Mankanaka's Dance, Prithudaka, and the Glory of Kurukshetra

Verse 1 (padma.3.27.1)

नारद उवाच । ततो गच्छेत धर्मज्ञ कन्यातीर्थमनुत्तमम् । कन्यातीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा अग्निष्टोमफलं लभेत्

nārada uvāca tato gaccheta dharmajña kanyātīrthamanuttamam kanyātīrthe naraḥ snātvā agniṣṭomaphalaṁ labhet

Narada said: Then, O knower of dharma, one should go to the unsurpassed Kanya-tirtha; having bathed at Kanya-tirtha, a man obtains the fruit of the Agnishtoma.

Verse 2 (padma.3.27.2)

ततो गच्छेन्नरव्याघ्र ब्रह्मणः स्थानमुत्तमम् । तत्र वर्णावरः स्नात्वा ब्राह्मण्यं लभते नरः

tato gacchennaravyāghra brahmaṇaḥ sthānamuttamam tatra varṇāvaraḥ snātvā brāhmaṇyaṁ labhate naraḥ

Then, O tiger among men, one should go to the excellent abode of Brahma; there, even one of low birth, having bathed, attains brahminhood.

Verse 3 (padma.3.27.3)

ब्राह्मणस्तु विशुद्धात्मा गच्छेत परमां गतिम् । ततो गच्छेन्नरव्याघ्र सोमतीर्थमनुत्तमम्

brāhmaṇastu viśuddhātmā gaccheta paramāṁ gatim tato gacchennaravyāghra somatīrthamanuttamam

A brahmin, his soul made pure, attains the supreme destiny. Then, O tiger among men, one should go to the unsurpassed Soma-tirtha;

Verse 4 (padma.3.27.4)

तत्र स्नात्वा नरो राजन्सोमलोकमवाप्नुयात् । सप्तसारस्वतं तीर्थं ततो गच्छेन्नराधिप

tatra snātvā naro rājansomalokamavāpnuyāt saptasārasvataṁ tīrthaṁ tato gacchennarādhipa

having bathed there, O king, a man attains the world of Soma. Then, O lord of men, one should go to Saptasarasvata-tirtha,

Verse 5 (padma.3.27.5)

यत्र मंकणकः सिद्धो ब्रह्मर्षिर्लोकविश्रुतः । पुरा मंकणको राजन्कुशाग्रेणेति विश्रुतम्

yatra maṁkaṇakaḥ siddho brahmarṣirlokaviśrutaḥ purā maṁkaṇako rājankuśāgreṇeti viśrutam

where the world-renowned Siddha brahmarshi Mankanaka [performed austerity]. Long ago, O king, it is famed that Mankanaka, by the tip of a blade of kusha grass,

Verse 6 (padma.3.27.6)

क्षतः किल करे राजन्तस्य शाकरसोऽस्रवत् । स वै शाकरसं दृष्ट्वा हर्षाविष्टो महातपाः

kṣataḥ kila kare rājantasya śākaraso'sravat sa vai śākarasaṁ dṛṣṭvā harṣāviṣṭo mahātapāḥ

was cut on the hand, O king, so it is famed, and from it flowed vegetable sap. Seeing that vegetable sap, that great ascetic, filled with joy,

Verse 7 (padma.3.27.7)

ननर्त किल विप्रर्षिर्विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनः । ततस्तस्मिन्प्रनृत्ते वै स्थावरं जंगमं च यत्

nanarta kila viprarṣirvismayotphullalocanaḥ tatastasminpranṛtte vai sthāvaraṁ jaṁgamaṁ ca yat

his eyes wide with wonder, danced, it is said — that sage among brahmins. Then, as he danced, whatever was fixed and whatever moved,

Verse 8 (padma.3.27.8)

प्रनृत्तमुभयं वीर तेजसा तस्य मोहितम् । ब्रह्मादिभिस्ततो देवैर्ऋषिभिश्च तपोधनैः

pranṛttamubhayaṁ vīra tejasā tasya mohitam brahmādibhistato devairṛṣibhiśca tapodhanaiḥ

O hero, all of it, bewildered by his power, began to dance too. Then, by Brahma and the other gods, and by the ascetic sages,

Verse 9 (padma.3.27.9)

विज्ञप्तो वै ऋषेरर्थे महादेवो नराधिप । नायं नृत्येद्यथा देव तथा त्वं कर्तुमर्हसि

vijñapto vai ṛṣerarthe mahādevo narādhipa nāyaṁ nṛtyedyathā deva tathā tvaṁ kartumarhasi

O lord of men, Mahadeva was petitioned on the sage's behalf: 'That the world not dance as this one dances — that you should bring about, O god.'

