He who is blessed by the sacred field of Saukara becomes prosperous in wealth and grain, handsome in form, virtuous in conduct, and pure in heart. Thus, when one is born as a human and is free from transgressions, the power of that holy place brings about wondrous results. Those who die in that field, due to its inherent sanctity, swiftly leave their bodies behind and journey to the White Island, a realm of purity and peace. The supreme state attained by one who bathes at those holy places is truly exalted. Listen, O blessed one, to the merit that arises there: a person who bathes in that sacred spot attains the highest state. Especially on the twelfth day of the bright fortnight of Vaiśākha, if one bathes according to the prescribed rites, he is reborn in a great family, blessed with abundance in wealth and grain. Such a person avoids wrongdoing and is duly initiated, rising above the ordinary. At that time, the four-armed Lord—bearing discus, mace, conch, and lotus—manifested, crossing over into that sacred realm. O wide-eyed one, at the holy place of the discus, one who meets his end there has truly fulfilled the purpose of his life. With palms joined and placed upon his head, he spoke gentle words, full of humility and reverence: “Tell me this truly, for I am filled with great curiosity about it.” Then he spoke words that echoed like the deep sound of a ram’s drum, addressing the Earth itself. “The reason for this worship, by which I have been honored, is indeed by him. I have revealed my very self—a vision difficult even for the gods to attain. Yet, he is unable to see me, bewildered by my dazzling radiance. Likewise, he cannot speak, his eyes trembling in awe and fear.” At my prompting, Soma, adopting subtle speech, addressed me: “Speak to me truly, Soma, whatever is in your mind.” Having heard my words, the lord among the foremost of planets replied: “O Lord, if you are pleased with me and have come here for my sake, then as long as the worlds endure, so long, O Janardana, may I abide in you. And whatever form you have established for me, let it remain so. Let my Brāhmaṇas drink Soma only in sacrifices. When you wane at the new moon, let the ancestral rites with balls of food be performed there. O Viṣṇu, may my mind never turn toward unrighteousness at any time; but if it does, then let us fall to the state of plants—so be it. If you, O Great Lord—who are beyond beginning, middle, and end—are pleased with me…” Having heard Soma’s words, I became invisible right there. And at that Soma-tīrtha, the supreme attainment—so difficult to obtain—was granted. By the eighth devotee, steadfast in performing my rites, at that very place where the great-souled Soma had performed severe austerity, the wonder unfolded. Soma stood upright, facing upward, in penance for five thousand years. Freed from his offense, he became the lord of the brāhmaṇas. For thirty thousand years, and for thirty hundred years after that, Soma was endowed with wealth, virtues, and generosity, O illustrious one. Having become a brāhmaṇa, he was thus liberated from worldly existence. That tīrtha, sacred and powerful, should be known by all who follow my path. When darkness prevails and no one can be seen, only light is visible there, but Soma himself cannot be seen. Thus I tell you, O blessed one—this is indeed a great wonder.