03.081
Pulastya said.
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)
If a person says always, "I will go to Kurukṣetra, I live in Kurukṣetra," then he too is freed from sins. (03-81-2)
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)
O king, celestial musicians, nymphs, yakṣas, and serpents all approach the highly meritorious Brahma-kṣetra, O descendant of Bharata. (03-81-4)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Having heard this auspicious speech of Rāma, the ancestors then, extremely delighted and filled with joy, replied to Rāma. (03-81-28)
May your austerity increase further, especially through your devotion to your father; and whatever kṣatriya-class you destroyed out of anger.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
A human who, with faith and controlled senses, touches water in the vessel, also attains the fruit of the Agniṣṭoma sacrifice. (03-81-66)
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)
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)
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)
Then one reaches heaven, famed in the three worlds. There is the holy river Vaitaraṇī, which frees from sin. (03-81-70)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Then, at the place called Vyāsasthalī, where the wise Vyāsa, tormented by grief for his son, resolved to relinquish his body. (03-81-81)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Then, as he danced there, O hero, all movable and immovable beings danced as well; both were bewildered by his brilliance. (03-81-100)
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)
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)
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)
The sage said.
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 said;
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
The seer said;
Pulastya said: "O Mahādeva, may my austerity not perish by your grace."
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)
O great sage, I shall stay here in the hermitage together with you; indeed, those who bathe at the Saptasarasvati and worship me.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
O best of men, even evil-doers, having bathed there at Pṛthūdaka, go to heaven—thus have the wise said. (03-81-129)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
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)
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)
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)
After touching release, one who has conquered anger and the senses is completely freed from all faults caused by accepting gifts. (03-81-140)
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)
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)
The powerful sacred place of Varuṇa shines with its own radiance, where Brahmā and other gods, sages, and ascetics reside. (03-81-143)
Then Guha was anointed as the commander of the gods. (03-81-143)
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)
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)
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)
There, O king, Brahmā himself is always accompanied by the gods, with Nārāyaṇa at their head, O best of men. (03-81-147)
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)
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)
O great king, shining brilliantly, having approached Nārāyaṇa, Padmanābha, the subduer of enemies, he attains the world of Viṣṇu. (03-81-150)
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)
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)
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)
If a man, having bathed in the river, worships Maheśvara, he attains the status of Gaṇapati and uplifts his own family. (03-81-154)
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)
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)
Whoever properly eats jujube fruits for twelve years, but also fasts for three nights, becomes equal to a king. (03-81-157)
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)
A self-controlled and truthful man who spends one night (as required) is honored in the world of Brahma. (03-81-159)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
All the holy places on earth, those moving in the atmosphere, as well as rivers, streams, ponds, and all springs. (03-81-168)
Wells, embankments, and sacred shrines certainly converge at the holy gathering every month; there is no doubt about this. (03-81-169)
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)
After greeting the Yakṣa doorkeeper named Arantuka, by touching the form of the heap, one would obtain much gold. (03-81-171)
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)
On earth, Naimisha is holy; in heaven, Pushkara; but among all three worlds, Kurukshetra is most distinguished. (03-81-173)
Even dust raised by the wind in Kurukṣetra can lead one who has committed evil deeds to the highest state. (03-81-174)
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)
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)
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)
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)