Verse 10 (padma.3.27.10)

ततो देवो मुनिं दृष्ट्वा हर्षाविष्टेन चेतसा । नृत्यंतमब्रवीच्चैनं स्थिराणां हितकाम्यया

tato devo muniṁ dṛṣṭvā harṣāviṣṭena cetasā nṛtyaṁtamabravīccainaṁ sthirāṇāṁ hitakāmyayā

Then the god, seeing the sage dancing, his heart filled with joy, out of a desire for the welfare of fixed things, spoke to him —

Verse 11 (padma.3.27.11)

अहो महर्षे धर्मज्ञ किमर्थं नृत्यते भवान् । हर्षस्थानं किमर्थं वा तवाद्य मुनिपुंगव

aho maharṣe dharmajña kimarthaṁ nṛtyate bhavān harṣasthānaṁ kimarthaṁ vā tavādya munipuṁgava

'O great sage, knower of dharma, for what reason do you dance? O bull among sages, what today is the cause of your joy?'

Verse 12 (padma.3.27.12)

ऋषिरुवाच । तपस्विनो धर्म्मपथस्थितस्य द्विजसत्तम । किं न पश्यसि मे ब्रह्मन्क्षताच्छाकरसं सृतम्

ṛṣiruvāca tapasvino dharmmapathasthitasya dvijasattama kiṁ na paśyasi me brahmankṣatācchākarasaṁ sṛtam

The sage said: 'O best of the twice-born, of an ascetic established on the path of dharma — O brahmin, do you not see that from my wound vegetable sap has flowed?'

Verse 13 (padma.3.27.13)

यं दृष्ट्वा संप्रनृत्तोऽहं हर्षेण महता वृतः । तं प्रहस्याब्रवीद्देव ऋषिं रागेण मोहितम्

yaṁ dṛṣṭvā saṁpranṛtto'haṁ harṣeṇa mahatā vṛtaḥ taṁ prahasyābravīddeva ṛṣiṁ rāgeṇa mohitam

'Seeing which, I danced, filled with great joy.' Laughing, the god said to the sage, deluded by that passion —

Verse 14 (padma.3.27.14)

अहं तु विस्मयं विप्र न गच्छामीह पश्य माम् । एवमुक्त्वा नरश्रेष्ठ महादेवेन वै तदा

ahaṁ tu vismayaṁ vipra na gacchāmīha paśya mām evamuktvā naraśreṣṭha mahādevena vai tadā

'As for me, O brahmin, I feel no wonder — look at me!' O best of men, having thus spoken, Mahadeva then,

Verse 15 (padma.3.27.15)

अंगुल्यग्रेण राजेंद्र स्वांगुष्ठस्ताडितोऽनघ । तस्य भस्मक्षताद्राजन्निःसृतं हिमसंनिभम्

aṁgulyagreṇa rājeṁdra svāṁguṣṭhastāḍito'nagha tasya bhasmakṣatādrājanniḥsṛtaṁ himasaṁnibham

O lord of kings, O sinless one, struck his own thumb with a fingertip; from that wound, O king, there flowed something white as snow.

Verse 16 (padma.3.27.16)

यं दृष्ट्वा व्रीडितो राजन्स मुनिः पादयोर्गतः । नान्यं देवादहं मन्ये रुद्रात्परतरं महत्

yaṁ dṛṣṭvā vrīḍito rājansa muniḥ pādayorgataḥ nānyaṁ devādahaṁ manye rudrātparataraṁ mahat

Seeing which, O king, that sage, ashamed, fell at his feet: 'I consider there to be no other god greater than Rudra.'

Verse 17 (padma.3.27.17)

सुरासुरस्य जगतो गतिस्त्वमसि शूलधृक् । त्वया सृष्टमिदं विश्वं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्

surāsurasya jagato gatistvamasi śūladhṛk tvayā sṛṣṭamidaṁ viśvaṁ trailokyaṁ sacarācaram

'O trident-bearer! You are the refuge of the world with its gods and demons; by you alone this triple-world universe, together with the moving and unmoving, was created.'

