Let me share with you the sacred account as revealed in the Varaha Purana, concerning the greatness of Kapila Varaha and the glory of Mathura, and then the exceptional merits of circumambulating Annakuta at Govardhana. The fruits gained by offering oblations at the holy sites of Gaya or at Jyeshtha Pushkara, as well as at Vishranti, Govinda, and Hari, are most splendid. At sunrise, my divine radiance is ever present at Vishranti; and at Keshava, my radiance shines forth in the fourth part of the day. This knowledge, O goddess, is ancient, and my father is eternally virtuous. Now, hear of the greatness surrounding the circumambulation of Annakuta. There exists a place called Govardhana, supremely difficult to attain. Within it lies a lake, O highly fortunate one, surrounded by trees, bushes, and creepers. To its east is the Indra lake, and to the south is the Yama tirtha. O blessed one, I dwell among these places, playing at will. He who visits these sacred abodes rejoices in the world of Indra, free from all dualities. Proceeding to the abode of Yama, he rejoices, his resolve fulfilled; there, reaching the Varuna tirtha, he should bathe. By entering the abode of Varuna, he is freed from all sins. Leaving the world of Varuna, he ascends to my own world. Or, if he gives up his life here, he attains my world directly. There is no return for him, O goddess; I assure you this is the truth. Having circumambulated Annakuta, why should he grieve again? By offering the rice-ball to the ancestors at this place, one attains the fruit of the Rājasūya sacrifice. That result is surely obtained here; there is no need for further deliberation. Indeed, one attains the fruit of both the Rājasūya and Aśvamedha sacrifices. The Earth then asked: "You ought to speak of its power, qualities, and greatness." Śrī Varāha replied: "At Govardhana, one should fast and perform circumambulation. After bathing in the Mānasa Gaṅgā at dawn, when the sun has risen, one should go to Puṇḍarīka and bathe in the pond according to the prescribed method. Freed from all sins, one then proceeds to the abode of Hari. There, after bathing and making offerings to the ancestors, one attains the reward." The sacred place named Saṃkarṣaṇa is protected by Balabhadra. By bathing there, one quickly attains the promised fruit; there should be no doubt about this. It was here, for the sake of worship, that Indra's sacrifice was interrupted by Krishna. Having performed acts that brought satisfaction, Krishna conversed directly with Indra. At that time, the great mountain was held aloft for the protection of the cows. The gods, goddesses, cows, and sages were all present at that place. Here, by making offerings, one obtains the fruit of a hundred sacrifices. After bathing and duly honoring the ancestors, one attains the world of Brahmā. By bathing and even by sight alone, one obtains the fruit of the Vājapeya sacrifice. Having bathed in the pond and offered oblations to the ancestors, one fulfills one's duty and ascends to heaven. It was at this place, together with Ariṣṭa, that a great battle was waged. Out of anger, by striking with the heel, a sacred site was established on the earth. There, having bathed, Krishna once slew the mighty demon who had taken the form of a bull. That bull, Ariṣṭa, a sinful being, was slain by me. A pond known by its own name was created, with a nearby sacred site. Such is the story of these holy places and the immeasurable merit gained by honoring them, as revealed in the Varaha Purana.