By journeying to these sacred places, a person becomes thoroughly purified. Any śrāddha—ritual offerings for ancestors—performed there is truly imperishable. Likewise, whether one recites sacred texts, makes offerings, meditates, or performs any meritorious act at these holy sites, the fruits gained are immense. Those who are devoted to their teacher and practice celibacy for a hundred years are said to perform a great sacrifice; yet, by simply bathing in these sanctified places, one immediately attains results equal to such long and arduous discipline. There flows the river Kumāradhārā, whose waters destroy all sin. Even the seats and vehicles found there become instantly auspicious. In this region lies the great sacred place of Kāśyapa, known as Kālasarpi. Those who desire imperishable merit are instructed to always offer śrāddha there. Around Śālagrāma, too, śrāddha performed is unfailing and eternal—not visible to ordinary eyes, but directly perceived by those whose hearts are pure. For the unworthy, there is a clear sign, and for the worthy, a place of residence. In the holy lake nearby, the divine lord of serpents dwells, accepting offerings from the virtuous and rejecting those from the wicked. Food cannot be eaten in this place because of the fierce serpents that blaze with sacred energy. Righteousness is manifest at these two sacred sites, and the same is true in the Devadāru forest, which stands as an example to be followed. Here, sins are shaken off and seen to depart from the virtuous. At the confluences of Bhāgīrathī and Prayāga, imperishability is always proclaimed. At Kālañjara, Daśārṇā, Naimiṣa, Kurujāṅgala, and in the holy city of Vārāṇasī, one should offer śrāddha with great care. The lord of yoga is ever present in these places, and whatever is given here becomes imperishable. By giving at these sacred sites, one is purified, and the śrāddha becomes limitless. Austerities, offerings, meditation, or any good deed performed at Lauhitya, Vaitaraṇī, or Svarṇavedī likewise yield great reward. Even a single meritorious act performed at the edge of the ocean, or at Gayā, Dharmapṛṣṭha, and the lake of Brahmā, is seen to bear fruit. At Gayā and Gṛdhrakūṭa, śrāddha given brings immense benefit, and there, snow falls in all directions for five yojanas. In the holy hermitage of Bharata, the forest is remembered as supremely sacred, for there the footprint of the sage Mataṅga is visible to the eye. In that place, the fullness of righteousness is declared as an example for the world. Thus, the virtuous frequent the five sacred forests, among which the holy place called Pāṇḍuviśāla stands out immediately. At the proper time, those who have sinned are uplifted by means of balances, bows, and various scriptures. In the third quarter, at the place called Pavamaṇḍala, which has no presiding deity, a śrāddha offered at the great lake Kauśikī brings tremendous merit. On Muṇḍapṛṣṭha, the wise Mahādeva himself placed his foot, having performed severe and difficult austerities for many divine ages. Even in a short time here, a person devoted to righteousness quickly casts off sin, just as a serpent sheds its old skin. Day and night, this place is guarded by mighty serpents with great hoods, who delight the virtuous but terrify the sinful. The holy site named Kanakanandī, renowned throughout the three worlds, lies to the north of Muṇḍapṛṣṭha and is attended by hosts of divine sages. There, after bathing, birds of free movement ascend to heaven. A śrāddha offered here is pronounced imperishable, and after bathing, a noble person is freed from the three debts owed to gods, ancestors, and sages. On the bank of that lake stands a great temple of the god; ascending to its heights and reciting prayers, the accomplished soul attains heaven from that very spot. Journeying to the northern Mānasa, one attains supreme accomplishment. Upon arrival, one beholds the foremost of cities, a marvel to behold. There, śrāddha should be performed according to one’s means and strength; thus, one gains divine blessings and the constant path to liberation. At the excellent lake Mānasa, a great wonder is revealed: those of great fortune who have fallen from heaven are seen shining in the sky. The goddess Gaṅgā, the threefold river, having descended to earth from Soma's foot, is visible there in the heavens as a radiant gateway, glowing like the sun. There stands a divine gateway of Jāmbūnada gold, vast like the entrance to heaven, from which the river flows forth again to the eastern and final ocean. This river purifies all beings, especially those who know righteousness. Both Candrabhāgā and Sindhu, resembling Mānasa, flow to the western ocean—Sindhu, the best of rivers. The mighty mountain Himavat, adorned with all kinds of minerals, is said to stretch for eighty thousand yojanas. Crowded with perfected beings and celestial bards, there is a delightful lake called Suṣumnā, famed among all. One born there lives for ten thousand years; a śrāddha performed at Suṣumnā brings endless benefit, saving ten generations of ancestors before and after. All the merit of Himavat, and the sanctity of Gaṅgā in every part, and all the rivers flowing to the ocean—everywhere these are holy. Therefore, in all such places the wise should perform śrāddha; after bathing and making offerings, one becomes purified. Whether on lofty mountain slopes, in ravines and caves, on the flanks of valleys, or at springs; on riverbanks, at their sources, in the great ocean, in cow pens, at river confluences, and in forests; in places unsullied and pleasing, fragrant and smeared with cow dung, and in secluded houses—one should perform śrāddha at all these, always according to the prescribed rules, having circumambulated the directions, with the desire for all noble wishes to be fulfilled.