Verse 18 (padma.3.27.18)

त्वामेव भगवन्सर्वे प्रविशंति युगक्षये । देवैरपि न शक्यस्त्वं परिज्ञातुं कुतो मया

tvāmeva bhagavansarve praviśaṁti yugakṣaye devairapi na śakyastvaṁ parijñātuṁ kuto mayā

'O Lord, at the end of the age, all things enter into you alone. Even by the gods you cannot be fully known — how then by me?'

Verse 19 (padma.3.27.19)

त्वयि सर्वेश दृश्यंते सुराः शक्रादयोऽनघ । सर्वस्त्वमसि लोकानां कर्ता कारयितान्वहम्

tvayi sarveśa dṛśyaṁte surāḥ śakrādayo'nagha sarvastvamasi lokānāṁ kartā kārayitānvaham

'O Lord of all, O sinless one, in you alone are seen the gods, Indra and the rest; you alone are the doer and ever the causer of all the worlds.'

Verse 20 (padma.3.27.20)

त्वत्प्रसादात्सुराः सर्वे मोदंतीहाकुतोभयाः । एवं स्तुत्वा महादेवं स ऋषिः प्रणतोऽब्रवीत्

tvatprasādātsurāḥ sarve modaṁtīhākutobhayāḥ evaṁ stutvā mahādevaṁ sa ṛṣiḥ praṇato'bravīt

'By your grace alone, all the gods rejoice here, free from fear.' Having thus praised Mahadeva, that sage, bowing, said —

Verse 21 (padma.3.27.21)

त्वत्प्रसादान्महादेव तपो मे न क्षरेत वै । ततो देवः प्रहृष्टात्मा ब्रह्मर्षिमिदमब्रवीत्

tvatprasādānmahādeva tapo me na kṣareta vai tato devaḥ prahṛṣṭātmā brahmarṣimidamabravīt

'By your grace, O Mahadeva, may my austerity never diminish.' Then the god, his heart delighted, said this to the brahmarshi —

Verse 22 (padma.3.27.22)

तपस्ते वर्द्धतां विप्र मत्प्रसादात्सहस्रधा । आश्रमे चेह वत्स्यामि त्वया सार्द्धं महामुने

tapaste varddhatāṁ vipra matprasādātsahasradhā āśrame ceha vatsyāmi tvayā sārddhaṁ mahāmune

'O brahmin, by my grace may your austerity increase a thousandfold. O great sage, I shall dwell in this hermitage together with you.'

Verse 23 (padma.3.27.23)

सप्तसारस्वते स्नात्वा अर्चयिष्यंति ये तु माम् । न तेषां दुर्लभं किंचिदिह लोके परत्र वा

saptasārasvate snātvā arcayiṣyaṁti ye tu mām na teṣāṁ durlabhaṁ kiṁcidiha loke paratra vā

'Whoever bathes at Saptasarasvata and worships me — for them there shall be nothing hard to obtain, either in this world or the next.'

Verse 24 (padma.3.27.24)

गच्छेत्सारस्वतं चापि लोकं नास्त्यत्र संशयः । एवमुक्त्वा महादेवस्तत्रैवांतरधीयत

gacchetsārasvataṁ cāpi lokaṁ nāstyatra saṁśayaḥ evamuktvā mahādevastatraivāṁtaradhīyata

'One shall attain the world of the Sarasvatas as well — there is no doubt in this.' Having said this, Mahadeva vanished right there.

Verse 25 (padma.3.27.25)

ततस्त्वौशनसं गच्छेत्त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम् । यत्र ब्रह्मादयो देवा ऋषयश्च तपोधनाः

tatastvauśanasaṁ gacchettriṣu lokeṣu viśrutam yatra brahmādayo devā ṛṣayaśca tapodhanāḥ

Then one should go to Aushanasa, renowned in the three worlds, where Brahma and the other gods, and the ascetic sages,

Verse 26 (padma.3.27.26)

कार्तिकेयश्च भगवांस्त्रिसंध्यां किल भारत । सान्निध्यमकरोत्तत्र भार्गवप्रियकाम्यया

kārtikeyaśca bhagavāṁstrisaṁdhyāṁ kila bhārata sānnidhyamakarottatra bhārgavapriyakāmyayā

and, O Bharata, the blessed Kartikeya too, out of a desire to please the Bhargava, made his presence known there at the three daily junctures.

