03.080
Section on the journey to sacred fords
Vaiśampāyana said.
But those highly fortunate great chariot-warriors, the Pāṇḍavas, who were eager for Dhanañjaya, dwelt together with Draupadī in that forest. (03-80-1)
Then he saw there the great sage Nārada, a divine rishi, radiant with Brahmic splendor and possessing brilliance equal to blazing fire. (03-80-2)
Surrounded by his brothers, the glorious best of the Kurus shone with blazing energy like Indra among the gods. (03-80-3)
Just as Savitri did not forsake the Vedas, so too the virtuous Yajñasenī (Draupadī) did not abandon the Pāṇḍavas, in the way that the Sun's radiance never leaves Mount Meru. (03-80-4)
But after accepting that honor, the revered sage Nārada consoled the son of Dharma in a fitting manner, O sinless one. (03-80-5)
He said to the great-souled Dharmaraja Yudhisthira, "Tell me, O best of the upholders of dharma, for what purpose, what shall I give to you?" (03-80-6)
Then King Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Dharma, together with his brothers, saluted and, with folded hands, spoke to Nārada, who was equal to a god. (03-80-7)
When you are satisfied, O greatly fortunate one, honored by all worlds, I indeed consider everything accomplished by your grace, O virtuous one. (03-80-8)
If I, along with my brothers, am worthy of your favor, O sinless one, then you, O best among sages, should dispel the doubt that rests in my heart. (3-80-9)
O Brahman, you ought to say what is the complete fruit for one who, intent on holy places, circumambulates the earth. (03-80-10)
Nārada said.
O king, listen attentively, just as Bhīṣma did, O descendant of Bharata. All of this was indeed heard from Pulastya. (03-80-11)
Once, Bhishma, the foremost among upholders of dharma, having undertaken his ancestral vow, dwelt like a sage on the bank of the Bhagirathi. (03-80-12)
O great king, in that auspicious and holy place, attended by divine sages—at Gaṅgādvāra, resplendent, attended by gods and Gandharvas. (03-80-13)
He, the exceedingly illustrious one, satisfied the forefathers and the gods, and also pleased the sages by acts performed according to the prescribed rules. (03-80-14)
Then, at a certain time, as he was reciting mantras, the great ascetic saw Pulastya, the illustrious and foremost of sages, radiant in his wondrous appearance. (03-80-15)
He saw him, possessing fierce austerity and shining with splendor, and experienced incomparable joy and supreme wonder. (03-80-16)
O great king, Bhishma, the foremost of the upholders of dharma, honored the one present, O Bharata, by the act prescribed by rule. (03-80-17)
With his head bowed, having taken the arghya offering, pure and with a concentrated mind, he praised the name of that most exalted among Brahmarṣis. (03-80-18)
I am Bhīṣma—good fortune to you. I am your servant, O highly virtuous one. By merely seeing you, I have become free from all sins. (03-80-19)
Having thus spoken, O great king, Bhishma, the foremost of the upholders of dharma, fell silent—remaining quiet, with his palms joined before Yudhishthira. (03-80-20)
Having seen Bhīṣma, the foremost of the Kuru family, drawn to spiritual discipline and the study of the self, the sage became pleased. (03-80-21)
Pulastya said.
Because of your knowledge of dharma, your humility, self-control, and truthfulness, O greatly fortunate one, I am entirely pleased with you. (03-80-22)
O sinless one, yours is a dharma such as this, supported by filial devotion; by that you see me, son, and my affection is also in you. (03-80-23)
O Bhīṣma, who possesses infallible insight, tell me, what shall I do for you? Whatever you say, O best of the Kurus, I will grant you that, O sinless one. (03-80-24)
Bhīṣma said.
As you are pleased, O greatly fortunate one, honored by all worlds, I consider that my purpose is fulfilled, for I have seen the Lord. (03-80-25)
If I am worthy of your favor, O best of the upholders of dharma, I shall express the doubt that is in my heart; you should explain that to me. (03-80-26)
O revered one, I have a particular doubt concerning dharma in relation to the sacred places. I wish to hear that doubt, as separately described by you. (3-80-27)
O one of boundless valor, whoever performs circumambulation of the earth, O sage among brāhmaṇas, what is the fruit of that? O wealth of austerity, tell that to me. (03-80-28)
Pulastya said.
