All that you have asked, O lover of righteousness, has now been summarized and expounded for you. Thus concludes the chapter entitled “Description of the Means for Destroying Sin” in the glorious Varaha Purana. Now begins the account of the wheel of worldly existence, and the description of awakening. Excellent, excellent indeed, O great king, foremost among those who know all dharmas! I am truly pleased, for you stand firmly upon the path of righteousness. O king of kings, you have honored me in a special way. May blessings be upon you, O great and virtuous king; remain steadfast in your virtue. You shine brilliantly, illuminating all like the sun in the sky. When, after a long time, that king—devoted to dharma—departed, having performed proper worship and spoken with kindness, all this was told in the presence of that foremost king, O brahmins. Vaiśampāyana said: In that gathering, some were Vaikhānasa ascetics; some engaged in both sitting and non-sitting practices. Their eyes widened in astonishment as they exclaimed, “Excellent, excellent!” Some were Śālānī ascetics, others lived like pigeons. There were those who lived by gathering grains, and some, endowed with great energy, subsisted even on wood. Some followed various disciplines, and others were self-controlled. Likewise, some slept upright, while others roamed freely like deer. Some subsisted solely on water, some on air, and others ate only vegetables. Again and again, reflecting that there is nothing higher than austerity, they abandoned both righteousness and unrighteousness, remaining steadfast in eternal contemplation. Blameless, they undertook various disciplines out of fear, while one among them, endowed with supreme devotion, contemplated only righteousness. Firm in the highest austerity, that righteous-souled one began to reflect deeply. Whoever hears or causes this teaching to be heard will attain all their desires. Thus ends the chapter named “The Instruction,” in the account of the cycle of worldly existence from the ancient legend, in the glorious Varaha Purana. Now, hear of the greatness of Gokarṇeśvara. Long ago, when the gods had been defeated in battle by the mighty Tāraka, and Indra, having regained his position, was finally free from enemies and danger, he sat upon the golden peak of Mount Meru, the king of mountains. There, Indra sat comfortably, his mind focused, his thoughts steady, and his gaze intent. With mind composed, he bowed his head, grasped the feet, and offered reverence. Sanatkumāra then spoke: “O most fortunate one, best among those who know the truth, you alone know the Purāṇa. Tell me, O Lord, how is Gokarṇa to the north and how is it to the south? What is the extent of that sacred field, and what is the merit of the holy waters remembered there? How was it attained again by all the gods, with you at their head? And how, where, and by whom was the proper rite duly performed there?” Thus addressed, the blessed Brahmā, foremost among the knowers of Brahman, replied: “O sage among the knowers of Brahman, this Purāṇa is most secret, just as it was heard. To the north of the pure mountain Mandara, the king of mountains, there is a place of adamantine crystal rock, with coral shoots and gravel. There, the creepers are adorned with varied flowers, bearing clusters of blossoms, and the valleys shine especially, with streams flowing with various minerals.