Verse 27 (padma.3.27.27)

कपालमोचनं तीर्थं सर्वपापप्रणाशनम् । तत्र स्नात्वा नरव्याघ्र सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

kapālamocanaṁ tīrthaṁ sarvapāpapraṇāśanam tatra snātvā naravyāghra sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

Kapalamochana is a tirtha, destroyer of all sin; having bathed there, O tiger among men, one is freed from all sins.

Verse 28 (padma.3.27.28)

अग्नितीर्थं ततो गच्छेत्स्नात्वा च भरतर्षभ । अग्निलोकमवाप्नोति कुलं चैव समुद्धरेत्

agnitīrthaṁ tato gacchetsnātvā ca bharatarṣabha agnilokamavāpnoti kulaṁ caiva samuddharet

Then one should go to Agni-tirtha and bathe, O bull among the Bharatas; one attains the world of Agni and redeems one's lineage.

Verse 29 (padma.3.27.29)

विश्वामित्रस्य तत्रैव तीर्थं भरतसत्तम । तत्र स्नात्वा महाराज ब्राह्मण्यमभिजायते

viśvāmitrasya tatraiva tīrthaṁ bharatasattama tatra snātvā mahārāja brāhmaṇyamabhijāyate

O best of the Bharatas, there too is Vishvamitra's tirtha; having bathed there, O great king, one is born into brahminhood.

Verse 30 (padma.3.27.30)

ब्रह्मयोनिं समासाद्य शुचिः प्रयतमानसः । तत्र स्नात्वा नरव्याघ्र ब्रह्मलोकं प्रपद्यते

brahmayoniṁ samāsādya śuciḥ prayatamānasaḥ tatra snātvā naravyāghra brahmalokaṁ prapadyate

Having reached Brahmayoni, pure and of composed mind, having bathed there, O tiger among men, one attains Brahmaloka,

Verse 31 (padma.3.27.31)

पुनात्या सप्तमं चैव कुलं नास्त्यत्र संशयः । ततो गच्छेत राजेंद्र तीर्थं त्रैलोक्यविश्रुतम्

punātyā saptamaṁ caiva kulaṁ nāstyatra saṁśayaḥ tato gaccheta rājeṁdra tīrthaṁ trailokyaviśrutam

and purifies one's family up to the seventh generation — there is no doubt of this. Then, O lord of kings, one should go to a tirtha renowned in the three worlds,

Verse 32 (padma.3.27.32)

पृथूदकमिति ख्यातं कार्तिकेयस्य व्नृप । तत्राभिषेकं कुर्वीत पितृदेवार्चने रतः

pṛthūdakamiti khyātaṁ kārtikeyasya vnṛpa tatrābhiṣekaṁ kurvīta pitṛdevārcane rataḥ

known as Prithudaka, of Kartikeya, O king; one should perform the ritual bath there, devoted to the worship of ancestors and gods.

Verse 33 (padma.3.27.33)

अज्ञानाज्ज्ञानतो वापि स्त्रिया वा पुरुषेण वा । यत्किंचिदशुभं कर्म कृतं मानुषबुद्धिना

ajñānājjñānato vāpi striyā vā puruṣeṇa vā yatkiṁcidaśubhaṁ karma kṛtaṁ mānuṣabuddhinā

Whatever inauspicious deed has been done, knowingly or unknowingly, by a woman or by a man, out of human understanding,

Verse 34 (padma.3.27.34)

तत्सर्वं नश्यते तत्र स्नातमात्रस्य भारत । अश्वमेधफलं चापि लभते स्वर्गमेव च

tatsarvaṁ naśyate tatra snātamātrasya bhārata aśvamedhaphalaṁ cāpi labhate svargameva ca

O Bharata, all of it is destroyed there, merely by bathing; one also obtains the fruit of the Ashvamedha, and heaven as well.

Verse 35 (padma.3.27.35)

पुण्यमाहुः कुरुक्षेत्रं कुरुक्षेत्रात्सरस्वतीम् । सरस्वत्याश्च तीर्थानि तीर्थेभ्यश्च पृथूदकम्

puṇyamāhuḥ kurukṣetraṁ kurukṣetrātsarasvatīm sarasvatyāśca tīrthāni tīrthebhyaśca pṛthūdakam

They call Kurukshetra sacred, and from Kurukshetra the Sarasvati, and from the Sarasvati the tirthas, and among the tirthas, Prithudaka is supreme.

