O Vasundhara, listen with devotion to the sacred glories of Mathurā and its tīrthas, as revealed in the Varāha Purāṇa. There is a holy place, Akūra Tīrtha, where the very act of bathing grants the same merit as performing the grand Rājasūya sacrifice. If one there releases a bull in the prescribed manner, not only does he liberate himself, but he brings salvation to his entire lineage, delivering his ancestors and great-grandfathers from bondage. Now, let me reveal to you the manifestation of Mathurā and the greatness of its tīrthas. Among them is the supreme Vatsakrīḍanaka, dearest to me. Simply by bathing at this sacred spot, a person attains the world of the wind. Listen further, O Earth: in this region stand sāla, tāla, tamāla, and arjuna trees, their presence sanctifying the land. At Bhāṇḍīraka, if one bathes with discipline and restraint in diet, and then gives up the life-breath there, he is assured of reaching my divine abode. It is here that I, the Lord, delight in pastimes with the cows and cowherds, in a blessed pool thick with bushes and creepers. Those who depart this world at this place, rejoice in the company of Gandharvas and Apsarases, playing in bliss. Let me tell you of another tīrtha, one that destroys even the gravest sins. The spot where the demon Keśī was slain is a hundred times more meritorious than others. There should be no doubt—its virtue is a hundredfold. If one offers piṇḍa to the ancestors here, it is as efficacious as at the renowned Gayā. Upon the earth are the Sūrya-tīrthas, named for the twelve Ādityas. At one such place, I subdued Kāliya and established the Ādityas. The Ādityas themselves requested that bathing at this excellent tīrtha be granted to them. Pleased by their words, after my divine play, I granted that whoever, having bathed there, gives up his life-breath, shall reach my world. Thus is the greatness of Mathurā, and these are the glories of its tīrthas. Now, hear of the praise of bathing and sacred acts at Malayārjuna and other tīrthas. Having crossed the Yamunā at that very place, O noble sage, remember: it was here that a cart was overturned and the household pots and jars were shattered, marking the spot with divine memory. On the twelfth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Jyeṣṭha, if one bathes with senses restrained, purity is attained. Bathing in the holy waters of the Yamunā, mastering the senses, even one born in our lineage who immerses himself in Kalindi’s waters becomes blessed. The ancestors, who dwell in the other world, sing praises of those who offer oblations in the Yamunā, declaring them most fortunate. Whoever bathes here, O Devi, is honored in the realm of Rudra. Without doubt, such a one attains my world. Daily, the auspicious Adityas are seen at this place. Freed from all sins, a man attains the radiant world of the Sun. Near the abode of the Sun, there is a well of pure water; by bathing there, one attains a dwelling where movement is according to one’s will. There is also Virasthala, a secret and supreme field of mine. He who bathes there and stays for a night, O Earth, and then departs from life at that spot, surely attains my world. Such are the sacred wonders and liberating powers of Mathurā and its tīrthas, as sung by the ancients and revealed in the glorious Purāṇa.