In the sacred forest of Mathara, nestled upon a great mountain and often visited by siddhas and celestial beings known as charanas, a wondrous phenomenon prevails: all who dwell there remain visible, never shrouded by illusion or obscurity. Moving to the revered Vindhya mountain, a place hallowed for its power to distinguish righteousness from unrighteousness, the virtuous perceive only the radiant stream of virtue, while the stream of sin remains hidden from their sight. Even for those engaged in sinful acts, in that exalted region, sin is not always apparent—yet the path of the righteous gleams clear for those devoted to good deeds. In the land of Kaushala, the pond of Matanga stands as a mighty destroyer of sin. Those who bathe in its sacred waters are said to ascend to heaven, soaring as freely as birds. Other holy sites abound: the ford of Kumara-Kosala, the mountain encircled by divine protectors, the pale banks at the ocean’s edge, and the ancient Pandaraka forest—all are celebrated for their sanctity. There are the pure places of Vimala and Vipapa, where seekers honor the very source of fearlessness. At the mighty Bhivriksha, the soaring Gridhra peak, and along the eternal Jambu path, the sacred presence is ever felt. In the revered sanctuary of Asita, the wise teacher of yoga, offerings to ancestors are made without end, and such devotion is constantly observed at Asita’s place. At Pushkara, offerings to ancestors remain imperishable, and acts of austerity bear abundant fruit. The same is true at the great ocean and at Prabhasa—these are places one should always remember. In Devika, a well named Vrisha, beloved by siddhas, is known for its waters that rise with the gentle, auspicious sound of cows. These holy sites are cherished by masters of yoga, souls cleansed of all sin. Whoever offers ancestral rites there receives blessings beyond compare: the offerings are imperishable, fulfilling every desire and bringing true satisfaction to the ancestors. The stone called Jataveda stands as the eternal witness of Agni, the sacred fire, at this very place. Yet, it is said, those who enter the fire here do not rejoice in the highest heaven; instead, the fire becomes calm and is reborn, and every gift made in this place is everlasting. At the fords known for ten and fifty Ashvamedha sacrifices, the fruits promised by those rites are indeed granted, without doubt or diminution. The ford called Hayashira is famed for instantly granting boons; offerings to ancestors made there are imperishable, and the giver finds joy in heaven. Śrāddha offerings placed in a pot at this site are known to destroy sin; here, śrāddha, recitation, oblation, and austerity are all said to be imperishable. Upon a lofty and auspicious holy ground, one should always seek to satisfy the ancestors. On festival days, the shadows of celestial beings are seen, and whatever is given on earth in that place is indestructible. It was there, too, that the Pāṇḍavas once enjoyed freedom from all disease. This sacred place is ever frequented by yoga masters who are free from sin. Whoever performs śrāddha there receives blessings I will now reveal: such a person truly worships and honors the ancestors, gains strength and power in this world, and after death, rejoices in heaven’s delights. Among the most excellent and holy waters is the lake called Śiva, as well as the divine lakes of Vyāsa and Brahma. There stands the holy mountain Ujjanta, belonging to the great sage Vasiṣṭha. The mountain Kāpotaka, also known as Puṣpasāhvaya, is held as the very head of the Ṛg, Yajur, and Sāma Vedas, and it is said that Brahmā created the fifth Veda among these sacred peaks. A twice-born who visits these holy places is freed from sin, as pure as the eternal fire itself. At Puṇḍarīka, the great holy place, one attains merit equal to the place’s own glory; at Brahmatīrtha, the reward is as great as that of an Ashvamedha sacrifice. Where the Sindhu meets the ocean, and at Pañcanada, the merit earned is inexhaustible. At Maṇḍavā mountain, the soul is purified. Śrāddha should be offered at the seven lakes, especially Mānasā, and also at Mahākūṭa, Vanda, Girau, Trirau, and Trikakuda mountains. At twilight, on the grand altar, a marvelous sight is revealed: only those steadfast in their vows may approach, for the faithless are held back. There stands the stone called Jātaveda, the very embodiment of the eternal fire. Śrāddha and fire rituals performed here never diminish. By simply remaining in this place each evening, one should always offer śrāddha for the ancestors, seeking imperishable merit. Whether perfected or not, whoever is recognized here as a human is blessed, for this holy ground grants the path to heaven and bestows boons at once. Here, after casting aside all enmity, the Seven Sages themselves ascended to heaven. Even today, the places where these sages journeyed, free from discord, can still be seen. Whoever bathes at this supreme holy place surely attains heaven. There is a renowned sanctuary, a favorite of Nandi and the siddhas. Yet, the form of Nandīśvara remains hidden from the wicked. At sunrise, golden sacrificial posts shine brilliantly; those who circumambulate them ascend to heaven, vanishing from mortal sight. All around lies Kurukṣetra, a most sacred region, especially dear to the great yogin Sanatkumāra. Here, offerings of sesame to the ancestors yield inexhaustible merit. For strength, one should perform imperishable śrāddha in the abode of Dharmarāja, especially on the new moon day, following the proper rites. Again, Kurukṣetra is to be honored, for there, worshipping the ancestors frees a true son from all debt. At the place where the Sarasvatī disappears, at Plakṣa Praśravaṇa, at Vyāsa Tīrtha on the Sarasvatī, and especially at Brahmakṣetra, the holy merit abounds. One who desires imperishable śrāddha should offer it while reciting the sacred Oṃkāra, and this holds true anywhere along the Gaṅgā and on the great mountain Maināka. At the source of the Yamunā, all sins are washed away, the contrast of its fiercely hot and cold waters bearing witness to its power. Yamunā, the virtuous sister of Yama and daughter of Mārttaṇḍa, is honored here; śrāddha performed at her source is imperishable, as the ancestors themselves once praised. Bathing in the lake favored by Brahmā transforms one instantly into a brāhmaṇa, and there, śrāddha, recitation, offerings, and austerities are without end. It was in this sacred place that the great ascetic Vasiṣṭha became motionless, steadfast as a pillar, and even today, trees adorned with precious jewels are seen there, bearing witness to the enduring sanctity and blessings of these holy lands.