Verse 36 (padma.3.27.36)

उत्तमे सर्वतीर्थानां यस्त्यजेदात्मनस्तनुम् । पृथूदके जप्यपरो नैव संसरणं लभेत्

uttame sarvatīrthānāṁ yastyajedātmanastanum pṛthūdake japyaparo naiva saṁsaraṇaṁ labhet

Whoever, at Prithudaka, the finest of all tirthas, engaged in muttered prayer, gives up his own body, does not transmigrate again.

Verse 37 (padma.3.27.37)

गीतं सनत्कुमारेण व्यासेन च महात्मना । वेदे च नियतं राजन्नभिगच्छेत्पृथूदकम्

gītaṁ sanatkumāreṇa vyāsena ca mahātmanā vede ca niyataṁ rājannabhigacchetpṛthūdakam

Sung of by Sanatkumara and by the great-souled Vyasa, and, O king, established in the Veda — one should go to Prithudaka.

Verse 38 (padma.3.27.38)

पृथूदकात्पुण्यतमं नान्यत्तीर्थं नरोत्तम । एतन्मेध्यं पवित्रं च पावनं च न संशयः

pṛthūdakātpuṇyatamaṁ nānyattīrthaṁ narottama etanmedhyaṁ pavitraṁ ca pāvanaṁ ca na saṁśayaḥ

O best of men, there is no other tirtha more sacred than Prithudaka; it is pure, purifying, and sanctifying — there is no doubt.

Verse 39 (padma.3.27.39)

तत्र स्नात्वा दिवं यांति अपि पापकृतो जनाः । पृथूदके नरश्रेष्ठमाहुरेवं मनीषिणः

tatra snātvā divaṁ yāṁti api pāpakṛto janāḥ pṛthūdake naraśreṣṭhamāhurevaṁ manīṣiṇaḥ

Having bathed there, even people of evil deeds go to heaven. O best of men, thus the wise speak of Prithudaka.

Verse 40 (padma.3.27.40)

मधुस्रवं च तत्रैव तीर्थं भरतसत्तम । तत्र स्नात्वा नरो राजन्गोसहस्रफलं लभेत्

madhusravaṁ ca tatraiva tīrthaṁ bharatasattama tatra snātvā naro rājangosahasraphalaṁ labhet

O best of the Bharatas, and there too is the tirtha of Madhusrava; having bathed there, O king, a man obtains the fruit of a thousand cows.

Verse 41 (padma.3.27.41)

ततो गच्छेन्नरश्रेष्ठ तीर्थं देव्या यथाक्रमम् । सरस्वत्यारुणायाश्च संगमं लोकविश्रुतम्

tato gacchennaraśreṣṭha tīrthaṁ devyā yathākramam sarasvatyāruṇāyāśca saṁgamaṁ lokaviśrutam

Then, O best of men, one should go, in due order, to the tirtha of the Goddess — the world-renowned confluence of the Sarasvati and the Aruna.

Verse 42 (padma.3.27.42)

त्रिरात्रोपोषितः स्नात्वा मुच्यते ब्रह्महत्यया । अग्निष्टोमातिरात्राभ्यां फलं चैव समश्नुते

trirātropoṣitaḥ snātvā mucyate brahmahatyayā agniṣṭomātirātrābhyāṁ phalaṁ caiva samaśnute

Having fasted three nights and bathed, one is freed from the sin of killing a brahmin, and obtains the fruit of the Agnishtoma and the Atiratra alike.

