03.081
pulastya uvāca॥
Pulastya said.
tato gacchet rājendra kurukṣetram abhiṣṭutam। pāpebhyo vipramucyante tadgatāḥ sarvajantavaḥ॥03-81-1॥
Then, O king, one should go to Kurukshetra, which is praised; all beings who have gone there are completely released from sins. (03-81-1)
kurukṣetraṁ gamiṣyāmi kurukṣetre vasāmyaham। ya evaṁ satataṁ brūyāt so'pi pāpaiḥ pramucyate ॥03-81-2॥
If a person says always, "I will go to Kurukṣetra, I live in Kurukṣetra," then he too is freed from sins. (03-81-2)
tatra māsaṃ vased vīra sarasvatyāṃ yudhiṣṭhira. yatra brahmādayo devā ṛṣayaḥ siddhacāraṇāḥ ॥03-81-3॥
O Yudhiṣṭhira, O hero, you should stay for a month there on the Sarasvatī River, where Brahmā and other gods, sages, perfected beings, and celestial bards reside. (03-81-3)
gandharvāpsaraso yakṣāḥ pannagāś ca mahīpate। brahmakṣetraṃ mahāpuṇyam abhigacchanti bhārata ॥03-81-4॥
O king, celestial musicians, nymphs, yakṣas, and serpents all approach the highly meritorious Brahma-kṣetra, O descendant of Bharata. (03-81-4)
manasāpyabhikāmasya kurukṣetraṃ yudhiṣṭhira। pāpāni vipraṇaśyanti brahmalokaṃ ca gacchati॥03-81-5॥
O Yudhishthira, even one who desires Kurukshetra in his mind, his sins are completely destroyed and he attains the world of Brahma. (03-81-5)
gatvā hi śraddhayā yuktaḥ kurukṣetraṃ kurūdvaha। rājasūyāśvamedhābhyāṃ phalaṃ prāpnoti mānavaḥ॥03-81-6॥
O best of the Kurus, a man who goes to Kurukṣetra with faith attains the merit of both the Rājasūya and Aśvamedha sacrifices. (03-81-6)
tato macakrukaṃ rājandvārapālaṃ mahābalam। yakṣaṃ samabhivādyaiva gosahasraphalaṃ labhet ॥03-81-7॥
Then, O king, if one salutes Macakruka, the mighty yakṣa doorkeeper, he indeed obtains the merit equivalent to donating a thousand cows. (03-81-7)
tato gacchet dharmajña viṣṇoḥ sthānam-anuttamam। satataṃ nāma rājendra yatra saṃnihito hariḥ॥03-81-8॥
Thereafter, O King, the knower of dharma should go to the unsurpassed abode of Viṣṇu, called Satata, where Hari is always present. (03-81-8)
tatra snātvārcayitvā ca trilokaprabhavaṃ harim। aśvamedhamavāpnoti viṣṇulokaṃ ca gacchati ॥03-81-9॥
There, after bathing and worshipping Hari, the origin of the three worlds, one attains the merit of performing an aśvamedha and reaches the world of Viṣṇu. (03-81-9)
tataḥ pāriplavaṃ gacchet tīrthaṃ trailokya-viśrutam। agniṣṭomātirātrābhyāṃ phalaṃ prāpnoti mānavaḥ॥03-81-10॥
Then he should go to Pāriplava, the sacred ford renowned in the three worlds; a man obtains the fruit of both Agniṣṭoma and Atirātra sacrifices. (03-81-10)
pṛthivyās tīrtham āsādya go-sahasra-phalaṃ labhet। tataḥ śālūkinīṃ gatvā tīrtha-sevī narādhipa ॥ daśāśvamedhike snātvā tad eva labhate phalam ॥03-81-11॥
By reaching the holy site on earth, one attains the merit equal to that of donating a thousand cows. Then, after going to Śālūkinī, the king who undertakes the observance of holy places gains that very merit by bathing at the site of the ten Aśvamedha sacrifices. (03-81-11)
sarpadarvīṃ samāsādya nāgānāṃ tīrtham uttamam। agniṣṭomam avāpnoti nāgalokaṃ ca vindati॥03-81-12॥
By approaching the snake-censer, the most excellent pilgrimage site of the nāgas, a person attains the merit of the agniṣṭoma sacrifice and gains the world of the nāgas. (03-81-12)
tato gacchet dharmajña dvārapālaṃ tarantukam। tatroṣya rajanīmekāṃ gosahasraphalaṃ labhet ॥03-81-13॥
Then, the knower of dharma should approach the gatekeeper named Tarantuka. After spending one night there, he attains a reward equivalent to offering a thousand cows. (03-81-13)
tataḥ pañcanadaṃ gatvā niyato niyatāśanaḥ। koṭitīrtham upaspṛśya hayamedhaphalaṃ labhet॥ aśvinos tīrtham āsādya rūpavān abhijāyate॥03-81-14॥
Thus, by proceeding to Pañcanada with self-restraint and controlled diet, and having bathed at Koṭitīrtha, one attains the merit of performing a horse sacrifice. By reaching the sacred place of the Aśvins, one becomes handsome. (03-81-14)
tato gacchet dharmajña vārāhaṁ tīrthamuttamam। viṣṇur vārāharūpeṇa pūrvaṁ yatra sthito’bhavat॥ tatra snātvā naravyāghra agniṣṭomapPhalaṁ labhet॥03-81-15॥
From there, O knower of dharma, you should go to the excellent Varaha holy place. It is where Viṣṇu once took his stand in the form of the boar. There, O tiger among men, by bathing, one attains the merit of the Agniṣṭoma sacrifice. (03-81-15)
tato jayantyā rājendra somatīrthaṃ samāviśet। snātvā phalam avāpnoti rājasūyasya mānavaḥ॥03-81-16॥
Thereafter, O king, on Jayantyā, one should enter the Soma Tirtha; and having bathed, a man obtains the merit of the Rājasūya sacrifice. (03-81-16)
ekahaṃse naraḥ snātvā gosahasraphalaṃ labhet। kṛtaśaucaṃ samāsādya tīrthasevī kurūdvaha॥ puṇḍarīkam avāpnoti kṛtaśauco bhaven naraḥ॥03-81-17॥
A man who bathes at Ekahaṃsa gains the merit equivalent to giving a thousand cows. O best of Kurus, a devotee who performs purification and undertakes pilgrimage there attains Puṇḍarīka; and, becoming purified, achieves blessedness. (03-81-17)
tato muñjavaṭaṃ nāma mahādevasya dhīmataḥ। tatroṣya rajanīmekāṃ gāṇapatyam avāpnuyāt॥03-81-18॥
Then, from there, at the place called Muñjavaṭa dedicated to Mahādeva, by spending one night there, one attains the favor of Gaṇapati. (03-81-18)
tatraiva ca mahārāja yakṣī lokapariśrutā। tāṃ cābhigamya rājendra puṇyāṃllokānavāpnuyāt॥03-81-19॥
O great king, in that very place, the yakṣī who is renowned throughout the world—on approaching her, O king, one may attain the meritorious worlds. (03-81-19)
kurukṣetrasya taddvāraṁ viśrutaṁ bharatarṣabha। pradakṣiṇamupāvṛtya tīrthasevī samāhitaḥ ॥03-81-20॥
O best of the Bharatas, that gateway of Kurukṣetra is renowned. Having circumambulated it to the right, the devotee of sacred places, mindful and concentrated, (did so). (03-81-20)
saṁmite puṣkarāṇāṁ ca snātvā arcya pitṛdevatāḥ. jāmadagnyena rāmeṇa āhṛte vai mahātmanā ॥ kṛtakṛtyo bhaved rājann aśvamedhaṁ ca vindati ॥03-81-21॥
O King, having bathed in the sacred ponds brought by the noble Rāma Jāmadagnya, and having worshipped the ancestors and deities, one fulfills all duties and attains the fruit of a horse sacrifice. (03-81-21)
tato rāmahṛdāṅ gacchet tīrthasevī narādhipa। yatra rāmeṇa rājendra tarasā dīptatejasā ॥ kṣatram utsādya vīryeṇa hradāḥ pañca niveśitāḥ ॥03-81-22॥
Then, O king, the pilgrim should visit the Rama-lakes, where Rama, O best of kings, having destroyed the Kshatriyas by his might and brilliant splendor, established five lakes. (03-81-22)
