युधिष्ठिर उवाच तीर्थाना दर्शनं श्रेयः स्नानं च भरतर्षभ। श्रवणं च महाप्राज्ञ श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः॥
Yudhishthira said It has been said that sojourns to sacred waters is full of merit; that ablutions in such waters is meritorious; and that listening to the excellence of such waters is also meritorious. I wish to hear you expatiate on this subject, O grandfather.
पृथिव्यां यानि तीर्थानि पुण्यानि भरतर्षभ। वक्तुमर्हसि मे तानि श्रोतास्मि नियतं प्रभो॥
You should, O chief of Bharata's race, mention to me the sacred waters existing on this Earth. I wish you of great power to hear you describe to me this subject.
भीष्म उवाच इममङ्गिरसा प्रोक्तं तीर्थवंशं महाद्युते। श्रोतुमर्हसि भद्रं ते प्राप्स्यसे धर्ममुत्तमम्॥
Bhishma said O you of great splendour, Angiras thus enumerated the sacred waters on the Earth. Blessed be you, you should listen to it, for you will then acquire great merit.
तपोवनगतं विप्रमभिगम्य महामुनिम्। पप्रच्छाङ्गिरसं धीरं गौतमः संशितव्रतः॥ अस्ति मे भगवन् कश्चित्तीर्थेभ्यो धर्मसंशयः। तत् सर्वे श्रोतुमिच्छामि तन्मे शंस महामुने॥
Once on a time approaching the great and learned Rishi Angiras gifted with tranquillity of soul, while he was living in a forest, Gautama of rigid vows questioned him, saying O illustrious one, I have some doubts regarding the merits of sacred waters and shrines. I wish to hear you describe that subject. Do you therefore, O ascetic describe it to me.
उपस्पृश्य फलं किं स्योत्तेषु तीर्थेषु वै मुने। प्रेत्यभावे महाप्राज्ञ तद् यथास्ति तथा वद॥
What merits are acquired by a person regarding the next world, by bathing in the sacred waters on the Earth, O you of great wisdom? Do you explain to me this truly and according to the ordinance.
अंगीरस उवाच सप्ताहं चन्द्रभागां वै वितस्तामूर्मिमालिनीम्। विगाह्य वै निराहारो निर्मलो मुनिवद् भवेत्॥
Angiras said A person by bathing for seven days successively in the Chandrabhaga or the Vitasta whose waters are always seen to dance in waves, fasting all the while, is sure to become purged of all his sins and endued with the merit of an ascetic.
काश्मीरमण्डले नद्यो याः पतन्ति महानदम्। ता नदीः सिन्धुमासाद्य शीलवान् स्वर्गमाप्नुयात्॥
There ere many rivers in the country called Kashmira. All these fall into the great river called Sindhu (Indus). By bathing in these rivers one is sure to become gifted with good character and to ascend to heaven after leaving this world.
पुष्करं च प्रभासं च नैमिषं सागरोदकम्। देविकामिन्द्रमार्गं च स्वर्णबिन्दुं विगाह्य च॥ विबोध्यते विमानस्थः सोऽप्सरोभिरभिष्टुतः।
By bathing in Pushkara, Prabhasa and Naimisha, and the ocean and Devika, and Indramarga and Svarnabindu, one is sure to ascend where, seated on a celestial car, one is sure be filled with joy on being worshipped by the Apsaras
हिरण्यबिन्दुं विक्षोभ्य प्रयतश्चाभिवाद्य च॥ कुशेशयं च देव तं धूयते तस्य किल्बिषम्।
By bathing in the waters of Hiranyabindu with a concentrated mind and respecting that sacred river, and bathing next at Kusheshaya and Devanta, one becomes purged of all one's sins.