Verse 43 (padma.3.27.43)

पुनात्यासप्तमं चैव कुलं नास्त्यत्र संशयः । अवकीर्णं च तत्रैव तीर्थं कुरुकुलोद्वह

punātyāsaptamaṁ caiva kulaṁ nāstyatra saṁśayaḥ avakīrṇaṁ ca tatraiva tīrthaṁ kurukulodvaha

One purifies one's family up to the seventh generation too — there is no doubt of this. O scion of the Kuru race, there too is the tirtha of Avakirna,

Verse 44 (padma.3.27.44)

विप्राणामनुकंपार्थं दर्भिणा निर्मितं पुरा । व्रतोपनयनाभ्यां चाप्युपवासेन वा द्विजः

viprāṇāmanukaṁpārthaṁ darbhiṇā nirmitaṁ purā vratopanayanābhyāṁ cāpyupavāsena vā dvijaḥ

made of old with kusha grass, out of compassion for brahmins. Through vow and initiation, or through fasting too, a twice-born,

Verse 45 (padma.3.27.45)

क्रियामंत्रैश्च संयुक्तो ब्राह्मणः स्यान्न संशयः । क्रियामंत्रविहीनोऽपि तत्र स्नात्वा नरर्षभ

kriyāmaṁtraiśca saṁyukto brāhmaṇaḥ syānna saṁśayaḥ kriyāmaṁtravihīno'pi tatra snātvā nararṣabha

endowed with the proper rites and mantras, surely becomes a brahmin. O bull among men, even one without rites and mantras, having bathed there,

Verse 46 (padma.3.27.46)

चीर्णव्रतो भवेद्विप्रो दृष्टमेतत्पुरातनम् । समुद्राश्चापि चत्वारः समानीताश्च दर्भिणा

cīrṇavrato bhavedvipro dṛṣṭametatpurātanam samudrāścāpi catvāraḥ samānītāśca darbhiṇā

that brahmin becomes as one who has completed his vows — this ancient fact has been observed. And the four oceans too were brought there with kusha grass.

Verse 47 (padma.3.27.47)

तत्र स्नात्वा नरव्याघ्र न दुर्गतिमवाप्नुयात् । फलानि गोसहस्राणां चतुर्णां विंदते च सः

tatra snātvā naravyāghra na durgatimavāpnuyāt phalāni gosahasrāṇāṁ caturṇāṁ viṁdate ca saḥ

Having bathed there, O tiger among men, one does not attain an evil state; and one also obtains the fruit of a thousand cows, fourfold.

Verse 48 (padma.3.27.48)

ततो गच्छेत राजेन्द्र तीर्थं शतसहस्रकम् । साहस्रकं च तत्रैव द्वे तीर्थे लोकविश्रुते

tato gaccheta rājendra tīrthaṁ śatasahasrakam sāhasrakaṁ ca tatraiva dve tīrthe lokaviśrute

Then, O lord of kings, one should go to Shatasahasraka-tirtha; and there too is Sahasraka — two tirthas renowned throughout the world.

Verse 49 (padma.3.27.49)

उभयोर्हि नरः स्नात्वा गोसहस्रफलं लभेत् । दानं वाप्युपवासो वा सहस्रगुणितो भवेत्

ubhayorhi naraḥ snātvā gosahasraphalaṁ labhet dānaṁ vāpyupavāso vā sahasraguṇito bhavet

Having bathed at both, a man obtains the fruit of a thousand cows; and any gift or fast becomes multiplied a thousandfold.

Verse 50 (padma.3.27.50)

ततो गच्छेत राजेंद्र रेणुकातीर्थमुत्तमम् । तत्राभिषेकं कुर्वीत पितृदेवार्चने रतः

tato gaccheta rājeṁdra reṇukātīrthamuttamam tatrābhiṣekaṁ kurvīta pitṛdevārcane rataḥ

Then, O lord of kings, one should go to the excellent Renuka-tirtha; one should perform the ritual bath there, devoted to the worship of ancestors and gods.

Verse 51 (padma.3.27.51)

सर्वपापविशुद्धात्मा अग्निष्टोमफलं लभेत् । विमोचन उपस्पृश्य जितमन्युर्जितेंद्रियः

sarvapāpaviśuddhātmā agniṣṭomaphalaṁ labhet vimocana upaspṛśya jitamanyurjiteṁdriyaḥ

With a soul purified of all sin, one obtains the fruit of the Agnishtoma. Having touched Vimochana, having conquered anger and mastered the senses,

Verse 52 (padma.3.27.52)

प्रतिग्रहकृतैः पापैः सर्वैः संपरिमुच्यते । ततः पंचवटं गत्वा ब्रह्मचारी जितेंद्रियः

pratigrahakṛtaiḥ pāpaiḥ sarvaiḥ saṁparimucyate tataḥ paṁcavaṭaṁ gatvā brahmacārī jiteṁdriyaḥ

one is fully released from all sins committed through accepting improper gifts. Then, having gone to Panchavata, a celibate student of mastered senses,

Verse 53 (padma.3.27.53)

पुण्येन महता युक्तः स्वर्गलोके महीयते । यत्र योगीश्वरः स्थाणुः स्वयमेव वृषध्वजः

puṇyena mahatā yuktaḥ svargaloke mahīyate yatra yogīśvaraḥ sthāṇuḥ svayameva vṛṣadhvajaḥ

endowed with great merit, is honored in the heavenly world — that place where the Lord of Yogis, Sthanu, the bull-bannered one himself, dwells.

