By virtue of his conversation with the brāhmaṇa and through the praise of righteousness, it was understood that the company of the virtuous is the highest blessing one can strive for. Indeed, just as those who bathe at holy places are purified, even those of evil disposition may attain the fruit of liberation simply by hearing of the power of such sacred sites. Whoever recites these teachings with supreme devotion, or listens to them with unwavering intent, receives the merit of the holy place called Piśāca, famed throughout all three worlds. Thus concludes the chapter celebrating the glory of the Yamunā’s confluence at all holy places, as told in the Śrī Varāha Purāṇa, in the Madhu-mā-sa section. Śrī Varāha continued: After bathing in the stream of the Yamunā, the sage Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana meditated deeply upon the Gaṅgā and the Yamunā, those rivers renowned for destroying sin. Between the realms of Soma and Vaikuṇṭha, the river is called Kṛṣṇaṅga. There, a divine hermitage flourished, attended by the foremost sages—wise, steadfast in their vows, and knower of the Vedas’ essence. Vyāsa instructed them with many words, guiding them along the path of virtue. Upon Kālañjara stood the great god Śiva, lord of all sacred places. There, one who observes a twelve-year vow, free from worldly attachments, may journey to the Himālayas and reach the vicinity of Badarī. Such a soul, pure and aware of past, present, and future, attains perfection. At the Kṛṣṇa holy place, in the presence of the Pāñcāla lineage, there lived a brāhmaṇa named Vasu, as tradition recounts. Stricken by severe famine, Vasu journeyed southward with his wife and settled there, adopting the livelihood befitting a brāhmaṇa. In that region, a maiden endowed with wealth and grain was given to him. Later, gathering the girl’s bones, Vasu traveled to Mathurā. It is said that one whose bones bear a crescent shape dwells eternally in heaven. With that caravan, the maiden herself went to Mathurā. She was beautiful, with delicate limbs and dark, curly hair. Her fingers and toes were well-formed, her nails bright and coppery—auspicious signs. She possessed a slender waist, an even belly, and full, high breasts. Her nails were fine, her eyes lovely, her brows beautiful, her form proportionate, and her speech pleasing. Whoever this charming maiden looked upon, and whoever looked upon her, felt her radiance. She was devoted everywhere to bathing at holy places. The king of Kānyakubja, established in the duty of a kṣatriya, was a man of great wealth, delightful to behold and charming in manner. The courtesans of this lord enticed the maiden, and, fond of singing and dancing, she followed their way of life. Thus, the young girl lived among the attendants of that noble lord. So ends the chapter on the greatness of Mathurā and the power of Kṛṣṇa-Gaṅgā and Kāliñjara, in the glorious Varāha Purāṇa. Śrī Varāha spoke again: Taking the merchant’s goods and accompanied by the group, Vasu settled with the caravan, becoming wealthy and handsome. They arrived at the city of Mathurā. There, the Pāñcāla, early in the morning, with his men, full of pride, and in a grand vehicle, entered the city.