At the edge of a serene pond, the sage was urged, “Quickly worship here—at this very spot by the milk-pond, where the pure and sacred linga known as Dugdheshvara abides.” He bowed with devotion and reverently worshipped that linga, remembered throughout time as Dugdheshvara. This pond, sanctified by Sita’s own offerings of reverence, is famed as the place where the sacred waters of milk meet. Those who bathe here, in Sita’s pond, and gaze upon the Lord Dugdheshvara, are blessed. For here, every act—bathing, reciting sacred verses, making offerings, and giving gifts—becomes inexhaustible in its merit. By properly worshipping Dugdheshvara, all desires are fulfilled. Whoever observes these rituals with compassion and righteousness, following the prescribed order, finds further sanctity in the eastern direction: there stands a great shrine established by Sugriva. After bathing and making offerings, one should worship Rama there with utmost care. Opposite this, in the other direction, lies the place called Hanumat-kunda. Bathing and giving gifts and worshipping Rama at these two sacred spots make Ayodhya renowned as the supreme, pure treasury of dharma. Inspired by these words, all present turned to the venerable sage Vasishtha and, with deep respect, entreated him: “O treasury of austerity, please narrate this most rare and wondrous story. O Brahmin, tell us of the supreme glory of Ayodhya, as it is recounted. How should we undertake this pilgrimage, step by step and according to the sacred rules? For whoever hears of this is freed from all sins—there is no doubt.” Vasishtha spoke: “This most secret and sacred field, called Ayodhya, is supreme among holy places. Here, perfected beings and gods, having taken up the Vaishnava vow, always dwell. They practice the highest yoga, controlling their breath and subduing their senses, surrounded by sparkling lakes adorned with lotuses and water-lilies. To reside always in this field of Hari is a source of unending delight. “Liberation attained here is not attained elsewhere in the same way; for this is the great and supreme holy place, known as Ayodhya. Even at Naimisha, Kurukshetra, Gangadvara, and Pushkara—renowned as they are—what is gained here surpasses all. Among all sacred places, this alone is considered the greatest. “All sages with hidden marks, perfected beings, and great seers—Hari grants them supreme yogic power and sovereignty here. Brahma, along with the divine sages, Shri, Vayu, and the Sun, these great souls worship Hari everywhere with unwavering devotion; single-minded, they always worship Him. “Even a man attached to sense pleasures, who has turned away from delight in righteousness, cannot compare to those devoted to the Vedas, who dwell at sacrificial sessions and have conquered their senses. When these wise and unattached ones encounter bodily death, they attain what even a yogi practicing for thousands of lifetimes may not. “I declare briefly the wondrous glory of this holy place: nowhere else is there another like it. Those who seek merit should come here with effort and undertake the pilgrimage. “On the first day, the self-controlled should observe a fast. He whose life is adorned with virtues and who has turned from sin—after observing the fast, that meritorious one should go to Chakra Tirtha, honor a Brahmin, and behold the mighty Vishnu Hari. Then, the devotee observing the vow should have his head shaved, as prescribed by dharma. After bathing in the thousand-streamed river, he should carefully worship Śeṣa. Thereafter, beholding the discus-bearing Hari, he should make offerings according to his ability; and at night, near the great goddess, he should keep a sacred vigil.” Thus, the glory and the sacred path of Ayodhya were revealed, shining as the supreme field of righteousness and liberation.