इन्द्रतोयां समासाद्य गन्धमादनसंनिधौ॥ करतोयां कुरङ्गे च त्रिरात्रोपोषितो नरः। अश्वमेधमवाप्नोति विगाह्य प्रयतः शुचिः॥
Going to Indratoya near the Mountains of Gandhamadana and next to Karatoyas in the country called Kuranga, one should fast for three days and then bathe in those sacred waters with a concentrated heart and pure body. By doing this, one is sure to acquire the merit of a Horse-sacrifice.
गङ्गाद्वारे कुशावर्ते बिल्वके नीलपर्वते। तथा कनखले स्नात्वा धूतपाप्मा दिवं व्रजेत्॥
Bathing in Gangadvara and Kushavarta and Vilvaka in the Blue mountains, as also in Kanakhala, one is sure to become purged of all one's sins and then ascend to heaven.
अपां ह्रद उपस्पृश्य वाजिमेधफलं लभेत्। ब्रह्मचारी जितक्रोधः सत्यसंधस्त्वहिंसकः॥
If one becomes a Brahmacharin and control his anger, devotes oneself to truth and practises mercy towards all creatures, and then bathes in the Lake of Waters, one is sure to acquire the merit of a Horse-sacrifice.
यत्र भागीरथी गङ्गा पतते दिशमुत्तराम्। महेश्वरस्य त्रिस्थाने यो नरस्त्वभिषिच्यते॥ एकमासं निराहारः स पश्यति हि देवताः।
That part where Bhagirathi-Ganga flows northwards is known as the union of heaven, Earth, and the nether regions. Fasting for one month and bathing in that sacred Tirtha which is acceptable to Maheshvara, one can see the deities.
सप्तगङ्गे त्रिगङ्गे च इन्द्रमार्गे च तर्पयन्॥ सुधां वै लभते भोक्तुं यो नरो जायते पुनः।
One who gives oblations of water to his departed manes at Saptaganga and Triganga and Indramarga, obtains ambrosia for food if one has still to go through rebirth.
महाश्रम उपस्पृश्य योऽग्निहोत्रपरः शुचिः॥ एकमासं निराहारः सिद्धिं मासेन स व्रजेत्।
The man who in a pure state of body and mind performs his daily Agnihotra and fasts for one month and then bathes in Mahashrama, is sure to acquire success in one month.
महाह्रद उपस्पृश्य भृगुतुङ्गे त्वलोलुपः॥ त्रिरात्रोपोषितो भूत्वा मुच्यते ब्रह्महत्यया।
By bathing after a fast of three days and purifying the mind of all evil propensities, in the large lake situate in Bhrigutunga, one becomes purged of even the sin of Brahmanicide.
कन्याकूप उपस्पृश्य बलाकायां कृतोदकः॥ देवेषु लभते कीर्ति यशसा च विराजते॥
By bathing in Kanyakupa and performing one's ablutions in Valaka, one wins great fame among even the celestials and shines in glory.
देविकायामुपस्पृश्य तथा सुन्दरिकाह्रदे। अश्विन्यां रूपवर्चस्कं प्रेत्य वै लभते नरः॥
Bathing in Devika and the lake known by the name of Sundarika as also in the Tirtha called Aslivini, one acquires, in next life, great personal beauty.
महागङ्गामुपस्पृश्य कृत्तिकाङ्गारके तथा। पक्षमेकं निराहारः स्वर्गमाप्नोति निर्मलः॥
By fasting for a fortnight and bathing in Mahaganga and Krittikangaraka, one becomes purged of all his sins and ascends to heaven.
वैमानिक उपस्पृश्य किङ्किणीकाश्रमे तथा। निवासेऽप्सरसां दिव्ये कामचारी महीयते॥
Bathing in Vaimanika and Kinkinika, one acquires the power of going everywhere at will and becomes an object of great respect in the celestial region of the Apsaras.
कालिकाश्रममासाद्य विपाशायां कृतोदकः। ब्रह्मचारी जितक्रोधस्त्रिरात्रं मुच्यते भवात्॥
If a person, controlling his anger, and observing the vow of Brahmacharya for three days, bathes in the river Vipasa at the hermitage called Kalika, he is sure to get over rebirth.
