After a long span of time, a certain man reached the final threshold of life—he came to the state of death. O Devi, in that splendid house, there dwelled a Brāhmaṇa, foremost among yogis, whose presence sanctified the place. By the power of that holy site, so rare and sacred, liberation itself was attained. Once, the mighty Vairochana performed worship of the radiant Sun. With arms uplifted and fasting, he undertook supreme austerities, seeking divine favor. The blessed Lord, the Sun himself, was pleased with Vairochana’s devotion and spoke to him. Bali then addressed the Sun, saying, “Even without wealth, I have supported and cared for my family.” Hearing this, the Sun, moved by Bali’s sincerity, bestowed upon him a wish-fulfilling gem from his own crown. It is said, O Devi, that a man who bathes at that holy place is freed from all sins. Especially on the day of the sun, at the time of the solstice, or during an eclipse of the moon or sun, when one performs the highest austerity with intense discipline and by one’s own will, if one gives up life there, he is honored in my world. Such a person uplifts all his ancestors, particularly during the sacred fortnight dedicated to them. O Devi, a man who bathes at this place attains my world, and even the world of the sages. To the south of the Sage’s Ford lies my supreme Moksha Ford, and there, indeed, is Koti Ford—a place difficult to attain even for the gods themselves. Whoever bathes at Koti Ford, satisfying both ancestors and deities, is honored in the world of Brahma. By offering oblations there, he goes to the world of the ancestors, especially if he gives gifts during the month of Jyeshtha—such is the fruit, without doubt. These twelve fords are so sacred that even the gods find them difficult to attain. By merely remembering them, one is freed from all sins. Thus concludes the one hundred and fifty-second chapter, called “The Praise of the Fords of Mathura,” in the section on the greatness of Mathura in the glorious Varaha Purana. Now begins the recounting of the greatness of the Mathura fords. To the north of Shiva-kunda, nine fords are remembered. Simply by bathing there, supreme good fortune arises. O Devi, a man who bathes there attains my world, and whether he bathes or dies there, he surely reaches my realm. Whatever ancient deeds—whether virtuous or sinful—occurred at that sacred place of restraint, even one who has committed great sins and dwells in the renowned Naimisha forest, upon reaching the Yamuna on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, and crossing it to attain the auspicious place of restraint, finds his sins vanish. Just as a mother submerges herself in water, so too do his sins depart with his very life-breath. In the land of Saurashtra, O goddess, there lived a Kshatriya named Dhanurdhara. He ruled the earth, faithfully observing the duties of his order. Among his hundred wives, the noble Vasunghara was chief. In splendid palaces and along the banks of rivers, time passed, and the king became increasingly attached to worldly pleasures. Seven sons were born to him, and five daughters, all beautiful. He established his sons as lords over the earth. Yet, despite all this, the awakened king found himself crying out again and again, “Alas!