Part 27

"'Pulastya said, "Then, O great king, one should proceed to the excellent _tirtha_ of _Dharma_, where the illustrious god of justice had practised highly meritorious austerities. And it is for this that he made the spot a sacred _tirtha_ and rendered it celebrated by his own name. Bathing there, O king, a virtuous man with concentrated soul certainly sanctifieth his family to the seventh generation. One should then repair, O king, to the excellent _Jnanapavana_. Sojourning thither, one obtaineth the merit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice, and goeth to the region of the Munis. Then, O monarch, a man should repair to the _Saugandhika-vana_. There dwell the celestials with Brahma at their head, Rishis endued with wealth of asceticism, the Siddhas, the Charanas, the Gandharvas, the Kinnaras and the serpents. As soon as one entereth these woods, he is cleansed of all his sins. Then, O king, should one repair to the sacred goddess Saraswati, known there as the goddess Plaksha, that best of streams and foremost of rivers. There should one bathe in the water issuing from an ant-hill. (Bathing there and) worshipping the Pitris and the gods, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. There existeth a rare _tirtha_ called _Isanadhyushita_, lying from the ant-hill at the distance of six throws of a heavy stick. As seen in the Puranas, O tiger among men, bathing there a man obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand Kapila kine and of the horse-sacrifice. Journeying next, O foremost of men, to _Sugandha_, and _Satakumbha_ and _Pancha-yaksha_, a man becometh adored in heaven. Repairing to another _tirtha_ there called _Trisulakhata_, one should bathe and set himself to worship the Pitris and the gods. Doing so, without doubt, one obtaineth, after death, the status of _Ganapatya_. One should next proceed, O king, to the excellent spot of the Goddess celebrated over the three worlds by the name of _Sakamvari_. There, for the space of a thousand celestial years, she of excellent vows, month after month, had subsisted upon herbs, O king of men! And attracted by their reverence for the Goddess, many Rishis with wealth of asceticism, came thither, O Bharata, and were entertained by her with herbs. And it is for this that they bestowed on her the name of _Sakamvari_. O Bharata, the man who arriveth at _Sakamvari_, with rapt attention and leading a Brahmacharya mode of life and passeth three nights there in purity and subsisting on herbs alone, obtaineth, at the will of the goddess, the merit of him that liveth upon herbs for twelve years. Then should one proceed to the _tirtha_ called _Suvarna_, famed through the three worlds. There in days of old, Vishnu had paid his adorations to Rudra, for his grace, and obtaineth also many boons difficult of acquisition even by the gods. And, O Bharata, the gratified destroyer of Tripura said, 'O Krishna, thou shalt, without doubt, be much beloved in the world, and the foremost of everything in the universe.' Repairing thither, O king, and worshipping the deity having the bull for his mark, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice as also the status of _Ganapatya_. One should next proceed to the _tirtha_ of _Dhumavati_. Fasting there for three nights, one obtaineth, without doubt, all the wishes cherished by him. To the southern half of this spot of the Goddess, there is, O king, a _tirtha_ called _Rathavarta_. One should, O virtuous one, go up to that place, with devout heart, and having his senses under control. By this, through the grace of Mahadeva, one attaineth to an exalted state. After walking round the place, one should, O bull of the Bharata race, proceed to the _tirtha_ named _Dhara_, which, O thou of great wisdom, washeth off all sins. Bathing there, O tiger among men, a man is freed from every sorrow. One should then repair, O virtuous one, after bowing to the great mountain (Himavat), to the source of the Ganges, which is, without doubt, like the gate of heaven. There should one, with concentrated soul, bathe in the _tirtha_ called _Koti_. By this, one obtaineth the merit of the Pundarika sacrifice, and delivereth his race. Residing one night there, one acquireth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. By offering oblations of water duly to the gods and the Pitris, at _Saptaganga_, _Triganga_ and _Sakravarta_, (which are all there), becometh adored in the regions of the virtuous. Bathing next at _Kanakhala_, and fasting there for three nights, a person reapeth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and goeth to heaven. Then O