Chapter 84

“Pulastya said, ‘Then, O great king, one should proceed to the excellenttirtha of Dharma, where the illustrious god of justice had practisedhighly meritorious austerities. And it is for this that he made the spota sacred tirtha and rendered it celebrated by his own name. Bathingthere, O king, a virtuous man with concentrated soul certainlysanctifieth his family to the seventh generation. One should then repair,O king, to the excellent Jnanapavana. Sojourning thither, one obtaineththe merit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice, and goeth to the region of theMunis. Then, O monarch, a man should repair to the Saugandhika-vana.There dwell the celestials with Brahma at their head, Rishis endued withwealth of asceticism, the Siddhas, the Charanas, the Gandharvas, theKinnaras and the serpents. As soon as one entereth these woods, he iscleansed of all his sins. Then, O king, should one repair to the sacredgoddess Saraswati, known there as the goddess Plaksha, that best ofstreams and foremost of rivers. There should one bathe in the waterissuing from an ant-hill. (Bathing there and) worshipping the Pitris andthe gods, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. There existetha rare tirtha called Isanadhyushita, lying from the ant-hill at thedistance of six throws of a heavy stick. As seen in the Puranas, O tigeramong men, bathing there a man obtaineth the merit of giving away athousand Kapila kine and of the horse-sacrifice. Journeying next, Oforemost of men, to Sugandha, and Satakumbha and Panchayaksha, a manbecometh adored in heaven. Repairing to another tirtha there calledTrisulakhata, one should bathe and set himself to worship the Pitris andthe gods. Doing so, without doubt, one obtaineth, after death, the statusof Ganapatya. One should next proceed, O king, to the excellent spot ofthe Goddess celebrated over the three worlds by the name of Sakamvari.There, for the space of a thousand celestial years, she of excellentvows, month after month, had subsisted upon herbs, O king of men! Andattracted by their reverence for the Goddess, many Rishis with wealth ofasceticism, came thither, O Bharata. and were entertained by her withherbs. And it is for this that they bestowed on her the name ofSakamvari. O Bharata, the man who arriveth at Sakamvari, with raptattention and leading a Brahmacharya mode of life and passeth threenights there in purity and subsisting on herbs alone, obtaineth, at thewill of the goddess, the merit of him that liveth upon herbs for twelveyears. Then should one proceed to the tirtha called Suvarna, famedthrough the three worlds. There in days of old, Vishnu had paid hisadorations to Rudra, for his grace, and obtaineth also many boonsdifficult of acquisition even by the gods. And, O Bharata, the gratifieddestroyer of Tripura said, ‘O Krishna, thou shalt, without doubt, be muchbeloved in the world, and the foremost of everything in the universe.’Repairing thither, O king, and worshipping the deity having the bull forhis mark, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice as also thestatus of Ganapatya. One should next proceed to the tirtha of Dhumavati.Fasting there for three nights, one obtaineth, without doubt, all thewishes cherished by him. To the southern half of this spot of theGoddess, there is, O king, a tirtha called Rathavarta. One should, Ovirtuous one, go up to that place, with devout heart, and having hissenses under control. By this, through the grace of Mahadeva, oneattaineth to an exalted state. After walking round the place, one should,O bull of the Bharata race, proceed to the tirtha named Dhara, which, Othou of great wisdom, washeth off all sins. Bathing there, O tiger amongmen, a man is freed from every sorrow. One should then repair, O virtuousone, after bowing to the great mountain (Himavat), to the source of theGanges, which is, without doubt, like the gate of heaven. There shouldone, with concentrated soul, bathe in the tirtha called Koti. By this,one obtaineth the merit of the Pundarika sacrifice, and delivereth hisrace. Residing one night there, one acquireth the merit of giving away athousand kine. By offering oblations of water duly to the gods and thePitris, at Saptaganga, Triganga and Sakravarta, (which are all there),becometh adored in the regions of the virtuous. Bathing next atKanakhala, and fasting there for three nights, a person reapeth the meritof the horse-sacrifice and goeth to heaven. Then O lord of men, thepilgrim should repair to Kapilavata. Fasting for one night there, heobtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. O king, there is atirtha of the illustrious Kapila, king of the Nagas, that is celebrated,O thou best of Kurus, over all the worlds. Bathing there at theNagatirtha one obtaineth, O king, the