पुलस्त्य उवाच अथ संध्यां समासाद्य संवेद्यं तीर्थमुत्तमम्। उपस्पृश्य नरो विद्यां लभते नात्र संशयः॥
Pulastya said : Then going to the excellent Tirtha called Samveda in the evening and bathing there, a man obtains without doubt great learning.
रामस्य च प्रभावेण तीर्थं राजन् कृतं पुरा। तल्लौहित्यं समासाद्य विन्द्याद् बहु सुवर्णकम्॥
O king, going then to Tollouhitya, Tirtha created in the days of yore by the prowess of Rama, one obtains the fruits of giving away much gold.
करतोयां समासाद्य त्रिरात्रोपोषितो नरः। अश्वमेधमवाप्नोति प्रजापतिकृतो विधिः॥
Going to the Karatoya and fasting there for three nights, a man obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha, this is the injunction of the lord of creation.
गङ्गायास्तत्र राजेन्द्र सागरस्य च संगमे। अश्वमेधं दशगुणं प्रवदन्ति मनीषिणः॥
O king of kings, it has been said by the wise men that he who goes to the place where the Ganges has joined the sea, one obtains ten times the merit of Ashvamedha sacrifice.
गङ्गायास्त्वपरं पारं प्राप्य यः स्नाति मानवः। त्रिरात्रमुषितो राजन् सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते॥
O king, going to the opposite bank of the Ganges and living there for three nights, one is cleansed of all his sins.
ततो वैतरणी गच्छेत् सर्वपापप्रमोचनीम्। विरजं तीर्थमासाद्य विराजति यथा शशी॥
Then one should go to Vaitarini, which destroys all sins. Going then to the Tirtha, called Viraja, one shines like the moon.
प्रतरेच्च कुलं पुण्यं सर्वपापं व्यपोहति। गोसहस्रफलं लब्ध्वा पुनाति स्वकुलं नरः॥
Sanctifying his own race, he is cleansed of all his sins. Receiving the fruits of giving away one thousand kine, a man sanctifies his race.
शोणस्य ज्योतिरथ्यायाः संगमे नियतः शुचिः। तर्पयित्वा पितृन् देवानग्निष्टोमफलं लभेत्॥
Living with purity at the confluence of the Shona and the Jyotirathi and offering oblations to the Pitris and the celestials, one obtains the fruits of Agnishtoma sacrifice.
शोणस्य नर्मदायाश्च प्रभवे कुरुनन्दन। वंशगुल्म उपस्पृश्य वाजिमेधफलं लभेत्॥
O descendant of Kuru, bathing in Vanshagulma which is the source of the Shona and the Narmada one obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha sacrifice.
ऋषभं तीर्थमासाद्य कोसलायां नराधिप। वाजपेयमवाप्नोति त्रिरात्रोपोषितो नरः॥ गोसहस्रफलं विन्द्यात् कुलं चैव समुद्धरेत्।
O ruler of men, going to the Tirtha, called Rishabha in Kosala and fasting there for three nights, a man obtains the fruits of Vajapeya sacrifice. He obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine and saves his race.
कोसलां तु समासाद्य कालतीर्थमुपस्पृशेत्॥ वृषभैकादशफलं लभते नात्र संशयः। पुष्पवत्यामुपस्पृश्य त्रिरात्रोपोषितो नरः॥ गोसहस्रफलं लब्ध्वा पुनाति स्वकुलं नृप।
Going to Kosala and bathing in the Tirtha called Kala. One obtains without doubt the fruits of giving away eleven bulls. Bathing at Pushpavati and fasting there for three nights, a man, receiving the fruits of giving away one thousand kine, sanctifies his race.
ततो बदरिकातीर्थं स्नात्वा भरतसत्तम॥ दीर्घमायुरवाप्नोति स्वर्गलोकं च गच्छति।
O best of the Bharata race, then bathing in the Tirtha called Badarika, one obtains long life and goes to the celestials region.
अथ चम्पां समासाद्य भागीरथ्यां कृतोदकः॥ दण्डाख्यमभिगम्यैव गोसहस्रफलं लभेत्।
Going then to Champa and offering oblations in Bhagirathi and going to Danda Tirtha, one obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine.
लपेटिकां ततो गच्छेत् पुण्यां पुण्योपशोभिताम्॥ वाजपेयमवाप्नोति देवैः सर्वैश्च पूज्यते।
Then one should go to the sacred Lapetika graced by the presence of the virtuous. One obtains the fruits of Vajapeya sacrifice and becomes adored by the celestials.
ततो महेन्द्रमासाद्य जामदग्न्यनिषेवितम्॥ रामतीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा अश्वमेधफलं लभेत्।
Then going to Mahendra, frequented by the son of Jamadagni and bathing at the Rama Tirtha, a man obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha sacrifice.
