Beings are born in their proper places, each according to their actions, and their sojourn in any form—whether it lasts but a month or a year—is only brief. O Earth, you for whom all this is known, who are familiar with the entire discipline of renunciation, hear this: Whoever rises early and listens to this teaching each day, O human, receives the supreme and great secret that has now been revealed to you. This, O blessed one, is the highest and most profound mystery. Thus concludes the one hundred and forty-second chapter of the Śrī Varāha Purāṇa, the divine scripture, entitled ‘The Greatness of Secret Rites.’ Now, O beautiful one, listen as I again describe the glory of Mandāra. On the southern bank of the Jāhnavī, nestled on the slope of the Vindhya mountains, there was, in the Tretā Yuga, a radiant being named Rāma. Having heard directly from the lips of Nārāyaṇa and desiring righteousness, Earth herself spoke: “Mandāra has been described by you as endowed with divine righteousness and purpose. What actions do people perform at Mandāra, and what results do they attain? What are the secrets and mysteries hidden there?” Śrī Varāha replied, “I shall tell you the secret—the great rite of Mandāra. In those days, I myself was playing at Mandāra, when the mountain was in full bloom. As I wandered on Mandāra mountain, a thought arose within me. By my power, there stands on the Vindhya the Mandara, the great tree—a most delightful and charming place, with a stone surface that brings joy to the heart. Hear, O lovely-hipped one, of a marvel concerning this great Mandara tree: at midday, it is seen and revered by people. There, in the Mandara pool, if a person remains fasting, taking only a single meal, and gives up the breath of life in the pool at the base of Mandara, he attains release. To the north is a mountain called Prapana, and in that sacred field lies my supreme bathing pool, the Snanakunda. There, one devoted to my deeds finds liberation at life’s end. On the northeastern side is the secret causeway to Vaikuntha. Whoever bathes there, having spent a single night in fasting, is assured of fulfilling all duties before departing this world. To the southeast, in the beautiful Varangana, flows a gentle stream; there, too, one should bathe after a day of fasting with a single meal. Then, departing from life with mind fixed on me, such a soul finds peace. To the east of Mandara lies a secret place within a hollow. There, after five meals and fasting, one should bathe, performing a most difficult act before leaving this life. On the southern side is another secret place, emerging from the Vindhya. There, a man who has fasted for a day and night should perform his bath, and, having completed this difficult act, may give up the breath of life. On the southern and western side of the glorious Mandara, again, one who has fasted for a day and night should bathe. There, established in my prescribed acts, one gives up the breath and attains the highest state. Such are the mysteries and the greatness of Mandāra, O Earth. This is the supreme secret, the path of sacred rites and liberation, now revealed to you.