Verse 54 (padma.3.27.54)

तमर्चयित्वा देवेशं गमनादेव सिध्यति । तैजसं वारुणं तीर्थं दीप्यते स्वेन तेजसा

tamarcayitvā deveśaṁ gamanādeva sidhyati taijasaṁ vāruṇaṁ tīrthaṁ dīpyate svena tejasā

Having worshipped that Lord of gods, one attains accomplishment merely by going there. The Taijasa-Varuna tirtha shines with its own radiance,

Verse 55 (padma.3.27.55)

यत्र ब्रह्मादिभिर्देवैर्ऋषिभिश्च तपोधनैः । सैनापत्ये च देवानामभिषिक्तो गुहस्तदा

yatra brahmādibhirdevairṛṣibhiśca tapodhanaiḥ saināpatye ca devānāmabhiṣikto guhastadā

where, by Brahma and the other gods and by the ascetic sages, Guha was anointed to the generalship of the gods.

Verse 56 (padma.3.27.56)

तैजसस्य तु पूर्वेण कुरुतीर्थं कुरूद्वह । कुरुतीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा ब्रह्मचारी जितेंद्रियः

taijasasya tu pūrveṇa kurutīrthaṁ kurūdvaha kurutīrthe naraḥ snātvā brahmacārī jiteṁdriyaḥ

O scion of the Kurus, to the east of Taijasa is Kuru-tirtha; having bathed at Kuru-tirtha, a celibate student of mastered senses,

Verse 57 (padma.3.27.57)

सर्वपापविशुद्धात्मा रुद्रलोकं प्रपद्यते । स्वर्गद्वारं ततो गच्छेन्नियतो नियताशनः

sarvapāpaviśuddhātmā rudralokaṁ prapadyate svargadvāraṁ tato gacchenniyato niyatāśanaḥ

with a soul purified of all sin, attains the world of Rudra. Then, disciplined and restrained in diet, one should go to Svargadvara;

Verse 58 (padma.3.27.58)

अग्निष्टोममवाप्नोति ब्रह्मलोकं च गच्छति । ततो गच्छेदनरकं तीर्थसेवी नराधिप

agniṣṭomamavāpnoti brahmalokaṁ ca gacchati tato gacchedanarakaṁ tīrthasevī narādhipa

one obtains the fruit of the Agnishtoma and goes to Brahmaloka. Then, O lord of men, devoted to the tirtha, one should go to Anaraka,

Verse 59 (padma.3.27.59)

तत्र स्नात्वा नरो राजन्न दुर्गतिमवाप्नुयात् । तत्र ब्रह्मा स्वयं नित्यं देवैस्सह महीयते

tatra snātvā naro rājanna durgatimavāpnuyāt tatra brahmā svayaṁ nityaṁ devaissaha mahīyate

having bathed there, O king, a man does not attain an evil state. There Brahma himself, ever together with the gods, is honored,

Verse 60 (padma.3.27.60)

अध्यास्ते पुरुषव्याघ्र नारायणपरागमैः । सान्निध्यं चैव राजेंद्र रुद्रवेद्यां कुरुद्वह

adhyāste puruṣavyāghra nārāyaṇaparāgamaiḥ sānnidhyaṁ caiva rājeṁdra rudravedyāṁ kurudvaha

O tiger among men, worshipped by the followers of Narayana. And, O lord of kings, O scion of the Kurus, there is the presence of the Goddess at Rudra-vedi;

Verse 61 (padma.3.27.61)

अभिगम्य तु तां देवीं न दुर्गतिमवाप्नुयात् । तत्रैव च महाराज विश्वेश्वरमुमापतिम्

abhigamya tu tāṁ devīṁ na durgatimavāpnuyāt tatraiva ca mahārāja viśveśvaramumāpatim

having approached that Goddess, one does not attain an evil state. And there too, O great king, having approached Vishveshvara, Uma's Lord,