merit of giving away a thousandKapila kine. One should next repair to the excellent tirtha of Santanu,called Lalitika. Bathing there, O king, one never sinketh into distress(hereafter). The man that bathes at the confluence of the Ganga and theYamuna, obtains the merit of ten horse-sacrifices, and also rescues hisrace. One should next, O king, go to Sugandha, celebrated over the world.By this, cleansed of every sin, he becometh adored in the abode ofBrahma. Then, O lord of men, the pilgrim should repair to Rudravarta.Bathing there, one ascendeth to heaven. Bathing at the confluence of theGanga and the Saraswati, a person obtaineth the merit of thehorse-sacrifice and also ascendeth to heaven. Proceeding next toBhadrakarneswara and worshipping the gods duly, one, without sinking intodistress, becometh adored in heaven. Then, O lord of men, the pilgrimshould proceed to the tirtha called Kuvjamraka. By this he obtaineth themerit of giving away a thousand kine, and heaven also. Then, O king, thepilgrim should go to the Arundhativata. Proceeding thither withconcentrated soul and practising the Brahmacharya vows, one that bathethin Samudraka and fasteth for three nights, obtaineth the merit of thehorse-sacrifice and of giving away a thousand kine, and also rescueth hisrace. One should next proceed to Brahmavarta, with concentrated soul andpractising the Brahmacharya vows. By this, one obtaineth the merit of thehorse-sacrifice, and goeth to the region of Soma. The man that proceedethto the Yamuna-prabhava, (the source of the Yamuna) and batheth there,obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and is worshipped in heaven.Arriving at Darvisankramana, that tirtha which is worshipped of the threeworlds, a person obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and goeth toheaven. Repairing next to Sindhu-prabhava (the source of the Indus) whichis worshipped by Siddhas and Gandharvas, and staying there for fivenights, one obtaineth the merit of giving away gold in abundance.Proceeding next to the inaccessible tirtha called Vedi, one obtaineth themerit of the horse-sacrifice and ascendeth to heaven. Then, O Bharata,should one proceed to Rishikulya and Vasishtha. By visiting the latter,all orders attain to Brahmanhood. Repairing to Rishikulya and bathingthere, and living a month upon herbs, and worshipping the gods andPitris, one is cleansed of all his sins, and obtaineth the region of theRishis. Proceeding next to Bhrigutunga a person acquireth the merit ofthe horse-sacrifice. Repairing then to Vipramoksha, one is freed fromevery sin. Proceeding then to the tirtha of Krittika and Magha, one, OBharata, obtaineth the merit superior to that of the Agnishtoma andAtiratha sacrifices. The man who, repairing to the excellent tirthacalled Vidya, batheth there in the evening, obtaineth proficiency inevery kind of knowledge. One should next reside for one night atMahasrama capable of destroying every sin, taking a single meal. By this,one obtains many auspicious regions, and delivers ten preceding and tensucceeding generations of his race. Dwelling next for a month ofMahalaya, and fasting there for three nights, one’s soul is cleansed ofall sins and one acquires the merit of giving away gold in abundance.Proceeding next to Vetasika worshipped by the Grandsire, one obtaineththe merit of the horse-sacrifice and the state of Usanas. Going next tothe tirtha called Sundarika, worshipped by the Siddhas, one obtainethpersonal beauty as witnessed by the ancients. Proceeding next to Brahmaniwith subdued senses and observing the Brahmacharya vow, a personascendeth to the region of Brahma on a lotus-hued car. One should repairnext to the sacred Naimisha, worshipped by the Siddhas. There dwellethfor aye Brahma with the gods. By only purposing to go to Naimisha, halfone’s sins are destroyed; by entering it, one is cleansed of all hissins. The pilgrim of subdued senses should stay at Naimisha for a month;for, O Bharata, all the tirthas of the earth are at Naimisha. Bathingthere, with restrained senses and regulated fare, one obtains, O Bharata,the merit of the cow-sacrifice, and also sanctifies, O best of theBharatas, his race for seven generations both upwards and downwards. Hewho renounceth his life at Naimisha by fasting, enjoyeth happiness in theheavenly regions. Even this is the opinion of the wise. O foremost ofkings, Naimisha is ever sacred and holy. Proceeding next to Gangodbhedaand fasting there for three nights, a man obtaineth the merit of theVajapeya sacrifice, and becometh like unto Brahma himself. Journeying tothe Saraswati, one should offer oblations unto the gods and the Pitris.By this, one certainly enjoyeth bliss in the regions called Saraswata.Then should one wend to Vahuda, with subdued soul and observing theBrahmacharya