When a devotee, with mind unwaveringly fixed on me, prepares to depart from this mortal life, there are sacred places near the Mandara mountain that hold profound secrets. To the east of Mandara lies a hidden hollow, known only to the wise. There, after observing a regimen of five meals and fasting, one should bathe in the prescribed manner. Having performed this most difficult act, the devotee relinquishes the breath of life at that very spot. On the southern side of Mandara, emerging from the Vindhya range, is another secret place. There, a person who has fasted for a full day and night should perform ablutions. Upon completing this demanding discipline, one gives up the breath, their final act accomplished. Likewise, on the southern and western sides of the illustrious Mandara, there exists another hidden site. There, too, after a day and night of fasting and ritual bathing, the devotee—firmly established in the acts I have prescribed—relinquishes life. On Mandara’s western side is a secret place, graced by the presence of the gods themselves. There, a person who has fasted through five meals and bathed according to custom, even a mighty and renowned emperor, is able to surrender his breath. Turning to the northwestern direction, atop a lofty peak of the Vindhya, lies yet another secret place. There, with mind steadfastly fixed on me, one should bathe, and in that secluded spot, O illustrious one, the devotee gives up the breath, attaining the highest state. If one simply calls out to me there, having sought refuge in the southern direction, and then, after fasting for eight nights, performs the sacred bath, that person—established in the acts I have ordained—will relinquish life at that holy site. Again, on Mandara’s western side, there is a truly supreme and great secret place. There, after fasting for a day and night and performing the prescribed bath, one who has completed all their sacred duties gives up the breath, their life’s journey fulfilled. Now, listen as I describe the circle of this sacred field. Upon the summit of the Vindhya mountain, O beautiful-hipped one, I stand resplendent. To my right is the discus, and to my left, the mighty mace. The plough and pestle are present, and the conch stands before me. Yet, many do not perceive this, their vision clouded by my divine power of illusion. Thus concludes the one hundred and forty-third chapter, entitled 'The Description of the Greatness of Mandara,' in the holy Varaha Purana, the scripture of the Blessed Lord. Having heard of Mandara's glory, the Earth herself, yearning for righteousness, spoke of the greatness of the sacred fields beginning with Someśvara and other liṅgas, and of the confluence of the three rivers. The Earth then addressed Viṣṇu, saying, “O Lord, tell me of a place that is even higher than Mandara.” Śrī Varāha replied, “I shall reveal to you my secret, the sacred Śālagrāma. O Earth, in the Dvāpara age, among the noble lineage of the Yadus, a most fortunate son was born, devoted to all righteous duties. His wife, O Vasudhā, was beautiful in every limb, and in her womb, O blessed one, I myself shall be born—of this there is no doubt. After his departure, that foremost of the Yadava lineage, for the purpose of worshipping me, wandered through all ten directions. Then, O Vasundharā, she journeyed to Piṇḍāraka, my sacred field. In ancient times, together with Īśvara, the Lord of all yogis, I was established there. Yes, O Vasundharā, I too was present there, together with Īśvara, in days long past.