13.026
तीर्थप्रशंसा
Praise of sacred places.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
तीर्थानां दर्शनं श्रेयः स्नानं च भरतर्षभ। श्रवणं च महाप्राज्ञ श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः ॥१३-२६-१॥
O bull among the Bharatas, seeing sacred fords is better than bathing; and O greatly wise one, I wish to hear in reality about hearing. (13-26-1)
पृथिव्यां यानि तीर्थानि पुण्यानि भरतर्षभ। वक्तुमर्हसि मे तानि श्रोतास्मि नियतः प्रभो ॥१३-२६-२॥
O best of the Bharatas, O lord, you are worthy to tell me of those meritorious holy places on earth; I am ready to listen with discipline. (13-26-2)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
इममङ्गिरसा प्रोक्तं तीर्थवंशं महाद्युते। श्रोतुमर्हसि भद्रं ते प्राप्स्यसे धर्ममुत्तमम् ॥१३-२६-३॥
O greatly radiant one, you are worthy to hear this lineage of sacred places spoken by Aṅgiras; auspiciousness to you, you will attain the highest dharma. (13-26-3)
तपोवनगतं विप्रमभिगम्य महामुनिम्। पप्रच्छाङ्गिरसं वीर गौतमः संशितव्रतः ॥१३-२६-४॥
Gautama, the heroic sage firm in his vows, went to the forest of austerities, approached the brāhmaṇa, the great sage, and asked the descendant of Aṅgiras. (13-26-4)
अस्ति मे भगवन्कश्चित्तीर्थेभ्यो धर्मसंशयः। तत्सर्वं श्रोतुमिच्छामि तन्मे शंस महामुने ॥१३-२६-५॥
O revered one, I have some doubt regarding dharma and the sacred places. I wish to hear all about that; please tell me everything, O great sage. (13-26-5)
उपस्पृश्य फलं किं स्यात्तेषु तीर्थेषु वै मुने। प्रेत्यभावे महाप्राज्ञ तद्यथास्ति तथा वद ॥१३-२६-६॥
O sage, having touched (the water), what result is obtained in those holy places? O greatly wise one, in the afterlife, tell me exactly as it is. (13-26-6)
अङ्गिरा उवाच॥
Angiras said.
सप्ताहं चन्द्रभागां वै वितस्तामूर्मिमालिनीम्। विगाह्य वै निराहारो निर्ममो मुनिवद्भवेत् ॥१३-२६-७॥
For seven days, one should enter the Candrabhāgā and Vitastā rivers, adorned with waves, and, without food and without possessiveness, become like a sage. (13-26-7)
काश्मीरमण्डले नद्यो याः पतन्ति महानदम्। ता नदीः सिन्धुमासाद्य शीलवान्स्वर्गमाप्नुयात् ॥१३-२६-८॥
In the region of Kashmir, the rivers that flow into the great river and then reach the Sindhu, a virtuous person who bathes in them may attain heaven. (13-26-8)
पुष्करं च प्रभासं च नैमिषं सागरोदकम्। देविकामिन्द्रमार्गं च स्वर्णबिन्दुं विगाह्य च ॥ विबोध्यते विमानस्थः सोऽप्सरोभिरभिष्टुतः ॥१३-२६-९॥
He, having entered Puṣkara, Prabhāsa, Naimiṣa, the ocean-water, Devikā, Indra's path, and Swarna-bindu, is awakened in an aerial car and praised by the Apsarases. (13-26-9)
हिरण्यबिन्दुं विक्षोभ्य प्रयतश्चाभिवाद्य तम्। कुशेशयं च देवत्वं पूयते तस्य किल्बिषम् ॥१३-२६-१०॥
After agitating the golden drop (water), the purified person, having saluted him and the Kuśa seat, attains divinity, and his sin is purified. (13-26-10)