lord of men, the pilgrim should repair to _Kapilavata_. Fasting for one night there, he obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. O king, there is a _tirtha_ of the illustrious Kapila, king of the Nagas, that is celebrated, O thou best of Kurus, over all the worlds. Bathing there at the _Nagatirtha_ one obtaineth, O king, the merit of giving away a thousand Kapila 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 the Yamuna, obtains the merit of ten horse-sacrifices, and also rescues his race. One should next, O king, go to _Sugandha_, celebrated over the world. By this, cleansed of every sin, he becometh adored in the abode of Brahma. Then, O lord of men, the pilgrim should repair to _Rudravarta_. Bathing there, one ascendeth to heaven. Bathing at the confluence of the Ganga and the Saraswati, a person obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and also ascendeth to heaven. Proceeding next to _Bhadrakarneswara_ and worshipping the gods duly, one, without sinking into distress, becometh adored in heaven. Then, O lord of men, the pilgrim should proceed to the _tirtha_ called _Kuvjamraka_. By this he obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand kine, and heaven also. Then, O king, the pilgrim should go to the _Arundhativata_. Proceeding thither with concentrated soul and practising the Brahmacharya vows, one that batheth in _Samudraka_ and fasteth for three nights, obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and of giving away a thousand kine, and also rescueth his race. One should next proceed to _Brahmavarta_, with concentrated soul and practising the Brahmacharya vows. By this, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice, and goeth to the region of Soma. The man that proceedeth to 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 three worlds, a person obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and goeth to heaven. Repairing next to _Sindhu-prabhava_ (the source of the Indus) which is worshipped by Siddhas and Gandharvas, and staying there for five nights, one obtaineth the merit of giving away gold in abundance. Proceeding next to the inaccessible _tirtha_ called _Vedi_, one obtaineth the merit 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 bathing there, and living a month upon herbs, and worshipping the gods and Pitris, one is cleansed of all his sins, and obtaineth the region of the Rishis. Proceeding next to _Bhrigutunga_ a person acquireth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. Repairing then to _Vipramoksha_, one is freed from every sin. Proceeding then to the _tirtha_ of _Krittika_ and _Magha_, one, O Bharata, obtaineth the merit superior to that of the _Agnishtoma_ and _Atiratha_ sacrifices. The man who, repairing to the excellent _tirtha_ called _Vidya_, batheth there in the evening, obtaineth proficiency in every kind of knowledge. One should next reside for one night at _Mahasrama_ capable of destroying every sin, taking a single meal. By this, one obtains many auspicious regions, and delivers ten preceding and ten succeeding generations of his race. Dwelling next for a month of Mahalaya, and fasting there for three nights, one's soul is cleansed of all sins and one acquires the merit of giving away gold in abundance. Proceeding next to _Vetasika_ worshipped by the Grandsire, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and the state of Usanas. Going next to the _tirtha_ called _Sundarika_, worshipped by the Siddhas, one obtaineth personal beauty as witnessed by the ancients. Proceeding next to Brahmani with subdued senses and observing the Brahmacharya vow, a person ascendeth to the region of Brahma on a lotus-hued car. One should repair next to the sacred Naimisha, worshipped by the Siddhas. There dwelleth for aye Brahma with the gods. By only purposing to go to Naimisha, half one's sins are destroyed; by entering it, one is cleansed of all his sins. The pilgrim of subdued senses should stay at Naimisha for a month; for, O Bharata, all the _tirthas_ of the earth are at Naimisha. Bathing there, with restrained senses and regulated fare, one obtains, O Bharata, the merit of the cow-sacrifice, and also sanctifies, O best of the Bharatas, his race for seven generations both upwards and downwards. He who renounceth his life at Naimisha by fasting, enjoyeth happiness in the heavenly regions. Even this is the opinion of the wise. O foremost of kings, Naimisha is ever sacred and holy. Proceeding next to _Gangod-bheda_ and fasting there for three nights, a man obtaineth the merit of the _Vajapeya_ sacrifice, and becometh like unto Brahma