pūrayitvā naravyāghra rudhireṇeti naḥ śrutam। pitarastarpitāḥ sarve tathaiva ca pitāmahāḥ ॥ tataste pitaraḥ prītā rāmamūcurmahīpate ॥03-81-23॥
Having filled (the offering) with blood, O tiger among men, thus have we heard; all the ancestors and grandfathers were satisfied likewise. Then those pleased ancestors said to Rāma, O king of the earth. (03-81-23)
rāma rāma mahābhāga prītāḥ sma tava bhārgava। anayā pitṛbhaktyā ca vikrameṇa ca te vibho ॥ varaṃ vṛṇīṣva bhadraṃ te kim icchasi mahādyute ॥03-81-24॥
O Rāma, O Rāma, greatly fortunate one, we are truly pleased with you, O Bhārgava, for your filial devotion and valor. Choose a boon, good fortune to you. What do you wish for, O greatly resplendent one? (03-81-24)
evam-uktaḥ sa rājendra rāmaḥ praharatāṃ varaḥ। abravīt prāñjalir vākyaṃ pitṝn sa gagane sthitān ॥03-81-25॥
Thus addressed, Rama—the best among warriors—O king of kings, with joined palms spoke these words to his ancestors who were standing in the sky. (03-81-25)
bhavanto yadi me prītā yadyanugrāhyatā mayi। pitṛprasādādiccheyaṃ tapasāpyāyanaṃ punaḥ ॥03-81-26॥
If you honorable sirs are satisfied with me, and consider me worthy of favor, then by my father's grace I would wish to receive nourishment through austerity once again. (03-81-26)
yacca roṣābhibhūtena kṣatramutsāditaṃ mayā। tataśca pāpān mucyeyaṃ yuṣmākaṃ tejasā hyaham॥ hradāśca tīrthabhūtā me bhaveyur bhuvi viśrutāḥ॥03-81-27॥
And whatever kṣatriya race I destroyed out of anger, may I, by your energy, thereby be freed from sin; and may my lakes, becoming holy places, be renowned on earth. (03-81-27)
etac chrutvā śubhaṃ vākyaṃ rāmasya pitaras tadā। pratyūcuḥ paramaprītā rāmaṃ harṣa samanvitāḥ॥03-81-28॥
Having heard this auspicious speech of Rāma, the ancestors then, extremely delighted and filled with joy, replied to Rāma. (03-81-28)
tapaste vardhatāṃ bhūyaḥ pitṛbhaktyā viśeṣataḥ। yacca roṣābhibhūtena kṣatram utsāditaṃ tvayā॥03-81-29॥
May your austerity increase further, especially through your devotion to your father; and whatever kṣatriya-class you destroyed out of anger.
tataś ca pāpān muktaḥ tvaṁ karmabhiḥ te ca pātitāḥ. hradāś ca tava tīrthatvaṁ gamiṣyanti na saṁśayaḥ ॥03-81-30॥
Therefore, you will be freed from sins, and your actions will also be cast off. Moreover, your lakes will attain sacredness—there is no doubt about it. (03-81-30)
hradeṣveteṣu yaḥ snātvā pitṝn santarpayiṣyati। pitaras tasya vai prītā dāsyanti bhuvi durlabham॥ īpsitaṃ manasaḥ kāmaṃ svargalokaṃ ca śāśvatam॥03-81-31॥
Whoever bathes in these lakes and satisfies the ancestors, his forefathers, being pleased, will grant him rare things on earth, whatever his mind desires, and the eternal world of heaven. (03-81-31)
evaṁ dattvā varān rājan rāmasya pitaras tadā। āmantrya bhārgavaṁ prītās tatraiva antardadhuḥ tadā ॥03-81-32॥
Thus, having bestowed boons, O king, the fathers of Rāma then addressed Bhārgava, and being pleased, disappeared right there at that time. (03-81-32)
evaṁ rāmahṛadāḥ puṇyā bhārgavasya mahātmanaḥ। snātvā hṛadeṣu rāmasya brahmacārī śubhavrataḥ ॥ rāmam abhyarcya rājendra labhed bahu suvarṇakam ॥03-81-33॥
Thus, O best of kings, one who bathes in the holy Rama lakes of the great-souled Bhārgava and, being a celibate of pure vow, worships Rama there, obtains much gold. (03-81-33)
vaṃśamūlakam āsādya tīrthasevī kurūd-vaha। sva-vaṃśam uddharet rājan snātvā vai vaṃśamūlake॥03-81-34॥
O best of the Kurus, O king, upon reaching the place called Bamboo Root and bathing there, a pilgrim truly uplifts his own lineage. (03-81-34)
kāya-śodhanam āsādya tīrthaṃ bharata-sattama। śarīra-śuddhiḥ snātasya tasmiṃs tīrthe na saṃśayaḥ॥ śuddha-dehaś ca saṃyāti śubhān lokān anuttamān॥03-81-35॥
O best of Bharatas, by attaining purification of the body at the sacred place, one's body becomes pure without doubt, and with such purified body, one goes to the most auspicious and highest worlds. (03-81-35)
tato gacchet rājendra tīrthaṃ trailokyaviśrutam। lokā yatroddhṛtāḥ pūrvaṃ viṣṇunā prabhaviṣṇunā॥03-81-36॥
Then, O king, you should go to the sacred place, renowned throughout the three worlds, where beings were formerly rescued by Viṣṇu, by the powerful Viṣṇu. (03-81-36)
lokoddhāraṃ samāsādya tīrthaṃ trailokyaviśrutam। snātvā tīrthavare rājan lokān uddharate svakān॥ śrītīrthaṃ ca samāsādya vindate śriyam uttamām॥03-81-37॥
O king, having visited the world-liberating tīrtha famed throughout the three worlds and bathing at that excellent tīrtha, one uplifts their own people. Likewise, by approaching the sacred and prosperous tīrtha, one attains supreme wealth. (03-81-37)
kapilātīrtham-āsādya brahmacārī samāhitaḥ। tatra snātvā arcayitvā ca daivatāni pitṝṁs tathā॥ kapilānām sahasrasya phalaṁ vindati mānavaḥ॥03-81-38॥
When a celibate person, full of concentration, reaches Kapila tīrtha, and there bathes and worships both the deities and the ancestors, he gains the merit equal to that of a thousand Kapilas. (03-81-38)
sūryatīrthaṃ samāsādya snātvā niyatamānasaḥ। arcayitvā pitṝndevānupavāsaparāyaṇaḥ ॥ agniṣṭomam avāpnoti sūryalokaṃ ca gacchati ॥03-81-39॥
Approaching the solar pilgrimage site, bathing with a controlled mind, worshipping the ancestors and gods, and being devoted to fasting, one attains the merit of the Agniṣṭoma sacrifice and reaches the world of the Sun. (03-81-39)
gavāmbhavanam āsādya tīrthasevī yathākramaṃ। tatrābhiṣekaṃ kurvāṇo gosahasraphalaṃ labhet॥03-81-40॥
Having reached the place of cow's water, whoever worships at the sanctuary in the prescribed manner and performs ablution there obtains the merit equal to a thousand cows. (03-81-40)
śaṅkhinīṃ tatra āsādya tīrthasevī kurūdvaha। devyāstīrthe naraḥ snātvā labhate rūpamuttamam ॥03-81-41॥
O best of the Kurus, having reached Shankhini there, a devotee of sacred places, if a man bathes at the holy place of the goddess, he attains an excellent form. (03-81-41)
tato gacchet rājendra dvārapālam-arantukam । tasya tīrthaṃ sarasvatyām yakṣendrasya mahātmanaḥ ॥ tatra snātvā naro rājann-agnīṣṭoma-phalaṃ labhet ॥03-81-42॥
Thereafter, O king, one should go to Dvārapālamarāntuka. In that place on the Sarasvatī river is the sacred spot of the great soul, the lord of Yakṣas. There, O king, if a man bathes, he obtains the fruit of the Agniṣṭoma sacrifice. (03-81-42)
tato gacchet dharmajña brahmāvartaṃ narādhipa। brahmāvarte naraḥ snātvā brahmalokam avāpnuyāt ॥03-81-43॥
From there, O lord of men, the knower of dharma should go to Brahmāvarta. By bathing in Brahmāvarta, a man may attain the world of Brahmā. (03-81-43)
