13.026
tīrthapraśaṁsā
Praise of sacred places.
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
tīrthānāṃ darśanaṃ śreyaḥ snānaṃ ca bharatarṣabha। śravaṇaṃ ca mahāprājña śrotumicchāmi tattvataḥ ॥13-26-1॥
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)
pṛthivyāṃ yāni tīrthāni puṇyāni bharatarṣabha। vaktum arhasi me tāni śrotāsmi niyataḥ prabho ॥13-26-2॥
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)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said.
imamaṅgirasā proktaṃ tīrthavaṃśaṃ mahādyute। śrotumarhasi bhadraṃ te prāpsyase dharmamuttamam ॥13-26-3॥
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)
tapovanagataṃ vipramabhigamya mahāmunim। papracchāṅgirasaṃ vīra gautamaḥ saṃśitavrataḥ ॥13-26-4॥
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)
asti me bhagavan kaścit tīrthebhyaḥ dharma-saṁśayaḥ। tat sarvaṁ śrotum icchāmi tan me śaṁsa mahā-mune ॥13-26-5॥
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)
upaspṛśya phalaṃ kiṃ syāt teṣu tīrtheṣu vai mune. pretyabhāve mahāprājña tadyathāsti tathā vada ॥13-26-6॥
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)
aṅgirā uvāca॥
Angiras said.
saptāhaṃ candrabhāgāṃ vai vitastāmūrmimālinīm। vigāhya vai nirāhāro nirmamo munivadbhavet ॥13-26-7॥
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)
kāśmīramaṇḍale nadyo yāḥ patanti mahānadam। tā nadīḥ sindhum āsādya śīlavān svargam āpnuyāt ॥13-26-8॥
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)
puṣkaraṃ ca prabhāsaṃ ca naimiṣaṃ sāgarodakam। devikām indramārgaṃ ca svarṇabinduṃ vigāhya ca ॥ vibodhyate vimānasthaḥ so'psarobhir abhiṣṭutaḥ ॥13-26-9॥
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)
hiraṇyabinduṃ vikṣobhya prayataścābhivādya tam। kuśeśayaṃ ca devatvaṃ pūyate tasya kilbiṣam ॥13-26-10॥
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)
indratoyāṃ samāsādya gandhamādanasannidhau। karatoyāṃ kuraṅgeṣu trirātrupoṣito naraḥ ॥ aśvamedhamavāpnoti vigāhya niyataḥ śuciḥ ॥13-26-11॥
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)
gaṅgādvāre kuśāvarte bilvake nemiparvate। tathā kanakhale snātvā dhūtapāpmā divaṃ vrajet ॥13-26-12॥
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)
apāṃ hrada upaspṛśya vājapeyaphalaṃ labhet। brahmacārī jitakrodhaḥ satyasandhastvahiṃsakaḥ ॥13-26-13॥
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)
yatra bhāgīrathī gaṅgā bhajate diśam uttarām। maheśvarasya niṣṭhāne yo naraḥ tv abhiṣicyate ॥ ekamāsaṃ nirāhāraḥ svayaṃ paśyati devatāḥ ॥13-26-14॥
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)
saptagaṅge trigaṅge ca indramārge ca tarpayan। sudhāṃ vai labhate bhoktuṃ yo naro jāyate punaḥ ॥13-26-15॥
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)
mahāśrama upaspṛśya yo'gnihotraparaḥ śuciḥ। ekamāsaṃ nirāhāraḥ siddhiṃ māsena sa vrajet ॥13-26-16॥
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)
mahāhrada upaspṛśya bhṛgutunge tvalolupaḥ। trirātroṣito bhūtvā mucyate brahmahatyayā ॥13-26-17॥
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)
kanyākūpa upaspṛśya balākāyāṃ kṛtodakaḥ। deveṣu kīrtiṃ labhate yaśasā ca virājate ॥13-26-18॥
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)
deśakāla upaspṛśya tathā sundarikāhrade। aśvibhyāṃ rūpavarcasyam pretya vai labhate naraḥ ॥13-26-19॥
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)
mahāgaṅgām-upaspṛśya kṛttikāṅgārake tathā। pakṣam-ekaṃ nirāhāraḥ svargam-āpnoti nirmalaḥ ॥13-26-20॥
One who, after touching the great Ganga, likewise during Kṛttikā and Aṅgāraka, fasts for one fortnight, attains pure heaven. (13-26-20)
vaimānika upaspṛśya kiṅkiṇīkāśrame tathā। nivāse'psarasāṃ divye kāmacārī mahīyate ॥13-26-21॥
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)
kālikāśramam āsādya vipāśāyāṃ kṛtodakaḥ। brahmacārī jitakrodhas trirātrān mucyate bhavāt ॥13-26-22॥