इन्द्रतोयां समासाद्य गन्धमादनसंनिधौ। करतोयां कुरङ्गेषु त्रिरात्रोपोषितो नरः ॥ अश्वमेधमवाप्नोति विगाह्य नियतः शुचिः ॥१३-२६-११॥
If a man, self-controlled and pure, having fasted for three nights, enters the Indratoyā near Gandhamādana or the Karatoyā among the Kuranga, he attains the merit of the Aśvamedha sacrifice. (13-26-11)
गङ्गाद्वारे कुशावर्ते बिल्वके नेमिपर्वते। तथा कनखले स्नात्वा धूतपाप्मा दिवं व्रजेत् ॥१३-२६-१२॥
One who bathes at the gate of the Gaṅgā, Kuśāvarta, Bilvaka, Nemi mountain, and likewise at Kanakhala, with sins washed away, attains heaven. (13-26-12)
अपां ह्रद उपस्पृश्य वाजपेयफलं लभेत्। ब्रह्मचारी जितक्रोधः सत्यसन्धस्त्वहिंसकः ॥१३-२६-१३॥
After touching the lake of waters, one may attain the fruit of the Vājapeya sacrifice; a celibate student who has conquered anger, is truthful, and non-violent. (13-26-13)
यत्र भागीरथी गङ्गा भजते दिशमुत्तराम्। महेश्वरस्य निष्ठाने यो नरस्त्वभिषिच्यते ॥ एकमासं निराहारः स्वयं पश्यति देवताः ॥१३-२६-१४॥
Where the Bhagirathi Ganga turns northward, in the seat of Maheśvara, the man who is anointed there and remains without food for one month, himself sees the deities. (13-26-14)
सप्तगङ्गे त्रिगङ्गे च इन्द्रमार्गे च तर्पयन्। सुधां वै लभते भोक्तुं यो नरो जायते पुनः ॥१३-२६-१५॥
Whoever, being born again, offers oblations in the seven Gaṅgās, the three Gaṅgās, and the path of Indra, indeed obtains to enjoy nectar. (13-26-15)
महाश्रम उपस्पृश्य योऽग्निहोत्रपरः शुचिः। एकमासं निराहारः सिद्धिं मासेन स व्रजेत् ॥१३-२६-१६॥
He who, after performing great austerity and purifying himself, is devoted to Agnihotra and is pure, if he remains without food for one month, should attain perfection within a month. (13-26-16)
महाह्रद उपस्पृश्य भृगुतुङ्गे त्वलोलुपः। त्रिरात्रोपोषितो भूत्वा मुच्यते ब्रह्महत्यया ॥१३-२६-१७॥
One who bathes in the great lake at Bhṛgutunga, who is not greedy for sensual pleasures, and who has fasted for three nights, is freed from the sin of killing a Brāhmaṇa. (13-26-17)
कन्याकूप उपस्पृश्य बलाकायां कृतोदकः। देवेषु कीर्तिं लभते यशसा च विराजते ॥१३-२६-१८॥
After touching the sacred well of Kanyākūpa and performing the water oblation at Balākā, one attains fame among the gods and shines with glory. (13-26-18)
देशकाल उपस्पृश्य तथा सुन्दरिकाह्रदे। अश्विभ्यां रूपवर्चस्यं प्रेत्य वै लभते नरः ॥१३-२६-१९॥
When a man bathes at the proper place and time in the Sundarikā lake, he is granted beauty and radiance by the two Aśvins, and indeed attains these after death. (13-26-19)
महागङ्गामुपस्पृश्य कृत्तिकाङ्गारके तथा। पक्षमेकं निराहारः स्वर्गमाप्नोति निर्मलः ॥१३-२६-२०॥
One who, after touching the great Ganga, likewise during Kṛttikā and Aṅgāraka, fasts for one fortnight, attains pure heaven. (13-26-20)
वैमानिक उपस्पृश्य किङ्किणीकाश्रमे तथा। निवासेऽप्सरसां दिव्ये कामचारी महीयते ॥१३-२६-२१॥
The one associated with aerial beings, having touched the hermitage of Kiṅkiṇikā and likewise in the divine abode of the apsarases, who moves at will, is honored. (13-26-21)