tato gacchet dharmajña sutīrthakam anuttamam। yatra saṃnihitā nityaṃ pitaro daivataiḥ saha॥03-81-44॥
Then the knower of dharma should proceed to the supreme and excellent sacred place where the ancestors are always present along with the deities. (03-81-44)
tatrābhiṣekaṃ kurvīta pitṛdevārcane rataḥ। aśvamedham avāpnoti pitṛlokaṃ ca gacchati॥03-81-45॥
There, one who performs the anointing, engaging in the worship of ancestors and gods, attains the merit of the aśvamedha sacrifice and reaches the world of the ancestors. (03-81-45)
tato 'mbuvaśyaṃ dharmajña samāsādya yathākramam। kośeśvarasya tīrtheṣu snātvā bharatasattama॥ sarvavyādhi-vinirmukto brahmaloke mahīyate॥03-81-46॥
Then, O knower of dharma, having followed the water restraint in due order and bathing in the sacred fords of Kośeśvara, O best of the Bharatas, being freed from all diseases, one is honored in Brahma-loka. (03-81-46)
mātṛtīrthaṃ ca tatraiva yatra snātasya bhārata। prajā vivardhate rājann anantāṃ cāśnute śriyam ॥03-81-47॥
O Bhārata, at that very Mother's sacred place, for one who has bathed there, offspring increase, O king, and one attains unending prosperity. (03-81-47)
tataḥ śītavanaṃ gacchenniyato niyatāśanaḥ। tīrthaṃ tatra mahārāja mahadanyatra durlabham ॥03-81-48॥
Then, O great king, the self-controlled one, regulated in food, should go to the cool forest; for there is a great sacred place there, difficult to find elsewhere. (03-81-48)
punāti darśanādeva daṇḍenaikaṃ narādhipa। keśānabhyukṣya vai tasmin pūto bhavati bhārata॥03-81-49॥
O ruler of men, a staff alone purifies merely by sight. Having sprinkled hairs (with water) on it, one is purified, O Bhārata. (03-81-49)
tīrthaṁ tatra mahārāja śvānalomāpahaṁ smṛtam। yatra viprā naravyāghra vidvāṁs tīrthatatparāḥ॥03-81-50॥
O great king, that place of pilgrimage there is known as removing the hair of a dog. There, O tiger among men, reside learned brāhmaṇas devoted to sacred places. (03-81-50)
śvānalomāpanayane tīrthe bharatasattama। prāṇāyāmair nirharanti śvalomāni dvijottamāḥ ॥03-81-51॥
O best of the Bharatas, in the holy place for removal of dog hair, the foremost brahmins remove dog hairs by breath control. (03-81-51)
pūtātmānaś ca rājendra prayānti paramāṁ gatim। daśāśvamedhikaṁ caiva tasmiṁs tīrthe mahīpate॥ tatra snātvā naravyāghra gacchet paramāṁ gatim॥03-81-52॥
O king of kings, purified souls attain the supreme state and the merit equal to ten Aśvamedha sacrifices in that holy place, O ruler of the earth. There, O tiger among men, after bathing, one attains the supreme state. (03-81-52)
tato gacchet rājendra mānuṣaṃ lokaviśrutam। yatra kṛṣṇamṛgā rājan vyādhen paripīḍitāḥ ॥ avagāhya tasmin sarasi mānuṣatvam upāgatāḥ ॥03-81-53॥
Then, O king, he should go to the world-renowned human place where, O king, black deer, afflicted by the hunter, having entered that lake, attained a human form. (03-81-53)
tasmiṁs tīrthe naraḥ snātvā brahmacārī jitendriyaḥ। sarvapāpa-viśuddhātmā svargaloke mahīyate ॥03-81-54॥
At that holy place, a man who bathes, is celibate, has conquered his senses, and whose soul is purified of all sin, is honored in heaven. (03-81-54)
mānuṣasya tu pūrveṇa krośamātre mahīpate। āpagā nāma vikhyātā nadī siddhaniṣevitā॥03-81-55॥
O king, but to the east of Manuṣa, at a distance of one krośa, is the renowned river named Āpagā, frequented by siddhas. (03-81-55)
śyāmākabhojanaṁ tatra yaḥ prayacchati mānavaḥ। devānpitṝṁś ca uddiśya tasya dharmaphalaṁ mahat॥ ekasmin bhojite vipre koṭir bhavati bhojitā॥03-81-56॥
There, any human who offers a meal prepared from śyāmāka millets, with intent for the gods and ancestors, attains great spiritual merit. When even one brāhmaṇa is fed, it is as if ten million have been fed. (03-81-56)
tatra snātvārcayitvā ca daivatāni pitṝṁs tathā। uṣitvā rajanīm ekām agniṣṭomaphalaṁ labhet॥03-81-57॥
There, after bathing and worshipping both the deities and likewise the ancestors, having stayed for one night, one obtains the merit of the Agniṣṭoma sacrifice. (03-81-57)
tato gacchet rājendra brahmaṇaḥ sthānam uttamam। brahmoudumbaram ityeva prakāśaṃ bhuvi bhārata॥03-81-58॥
Then, O king, he should go to Brahman's supreme place, known as Brahma-udumbara, which is indeed famous on earth, O Bhārata. (03-81-58)
tatra saptarṣikuṇḍeṣu snātasya kurupuṅgava। kedāre caiva rājendra kapiṣṭhalamahātmanaḥ ॥03-81-59॥
O king, O foremost of the Kurus, there, having bathed in the ponds of the seven sages and in the field of the great-souled Kapiṣṭhala. (03-81-59)
brahmāṇam abhigamya ātha śuciḥ prayata-mānasaḥ। sarva-pāpa-viśuddhātmā brahmalokaṃ prapadyate ॥03-81-60॥
Having approached Brahman and being pure, with a controlled mind and a soul free from all sins, one attains the world of Brahma. (03-81-60)
kapiṣṭhalasya kedāraṃ samāsādya sudurlabham। antardhānam avāpnoti tapasā dagdhakilbiṣaḥ॥03-81-61॥
One who, having reached the field of Kapiṣṭhala, which is very difficult to attain, whose sins have been burnt by austerity, attains disappearance. (03-81-61)
tato gacchet rājendra sarakaṃ lokaviśrutam। kṛṣṇapakṣe caturdaśyām abhigamya vṛṣadhvajam॥ labhate sarvakāmān hi svargalokaṃ ca gacchati॥03-81-62॥
Thereafter, O king, one should proceed to Saraka, which is famous in all the world; approaching the Bull-bannered Lord (Śiva) there on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, one indeed attains all desires and goes to heaven. (03-81-62)
tisraḥ koṭy astu tīrthānāṁ sarake kurunandana। rudrakoṭis tathā kūpe hradeṣu ca mahīpate॥ ilāspadaṁ ca tatraiva tīrthaṁ bharatasattama॥03-81-63॥
There are three crores of sacred fords in the lake, O joy of the Kurus; a crore of Rudras likewise in the well and in the lakes, O king. The abode of Ilā is also there itself, a sacred ford, O best of the Bharatas. (03-81-63)
tatra snātvā arcayitvā ca pitṝn devāṁś ca bhārata। na durgatim avāpnoti vājapeyaṁ ca vindati ॥03-81-64॥
There, having bathed and worshipped both the ancestors and the gods, O Bhārata, one does not come to an evil fate and attains the Vājapeya reward. (03-81-64)
kiṃ-dāne ca naraḥ snātvā kiṃ-japye ca mahīpate। aprameyam-avāpnoti dānaṃ japyaṃ ca bhārata ॥03-81-65॥
O king, having bathed, by what gift and with what recitation does a man obtain immeasurable merit in gifts and recitations, O descendant of Bharata? (03-81-65)
kalaśyāṃ cāpyupaspṛśya śraddadhāno jitendriyaḥ। agniṣṭomasya yajñasya phalaṃ prāpnoti mānavaḥ ॥03-81-66॥