आश्रमे कृत्तिकानां तु स्नात्वा यस्तर्पयेत् पितॄन्। तोषयित्वा महादेवं निर्मला: स्वर्गमाप्नुयात्॥
Bathing in the asylum that is sacred to the Krittikas and offering oblations of water to the departed manes, and then pleasing Mahadeva, one becomes pure in body and mind and ascends to heaven.
महापुर उपस्पृश्य त्रिरात्रोपोषितः शुचिः। त्रसानां स्थावराणां च द्विपदानां भयं त्यजेत्॥
If one, fasting for three days with a purified body and mind, bathes in Mahapura, one becomes freed from the fear of all mobile and immobile animals as also of all two feeted animals.
देवदारुवने स्नात्वा धूतपाप्मा कृतोदकः। देवलोकमवाप्नोति सप्तरात्रोषितः शुचिः॥
By bathing in the Devadaru forest and offering oblations of water to the departed manes and living there for seven nights with a pure body and mind, one acquires the region of the celestials on departing from this world.
शरस्तम्बे कुशस्तम्बे द्रोणशर्मपदे तथा। अपां प्रपतनासेवी सेव्यते सोऽप्सरोगणैः॥
Bathing in the waterfalls at Sharastamva and Kushustamva and Dronasharmapada, one is sure to acquire the region of the Apsaras where one is dutifully served by those superhuman beings.
चित्रकूटे जनस्थाने तथा मन्दाकिनीजले। विगाह्य वै निराहारो राजलक्ष्म्या निषेव्यते॥
If one, fasting bathes at Chitrakuta and Janasthana and the waters of Mandakini, one is sure to be gifted with real prosperity.
श्यामायास्त्वाश्रमं गत्वा उषित्वा चाभिषिच्य च। एकपक्षं निराहारस्त्वन्तर्धानफलं लभेत्॥
By going to the retreat of Shyama and living there for a fortnight and bathing in the sacred water that lies there, one acquires the power of disappearing at will.
कौशिकी तु समासाद्य वायुभक्षस्त्वलोलुपः। एकविंशतिरात्रेण स्वर्गमारोहते नरः॥
Going to the tirtha Kaushiki and living there with a pure heart and abstaining from all food and drink for three days, one acquires the power of living in the happy region of the Gandharvas.
मतङ्गवाप्यां यः स्नायादेकरात्रेण सिद्ध्यति। विगाहति ह्यनालम्बमन्धकं वै सनातनम्॥ नैमिषे स्वर्गतीर्थे च उपस्पृश्य जितेन्द्रियः। फलं पुरुषमेधस्य लभेन्मासं कृतोदकः॥
He who bathes in the lake Matanga is sure to acquire success in one night. He who bathes in Analamva or the eternal, Andhaka, or in Naimisha, or the tirtha called Svarga, and offers oblations of water to the departed manes, controlling his senses all the while, acquires the merit of a human sacrifice.
गङ्गाह्रद उपस्पृश्य तथा चैवोत्पलावने। अश्वमेधमवाप्नोति तत्र मासं कृतोदकः॥
Bathing in Gangahrada and the tirtha Utplavana and daily offering oblations of water there for a full month to the departed manes, one acquires the merit of a Horse-sacrifice.
गङ्गायमुनयोस्तीर्थे तथा कालञ्जरे गिरौ। दशाश्वमेधानाप्नोति तत्र मासं कृतोदकः॥
Bathing in the confluence of the Ganga and the Yamuna as also at the tirtha in the Kalanjara mountains and offering every day oblations of water to the departed manes for a full month, one acquires the merit of ten Horsesacrifices.