मतङ्गस्य तु केदारस्तत्रैव कुरुनन्दन॥ तत्र स्नात्वा कुरुश्रेष्ठ गोसहस्रफलं लभेत्।
O descendant of Kuru, there is Matanga's Tirtha called Kedara, bathing there one obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine.
श्रीपर्वतं समासाद्य नदीतीरमुपस्पृशेत्॥ अश्वमेधमवाप्नोति पूजयित्वा वृषध्वजम्।
Going to the mountain, called Sri, one should bathe in the river. Worshipping Vrishadhvaja, a (Shiva) one obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha sacrifice.
श्रीपर्वते महादेवो देव्या सह महाद्युतिः॥ न्यवसत् परमप्रीतो ब्रह्मा च त्रिदशैः सह। तत्र देवह्रदे स्नात्वा शुचिः प्रयतमानसः॥ अश्वमेधमवाप्नोति परां सिद्धिं च गच्छति। ऋषभं पर्वतं गत्वा पाण्ड्ये दैवतपूजितम्। वाजपेयमवाप्नोति नाकपृष्ठे च मोदते॥
The greatly effulgent Mahadeva lives with his wife on the Sri mountain. There dwell also with great pleasure Brahma and the celestials. Then bathing in the Devahrada with purity and subdued mind, one obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha and attains to the highest state. Going to the Rishabha mountain in Pandya adored by the celestials, one obtains the fruits of Vajapeya (sacrifice) and rejoices in heaven.
ततो गच्छेत कावेरी वृतामप्सरसां गणैः। तत्र स्नात्वा नरो राजन् गोसहस्रफलं लभेत्॥
Then one should go to Kaveri, surrounded by the Apsaras. O king, bathing there a man obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine.
ततस्तीरे समुद्रस्य कन्यातीर्थमुपस्पृशेत्। तत्रोपस्पृश्य राजेन्द्र सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते॥
Then one should bathe in the Tirtha called Kanya on the sea coast. O king of kings, bathing there one is cleansed of all his sins.
अथ गोकर्णमासाद्य त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम्। समुद्रमध्ये राजेन्द्र सर्वलोकनमस्कृतम्॥ यत्र ब्रह्मादयो देवा ऋषयश्च तपोधनाः। भूतयक्षपिशाचाश्च किंनराः समहोरगाः॥ सिद्धचारणगन्धर्वमानुषाः पन्नगास्तथा। सरितः सागराः शैला उपासन्त उमापतिम्॥
The going to Gokarna, celebrated all over the three worlds and, O king of kings, which is situated in the midst of the ocean and is reverenced by all the worlds. Where Brahma and other celestials, the ascetic Rishis, the Bhutas, the Yakshas, the Kinnaras, the great Nagas, the Siddhas, the Charanas, the Gandharvas, the men, the snakes, the rivers, the seas and the hills, worship the lord of Uma.
तत्रेशानं समभ्यर्च्य त्रिरात्रोपोषितो नरः। अश्वमेधमवाप्नोति गाणपत्यं च विन्दति॥
Worshipping thcre Ishana and fasting for three nights, a man obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha sacrifice and attains to the state of Ganapatya.
उष्य द्वादशरात्रं तु पूतात्मा च भवेन्नरः। तत एव च गायत्र्याः स्थानं त्रैलोक्यपूजितम्॥
Living there for twelve nights a man becomes purified in his soul. Then one should go to the region of Gayatri adored by all the three worlds.
त्रिरात्रमुषितस्तत्र गोसहस्रफलं लभेत्। निदर्शनं च प्रत्यक्षं ब्राह्मणानां नराधिप॥
Living there for three nights, one obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine. O ruler of men, a strange phenomenon as regards Bralumanas is scen there.
गायत्री पठते यस्तु योनिसंकरजस्तथा। गाथा च गाथिका चापि तस्य सम्पद्यते नृप॥
O king, if a Brahmana whether born of a Brahmana woman or of a woman of any other caste, recites Gayitri there, his recitation becomes rhythmical and musical.
अब्राह्मणस्य सावित्री पठतस्तु प्रणश्यति। संवर्तस्य तु विप्रर्वापीमासाद्य दुर्लभाम्॥ रूपस्य भागी भवति सुभगश्च प्रजापते।
A man who is not a Brahmana cannot properly recite it at all. Going then to the inaccessible tank of the Brahmana Rishi Samvarta, one obtains personal beauty and great prosperity.
ततो वेणां समासाद्य त्रिरात्रोपोषितो नरः॥ मयूरहंससंयुक्तं विमानं लभते नरः।
Then going to Vena one should offer oblations to the Pitris and the celestials. (By doing this) a man obtains a car drawn by peacocks and cranes.
ततो गोदावरी प्राप्य नित्यं सिद्धनिषेविताम्॥ गवां मेधमवाप्नोति वासुकेर्लोकमुत्तमम्। वेणायाः संगमे स्नात्वा वाजिमेधफलं लभेत्॥
Then going to the Godavari, always frequented by the Siddhas. One obtains the fruits of a cow-sacrifice and goes to the excellent region of Vasuki. Bathing at the confluence of Vena one obtains the fruits of Vajapeya sacrifice.
