At the very root of Bhṛgu, there lies a most sacred ford, established by Brahmā himself—a place of supreme holiness. Whoever bathes there for a full year, with their senses restrained and mind disciplined, is greatly blessed. Nearby is a revered place called Gorakṣaka, marked by the footprints of a bull, signifying its sanctity. Pilgrims are drawn to the peak of Gaurī, a mountain frequented by accomplished beings and ascetics. Here, the blessed goddess, the mother of the world, stands ever ready to offer protection to all living beings. It is foretold that she will descend to the banks of the sacred Vagmatī river, her presence sanctifying the land. Those who bathe in Umā’s breast-shaped pool, having reached the holy Pañcanada—honored by the great seers—should do so with a pure mind, using the sacred Nakulohena. To the north of this site lies yet another sacred ford, also frequented by accomplished beings. If one bathes there diligently for a full year, the goddess who resides on the peak, to the northeast, becomes known to them. Within this holy region is the sacred ford called Brahmodaya, destroyer of sin. Whoever bathes there is freed from the realm of death and hardship. After bathing in these waters, a person becomes handsome and radiant. Performing evening worship here, especially by those twice-born, brings freedom from sin. If such a pure soul stays there for just a day and night, reciting the Rudra prayers, his entire lineage is uplifted and made virtuous through his merit. Wherever a noble person bathes in the sacred Vāgmatī river, he is assured of not descending into a lower birth; instead, he is reborn into a prosperous family. The wise are encouraged to come here in the prescribed manner, free from desire and anger. The merit earned by bathing here is tenfold—there is no doubt about this. The reward of giving charity in this place is imperishable, and the donor attains great merit. Truly, there is no field of merit superior to this; none other is known. In ages past, I, in the form of a deer, wandered among the gods, and wherever I went, every place became sacred ground, entirely holy. This region on earth came to be known as Gokarṇeśvara, famed for its sanctity. Then, unseen by the gods, I departed toward the northern direction. Thus concludes the two hundred and fifteenth chapter, entitled 'The Description of the Glory of Jaleśvara,' in the Bhagavad Gokarṇeśvara Mahatmya of the sacred Varaha Purana. Now begins the account of the greatness of Gokarṇa, Śṛṅgeśvara, and others. When the god in deer form departed from Tryambaka, the horn of the deer was divided into three parts, each established in a separate place. O Devi, Vajrapāṇi took the tip of the horn and enshrined it. The divine sages, Siddhas, Brahmarshis, and the gods themselves established the root, with Viṣṇu consecrating it with the sacred water of the gods. Upon that very peak, the Blessed Lord abided in a threefold form. A hundred portions of himself he placed within the deer. Through that path, and by means of that body, the Blessed and All-pervading One departed, and the division there is remembered as a hundredfold at that lord of mountains. Then, the preceptor of gods and demons worshipped the great lord of beings, and all the hosts—gods, demons, Gandharvas, Siddhas, Yakṣas, and great serpents—joined in veneration of that sacred site.