Reading section 21

by the name of _Brahmodumvara_. Bathing in the tank of the seven Rishis that is there, O bull among men, with pure mind and subdued soul, as also in the _tirtha_ called _Kedara_ of the high-souled _Kapila_, and beholding Brahma who is there, one's soul being purified from all sins, one goeth to the abode of Brahma. Proceeding next to the inaccessible _tirtha_ called _Kedara of Kapila_, and burning one's sins there by ascetic penances, one acquireth the power of disappearance at will. One should next proceed, O king, to the celebrated _tirtha_ called _Saraka_, and beholding Mahadeva there on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, one obtaineth all his wishes and goeth also into heaven. O son of the Kuru race, in _Saraka_ and _Rudrakoti_ as also in the well and the lakes that are there, thirty millions of _tirthas_ are present. There in that _tirtha_, O chief of the Bharatas, is another called _Ilaspada_. Bathing there and worshipping the gods and the Pitris, one never sinketh into hell but obtaineth the fruit of the _Vajapeya_ sacrifice. Repairing next to _Kindana_ and _Kinjapya_, one acquireth, O Bharata, the merit of giving away in measureless abundance and the infinite recitation of prayers. Repairing next to the _tirtha_ called _Kalasi_ and bathing there devoutly and with the senses under control, a man obtaineth the fruit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice. To the east of _Saraka_, O chief of the Kurus, there is an auspicious _tirtha_ known by the name of _Anajanma_, of the high-souled Narada. He that bathes there, O Bharata, obtaineth, after death, at the command of Narada various unrivalled regions. One should next proceed, on the tenth day of the lighted fortnight, to the _tirtha_ called _Pundarika_. Bathing there, O king, one obtaineth the merit of the _Pundarika_ sacrifice. One should next proceed to the _tirtha_ called _Tripishtapa_ that is known over the three worlds. There in that _tirtha_ is the sacred and sin-destroying river called _Vaitarani_. Bathing there and adoring the god known by the mark of the bull and holding the trident in his hand, one's soul being purified from every sin one attaineth to the highest state. One should next proceed, O king, to the excellent _tirtha_ called _Phalakivana_. There in that _tirtha_ the gods, O monarch, having been present, performed their ascetic austerities extending for many thousand years. One should then proceed to the _Dhrishadwati_. Bathing there and worshipping the gods, one obtaineth, O Bharata, merit that is superior to that of both the _Agnishtoma_ and the _Atiratra_ sacrifices. O chief of the Bharatas, bathing in that _tirtha_ called _Sarvadeva_, a man obtaineth, O king, the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Bathing next in the _tirtha_ called _Panikhata_ and worshipping all the gods, a man obtaineth merit that is superior to that of both the _Agnishtoma_ and the _Atiratra_ sacrifices, besides acquiring that of the _Rajasuya_ sacrifice and finally going into the region of the Rishis. One should next proceed, O virtuous one, to that excellent _tirtha_ called _Misraka_. There, O tiger among kings, it hath been heard by us that the high-souled Vyasa, for the sake of the Brahmanas, hath mixed all the _tirthas_. He, therefore, that bathes in _Misraka_ really bathes in all the _tirtha_. One should next proceed with subdued senses and regulated diet, to the _tirtha_ called _Vyasavana_. Bathing in the _tirtha_ called _Manojava_ that is there, one obtaineth the merit of the gift

of a thousand kine. Proceeding next to the _Devi tirtha_ that is in _Madhuvati_, one that bathes there and worships the gods and the Pitris obtains at the command of the Goddess the merit of the gift of a thousand kine. Proceeding with regulated diet, he that bathes in the confluence of the _Kausiki_ and the _Drishadwati_, becometh free from all his sins. One should next proceed to _Vyasasthali_ where Vyasa of great intelligence, burning with grief for his son had resolved to cast off his body but was cheered again by the gods. Proceeding to that spot of Vyasa, one obtaineth the merit of a thousand kine. O son of the Kuru race, proceeding next to the well called _Kindatta_, he that throweth into it a measure of sesame, is freed from all his debts and obtaineth his success. Bathing in the _tirtha_ called _Vedi_, one obtaineth the merit of the gift of a thousand kine. There are two other celebrated tirthas called _Ahas_ and _Sudina_. Bathing there, O tiger among men, one goeth to the region of the Sun. One should next proceed to the _tirtha_ called _Mrigadhuma_ that is celebrated throughout the three worlds. One should bathe there, O king, in Ganga. Bathing there and worshipping Mahadeva, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. Bathing next in the _Devi tirtha_ one obtaineth the merit of the gift of a thousand kine. One should then proceed to _Vamanaka_ celebrated over the three worlds. Bathing there in _Vishnupada_ and worshipping Vamana one's soul being purified from every sin, one goeth to the abode of Vishnu. Bathing next in Kulampuna, one sanctifieth his own race. Proceeding then to the _Pavana-hrada_, that excellent _tirtha_ of the _Marutas_, and bathing there, O king and tiger among men, one