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)
āśrame kṛttikānāṃ tu snātvā yas tarpayet pitṝn। toṣayitvā mahādevaṃ nirmalaḥ svargam āpnuyāt ॥13-26-23॥
Whoever, having bathed at the hermitage of the Kṛttikās, satisfies the ancestors and pleases Mahādeva, being pure, may attain heaven. (13-26-23)
mahāpura upaspṛśya trirātropoṣito naraḥ। trasānāṃ sthāvarāṇāṃ ca dvipadānāṃ bhayaṃ tyajet ॥13-26-24॥
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)
devadāruvane snātvā dhūtapāpmā kṛtodakaḥ। devalokam avāpnoti saptarātroṣitaḥ śuciḥ ॥13-26-25॥
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)
kauśante ca kuśastambe droṇaśarmapade tathā। āpaḥprapatane snātaḥ sevyate so'psarogaṇaiḥ ॥13-26-26॥
He who bathes at Kauśanta, Kuśastamba, Droṇaśarma's place, and at the water-fall is served by groups of apsarases. (13-26-26)
citrakūṭe janasthāne tathā mandākinījale। vigāhya vai nirāhāro rājalakṣmīṃ nigacchati ॥13-26-27॥
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)
śyāmāyās tv āśramaṃ gatvā uṣya caiva abhiṣicya ca। trīṃs trirātrān sa sandhāya gandharvanagare vaset ॥13-26-28॥
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)
ramaṇyāṃ ca upaspṛśya tathā vai gandhatārike। ekamāsaṃ nirāhāras tv antardhāna-phalaṃ labhet ॥13-26-29॥
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)
kauśikīdvāram āsādya vāyubhakṣas tvalolupaḥ। ekaviṃśatirātreṇa svargam ārohate naraḥ ॥13-26-30॥
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)
mataṅgavāpyāṃ yaḥ snāyed ekarātreṇa sidhyati। vigāhati hy anālambam andhakaṃ vai sanātanam ॥13-26-31॥
Whoever bathes in the Matanga tank for one night attains success; indeed, he truly enters the supportless, eternal darkness. (13-26-31)
naimiṣe svargatīrthe ca upaspṛśya jitendriyaḥ। phalaṃ puruṣamedhasya labhenmāsaṃ kṛtodakaḥ ॥13-26-32॥
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)
gaṅgā-hrada upaspṛśya tathā caiva-utpalāvane। aśvamedham-avāpnoti tatra māsaṃ kṛtodakaḥ ॥13-26-33॥
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)
gaṅgā-yamunayos tīrthe tathā kālañjare girau। ṣaṣṭi-hrada upaspṛśya dānaṃ nānyad viśiṣyate ॥13-26-34॥
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)
daśa tīrthasahasrāṇi tisraḥ koṭyastathāparāḥ। samāgacchanti māghyāṃ tu prayāge bharatarṣabha ॥13-26-35॥
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)
māghamāsaṃ prayāge tu niyataḥ saṃśitavrataḥ। snātvā tu bharataśreṣṭha nirmalaḥ svargamāpnuyāt ॥13-26-36॥
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)
marudgaṇa upaspṛśya pitṝṇām āśrame śuciḥ। vaivasvatasya tīrthe ca tīrthabhūto bhaven naraḥ ॥13-26-37॥
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)
tathā brahmaśiro gatvā bhāgīrathyāṃ kṛtodakaḥ। ekamāsaṃ nirāhāraḥ somalokam avāpnuyāt ॥13-26-38॥
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)
kapotake naraḥ snātvā aṣṭāvakre kṛtodakaḥ। dvādaśāhaṃ nirāhāro naramedhaphalaṃ labhet ॥13-26-39॥
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)
muñjapṛṣṭhaṃ gayāṃ caiva nirṛtiṃ devaparvatam। tṛtīyāṃ krauñcapādīṃ ca brahmahatyā viśudhyati ॥13-26-40॥
By visiting Muñjapṛṣṭha, Gayā, Nirṛti, Devaparvata, and the third, Krauñcapādī, one is purified of the sin of killing a Brāhmaṇa. (13-26-40)
kalaśyāṃ vāpyupaspṛśya vedyāṃ ca bahuśojalām। agneḥ pure naraḥ snātvā viśālāyāṃ kṛtodakaḥ ॥ devahrada upaspṛśya brahmabhūto virājate ॥13-26-41॥
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)
purāpavartanaṃ nandāṃ mahānandāṃ ca sevya vai। nandane sevyate dāntastvap-sarobhirahiṃsakaḥ ॥13-26-42॥
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)
urvaśīkṛttikāyoge gatvā yaḥ susamāhitaḥ। lauhitye vidhivatsnātvā puṇḍarīkaphalaṃ labhet ॥13-26-43॥
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)
rāma-hrada upaspṛśya viśālāyāṃ kṛtodakaḥ। dvādaśāhaṃ nirāhāraḥ kalmaṣād vipramucyate ॥13-26-44॥
