The Glory of Gaya (III) — The Pilgrimage Rite and the Story of Vishala

Verse 1 (garuda.1.84.1)

ब्रह्मोवाच । उद्यतस्तु गयां गन्तुं श्राद्धं कृत्वा विधानतः । विधाय कापटं विषं ग्रामस्यापि प्रदक्षिणम्

brahmovāca udyatastu gayāṁ gantuṁ śrāddhaṁ kṛtvā vidhānataḥ vidhāya kāpaṭaṁ viṣaṁ grāmasyāpi pradakṣiṇam

Brahma said: One resolved to go to Gaya should first duly perform shraddha; having renounced deceit and malice, he should also circumambulate his own village.

Verse 2 (garuda.1.84.2)

ततो ग्रामान्तरं गत्वा श्राद्धशेषस्य भोजनम् । कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणं गच्छेत्प्रतिग्रहविवर्जितः

tato grāmāntaraṁ gatvā śrāddhaśeṣasya bhojanam kṛtvā pradakṣiṇaṁ gacchetpratigrahavivarjitaḥ

Then, having gone to another village and eaten the remainder of the shraddha-offering, and having circumambulated, he should proceed onward, accepting no gifts.

Verse 3 (garuda.1.84.3)

गृहाच्चलितमात्रस्य गयायां गमनं प्रति । स्वर्गारोहणसोपानं पितॄणां तु पदे पदे

gṛhāccalitamātrasya gayāyāṁ gamanaṁ prati svargārohaṇasopānaṁ pitṝṇāṁ tu pade pade

For one who has just set out from home toward Gaya, at every step there arises, for the ancestors, a stairway to the ascent of heaven.

Verse 4 (garuda.1.84.4)

मुण्डनं चोपवासश्च सर्वतीर्थेष्वयं विधिः । वर्जयित्वा कुरुक्षेत्रं विशालां विरजां गयाम्

muṇḍanaṁ copavāsaśca sarvatīrtheṣvayaṁ vidhiḥ varjayitvā kurukṣetraṁ viśālāṁ virajāṁ gayām

Tonsure and fasting — this is the rule at all tirthas, except at Kurukshetra, at Vishala, at Viraja, and at Gaya.

Verse 5 (garuda.1.84.5)

दिवा च सर्वदा रात्रौ गयायां श्राद्धकृद्भवेत् । वाराणस्यां कृतं श्राद्धं तीर्थे शोणनदे तथा

divā ca sarvadā rātrau gayāyāṁ śrāddhakṛdbhavet vārāṇasyāṁ kṛtaṁ śrāddhaṁ tīrthe śoṇanade tathā

At Gaya, one should perform shraddha continually, by day and always at night. Shraddha performed at Varanasi, and likewise at the tirtha of the Shona river —

Verse 6 (garuda.1.84.6)

पुनः पुनामहानद्यां श्राद्धी स्वर्गं पितॄन्नयेत् । उत्तरं मानसं गत्वा सिद्धिं प्राप्नोत्यनुत्तमाम्

punaḥ punāmahānadyāṁ śrāddhī svargaṁ pitṝnnayet uttaraṁ mānasaṁ gatvā siddhiṁ prāpnotyanuttamām

and shraddha performed again and again at the Mahanadi, lead one's ancestors to heaven. Having gone to the northern Manasa, one attains unsurpassed accomplishment.

Verse 7 (garuda.1.84.7)

तस्मिन्निवर्त्तयेच्छ्राद्धं स्नानं चैव निवर्त्तयेत् । कामान्स लभते दिव्यान्मोक्षोपायं च सर्वशः

tasminnivarttayecchrāddhaṁ snānaṁ caiva nivarttayet kāmānsa labhate divyānmokṣopāyaṁ ca sarvaśaḥ

There one should perform shraddha and likewise perform bathing; thereby one obtains divine pleasures and, in every way, the means to liberation.

Verse 8 (garuda.1.84.8)

दक्षिणं मानसं गत्वा मौनी पिण्डादि कारयेत् । ऋणत्रयापाकरणं लभेद्दक्षिणमानसे

dakṣiṇaṁ mānasaṁ gatvā maunī piṇḍādi kārayet ṛṇatrayāpākaraṇaṁ labheddakṣiṇamānase

Having gone to the southern Manasa, one should, keeping silence, perform pinda-offering and the like; at the southern Manasa one obtains release from the three debts.