वरदासंगमे स्नात्वा गोसहस्रफलं लभेत्। ब्रह्मस्थानं समासाद्य त्रिरात्रोपोषितो नरः॥ गोसहस्रफलं विन्द्यात् स्वर्गलोकं च गच्छति।
Bathing at the confluence of Varada one obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine. Going to Brahmasthana and living there for three nights a man. Obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine and goes to the celestials region.
कुशप्लवनमासाद्य ब्रह्मचारी समाहितः॥ त्रिरात्रमुषितः स्नात्वा अश्वमेधफलं लभेत्।
Going to Kushaplavana with concentrated mind and with Brahmacharya life. And fasting there for three nights and bathing there, one obtain the fruits of Ashvamedha sacrifice.
ततो देवह्रदेऽरण्ये कृष्णवेणाजलोद्भवे॥ जातिस्मरहदे स्नात्वा भवेज्जातिस्मरो नरः।
Then bathing in the charining Devahrada supplied with water by Krishna Vena. And also bathing in the Jatismarahrada, a man obtains the recollection of his former births.
यत्र क्रतुशतैरिष्ट्वा देवराजो दिवं गतः॥ अग्निष्टोमफलं विन्द्याद् गमनादेव भारत। सर्वदेवह्रदे स्नात्वा गोसहस्रफलं लभेत्॥
Here the king of the celestials performed one hundred sacrifices and went to heaven. O descendant of Bharata, one obtains the fruits of Agnishtoma by simply going here. Bathing in the Sarvadevahrada, one obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine.
ततो वापी महापुण्यां पयोष्णीं सरितां वराम्। पितृदेवार्चनरतो गोसहस्रफलं लभेत्॥
Then going to that best of water, that lake, called Payoshni and worshipping the Pitris and the celestials, one obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine.
दण्डकारण्यमासाद्य पुण्यं राजन्नुपस्पृशेत्। गोसहस्रफलं तस्य स्नातमात्रस्य भारत॥
O descendant of Bharata, O king going to the sacred Dandakas forest, one should bathe there. One obtains the fruits of giving away (in charity) as soon as one bathes there.
शरभङ्गाश्रमं गत्वा शुकस्य च महात्मनः। न दुर्गतिमवाप्नोति पुनाति च कुलं नरः॥
Going to the hermitage called Sharbhanga of the high-souled Shukra, a man never meets with any calamity and sanctifies his race.
ततः शूर्पारकं गच्छेज्जामदग्न्यनिषेवितम्। रामतीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा विन्द्याद् बहुसुवर्णकम्॥
Then one should go to Surparka frequented by the son of Jamadagni. Then bathing in that Rama-Tirtha a man obtains the fruits of giving away much gold.
सप्तगोदावरे स्नात्वा नियतो नियताशनः। महत् पुण्यमवाप्नोति देवलोकं च गच्छति॥
Bathing in the Sapta Godavari with regulated diet and subdued soul, one obtains great virtue and goes to the celestials region.
ततो देवपथं गत्वा नियतो नियताशनः। देवसत्रस्य यत् पुण्यं तदेवाप्नोति मानवः॥
Then going to the Devapatha with regulated diet and subdued soul, a man obtains the merit that is the fruit of Deva sacrifice.
तुङ्गकारण्यमासाद्य ब्रह्मचारी जितेन्द्रियः। वेदानध्यापयत् तत्र ऋषिः सारस्वतः पुरा॥
Going to Tungakaranya with passions under control and with Brahmacharya life, where in the days of yore, Rishi Sarasvta taught the Vedas to the ascetics.
तत्र वेदेषु नष्टेषु मुनेरङ्गिरसः सुतः। ऋषीणामुत्तरीयेषु सूपविष्टो यथासुखम्॥
There when the Vedas were lost, the son of Rishi Angirasa, sitting comfortably on the upper garments of the Rishis.
ओङ्कारेण यथान्यायं सम्यगुच्चारितेन ह। येन यत् पूर्वमभ्यस्तं तत् सर्वं समुपस्थितम्॥
Pronounced distinctly and with emphasis the word Om. At this, the ascetics again recollected all that they had learnt before.
ऋषयस्तत्र देवाश्च वरुणोऽग्निः प्रजापतिः। हरिर्नारायणस्तत्र महादेवस्तथैव च।॥
There the Rishis, the Devas, Varuna, Agni, Prajapati, Hari, Narayana and also Mahadeva.
पितामहश्च भगवान् देवैः सह महाद्युतिः। भृगु नियोजयामास याजनार्थे महाद्युतिम्॥
And the exalted and the greatly effulgent Grandsire, with the celestials appointed the greatly effulgent Bhrigu to perform their sacrifice.
