When one bathes, gives gifts, and worships Rama at those two sacred spots, Ayodhya itself is remembered as the supreme and pure treasury of righteousness. Inspired by these words, all those present turned with deep respect to the sage Vasishtha and said, “O you who are the very storehouse of austerity, please narrate to us this most rare and wondrous story. O Brahmin, recount for us the supreme glory of Ayodhya that is so renowned. How should we undertake the pilgrimage, step by step and according to the proper rules? Please tell us, for hearing this liberates one from all sins—of this, we have no doubt.” Vasishtha replied, “This most secret and sacred field, called Ayodhya, is the highest of all. Here, perfected beings and gods, having taken up the Vaishnava vow, always abide. They practice the highest yoga, controlling their breath and subduing their senses. Ayodhya is adorned with shining lakes filled with blooming lotuses and water-lilies, making it ever delightful for those who dwell in this field of Hari. Liberation attained here is not attained elsewhere in the same way, for this is the greatest and most supreme holy place known as Ayodhya. Even at Naimisha, Kurukshetra, Gangadvara, and Pushkara—though these are famed tirthas—what is gained in Ayodhya surpasses them all; among all foremost sacred places, this alone is considered the greatest. All sages with unmanifest marks, perfected beings, and great seers—Hari grants them supreme yogic power and sovereignty here. Brahma himself, along with the divine sages, Shri, Vayu, and the Sun—these great souls worship Hari everywhere with deep reverence; single-minded, they are always devoted to him. Even a man whose mind is attached to sense objects, who has abandoned delight in righteousness, finds himself transformed here. But especially those who are devoted to the Vedas, who dwell at sacrificial sessions, and who have conquered their senses—when these wise, unattached ones reach bodily death, they attain that which even a yogi practicing for thousands of lifetimes may not achieve elsewhere. I declare to you, in brief, the wondrous glory of this holy place; nowhere else is there found a place like Ayodhya. Those who desire merit should come here with effort and undertake the pilgrimage. On the first day, those who are self-controlled should observe a fast. The one whose dwelling is joined with virtues and who has turned away from sins—after observing the fast, that meritorious person should go to Chakra Tirtha, honor a Brahmin as is proper, and behold the mighty Vishnu Hari. There, the vow-observant devotee should have his head shaved, as prescribed by dharma. After bathing in the thousand-streamed river, one should carefully worship Śeṣa. Then, beholding the discus-bearing Hari, one should offer whatever is possible, and at night, keep vigil near the great goddess. At dawn, when the sky is clear, the virtuous observer should rise again, perform the śrāddha rite, and give as much as one is able. The husband and wife should also be worshipped with care, with garments and other offerings. Having properly honored the Brāhmaṇas, the devoted person may then partake of food. On the next day as well, rising with supreme faith, one should bathe at each place, give as one is able, and with self-control and purity of vow, properly complete the pilgrimage. Thus did Vibhīṣaṇa and his followers become pure. In this way, having performed the pilgrimage with many rites, those chiefs led by Sugrīva were filled with abundant merit. And then, the well of Gayā is renowned as granting all desired fruits.