vow. Residing there for one night, one becometh adored inheaven, and obtaineth also, O Kaurava, the merit of the Devasatrasacrifice. Then should one repair to the holy Kshiravati, frequented byholier men. By worshipping the gods and the Pitris there, one obtains themerit of the Vajapeya sacrifice. Proceeding next to Vimalasoka, withsubdued soul and observing the Brahmacharya vow, and residing there forone night, one is adored in heaven. One should next proceed to theexcellent Gopratra in the Sarayu, whence Rama, O king, with all hisattendants and animals, renouncing his body, ascended to heaven inconsequence of the efficacy of the tirtha alone. Bathing in that tirtha,O Bharata, one’s soul, through Rama’s grace, and by virtue of his owndeeds, being cleansed of all sins, one becometh adored in heaven. OBharata! Proceeding next, O son of the Kuru race, to the Rama-tirtha onthe Gomati, and bathing there, one obtaineth the merit of thehorse-sacrifice, and sanctifieth also his own race. There, O bull of theBharata race, is another tirtha called Satasahasrika. Bathing there, withrestrained senses and regulated diet, a person reapeth, O bull of Bharatarace, the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Then should one, O king,go to the unrivalled tirtha called Bhartristhana. By this, a personobtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. Bathing next in the tirthacalled Koti, and worshipping Kartikeya, a man reapeth, O king, the meritof giving away a thousand kine, and acquireth great energy. Proceedingnext to Varanasi, and worshipping the god having the bull for his mark,after a bath in the Kapilahrada, one obtaineth the merit of the Rajasuyasacrifice. Repairing then, O perpetuator of the Kuru race, to the tirthacalled Avimukta, and beholding there the god of gods, the pilgrim, fromsuch sight alone, is immediately cleansed of even the sin of slaying aBrahmana. By renouncing one’s life there, one obtaineth deliverance.Arriving next, O king, at the rare tirtha called Markandeya celebratedover the world and situated at the confluence of the Ganges, a personobtaineth the merit of Agnishtoma sacrifice, and delivereth his race.Sojourning next to Gaya, with subdued senses and observing theBrahmacharya vow, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and alsorescueth his race. There in that tirtha is the Akshaya-vata, celebratedover the three worlds. Whatever is offered there to the Pitris is said tobecome inexhaustible. Bathing there at the Mahanadi, and offeringoblations to the gods and the Pitris, a man acquireth eternal regions,and also rescueth his race. Proceeding then to Brahma-sara that isadorned by the woods of Dharma, and passing one night there, a manattaineth to the region of Brahma. In that lake, Brahma had raised asacrificial pillar. By walking round this pillar, a person acquireth themerit of the Vajapeya sacrifice. One should next, O mighty monarch, go toDenuka celebrated over the world. Staying there for one night and givingaway sesame and kine, one’s soul being cleansed from every sin, oneascendeth, without doubt to the region of Soma. There, O king, on themountains, the cow called Kapila used to range with her calf. There islittle doubt, of this, O Bharata, the hoof-marks, of that cow and hercalf are seen there to this day. By bathing in those hoof-prints, Oforemost of monarchs, whatever sin a man may have incurred is, O Bharata,washed away. Then should one go to Gridhravata, the spot consecrated tothe trident-bearing god. Approaching the deity having the bull for hismark one should rub himself with ashes. If a Brahmana, he obtains themerit of observing the twelve year’s vow and if belonging to any of theother orders, he is freed from all his sins. One should next proceed tothe Udyanta mountains, resounding with melodious notes. There, O bull ofthe Bharata race, is still seen the foot-print of Savitri. The Brahmanaof rigid vows, who sayeth his morning, noon and evening prayers there,obtaineth the merit of performing that service for twelve years. There, Obull of the Bharata race, is the famous Yonidwara. Repairing thither, aperson becometh exempted from the pain of rebirth. The person thatstayeth at Gaya during both the dark and lighted fortnights, certainlysanctifieth, O king, his own race up and down to the seventh generation.One should wish for many sons so that even one may go to Gaya, orcelebrate the horse-sacrifice, or offer a nila bull. Then, O king, thepilgrim should proceed to Phalgu. By this, he obtains the merit ofhorse-sacrifice, and acquires great success. O king, one should repairthen, with subdued soul, to Dharmaprishta. There, O foremost of warriors,dwelleth Dharma for aye. Drinking of the water of a well which is there,and purifying one’s self by a bath, he that offereth