ततः स चक्रे भगवानृषीणां विधिवत् तदा। सर्वेषां पुनराधानं विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा॥ आज्यभागेन तत्राग्नि तर्पयित्वा यथाविधि। देवाः स्वभवनं याता ऋषयश्च यथाक्रमम्॥ तदरण्यं प्रविष्टस्य तुङ्गकं राजसत्तम्। पापं प्रणश्यत्यखिलं स्त्रियो वा पुरुषस्य वा॥
Gratifying Agni with libations of ghee poured according to the ordinance, the highsouled Bhrigu once more performed the Agnidhyana sacrifice for all those Rishis. After which both they and the celestials went away to their respective homes one after another. O foremost of kings, he who enters the forest of Tungaka, whether male or female, is cleansed of all his sins.
तत्र मासं वसेद्धीरो नियतो नियताशन:। ब्रह्मलोकं व्रजेद् राजन् कुलं चैव समुद्धरेत्॥
O hero, there in that Tirtha one should live for a month with regulated diet and subdued soul.
मेधाविकं समासाद्य पितृन् देवांश्च तर्पयेत्। अग्निष्टोममवाप्नोति स्मृति मेधां च विन्दति॥
Going then to Medhavika, one should offer oblations to the Pitris and the celestials. By doing this, obtains the fruits of Agnishtoma (sacrifices) and also obtains memory and intellect.
अत्र कालञ्जरं नाम पर्वतं लोकविश्रुतम्। तत्र देवह्रदे स्नात्वा गोसहस्रफलं लभेत्॥
There in that Tirtha is the celebrated mountain called Kalanjara. Bathing in the celestials lake there, one obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine.
योः स्नातः साधयेत् तत्र गिरौ कालञ्जरे नृप। स्वर्गलोके महीयेत नरो नास्त्यत्र संशयः॥
O king, he who after a bath offers there oblations to the Pitris and the celestials is without doubt adored in heaven.
ततो गिरिवरश्रेष्ठे चित्रकूटे विशाम्पते। मन्दाकिनी समासाद्य सर्वपापप्रणाशिनीम्॥ तत्राभिषेकं कुर्वाणः पितृदेवार्चने रतः। अश्वमेधमवाप्नोति गतिं च परमां व्रजेत्॥
O king, going then to the river Mandakini which destroys sins and which is on that best of mountain called Chitrakuta, he who bathes there and worships the Pitris and the celestials obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha and attains to the best state.
ततो गच्छेतधर्मज्ञ भर्तृस्थानमनुत्तमम्। यत्र नित्यं महासेनो गुहः संनिहितो नृप॥
O virtuous man, one should then go to the excellent Bhartristhana where, O king, heaven's generalissimo always lives.
तत्र गत्वा नृपश्रेष्ठ गमनादेव सिध्यति। कोटितीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा गोसहस्रफलं लभेत्॥
O best of kings, only going there one obtains success. Bathing in the Koti Tirtha, a man obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine.
प्रदक्षिणमुपावृत्य ज्येष्ठस्थानं व्रजेन्नरः। अभिगम्य महादेवं विराजति यथा शशी॥
After walking round it a man should then to go Jyeshtasthana. Seeing Mahadeva there, one looks like the moon.
तत्र कूपे महाराज विश्रुता भरतर्षभ। समुद्रास्तत्र चत्वारो निवसन्ति युधिष्ठिर॥
O great king, ever steady in war O best of the Bharata race, O Yudhishthira, there is a celebrated well, in which four seas exist.
तत्रोपस्पृश्य राजेन्द्र पितृदेवार्चने रतः। नियतात्मा नरः पूतो गच्छेत परमां गतिम्॥
O king of kings, bathing there and worshipping the Pitris and the celestials with subdued soul, one being purified, obtains the highest state.
ततो गच्छेत राजेन्द्र शृङ्गवेरपुरं महत्। यत्र तीर्णो महाराज रामो दाशरथिः पुरा॥
O king of kings, one should then go to the great Sringapur where, O great king, Dasharatha's son Rama formerly crossed (the Ganges).
तस्मिंस्तीर्थे महाबाहो स्नात्वा पापैः प्रमुच्यते। गङ्गायां तु नरः स्नात्वा ब्रह्मचारी समाहितः॥ विधूतपाप्मा भवति वाजपेयं च विन्दति।
O mighty-armed hero, bathing in that Tirtha one is cleansed of his sins. Bathing in the Ganges with concentrated mind and with Brahmacharya life. One is cleansed of all his sins and obtains the fruits of Vajapeya sacrifice.
ततो मुञ्जवटं गच्छेत् स्थानं देवस्यधीमतः॥ अभिगम्य महादेवमभिवाद्य च भारत। प्रदक्षिणमुपावृत्य गाणपत्यमवाप्नुयात्॥ तस्मिस्तीर्थे तु जाह्नव्यां स्नात्वा पापैः प्रमुच्यते।
Then one should go to Munjavata, the region of the intelligent deity (Shiva). O descendant of Bharata, seeing there Mahadeva and worshipping him and also walking round it, one attains to the state of Ganapatya. Bathing in that Tirtha in the Janhavi, one is cleansed of all his sins.