becometh adored in the region of the Wind-god. Bathing in the _Amara-hrada_ and worshipping with devotion the chief of the celestials, one becometh adored in heaven and courseth, seated on an excellent car, in the company of the immortals. O best of great men, bathing next with due rites in the _tirtha_ called _Salisurya_, of _Salihotra_, one obtaineth the merit of the gift of a thousand kine. O best of the Bharatas, there is a tirtha called _Sreekunja_ in the Saraswati. Bathing there, O best of men, one obtaineth the merit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice. O son of the Kuru race, one should next repair to _Naimishakunja_. O king, the Rishis engaged in ascetic austerities in the woods of _Naimisha_ had, in days of old, taking the vow of pilgrimage, gone to Kurukshetra. There, on the banks of the Saraswati, O chief of the Bharatas, a grove was made, which might serve for a resting spot for themselves, and which was highly gratifying to them. Bathing in the _Saraswati_ there, one obtaineth the merit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice. One should next proceed, O virtuous one, to the excellent _tirtha_ called _Kanya_. Bathing there one obtaineth the merit of the gift of a thousand kine. One should next proceed to the excellent _tirtha_ of _Brahma_. Bathing there, a person, of the (three) inferior orders, obtaineth the status of a Brahmana, and if one be a Brahmana, his soul being purified from every sin, he attaineth to the highest state. One should then, O best of men, proceed to the excellent _tirtha_ called _Soma_. Bathing there, O king, one obtaineth the region of _Soma_. One should next proceed, O king, to the _tirtha_ called _Saptasaraswata_, where the celebrated Rishi, Mankanaka, had obtained ascetic success. O king, it hath been heard by us

that in days of old Mankanaka having cut his hand with the pointed blade of the Kusa grass, there flowed from his wound vegetable juice (instead of blood). And beholding vegetable juice flow from his wound, the Rishi began to dance with wonder-expanded eyes. And as the Rishi danced, all the mobile and immobile creatures also, overwhelmed with his prowess, began to dance with him. Then, O king, the gods with Brahma at their head and Rishis endued with the wealth of asceticism moved by the act of Mankanaka, represented the matter to Mahadeva, saying, 'It behoveth thee, O god, to act in such a way that this Rishi may not dance.' Thus addressed, Mahadeva, with heart filled with joy, approached the dancing Rishi, and moved by the desire of doing good to the gods, said, 'O great Rishi, O virtuous one, why dost thou dance? O bull among Munis, what can be the reason of this thy present joy?' The Rishi answered, 'O best of Brahmanas, I am an ascetic that tread the path of virtue. Dost thou not behold, O Brahmana, that vegetable juice floweth from the wound in my hand? Filled with great joy at sight of this, I am dancing.' Addressing the Rishi blinded by emotion, the god laughingly said, 'O Brahmana, I do not wonder at this. Behold me.' Having said this, O best of men, Mahadeva, O sinless king, pressed his thumb by the tip of his own finger. And, lo, from the wound thus inflicted, there came out ashes white as snow. And beholding this, O king, that Muni became ashamed and fell at the feet of the god. And believing that there was nothing better and greater than the god Rudra, he began to adore him in these words: 'O holder of the trident, thou art the refuge of the celestials and the Asuras, of, indeed, the universe. By thee have been created the three worlds with their mobile and immobile beings. It is thou again that swallowest everything at the end of the Yuga. Thou art incapable of being known by the gods themselves, far less by me. O sinless one, the gods with Brahma at their head are all displayed in thee. Thou art all, the Creator himself and the Ordainer of the worlds. It is by thy grace that all the gods sport without anxiety or fear.' And adoring Mahadeva thus the Rishi also said, 'O god of gods, grant me thy grace, so that my asceticism may not diminish.' Then that god of cheerful soul answered the regenerate Rishi,--saying, 'Let thy asceticism, O Brahmana, increase a thousandfold through my grace. And, O great Muni, I shall dwell with thee in this thy asylum. Bathing in _Saptasaraswata_, they that will worship me, shall be able to attain everything here and hereafter. And, without doubt, they shall all attain to the _Saraswata_ region in the end.' Having said this, Mahadeva disappeared then and there. After visiting _Saraswata_, one should proceed to _Ausanasa_ celebrated over the three worlds. There, O Bharata, the gods with Brahma at their head, and Rishis endued with wealth of asceticism, and the illustrious Kartikeya, were ever present during two twilights and the mid-day, impelled by the desire of doing good to Bhargava. There in that _tirtha_ is another called _Kapalamochana_, which cleanseth from every sin. O tiger among men, bathing there one is cleansed from every sin. One should then proceed to the _tirtha_ called _Agni_. Bathing there, O bull among men, one obtaineth the regions of _agni_ and raiseth his own race (from lower regions). There in that _tirtha_ is another, O chief of the Bharatas, that belongeth to Viswamitra.

