03.129
That which is related to the hawk and the female dove.
Lomaśa said.
O king, indeed, here Prajāpati himself once performed a sacrificial session called 'Iṣṭīkṛta,' which lasted a thousand years. (03-129-1)
Ambarīṣa and Nābhāga performed sacrifices along the Yamunā; through sacrifices and austerity, he attained the highest perfection. (03-129-2)
O king, this is the most meritorious region of Nāhuṣa's sacrifices; here, having performed sacrifices, he gave ten crores to the members of the sacrificial board. (03-129-3)
O son of Kunti, behold here the sacrificial ground of the universal sovereign Yayāti, of boundless energy, who contended with Śakra. (03-129-4)
Behold the earth, piled up with fires of various kinds, sinking as if overwhelmed by the sacrificial rites of Yayāti. (03-129-5)
Here is the śamī tree with a single leaf; that is the reedy place, and this is the finest. Look at these Rama’s lakes, look at the Narayana hermitage. (03-129-6)
O king, this is the departure of the son of Ṛcīka, who, by his means and immeasurable energy, roamed the earth—even into the land of silver. (03-129-7)
O joy of the Kurus, listen to my genealogy being recited here: what the female demon said with mortars and ornaments. (03-129-8)
You desire to dwell with your son at Bhūtilaya, just as you stayed at the place of Acyuta on Yugandhara after eating curd and spending the night. (03-129-9)
If you stay here one night and then stay a second night, this act done for you during the day will otherwise be considered as done at night. (03-129-10)
O best of the Bharatas, let us stay here tonight. This, O son of Kunti, is indeed the gateway to Kurukshetra, O descendant of Bharata. (03-129-11)
Here itself King Nāhuṣa, O king, performed sacrifices; Yayāti, enriched with many treasures, (and) where Indra experienced delight. (03-129-12)
This place known as the 'Plakṣa-descending', the Yamunā ford, is said by the wise to be indeed the gateway to the world above. (03-129-13)
O dear, here the highest sages, performing worship by Sārasvata sacrifices, with posts and mortars, go to the Avabhṛtha bathing (final ritual bath). (03-129-14)
Right here, King Bharata set free the sacred horse. Repeatedly, by righteousness, after obtaining the earth along with the spotted deer. (03-129-15)
Here itself, O tiger among men, Marutta conducts the supreme sacrifice, sheltered and protected by Saṁvarta, the foremost among divine sages. (03-129-16)
Here, after touching water, O king, one sees all the worlds. He is also purified from evil actions by duly touching (water), O Bhārata. (03-129-17)
Vaiśampāyana said.
There, accompanied by his brothers, having bathed and being praised by the great sages, O best of the Pāṇḍavas, he spoke these words to Lomasha. (03-129-18)
O one whose prowess is truth, by austerity I clearly perceive all worlds. Here I see the best among the Pāṇḍavas, the one with white steeds. (03-129-19)
Lomasha said.
Thus, O mighty-armed one, the supreme seers see this Sarasvatī river, this holy one, encompassed by having a single refuge. (03-129-20)
O best of men, where having bathed, one becomes washed free of sin. Here, divine sages, as well as sages and royal sages, O son of Kuntī, have performed sacrifices connected with Sarasvatī. (03-129-21)
This altar of Prajāpati extends five yojanas on all sides. This is the field of the noble Kuru, who is devoted to sacrifice. (03-129-22)