Verse 9 (garuda.1.84.9)

सिद्धानां प्रीतिजननैः पापानां च भयङ्करैः । लेलिहानैर्महाघोरैरक्षतैः पन्नगोत्तमैः

siddhānāṁ prītijananaiḥ pāpānāṁ ca bhayaṅkaraiḥ lelihānairmahāghorairakṣataiḥ pannagottamaiḥ

Guarded by serpents who delight the siddhas, who terrify sinners, with flickering tongues, greatly fearsome, unwounded, the best of their kind —

Verse 10 (garuda.1.84.10)

नाम्ना कनखलं तीर्थं त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम् । उदीच्यां मुण्डपृष्ठस्य देवर्षिगणसेवितम्

nāmnā kanakhalaṁ tīrthaṁ triṣu lokeṣu viśrutam udīcyāṁ muṇḍapṛṣṭhasya devarṣigaṇasevitam

the tirtha named Kanakhala, renowned in the three worlds, lies to the north of Mundaprishtha, served by hosts of gods and sages.

Verse 11 (garuda.1.84.11)

तत्र स्नात्वा दिवं याति श्राद्धं दत्तमथाक्षयम् । सूर्य्यं नत्वा त्विदं कुर्य्यात्कृतपिण्डादिसत्क्रियः

tatra snātvā divaṁ yāti śrāddhaṁ dattamathākṣayam sūryyaṁ natvā tvidaṁ kuryyātkṛtapiṇḍādisatkriyaḥ

Having bathed there, one goes to heaven; shraddha given there is imperishable. Having bowed to the Sun, one who has performed pinda-offering and other sacred rites should recite this —

Verse 12 (garuda.1.84.12)

कव्यवाहस्तथा सोमो यमश्चैवार्य्यमा तथा । अग्निष्वात्ता बर्हिषदः सोमपाः पितृदेवताः

kavyavāhastathā somo yamaścaivāryyamā tathā agniṣvāttā barhiṣadaḥ somapāḥ pitṛdevatāḥ

'O Kavyavaha, Soma, Yama, and Aryama; O Agnishvattas, Barhishads, and Somapas, ancestor-deities,

Verse 13 (garuda.1.84.13)

आगच्छन्तु महाभागा युषमाभी रक्षितास्त्विह । मदीयाः पितरो ये च कुले जाताः सनाभयः

āgacchantu mahābhāgā yuṣamābhī rakṣitāstviha madīyāḥ pitaro ye ca kule jātāḥ sanābhayaḥ

O greatly fortunate ones, come; may they be protected here by you — my ancestors, and those of the same lineage born in this family.'

Verse 14 (garuda.1.84.14)

तेषां पिण्डप्रदानार्थमागतोऽस्मि गयामिमाम् । कृतपिण्डः फल्गुतीर्थे पश्यैद्देवं पितामहम्

teṣāṁ piṇḍapradānārthamāgato'smi gayāmimām kṛtapiṇḍaḥ phalgutīrthe paśyaiddevaṁ pitāmaham

'For the purpose of offering pinda to them, I have come to this Gaya.' Having offered pinda, one should behold, at the Phalgu tirtha, the god Pitamaha.

Verse 15 (garuda.1.84.15)

गदाधरं ततः पश्येत्पितॄणामनृणामनृणो भवेत् । फल्गुतीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा देवं गदाधरम्

gadādharaṁ tataḥ paśyetpitṝṇāmanṛṇāmanṛṇo bhavet phalgutīrthe naraḥ snātvā dṛṣṭvā devaṁ gadādharam

Then he should behold Gadadhara, and thus become free from debt to his ancestors. A man, having bathed at the Phalgu tirtha and beheld the god Gadadhara —

Verse 16 (garuda.1.84.16)

आत्मानं तारयेत्सद्यो दश पूर्वान्दशापरान् । प्रथमेह्निविधिः प्रोक्तो द्वितीयदिवसे व्रजेत्

ātmānaṁ tārayetsadyo daśa pūrvāndaśāparān prathamehnividhiḥ prokto dvitīyadivase vrajet

immediately delivers himself, and ten generations before and ten after. This rite is prescribed for the first day; on the second day he should proceed further.