ततो गच्छेत राजेन्द्र प्रयागमृषिसंस्तुतम्॥ तत्र ब्रह्मादयो देवा दिशश्च सदिगीश्वराः। लोकपालाश्च साध्याश्च पितरो लोकसम्मताः॥ सनत्कुमारप्रमुखास्तथैव परमर्षयः। अङ्गिरःप्रमुखाश्चैव तथा ब्रह्मर्षयोऽमलाः॥ तथा नागाः सुपर्णाश्च सिद्धाश्चक्रचरास्तथा। सरितः सागराश्चैव गन्धर्वाप्सरसोऽपि च॥ हरिश्च भगवानास्ते प्रजापतिपुरस्कृतः। तत्र त्रीण्यग्निकुण्डानि येषां मध्येन जाह्नवी॥ वेगेन समतिक्रान्ता सर्वतीर्थपुरस्कृता। तपनस्य सुता देवी त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुता॥ यमुना गड्या साधू संगता लोकपावनी। गङ्गायमुनयोर्मध्यं पृथिव्या जघनं स्मृतम्॥
Then, O king of kings, one should go to Prayaga which is highly praised by the Rishis. Here live Brahma and other celestials, the quarters with their presiding deities, the Lokapalas, the Saddhyas, the Pitris adored by the world, the grcat Rishis, Sanatkumar and others, the stainless Brahmarshis, Angiras and others, the Nagas, the Suparnas, the Siddhas, the snakes, the rivers, the seas, the Gandharvas, the Apsaras and the exalted Hari with the lord of creatures (Brahma) in front. There are three fiery caverns between which Janhavi, the foremost of Tirthas, rolls rapidly onward. The daughter of Tapana, celebrated all over the three worlds, the world purifying Yamuna unites here with the Ganges. The country between the Ganges and the Yamuna is considered as the Jaghana of the earth.
प्रयागं जघनस्थानमुपस्थमृषयो विदुः। प्रयागं सप्रतिष्ठानं कम्बलाश्वतरौ तथा॥ तीर्थं भोगवती चैव वेदिरेषा प्रजापतेः। तत्र वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च मूर्तिमन्तो युधिष्ठिर॥ प्रजापतिमुपासन्ते ऋषयश्च तपोधनाः। यजन्ते क्रतुभिर्देवास्तथा चक्रधरा नृपाः॥ तत: पुण्यतमं नाम त्रिषु लोकेषु भारत। प्रयागं सर्वतीर्थभ्यः प्रवदन्त्यधिकं विभो॥ गमनात् तस्य तीर्थस्य नामसंकीर्तनादपि। मृत्युकालभयाच्चापि नर: पापात् प्रमुच्यते॥
And Prayaga is known as the foremost point of that region. Prayaga, Sapratishanta, Kamvala, Asvatari and the Tirtha Bhogavati are the sacrificial altars of Prajapati (Brahma). O hero steady in war, the Vedas and the sacrifices in their embodied forms and also ascetic Rishis adore here Prajapati (Brahma). Here the celestials and the rulers of kingdoms perform their sacrifices. O descendant of Bharata, O lord, therefore Prayaga is the most sacred of all the Tirthas, in fact it is the foremost of all the Tirthas in the three worlds. Going to that Tirtha and singing its name and taking a little carth from it, one is cleansed of all his sins.
तत्राभिषेकं यः कुर्यात् संगमे लोकविश्रुते। पुण्यं स फलमाप्नोति राजसूयाश्वमेधयोः॥
He who bathes in this celebrated confluence obtains all the merits of Ashvamedha and Rajasuya (sacrifices).
एषा यजनभूमिर्हि देवानामभिसंस्कृता। तत्र दत्तं सूक्ष्ममपि महद् भवति भारत॥
O descendant of Bharata, this sacrificial place is worshipped by the celestials themselves. If a man gives away here only a little, it increases thousand-fold.
न वेदवचनात् तात न लोकवचनादपि। मतिरुत्क्रमणीया ते प्रयागमरणं प्रति॥
O child, let not the texts of the Veda or the opinions of men dissuade your mind from the desire of dying at Prayaga.
दश तीर्थसहस्राणि षष्टिः कोट्यस्तथापराः। येषां सांनिध्यमत्रैव कीर्तितं कुरुनन्दन॥ चतुर्विद्ये च यत् पुण्यं सत्यवादिषु चैव यत्। स्नात एव तदाप्नोति गङ्गायमुनसंगमे॥
O descendant of Kuru, the wise men say that six hundred millions and ten thousand Tirthas exist at Prayaga. Bathing in the confluence of the Ganges and the Yamuna, one obtains the merit of the four kinds of knowledge and the merits also of those that are truthful.
