Again and again, the devoted disciple approached his teacher with earnest questions, seeking guidance with great persistence. The teacher, in response, instructed him to gather fourteen measures of gold. Thus, following his teacher’s command, Kautsa reflected upon the instruction and then set out to fulfill it. O best of sages, as you have inquired and been answered repeatedly, know this: in the southern direction lies a confluence, a sacred junction often visited by accomplished souls. There, illustrious one, those who bathe with discipline become free from impurity; the righteous who observe the proper rites at this place are cleansed. Whoever offers gold and similar gifts to a Brahmin learned in the Vedas at this renowned meeting of the Tilodaki and Sarasvati rivers, and whoever, having fasted, satisfies the Brahmins there, and whoever maintains a single meal a day for a month observing discipline—all such acts bring great merit. Especially on the dark new moon of the month of Nabhasya, an annual pilgrimage is observed at this holy site. This place, O virtuous one, is also known for the horses born in Sindhu who come to drink its pure waters. Tilodaki is ever celebrated as a sacred river; bathing in its waters washes away even the gravest sins accumulated over seven births. Therefore, O sage, bathing in Tilodaki removes all sins, and acts of bathing, charity, discipline, and sacrifice performed there become imperishable. Through these various prescribed methods, the pilgrimage to these holy places expands one’s virtues and bestows lasting merit. Among these sacred sites, Sita’s pool is renowned as a source of all desired fruits. There, O Brahmin, anyone who bathes is freed from all sins; and through the boon granted by Rama, this pool has become a repository of great rewards. O fortunate one, let me recount for your delight the story of this wondrous pool. Here, acts such as bathing, giving, recitation of sacred texts, oblation, or austerity are all of great merit. Especially on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, bathing in Sita’s pool is supremely auspicious. It was Rama, beloved of the people, who granted this boon to Sita, and thus among all people it is famed as Sita’s pool, most wondrous indeed. By bathing, giving, and especially through austerity performed here while honoring Rama and Sita, one attains liberation without doubt. Moreover, it is said that those who bathe here at the proper time and season are freed even from the possibility of unwanted pregnancy. O Brahmin, on the beautiful western shore, the greatness of Lord Vishnu-Hari is celebrated—his discus, the Sudarshana Chakra, is beyond mortal comprehension. In the western direction lies a sacred place known as Hari’s Remembrance. Merely by seeing this holy site, one is freed from all sins. The sight alone removes the stains of embodied beings. Long ago, when a fierce battle erupted between the gods and the demons, the gods, led by Hari himself, fled. Vishnu, reclining upon the ocean of milk, rested on the great serpent Shesha, while Narada and other eminent sages sang his glories. Drops from the surging waves of the milk ocean marked his garment, and he shone in yellow robes, his face radiant with joy and splendor, like a string of shining jewels dwelling in the White Island. He appeared like the return of Mitra after the fear of Rahu had passed—another marvel to behold. It was as if he contemplated the supreme creation of the Four-Faced Brahma. At that moment, Śaṃbhu, along with all the hosts of gods, approached him. To Hari, the remover of intense delusion, the moon-like Lord, I bow. I bow to the radiant jewel-flame of consciousness, the moonlight of the mind’s union, whose presence sanctifies all and whose remembrance brings liberation.