Listen now to the sacred tale of the greatness of Badarika Ashrama and the secret rites revealed therein. There is a holy place known as Somagiri, where a divine stream descends and touches the earth. Those who come to this place, having observed a fast for three nights, are blessed indeed. O revered goddess, if one should die there, having performed the most difficult of austerities, such a soul attains the highest merit. Within this sacred field lies a most secret pool, known as Urvaśikuṇḍa, which belongs to me. It is there, O goddess, that I myself undertake severe austerities, even for the sake of the gods. For many years I remained in that place, deep in penance. It is said that with each single fruit found at Badari, I abide there for ten crores, for ten years, for ten hundred million—such is the magnitude of my presence. During these times, I dwell along a hidden path, unseen even by the gods themselves. Yet, established in austerity, I perceive all things, O Earth. Seeing my withdrawal, all the deities approached the Grandfather, Brahma, and addressed him with their concerns. Hearing their words, Brahma, the grandsire of the worlds, gathered the gods, along with the Gandharvas, Siddhas, and supreme seers. Together, the gods, led by Indra, sought me out and perceived my presence. They pleaded, “Protect us, O Hrishikesha, with your supreme grace.” Know this: all those upon whom I have cast my gaze have attained the highest bliss. Whoever bathes in these sacred waters is freed from all sins—there can be no doubt of this. And whoever, with devotion to my deeds, gives up his life here, or even remembers the holy Badari hermitage from afar, is blessed. Whoever hears this account, or my devotee who constantly recites it, or one who is always engaged in meditation and yoga, attains the fruit of liberation. He who realizes the self attains the supreme state. Thus concludes the one hundred and forty-first chapter of the glorious Varaha Purana, describing the greatness of Badarika Ashrama. Now, listen to the greatness of the secret rite. When the gods had spoken, the Earth herself, desiring righteousness, addressed Janardana with gentle words. She said, “O Lord, as you have described, women are weaker in life-force and strength. Yet, men here, even while eating, attain the highest bliss through the power of rajas.” Hearing these words of the Earth, Mādhava, the Lord, replied: “You have inquired about the supreme secret, which brings happiness to my devotees. O goddess, a woman who is touched by rajas, yet remains devoted to my actions—if she eats or sustains her body in such a state—she incurs no fault, even while menstruating. I bow to the ancient, beginningless, endless, unborn, divine Lord; whatever actions a menstruating woman performs, she is never defiled by them. “After bathing, O highly fortunate one, on the fifth day, she resumes her duties as appropriate, with her mind fixed on me, devoted to me.” The Earth then asked, “How are women freed from fault and from the bondage of birth and worldly existence?” Śrī Varāha replied: “Through the yoga of renunciation in me, one who is devoted to my actions, with a single-pointed mind and firm vow, attains freedom. Whether through the yoga of knowledge and renunciation, or by desiring the highest state, liberation is possible. But know this: mind, intellect, and consciousness are not under the control of embodied beings.” Thus, the sacred teachings concerning Badarika Ashrama and the secret rites were revealed, bringing peace and liberation to those who hear and remember them.