Hearing these words, Krishna and Rama became united in purpose, their minds set as one. Desiring to remain where they were, they awaited the arrival of their revered teacher, standing firm in their intent. When the teacher finally approached, the two noble heroes rose respectfully and offered their salutations. With humility, they addressed him, saying, “O great ascetic, please listen to the reason for our stay here. O Brāhmaṇa, in the morning we have no fixed duties or obligations, O lord.” The venerable Vyāsa then explained the observance he followed, saying, “Bathing in the sacred Gomati river should always be performed in the morning by the wise.” Thus, with this understanding, the teacher instructed them to act as was proper. Following this, Vyāsa performed the worship of the Gomati at Kuśasthalī, O best of the twice-born. To the north of Kaṃthaḍeśvara, they found the holy Gomati river. Rising early, all of them proceeded to the Gomati, that best of rivers. There, they engaged in all the sacred acts: bathing, giving charity, and other meritorious deeds. At that very spot in the Gomati, Sarasvatī herself was present within the sacrificial pit, sanctifying the place. It was said that here, indeed, lies the path for all the worlds. The pool named Gomati was renowned for destroying all sins. One who bathed there daily and kept vigil at night, who invited Vaishnavas and those devoted to Krishna’s birth, and who, with focused mind, worshipped cows and Brahmins at that sacred site, would earn immense merit. The merit gained from bathing in the Gomati and meeting Vasudeva, especially during the bright half of the month of Chaitra until Ekadashi, by keeping vigil at night and worshipping Vishnu in the prescribed way, was said to be equal to the giving of a thousand cows—there could be no doubt of this. Freed from all sins, such a person would attain the world of Vishnu. Thus concludes the sixty-second chapter, called “The Greatness of the Gomati Tirtha Pool,” in the section on the sacred region of Avanti, in the fifth book of the Skanda Mahapurana. There, after bathing at the holy site and beholding the deity Maheshvara, a person who is pure and of concentrated mind is freed from all sins. On earth, this is the most sacred tirtha, supreme in its power to remove sins. It destroys even the gravest of transgressions, brings great merit, and bestows the fruits of the highest virtue. The great god Shambhu himself bore this tirtha upon his head. By gaining the merit of bathing in the Ganga, one is honored in Vishnu’s world. With a mind cleansed of all impurities, one attains the world of heroes. This place is known as Vamana-kunda, famed throughout the three worlds. There, after fulfilling a hundred cherished desires, one proceeds to the city of Vishnu. At this point, Vyasa inquired, “O sinless one, when and at what time did the city called Vamana arise? I wish to hear all of this from you, O best of those who know Brahman. For merely by hearing of it, one is freed from all sins.” Prahlada, renowned among all upholders of dharma, was then remembered. By his courage, the worlds were sustained; by his forgiveness, the earth was upheld. Through his humility, all who approached him were won over by that great soul. With purity in conduct and mind, and through austerity, he destroyed all evil. By refinement he conquered birth, and by self-control, he realized his eternal self.