O Earth, listen closely to the ways of dharma, for even the gods perceive it differently. Agni and Vayu have seen dharma in their own unique manner; Kubera’s understanding is distinct, as is that of the sage Shandilya. The ancestors too have their own view, and so does Svayambhu, the self-born. Each upholds and speaks of dharma according to his own insight and nature. Therefore, let each person stand firm in his own righteous path, and let him not disparage the dharmic acts of others. One who remains steadfast in his own dharma, without reviling the practices of others, is freed from the cycle of birth—he does not enter the womb again, but instead comes to My divine realm. By following this teaching, people are able to cross the vast ocean of worldly existence and rebirth. Consider those who are ever helpful to themselves and are dear to the gods, to guests, and to their teachers. Think of the one who, even in thought, never approaches a Brahmin woman, who makes no distinction among his sons, who touches the sacred Kapila cow with devotion, and who never defiles a maiden. He offers water, is devoted to his teacher, and is not overly talkative. Such a person does not return to the womb; he attains My world. Thus concludes the one hundred twenty-first chapter of the glorious Varaha Purana, known as ‘The Absence of Birth.’ Now, O Vasundhara, hear of the greatness of Kokamukha—a supreme secret among secrets. One who refrains from intercourse on the eighth or fourteenth day, who, even in childhood or youth, always follows Me faithfully, and who, though living amid hardship, never divides and is endowed with virtues—such a person should not commit wrongful acts, remaining steadfast in the vow of youth. He who is utterly free from desire and always without longing for the possessions of others, O fair one, knows a secret difficult even for the gods to attain. Listen well, O flawless-limbed one, as I reveal this to you. Those who do not harm living beings, whose hearts are pure, and who are devoted to compassion—their minds do not waver, and they attain My beloved status. At this, Vasundhara addressed the Lord in the form of Varaha, asking, “By your devotion, you are worthy to hear my supreme secret. Yet, having left the Bhadrakarna lake, you praise Kokamukha. Having left Kedara, why do you praise Kokamukha? Having left the mighty fortress, and even Ekalinga, why do you praise Kokamukha above them all?” The Lord Varaha replied to Vasundhara with gentle affirmation, “O great one, what you say is true. Now I shall tell you the secret by which Kokā is distinguished. These are the Pāśupata rites, but Kokā truly belongs to the Bhāgavata tradition. A sacred rite was performed at the entrance to Kokā, in My own holy field. There, in a pond with little water, a fish lingered. From its mouth, a strong fish quickly emerged. As it fell, another seized it and leapt away in haste. By the power of that sacred field, the prince who witnessed this became a lord. Then, in the course of time, there was a hunter’s wife—a certain shrew, greedy for flesh, eager for meat from his hand. The hunter, by force, sought to take this shrew who desired the meat. O good lady, she fell from the sky into Kokā, in My very presence.” Thus, O Earth, the mysteries of dharma and the secret greatness of Kokamukha are revealed, as spoken by the Lord Himself.