कालिकाश्रममासाद्य विपाशायां कृतोदकः। ब्रह्मचारी जितक्रोधस्त्रिरात्रान्मुच्यते भवात् ॥१३-२६-२२॥
When a celibate student who has conquered anger reaches the Kālikā hermitage and performs ablutions in the Vipāśā river, he is freed from worldly existence for three nights. (13-26-22)
आश्रमे कृत्तिकानां तु स्नात्वा यस्तर्पयेत्पितॄन्। तोषयित्वा महादेवं निर्मलः स्वर्गमाप्नुयात् ॥१३-२६-२३॥
Whoever, having bathed at the hermitage of the Kṛttikās, satisfies the ancestors and pleases Mahādeva, being pure, may attain heaven. (13-26-23)
महापुर उपस्पृश्य त्रिरात्रोपोषितो नरः। त्रसानां स्थावराणां च द्विपदानां भयं त्यजेत् ॥१३-२६-२४॥
After touching the great river and fasting for three nights, a man should give up fear of all moving creatures, stationary beings, and bipeds. (13-26-24)
देवदारुवने स्नात्वा धूतपाप्मा कृतोदकः। देवलोकमवाप्नोति सप्तरात्रोषितः शुचिः ॥१३-२६-२५॥
One who, after bathing in the deodar forest, has washed away his sins, offered water, and remained pure for seven nights, attains the world of the gods. (13-26-25)
कौशन्ते च कुशस्तम्बे द्रोणशर्मपदे तथा। आपःप्रपतने स्नातः सेव्यते सोऽप्सरोगणैः ॥१३-२६-२६॥
He who bathes at Kauśanta, Kuśastamba, Droṇaśarma's place, and at the water-fall is served by groups of apsarases. (13-26-26)
चित्रकूटे जनस्थाने तथा मन्दाकिनीजले। विगाह्य वै निराहारो राजलक्ष्मीं निगच्छति ॥१३-२६-२७॥
Dwelling in Citrakūṭa, Janasthāna, and also in the waters of the Mandākinī, having entered them indeed and remaining without food, he attains royal fortune. (13-26-27)
श्यामायास्त्वाश्रमं गत्वा उष्य चैवाभिषिच्य च। त्रींस्त्रिरात्रान्स सन्धाय गन्धर्वनगरे वसेत् ॥१३-२६-२८॥
But after going to Śyāmā's hermitage, staying there and performing the anointing, and after completing three periods of three nights, he should reside in the city of the Gandharvas. (13-26-28)
रमण्यां च उपस्पृश्य तथा वै गन्धतारिके। एकमासं निराहारस्त्वन्तर्धानफलं लभेत् ॥१३-२६-२९॥
O Gandhatarika, by touching in a beautiful place in this way, if one remains without food for one month, one attains the fruit of disappearance. (13-26-29)
कौशिकीद्वारमासाद्य वायुभक्षस्त्वलोलुपः। एकविंशतिरात्रेण स्वर्गमारोहते नरः ॥१३-२६-३०॥
If a man reaches the gate of the Kauśikī river, subsists on air and is free from greed, he ascends to heaven in twenty-one nights. (13-26-30)
मतङ्गवाप्यां यः स्नायादेकरात्रेण सिध्यति। विगाहति ह्यनालम्बमन्धकं वै सनातनम् ॥१३-२६-३१॥
Whoever bathes in the Matanga tank for one night attains success; indeed, he truly enters the supportless, eternal darkness. (13-26-31)
नैमिषे स्वर्गतीर्थे च उपस्पृश्य जितेन्द्रियः। फलं पुरुषमेधस्य लभेन्मासं कृतोदकः ॥१३-२६-३२॥
In Naimisha, at the holy place leading to heaven, one who has conquered the senses and has performed the water-rite, after touching water, may obtain for a month the fruit of the Puruṣamedha sacrifice. (13-26-32)