Verse 17 (garuda.1.84.17)

धर्मारण्यं मतङ्गस्य वाप्यां पिण्डादिकृद्भवेत् । धर्मारण्यं समासाद्य वाजपेयफलं लभेत्

dharmāraṇyaṁ mataṅgasya vāpyāṁ piṇḍādikṛdbhavet dharmāraṇyaṁ samāsādya vājapeyaphalaṁ labhet

At Dharmaranya, at Matanga's step-well, one should perform pinda-offering and the like; having reached Dharmaranya, one obtains the fruit of the Vajapeya.

Verse 18 (garuda.1.84.18)

राजसूयाश्वमेधाभ्यां फलं स्याद्ब्रह्मतीर्थके । श्राद्धं पिण्डोदकं कार्य्यं मध्ये वै कूपयूपयोः

rājasūyāśvamedhābhyāṁ phalaṁ syādbrahmatīrthake śrāddhaṁ piṇḍodakaṁ kāryyaṁ madhye vai kūpayūpayoḥ

At the Brahma-tirtha, one obtains the combined fruit of a Rajasuya and an Ashvamedha; shraddha and the offering of pinda-water should be performed between the well and the sacrificial post.

Verse 19 (garuda.1.84.19)

कूपोदकेन तत्कार्य्यं पितॄणां दत्तमक्षयम् । तृतीयेऽह्नि ब्रह्मसदो गत्वा स्नात्वाथ तर्पणम्

kūpodakena tatkāryyaṁ pitṝṇāṁ dattamakṣayam tṛtīye'hni brahmasado gatvā snātvātha tarpaṇam

That rite should be performed with water from the well; what is given to the ancestors becomes imperishable. On the third day, having gone to Brahmasadas, bathed, and performed tarpana —

Verse 20 (garuda.1.84.20)

कृत्वा श्राद्धादिकं पिण्डं मध्ये वै यूपकूपयोः । गोप्रचारसमीपस्था आब्रह्म ब्रह्मकल्पिताः

kṛtvā śrāddhādikaṁ piṇḍaṁ madhye vai yūpakūpayoḥ gopracārasamīpasthā ābrahma brahmakalpitāḥ

and having performed shraddha and offered pinda between the sacrificial post and the well — those brahmins, stationed near the pasture-ground, are as if appointed by Brahma himself.

Verse 21 (garuda.1.84.21)

तेषां सेवनमात्रेण पितरो मोक्षगामिनः । यूपं प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य वाजपेयफलं लभेत्

teṣāṁ sevanamātreṇa pitaro mokṣagāminaḥ yūpaṁ pradakṣiṇīkṛtya vājapeyaphalaṁ labhet

By the mere service of them, the ancestors become bound for liberation. Having circumambulated the sacrificial post, one obtains the fruit of the Vajapeya.

Verse 22 (garuda.1.84.22)

फल्गुतीर्थे चतुर्थेऽहनि स्नात्वा देवादितर्पणम् । कृत्वा श्राद्धंगयाशीर्षे कुर्याद्रुद्रपदादिषु

phalgutīrthe caturthe'hani snātvā devāditarpaṇam kṛtvā śrāddhaṁgayāśīrṣe kuryādrudrapadādiṣu

On the fourth day, having bathed at the Phalgu tirtha and offered tarpana to the gods and others, one should perform shraddha at Gayashirsha, and at Rudrapada and the other shrines.

Verse 23 (garuda.1.84.23)

पिण्डान्देहिमुखे व्यासे पंचाग्नौ च पदत्रये । सूर्य्येन्दुकार्त्तिकेयेषु कृतं श्राद्धं तथाक्षयम्

piṇḍāndehimukhe vyāse paṁcāgnau ca padatraye sūryyendukārttikeyeṣu kṛtaṁ śrāddhaṁ tathākṣayam

Pindas offered at Dehimukha, at Vyasa, at Panchagni, and at Padatraya, and shraddha performed at the shrines of Surya, the Moon, and Karttikeya, likewise become imperishable.

