When a person devoted to discipline is seen, especially at the sacred land of his own birth, even the mere sight of that birthplace bestows upon the beholder the same spiritual fruit earned by the devotee himself. The merit that comes from dwelling in Kāśī for thousands of aeons, or from performing ancestral rites at Gayā and beholding the Supreme Person, is immense. Yet, if a man dwells in Mathurā for even a single age, or visits places like Puṣkara and Prayāga during the auspicious months of Māgha or Kārttika, he accrues similarly great merit. The reward gained from dwelling in Avantī for a thousand million aeons, or from bathing in the sacred Bhāgīrathī for sixty thousand years, is vast indeed. Yet, all this is surpassed by even a moment—or half a moment—spent in contemplation of Rāma. Whoever, wherever he may be, who remembers Ayodhyā in his mind, attains great merit. The Sarayū river, in the form of water, is verily Brahman itself and always bestows liberation. Not only humans, but even cattle, birds, wild animals, and all other beings of sinful birth may benefit from these holy places. Having spoken thus, the sage born from the jar—Agastya—fell silent. The tale he had recounted, in its full and gradual detail, is difficult for all beings to obtain. Then, a question arose: “Now, I wish to hear, in proper order, about the holy places. Tell me, in detail and in sequence, the fruits of visiting them, as I ask. Just as I have heard, in due order, the journey of the best among those who know the universe—to Ayodhyā and the seventy sacred fords—tell me of these, properly and in sequence.” Whoever, with purity of mind, speech, and body, and an unblemished inner self, performs the pilgrimage rites correctly, attains the full fruit of the pilgrimage. At those places where, for those who have bathed, there arises purification of the mind, true merit is found. Then Agastya said, “Hear from me, O sinless one, as I recount the mental sacred fords. Truth is a sacred ford, forgiveness is a sacred ford, and restraint of the senses is a sacred ford. Knowledge is a sacred ford, austerity is a sacred ford—thus is declared the sevenfold sacred ford. Bathing is not said to be for one whose body is purified only by water; listen to the reason for the merit of even earthly sacred fords. Just as, among the parts of the body, some are considered middling or excellent, so too are sacred fords. Therefore, one should dwell at earthly sacred fords and at mental ones as well. Therefore, you too, O foremost of Brahmins, with a purified inner self, I will tell you the procedure for pilgrimage, step by step. Creatures are born in water and die in water as well. Constant attachment to sense objects is called the impurity of the mind. If the mind within is corrupted, bathing at sacred fords does not purify. Charity, sacrifice, austerity, purity, service to sacred fords, and also study of scripture—these are the true paths. Wherever a man dwells with his group of senses restrained, there is a mental sacred ford.” Thus, Agastya described the characteristics of a mental sacred ford. He continued, “Rising early in the morning, the wise one should bathe at the confluence. Having bathed at the Cakra Tirtha, a man beholds the all-pervading Lord Hari with the discus. On the eleventh day, this pilgrimage brings auspicious results. Having performed the daily prescribed duties, one should also behold Ayodhyā. One should see Bandī, Śītalā, and also the Vaṭuka. Then, having seen Piṇḍāraka, one should next have a vision of Bhairava. On the fourth day of the waning moon dedicated to Maṅgala, the previously mentioned deities are also to be visited.” Thus, the sage revealed the sacred journey, both inward and outward, and the fruits that arise from devotion, right action, and pure remembrance.