गङ्गाह्रद उपस्पृश्य तथा चैवोत्पलावने। अश्वमेधमवाप्नोति तत्र मासं कृतोदकः ॥१३-२६-३३॥
By bathing in the Gaṅgā lake and similarly in the lotus-pond, one who offers water there for a month attains the merit of the Aśvamedha sacrifice. (13-26-33)
गङ्गायमुनयोस्तीर्थे तथा कालञ्जरे गिरौ। षष्टिह्रद उपस्पृश्य दानं नान्यद्विशिष्यते ॥१३-२६-३४॥
No other gift surpasses one given after bathing at the sacred ford of Gaṅgā and Yamunā, or on Kālañjara mountain, or at the sixty lakes. (13-26-34)
दश तीर्थसहस्राणि तिस्रः कोट्यस्तथापराः। समागच्छन्ति माघ्यां तु प्रयागे भरतर्षभ ॥१३-२६-३५॥
O best of the Bharatas, at Prayāga during the month of Māgha, ten thousand holy places and three crore others likewise all assemble together. (13-26-35)
माघमासं प्रयागे तु नियतः संशितव्रतः। स्नात्वा तु भरतश्रेष्ठ निर्मलः स्वर्गमाप्नुयात् ॥१३-२६-३६॥
O best of the Bharatas, one who is pure, self-controlled, and firm in vow, having bathed at Prayāga in the month of Māgha, may attain heaven. (13-26-36)
मरुद्गण उपस्पृश्य पितॄणामाश्रमे शुचिः। वैवस्वतस्य तीर्थे च तीर्थभूतो भवेन्नरः ॥१३-२६-३७॥
After touching the Maruts-group and being pure in the hermitage of the ancestors, and also at the holy place of Vaivasvata, a man becomes holy. (13-26-37)
तथा ब्रह्मशिरो गत्वा भागीरथ्यां कृतोदकः। एकमासं निराहारः सोमलोकमवाप्नुयात् ॥१३-२६-३८॥
Thus, by going to Brahmaśiras and performing water-rites in the Bhāgīrathī, if one fasts for a month, he may attain the realm of Soma. (13-26-38)
कपोतके नरः स्नात्वा अष्टावक्रे कृतोदकः। द्वादशाहं निराहारो नरमेधफलं लभेत् ॥१३-२६-३९॥
If a man bathes at Kapotaka, offers water at Aṣṭāvakra, and remains without food for twelve days, he may obtain the fruit of a human sacrifice. (13-26-39)
मुञ्जपृष्ठं गयां चैव निरृतिं देवपर्वतम्। तृतीयां क्रौञ्चपादीं च ब्रह्महत्या विशुध्यति ॥१३-२६-४०॥
By visiting Muñjapṛṣṭha, Gayā, Nirṛti, Devaparvata, and the third, Krauñcapādī, one is purified of the sin of killing a Brāhmaṇa. (13-26-40)
कलश्यां वाप्युपस्पृश्य वेद्यां च बहुशोजलाम्। अग्नेः पुरे नरः स्नात्वा विशालायां कृतोदकः ॥ देवह्रद उपस्पृश्य ब्रह्मभूतो विराजते ॥१३-२६-४१॥
After purifying himself with water from the water-pot or repeatedly on the altar, and bathing in the city of Agni, a man who has offered water in Viśālā and touched the sacred pond shines forth, having attained the state of Brahman. (13-26-41)
पुरापवर्तनं नन्दां महानन्दां च सेव्य वै। नन्दने सेव्यते दान्तस्त्वप्सरोभिरहिंसकः ॥१३-२६-४२॥
In ancient times, the rivers Nandā and Mahānandā were to be resorted to for purification. In the Nandana garden, the self-controlled and non-violent person is served by apsarases. (13-26-42)
उर्वशीकृत्तिकायोगे गत्वा यः सुसमाहितः। लौहित्ये विधिवत्स्नात्वा पुण्डरीकफलं लभेत् ॥१३-२६-४३॥
Whoever, at the conjunction of Urvaśī and Kṛttikā, goes with full concentration and bathes in the Lauhitya river according to the prescribed procedure, attains the merit known as the fruit of Puṇḍarīka. (13-26-43)
