After observing a sacred fast throughout the auspicious month of Magha, the devoted pilgrim journeyed to the holy city of Varanasi. There, he immersed himself in the most purifying bathing places, offering heartfelt worship to both his ancestors and the gods. Gazing upon the ever-moving Sun, he was inspired to continue his pilgrimage and made his way to Madhuvana. Having paid homage to the radiant Sun there, he pressed onward to the forest of Pushkara. At Pushkara, where the air was fragrant with sandalwood, he worshipped Brahma, the Creator. His path then led him to Kotitirtha, where he beheld Rudra—the Lord with the bull-banner, manifest in countless forms. From the sacred groves of Dharmāraṇya, Pauṣkara, and Daṇḍakāraṇya, many twice-born sages had gathered, all eager to have darshan of Śaṅkara. They vied with one another, each declaring, “I first, I first!” Moved by their devotion and out of compassion, Bhava manifested himself in myriad forms. Thus, Śambhu appeared there as Rudrakoṭi. After worshipping Rudrakoṭi, the pilgrim continued to Kurujāṅgala. Immersing himself in the holy waters of the Sarasvatī, he witnessed the gods themselves engaged in worship there. Proceeding to Daśāśvamedha, he bathed and reverently honored the deities and his ancestors. Bowing to his teacher Śukra, he journeyed to Somatīrtha. Upon reaching Kṣīrikāvāsa, the illustrious one performed his ritual bath. Once more seeing Kurudhvaja, he went to the city called Padmā. From there, he traveled to Kumāradhārā, where, self-controlled and devout, he beheld his Lord. Having worshipped Skanda, he made his way to the sacred Narmadā river. Next, he ascended the mountain to have darshan of Varāha, the divine Boar who bears the discus. His pilgrimage led him to Arbudadeśa, to behold Mahādeva, resplendent like gold. Arriving at Kāliñjara, he saw Nīlakaṇṭha, the blue-throated Lord. He then journeyed to Prabhāsa by the seashore, seeking the presence of the Lord. There he had darshan of Someśvara, the world’s Lord with matted hair, and was honored by both Śaṅkara and Viṣṇu, the great deities with matted locks. Having worshipped Rudra at this sacred place, he traveled to the land of the northern Kurus. There, after bathing, he worshipped Viśveśa, the formidable Lord revered by all three worlds. Continuing his journey, he reached Brāhmaṇī, where, after his ritual bath, he paid homage to the Lord of the gods. He then proceeded to Kuṇḍina, where he duly honored the one who grants satisfaction to the ancestors. Reaching the forested region of Magadha, he beheld the lord of the earth. After bathing at a great sacred site and bowing to Vāsudeva, he journeyed to Mahākośa, where, filled with devotion, he worshipped Mahādeva known as Haṃsa. Having completed his worship there, the mighty-armed one traveled to Triviṣṭapa. There, after seeing and worshipping Hari, he went to the holy place of Kanakhala. His path then took him to the lord of wealth, Meghaṅka, and onward to Girivraja. Properly worshipping Kāmarūpa, he continued his sacred journey. He arrived at the foremost holy place called Mahākhya, where he again worshipped Mahādeva. With deep devotion, he praised the Lord, reciting the supreme and pure prayer for the remover of Gajendra’s sorrow. As an offering, he gave gold to the foremost of the Brāhmaṇas before entering the formidable Daṇḍaka forest. There, in that wild and sacred place, he beheld Puṇḍarīkākṣa, the Lord with lotus eyes, the remover of great beasts of prey.