancestors entirely, O best of kings.” Near this holy place reside the virtuous Arundhatī and the sage Vasiṣṭha. Whatever sins may have been committed in childhood, youth, or old age—whoever, with a concentrated mind, offers a lamp before Vasiṣṭha, or spends a single night there in fasting, or observes a three-night vow, or undertakes a month-long fast in his presence—whoever, with devotion, recites the Gāyatrī mantra eight hundred times before Vasiṣṭha on the full moon of Śrāvaṇa, or performs the Vāmadeva sacrifice with faith—each of these acts brings great spiritual benefit. Therefore, one should strive with every effort to see that great sage. O king, worship Vāmadeva with your whole being. Pulastya then spoke: “O best of kings, next you should proceed to the supremely holy Acaleśvara. There, whoever performs śrāddha on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, or stands in the southern direction and worships with devotion, or offers libations with the five nectars, and at the end of circumambulation bows down in reverence—such acts are full of merit.” Hear now of a wondrous event that once took place there. Long ago, a parrot made its nest in a tree at this very spot. Yet, O great king, this bird was not born among birds through devotion alone. In truth, he had been born in a royal lineage on earth and is remembered as King Vena. Remembering the power that arises from circumambulation, this being, day and night, does nothing else. Not with flowers or incense does he worship, but always with the simple, ceaseless act of circumambulation, he expresses his devotion.