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)
mahāhrada upaspṛśya śuddhena manasā naraḥ। ekamāsaṃ nirāhāro jamadagnigatiṃ labhet ॥13-26-45॥
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)
vindhye santāpya cātmānaṃ satyasaṃdhas tvahiṃsakaḥ। ṣaṇmāsaṃ padam āsthāya māsenai kena śudhyati ॥13-26-46॥
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)
narmadāyām upaspṛśya tathā sūrpārakodake। ekapakṣaṃ nirāhāro rājaputro vidhīyate ॥13-26-47॥
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)
jambūmārge tribhirmāsaiḥ saṁyataḥ susamāhitaḥ। ahorātreṇa caikena siddhiṁ samadhigacchati ॥13-26-48॥
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)
kokāmukhe vigāhyāpo gatvā caṇḍālikāśramam। śākabhakṣaścīravāsāḥ kumārīrvindate daśa ॥13-26-49॥
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)
vaivasvatasya sadanaṃ na sa gacchet kadācana। yasya kanyā-hrade vāsaḥ devalokaṃ sa gacchati ॥13-26-50॥
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)
prabhāse tvekarātreṇa amāvāsyāṃ samāhitaḥ। sidhyate'tra mahābāho yo naro jāyate punaḥ ॥13-26-51॥
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)
ujjānaka upaspṛśya ārṣṭiṣeṇasya cāśrame. piṅgāyāścāśrame snātvā sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate ॥13-26-52॥
By bathing at Ujjānaka, at the hermitage of Ārṣṭiṣeṇa, and at the hermitage of Piṅgā, one is freed from all sins. (13-26-52)
kulyāyāṃ samupaspṛśya japtvā caiva aghamarṣaṇam। aśvamedham avāpnoti trirātroposhitaḥ śuciḥ ॥13-26-53॥
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)
piṇḍāraka upaspṛśya ekarātroṣito naraḥ। agniṣṭomam avāpnoti prabhātāṃ śarvarīṃ śuciḥ ॥13-26-54॥
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)
tathā brahmasaro gatvā dharmāraṇyopaśobhitam। puṇḍarīkam avāpnoti prabhātāṃ śarvarīṃ śuciḥ ॥13-26-55॥
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)
maināke parvate snātvā tathā sandhyām-upāsya ca। kāmaṃ jitvā ca vai māsaṃ sarvamedhaphalaṃ labhet ॥13-26-56॥
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)
vikhyāto himavān puṇyaḥ śaṅkaraśvaśuro giriḥ। ākaraḥ sarvaratnānāṃ siddhacāraṇasevitaḥ ॥13-26-57॥
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)
śarīram utsṛjet tatra vidhi-pūrvam anāśake। adhruvaṃ jīvitaṃ jñātvā yo vai vedāntago dvijaḥ॥13-26-58॥
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)
abhyarcya devatās tatra namaskṛtya munīn tathā। tataḥ siddho divaṃ gacched brahmalokaṃ sanātanam ॥13-26-59॥
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)
kāmaṃ krodhaṃ ca lobhaṃ ca yo jitvā tīrtham āvaset। na tena kiñcin na prāptaṃ tīrthābhigamanād bhavet ॥13-26-60॥
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)
yānyagam-yāni tīrthāni durgāṇi viṣamāṇi ca। manasā tāni gamyāni sarvatīrthasamāsataḥ ॥13-26-61॥
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)
idaṃ medhyam idaṃ dhanyam idaṃ svargyam idaṃ sukham। idaṃ rahasyaṃ devānām āplāvyānāṃ ca pāvanam ॥13-26-62॥
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)
idaṃ dadyāddvijātīnāṃ sādhūnām ātmajasya vā। suhṛdāṃ ca japet karṇe śiṣyasya anugatasya vā ॥13-26-63॥
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)
dattavān gautamasya idam aṅgirā vai mahātapāḥ। gurubhiḥ samanujñātaḥ kāśyapena ca dhīmatā ॥13-26-64॥
Aṅgirā, the great ascetic, having been permitted by the wise teachers and by Kāśyapa, indeed gave this to Gautama. (13-26-64)
maharṣīṇām idaṃ japyaṃ pāvanānāṃ tathottamam। japaṃ ca abhyutthitaḥ śaśvat nirmalaḥ svargam āpnuyāt ॥13-26-65॥
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)
idaṃ yaścāpi śṛṇuyād rahasyaṃ tvaṅgiromatam। uttame ca kule janma labhejjātiṃ ca saṃsmaret ॥13-26-66॥
Whoever also hears this secret, your opinion, may obtain birth in the best family and may remember their caste. (13-26-66)