Indeed, I will tell you, dear one, what is regarded as the supreme goal by the ṛṣis. Listen with focused mind to what fruit is obtained in holy places. (03-80-29)
He whose hands, feet, and mind are well controlled, who possesses knowledge, austerity, and fame, attains the fruit of pilgrimage. (03-80-30)
He who has renounced receiving gifts, is content, self-disciplined, pure, and free from ego, he attains the fruit of visiting sacred places. (03-80-31)
He who is free from impurity, without undertaking new works, eats lightly, has conquered his senses, and is liberated from all faults, attains the fruit of visiting a holy place. (03-80-32)
O king, one who is free from anger, truthful in conduct, firm in vow, and considers all beings as himself, attains the fruits of pilgrimage. (03-80-33)
The sages have described, in the Vedas, the sacrificial rites here according to proper order; and have also explained, in their true essence, the results both after death and here, in every respect. (03-80-34)
O king, sacrifices cannot be performed by the poor; sacrifices, having many implements and being elaborate with various materials, are not attainable by the destitute. (03-80-35)
Such things are sometimes attained by kings or wealthy men, but not by those who are poor in means or whose resources, though united, lack cohesion. (03-80-36)
O king, know that procedure which even the poor can attain, which is equal to the fruits of sacrifice and meritorious deeds, O best of warriors. (03-80-37)
O best of the Bharatas, this supreme secret of the sages—going to holy places—is highly meritorious and is considered superior even to sacrifices. (03-80-38)
If someone neither fasts for three nights nor goes to holy places, and does not give gold or cows, he is regarded as 'poor'. (3-80-39)
Even by performing sacrifices such as Agniṣṭoma with abundant gifts, one does not obtain that reward which is attained by approaching holy places. (03-80-40)
The highly fortunate one should enter Puṣkara, the famous sacred place of the god of gods, renowned throughout the three worlds, on earth. (03-80-41)
O delight of the Kurus, at Puṣkara, the presence of those who practice the three sandhyās is equal to the presence of ten crore-thousands of holy places, O lord of the earth. (03-80-42)
O Lord, the Ādityas, Vasus, Rudras, Sādhyas, the hosts of Maruts, as well as Gandharvas and Apsarases, are always present (here). (03-80-43)
O great king, that is where gods, asuras, and brahmanical sages, having performed austerities, endowed with great merit and divine powers, reside. (03-80-44)
Even by the mind, the one who desires, lotuses of the noble-minded purify all sins; and he is honored on the summit of heaven. (03-80-45)
In that holy place, O highly fortunate one, the grandsire, always indeed, dwelt there, greatly pleased and honored by both gods and asuras. (03-80-46)
In the Puṣkara lakes, O greatly fortunate ones, the gods led by the sages attained supreme success, endowed with great merit. (03-80-47)
There, whoever performs the anointing and is engaged in the worship of ancestors and gods, the wise proclaim it to be ten times greater than the aśvamedha sacrifice. (03-80-48)
Even if a person in the Puṣkara-forest causes a single Brāhmaṇa to be fed, by that act, O Bhīṣma, he rejoices both in this world and after death. (03-80-49)
If, even with vegetables, roots, or fruits—whatever one uses to sustain oneself—a man, being faithful and without envy, should give that to a brāhmaṇa, the wise man will thereby obtain the fruit of a horse sacrifice. (03-80-50)
O best of kings, whether a Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya or Shudra, these great-souled ones who have bathed at the sacred ford do not go to a wrong womb. (03-80-51)
O best of the Bharatas, whoever especially approaches Puṣkara in the month of Kārttikā, his imperishable merit grows there. (03-80-52)
O Bhārata, whoever remembers the Pushkar lakes with joined palms in the evening and morning, he is regarded as purified as if he had visited all holy places, and he attains the imperishable worlds in the abode of Brahmā. (03-80-53)
From birth onward, whatever sin belongs to women or to men, for one who has just bathed in Puṣkara, all of it is completely destroyed. (03-80-54)
Just as Madhusudana (Vishnu) is the foremost among all the gods, so also, O King, Pushkara is said to be the foremost among holy places. (03-80-55)
