Adhyaya 21

PP.5.21 recounts a devotee-king’s pilgrimage: after hearing the glory of the Gaṇḍakī, he bathes, makes offerings to the ancestors, worships many sacred stones (Śālagrāmas), gives gifts to the needy, and proceeds toward Puruṣottama’s seat on Nīla Mountain. At the Gaṅgā–sāgara confluence he asks an ascetic how Nīla and Hari may be seen. The ascetic urges him to remain at the tīrtha, praise Puruṣottama, and undertake fasting and a vow (vrata) until darśana is granted. The king embraces a severe observance, singing Hari’s virtues day and night. After five days, Hari—moved by compassion—appears in disguise as a tridaṇḍin saṃnyāsī, receives the king’s worship, and foretells a rare midday vision and an ascent with five companions. The chapter’s devotional teaching is that steadfast stuti and vrata at a holy ford draw forth the Lord’s self-revelation and protection.