Hear now the sacred story of the holy places and their blessings as revealed in the verses of the Viṣṇu Purāṇa. Whoever, pure of heart, faithful, and free from envy, bathes at this divine site for my ablution, attains the same merit as one who has offered the Agnihotra sacrifice. There flows the sacred water known as Mriga-shringa, ever beloved by the sages. At this hallowed spot, whatever sins have been accumulated throughout a lifetime are instantly destroyed. Simply by bathing there, one gains the fruit of the great Agnishtoma sacrifice. Yet, no sinful or ungrateful person can ever reach this place. But those who bathe in the holy Vagmati river, their hearts purified, attain the highest state. And those who, having cleansed themselves in the waters of the Vagmati, behold me with devotion, have all their sins destroyed by my power. Indeed, in every place along this sacred river, offerings made are equal in merit to the grand Rājasūya and Aśvamedha sacrifices. Know that at the root sanctuary, Rudra himself presides, always standing at my gate, surrounded by thousands of serpents. One should first honor him with salutations, and then offer worship to me. Whoever worships me here with supreme devotion—by honoring my form with fragrant scents and garlands, by offering a lamp with faith upon the mountain, by singing, playing instruments, dancing, chanting hymns, or keeping vigil; by offering curd, milk, honey, ghee, or even just water; by feeding Brāhmaṇas at a śrāddha with faith; by vows, fasts, sacrifices, offerings, or delicious foods—such a devotee, after dwelling in heaven for six thousand years, is then born as my attendant, always united with the gods. Whether Brāhmaṇa, Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, Śūdra, or even a woman, if they gather together in devotion, all receive this blessing. There is truly no field on earth greater than the Lord of the Mountain. Even those who have committed the gravest sins—a slayer of a Brāhmaṇa, a killer of a teacher, a cow-killer, or one tainted by all sins—can find redemption here, for this place is filled with various sacred sites, sanctified and inhabited by deities. At each krośa, the divine form created by the gods is withdrawn, marking the sacredness of the land. There, one must bathe with purity, self-control, truthfulness, and mastery over the senses. Proceeding southward without eating, the great-souled one, having performed the rite of falling like Bhṛgu, free from desire and anger, reaches the root of Bhṛgu, where lies the supreme sacred ford established by Brahmā himself. Whoever bathes there for a year, with senses restrained, gains immense merit. Nearby is the place called Gorakṣaka, marked by the footprints of a bull. From there, one should ascend to the peak of Gaurī, frequented by accomplished beings. There stands the blessed goddess, the mother of the world, ever ready to protect all beings. She is about to descend to the banks of the Vagmatī river below. Whoever bathes in Umā’s breast-shaped pool, after reaching the sacred Pañcanada—honored by the great seers—should bathe there with a pure mind, using the waters known as Nakulohena. To the north of that lies yet another sacred ford, frequented by accomplished beings. Thus, these holy places, sanctified by the presence of gods and sages, offer liberation and supreme blessings to all who approach them with faith, purity, and devotion.