Bathing there, O best of men, one obtaineth the status of a Brahmana. Proceeding next to Brahmayoni in purity of body and with subdued soul, one obtaineth, O tiger among men, by bathing there, the abode of Brahma, and sanctifieth, without doubt, his own race to the seventh generation up and down. One should next proceed, O king, to the _tirtha_ celebrated over the three worlds, which is called _Prithudaka_, belonging to Kartikeya. One should bathe there and occupy oneself in the worship of the Pitris and the gods. Whatever evil hath been committed, knowingly or unknowingly, by man or woman, impelled by human motives, is all destroyed, O Bharata, by a bath in that _tirtha_. Bathing there one obtaineth, too, the merit of the horse-sacrifice and heaven also. The learned have said that _Kurukshetra_ is holy; that holier than _Kurukshetra_ is the _Saraswati_; that holier than the Saraswati are all the _tirthas_ together, and that holier than all the _tirthas_ together is _Prithudaka_. He that engaged in the recitation of prayers casteth off his body at Prithudaka, which is the best of all _tirthas_, becometh an immortal. It hath been sung by Sanatkumara and by the high-souled Vyasa, and it is in the Vedas also, that one should, O king, go to Prithudaka, with subdued soul. O son of Kuru race, there is no _tirtha_ which is superior to Prithudaka. Without doubt, that _tirtha_ is purifying, holy and sin-destroying. O best of men, it hath been said by learned persons that men, however sinful, by bathing in Prithudaka, go to heaven. O best of the Bharatas, there in that _tirtha_ is another called _Madhusrava_. Bathing there, O king, one obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. One should then proceed, O king, to that celebrated and sacred _tirtha_ where the Saraswati uniteth with the Aruna. One that batheth there, having fasted for three nights, is cleansed of even the sin of slaying a Brahmana, and obtaineth also merit that is superior to that of either the _Agnishtoma_ or _Atiratra_ sacrifice, and rescueth his race to the seventh generation up and down. There in that _tirtha_ is another, O perpetuator of the Kuru race, that is called Ardhakila. From compassion for the Brahmanas, that _tirtha_ was made by Darbhi in days of old. Without doubt, by vows, by investiture of the sacred, by fasts, by rites and by _Mantras_, one becometh a Brahmana. O bull among men, it hath been seen, however, by learned persons of old that even one destitute of rites and _Mantras_, by only bathing in that _tirtha_ becometh learned and endued with the merit of vows. Darbhi had also brought hither the four oceans. O best of men, one that batheth here, never meeteth with distress hereafter and obtaineth also the merit of giving away four thousand kine. One should next repair, O virtuous one, to the _tirtha_ called _Satasahasraka_. Near to this is another called _Sahasraka_. Both are celebrated, and one that batheth in them, obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Fasts and gifts there multiply a thousandfold. One should next proceed, O king, to the excellent _tirtha_ called _Renuka_. One should bathe there and worship the _Pitris_ and the gods. By this, cleansed from every sin, he obtaineth the merit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice. Bathing next in the _tirtha_ called _Vimochana_ with passions and senses under control, one is cleansed from all the sins generated by the acceptance of gifts. With senses under control and practising the Brahmacharya mode

of life, one should next repair to the woods of Panchavati. By a sojourn thither, one earneth much virtue and becometh adored in the regions of the virtuous. One should next go to the _tirtha_ of _Varuna_ called _Taijasa_, blazing in effulgence of its own. There in that _tirtha_ is the lord of Yoga, Sthanu himself, having for his vehicle the bull. He that sojourneth there, obtaineth success by worshipping the god of gods. It was there that the gods with Brahma at their head and Rishis endued with wealth of asceticism, installed Guha as the generalissimo of the celestials. To the east of that _tirtha_ is another, O perpetuator of Kuru race, that is called Kuru _tirtha_. With senses under control and leading a Brahmacharya mode of life, he that bathes in _Kuru-tirtha_, becometh cleansed of all his sins and obtaineth the region of Brahma. With subdued senses and regulated diet one should next proceed to _Svargadwara_. Sojourning thither, one obtaineth the merit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice and goeth to the abode of Brahma. The pilgrim should then, O king, proceed to the _tirtha_ called _Anaraka_. Bathing there, O king, one never