On the auspicious eighth day of the bright half of the month of Bhādrapada, when the moon resides in the Maitra constellation, a sacred rite is performed. O Vyāsa, those who faithfully observe this rite are said to attain the eternal worlds. This holy place is renowned as Bindusaras, celebrated as a bestower of all desired boons. There, O son of Satyavatī, the excellent rivers themselves have come together, and the devotees continually worship at this hallowed spot. In the month of Bhādrapada, the fourth day of the bright fortnight is especially proclaimed. On this day, the deity known as Manaḥkāmeśvara, the granter of all wishes, is worshipped; and one who fulfills a hundred wishes here becomes a true fulfiller of desires. O great sage, you ask how many holy places and shrines of the gods exist. In the sacred land of Avanti, the holy places and liṅgas are so numerous that even Svayambhū, the four-faced Brahmā himself, could scarcely describe them all. Their number is as countless as the drops of rain that fall from the clouds, or the stars scattered across the sky—no one can enumerate them completely. This city itself is a holy place, both in the heavens and upon the earth. Its rivers, lakes, and wells are all supremely sacred in every way. Now, let me tell you of the principal matters, so you may understand their greatness. He who rises each morning, pure in body and with a disciplined mind, who adorns himself with fragrant substances, sesame, and rice grains, and who, during the months of Ūrja, Mādhava, Vaiśākha, and Āṣāḍha, performs the prescribed rites at the holy places of the deities, in their divine presence, will surely attain all the desired results. O ascetic rich in austerity, you wish to hear all this in detail—the dialogue between Umā and Maheśvara concerning the rites of divine pilgrimages, and the holy places and liṅgas that exist. Know that the foremost field, O great goddess, is always exceedingly dear to me. Here is the confluence of the sacred rivers Nīla and Gaṅgā, and also the river Gandhavatī. In this blessed region, there are eighty-four Lords and eight fierce Bhairavas. Six Vināyakas reside here, along with twenty-four goddesses. All the gods, including Viṣṇu and Brahmā, are established in this sacred place, O auspicious one. There are ten forms of Viṣṇu celebrated here—listen to their names: Nārāyaṇa, Hṛṣīkeśa, Vārāha, and Dharaṇīdhara. These ten Vaiṣṇava forms are renowned as supreme removers of all sins. In the delightful Mahākāla forest, the lords of the gods dwell, along with the Vināyakas, the Bhairavas, the goddesses, and the sons of the wind. Among them are Vighnahā and Pramodī, who are especially fond of the fourth-day vow. These six are revered as the supreme removers of obstacles. There are also the eight Mothers: Vaṭayakṣiṇī and Vīrabhadrā, Mahāmāyā—renowned as Satī—and Kapālamātṛkā. Alongside them are Brahmāṇī and Pārvatī, Yoginī and Yogaśālinī. The Carpaṭā Mothers are known, as are the Vaṭa Mothers. The Yoginī Mothers are also remembered, making a total of sixty-four revered Mothers. Among these divine forms, Vaiṣṇavī, Vārāhī, and Vindhyavāsinī are also celebrated. Thus, this sacred land is graced by countless holy places, deities, and mothers, each bestowing blessings and removing obstacles for those who worship with devotion and discipline.