षष्टिह्रद उपस्पृश्य चान्नदानाद् विशिष्यते। दशतीर्थसहस्राणि तिस्रः कोट्यस्तथा पराः॥ समागच्छन्ति माध्यां तु प्रयागे भरतर्षभ। माघमासं प्रयागे तु नियतः संशितव्रतः॥
Bathing in the Shashthi lake one acquires merit much greater than what appertains to the gift of food. Ten thousand tirthas and thirty millions of other tirthas come to Prayaga, O chief of Bharata's race, in the month of Magha. He who bathes in Prayaga, with a controlled mind and observing rigid vows all the while the month of Magha, becomes purged of all his sins, O chief of Bharata's race, and attains to heaven.
स्नात्वा तु भरतश्रेष्ठ निर्मलः स्वर्गमाप्नुयात्। मरुद्गण उपस्पृश्य पितॄणामाश्रमे शुचिः॥ वैवस्वतस्य तीर्थे च तीर्थभूतो भवेन्नरः।
Bathing in the tirtha that is sacred to the Maruts, as also in that which is situate in the retreat of the departed manes, in and also in that which is known by the name of Vaivasvata, one becomes purged of all one's sins and as pure and sanctified as tirtha.
तथा ब्रह्मसरो गत्वा भागीरथ्यां कृतोदकः॥ एकमासं निराहारः सोमलोकमवाप्नुयात्॥
Going to Brahmasaras as to the Bhagirathi and bathing there and offering oblations to the departed manes every day for a full month, abstaining from food all the while, one is sure to go to the region of Soma.
उत्पातके नरः स्नात्वा अष्टावक्रे कृतोदकः। द्वादशाहं निराहारो नरमेधफलं लभेत्॥
Bathing in Utpataka and then in Ashtavakra and offering oblations of water to the departed manes every day for twlve days successively, abstaining all the while from food, one acquires the merits of a Naramedha sacrifice.
अश्मपृष्ठे गयायां च निरविन्दे च पर्वते। तृतीयां क्रौञ्चपद्यां च ब्रह्महत्यां विशुध्यते॥
Bathing in Ashmaprishtha and Niravinda mountains and Kraunchapadi all three in Gayaone becomes purged of the sin of Brahmanicide. A bath in the first place purifies one of a single Brahmanicidele; bath in the second cleanness one of two similar offences; and a bath in the third cleanses one of three such offences.
कलविङ्क उपस्पृश्य विद्याच्च बहुशो जलम्। अग्नेः पुरे नरः स्नात्वा अग्निकन्यापुरे वसेत्॥
Bathing in Kalavinga, one gets a large quantity of water. A man, by bathing in the city of Agni, acquires such merit as entitles him to live at his next birth in the city of Agni's daughter. manes
करवीरपुरे स्नात्वा विशालायां कृतोदकः। देवह्रद उपस्पृश्य ब्रह्मभूतो विराजते॥
Bathing in Vishala in Karavirapura and offering oblations of water to his departed and performing his ablutions in Devahrada too, one becomes at one with Brahma and shines in glory as such.
पुनरावर्तनन्दां च महानन्दां च सेव्य वै। नन्दने सेव्यते दान्तस्त्वप्सरोभिरहिंसकः॥
Bathing in Punaravarta Nanda, as also Mahananda, a man of controlled senses and universal mercy goes to the celestial garden of Nandana and served there by the various tribes of Apsaras.
उर्वशी कृत्तिकायोगे गत्वा चैव समाहितः। लौहित्ये विधिवत् स्नात्वा पुण्डरीकफलं लभेत्॥
Bathing with concentrated soul in the tirtha of Urvashi which is situated in the river Lohitya, on the day of full moon of the month of Kartika, one acquires the merits of Pundarika sacrifice.
रामह्रद उपस्पृश्य विपाशायां कृतोदकः। द्वादशाहं निराहारः कल्मषाद् विप्रमुच्यते॥
Bathing in Ramahrada and offering oblations of water to the departed manes in the river Vipasha (Beas), and fasting for twelve days, one becomes purged of all sins.
महाह्रद उपस्पृश्य शुद्धेन मनसा नरः। एकमासं निराहारो जमदग्निगतिं लभेत्॥
Bathing in the tirtha called Mahahrada with a purified heart and after fasting for one month, one is sure to acquire the status of the sage Jamadagni.