Whoever resides in Puṣkara for twelve years with self-restraint and purity gains the merit of all sacrifices and attains the world of Brahma. (03-80-56)
But one who worships through agnihotra for a full hundred years, or spends even one night in Puṣkara during Kārttikā, that act is truly equal. (03-80-57)
It is difficult to go to Puṣkara, difficult to perform austerities at Puṣkara; giving alms at Puṣkara is difficult, and to dwell there also is indeed very difficult. (03-80-58)
After staying for twelve nights, being self-controlled and regulated in food, having turned auspiciously to the right, he should enter the Jambu road. (03-80-59)
By entering the path of Jambu, which is honored by gods, sages, and ancestors, one attains merit equal to performing the Aśvamedha sacrifice and reaches the realm of Vishnu. (03-80-60)
There, a man who stays for five nights up to the sixth period does not fall into misfortune; he attains success and the highest accomplishment. (03-80-61)
Who, having turned back from the Jambu path, goes to the hermitage of Taṇḍulika, does not meet with misfortune and is honored in heaven. (03-80-62)
O king, by reaching Agastya lake, engaging in the worship of ancestors and gods, and fasting for three nights, one attains the merit of the Agniṣṭoma sacrifice. (03-80-63)
Either by living on vegetables or fruits, a youthful state is attained; after approaching the hermitage of Kaṇva, which is endowed with prosperity and honored by people. (03-80-64)
O best of the Bharatas, that forest of dharma is truly holy and ancient; simply by entering it, one is completely freed from sins. (03-80-65)
Having worshipped the ancestors and the gods, self-controlled and regulated in diet, he attains the fruit of the sacrifice filled with all desires. (03-80-66)
After circumambulating, one should then proceed to Yayāti’s Descent; there, indeed, one obtains the fruit of an Aśvamedha (horse sacrifice) (03-80-67)
Then, one who is self-controlled and moderate in eating should go to Mahākāla. After bathing at Koṭitīrtha, one obtains the fruit of a horse sacrifice. (03-80-68)
Then, the one who knows dharma should go to the sacred place of Umāpati called Bhadra-vaṭa, which is renowned by name in all three worlds. (03-80-69)
There, having approached Īśāna (Lord Shiva), one obtains the merit equal to a thousand cows; and by the grace of Mahādeva, one attains association with Gaṇapati. (03-80-70)
If, then, one reaches the Narmadā river, famed throughout the three worlds, and offers oblations to the ancestors and gods, he obtains the result of an Agniṣṭoma sacrifice. (03-80-71)
A brahmacārī who has conquered his senses, having reached the southern ocean, attains the fruit of the Agniṣṭoma sacrifice and ascends a celestial chariot. (3-80-72)
If one approaches Carmaṇvatī, maintains self-control and regulated diet, and is given permission by Rantideva, one may obtain the result of the Agniṣṭoma sacrifice. (03-80-73)
Then, Yudhiṣṭhira, knower of dharma, you should go to Arbuda, the offspring of Himavat, on the earth where there was once a hole. (03-80-74)
There is the hermitage of Vasiṣṭha, renowned in the three worlds. Whoever stays there for one night obtains the merit equal to a thousand cows. (03-80-75)
O tiger among men, a brahmacārī who has mastered his senses and touches the sacred Piṅgā-tīrtha attains the merit equivalent to donating a hundred tawny cows. (03-80-76)
Then, O knower of dharma, you should go to Prabhāsa, renowned throughout the world, where fire himself is always present. O hero, fire, who has Wind as his charioteer, is the mouth of the gods. (03-80-77)
A man who, after bathing at that most excellent pilgrimage, with purity and a concentrated mind, obtains the fruit of performing both the Agniṣṭoma and Atirātra sacrifices. (03-80-78)
Then, after going to the confluence of the Sarasvati and the ocean, and thereby gaining the reward equal to a thousand cows, one is honored in heaven; always shining with glory, like fire, O best of the Bharatas. (03-80-79)
Staying there for three nights, he should satisfy the ancestor deities; he becomes radiant like Soma and attains the merit of the Ashvamedha sacrifice. (03-80-80)
O best of the Bharatas, Yudhishthira, then you should go to the holy place of Viṣṇu, where Durvāsas gave the boon. (03-80-81)
