Adhyaya 221

Nārada relates how Queen Hemāṅgī reveals a sacred illustrated book depicting the avatāras and cosmic geography—Lokāloka, the seven continents and oceans. Seeing Bhārata’s rivers and the tīrthas of Indraprastha and Prayāga, she recalls a former birth as the courtesan Mohinī, slain by robbers; a Vaikhānasa ascetic gave her Prayāga-water, by whose merit she gained an auspicious rebirth and became queen. Hemāṅgī vows to eat only after journeying with King Vīravarmā to Prayāga. A celestial voice (Ākāśavāk) confirms her confession and enjoins pilgrimage and ritual bathing for the fulfillment of desires. At Prayāga, at the Śiva-tīrtha, the king praises two radiant deities; Hari and Brahmā appear, commend Hemāṅgī for rescuing her pleasure-bound husband, and grant passage to Satyaloka and Vaikuṇṭha. The chapter ends with a phalaśruti on the fruits of hearing and reciting it.