Verse 24 (garuda.1.84.24)

श्राद्धं तु नवदेवत्यं कुर्य्याद्द्वादशदैवतम् । अन्वष्टकासु वृद्धौ च गयायां मृतवासरे

śrāddhaṁ tu navadevatyaṁ kuryyāddvādaśadaivatam anvaṣṭakāsu vṛddhau ca gayāyāṁ mṛtavāsare

One should perform the shraddha of nine deities and of twelve deities on the anvashtaka days, at the vriddhi-shraddha, and at Gaya on the anniversary of death.

Verse 25 (garuda.1.84.25)

अत्र मातुः पृथक् श्राद्धमन्यत्र पतिना सह । स्नात्वा दशाश्वमेधे तु दृष्ट्वा देवं पितामहम्

atra mātuḥ pṛthak śrāddhamanyatra patinā saha snātvā daśāśvamedhe tu dṛṣṭvā devaṁ pitāmaham

Here, the shraddha for the mother is performed separately; elsewhere, together with the husband's. Having bathed at Dashashvamedha and beheld the god Pitamaha —

Verse 26 (garuda.1.84.26)

रुद्रपादं नरः स्पृष्ट्वा न चेहावर्त्तते पुनः । त्रिर्वित्तपूर्णां पृथिवीं दत्त्वा यत्फलमाप्नुयात्

rudrapādaṁ naraḥ spṛṣṭvā na cehāvarttate punaḥ trirvittapūrṇāṁ pṛthivīṁ dattvā yatphalamāpnuyāt

a man, having touched Rudrapada, does not return again to this world. The fruit that one obtains by giving away the earth filled thrice over with wealth —

Verse 27 (garuda.1.84.27)

स तत्फलमवाप्नोति कृत्वा श्राद्धं गयाशिरे । शमीपत्रप्रमाणेन पिण्डं दद्याद्गयाशिरे

sa tatphalamavāpnoti kṛtvā śrāddhaṁ gayāśire śamīpatrapramāṇena piṇḍaṁ dadyādgayāśire

that same fruit is obtained by performing shraddha at Gayashiras. One should offer a pinda the size of a shami-leaf at Gayashiras.

Verse 28 (garuda.1.84.28)

पितरो यान्ति देवत्वं नात्र कार्य्या विचारणा । मुण्डपृष्टे पदं न्यस्तं महादेवेन धीमता

pitaro yānti devatvaṁ nātra kāryyā vicāraṇā muṇḍapṛṣṭe padaṁ nyastaṁ mahādevena dhīmatā

Thereby the ancestors attain divinity — there is no need for doubt about this. At Mundaprishtha, the wise Mahadeva placed his footprint.

Verse 29 (garuda.1.84.29)

अल्पेन तपसा तत्र महापुण्यमवाप्नुयात् । गयाशीर्षे तु यः पिण्डान्नाम्ना येषां तु निर्वपेत्

alpena tapasā tatra mahāpuṇyamavāpnuyāt gayāśīrṣe tu yaḥ piṇḍānnāmnā yeṣāṁ tu nirvapet

There, with little austerity, one obtains great merit. And he who, at Gayashirsha, offers pindas in the name of anyone —

Verse 30 (garuda.1.84.30)

नरकस्था दिवं यान्ति स्वर्गस्था मोक्षमाप्नुयुः । पञ्चमेऽह्नि गंदालोले स्नात्वा वटतले ततः

narakasthā divaṁ yānti svargasthā mokṣamāpnuyuḥ pañcame'hni gaṁdālole snātvā vaṭatale tataḥ

thereby delivers those ancestors in hell to heaven, and those in heaven to liberation. On the fifth day, having bathed at Gadalola, then beneath the banyan tree —

Verse 31 (garuda.1.84.31)

पिण्डान्दद्यात्पितॄणां च सकलं तारयेत्कुलम् । वटमूलं समासाद्य शाकेनोष्णोदकेन वा

piṇḍāndadyātpitṝṇāṁ ca sakalaṁ tārayetkulam vaṭamūlaṁ samāsādya śākenoṣṇodakena vā

one should offer pindas to the ancestors, thereby delivering the entire lineage. Having come to the root of the banyan, with vegetables or with hot water —

Verse 32 (garuda.1.84.32)

