With a heart weighed down by confusion, someone cried out, “For what reason have I been abandoned? What offense have I committed?” Sita then turned to Rama, her voice gentle but troubled, and asked, “For what reason, by you, Lakshmana…?” Before she could finish, Raghava—Rama—replied to Sita with reassurance, “I will not abandon Lakshmana.” He addressed her with affection, “O lovely-hipped one, it has been heard before that this field has been disturbed.” He explained that, in these times, people no longer regard each other with selfless care; each is motivated solely by their own interests. The disciple does not heed the word of the teacher, nor does the teacher pay attention to the disciple’s actions. Having spoken thus, Rama, Lakshmana, and Janaki (Sita) departed together. Their journey led them to Rama’s sacred ford, where they bathed and visited the holy presence of Rameshvara Shiva. Cleansed of all sins by these sacred acts, one attains supreme good fortune. At the sacred place known as the “ford of clarified butter,” a man should bathe Shiva with ghee, and worship the goddess, the mistress of yoga, revered by both gods and demons. To bathe at Shankhavarta is to be freed from all sins. On the fourteenth day, one should bathe for the sake of liberation in pure waters. Now, let me describe another sacred place, renowned throughout the three worlds. In the Tretā Yuga, there lived a brahmin named Sunetra, O Vyāsa. By the curse of Yavakrīta, Sunetra was driven to slay his own father—a grievous act. Seeking to cleanse himself, the brahmin bathed at the holy site of Kimpunaka and then journeyed to the sacred Dhārā. Troubled, he wondered, “How has my stream become fallen, or how has my recitation become false?” As he bathed again at that sacred place, a divine voice spoke: “You are not afflicted by brahminicide; it has been destroyed by bathing at the sacred place.” Remaining there, the great lord beheld the city once more. In that city, the god of gods, Maheśvara, is known as Pattaneśvara. A man endowed with devotion, O Vyāsa, should always worship him properly. Such a devotee, after his time on earth, is carried to Shiva’s world in a vehicle drawn by swans. This sacred place is famed as Durdharṣa, the liberator from the sin of brahminicide. Situated on the riverbank, it is renowned as purified by the Sun. On the seventh or eighth day, or at the time of the solar transition, especially on a Sunday, one should visit Maheshvara, established on the bank of the Shipra. By doing so, he uplifts his entire lineage of ancestors and mothers, and should then approach Shiva. The merit gained from this act remains imperishable in the world, enduring as long as the moon and sun shine. In ancient times, even Indra was afflicted by a curse from Gautama at this very place. Long ago, Indra satisfied Shankara with fierce austerity, and in gratitude, gave a thousand cows, which is why he is called the lord of cows. Those who die at this site do not obtain rebirth on earth. On the bright tenth day of Jyeshtha, one should declare the fruits of their pilgrimage at the Ganga. Departing in a celestial chariot, such a soul delights in heaven, enjoying all desired pleasures without doubt. If one dies having offered fragrance, flowers, and food, he goes to Rudra’s city. And whoever beholds Ambalika with the discipline of meditation is freed from all sins, just as a serpent is freed from its old slough.