Listen, for even sages, celestial nymphs, and yakshas are bewildered by my maya, the divine illusion that veils the truth. Yet this very place, sanctified and steeped in mystery, has become a field of accomplishment for those devoted to austerities. The wise declare that this field surpasses even Kurukshetra in its sacred power and merit. From this hallowed land arise all the foremost rivers, beginning with the holy Ganga herself. Every spring here is sacred, and every lofty rock is imbued with holiness. This is the renowned Shaileśvara, where my very body is established, and the swift-flowing Bhagirathi burns away the sins of men. To bathe or immerse oneself in her waters is to uplift seven generations of one’s lineage. Those who bathe here and depart from this world ascend to heaven, free from the cycle of rebirth. Pleased by such devotion, I rescue them from the ocean of worldly existence. Whoever, pure, faithful, and free from envy, bathes here for the sake of my ablution attains the same fruit as is gained by offering the Agnihotra sacrifice. There is also a water source called Mriga-shringa, always dear to the sages, where every sin committed throughout life is instantly destroyed. By merely bathing there, one obtains the merit of an Agnishtoma sacrifice. No sinful or ungrateful person ever attains this place. But those who bathe in the Vagmati attain the highest state. When, purified, they behold me after bathing in the waters of the Vagmati, by my power, all their sins are destroyed. Indeed, in every place here, offerings yield the fruit equal to that of the great Rājasūya and Aśvamedha sacrifices. Know that the root sanctuary is presided over by Rudra himself, who, surrounded by thousands of serpents, always stands at my gate. He should be saluted first, and then I, immediately after. Whoever worships me here with supreme devotion, honors my form with scents and garlands, or offers me a lamp on the mountain with faith—whether through song, the music of instruments, dance, hymns, or by keeping vigil; whether with curd, milk, honey, ghee, or even pure water; whoever gives food to Brāhmaṇas at a śrāddha with faith; through vows, fasts, sacrifices, offerings, or with fine foods—such a devotee, after dwelling in heaven for six thousand years, will attain an exalted state. Whether Brāhmaṇa, Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, Śūdra, or even a woman—if gathered in devotion—they are born as my attendants, always united with the gods. Truly, there is no field on earth greater than the lord of the mountain. Even those burdened with the gravest sins—the slayer of a Brāhmaṇa, a killer of a teacher, a cow-killer, one tainted by all sins—may find redemption here, for there are countless sacred places, holy and filled with deities. At each krośa, the divine form created by the gods is withdrawn, making each step significant. There, having bathed, one who is pure, self-controlled, truthful, and master of the senses—who proceeds southward without eating, that great-souled one—having performed the rite of falling like Bhṛgu, free from desire and anger, attains the supreme state, liberated from all bonds.