03.086
Dhaumya said.
O Bhārata, listen to the holy sacred places in the southern region; being narrated in detail as I understand, O Bhārata. (03-86-1)
In that direction is the sacred Godāvarī river, said to be holy, with many retreats, abundant water, frequented by ascetics, and auspicious. (03-86-2)
The rivers Veṇṇā and Bhīmarathī, both cleansing away sin and fear, abounded with deer and birds and were adorned with hermitages. (03-86-3)
O foremost of the Bharatas, there is Payoshni of the royal sage and river Nṛga—abounding in water, with charming fords, attended by the twice-born. (03-86-4)
Here also, the great yogi Markandeya, who performed great austerities, sang a song concerning the descendants of Nriga, the lord of the earth. (03-86-5)
We have directly heard that Indra was gladdened with soma and gifts by Nṛga, the sacrificer, together with the twice-born. (03-86-6)
There is, O best of the Bharatas, a holy and auspicious forest of Māṭhara, abundant with roots and fruits, and a sacrificial post on the mountain at the Varuṇa stream. (03-86-7)
On the northern side of the Praveṇī, in the holy hermitage of Kaṇva as well, the hermitages of the ascetics are mentioned as known from tradition. (03-86-8)
O Bhārata, the altar at Śūrpāraka of the great-souled Jamadagni, the delightful stone ford, and Puraścandra as well.
O Yudhiṣṭhira, Aśoka-tīrtha is a place with many hermitages among men, O son of Kuntī; among the Pāṇḍyas, Agastya-tīrtha and the sacred place of Varuṇa are (prominent). (03-86-10)
O bull among men, I have already described the auspicious maidens among the Pāṇḍya people. But now, O son of Kuntī, listen as I will praise the Tāmraparṇī (river). (03-86-11)
O Bhārata, Gokarṇa is renowned in the three worlds as the hermitage where the gods, desiring something great, performed austerities. (03-86-12)
O dear one, that lake, full of cold and abundant water, is meritorious and auspicious, and is extremely difficult to reach for men lacking self-discipline. (03-86-13)
There itself, on the mountain named Devasabha, lies the auspicious hermitage of Agastya's disciple, rich in fruits and roots, formerly belonging to Tṛṇa, Soma, and Agni. (03-86-14)
There stood the splendid beryl mountain made of jewels, auspicious. Also, there was the hermitage of Agastya, abundant in roots, fruits, and water. (03-86-15)
O king, I shall also tell you about the holy shrines, hermitages, rivers, mountains, and lakes in the Surashtra region. (03-86-16)
O Yudhiṣṭhira, the Brahmins also tell there of the emergence of the sacrificial vessel and of Prabhāsa, the holy place of the gods in the ocean. (03-86-17)
There is Piṇḍāraka, an auspicious place frequented by ascetics. And the peak of Ujjayanta, great and quickly granting success. (03-86-18)
There, an ancient story recited by the illustrious sage Nārada is heard; understand that verse, O Yudhisthira. (03-86-19)
He who endures on the virtuous mountain in Saurashtra, frequented by beasts and birds, is indeed honored, and one whose body is scorched by austerity is exalted in heaven. (03-86-20)
Holy Dvaravati is that place where Madhusudana dwells; he is the god manifest, the ancient one; he indeed is the eternal righteousness. (03-86-21)
Those who are knowers of the Veda, the wise, and those who know the Self among men, they speak of the great-souled Kṛṣṇa as the eternal dharma. (03-86-22)
Indeed, among all that is pure, Govinda is said to be the supreme purity; he is the most virtuous among the virtuous, and the most auspicious among the auspicious. (03-86-23)
The lotus-eyed god of gods, the eternal one, Hari of inconceivable nature, Madhusūdana, abides in the three worlds right there. (03-86-24)
