Raibhya, the great-souled sage, had sustained himself for a thousand years, subsisting solely on water and the sacred leaves associated with Śiva. Through such intense austerities, he pleased me deeply, O goddess. As Raibhya continued his penance, he eventually arrived at the gateway of the Gaṅgā, the sacred river. For a particular purpose, I revealed myself to him at that very place. Thus, O wise one, this spot came to be known as Kubjāmraka. Now, O Earth, listen as I share more. There, I saw Raibhya assuming a hunchbacked form, the mark of his devotion and discipline. After bowing respectfully to the sage, steadfast in his vows, I stood before him. Upon hearing my words, that sage, endowed with great austerity, spoke: “If the Blessed Lord Janardana, Protector of the Worlds, is pleased, let devotion to you, O Janardana, remain for as long as your abode exists and the worlds endure. This alone is cherished in my heart and upheld by me.” Having heard Raibhya’s words, I spoke again. O Earth, when the brahmin heard my response, he listened intently. He sought to understand the greatness of this foremost of sacred fords, and of all other fords established in this region. “Hear from me, O brahmin, in truth, that which you ask of me,” I said. There is a sacred ford here, shaped like a water-lily, situated at Kubjāmra. In the months of Kaumuda and Mārgaśīrṣa, whoever—woman, man, or neuter—gives up their life at this place achieves special merit. Listen further, O Earth: whoever bathes here, O wide-eyed one, is transported to the Nandana forest in the heavens. After a thousand years, such a soul is reborn in a noble family. On the twelfth day of the bright fortnight of Kartika, if one gives up their life at this place, great blessings follow. Now, hear more, O Earth. If one offers water at the Māyā-tīrtha, O illustrious Brahman, one attains supreme nourishment, as if entering the abode of Kubera, the lord of wealth. If one dies there at Māyā-tīrtha, O renowned one, listen again, O Earth. Whoever bathes at this tīrtha on the twelfth day of the bright fortnight of Vaiśākha, or gives up their life at the Sārṣapaka tīrtha, receives immense benefit. Listen further, O beautiful-eyed one: at this place, all becomes as the sacred Gaṅgā—the water turns cool and pure. After bathing, O lovely-hipped one, the soul ascends to the realm of Soma and is honored there. When their heavenly merit is exhausted, they are reborn as a Brāhmaṇa. If one dies here in the month of Mārgaśīrṣa, they constantly behold me, radiant and four-armed. Listen again, O Earth: if one becomes single-minded, devoted, and a follower of me, whoever bathes at that tīrtha at any time attains blessings beyond measure. Such is the sacred story of Kubjāmraka, its fords, and the rewards bestowed upon those who practice devotion and purity there.