oblations to thegods and the Pitris is cleansed of all his sins and ascendeth to heaven.There in that tirtha is the hermitage of the great Rishi Matanga of soulunder complete control. By entering that beautiful asylum capable ofsoothing fatigue and sorrow, one earneth the merit of the Gavayanasacrifice, and by touching (the image of) Dharma which is there, oneobtaineth the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. One should next go, O king,to the excellent tirtha called Brahmasthana. Approaching Brahma, thatbull among male beings, who is there, one acquireth, O mighty monarch,the merit of the Rajasuya and horse-sacrifices. The pilgrim should thenrepair to Rajasuya, O king of men! Bathing there, one liveth (in heaven)as happily as (the Rishi) Kakshiyan. After purifying himself, one shouldpartake there of the offerings daily made unto the Yakshini. By this, oneis freed from the sin of even slaying a Brahmana, through the Yakshini’sgrace. Proceeding next to Maninaga, one obtains the merit of giving awaya thousand kine. O Bharata, he that eateth anything relating to thetirtha of Maninaga, if bitten by a venomous snake, doth not succumb toits poison. Residing there for one night, one is cleansed of one’s sins.Then should one proceed to the favourite wood of the Brahmarshi Gautama.There bathing in the lake of Ahalya, one attaineth to an exalted state.Beholding next the image of Sree, one acquireth great prosperity. Therein that tirtha is a well celebrated over the three worlds. Bathing in it,one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. There also existeth awell sacred to the royal Rishi Janaka, which is worshipped by the gods.Bathing in the well, one ascendeth to the region of Vishnu. Then shouldone repair to Vinasana that destroys every sin. By a sojourn thither, oneobtaineth the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice, and goeth also to theregion of Soma. Proceeding next to Gandaki which is produced by thewaters of every tirtha, a person acquireth the merit of the Vajapeyasacrifice, and ascendeth also to the solar region. Proceeding next to theVisala, that river celebrated over the three worlds, one obtaineth themerit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice and ascendeth also to heaven. Repairingthen, O virtuous one, to the woody seat of ascetics that is calledAdhivanga, one obtains, without doubt, great happiness amongst theGuhyakas. Proceeding next to the river Kampana, visited by the Siddhas,one obtaineth the merit of the Pundarika sacrifice, and ascendeth also toheaven. Arriving then, O lord of earth, at the stream called Maheswari,one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and also rescueth his ownrace. Repairing next to the tank of the celestials, one earneth immunityfrom misfortune, and also the merit of the horse-sacrifice. One shouldnext go to Somapada, with subdued soul and leading a Brahmacharya mode oflife. Bathing in Maheswarapada that is there, one reapeth the merit ofthe horse-sacrifice. There in that tirtha, O bull of the Bharata race, itis well known that ten millions of tirthas exist together. A wicked Asurain the shape of a tortoise had, O foremost of monarchs, been carrying itaway when the powerful Vishnu recovered it from him. There in that tirthashould one perform his ablutions, for by this he acquireth the merit ofthe Pundarika sacrifice and ascendeth also to the region of Vishnu. Then,O best of kings, should one proceed to the place of Narayana, where, OBharata, Narayana is ever present and dwelleth for aye. There the godswith Brahma at their head, Rishis endued with wealth of asceticism, theAdityas, the Vasus, and the Rudras, all adore Janardana, in that tirtha,and Vishnu of wonderful deeds hath become known as Salagrama. Approachingthe eternal Vishnu, that lord of the three worlds, that giver of boons,one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice, and goeth to the regionof Vishnu. There in that place, O virtuous one, is a well, capable ofdestroying every sin. The four seas are ever present in that well. Hethat bathes in it, O king, will have immunity from misfortune. Beholding(the image of) the boon-giving, eternal, and fierce Mahadeva who isthere, one shineth, O king, like the moon emerged from the cloud. Bathingthen in Jatismara, with pure mind and subdued senses, one acquireth,without doubt, the recollections of his former life. Proceeding then toMaheswarapura, and worshipping the god having the bull for his mark,fasting the while, one obtaineth, without doubt, the fruition of all hisdesires. Repairing then to Vamana that destroys every sin, and beholdingthe god Hari, one acquireth exemption from every misfortune. One shouldnext go to the asylum of Kusika that is capable of removing every sin.Repairing then to