A human who, with faith and controlled senses, touches water in the vessel, also attains the fruit of the Agniṣṭoma sacrifice. (03-81-66)
sarakasya tu pūrveṇa nāradasya mahātmanaḥ। tīrthaṃ kuruvaraśreṣṭha anājanmeti viśrutam॥03-81-67॥
O best of the Kurus, to the east of Saraka is the sacred place of the great-souled Nārada, known as Anājanma. (03-81-67)
tatra tīrthe naraḥ snātvā prāṇāṁścotsṛjya bhārata। nāradenābhyanujñāto lokānpraāpnoti durlabhān ॥03-81-68॥
There, in that holy place, a man who has bathed and given up his life-breaths, O Bhārata, being permitted by Nārada, attains worlds that are difficult to obtain. (03-81-68)
śuklapakṣe daśamyāṃ tu puṇḍarīkaṃ samāviśet। tatra snātvā naro rājan puṇḍarīkaphalaṃ labhet॥03-81-69॥
O king, in the bright fortnight, on the tenth lunar day, if a man enters Pundarika and bathes there, he obtains the fruit of Pundarika. (03-81-69)
tatas triviṣṭapaṃ gacchet triṣu lokeṣu viśrutam। tatra vaitaraṇī puṇyā nadī pāpapramocanī॥03-81-70॥
Then one reaches heaven, famed in the three worlds. There is the holy river Vaitaraṇī, which frees from sin. (03-81-70)
tatra snātvārcayitvā ca śūlapāṇiṁ vṛṣadhvajam। sarvapāpaviśuddhātmā gacchet paramāṁ gatim ॥03-81-71॥
There, after bathing and worshipping Śiva, the trident-bearing one whose banner is the bull, one whose soul has been purified from all sins will attain the highest state. (03-81-71)
tato gacchet rājendra phalakīvanam uttamam। yatra devāḥ sadā rājan phalakīvanam āśritāḥ ॥ tapaḥ caranti vipulaṃ bahu-varṣa-sahasrakam ॥03-81-72॥
From there, O king, you should go to the excellent Phalaki forest, where the gods, O king, always reside in the Phalaki forest, performing great austerities for thousands of years. (03-81-72)
dṛṣadvatyāṁ naraḥ snātvā tarpayitvā ca devatāḥ। agniṣṭomātirātrābhyāṁ phalaṁ vindati bhārata॥03-81-73॥
O Bhārata, a man, after bathing in the Drishadvati and satisfying the gods, obtains the fruit of the Agniṣṭoma and Atirātra rites. (03-81-73)
tīrthe ca sarvadevānāṃ snātvā bharatasattama। gosahasrasya rājendra phalaṃ prāpnoti mānavaḥ॥03-81-74॥
O best of the Bharatas, by bathing at the holy place of all the gods, a man obtains the merit equal to (the gift of) a thousand cows, O king. (03-81-74)
pāṇi-khāte naraḥ snātvā tarpayitvā ca devatāḥ. rājasūyam avāpnoti ṛṣilokaṃ ca gacchati ॥03-81-75॥
When a man, having bathed in a hand-dug well and having offered libations to the deities, attains the merit of the Rājasūya and also goes to the world of the sages. (03-81-75)
tato gacchet rājendra miśrakaṃ tīrtham uttamam। tatra tīrthāni rājendra miśritāni mahātmanā ॥03-81-76॥
Then, O king, he should go to Miśraka, the excellent sacred place. There, O king, are holy waters mingled together by the great-souled one. (03-81-76)
vyāsena nṛpaśārdūla dvijārtham iti naḥ śrutam। sarvatīrtheṣu sa snāti miśrake snāti yo naraḥ॥03-81-77॥
O tiger among kings, Vyāsa has said (as) we have heard, that for the sake of the twice-born, any man who bathes at Miśraka is as if he has bathed at all the sacred places. (03-81-77)
tato vyāsavanaṃ gacchenniyato niyatāśanaḥ। manojave naraḥ snātvā gosahasraphalaṃ labhet॥03-81-78॥
Thereafter, one who is self-controlled and regulates his food should go to Vyāsa's forest. At Manojava, if a man bathes, he attains the merit equivalent to giving a thousand cows. (03-81-78)
gatvā madhuvaṭīṃ cāpi devyās tīrthaṃ naraḥ śuciḥ। tatra snātvā arcayed devān pitṝṃś ca prayataḥ śuciḥ॥ sa devyā samanujñāto go-sahasra-phalaṃ labhet॥03-81-79॥
A pure man who goes to Madhuvaṭī and to the goddess’s sacred place, bathes there, and worships the gods and ancestors with devoted purity, and is sanctioned by the goddess, obtains the merit equal to the gift of a thousand cows. (03-81-79)
kauśikyāḥ saṅgame yastu dṛṣadvatyāś ca bhārata। snāti vai niyatāhāraḥ sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate॥03-81-80॥
O Bhārata, whoever, having restrained food, bathes at the confluence of the Kauśikī and Dṛṣadvatī rivers is surely freed from all sins. (03-81-80)
tato vyāsasthalī nāma yatra vyāsena dhīmatā। putraśokābhitaptena dehatyāgārthanicchayaḥ ॥03-81-81॥
Then, at the place called Vyāsasthalī, where the wise Vyāsa, tormented by grief for his son, resolved to relinquish his body. (03-81-81)
kṛto devaiś ca rājendra punar-utthāpitas tadā। abhigamya sthalīṁ tasya go-sahasra-phalaṁ labhet ॥03-81-82॥
O King, a rite performed by the gods was then restored once again; whoever approaches that place obtains the merit equivalent to giving a thousand cows. (03-81-82)
kiṁdattaṁ kūpam āsādya tilaprasthaṁ pradāya ca। gacchet paramāṁ siddhiṁ ṛṇair muktaḥ kurūdvaha॥03-81-83॥
O best of the Kurus, having reached a well and given a measure of sesame seeds—whatever is offered thus—one is freed from debts and attains the highest perfection. (03-81-83)
ahaś ca sudinaṁ caiva dve tīrthe ca sudurlabhe. tayoḥ snātvā naravyāghra sūryalokam avāpnuyāt ॥03-81-84॥
O tiger among men, if one bathes at those two very difficult to obtain sacred fords, both on the day and indeed on the auspicious day, he attains the world of the Sun. (03-81-84)
mṛgadhūmaṃ tato gacchettṛṣu lokeṣu viśrutam. tatra gaṅgāhrade snātvā samabhyarcya ca mānavaḥ ॥ śūlapāṇiṃ mahādevamaśvamedhaphalaṃ labheta ॥03-81-85॥
After that, one should go to the place called Mṛgadhūma, famous in the three worlds. There, after bathing in the sacred pond of the Gaṅgā and worshipping Mahādeva, the wielder of the trident, a person obtains the fruit of an ashvamedha sacrifice. (03-81-85)
devatīrthe naraḥ snātvā gosahasraphalaṁ labhet। atha vāmanakaṁ gacchettriṣu lokeṣu viśrutam ॥03-81-86॥
By bathing at Devatīrtha, a man may attain the merit equal to gifting a thousand cows; then he should proceed to Vāmanaka, which is famed throughout the three worlds. (03-81-86)
tatra viṣṇupade snātvā arcayitvā ca vāmanam। sarvapāpaviśuddhātmā viṣṇulokam avāpnuyāt ॥03-81-87॥
There, after bathing at the feet of Viṣṇu and worshipping Vāmana, one whose soul is purified from all sins attains the world of Viṣṇu. (03-81-87)
kulampune naraḥ snātvā punāti svakulaṃ naraḥ। pavanasya hradaṃ gatvā marutāṃ tīrtham uttamam ॥ tatra snātvā naravyāghra vāyuloke mahīyate ॥03-81-88॥
A man who destroys family sin, after bathing, purifies his own family. And, having gone to the lake of the Wind god—the most excellent holy place of the Maruts—and bathing there, O tiger among men, he is honored in the realm of the Wind god. (03-81-88)