रामह्रद उपस्पृश्य विशालायां कृतोदकः। द्वादशाहं निराहारः कल्मषाद्विप्रमुच्यते ॥१३-२६-४४॥
By touching the Rama-lake and performing water-rites in Viśālā, one who fasts for twelve days is completely freed from sin. (13-26-44)
महाह्रद उपस्पृश्य शुद्धेन मनसा नरः। एकमासं निराहारो जमदग्निगतिं लभेत् ॥१३-२६-४५॥
If a man bathes in the great lake with a pure mind and remains without food for one month, he attains the state of Jamadagni. (13-26-45)
विन्ध्ये सन्ताप्य चात्मानं सत्यसन्धस्त्वहिंसकः। षण्मासं पदमास्थाय मासेनैकेन शुध्यति ॥१३-२६-४६॥
By tormenting himself in the Vindhya mountains, remaining truthful and non-violent, and staying at that place for six months, one becomes purified in a single month. (13-26-46)
नर्मदायामुपस्पृश्य तथा सूर्पारकोदके। एकपक्षं निराहारो राजपुत्रो विधीयते ॥१३-२६-४७॥
After purifying himself in the Narmadā river and likewise in the waters of Sūrpāraka, the prince is prescribed to fast without food for a fortnight. (13-26-47)
जम्बूमार्गे त्रिभिर्मासैः संयतः सुसमाहितः। अहोरात्रेण चैकेन सिद्धिं समधिगच्छति ॥१३-२६-४८॥
One who is restrained and well-concentrated on the Jambu path attains perfection in three months, or in just one day and night. (13-26-48)
कोकामुखे विगाह्यापो गत्वा चण्डालिकाश्रमम्। शाकभक्षश्चीरवासाः कुमारीर्विन्दते दश ॥१३-२६-४९॥
One who enters water at the mouth of a well, goes to the hermitage of a caṇḍālikā, eats only vegetables, and wears bark garments, obtains ten maidens. (13-26-49)
वैवस्वतस्य सदनं न स गच्छेत्कदाचन। यस्य कन्याह्रदे वासो देवलोकं स गच्छति ॥१३-२६-५०॥
One should never go to the abode of Vaivasvata; whoever resides in the maiden's lake attains the world of the gods. (13-26-50)
प्रभासे त्वेकरात्रेण अमावास्यां समाहितः। सिध्यतेऽत्र महाबाहो यो नरो जायते पुनः ॥१३-२६-५१॥
O mighty-armed one, here in Prabhāsa, whoever is born again and remains concentrated for one night on the new moon, his purpose is accomplished. (13-26-51)
उज्जानक उपस्पृश्य आर्ष्टिषेणस्य चाश्रमे। पिङ्गायाश्चाश्रमे स्नात्वा सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ॥१३-२६-५२॥
By bathing at Ujjānaka, at the hermitage of Ārṣṭiṣeṇa, and at the hermitage of Piṅgā, one is freed from all sins. (13-26-52)
कुल्यायां समुपस्पृश्य जप्त्वा चैवाघमर्षणम्। अश्वमेधमवाप्नोति त्रिरात्रोपोषितः शुचिः ॥१३-२६-५३॥
Having thoroughly touched the water in the channel and recited the Aghamarṣaṇa hymn, a pure person who has fasted for three nights attains the merit of the Aśvamedha sacrifice. (13-26-53)
पिण्डारक उपस्पृश्य एकरात्रोषितो नरः। अग्निष्टोममवाप्नोति प्रभातां शर्वरीं शुचिः ॥१३-२६-५४॥
If a man, after ritually touching Piṇḍāraka and spending one night there, remains pure until the dawn, he attains the merit of performing the Agniṣṭoma sacrifice. (13-26-54)
तथा ब्रह्मसरो गत्वा धर्मारण्योपशोभितम्। पुण्डरीकमवाप्नोति प्रभातां शर्वरीं शुचिः ॥१३-२६-५५॥