विन्ध्ये संताप्य चात्मानं सत्यसंधसत्वहिंसकः। विनयात्तप आस्थाय मासेनैकेन सिध्यति॥
By exposing oneself to heat in the tirtha called Vindhya, a person given to truth and endued with compassion for all creatures should then practise austere penances, actuated by humility. By so doing, he is sure to acquire ascetic success in course of single month.
नर्मदायामुपस्पृश्य तथा शूर्पारकोदके। एकपक्षं निराहारो राजपुत्रो विधीयते॥
Bathing in the Narmada as also the tirtha named Surparaka, fasting for a full fortnight, one is sure to become in one's next birth a prince of royal blood.
जम्बूमार्गे त्रिभिर्मासैः संयतः सुसमाहितः। अहोरात्रेण चैकेन सिद्धिं समधिगच्छति॥
If one proceeds with controlled senses and a concentrated soul to the tirtha known as Jamvumarga, one is sure to acquire success in the course of a single day and night.
कोकामुखे विगाह्याथा गत्वा चाञ्जलिकाश्रमम्। शाकभक्षश्चीरवासाः कुमारीविन्दते दश॥
By going to Chandalikashrama and bathing in the tirtha called Kokamukha, having lived for sometime on potherbs alone and worm rags for raiments one is sure to get ten beautiful maidens as his wives.
वैवस्वतस्य सदनं न स गच्छेत् कदाचन। यस्य कन्याहूदे वासो देवलोकं स गच्छति॥
One who lives by the side of the tirtha known by the name of Kanvahrada has never to visit the regions of Yama. Such a person is sure to ascend to the regions of happiness belonging to the celestials.
प्रभासे त्वेकरात्रेण अमावास्यां समाहितः। विध्यते तु महाबाहो यो नरो जायतेऽमरः॥
One who bathes with controlled senses on the day of the new moon in the tirtha known by the name of Prabhasa, is sure, you of mighty arins, of acquiring success and immortality simultaneously.
उज्जानक उपस्पृश्य आष्टिषेणस्य चाश्रमे। पिङ्गायाश्चाश्रमे स्नात्वा सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते॥
Bathing in the tirtha known by the name of Ujjanaka which is situate in the retreat of Arshtisena's son, and next in the tirtha which is situate in the retreat of Pinga, one is sure to be purged of all his sins.
कुल्यायां समुपस्पृश्य जप्त्वा चैवाघमर्षणम्। अश्वमेधमवाप्नोति त्रिरात्रोपोषितो नरः॥
Fasting for three days and bathing in the tirtha known as kulya and reciting the sacred Mantras of Aghamarshana, one acquires the merit of a Horse-sacrifice.
पिण्डारक उपस्पृश्य एकरात्रोषितो नरः। अग्निष्टोममवाप्नोति प्रभातां शर्वरी शुचिः॥
Fasting for one night and bathing in Pindaraka, one becomes purified on the next day and acquires the merit of an agnishtoma sacrifice.
तथा ब्रह्मसरो गत्वा धर्मारण्योपशोभितम्। पुण्डरीकमवाप्नोति उपस्पृश्य नरः शुचिः॥
One who goes to Brahmasara which is adorned by the woods called Dharmaranya one becomes purged of all one's sins in and acquires the merit of the Pundarika sacrifice.
मैनाके पर्वते स्नात्वा तथा संध्यामुपास्य च। कामं जित्वा च वै मासं सर्वयज्ञफलं लभेत्॥
Bathing in the waters of the Mainaka mountain and reciting morning and evening prayers there and living at the spot for a month controlling desires, one acquires the merit of all the sacrifices.
कालोदकं नन्दिकुण्डं तथा चोत्तरमानसम्। अभ्येत्य योजनशताद् भ्रूणहा विप्रमुच्यते॥
Starting for Kalodaka and Nandikunda and Uttaramanasa, and reaching a spot that is hundred Yojanas remote from any of them, one becomes purged of the sin of foeticide.