amarāṇāṃ hṛde snātvā amareṣu narādhipa। amarāṇāṃ prabhāvena svargaloke mahīyate ॥03-81-89॥
O king, if one bathes in the lake of the gods, then, by the power of the gods, he is honored in heaven. (03-81-89)
śālihotrasya rājeṃdra śāliśūrpe yathāvidhi। snātvā naravaraśreṣṭha gosahasraphalaṃ labhet ॥03-81-90॥
O king, if one bathes as prescribed after worshipping (Śālihotra's work) in the rice-winnowing basket, O best among men, he obtains the merit equal to gifting a thousand cows. (03-81-90)
śrīkuñjaṃ ca sarasvatyāṃ tīrthaṃ bharatasattama। tatra snātvā naro rājann agniṣṭomaphalaṃ labhet॥03-81-91॥
O best of the Bharatas, O king, at the auspicious grove, a sacred site on the Sarasvatī, one who bathes there may obtain the merit of performing the Agniṣṭoma sacrifice. (03-81-91)
tato naimiṣakuñjaṃ ca samāsādya kurūd-vaha। ṛṣayaḥ kila rājendra naimiṣeyās tapodhanāḥ ॥ tīrthayātrāṃ puraskṛtya kurukṣetraṃ gatāḥ purā ॥03-81-92॥
Then, O best of the Kurus, the sages of Naimisha, rich in asceticism, having visited the Naimisha grove, once went to Kurukshetra on a pilgrimage. (03-81-92)
tataḥ kuñjaḥ sarasvatyāṃ kṛto bharatasattama। ṛṣīṇām avakāśaḥ syād yathā tuṣṭikaro mahān ॥03-81-93॥
Then a great and delightful arbor was constructed on the Sarasvati, O best of the Bharatas, to serve as a resting place for the sages. (03-81-93)
tasmin-kuñje naraḥ snātvā gosahasraphalaṃ labhet। kanyātīrthe naraḥ snātvā agniṣṭomaphalaṃ labhet॥03-81-94॥
Bathing in that grove grants a man the merit of giving a thousand cows in charity; bathing at the Kanyā tīrtha gives the merit of performing the Agniṣṭoma sacrifice. (03-81-94)
tato gacchennaravyāghra brahmaṇaḥ sthānamuttamam। tatra varṇāvaraḥ snātvā brāhmaṇyaṃ labhate naraḥ ॥ brāhmaṇaśca viśuddhātmā gacchet paramāṃ gatim ॥03-81-95॥
Then, O tiger among men, one should go to the supreme place of Brahman. There, a man of lower caste, having bathed, obtains the state of being a Brahmin. A Brahmin, too, who is of pure soul, should attain the supreme state. (03-81-95)
tato gacchen nara-śreṣṭha soma-tīrtham anuttamam। tatra snātvā naro rājan soma-lokam avāpnuyāt॥03-81-96॥
Then, O best of men, you should go to the unsurpassed holy ford of Soma. There, O king, a man who bathes attains the realm of Soma. (03-81-96)
saptasārasvataṁ tīrthaṁ tato gacchen narādhipa। yatra maṅkaṇakaḥ siddho maharṣir lokaviśrutaḥ ॥03-81-97॥
O king, from there, you should proceed to the holy place of the seven Sarasvats, where the perfected sage Maṅkaṇaka, renowned throughout the world, resides. (03-81-97)
purā maṅkaṇako rājan kuśāgreṇeti naḥ śrutam। kṣataḥ kila kare rājan tasya śākaraso'sravat॥03-81-98॥
O king, it has been heard by us that, formerly, Maṅkaṇaka, when wounded on his hand with the tip of kuśa grass, indeed, vegetable sap flowed from him. (03-81-98)
sa vai śākarasaṃ dṛṣṭvā harṣāviṣṭo mahātapāḥ। pranṛttaḥ kila viprarṣirvismayotphullalocanaḥ॥03-81-99॥
Upon seeing the vegetable-juice, the great ascetic, truly overcome with joy, danced; the sage among Brāhmaṇas had his eyes wide open in astonishment. (03-81-99)
tatas tasmin pranṛtte vai sthāvaraṃ jaṅgamaṃ ca yat। pranṛttam ubhayaṃ vīra tejasā tasya mohitam॥03-81-100॥
Then, as he danced there, O hero, all movable and immovable beings danced as well; both were bewildered by his brilliance. (03-81-100)
brahmādibhiḥ surai rājanṛṣibhiś ca tapodhanaiḥ। vijñapto vai mahādeva ṛṣer arthe narādhipa ॥ nāyaṃ nṛtyed yathā deva tathā tvaṃ kartum arhasi ॥03-81-101॥
O lord of men, O king, you have been requested by Brahmā, the gods, sages, and ascetics, O Mahādeva, for the sake of the sage. This one should not dance as the gods do; therefore, you should similarly perform as is appropriate. (03-81-101)
tataḥ pranṛttam āsādya harṣāviṣṭena cetasā। surāṇāṃ hitakāmārtham ṛṣiṃ devo'bhyabhāṣata ॥03-81-102॥
Then, after dancing, with a mind filled with joy, the god approached and addressed the sage for the welfare of the gods. (03-81-102)
aho maharṣe dharmajña kimarthaṁ nṛtyate bhavān। harṣasthānaṁ kimarthaṁ vā tavādya munipuṅgava॥03-81-103॥
Oh, O great sage, knower of dharma, for what reason are you dancing? What is the cause of your joy today, O best of sages? (03-81-103)
ṛṣiruvāca॥
The sage said.
kiṁ na paśyasi me deva karāccḥākarasaṁ srutam। yaṁ dṛṣṭvāhaṁ pranṛtto vai harṣeṇa mahatānvitaḥ ॥03-81-104॥
O god, do you not see the juice that has dripped from my hand? Seeing it, I, overwhelmed with great joy, truly danced. (3-81-104)
pulastya uvāca॥
Pulastya said;
taṁ prahasya abravīt devo muniṁ rāgeṇa mohitam। ahaṁ vai vismayaṁ vipra na gacchāmi iti paśya mām ॥03-81-105॥
Smiling, the god said to the sage, who was bewildered by passion, "O Brahmin, I truly do not become amazed—see me." (03-81-105)
evam-uktvā nara-śreṣṭha mahādevena dhīmatā। aṅguly-agreṇa rājendra sva-aṅguṣṭha-stāḍitaḥ anagha ॥03-81-106॥
O best of men, after thus speaking, wise Mahadeva struck his own thumb with the tip of his finger, O king, O sinless one. (03-81-106)
tato bhasma kṣatād rājan nirgataṃ hima-saṃnibham। tad dṛṣṭvā vrīḍito rājan sa muniḥ pādayoḥ gataḥ ॥03-81-107॥
Then, O king, ash resembling snow emerged from the wound. Seeing that, the sage, feeling ashamed, went to (fall at) his feet. (03-81-107)
nānyaṃ devam ahaṃ manye rudrāt parataraṃ mahat। surāsurasya jagato gatīs tvam asi śūladhṛk ॥03-81-108॥
I do not consider any god higher or greater than Rudra. O trident-bearer, you are the refuge of the world, of gods and asuras. (03-81-108)
tvayā sṛṣṭam idaṃ viśvaṃ trailokyaṃ sacarācaram। tvām eva bhagavan sarve praviśanti yugakṣaye ॥03-81-109॥
This universe of the three worlds, with all that moves and is immobile, has been created by you; at the end of the age, O Lord, all enter into you alone. (03-81-109)
devair api na śakyas tvaṁ parijñātuṁ kuto mayā। tvayi sarve ca dṛśyante surā brahmādayo'nagha ॥03-81-110॥
Even by the gods, you are not knowable; how, then, can I (know you)? In you, O sinless one, are seen all the gods—Brahma and the rest. (03-81-110)
sarvas tvam asi lokānāṁ kartā kārayitā ca ha। tvat-prasādāt surāḥ sarve modantīhākutobhayāḥ॥ evaṁ stutvā mahādevaṁ sa ṛṣiḥ praṇato 'bhavat॥03-81-111॥
You are everything, the creator and instigator of all worlds indeed. By your grace, all the gods rejoice here, free from any fear. Thus, having praised the great god, the sage bowed down. (03-81-111)
ṛṣir uvāca॥
The seer said;
tvatprasādān mahādeva tapo me na kṣaret vai। pulastya uvāca॥
Pulastya said: "O Mahādeva, may my austerity not perish by your grace."