तत्र भोगवती नाम वासुकेस्तीर्थमुत्तमम्। तत्राभिषेकं यः कुर्यात् सोऽश्वमेधफलं लभेत्॥
There is an excellent Tirtha of Vasuki, called Bhogavati. He who bathes in it obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha.
तत्र हंसप्रपतनं तीर्थं त्रैलोक्यविश्रुतम्। दशाश्वमेधिकं चैव गङ्गायां कुरुनन्दन॥
O descendant of Kuru, there in the Ganges is a Tirtha, celebrated all over the three worlds, called Hansaprapatana which gives one the fruits of ten sacrifices.
कुरुक्षेत्रसमा गङ्गा यत्र तत्रावगाहिता। विशेषो वै कनखले प्रयागे परमं महत्॥
Wherever a man bathes in the Ganges he obtains the fruits of going to Kurukshetra, except the place named Kanakhala while the merit attaching to Prayaga is the greatest.
यद्यकार्यशतं कृत्वा कृतं गङ्गाभिषेचनम्। सर्वं तत् तस्य गङ्गाम्भो दहत्यग्निरिवेन्धनम्॥ सर्वं कृतयुगे पुण्यं त्रेतायां पुष्करं स्मृतम्। द्वापरेऽपि कुरुक्षेत्रं गङ्गा कलियुगे स्मृता॥ पुष्करे तु तपस्तप्येद् दानं दद्यान्महालये। मलये त्वग्निमारोहेद् भृगुतुङ्गे त्वनाशनम्॥
Having committed one hundred sins he who bathes in the Ganges has all his sins burnt off by the waters of the Ganges) as fuel is consumed by fire. It has been said that in the Satya Yuga all the Tirthas were sacred. In the Treta Pushkara alone was sacred. In the Dvapara Kurukshetra was sacred. In the Kaliyuga the Ganges alone is sacred. In Pushkara, one should practices asceticism, in Mahalaya one should give away (in charity); in the Malaya (mountains) one should ascend the funeral pyre, in Bhrigutunga, one should give up his body by fasting.
पुष्करे तु कुरुक्षेत्रे गङ्गायां मध्यमेषु या स्नात्वा तारयते जन्तुः सप्तसप्तावरांस्तथा॥
Bathing in Pushkara in Kurukshetra and in the Ganges and in the confluence of the Ganges and the Yamuna), one saves ten generations of his race upwards and downwards.
पुनाति कीर्तिता पापं दृष्टा भद्रं प्रयच्छति। अवगाढा च पीता च पुनात्यासप्तमं कुलम्॥
He who recites the name (of the Ganges) is purified. He who beholdsher obtains prosperity. He who bathes in her and drinks her water saves seven generations of his race upwards and downwards.
यावदस्थि मनुष्यस्य गङ्गाया स्पृशते जलम्। तावत् स पुरुषो राजन् स्वर्गलोके महीयते॥
O king, so long a man's bones lie in the waters of the Ganges, so long that man is adored in the celestials region,
यथा पुण्यानि तीर्थानि पुण्यान्यायतनानि च। उपास्य पुण्यं लब्ध्वा च भवत्यमरलोकभाक्॥
As is the man who earns virtues by visiting the Tirthas and by drinking their sacred water and thus by earning virtue adored in the celestials region.
न गङ्गासदृशं तीर्थं न देवः केशवात् परः। ब्राह्मणेभ्यः परं नास्ति एवमाह पितामहः॥
There is no Tirtha like the Ganges, there is no god like Keshava (Krishna), there is none superior to Brahmanas thus said the Grandsire (Brahma).
यत्र गङ्गा महाराज स देशस्तत् तपोवनम्। सिद्धिक्षेत्रं च तज्ज्ञेयं गङ्गातीरसमाश्रितम्॥
O great king, where there is the Ganges and the place on the banks of the Ganges, is the wood fit for asceticism. The region through which the Ganges flows is a favourite hermitage.
इदं सत्यं द्विजातीनां साधूनामात्मजस्य च। सुहृदां च जपेत् कर्णे शिष्यस्यानुगतस्य च॥
This truth (about Tirthas) should be recited to the ears of only Brahmanas, of the pious men, one's of own sons, friends, disciples and dependants.
इदंधन्यमिदं मेध्यमिदं स्वर्ग्यमनुत्तमम्। इदं पुण्यमिदं रम्यं पावनधर्म्यमुत्तमम्॥
It (this narrative of Tirthas) is unrivalled, it is blessed, it is holy and it leads men to heaven, it is holy, entertaining, sanctifying and it is productive of high merit.
महर्षीणामिदं गुह्यं सर्वपापप्रमोचनम्। अधीत्य द्विजमध्ये च निर्मलः स्वर्गमाप्नुयात्॥
It is a mystery of the great Rishis, it cleanses all sins. By reciting this holy history in the midst of Brahmanas, one goes to heaven.