एकस्मिन् भोजिते विप्र कोटिर्भवति भोजिताः । कृते श्राद्धेऽक्षयवटे दृष्ट्वा च प्रपितामहम्

ekasmin bhojite vipra koṭirbhavati bhojitāḥ kṛte śrāddhe'kṣayavaṭe dṛṣṭvā ca prapitāmaham

O brahmin, when even one brahmin is fed there, it is as if ten million were fed. When shraddha is performed at the Akshayavata, and Prapitamaha is beheld —

Verse 33 (garuda.1.84.33)

अक्षयान्लभते लोकान्कुलानामुद्धरेच्छतम् । एष्टव्या बहवः पुत्त्रा यद्येकोऽपि गयां व्रजेत्

akṣayānlabhate lokānkulānāmuddharecchatam eṣṭavyā bahavaḥ puttrā yadyeko'pi gayāṁ vrajet

one obtains imperishable worlds and delivers a hundred generations of the lineage. Many sons are desired precisely so that even one of them might go to Gaya.

Verse 34 (garuda.1.84.34)

यजेत वाश्वमेधेन नीलं वा वृषमुत्सृजेत् । प्रेतः कश्चित्समुद्दिश्य वणिजं कञ्चिदब्रवीत्

yajeta vāśvamedhena nīlaṁ vā vṛṣamutsṛjet pretaḥ kaścitsamuddiśya vaṇijaṁ kañcidabravīt

Whether one performs an Ashvamedha sacrifice, or releases a blue bull — the fruit equals that. Once a certain preta, addressing a certain merchant, said —

Verse 35 (garuda.1.84.35)

मम नाम्ना गयाशीर्षे पिण्डनिर्वपणं कुरु । प्रेतभावाद्विमुक्तः स्यांस्वर्गदो दातुरेव च

mama nāmnā gayāśīrṣe piṇḍanirvapaṇaṁ kuru pretabhāvādvimuktaḥ syāṁsvargado dātureva ca

'Perform the offering of pinda in my name at Gayashirsha; thereby I shall be freed from the state of a preta, and this act will grant heaven to the giver as well.'

Verse 36 (garuda.1.84.36)

श्रुत्वा वणिग्गयाशीर्ष प्रेतराजाय पिण्डकम् । प्रददावनुजैः सार्द्धं स्वपितृभ्यस्ततो ददौ

śrutvā vaṇiggayāśīrṣa pretarājāya piṇḍakam pradadāvanujaiḥ sārddhaṁ svapitṛbhyastato dadau

Hearing this, the merchant offered a pinda at Gayashirsha for the king of pretas; then, together with his younger brothers, he also offered pindas to his own ancestors.

Verse 37 (garuda.1.84.37)

सर्वे मुक्ता विशालोऽपि सपुत्रोऽभुच्च पिंडदः । विशालायां विशालोऽभूद्राजपुत्रोब्रवीद्द्विजान्

sarve muktā viśālo'pi saputro'bhucca piṁḍadaḥ viśālāyāṁ viśālo'bhūdrājaputrobravīddvijān

All were freed, and Vishala, the giver of the pinda, thereby obtained a son as well. In the city of Vishala there was a prince named Vishala, who said to the brahmins —

Verse 38 (garuda.1.84.38)

कथं पुत्रादयः स्युर्मे विप्राश्चोतुर्विशालकम् । गयायां पिण्डदानेन तव सर्वं भविष्यति

kathaṁ putrādayaḥ syurme viprāścoturviśālakam gayāyāṁ piṇḍadānena tava sarvaṁ bhaviṣyati

'How may I obtain sons and the like?' The brahmins said to Vishalaka: 'Through pinda-offering at Gaya, all that you wish shall come to pass for you.'