tato devaḥ prahṛṣṭātmā brahmarṣim idam abravīt। tapas te vardhatāṃ vipra matprasādāt sahasradhā ॥03-81-113॥
Then the god, his mind filled with delight, spoke thus to the brahmarṣi: "O sage, by my grace may your austerity increase a thousandfold." (03-81-113)
āśrame ceha vatsyāmi tvayā sārdhaṃ mahāmune। saptasārasvate snātvā arcayiṣyanti ye tu mām ॥03-81-114॥
O great sage, I shall stay here in the hermitage together with you; indeed, those who bathe at the Saptasarasvati and worship me.
na teṣāṃ durlabhaṃ kiñcid iha loke paratra ca। sārasvataṃ ca te lokaṃ gamiṣyanti na saṃśayaḥ॥03-81-115॥
For them, nothing is difficult to obtain in this world or the next; indeed, they will go to the world of Sarasvatī—there is no doubt about it. (03-81-115)
tatastvauśanasaṃ gacchettriṣu lokeṣu viśrutam। yatra brahmādayo devā ṛṣayaśca tapodhanāḥ॥03-81-116॥
Then, one should go to the sage Ushanas, renowned in the three worlds, where Brahma and the other gods, as well as sages rich in penance, reside. (03-81-116)
kārttikeyas ca bhagavāṁs trisandhyaṁ kila bhārata। sānnidhyam akarot tatra bhārgava-priya-kāmyayā ॥03-81-117॥
O Bhārata, the revered Kārttikeya, indeed, made his presence there at the three junctions (dawn, noon, and dusk) with the desire to please Bhārgava. (03-81-117)
kapālamocanaṃ tīrthaṃ sarvapāpapramocanam। tatra snātvā naravyāghra sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate ॥03-81-118॥
The holy place Kapālamocana is a remover of all sins. O tiger among men, by bathing there, one is freed from all sins. (03-81-118)
agnitīrthaṁ tato gacchet tatra snātvā nararṣabha। agnilokam avāpnoti kulaṁ caiva samuddharet ॥03-81-119॥
After that, one should go to the Agni holy spot; there, having bathed, O best of men, he attains the world of Agni and indeed liberates his family. (03-81-119)
viśvāmitrasya tatraiva tīrthaṃ bharatasattama। tatra snātvā mahārāja brāhmaṇyam abhijāyate ॥03-81-120॥
O best of the Bharatas, at that very holy place belonging to Viśvāmitra, one who bathes there, O great king, attains Brāhmaṇahood. (3-81-120)
brahmayonim samāsādya śuciḥ prayatamānasaḥ। tatra snātvā naravyāghra brahmalokaṃ prapadyate॥ punātyāsaptamaṃ caiva kulaṃ nāstyatra saṃśayaḥ॥03-81-121॥
Having reached the source of Brahman, pure and with a focused mind, and having bathed there, O best of men, he attains Brahma’s world. He indeed purifies his family up to the seventh generation; there is no doubt about this. (03-81-121)
tato gacchet rājendra tīrthaṃ trailokyaviśrutam। pṛthūdakamiti khyātaṃ kārttikeyasya vai nṛpa ॥ tatrābhiṣekaṃ kurvīta pitṛdevārcane rataḥ ॥03-81-122॥
Then, O king, you should go to the holy place called Pṛthūdaka, famed throughout the three worlds and known as Kārttikeya’s. There, you should perform ritual bathing, being devoted to worshipping the ancestors and gods. (03-81-122)
ajñānāj jñānato vāpi striyā vā puruṣeṇa vā। yatkiñcid aśubhaṁ karma kṛtaṁ mānuṣabuddhinā ॥03-81-123॥
Whether from ignorance or from knowledge, whether done by a woman or by a man, whatever unwholesome action is done with human intellect. (03-81-123)
tatsarvaṃ naśyate tasya snātamātrasya bhārata। aśvamedhaphalaṃ cāpi svargalokaṃ ca gacchati ॥03-81-124॥
O Bhārata, for one who has just bathed, all that (sin or past actions) is destroyed; he also attains the fruit of a horse sacrifice and the heavenly world. (03-81-124)
puṇyam āhuḥ kurukṣetram kurukṣetrāt sarasvatīm। sarasvatyāś ca tīrthāni tīrthebhyaś ca pṛthūdakam॥03-81-125॥
They say Kurukṣetra is holy; from Kurukṣetra, Sarasvatī is holier; of Sarasvatī, the sacred places are holier; and among the sacred places, Prithūdaka is the holiest. (03-81-125)
uttame sarvatīrthānāṁ yastyajedātmanastanum। pṛthūdake japyaparo nainaṁ śvomaraṇaṁ tapet॥03-81-126॥
Whoever abandons his body at Pṛthūdaka, the best of all holy places, engaged in japa, for him the fear of death on the morrow does not afflict. (03-81-126)
gītaṃ sanatkumāreṇa vyāsena ca mahātmanā। vede ca niyataṃ rājan abhigacchet pṛthūdakam ॥03-81-127॥
O King, that which was recited by Sanatkumāra, by Vyāsa and by the great-souled, and also established in the Veda, one should approach the broad waters. (03-81-127)
pṛthūdakāt puṇyatamaṃ nānyat tīrthaṃ narottama। etan medhyaṃ pavitraṃ ca pāvanaṃ ca na saṃśayaḥ ॥03-81-128॥
O best of men, there is certainly no place of pilgrimage more meritorious than Pṛthūdaka. This place is pure, holy, and sanctifying beyond doubt. (03-81-128)
tatra snātvā divaṃ yānti api pāpakṛto janāḥ। pṛthūdake naraśreṣṭha prāhurevaṃ manīṣiṇaḥ॥03-81-129॥
O best of men, even evil-doers, having bathed there at Pṛthūdaka, go to heaven—thus have the wise said. (03-81-129)
madhusravaṃ ca tatraiva tīrthaṃ bharatasattama. tatra snātvā naro rājan go-sahasra-phalaṃ labheta ॥03-81-130॥
O best of the Bharatas, there is also the sacred place called Madhusrava in that very spot; O king, whoever bathes there will obtain the merit equal to the gift of a thousand cows. (03-81-130)
tato gacchen naraśreṣṭha tīrthaṃ devyā yathākramam। sarasvatyā aruṇāyāś ca saṅgamaṃ lokaviśrutam॥03-81-131॥
Then, O best of men, you should proceed to the holy pilgrimage place of the goddess in order; namely, to the famous confluence of Sarasvatī and Aruṇā, renowned in the world. (03-81-131)
trirātroposhitaḥ snātvā mucyate brahmahatyayā। agniṣṭomātirātrābhyāṃ phalaṃ vindati mānavaḥ ॥03-81-132॥
After fasting for three nights and bathing, a person is freed from the sin of killing a Brāhmaṇa. A man obtains the rewards of Agniṣṭoma and Atirātra sacrifices. (03-81-132)
āsaptamaṃ kulaṃ caiva punāti bharatarṣabha। avatīrṇaṃ ca tatraiva tīrthaṃ kurukulodvaha॥ viprāṇāmanukampārthaṃ darbhiṇā nirmitaṃ purā॥03-81-133॥
O best of the Bharatas, it purifies up to the seventh generation of the family. There itself, O upholder of the Kuru clan, the sacred place descended. Long ago, for the compassion of the Brāhmaṇas, it was created with darbha grass. (03-81-133)
vratopanayanābhyāṃ vā upavāsena vā dvijaḥ। kriyāmantraiś ca saṃyukto brāhmaṇaḥ syān na saṃśayaḥ॥03-81-134॥
A twice-born, by observing vows, either of the two initiatory rituals or by fasting, and being endowed with ritual mantras, may indeed become a brāhmaṇa—there is no doubt about this. (03-81-134)
kriyā-mantra-vihīno'pi tatra snātvā nararṣabha। cīrṇa-vrato bhaved vipro dṛṣṭam etat purātane ॥03-81-135॥
O best of men, it has been seen in ancient times that even without ritual actions and mantras, simply by bathing there, a Brāhmaṇa who has observed the vow is considered accomplished. (03-81-135)
samudrāś cāpi catvāraḥ samānītāś ca darbhiṇā। yeṣu snāto naravyāghra na durgatim avāpnuyāt॥ phalāni gosahasrāṇāṃ caturṇāṃ vindate ca saḥ॥03-81-136॥
If a tiger among men bathes in four oceans brought together with darbha grass, he will not suffer misfortune. He also attains the merit equal to the fruits of giving a thousand cows for each of the four.