नन्दीश्वरस्य मूर्ति तु दृष्ट्वा मुच्येत किल्बिषैः। स्वर्गमार्गे नरः स्नात्वा ब्रह्मलोकं स गच्छति॥
One who succeeds in seeing the image of Nandishvara, becomes purged of all sins. Bathing in the tirtha called svargamarga one is sure to proceed to the regions of Brahman.
विख्यातो हिमवान् पुण्यः शङ्करश्वशुरो गिरिः। आकर: सर्वरत्नानां सिद्धचारणसेवितः॥
The celebrated Himayat is sacred. That king of mountains is the father-in-law of Shankara, He is a mine of all jewels and gems and is the resort of the Siddhas and Charanas.
शरीरमुत्सृजेत् तत्र विधिपूर्वमनाशके। अध्रुवं जीवितं ज्ञात्वा यो वै वेदान्तगो द्विजः॥ अभ्यर्च्य देवतास्तत्र नमस्कृत्य मुनींस्तथा। ततः सिद्धो दिवं गच्छेद् ब्रह्मलोकं सनातनम्॥
That twice born person who is as master of the vedas and who, considering this life to be exceedingly unstable, renounces his body on those mountains, abstaining from all food and drink according to the rites laid down in the scriptures, after having worshipped the gods and bent his head in worship of the ascetics is sure to acquire success and proceed to the eternal regions of Brahman.
कामं क्रोधं च लोभं च यो जित्वा तीर्थमावसेत्। न तेन किञ्चिन्न प्राप्तं तीर्थाभिगमनाद् भवेत्॥
There is nothing which one cannot get who lives in a tirtha, restraining lust and controlling anger on account of such residence.
यान्यगम्यानि तीर्थाणि दुर्गाणि विषमाणि चा मनसा तानि गम्यानि सर्वतीर्थसमीक्षया॥
For the purpose of going to all the tirthas in the world, one should mentally think of those amongst them which are almost inaccessible or sojourns to which are attended with great difficulties.
इदं मेध्यमिदं पुण्यमिदं स्वय॑मनुत्तमम्। इदं रहस्यं वेदानामाप्लाव्यं पावनं तथा॥
Sojourns to tirthas yields the merits of Sacrifices. They are competent to purify everybody of sin. Fraught-with great good, they are capable of leading in heaven. The subject is truly a great mystery. The very gods should bathe in tirthas. To them also they are sin-purifying.
इदं दद्याद् द्विजातीनां साधोरात्महितस्य च। सुहृदां च जपेत् कर्णे शिष्यस्यानुगतस्य च॥
This discourse on tirthas should be delivered to Brahmanas, and to such honest or pious persons as are bent upon gaining what is for their own behoof. It should also be recited in the hearing of one's well-wishers and friends and of one's obedient and devoted disciples.
दत्तवान् गौतमस्यैतदङ्गिरा वै पहातपाः। अङ्गिरा: समनुज्ञातः काश्यपेन च धीमता॥
Angiras endued with great ascetic merit, had delivered this discourse to Gautama. Angiras himself had got it from the highly intelligent Kashyapa.
महर्षीणामिदं जप्यं पावनानां तथोत्तमम्। जपंश्चाभ्युत्थितः शश्वन्निर्मलः स्वर्गमाप्नुयात्॥
The great Rishis consider this discourse as deserving of constant repetition. It is the foremost of all purifying things. If one recites it regularly every day, he is sure to become purged of every sin and after this life 10 proceed to heaven.
इदं यश्चापि शृणुयाद् रहस्यं त्वङ्गिोमतम्। उत्तमे च कुले जन्म लभेज्जातीश्च संस्मरेत्॥
One who listens to this discourse recited in his hearing this discourse, viz., of Angiras, which is regarded as a mystery is sure to attain in one's next life to birth in a good family and, what is more, one would have the memory of the pristine existence.