the river Kausika that cleanseth from even great sins,one should bathe in it. By this one obtaineth the merit of Rajasuyasacrifice. One should next, O foremost of kings, proceed to the excellentwoods of Champaka. By spending there one night, one acquireth the meritof giving away a thousand kine. Arriving next at Jyeshthila, that tirthaof rare worth, and passing one night there, one reapeth the fruit of thegift of a thousand kine. Beholding there (the image of) Visweswara ofgreat splendour, with his consort the goddess, a person obtaineth, O bullamong men, the region of Mitra-Varuna. By fasting there for three nights,a man acquireth the merit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice. By visitingKanya-samvedya, with senses restrained and regulated fare, one acquireth,O bull among men, the region of Manu, the lord of creation. Rishis ofrigid vows have said that he that giveth away rice or maketh any gift atthe tirtha called Kanya, rendereth such gift eternal. Arriving next atNischira celebrated over the three worlds, one obtaineth the merit of thehorse-sacrifice and goeth to the legion of Vishnu. O king, those thatgive away at the confluence of the Nischira, ascend to the blessed regionof Brahma. There in that tirtha is the asylum of Vasishtha that is knownover the three worlds. Bathing there, one obtaineth the merit of theVajapeya sacrifice. Proceeding next to Devakuta that is resorted to bycelestial Rishis, one acquireth the merit of the horse-sacrifice, andalso delivereth his race. Then should one, O king, go to the lake of theMuni Kausika, where Kusika’s son, Viswamitra, obtained high success.Bathing there, a person acquireth the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice.There, O hero, at Kausika, should one reside for a month, O bull of theBharata race! By a month’s residence there, one reapeth the merit of thehorse-sacrifice. He that resideth at the best of tirthas calledMaha-hrada, enjoys immunity from misfortune, and also obtains the meritof giving away gold in abundance. Beholding next Kartikeya who dwellethat Virasrama, a man certainly reapeth the fruit of the horse-sacrifice.Proceeding then to Agnidhara celebrated over the three worlds, andbeholding there after a bath the eternal and boon-giving Vishnu, that godof gods, one obtaineth the merit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice. Proceedingnext to the Grandsire’s tank near the snowcapped of mountains, andbathing in it, a man obtains the merit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice.Falling from the Grandsire’s tank, is that world-sanctifying (stream),celebrated over the three worlds, called Kumara-Dhara. Bathing there, oneregardeth himself as having all his purposes fulfilled. Fasting in thattirtha for three days, one is even cleansed from the sin of slaying aBrahmana. The pilgrim should next, O virtuous one, proceed to the peak ofthe great goddess Gauri, famed over the three worlds. Ascending it, Obest of men, one should approach Stana-Kunda. By touching the waters ofStana-Kunda, a person obtaineth the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice.Bathing in that tirtha and worshipping the gods and Pitris, one acquireththe merit of the horse-sacrifice and also ascendeth to the region ofIndra. Arriving next at the well of Tamraruna, that is frequented by thegods, one acquireth, O lord of men, the merit that attaches to humansacrifice. Bathing next at the confluence of the Kirtika with the Kausikiand the Aruna, and fasting there for three nights a man of learning iscleansed of all his sins. Proceeding next to the tirtha called Urvasi,and then to Somasrama, a wise man by bathing next at Kumbhakarnasramabecometh adored in the world. The ancients knew that by touching thewaters of Kokamukha, with steady vows and leading Brahmacharya mode oflife, the memory of one’s former life is revived. Arriving next withspeed to the river called Nanda a regenerate one becometh freed from allhis sins and ascendeth with soul under control to Indra’s region.Proceeding next to the island called Rishabha, that is destructive ofcranes, and bathing in the Saraswati, an individual blazeth forth inheaven. Proceeding next to the tirtha called Auddalaka frequented byMunis, and bathing there one is cleansed of all his sins. Repairing nextto the sacred tirtha called Dharma that is visited by Brahmarshis, oneacquireth the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice and becometh respected inheaven. Proceeding next to Champa and bathing in the Bhagirathi he thatsojourneth to Dandaparna, acquireth the merit of giving away a thousandkine. Then should one proceed to the sacred Lalitika that is graced bythe presence of the virtuous. By this one acquireth the merit of theRajasuya sacrifice and is regarded in heaven.”