tato gacchet rājendra tīrthaṃ śatasahasrakam। sāhasrakaṃ ca tatraiva dve tīrthe lokaviśrute ॥03-81-137॥
Then, O King, proceed from there to the sacred site known as Śatasahasraka; and likewise to Sāhasraka, both renowned holy places in the world. (03-81-137)
ubhayor hi naraḥ snātvā gosahasraphalaṁ labhet। dānaṁ vāpyupavāso vā sahasraguṇitaṁ bhavet॥03-81-138॥
Indeed, by bathing at both (places), a man may obtain the merit equal to giving a thousand cows. Charity or fasting performed there becomes multiplied a thousand times. (03-81-138)
tato gacchet rājendra reṇukātīrtham uttamam। tatrābhiṣekaṃ kurvīta pitṛdevārcane rataḥ॥ sarvapāpaviśuddhātmā agniṣṭomaphalaṃ labheta॥03-81-139॥
Then, O king, he should go to the excellent Reṇukā tīrtha. There, being devoted to the worship of the ancestors and gods, he should perform ablution. With his mind purified from all sins, he gains the fruit equal to that of the Agniṣṭoma sacrifice. (03-81-139)
vimocanam upaspṛśya jita-manyur jitendriyaḥ। pratigrahakṛtaiḥ doṣaiḥ sarvaiḥ sa parimucyate ॥03-81-140॥
After touching release, one who has conquered anger and the senses is completely freed from all faults caused by accepting gifts. (03-81-140)
tataḥ pañcavaṭaṃ gatvā brahmacārī jitendriyaḥ। puṇyena mahatā yuktaḥ satāṃ loke mahīyate॥03-81-141॥
Then, going to Pañcavaṭa, the brahmacārī who has conquered his senses and is endowed with great merit, is honoured among the virtuous in the world. (03-81-141)
yatra yogeśvaraḥ sthāṇuḥ svayameva vṛṣadhvajaḥ। tam arcayitvā deveśaṃ gamanādeva sidhyati॥03-81-142॥
Where the Lord of Yoga, Sthāṇu, the bull-bannered one himself resides—having worshipped that lord of the gods, one attains success simply by approaching him. (03-81-142)
aujasaṃ varuṇaṃ tīrthaṃ dīpyate svena tejasā। yatra brahmādibhirdevairṛṣibhiśca tapodhanaiḥ ॥03-81-143॥
The powerful sacred place of Varuṇa shines with its own radiance, where Brahmā and other gods, sages, and ascetics reside. (03-81-143)
senāpatyena devānām abhiṣikto guhas tadā ॥03-81-143॥
Then Guha was anointed as the commander of the gods. (03-81-143)
aujasasya tu pūrveṇa kurutīrthaṃ kurūdvaha। kurutīrthe naraḥ snātvā brahmacārī jitendriyaḥ ॥ sarvapāpaviśuddhātmā kurulokaṃ prapadyate ॥03-81-144॥
However, to the east of Ojasas is the Kuru-tirtha, O best of Kurus. One who bathes at Kuru-tirtha, observing celibacy and self-restraint, and whose self is purified from all sins, attains the world of the Kurus. (03-81-144)
svargadvāraṃ tato gacchenniyato niyatāśanaḥ। svargalokamavāpnoti brahmalokaṃ ca gacchati ॥03-81-145॥
After that, one with discipline and regulated food should go to the gate of heaven; he attains the heavenly world and also goes to the realm of Brahman. (03-81-145)
tato gacched anarakaṃ tīrthasevī narādhipa। tatra snātvā naro rājann durgatim avāpnuyāt ॥03-81-146॥
After that, O king, the devotee of holy places should go to Anaraka; there, having bathed, a man, O king, will not fall into misfortune. (03-81-146)
tatra brahmā svayaṃ nityaṃ devaiḥ saha mahīpate। anvāsyate naraśreṣṭha nārāyaṇapurogamaiḥ ॥03-81-147॥
There, O king, Brahmā himself is always accompanied by the gods, with Nārāyaṇa at their head, O best of men. (03-81-147)
sānnidhyaṁ caiva rājendra rudrapatnyāḥ kurūdvaḥa। abhigamya ca tāṁ devīṁ na durgatim avāpnuyāt ॥03-81-148॥
O king, O descendant of Kuru, one who approaches the presence of Rudra's wife, that goddess, will not meet with misfortune. (03-81-148)
tatraiva ca mahārāja viśveśvaramumāpatiṁ। abhigamya mahādevaṁ mucyate sarvakilbiṣaiḥ॥03-81-149॥
Right there, O great king, one who approaches Mahādeva, Lord of the Universe and consort of Umā, is freed from all sins. (03-81-149)
nārāyaṇaṃ cābhigamya padmanābham ariṃ-damam। śobhamāno mahārāja viṣṇu-lokaṃ prapadyate॥03-81-150॥
O great king, shining brilliantly, having approached Nārāyaṇa, Padmanābha, the subduer of enemies, he attains the world of Viṣṇu. (03-81-150)
tīrthe tu sarvadevānāṃ snātaḥ sa puruṣarṣabha। sarvaduḥkhaiḥ parityakto dyotate śaśivat sadā ॥03-81-151॥
O best among men, one who bathes at the holy place of all the gods, having been freed from all sufferings, always shines like the moon. (03-81-151)
tataḥ svastipuraṃ gacchettīrthasevī narādhipa। pāvanaṃ tīrtham āsādya tarpayet pitṛdevatāḥ ॥ agniṣṭomasya yajñasya phalaṃ prāpnoti mānavaḥ ॥03-81-152॥
Then, the tirtha-seeking king should go to Svastipura. Having reached the purifying tirtha, he should offer oblations to the manes and the gods. The man thereby attains the fruit of the Agniṣṭoma sacrifice. (03-81-152)
gaṅgā-hradaś ca tatraiva kūpaś ca bharatarṣabha। tisraḥ koṭyas tu tīrthānāṃ tasmin kūpe mahīpate॥ tatra snātvā naro rājan svargalokaṃ prapadyate॥03-81-153॥
O bull among the Bharatas, there in that very place is the Ganga pool and also a well. In that well, O king, there are indeed three crore sacred places. He who bathes there, O king, attains the world of heaven. (03-81-153)
āpagāyāṃ naraḥ snātvā arcayitvā maheśvaram। gāṇapatyam avāpnoti kulaṃ ca uddharate svakam॥03-81-154॥
If a man, having bathed in the river, worships Maheśvara, he attains the status of Gaṇapati and uplifts his own family. (03-81-154)
tataḥ sthāṇuvaṭaṃ gacchetriṣu lokeṣu viśrutam। tatra snātvā sthito rātriṃ rudralokam avāpnuyāt ॥03-81-155॥
Then, one should go to the banyan tree of Sthāṇu (Śiva), which is famous throughout the three worlds. There, after bathing and remaining through the night, one may attain Rudra's world. (03-81-155)
badarīpācanaṃ gacched vasiṣṭhasyāśramaṃ tataḥ। badaraṃ bhakṣayet tatra trirātrupoṣito naraḥ॥03-81-156॥
From there, one should go to Badarīpācana, the hermitage of Vasiṣṭha. There, a man who has fasted for three nights should eat jujube. (03-81-156)
samyag-dvādaśa varṣāṇi badarān bhakṣayet tu yaḥ। trirātrupoṣitaś ca eva bhavet tulyaḥ narādhipa ॥03-81-157॥
Whoever properly eats jujube fruits for twelve years, but also fasts for three nights, becomes equal to a king. (03-81-157)