Verse 39 (garuda.1.84.39)

विशालोऽथ गयाशीर्ष पिण्डदोऽभूच्च पुत्रवान् । दृष्ट्वाकाशे सितं रक्तं कृष्णं पुरुषमब्रवीत्

viśālo'tha gayāśīrṣa piṇḍado'bhūcca putravān dṛṣṭvākāśe sitaṁ raktaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ puruṣamabravīt

Then Vishala offered pinda at Gayashirsha and thereby obtained a son. Having seen in the sky a white, a red, and a black figure, he said —

Verse 40 (garuda.1.84.40)

के यूयं तेषु चैवैकः सितः प्रोचे विशालकम् । अहं सितस्ते जनक इन्द्रलोकं गतः शुभम्

ke yūyaṁ teṣu caivaikaḥ sitaḥ proce viśālakam ahaṁ sitaste janaka indralokaṁ gataḥ śubham

'Who are you?' Among them, the white one said to Vishalaka: 'I, the white one, am your grandfather; I have gone to the auspicious world of Indra.'

Verse 41 (garuda.1.84.41)

मम पुत्र पिता रक्तो ब्रह्महा पापकृत्परम् । अयं पितामहः कृष्ण ऋषयोऽनेन घातिताः

mama putra pitā rakto brahmahā pāpakṛtparam ayaṁ pitāmahaḥ kṛṣṇa ṛṣayo'nena ghātitāḥ

'My son, my own father — that red one — was a killer of a brahmin, exceedingly sinful. This black one is my grandfather, by whom sages were slain.'

Verse 42 (garuda.1.84.42)

अवीचिं नरकं प्राप्तौ मुक्तौ जातौ च पिण्डदः । मुक्तीकृतास्ततः सर्वे व्रजामः स्वर्गमुत्तमम्

avīciṁ narakaṁ prāptau muktau jātau ca piṇḍadaḥ muktīkṛtāstataḥ sarve vrajāmaḥ svargamuttamam

'Both had fallen into the hell of Avichi; now, through you, both are freed. Thus, all of us, now freed, are going to the excellent heaven.'

Verse 43 (garuda.1.84.43)

कृतकृत्यो विशालोऽपि राज्यं कृत्वा दिवं ययौ । येऽस्मत्कुले तु पितरो लुप्तपिण्डोदकक्रियाः

kṛtakṛtyo viśālo'pi rājyaṁ kṛtvā divaṁ yayau ye'smatkule tu pitaro luptapiṇḍodakakriyāḥ

Vishala too, his purpose fulfilled, ruled his kingdom and in time went to heaven. — 'Those ancestors of our lineage whose rites of pinda and water have lapsed,

Verse 44 (garuda.1.84.44)

ये चाप्यकृतचूडास्तु ये च गर्भाद्विनिस्सृताः । येषां दाहो न क्रियाच येऽग्निदग्धास्तथापरे

ye cāpyakṛtacūḍāstu ye ca garbhādvinissṛtāḥ yeṣāṁ dāho na kriyāca ye'gnidagdhāstathāpare

and those who died without the tonsure-rite, and those who perished while still in the womb, and those for whom cremation was not performed, and others who died by fire —

Verse 45 (garuda.1.84.45)

भूमौ दत्तेन तृप्यन्तु तृप्ता यान्तु परां गतिम् । पिता पितामहश्चैव तथैव प्रपितामहः

bhūmau dattena tṛpyantu tṛptā yāntu parāṁ gatim pitā pitāmahaścaiva tathaiva prapitāmahaḥ

may they be satisfied by this offered on the ground, and, being satisfied, may they attain the supreme goal — my father, grandfather, and great-grandfather;

Verse 46 (garuda.1.84.46)

माता पितामही चैव तथैव प्रपितामही । तथा मातामहश्चैव प्रमातामह एव च

mātā pitāmahī caiva tathaiva prapitāmahī tathā mātāmahaścaiva pramātāmaha eva ca

my mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother; and my maternal grandfather, and his father;

Verse 47 (garuda.1.84.47)

वृद्धप्रमातामहश्च तथा मातामही परम् । प्रमातामही तथा वृद्धप्रमातामहीति वै

vṛddhapramātāmahaśca tathā mātāmahī param pramātāmahī tathā vṛddhapramātāmahīti vai

and his grandfather; and likewise my maternal grandmother, her mother, and her grandmother;

Verse 48 (garuda.1.84.48)

अन्येषां चैव पिंडोऽयमक्षय्यमुपतिष्ठताम्

anyeṣāṁ caiva piṁḍo'yamakṣayyamupatiṣṭhatām

and for all others besides — may this pinda stand ready for them, imperishable.'