In that sacred land, at every holy place, one should offer gifts and worship with devotion, for the merit gained there equals that of the grand Rājasūya and Aśvamedha sacrifices. At the very heart of this revered region stands the root sanctuary, presided over by Rudra himself. Rudra, surrounded by thousands of serpents, stands ever-watchful at my gateway. It is right that he be greeted first with reverence, and only then should I be honored. Whoever worships me there with supreme devotion, honoring my form with fragrant scents and fresh garlands, or offering a lamp upon the mountain with faith—whether through song, musical instruments, dance, hymns, or by keeping vigil through the night—whoever offers curd, milk, honey, ghee, or even pure water; whoever, with trust, gives food to Brāhmaṇas during a śrāddha ceremony; whoever observes vows, fasts, sacrifices, offerings, or gives the finest foods—such a devotee, after dwelling in heaven for six thousand years, is blessed further. No matter their birth—Brāhmaṇa, Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, Śūdra, or even a woman—if they come together in this devotion, they are reborn as my attendants, always united with the gods. Truly, there is no field on earth greater than that of the lord of the mountain. Even those burdened with the gravest sins—a slayer of a Brāhmaṇa, a killer of a teacher, a cow-killer, or one tainted by all manner of wrongdoings—can find redemption here. Throughout this land are countless sacred places, each holy and filled with deities. At every krośa, the divine forms created by the gods themselves are withdrawn, marking the sanctity of the region. Here, a pure-hearted pilgrim, self-controlled, truthful, and master of the senses, should bathe. Proceeding southward without eating, free from desire and anger, and performing the rite of falling like the sage Bhṛgu, such a great soul approaches the root of Bhṛgu. There lies the supreme sacred ford, established by Brahmā himself. Whoever bathes there for a year, restraining the senses, finds immense spiritual benefit. Nearby is the holy site called Gorakṣaka, marked by the footprints of a bull. There, one should ascend to the peak of Gaurī, a place frequented by accomplished beings. Upon that peak stands the blessed goddess, the mother of the world, ever ready to protect all living beings. She is about to descend to the bank of the sacred Vagmatī river below. Whoever bathes in the pool shaped like Umā’s breast, upon reaching the revered Pañcanada—honored by the great seers—should do so with a pure mind, using the water called Nakulohena. To the north of this lies another sacred ford, also frequented by accomplished beings. If a man bathes there faithfully for a full year, he should know that the goddess who dwells on the peak is to the northeast. There is the sacred ford called Brahmodaya, destroyer of all sin. One who bathes there does not see the world of death, nor does he fall into hardship. Instead, he emerges from the waters handsome and radiant. If he performs the evening worship there, a twice-born person is freed from all sin. Should a pure twice-born remain there for a day and night, reciting the Rudra prayers, his entire lineage is uplifted and becomes virtuous through his merit. Wherever the best of men bathes in the sacred Vagmatī river, he is never born into a lower state; instead, he is reborn in a prosperous and noble family. Thus, the power and sanctity of this holy region are sung by the wise, and its blessings are open to all who seek with faith and devotion.