indramārgaṃ samāsādya tīrthasevī narādhipa। ahorātraupavāsena śakraloke mahīyate ॥03-81-158॥
Having attained Indra's path, the king who is devoted to holy places, by fasting day and night, is honored in the realm of Śakra (Indra). (03-81-158)
ekarātraṁ samāsādya ekarātroṣito naraḥ। niyataḥ satyavādī ca brahmaloke mahīyate॥03-81-159॥
A self-controlled and truthful man who spends one night (as required) is honored in the world of Brahma. (03-81-159)
tato gacchet dharmajña tīrthaṁ trailokyaviśrutam। ādityasyāśramo yatra tejorāśermahātmanaḥ ॥03-81-160॥
From there, O knower of dharma, one should go to the sacred place renowned throughout the three worlds, where stands the hermitage of Āditya, the illustrious and great-souled one. (03-81-160)
tasmiṁs tīrthe naraḥ snātvā pūjayitvā vibhāvasum। āditya-lokaṁ vrajati kulaṁ caiva samuddharet॥03-81-161॥
In that sacred place, a man who bathes and worships Agni attains the world of the Sun and indeed uplifts his family. (03-81-161)
somatīrthe naraḥ snātvā tīrthasevī kurūdvaha। somalokam avāpnoti naro nāsty atra saṁśayaḥ ॥03-81-162॥
O best of the Kurus, if a man bathes at Soma-tirtha and is devoted to holy places, he attains the world of Soma. There is no doubt about this. (03-81-162)
tato gacchet dharmajña dadhīcyasya mahātmanaḥ। tīrthaṃ puṇyatamaṃ rājan pāvanaṃ lokaviśrutam ॥03-81-163॥
Then, O king, the knower of dharma should go to the most sacred and purifying holy place of the great-souled Dadhīci, which is renowned throughout the world. (03-81-163)
yatra sārasvato rājanso'ṅgirāstapaso nidhiḥ। tasmiṁstīrthe naraḥ snātvā vājapeyaphalaṁ labhet ॥ sārasvatīṁ gatiṁ caiva labhate nātra saṁśayaḥ ॥03-81-164॥
O king, wherever Sārasvata, who is Aṅgirā and the treasure of austerity, resides—at that sacred place, a man who bathes there obtains the fruit of the Vajapeya sacrifice. He surely attains the path of Sarasvatī; of this there is no doubt. (03-81-164)
tataḥ kanyāśramaṃ gacchenniyato brahmacaryavān। trirātrupoṣito rājannupavāsaparāyaṇaḥ ॥ labhet kanyāśataṃ divyaṃ brahmalokaṃ ca gacchati ॥03-81-165॥
Therefore, O King, one who is self-controlled, celibate, and dedicated to fasting, having fasted for three nights, should go to the hermitage of girls. Such a person obtains one hundred divine maidens and attains the world of Brahma. (03-81-165)
tato gacchet dharmajña tīrthaṃ saṃnihitīm api। yatra brahmādayo devā ṛṣayaś ca tapodhanāḥ ॥ māsi māsi samāyānti puṇyena mahatānvitāḥ ॥03-81-166॥
After that, a knower of dharma should proceed to the holy place called Sanihiti, where Brahma and other gods and seers rich in austerity gather every month, endowed with great merit. (03-81-166)
saṁnihityām upaspṛśya rāhugraste divākare. aśvamedhaśataṁ tena iṣṭaṁ bhavati śāśvatam ॥03-81-167॥
When people are gathered and purify themselves by touching water during a solar eclipse caused by Rāhu, then offering sacrifices equals a hundred Ashvamedha rituals, resulting in eternal merit. (03-81-167)
pṛthivyāṃ yāni tīrthāni antarikṣa-carāṇi ca| nadyo nadāstaḍāgāś ca sarva-prasravaṇāni ca ॥03-81-168॥
All the holy places on earth, those moving in the atmosphere, as well as rivers, streams, ponds, and all springs. (03-81-168)
udapānāś ca vaprāś ca puṇyāny āyatanāni ca। māsi māsi samāyānti saṃnihityāṃ na saṃśayaḥ ॥03-81-169॥
Wells, embankments, and sacred shrines certainly converge at the holy gathering every month; there is no doubt about this. (03-81-169)
yatkiñcid duṣkṛtaṃ karma striyā vā puruṣasya vā। snātamātrasya tatsarvaṃ naśyate nātra saṃśayaḥ॥ padmavarṇena yānena brahmalokaṃ sa gacchati॥03-81-170॥
Whatever minor evil actions a woman or a man may have done, all of them are destroyed for one who has just bathed; there is no doubt about this. He goes to the world of Brahma in a lotus-colored vehicle. (03-81-170)
abhivādya tato yakṣaṃ dvārapālam arantukam। koṭi-rūpam upaspṛśya labhet bahu suvarṇakam ॥03-81-171॥
After greeting the Yakṣa doorkeeper named Arantuka, by touching the form of the heap, one would obtain much gold. (03-81-171)
gaṅgā-hradaś ca tatraiva tīrthaṃ bharata-sattama। tatra snātas tu dharma-jña brahma-cārī samāhitaḥ ॥ rājasūyāśvamedhābhyāṃ phalaṃ vindati śāśvatam ॥03-81-172॥
O best of the Bharatas, there is the Ganga-pool, a holy spot. There, one who is learned in dharma, steadfast, and a celibate, having bathed there, obtains the eternal fruit equal to that of performing the rājasūya and aśvamedha sacrifices. (03-81-172)
pṛthivyāṃ naimiṣaṃ puṇyam antarikṣe ca puṣkaram। trayāṇām api lokānāṃ kurukṣetraṃ viśiṣyate ॥03-81-173॥
On earth, Naimisha is holy; in heaven, Pushkara; but among all three worlds, Kurukshetra is most distinguished. (03-81-173)
pāṁsavo'pi kurukṣetre vāyunā samudīritāḥ। api duṣkṛtakarmāṇaṁ nayanti paramāṁ gatim ॥03-81-174॥
Even dust raised by the wind in Kurukṣetra can lead one who has committed evil deeds to the highest state. (03-81-174)
dakṣiṇena sarasvatyā uttarēṇa dṛṣadvatīm। yē vasanti kurukṣētrē tē vasanti triviṣṭapē ॥03-81-175॥
Those who reside in Kurukṣetra, which lies south of the Sarasvatī and north of the Dr̥ṣadvatī, are considered to reside in Triviṣṭapa (heaven). (03-81-175)
kurukṣetraṃ gamiṣyāmi kurukṣetre vasāmyaham। apyekāṃ vācam utsṛjya sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate ॥03-81-176॥
I will go to Kurukshetra; I dwell at Kurukshetra. Even by uttering a single word there, one is released from all sins. (03-81-176)
brahmavedī kurukṣetraṃ puṇyaṃ brahmarṣisevitam। tadāvasanti ye rājanna te śocyāḥ kathañcana॥03-81-177॥
O king, those who dwell in the holy Kurukṣetra, the altar of Brahman attended by sage-seers, are never to be mourned in any way. (03-81-177)
tarantukārantukayoryadantaraṃ; rāmahradānāṃ ca macakrukasya. etatkurukṣetrasamantapañcakaṃ; pitāmahasyottaravedirucyate ॥03-81-178॥
The space between Tarantuka and Arantuka, and between the Rāma-ponds and Macakruka—this Samantapañcaka at Kurukṣetra is called the northern altar of Pitāmaha (the grandsire). (03-81-178)
