The Earth, seeking to understand the sacredness of a particular place, humbly asked the Lord, “This is known as Asikuṇḍa; please tell me about it, Lord.” In response, Śrī Varāha began to recount a tale from ancient times: “Once, for the sake of pilgrimage, a king departed from this world and ascended to heaven. With the king gone, his son took up the rule of the kingdom. While the young prince was governing, the great sage Nārada arrived at the court. The prince welcomed Nārada and listened attentively as the sage spoke to him. After sharing his message, Nārada vanished on the spot, leaving the court in wonder. The ministers, having learned of the king’s death, pondered what Nārada had said on behalf of the departed father. Nārada had spoken of the king’s liberation from all debts and burdens. A thought arose among them: ‘Let us journey to the city of Mathurā, for there all the sacred places and many holy sites are present.’ Yet, they admitted, ‘We are not able to contend directly with Vimatī.’ O Earth, know that all the holy places had gathered at Kalpagrāma. Then, in the midst of these deliberations, a prayer was offered: ‘As long as I keep watch at the front, let the holy sites remain nearby. Victory to Viṣṇu, victory to the inconceivable, victory to the god, victory to Acyuta! Victory to the Lord of the universe, victory to the Lord of creation, victory to the god—salutations to you! O Earth, praised by the holy places, I speak these words: Choose a boon, may good fortune be yours—whatever is in your mind.’ The Earth replied, ‘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 myself came to the city of Mathurā. When I arrived there, O Earth, I fought with Vimatī, slew him, and placed his head on the ground. Having lifted up the earth with the tip of my sword, O beautiful one, that place became known as Asikuṇḍa, O Earth.’ Then Śrī Varāha said, ‘I shall tell you something wondrous, pleasing to both mind and ear. On the twelfth and fourteenth days, those who are faithful and self-controlled—at that time, O Devi, I arrived in Mathurā. There, I established four kinds of golden images. Whoever beholds these images—firm, beautiful, with lovely brows—will be liberated. The third image is of Vāmana, and the fourth is of Rāghava. By him, the earth, bounded by the four oceans, was surely traversed. Among all the sacred places there, Asikuṇḍa is the greatest. Beginning from Asikuṇḍa, O excellent one, the sequence of holy sites is recounted. Whoever beholds those images there becomes fit for union with Brahman.’ Thus concludes the chapter named ‘The Glory of Asikuṇḍa’ in the glorious Varāha Purāṇa. Then Śrī Varāha spoke again: ‘Once, a Rakshasa approached a great-souled Brahmin and spoke with him.’ The Earth inquired, ‘For what reason did the Brahmin ask? Tell me everything, Lord.’ Śrī Varāha replied, ‘That man does not worship the gods, nor does he honor the virtuous. Even when he reaches a holy place, he does not perform the sacred bath. At both twilights and even while lying down, that deluded one always remains so. He delights in sinful conduct, associates with evil, and his mind is most wicked. Of all duties, householdership has been declared the best by the Self-born. Just as all creatures live depending on their mother, so that most wicked man, committing theft, joins with sins.’ Thus, the Lord revealed the sacred history and the consequences of virtue and vice, illuminating the glories of Asikuṇḍa and the path of righteousness.