himself. Journeying to the 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 the Brahmacharya vow. Residing there for one night, one becometh adored in heaven, and obtaineth also, O Kaurava, the merit of the _Devasatra_ sacrifice. Then should one repair to the holy _Kshiravati_, frequented by holier men. By worshipping the gods and the Pitris there, one obtains the merit of the _Vajapeya sacrifice_. Proceeding next to _Vimalasoka_, with subdued soul and observing the Brahmacharya vow, and residing there for one night, one is adored in heaven. One should next proceed to the excellent _Gopratra_ in the Sarayu, whence Rama, O king, with all his attendants and animals, renouncing his body, ascended to heaven in consequence 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 own deeds, being cleansed of all sins, one becometh adored in heaven. O Bharata! Proceeding next, O son of the Kuru race, to the _Rama-tirtha_ on the Gomati, and bathing there, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice, and sanctifieth also his own race. There, O bull of the Bharata race, is another _tirtha_ called _Satasahasrika_. Bathing there, with restrained senses and regulated diet, a person reapeth, O bull of Bharata race, the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Then should one, O king, go to the unrivalled _tirtha_ called _Bhartristhana_. By this, a person obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. Bathing next in the _tirtha_ called _Koti_, and worshipping Kartikeya, a man reapeth, O king, the merit of giving away a thousand kine, and acquireth great energy. Proceeding next to _Varanasi_, and worshipping the god having the bull for his mark, after a bath in the _Kapilahrada_, one obtaineth the merit of the Rajasuya sacrifice. Repairing then, O perpetuator of the Kuru race, to the _tirtha_ called _Avimukta_, and beholding there the god of gods, the pilgrim, from such sight alone, is immediately cleansed of even the sin of slaying a Brahmana. By renouncing one's life there, one obtaineth deliverance. Arriving next, O king, at the rare _tirtha_ called _Markandeya_ celebrated over the world and situated at the confluence of the Ganges, a person obtaineth the merit of _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice, and delivereth his race. Sojourning next to _Gaya_, with subdued senses and observing the Brahmacharya vow, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and also rescueth his race. There in that _tirtha_ is the _Akshaya-vata_, celebrated over the three worlds. Whatever is offered there to the Pitris is said to become inexhaustible. Bathing there at the _Mahanadi_, and offering oblations to the gods and the Pitris, a man acquireth eternal regions, and also rescueth his race. Proceeding then to _Brahma-sara_ that is adorned by the woods of Dharma, and passing one night there, a man attaineth to the region of Brahma. In that lake, Brahma had raised a sacrificial pillar. By walking round this pillar, a person acquireth the merit of the _Vajapeya_ sacrifice. One should next, O mighty monarch, go to _Denuka_ celebrated over the world. Staying there for one night and giving away sesame and kine, one's soul being cleansed from every sin, one ascendeth, without doubt to the region of Soma. There, O king, on the mountains, the cow called Kapila used to range with her calf. There is little doubt of this, O Bharata, the hoof-marks of that cow and her calf are seen there to this day. By bathing in those hoof-prints, O foremost of monarchs, whatever sin a man may have incurred is, O Bharata, washed away. Then should one go to _Gridhravata_, the spot consecrated to the trident-bearing god. Approaching the deity having the bull for his mark one should rub himself with ashes. If a Brahmana, he obtains the merit of observing the twelve year's vow and if belonging to any of the other orders, he is freed from all his sins. One should next proceed to the _Udyanta_ mountains, resounding with melodious notes. There, O bull of the Bharata race, is still seen the foot-print of Savitri. The Brahmana of rigid vows, who sayeth his morning, noon and evening prayers there, obtaineth the merit of performing that service for twelve years. There, O bull of the Bharata race, is the famous _Yonidwara_. Repairing thither, a person becometh exempted from the pain of rebirth. The person that stayeth at Gaya during both the dark and lighted fortnights, certainly sanctifieth, 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, or celebrate the horse-sacrifice, or offer a _nila_ bull. Then, O king, the pilgrim should proceed to _Phalgu_. By this, he