At Varadāna, one who bathes gains the merit equivalent to giving a thousand cows. Then, practicing self-restraint and regulated diet, he should proceed to Dvāravatī. Bathing at Piṇḍāraka, a man acquires much gold. (03-80-82)
O subduer of enemies, even today, in that sacred place, the imprints marked by the signs of a lotus can still be seen; that is indeed a wonder. (03-80-83)
Lotuses marked with tridents are seen there, O delight of the Kurus. The presence of Mahadeva exists there itself, O bull among the Bharatas. (03-80-84)
O Bhārata, upon reaching the confluence of the ocean and the Sindhu, at the sacred place of the king of waters, and having bathed with a pure mind. (03-80-85)
O best of the Bharatas, having satisfied the ancestors, gods, and sages, one attains the world of Varuṇa, shining with one's own radiance. (03-80-86)
O Yudhiṣṭhira, having worshipped the deity Śaṅkukarṇeśvara, the sages say that performing the aśvamedha (horse sacrifice) is ten times more meritorious. (03-80-87)
O best of the Bharatas, after circumambulating, you should go, for the holy place named Drum, renowned among the three worlds, O foremost of the Kurus, is well-known for freeing from all sins. (03-80-88)
Where Brahmā and other gods worship Maheshvara, there, if a person bathes and worships Rudra, who is surrounded by the hosts of gods, he destroys all sins committed from birth onwards. (03-80-89)
O best of men, the river Dṛmī here is praised by all the gods. Bathing there, O tiger among men, one may attain the fruit of a horse sacrifice. (03-80-90)
O king, in that place, O wise one, once powerful Viṣṇu achieved purification, having slain the divine tormentors. (03-80-91)
Therefore, O knower of dharma, one should go to the highly praised stream of Vasu; merely by going there, a person attains the merit of the Horse-sacrifice. (03-80-92)
O best of the Kurus, a pure-minded man who, after bathing, satisfies both the gods and the ancestors is indeed honored in the realm of Viṣṇu. (03-80-93)
O bull among the Bharatas, here is a supreme, sacred ford of the Vasus. There, one who bathes and drinks becomes honored by the Vasus. (03-80-94)
"The best of the rivers" is thus renowned as a destroyer of all sins. There, having bathed, O best of men, one obtains abundant gold. (03-80-95)
A pure man with a disciplined mind who, after attaining the highest Brahman, being virtuous and free from blemish, reaches the world of Brahman. (03-80-96)
There is a holy place of Śakra belonging to maidens, frequented by perfected beings. If a man bathes there, he quickly attains the world of Śakra (Indra). (03-80-97)
There is also the sacred place of Reṇukā at that very spot, worshipped by the gods; there, by bathing, a Brāhmaṇa becomes as pure as the moon. (03-80-98)
Then, having gone to Pañcanada, a person who is self-controlled and regulated in diet successively attains the five sacrifices that have been mentioned. (03-80-99)
Then the knower of dharma should go to the excellent place of Bhīmā. There, O best of the Bharatas, a man having bathed in the stream, (03-80-100)
O king, one who becomes the son of the goddess, who has a form adorned with heated earrings, surely attains the great merit equal to giving a hundred thousand cows. (03-80-101)
By approaching the Muñja grass on the mountain, renowned in all three worlds, and by bowing to the grandsire, one obtains the fruit equivalent to gifting a thousand cows. (03-80-102)
Then the knower of dharma should proceed to the pure and supreme sacred ford, where even today golden and silver fishes can be seen. (03-80-103)
There, having bathed, O best of men, one may obtain the merit equal to the Vājapeya sacrifice; with a mind purified from all sins, one may reach the highest state. (03-80-104)
Afterwards, one should proceed to that which removes impurity, renowned in the three worlds. At the western twilight, having performed purification according to the proper method. (03-80-105)
O king, the wise declare that an offering of rice to the ancestors on the seventh day, according to one’s ability, is an imperishable gift. (03-80-106)
The oblation offered to the seven flames is superior to the gift of a hundred thousand cows, the performance of a hundred Rājasūya sacrifices, and a thousand Aśvamedha sacrifices. (03-80-107)
