O noble one, by your words, our union has taken place instantly. Through the sacred power of this holy site, we shall ascend to the world of the ancestors—there can be no doubt. Here, by the offering of piṇḍa, your two grandfathers, though they had fallen into misfortune and committed evil deeds, have attained perfection. Such is the greatness of this holy place: even the son of a Brahmin-slayer is purified by the offering of piṇḍa and can be uplifted once more. For this very reason, my son, I have separated these two souls and come here to see you; now, my task complete, I shall depart. Therefore, Raibhya, I call you blessed. A single visit to Gayā, a single offering of piṇḍa, is exceedingly rare to obtain—yet you are constantly engaged in this meritorious act. What more can be said of your virtue, O Raibhya, for by your merit you have directly beheld Nārāyaṇa himself, the wielder of the mace. Indeed, Gadādhara himself is present at this holy place, which is why, O best of the twice-born, this tirtha is so renowned throughout the worlds. Having spoken thus, the great yogi vanished on the spot. Raibhya, filled with devotion, composed a hymn of praise to Hari, the wielder of the mace. Raibhya sang: "I bow to Gadādhara, lauded by the hosts of gods, patient and compassionate, who removes the suffering of the hungry, who is auspicious, who crushes the vast armies of demons, and destroys all misfortune when remembered. I bow in secret to Keśava, the ancient and spotless refuge of all, the primeval and foremost of men, Trivikrama who bore the earth for Bali, the wielder of the mace. He whose mind is pure, surrounded by prosperity, adorned with Śrī, wise and free from stain, praised by sinless lords of the earth—whoever bows to Gadādhara dwells in happiness. He whose lotus feet are worshipped by gods and demons, who is adorned with armlets, garlands, ornaments, and a crown, who reclines upon the ocean and holds the discus—whoever bows to Gadādhara dwells in happiness. He who is white in the Kṛta age, red in the Tretā, yellow in the Dvāpara, and dark as a raincloud in Kali, the great lord—whoever bows to Gadādhara dwells in happiness. From him, in the form of Nārāyaṇa, Brahmā is born and creates the world; as Rudra, he protects and brings about the end. May Gadādhara, possessor of sixfold forms, be ever victorious. Sattva, rajas, and tamas—these three qualities arise from him alone and from no other. May that threefold Gadādhara grant me steadfastness in righteousness and liberation. In this ocean of worldly existence, with its painful strands and dreadful crocodiles of separation, when I am sinking, may Gadādhara bear me up like a great boat. He, the Trimurti himself, by his own power, created the cosmic egg from himself; within it, he brought forth the earth, radiant with noble brilliance, arising from the waters. To him, the bearer of the earth, I bow. For the protection of gods and others, he assumes forms such as Matsya and the Bull-Ape; in his principal form, he is all-pervading and wields the mace. May he grant me the highest path." As Raibhya praised him thus with devotion, Viṣṇu, Janārdana, appeared suddenly, clad in yellow garments. Holding conch, discus, and mace in his hands, seated upon Garuḍa and moving through the sky, the supreme person spoke with a voice deep as a thundercloud and words full of dignity: "I am pleased, Raibhya, by your devotion and your hymn, O best of the twice-born, and by your bathing at this sacred place. Tell me, O illustrious one, what you desire." Raibhya replied, "Grant me, O Lord of gods, the path where Sanaka and the others dwell, so that by your grace, O bearer of the mace, I may reside there." The Lord said, "So be it." Having spoken thus, he vanished, and Raibhya, now endowed with divine knowledge, also disappeared. By the favor of the discus-bearing Lord, he instantly attained the realm where the perfected sages Sanaka and the others reside. Whoever recites this hymn to Viṣṇu, the wielder of the mace, as prescribed by Raibhya, after going to Gayā and performing the ancestral rites, surpasses others in merit. Now, hear further. There was one who, having become the disease in the body of Vasu, remained in his own nature for a period of four thousand human years. Each time, for the sake of his family, he would slay a wild animal in the forest, yet always pleased his servants, guests, and the sacred fire. In Mithilā, O beautiful one, at every sacred occasion, the wise one performed the ancestral rites for his forefathers, following his own tradition. He constantly served the fire, spoke truth and pleasant words, was intent on sustaining life, and would not take the life of a living being. Thus dwelling there, possessed of righteousness and great austerity, a son named Arjunaka was born to him, self-controlled like a sage. In due course, through his virtue, a daughter of excellent complexion was born, named Arjunakī. When she reached the age of youth, the knower of dharma pondered, "To whom should this maiden be given? Who is a worthy man?" As he reflected, he spoke thoughtfully about the son of Mataṅga, known as Prasanna, a righteous hunter. Having decided, Mataṅga, intent upon Prasanna, said to his father, "O best of ascetics, give Arjunī to Prasanna, the great-souled one, as your own gift." Mataṅga replied, "My son is pleased, thoroughly learned in all the scriptures; I accept Arjunakī, your daughter, O best of hunters." Thus, the great ascetic Dharmavyādha gave his daughter to Mataṅga’s son, who was pleased and wise. After giving his daughter, Dharmavyādha returned home, and Arjunakī devoted herself to serving her husband and parents-in-law. After a long time, the auspicious Arjunakī was addressed by her mother-in-law: "Daughter, you are like one who takes life; you do not know how to perform austerities or properly honor your husband." Rebuked for a small fault, the slender-waisted girl, still a child, went to her father’s house, weeping again and again. Her father, seeing her distress, asked, "What is this, my daughter? Why are you crying?" Thus questioned, the beautiful girl began to speak.