Let me recount for you the sacred narrative as revealed in these verses. The Sarayū river, in its watery form, is none other than Brahman itself, ever bestowing liberation upon all who approach it. Not only humans, but cattle, birds, wild animals, and every creature born from sinful origins may find release through its grace. After imparting this wisdom, the sage who was born from the jar fell silent, his words echoing with profundity. The tale he had spoken, with its full and gradual unfolding, is difficult for any being to fully comprehend. Eager to learn further, the listener expressed a desire to hear, in proper order, about the holy places—requesting a detailed account of their fruits and merits. Just as one hears, step by step, of the journey undertaken by the greatest among those who know the universe, so too did the listener wish to hear about the pilgrimage to Ayodhya and its seventy sacred fords, carefully and in sequence. It is said that whoever, with purity of mind, speech, and body, and an unblemished inner self, performs the pilgrimage rites correctly, attains the full fruit of the journey. At those places, for those who have bathed, arises a purification of the mind—a sanctity that transcends the physical. Then Agastya spoke: “Hear from me, O sinless one, as I recount the mental sacred fords. Truth is a sacred ford; forgiveness is a sacred ford; restraint of the senses is a sacred ford. Knowledge, too, is a sacred ford, as is austerity. Thus, the sevenfold sacred ford is declared.” He continued, “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 the fords. Therefore, one should dwell at earthly sacred fords and at mental ones as well.” Agastya addressed the Brahmin: “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 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 study of scripture—all these are essential. Wherever a man dwells with his group of senses restrained, there is a mental sacred ford. Thus, O Brahmin, I have described to you the characteristics of a mental sacred ford.” The wise one should rise early in the morning and 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. After performing the daily prescribed duties, one should also behold Ayodhya, and see Bandī, Śītalā, and 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. Again, rising early in the morning, the wise one should plunge into the waters of Brahma-kuṇḍa. Then, having seen Mantreśvara, one should behold the great Vidyā. Having bathed at Svargadvāra, clothed and with senses controlled, one should always bathe clothed, for those who do so attain the highest. Thus, this pilgrimage has been described—auspicious and remover of all sins. Whoever undertakes this pilgrimage regularly attains all auspicious rewards. Therefore, O foremost of Brāhmaṇas, you too should go to Ayodhya without delay. Ayodhya is the supreme place; Ayodhya is supremely great. Ayodhya is the highest abode, established within Viṣṇu’s discus. Thus, O Brāhmaṇa, I have told you what you asked me. Vyāsa, the treasure of austerities, spoke these sweet words.