श्रीमत् स्वयँ तथा पुण्यं सपत्नशमनं शिवम्। मेधाजननमवयं वै तीर्थवंशानुकीर्तनम्॥
It is auspicious, heaven-giving, sacred, it is ever blessed and it destroys one's cnemies. This narrative of Tirtha is the foremost of all narratives and it increases one's intellect.
अपुत्रो लभते पुत्रमधनोधनमाप्नुयात्। महीं विजयते राजा वैश्योधनमवाप्नुयात्॥
(By reciting it) the sonless obtain sons, the poor obtain wealth, the king conquers the world and the Vaisyas obtain affluence.
शूद्रोः यथेप्सितान् कामान् ब्राह्मणः पारगः पठन्। यश्चेदं शृणुयान्नित्यं तीर्थपुण्यं नरः शुचिः॥ जाती: स स्मरते बह्वी कपृष्ठे च मोदते। गम्यान्यपि च तीर्थानि कीर्तितान्यगमानि च॥
The Shudra cbtains all his desires and the Brahmana crosses the ocean (of world). The man who daily hears it with purity. Becomes abic to remember the incidents of his former births and rejoices in heaven. Some of the Tirthas that have been narrated here are accessible and some inaccessible.
मनसा तानि गच्छेत सर्वतीर्थसमीक्षया। एतानि वसुभिः साध्यैरादित्यैर्मरुदश्विभिः॥
But he who is eagerly desirous to see them should go to them even in his mind (with the help of imagination). The Vasus, the Sadhyas, the Adityas, the Marutas, the Ashvins.
ऋषिभिर्देवकल्पैश्च स्नातानि सुकृतैषिभिः। एवं त्वमपि कौरव्य विधिनानेन सुव्रत॥
And the Rishis equal to the celestials all bathed in them by performing good deeds. O descendant of Kuru, O vow observing hero, you too, acting according to the rites.
व्रज तीर्थानि नियतः पुण्यं पुण्येन वर्धयन्। भावितैः करणैः पूर्वमास्तिक्याच्छ्रुतिदर्शनात्॥ प्राप्यन्ते तानि तीर्थानि सद्भिः शास्त्रानुदर्शिभिः। नाव्रती नाकृतात्मा च नाशुचिर्न च तस्करः॥ स्नाति तीर्थेषु कौरव्य न च वक्रमतिर्नरः। त्वया तु सम्यग्वृत्तेन नित्यंधर्मार्थदर्शिना॥
Should with subdued senses, visit these Tirthas by increasing your virtue. The man of honesty and those who understand the Shastras are able to visit these Tirthas by reason of their purified soul, by their belief in Godhead and by their study of the Vedas. He who does not observe vows, whose soul is not under control, who is impure, who is a thief and who is crooked-minded cannot bathe in these Tirthas. O descendant of Kuru, you are ever observant of virtue and you are of pure character.
पिता पितामहश्चैव सर्वे च प्रपितामहाः। पितामहपुरोगाश्च देवाः सर्षिगणा नृप॥ तवधर्मेणधर्मज्ञ नित्यमेवाभितोषिताः। अवाप्स्यसि त्वं लोकान् वै वसूनां वासवोपम्। कीर्तिं च महतीं भीष्म प्राप्स्यसे भुवि शाश्वतीम्।१११।।
O king, you have always gratified by your virtue your father, your grandfather, your great grandfather and also the celestials with Grandsire (Brahma) at their head and also the Rishis, O virtuous man, O Vasava-like hero, O Bhishma, you will attain to the region of the Vasus and you will acquire eternal fame on earth.
नारद उवाच एवमुक्त्वाभ्यनुज्ञाय पुलस्त्यो भगवानृषिः। प्रीतः प्रीतेन मनसा तत्रैवान्तरधीयत॥
Narada said: Having thus spoken with cheerfulness and bidding farewell to him (Bhishma) the exalted Rishi Pulastya with his mind well pleased, disappeared then and there.
भीष्मश्च कुरुशार्दूल शास्त्रतत्त्वार्थदर्शिवान्। पुलस्त्यवचनाच्चैव पृथिवीं परिचक्रमे॥
O foremost of the Kurus, Bhishma also who well understood the true import of the Shastras travelled over the world at the command of Pulastya.
एवमेषा महाभाग प्रतिष्ठाने प्रतिष्ठिता। तीर्थयात्रा महापुण्या सर्वपापप्रमोचनी॥
O greatly exalted one, he (Bhishma) ended here (at Prayaga) his highly meritorious visits to the Tirthas which are ever capable of destroying all sins.
अनेन विधिना यस्तु पृथिवीं संचरिष्यति। अश्वमेधशतस्याङ्वयं फलं प्रेत्य स भोक्ष्यति॥
He who travels over the earth according to these rules obtains the great fruits of one hundred horse-sacrifices and finally obtains salvation.