Thus, after reaching the Brahma-lake beautified by the Dharma-forest, the pure person attains the lotus and experiences the night turning into dawn. (13-26-55)
मैनाके पर्वते स्नात्वा तथा सन्ध्यामुपास्य च। कामं जित्वा च वै मासं सर्वमेधफलं लभेत् ॥१३-२६-५६॥
By bathing on Mainaka mountain, worshipping at twilight, and conquering desire for a month, one attains the fruit of the Sarvamedha sacrifice. (13-26-56)
विख्यातो हिमवान्पुण्यः शङ्करश्वशुरो गिरिः। आकरः सर्वरत्नानां सिद्धचारणसेवितः ॥१३-२६-५७॥
The well-known holy mountain Himavat, Śaṅkara's father-in-law, is a mine of all jewels and is attended by Siddhas and Cāraṇas. (13-26-57)
शरीरमुत्सृजेत्तत्र विधिपूर्वमनाशके। अध्रुवं जीवितं ज्ञात्वा यो वै वेदान्तगो द्विजः ॥१३-२६-५८॥
The twice-born who is a knower of Vedānta, knowing that life is unstable, should abandon the body there according to prescribed rites when it is incurable. (13-26-58)
अभ्यर्च्य देवतास्तत्र नमस्कृत्य मुनींस्तथा। ततः सिद्धो दिवं गच्छेद्ब्रह्मलोकं सनातनम् ॥१३-२६-५९॥
After worshipping the deities there and bowing to the sages as well, the perfected person then ascends to heaven, to the eternal world of Brahma. (13-26-59)
कामं क्रोधं च लोभं च यो जित्वा तीर्थमावसेत्। न तेन किञ्चिन्न प्राप्तं तीर्थाभिगमनाद्भवेत् ॥१३-२६-६०॥
He who, having conquered desire, anger, and greed, dwells at a sacred place—there is nothing that he does not attain by going to a sacred place. (13-26-60)
यान्यगम्यानि तीर्थानि दुर्गाणि विषमाणि च। मनसा तानि गम्यानि सर्वतीर्थसमासतः ॥१३-२६-६१॥
All those sacred places, fortresses, and difficult spots that are inaccessible can be reached by the mind, as a summary of all sacred places. (13-26-61)
इदं मेध्यमिदं धन्यमिदं स्वर्ग्यमिदं सुखम्। इदं रहस्यं देवानामाप्लाव्यानां च पावनम् ॥१३-२६-६२॥
This is pure, this is blessed, this leads to heaven, this is happiness. This is the secret of the gods, of the purified, and it is purifying. (13-26-62)
इदं दद्याद्द्विजातीनां साधूनामात्मजस्य वा। सुहृदां च जपेत्कर्णे शिष्यस्यानुगतस्य वा ॥१३-२६-६३॥
This should be given to the twice-born, the virtuous, one's own son, or to friends; and should be recited in the ear of a disciple or follower. (13-26-63)
दत्तवान्गौतमस्येदमङ्गिरा वै महातपाः। गुरुभिः समनुज्ञातः काश्यपेन च धीमता ॥१३-२६-६४॥
Aṅgirā, the great ascetic, having been permitted by the wise teachers and by Kāśyapa, indeed gave this to Gautama. (13-26-64)
महर्षीणामिदं जप्यं पावनानां तथोत्तमम्। जपंश्चाभ्युत्थितः शश्वन्निर्मलः स्वर्गमाप्नुयात् ॥१३-२६-६५॥
This is the recitation of the great seers, the highest among the purifiers. Whoever, having arisen, always recites this with purity, may attain heaven. (13-26-65)
इदं यश्चापि शृणुयाद्रहस्यं त्वङ्गिरोमतम्। उत्तमे च कुले जन्म लभेज्जातिं च संस्मरेत् ॥१३-२६-६६॥
Whoever also hears this secret, your opinion, may obtain birth in the best family and may remember their caste. (13-26-66)
