Hear now the sacred account as revealed in the Skanda Purāṇa, O noble one. Consider first the power of holy acts: even if a person were to stand steadfast on one foot for a thousand ages, or hang inverted with head downward for ten thousand ages, the fruits gained by such severe austerities, or even by a hundred grand sacrifices, do not equal the merit obtained by certain acts performed with devotion in the proper season. Especially during the auspicious month of Pauṣa, bathing in sacred waters bestows abundant rewards. Whoever bathes with sincere devotion in this month attains the supreme abode of Brahman, never to return to the world of birth and death. Furthermore, if one gives a lamp filled with pure ghee during Pauṣa, the best of offerings, then all sins—whether small or great, accumulated over countless births—are washed away, and the giver is blessed with long life, health, prosperity, children, and supreme happiness. If, with discipline and devotion, one observes a vow on the thirteenth day of the bright fortnight in Pauṣa, keeping vigil through the night and offering lamps in every direction, and if, as a devotee of Viṣṇu, one worships Viṣṇu and listens to the sacred tales of Hari, remaining awake and immersed in those meritorious stories, then at dawn, after bathing in pure water with proper rites and reverence, one who gives gifts of gold, food, and garments with faith, attains great merit. Such a vigil should be performed every year by those devoted to virtue. Hari should be worshipped, and the twice-born should be properly honored according to one’s ability; then, like serpents rendered harmless at the sight of Tārkṣya, all dangers are dispelled. Whoever bathes at these sacred places ascends to heaven, and even those who bathe elsewhere become happy. All living beings in the three worlds, especially those whose minds are afflicted by suffering—seven inferior and seven superior beings along with the person himself—are uplifted by the merit gained here. In this holy place, those born blind or lame are made equal, just as among castes the brāhmaṇa is foremost, so too is the confluence of sacred fords. By bathing here, giving charity, and conquering the senses according to one’s capacity, whether man or woman, all should perform the prescribed bath. Just as fire consumes all things, whether dry or moist, so too does the merit here burn away all sins. On one side are all the sacred places, each with their various fruits, but the fruit of bathing here is equal to bathing in all the sacred places, as remembered in tradition. There is another holy ford called Gopratāra, O sinless one. By bathing and giving charity there, a person never grieves at any time. Just as the renowned Maṇikarṇikā exists in Vārāṇasī, so too in Naimiṣa, the sacred Cakravāpī is remembered as the foremost of all fords. It is here, by the command of Rāma, that the people of the city of Sāketa performed their rites. O learned one, you inquire how Rāghava—Rāma—commanded this, and how he himself ascended to heaven, followed by the people of his city. Once, having fulfilled the work of the gods, Rāma, untiring in his duties, was observed by the ever-watchful monkeys, who could assume any form at will. These monkeys, sons of gods, gandharvas, and sages, all leaders of their respective troops, approached Rāma and spoke with devotion, saying, “O best of men, if you depart without us, O Rāma…” Having heard the words of the bears, monkeys, and rākṣasas, Rāma responded. And as long as living beings endure, so long, O Vibhīṣaṇa, will the glory of these deeds and this sacred place be remembered and honored.