obtains the merit of horse-sacrifice, and acquires great success. O king, one should repair then, 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 the gods 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 soul under complete control. By entering that beautiful asylum capable of soothing fatigue and sorrow, one earneth the merit of the _Gacayana_ sacrifice, and by touching (the image of) Dharma which is there, one obtaineth the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. One should next go, O king, to the excellent _tirtha_ called _Brahmasthana_. Approaching Brahma, that bull among male beings, who is there, one acquireth, O mighty monarch, the merit of the Rajasuya and horse-sacrifices. The pilgrim should then repair to _Rajasuya_, O king of men! Bathing there, one liveth (in heaven) as happily as (the Rishi) Kakshiyan. After purifying himself, one should partake there of the offerings daily made unto the Yakshini. By this, one is freed from the sin of even slaying a Brahmana, through the Yakshini's grace. Proceeding next to _Maninaga_, one obtains the merit of giving away a thousand kine. O Bharata, he that eateth anything relating to the _tirtha_ of _Maninaga_, if bitten by a venomous snake, doth not succumb to its 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. There in that _tirtha_ is a well celebrated over the three worlds. Bathing in it, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. There also existeth a well sacred to the royal Rishi Janaka, which is worshipped by the gods. Bathing in the well, one ascendeth to the region of Vishnu. Then should one repair to Vinasana that destroys every sin. By a sojourn thither, one obtaineth the merit of the _Vajapeya_ sacrifice, and goeth also to the region of Soma. Proceeding next to _Gandaki_ which is produced by the waters of every _tirtha_, a person acquireth the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice, and ascendeth also to the solar region. Proceeding next to the _Visala_, that river celebrated over the three worlds, one obtaineth the merit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice and ascendeth also to heaven. Repairing then, O virtuous one, to the woody seat of ascetics that is called _Adhivanga_, one obtains, without doubt, great happiness amongst the Guhyakas. Proceeding next to the river _Kampana_, visited by the Siddhas, one obtaineth the merit of the _Pundarika_ sacrifice, and ascendeth also to heaven. Arriving then, O lord of earth, at the stream called _Maheswari_, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and also rescueth his own race. Repairing next to the tank of the celestials, one earneth immunity from misfortune, and also the merit of the horse-sacrifice. One should next go to _Somapada_, with subdued soul and leading a Brahmacharya mode of life. Bathing in _Maheswarapada_ that is there, one reapeth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. There in that _tirtha_, O bull of the Bharata race, it is well known that ten millions of _tirthas_ exist together. A wicked Asura in the shape of a tortoise had, O foremost of monarchs, been carrying it away when the powerful Vishnu recovered it from him. There in that _tirtha_ should one perform his ablutions, for by this he acquireth the merit of the _Pundarika_ sacrifice and ascendeth also to the region of Vishnu. Then, O best of kings, should one proceed to the place of Narayana, where, O Bharata, Narayana is ever present and dwelleth for aye. There the gods with Brahma at their head, Rishis endued with wealth of asceticism, the Adityas, the Vasus, and the Rudras, all adore Janardana, in that _tirtha_, and Vishnu of wonderful deeds hath become known as _Salagrama_. Approaching the eternal Vishnu, that lord of the three worlds, that giver of boons, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice, and goeth to the region of Vishnu. There in that place, O virtuous one, is a well, capable of destroying every sin. The four seas are ever present in that well. He that bathes in it, O king, will have immunity from misfortune. Beholding (the image of) the boon-giving, eternal, and fierce Mahadeva who is there, one shineth, O king, like the moon emerged from the cloud. Bathing then in _Jatismara_, with pure mind and subdued senses, one acquireth, without doubt, the recollections of his former life. Proceeding then to _Maheswarapura_, and worshipping the god having the bull for his mark, fasting the while, one obtaineth, without doubt, the fruition of all his desires. Repairing then to _Vamana_ that destroys every sin, and beholding the god Hari, one acquireth exemption