03.085
Vaiśampāyana said.
Seeing all the anxious, downhearted Pāṇḍavas, Dhaumya, who was as wise as Bṛhaspati, then consoled them and spoke. (03-85-1)
O best of the Bharatas, O king, listen as I describe those holy hermitages sanctioned by Brāhmaṇas, as well as the sacred places, directions, and mountains. (03-85-2)
O Yudhiṣṭhira, I shall now extol to you, as I remember, the beautiful eastern direction, which has been attended by groups of royal sages, O king. (03-85-3)
O Bhārata, in that place called Naimisha, favoured by the divine sages, there are many sacred and very pure pilgrimage sites of the gods, each distinct from the other. (03-85-4)
Where that holy and pleasant Gomatī river, served by divine sages, and the sacrificial ground of the gods, and the alliance of Vivasvat (the Sun) exist. (03-85-5)
In that region is the holy and excellent mountain, Gaya, revered by royal sages; there is the auspicious Brahma lake, which is worshipped by the seers of the gods. (03-85-6)
O best of men, for which reason the ancients say that many sons are to be desired: for if even one may go to Gayā. (03-85-7)
There, at the great river and also at Gayaśiras, O sinless one, where the banyan tree bringing inexhaustible merit is praised by the Brāhmaṇas, whatever food is offered to the ancestors there becomes imperishable, O Lord. (03-85-8)
There, where the sacred-waters of the great river Phalgu flow, and where the Kauśikī, rich in roots and fruits, also runs, O best of the Bharatas—Viśvāmitra, rich in austerity, attained brahminhood. (03-85-9)
O dear, on the bank of the holy river Gaṅgā, Bhagīratha performed many sacrifices with abundant gifts. (03-85-10)
O Kauravya, among the Pāñcālas, they speak of Utpalāvata, where Viśvāmitra, the Kauśika, performed a sacrifice along with Śakra. There, too, the venerable Jāmadagnya recited the genealogy. (03-85-11)
Having seen that superhuman splendor of Viśvāmitra, in Kanyakubja, Kauśika drank Soma with Indra. Then, departing from the Kṣatriya status, he said, "I am a Brāhmaṇa." (03-85-12)
O hero, the confluence of Gaṅgā and Yamunā is pure, honored by sages, meritorious, purifying, supreme, and renowned in the world. (03-85-13)
O best of the Bharatas, that place where the grandsire, the soul of all beings, formerly performed sacrifice is hence renowned as Prayāga. (03-85-14)
O king, there is the great and excellent hermitage of Agastya. Hiraṇyabindu is said to be on the Kālañjara mountain, O king. (03-85-15)
O king, surpassing other mountains is the sacred and auspicious mountain called Mahendra, O descendant of Kuru; it belongs to the great-souled Bhārgava. (03-85-16)
O son of Kuntī, the grandsire formerly performed sacrifice in that place, O Yudhiṣṭhira, where the sacred Bhāgīrathī and the assembly once were. (03-85-17)
O lord of men, where that place named Brahmashala is famous as meritorious, filled with those whose sins are washed away — the very seeing of it is holy. (03-85-18)
The pure, auspicious, and world-renowned eternal Kedara, and the excellent great hermitage of Mataṅga.
Kuṇḍoda is a charming mountain with abundant roots, fruits, and water; it is where the thirsty Naiṣadha obtained both water and comfort. (03-85-20)
Where the charming divine forest is adorned by ascetics, and where the river Bāhudā and the Nandā are on the mountain peak. (03-85-21)
O great king, I have described to you the holy places, rivers, mountains, and sacred shrines in the eastern region. (03-85-22)
Hear from me about the sacred places in the three other directions: the rivers, the mountains, and the auspicious abodes. (03-85-23)
