A question was asked: “How do you sustain your life, sheltered at the root of a tree?” To this, the departed soul replied, “It is by the merit of a gift—a measure of gold—that was given to a reciter. By the power of that offering, O Lord, I am always satisfied. Even though I have become a departed soul, my knowledge remains clear and undisturbed.” All that the soul spoke of had indeed been accomplished. This, O Earth, is the greatness of Mathurā that has been revealed to you. Whether one is at a sacred place, in a home, at a temple, or in a public square, when a person who has committed sin elsewhere comes to a sacred place, the sin departs from them. Yet, in Mathurā, sin is destroyed immediately and completely. Even those who are ungrateful, who drink liquor, who steal, or who have broken their vows—such people must stand for a thousand ages on one foot, bearing the weight of their actions. Those who delight in others’ wives and lack control over their senses, and those who give offerings and alms and depart from this world free from anger—all these find their due results. What is gained by a thousand great-souled brāhmaṇas in other places can be found here, in Mathurā, where one who does not possess knowledge of the Ṛgveda is called Māthura, and another is versed in all four Vedas. All sacred places and holy abodes exist here. One should always worship Mathurā, even setting aside the four Vedas, for the residents of Mathurā behold the worlds and the four-armed Lord. The wise truly see these wonders, while the ignorant do not. Thus, in the Śrī Varāha Purāṇa, in the section describing the glory of Mathurā and the power of its wells, this is the one hundred sixty-fifth chapter, named “The Greatness of Brāhmaṇas.” The Earth then inquired, “This place is known as Asikuṇḍa—please tell me about it, Lord.” Śrī Varāha replied: “Once, for the sake of pilgrimage, a king ascended to heaven. After his departure, his son ruled the kingdom. During his reign, the sage Nārada arrived. Accepting the situation, Nārada spoke to the prince, and having said his piece, vanished on the spot. The ministers, learning of the king’s death, heard Nārada speak of the king’s freedom from debt. A thought then arose among them: ‘Let us go to the city of Mathurā, where all the sacred places and various holy sites are present. We are not able to fight directly with Vimatī.’ O Earth, the holy places themselves journeyed to Kalpagrāma. As I watched over the proceedings, I instructed them to remain nearby. Victory to Viṣṇu! Victory to the inconceivable Lord! Victory to the god! Victory to Acyuta! Victory to the Lord of the universe, the Lord of creation! Salutations to you! O Earth, praised by all holy places, I spoke these words: ‘Choose a boon, may good fortune be yours—whatever is in your mind.’ O Varāha, O Lord of gods, if you are able, grant us fearlessness. For by the extremely sinful Vimatī, a terrible fear has been created.” Śrī Varāha continued: “By the arrangement of the holy places, I came to the city of Mathurā. When I arrived, O Earth, I fought with Vimatī. I slew him, O goddess, and placed his head upon the ground. Lifting up the earth with the tip of my sword, O beautiful one, the place became known as Asikuṇḍa, O Earth.” Thus, the greatness of Mathurā and the origin of Asikuṇḍa were revealed, showing the power of sacred places and the compassion of the Lord.