By the power of their own radiance and the great splendor earned through virtuous deeds, the assembled beings shone brilliantly. Their joy manifested in a shower of blessed flowers, which, swift and driven by the wind, rained down from above as an auspicious omen. In this sacred moment, Rama, the supreme lord, touched the waters of the Sarayu river with his feet. Though Rama is the lord of all worlds, a god beyond compare, none truly know his real nature. He is inconceivable, a great and imperishable wonder, upholding and sustaining all creation. At the command of the grandsire Brahma, Rama himself entered the waters, and the gods, delighting in Vishnu, worshipped him—the best among the gods. There, the Sādhyas, the hosts of Maruts, mighty Indra and Agni’s followers, the Suparṇas, Nāgas, Yakṣas, as well as Daityas, Dānavas, and Rākṣasas—all gathered together. All the gods, their hearts joyful and their desires completely fulfilled, rejoiced in the presence of the Lord. Then, the mighty and radiant Vishnu addressed the grandsire Brahma, saying, “All these people have come here out of affection for me.” Hearing these words, the Lord of all worlds replied, “At this holy place, which is the very gateway to heaven, one should meditate solely on Rama.” All those called Saṃtānika, after departing from the world of Brahma—from whom have arisen gods and demons of various forms—together with sages, nāgas, and yakṣas, would also go to their respective abodes. They entered the Sarayu, which was filled with water at that time. Abandoning their human bodies, they ascended to celestial vehicles. There, having given up their mortal forms, they assumed divine bodies. Attaining the highest state, they reached the world of the gods, leaving their earthly forms behind. Thus, all of them journeyed to heaven, remembering the mighty Lord, the teacher of the worlds. Because of these sacred events, that holy place became renowned as Gopratāra. O brāhmaṇa, even if this union with Rama is attained after hundreds of births, there is no doubt that at Gopratāra, Hari is firmly established through devotion. Even a learned man who bathes at Gopratāra is certainly purified. Especially in the month of Kārtika, those who have mastered their senses should bathe there; people come to Ayodhyā especially to bathe at Gopratāra. There has never been, nor will there ever be, a holy place equal to Gopratāra. By bathing there, one becomes sinless, abandoning all impurity, and emerges with a pure body and white garment. O virtuous one, whatever divine holy places exist on earth, their sanctity is found here. On the day of Gopratara, one should perform recitation of sacred texts, offer oblations into the fire, bathe, and give gifts according to one’s ability. In the month of Kartika, by attaining this place, one also attains the merit of all the sacred places. Bathing performed on the Gopratara day destroys all sins; one is freed from every sin, and there is no need for further deliberation. Especially, worship of Brahmins should be performed, with Vishnu as the intended deity. One should give food of many kinds, gold, and various garments. During a solar eclipse at Kurukshetra, and during a lunar eclipse at the Narmada river, the offering of a lamp made with ghee or even with sesame oil is highly meritorious. By such acts, all sacrifices are accomplished, and the merit of bathing at sacred places is fulfilled. There are many kinds of sacred places, which grant both enjoyment in this world and liberation hereafter. Whoever gives even a little gold to a Brahmin learned in the Vedas—especially at the sacred place called Gopratara, renowned throughout the three worlds, O twice-born—whoever bathes there and satisfies the Brahmins, that person attains the highest merit and sanctity. Thus, the glory of Gopratāra is sung, a place where the divine presence of Hari is firmly established, and where the devoted are granted purity, fulfillment, and the highest reward.