ततश्चाष्टगुणं पार्थ प्राप्स्यसेधर्ममुत्तमम्। भीष्मः कुरूणां प्रवरो यथापूर्वमवाप्तवान्॥
O son of Pritha, you will get eight times superior merit to those that the foremost of the Kurus, Bhima formerly obtained.
नेता च त्वमृषीन् यस्मात् तेन तेऽष्टगुणं फलम्। रक्षोगणविकीर्णानि तीर्थान्येतानि भारत! न गतानि मनुष्येन्द्रस्त्वामृते कुरुनन्दन॥
O descendant of Bharata, as you will take all these Rishis to those Tirthas, your merit will be eight times greater. The Tirthas are infested with Rakshashas. O descendant of Kuru, none else except you can go there.
इदं देवर्षिचरितं सर्वतीर्थाभिसंवृत्तम्। यः पठेत् कल्यमुत्थाय सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते॥
He who recites this narrative of all the Tirthas told by the celestials Rishi (Pulastya) by rising early in the morning is cleansed of all his sins.
ऋषिमुख्याः सदा यत्र वाल्मीकिस्त्वथ कश्यपः। आत्रेयः कुण्डजठरो विश्वामित्रोऽथ गौतमः॥ असितो देवलश्चैव मार्कण्डेयोऽथ गालवः। भरद्वाजो वसिष्ठश्च मुनिरुद्दालकस्तथा॥ शौनकः सह पुत्रेण व्याश्च तपतां वरः। दुर्वासाश्च मुनिश्रेष्ठो जावालिश्च महातपाः॥ एते ऋषिवराः सर्वे त्वत्प्रतीक्षास्तपोधनाः। एभिः सह महाराज तीर्थान्येतान्यनुव्रज॥
There always dwell those foremost of Rishis, Valmiki and Kashyapa, Atrya, Kundayatra Vishvamitra, Gautama, Asita, Devala, Markandeya, Galava, Bharadvaja, Vasishtha, Uddalaka, Shaunaka with his son, that best of ascetics Vyasa, that foremost of Rishis Durvasa, the greatly ascetic Jabali, these foremost of Rishis are all waiting for of you. O great king, by visiting the Tirthas meet them.
एष ते लोमशो नाम महर्षिरमितद्युतिः। समेष्यति महाराज तेन सार्धमनुव्रज॥
O great king, a greatly effulgent Rishi named Lomasha will come to you. Go with him (to the Tirthas).
मयापि सहधर्मज्ञ तीर्थान्येतान्यनुक्रमात्। प्राप्स्यसे महतीं कीर्तिं यथा राजा महाभिषः।।१२४
You can go with me O virtuous man, to visit some of the Tirthas. You will by this obtain great fame as did king Mahavisha,
यथा ययातिधर्मात्मा यथा राजा पुरूरवाः। तथा त्वं राजशार्दूल स्वेनधर्मेण शोभसे॥ यथा भगीरथो राजा यथा रामश्च विश्रुतः। तथा त्वं सर्वराजभ्यो भ्राजसे रश्मिवानिव॥
As did virtuous minded Yayati, as did king Pururava. O foremost of kings, you too will blaze forth with your own virtue; as did king Bhagiratha as did the celebrated Rama, so would you shine among kings like the Sun.
यथा मनुर्यथेक्ष्वाकुर्यथा पूरुर्महायशाः। यथा वैन्यो महाराज तथा त्वमपि विश्रुतः॥ यथा च वृत्रहा सर्वान् सपत्नान् निर्दहन् पुरा। त्रैलोक्यं पालयामास देवराड् विगतज्वरः॥ तथा शत्रुक्षयं कृत्वा त्वं प्रजाः पालयिष्यसि। स्वधर्मविजितामुर्वी प्राप्य राजीवलोचन॥ ख्यातिं यास्यसिधर्मेण कार्तवीर्यार्जुनो यथा॥
As were Manu, Ikshvaku the greatly famous Puru and Vena so, O great king, would you become celebrated and as in the days of yore, the slayer of Vitra, the king of the celestials after, having burnt his enemies and having his mind freed from all anxieties ruled over the three worlds, so will you destroying your enemies rule over your subjects. O lotus-eyed hero, having conquered the earth according to the custom of your own order (Kshatriya), you will acquire renown by your own virtue as did Krittaviryarjuna.
वैशम्पायन उवाच एवमाश्वास्य राजानं नारदो भगवानृषिः। अनुज्ञाप्य महाराज तत्रैवान्तरधीयत॥
Vaishampayana said : Having thus comforted the king, O great king, the exalted Rishi Narada, bidding firewell disappeared then and there.
युधिष्ठिरोऽपिधर्मात्मा तमेवार्थं विचिन्तयन्। तीर्थयात्राश्रितं पुण्यमृषीणां प्रत्यवेदयत्॥
And the virtuous-minded Yudhishthira also, reflecting on the subject, recited before the Rishis the merits that are derived from visiting the Tirthas.