meeteth with distress hereafter. There, O king, Brahma himself with the other gods having Narayana at their head, is ever present, O tiger among men! And, O royal son of the Kuru race, the wife also of Rudra is present there. Beholding the goddess, one never meeteth with distress hereafter. There in that _tirtha_ O king, is also (an image of) _Visweswara_, the lord of Uma. Beholding the god of gods there, one is cleansed of all his sins. Beholding also (the image of) _Narayana_ from whose navel had sprung the lotus, one blazeth forth, O royal represser of all foes, and goeth to the abode of Vishnu. O bull among men, he that batheth in the _tirthas_ of all the gods, is exempted from every sorrow and blazeth forth like the Moon. The pilgrim should next proceed, O king, to _Swastipura_. By walking around that place, one obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Arriving next at the _tirtha_ called _Pavana_, one should offer oblations to the _Pitris_ and the gods. By this, he obtaineth, O Bharata, the merit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice. Near to that is _Ganga-hrada_, and another, O Bharata, called _Kupa_. Thirty millions of _tirthas_, O king, are present in that Kupa. Bathing there, O king, a person obtaineth heaven. Bathing also in the _Ganga-hrada_ and adoring Maheswara, one obtaineth the status of _Ganapatya_ and rescueth his own race. One should next proceed to _Sthanuvata_, celebrated over the three worlds. Bathing there, O king, one obtaineth heaven. One should then proceed to _Vadanpachana_, the asylum of _Vasishtha_. Having fasted there for three nights, one should eat jujubes. He that liveth on jujubes for twelve years, and he that fasteth at the _tirtha_ for three nights, acquireth merit that is eternal. Arriving then at _Indramarga_, O king, and fasting there for a day and night the pilgrim becometh adored in the abode of Indra. Arriving next at the _tirtha_ called _Ekaratra_, a person that stayeth there for one night, with regulated vows and refraining from untruth, becometh adored in the abode of Brahma. One should next go, O king, to the asylum of _Aditya_--that illustrious god who is a mass of effulgence. Bathing in that tirtha celebrated over three worlds, and worshipping the god of light, one goeth to the region of Aditya and rescueth his own race. The pilgrim then, O king, bathing in the

_tirtha_ of _Soma_, obtaineth, without doubt, the region of Soma. One should next proceed, O virtuous one, to the most sacred _tirtha_ of the illustrious _Dadhicha_, that sanctifying _tirtha_ which is celebrated over the whole world. It was here that Angiras, that ocean of ascetic austerities belonging to the Saraswata race, was born. Bathing in that _tirtha_, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice, and without doubt, gaineth also residence in the region of Saraswati. With subdued senses and leading a Brahmacharya mode of life, one should next proceed to _Kanyasrama_. Residing there for three nights, O king, with subdued senses and regulated diet, one obtaineth a hundred celestial damsels and goeth also to the abode of Brahma. One should next, O virtuous one, proceed to the _tirtha_ called _Sannihati_. Sojourning thither the gods with Brahma at their head and Rishis endued with wealth of asceticism earn much virtue. Bathing in the Saraswati during a solar eclipse, one obtaineth the merit of a hundred horse-sacrifices, and any sacrifice that one may perform there produceth merit that is eternal. Whatever _tirthas_ exist on earth or in the firmament, all the rivers, lakes, smaller lakes, springs, tanks, large and small, and spots sacred to particular gods, without doubt, all come, O tiger among men, month after month, and mingle with _Sannihati_, O king of men! And it is because that all other _tirthas_ are united together here, that this _tirtha_ is so called. Bathing there and drinking of its water, one becometh adored in heaven. Listen now, O king, to the merit acquired by that mortal who performeth a _Sraddha_ on the day of the new moon during a solar eclipse. The person that performeth a _Sraddha_ there, after having bathed in that _tirtha_, obtaineth the merit that one earneth by properly celebrating a thousand horse-sacrifices. Whatever sins a man or woman committeth, are, without doubt, all destroyed as soon as one batheth in that _tirtha_. Bathing there one also ascendeth to the abode of Brahma on the lotus-coloured car. Bathing next in _Koti-tirtha_, after having worshipped the Yaksha doorkeeper, Machakruka, one obtaineth the merit of giving away gold in abundance. Near to this, O best of the Bharatas, is a _tirtha_ called _Ganga-hrada_. One should bathe