from every misfortune. One should next 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 Rajasuya sacrifice. One should next, O foremost of kings, proceed to the excellent woods of _Champaka_. By spending there one night, one acquireth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Arriving next at _Jyeshthila_, that _tirtha_ of rare worth, and passing one night there, one reapeth the fruit of the gift of a thousand kine. Beholding there (the image of) Visweswara of great splendour, with his consort the goddess, a person obtaineth, O bull among men, the region of Mitra-Varuna. By fasting there for three nights, a man acquireth the merit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice. By visiting _Kanya-samvedya_, with senses restrained and regulated fare, one acquireth, O bull among men, the region of Manu, the lord of creation. Rishis of rigid vows have said that he that giveth away rice or maketh any gift at the _tirtha_ called _Kanya_, rendereth such gift eternal. Arriving next at _Nischira_ celebrated over the three worlds, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and goeth to the region of Vishnu. O king, those that give away at the confluence of the Nischira, ascend to the blessed region of Brahma. There in that _tirtha_ is the asylum of Vasishtha that is known over the three worlds. Bathing there, one obtaineth the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice. Proceeding next to _Devakuta_ that is resorted to by celestial Rishis, one acquireth the merit of the horse-sacrifice, and also delivereth his race. Then should one, O king, go to the lake of the _Muni 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 the Bharata race! By a month's residence there, one reapeth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. He that resideth at the best of tirthas called _Maha-hrada_, enjoys immunity from misfortune, and also obtains the merit of giving away gold in abundance. Beholding next Kartikeya who dwelleth at _Virasrama_, a man certainly reapeth the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. Proceeding then to _Agnidhara_ celebrated over the three worlds, and beholding there after a bath the eternal and boon-giving Vishnu, that god of gods, one obtaineth the merit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice. Proceeding next to the Grandsire's tank near the snowcapped of mountains, and bathing 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, one regardeth himself as having all his purposes fulfilled. Fasting in that tirtha for three days, one is even cleansed from the sin of slaying a Brahmana. The pilgrim should next, O virtuous one, proceed to the peak of the great goddess Gauri, famed over the three worlds. Ascending it, O best of men, one should approach _Stana-Kunda_. By touching the waters of _Stana-Kunda_, a person obtaineth the merit of the _Vajapeya_ sacrifice. Bathing in that _tirtha_ and worshipping the gods and Pitris, one acquireth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and also ascendeth to the region of Indra. Arriving next at the well of _Tamraruna_, that is frequented by the gods, one acquireth, O lord of men, the merit that attaches to human sacrifice. Bathing next at the confluence of the Kirtika with the Kausiki and the Aruna, and fasting there for three nights a man of learning is cleansed of all his sins. Proceeding next to the _tirtha_ called _Urvasi_, and then to _Somasrama_, a wise man by bathing next at _Kumbhakarnasrama_ becometh adored in the world. The ancients knew that by touching the waters of _Kokamukha_, with steady vows and leading Brahmacharya mode of life, the memory of one's former life is revived. Arriving next with speed to the river called _Nanda_ a regenerate one becometh freed from all his sins and ascendeth with soul under control to Indra's region. Proceeding next to the island called _Rishabha_, that is destructive of cranes, and bathing in the Saraswati, an individual blazeth forth in heaven. Proceeding next to the _tirtha_ called _Auddalaka_ frequented by _Munis_, and bathing there one is cleansed of all his sins. Repairing next to the sacred _tirtha_ called _Dharma_ that is visited by Brahmarshis, one acquireth the merit of the _Vajapeya_ sacrifice and becometh respected in heaven. Proceeding next to _Champa_ and bathing in the _Bhagirathi_ he that sojourneth to _Dandaparna_, acquireth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Then should one proceed to the sacred _Lalitika_ that is graced by the presence of the virtuous. By this one acquireth the merit of the Rajasuya sacrifice and is regarded in heaven."'"