Then, having returned, O king, he should enter the clothing-place; having approached Mahādeva, he obtains the fruit of an aśvamedha sacrifice. (3-80-108)
O king, a collected celibate student, upon approaching Maṇimanta and spending one night there, may obtain the fruit of an Agniṣṭoma sacrifice. (03-80-109)
Then, O best of kings, you should go to Devikā, which is world-renowned, where the origin of the Brāhmaṇas is said to be, O bull among the Bharatas. (03-80-110)
The place of the trident-holder (Śiva) is renowned in the three worlds. A man who, after bathing in the Devikā, worships Maheśvara (Śiva), (attains merit). (03-80-111)
O best of the Bharatas, having offered the oblation there according to one’s ability, one obtains the fruit of a sacrifice by which all desires are fulfilled. (03-80-112)
Kāmākhyā, there is the holy place of Rudra, attended by divine sages. There, a man who has bathed quickly attains perfection, O Bhārata. (03-80-113)
After performing sacrifice or causing sacrifice, and having gone likewise to the sacred sand, placing flowers and having purified oneself, one should not grieve death thereafter. (03-80-114)
They say that Devikā, holy and frequented by divine sages, is half a yojana wide and five yojanas long. (03-80-115)
Then, the knower of dharma should proceed, in the proper order, to the long-lasting sacrifice where Brahma and the other gods, Siddhas, and supreme sages worship the sacrifice with offerings, steadfast in their vows. (3-80-116)
O king, merely by going (there), a man attains the reward of performing the long Rājasūya and Aśvamedha sacrifices, O subduer of enemies. (03-80-117)
From there, one should proceed to Vinaśana, being self-controlled and regulated in food. There, on the desert plain, the Sarasvatī disappears. She is seen at Camasa, Śivodbheda, and Nāgodbheda. (03-80-118)
By bathing at the Camasa division, one obtains the fruit of an Agniṣṭoma sacrifice; by bathing at the Śiva division, a man gains the merit equal to donating a thousand cows. (03-80-119)
A man who bathes at Nāgodbhēda attains the realm of the Nāgas. And, O king, upon reaching the rare holy place called Śaśayāna—where there are lakes concealed by hare-like forms, O Bhārata—(03-80-120)
O great king, after the year has passed, they always bathe in the Sarasvati river in the month of Kārttikī after performing the prescribed rites, O best of the Bharatas. (03-80-121)
There, having bathed, O tiger among men, one always shines like the moon and indeed obtains the merit equal to gifting a thousand cows, O bull among the Bharatas. (03-80-122)
O joy of the Kurus, having reached Kumārakoṭi with self-discipline, one should perform the ceremonial bath there, being devoted to the worship of ancestors and gods. He attains cows (wealth) and uplifts his family. (03-80-123)
Then, O great king, the knower of dharma should proceed with focus to Rudrakoti, where, in ancient times, Ṛṣikoṭi was seated in concentrated delight, longing to behold the gods. (03-80-124)
“I will see the Bull-bannered One first! I will see Him first!” Saying thus, O king, the sages set out, indeed, O Bhārata. (03-80-125)
Then, O king, the lord of yoga too, adopting yoga, acted to destroy the anger of those sages who were purified in soul. (03-80-126)
But a crore of Rudras, standing in front of the sages, were created; they considered, "Previously, these were seen by me separately." (03-80-127)
O king, being pleased with the supreme devotion of those sages of fierce energy, Mahādeva granted them a boon. From today onwards, there will be an increase of righteousness among you. (03-80-128)
There, O tiger among men, whoever bathes in Rudrakoṭi with a pure heart attains the merit of an Aśvamedha sacrifice and also uplifts his family. (03-80-129)
Then, O king, one should go to the renowned confluence of the Sarasvatī, which is highly meritorious, where Janārdana is worshipped. (03-80-130)
O King, the fourteenth day of the bright half of Caitra is that occasion to which Brahmā and others, gods, sages, perfected beings, and celestial bards come. (03-80-131)
There, having bathed, O best of men, one may find much gold; and one whose soul is purified from all sins attains to the world of Brahma. (03-80-132)
O king, where the sages' sacrificial sessions have concluded, by reaching the end of such a session, one obtains the merit equal to that of a thousand cows. (03-80-133)