there, O virtuous one, with subdued soul and leading a Brahmacharya mode of life. By this, one obtaineth merit that is greater than that of a Rajasuya and horse-sacrifices. The _tirtha_ called _Naimisha_ is productive of good on earth. _Pushkara_ is productive of good in the regions of the firmament; _Kurukshetra_, however, is productive of good in respect of all the three worlds. Even the dust of Kurukshetra, carried by the wind, leadeth sinful men to a highly blessed state. They that reside in Kurukshetra, which lieth to the north of the Drishadwati and the south of the Saraswati, really reside in heaven. '_I will go to Kurukshetra,' 'I will dwell in Kurukshetra_,' he that uttereth those words even once, becometh cleansed of all sins. The sacred _Kurukshetra_ which is worshipped by Brahmarshis, is regarded as the sacrificial altar of the celestials. Those mortals that dwell there, have nothing to grieve for at any time. That which lieth between Tarantuka and Arantuka and the lakes of Rama and Machakruka is Kurukshetra. It is also called _Samantapanchaka_ and is said to be the northern sacrificial altar of the Grandsire."'"

SECTION LXXXIV

"'Pulastya said, "Then, O great king, one should proceed to the excellent _tirtha_ of _Dharma_, where the illustrious god of justice had practised highly meritorious austerities. And it is for this that he made the spot a sacred _tirtha_ and rendered it celebrated by his own name. Bathing there, O king, a virtuous man with concentrated soul certainly sanctifieth his family to the seventh generation. One should then repair, O king, to the excellent _Jnanapavana_. Sojourning thither, one obtaineth the merit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice, and goeth to the region of the Munis. Then, O monarch, a man should repair to the _Saugandhika-vana_. There dwell the celestials with Brahma at their head, Rishis endued with wealth of asceticism, the Siddhas, the Charanas, the Gandharvas, the Kinnaras and the serpents. As soon as one entereth these woods, he is cleansed of all his sins. Then, O king, should one repair to the sacred goddess Saraswati, known there as the goddess Plaksha, that best of streams and foremost of rivers. There should one bathe in the water issuing from an ant-hill. (Bathing there and) worshipping the Pitris and the gods, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. There existeth a rare _tirtha_ called _Isanadhyushita_, lying from the ant-hill at the distance of six throws of a heavy stick. As seen in the Puranas, O tiger among men, bathing there a man obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand Kapila kine and of the horse-sacrifice. Journeying next, O foremost of men, to _Sugandha_, and _Satakumbha_ and _Pancha-yaksha_, a man becometh adored in heaven. Repairing to another _tirtha_ there called _Trisulakhata_, one should bathe and set himself to worship the Pitris and the gods. Doing so, without doubt, one obtaineth, after death, the status of _Ganapatya_. One should next proceed, O king, to the excellent spot of the Goddess celebrated over the three worlds by the name of _Sakamvari_. There, for the space of a thousand celestial years, she of excellent vows, month after month, had subsisted upon herbs, O king of men! And attracted by their reverence for the Goddess, many Rishis with wealth of asceticism, came thither, O Bharata, and were entertained by her with herbs. And it is for this that they bestowed on her the name of _Sakamvari_. O Bharata, the man who arriveth at _Sakamvari_, with rapt attention and leading a Brahmacharya mode of life and passeth three nights there in purity and subsisting on herbs alone, obtaineth, at the will of the goddess, the merit of him that liveth upon herbs for twelve years. Then should one proceed to the _tirtha_ called _Suvarna_, famed through the three worlds. There in days of old, Vishnu had paid his adorations to Rudra, for his grace, and obtaineth also many boons difficult of acquisition even by the gods. And, O Bharata, the gratified destroyer of Tripura said, 'O Krishna, thou shalt, without doubt, be much beloved in the world, and the foremost of everything in the universe.' Repairing thither, O king, and worshipping the deity having the bull for his mark, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice as also the status of _Ganapatya_. One should next proceed to the _tirtha_ of _Dhumavati_. Fasting there for three nights, one obtaineth, without doubt, all the wishes cherished by him. To the southern half of this spot of the Goddess, there is, O king, a _tirtha_ called _Rathavarta_. One should, O virtuous one, go up to that place, with devout heart, and having his senses under