When Sāmba, son of Jāmbavatī, entered the presence of the women, a strange and powerful desire afflicted them all, though he had not touched them. Such was the radiance and allure of Sāmba that, without any physical contact, their hearts were stirred. Because of this, it was said that Sāmba, with a mind led astray, became the destroyer of the women’s purity. This rumor, repeated throughout the worlds and even among the Brahmarṣis, reached the ears of those in power. A wise counselor, knowing the nature of the king, spoke: “O worthy one, you have now heard from me what is beneficial for you.” The matter weighed heavily, and so it came to pass that Kṛṣṇa himself, grieved by Sāmba’s actions, cursed his own son: “You shall become deformed.” Immediately, Sāmba’s body began to ooze blood, accompanied by a foul stench that would not leave him. But there was hope. The sage Nārada, moved by compassion, undertook to remove Sāmba’s curse. He approached the suffering prince, saying, “O Sāmba, mighty-armed son of Jāmbavatī, listen to my words. If you offer proper salutations, as prescribed in the Vedas, Upaniṣads, and other sacred scriptures, you may yet find relief.” Sāmba, humbled and afflicted, asked, “O sage, how will that god—the Sun—be pleased with me?” Nārada replied, “I will recite these rites in Brahmaloka before Brahmā, and the sage Sumantu will proclaim your story among mortals: how you went to the eastern mountain and were reduced to a lump of flesh, yet by worshipping the god there, you attained the desired fruit. Just as worship at the eastern mountain brings blessings, so too does worship in Mathurā—at the place of the six Suns, at midday, at sunrise, and at sunset. By bathing in the Krishna-Ganga and worshipping the Sun with diligence, one attains great merit.” Śrī Varāha declared, “Mathurā, which bestows liberation, inspires eagerness for the Sun’s worship.” Following Nārada’s guidance, Sāmba composed his mind through yoga and stood before the Sun, intent on worship. It is said that the Sun, pleased by Nārada’s devotion, appeared before Sāmba as a second Sun, with limbs distinct and glorious. The Sun instructed Sāmba at midday, and revealed: “One who bathes and beholds me at midday is freed from all sins. In the evening, standing on the southern bank of the Krishna-Ganga, with a mind purified from all sins, one attains the supreme Brahman.” Thus, Sāmba, worshipping at midday, was freed from his leprosy by practicing yoga in two ways. He was joined day and night by the Sun, who appeared seated in a chariot. This event is proclaimed as ever new, and so it is remembered. Taking refuge at the eastern mountain and on the southern bank of the Yamunā, Sāmba performed his rites. Afterwards, at the root place, the Sun set at the western mountain. In gratitude, Sāmba established an image of the Sun in Mathurā. Thus was founded the city named Sāmbapura in Mathurā, the lord of the clan. On the seventh day of the bright half of Māgha, those who observe the rites attain the divine city of Sāmbapura—a peaceful abode that transcends even the solar sphere. The narration called “Pacification of Sin” is said to destroy even the greatest sins. Thus ends the one hundred seventy-seventh chapter, entitled “The Establishment of the Threefold Sūrya by Sāmba,” in the glorious Varāha Purāṇa. Śrī Varāha then continued: “For the sake of blessing the twice-born, food of a fierce nature should be given. And on the twelfth day of the bright fortnight of Mārgaśīrṣa, having fasted, disciplined, and pure, one should perform these rites.