Verse 62 (padma.3.27.62)

अभिगम्य महादेवं मुच्यते सर्वकिल्बिषैः । नारायणं चाभिगम्य पद्मनाभमरिंदम

abhigamya mahādevaṁ mucyate sarvakilbiṣaiḥ nārāyaṇaṁ cābhigamya padmanābhamariṁdama

having worshipped the great god, one is freed from all sins. And having approached Narayana, the lotus-navelled, O subduer of foes,

Verse 63 (padma.3.27.63)

शोभमानो महाराज विष्णुलोकं प्रपद्यते । तीर्थेषु सर्वदेवानां स्नातमात्रो नराधिप

śobhamāno mahārāja viṣṇulokaṁ prapadyate tīrtheṣu sarvadevānāṁ snātamātro narādhipa

O great king, resplendent, one attains the world of Vishnu. At the tirthas of all the gods, merely by bathing, O lord of men,

Verse 64 (padma.3.27.64)

सर्वदुःखपरित्यक्तो द्योतते शिववत्सदा । ततस्त्वस्थिपुरं गच्छेत्तीर्थसेवी नराधिप

sarvaduḥkhaparityakto dyotate śivavatsadā tatastvasthipuraṁ gacchettīrthasevī narādhipa

freed from all sorrow, one shines forever like Shiva. Then, O lord of men, devoted to the tirtha, one should go to Asthipura,

Verse 65 (padma.3.27.65)

पावनं तीर्थमासाद्य तर्पयेत्पितृदेवताः । अग्निष्टोमस्य यज्ञस्य फलमाप्नोति भारत

pāvanaṁ tīrthamāsādya tarpayetpitṛdevatāḥ agniṣṭomasya yajñasya phalamāpnoti bhārata

having reached the purifying tirtha there, one should offer tarpana to the ancestor-deities; O Bharata, one obtains the fruit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice.

Verse 66 (padma.3.27.66)

गंगाह्रदश्च तत्रैव कूपश्च भरतर्षभ । तिस्रः कोट्यस्तु तीर्थानां तस्मिन्कूपे महीयते

gaṁgāhradaśca tatraiva kūpaśca bharatarṣabha tisraḥ koṭyastu tīrthānāṁ tasminkūpe mahīyate

O bull among the Bharatas, there too is the Ganga-lake, and a well; three crores of tirthas are honored in that well.

Verse 67 (padma.3.27.67)

तत्र स्नात्वा नरो राजन्ब्रह्मलोके प्रपद्यते । आपगायां नरः स्नात्वा अर्चयित्वा महेश्वरम्

tatra snātvā naro rājanbrahmaloke prapadyate āpagāyāṁ naraḥ snātvā arcayitvā maheśvaram

Having bathed there, O king, a man attains Brahmaloka. Having bathed in the Apaga, and having worshipped Maheshvara,

Verse 68 (padma.3.27.68)

गतिं परामवाप्नोति कुलं चैव समुद्धरेत् । ततः स्थाणुवटं गछेत्त्रिषुलोकेषु विश्रुतम्

gatiṁ parāmavāpnoti kulaṁ caiva samuddharet tataḥ sthāṇuvaṭaṁ gachettriṣulokeṣu viśrutam

one attains the supreme destiny and redeems one's family. Then one should go to Sthanuvata, renowned in the three worlds;

Verse 69 (padma.3.27.69)

तत्र स्नात्वा स्थितो रात्रिं रुद्रलोकमवाप्नुयात् । बदरीणां वनं गच्छेद्वसिष्ठस्याश्रमं ततः

tatra snātvā sthito rātriṁ rudralokamavāpnuyāt badarīṇāṁ vanaṁ gacchedvasiṣṭhasyāśramaṁ tataḥ

having bathed there and stayed the night, one attains the world of Rudra. Then one should go to the forest of jujube trees, and then to Vasishtha's hermitage,

Verse 70 (padma.3.27.70)

बदरी भक्ष्यते यत्र त्रिरात्रोपोषितो नरः । सम्यग्द्वादशवर्षाणि बदरीं भक्षयेत्तु यः

badarī bhakṣyate yatra trirātropoṣito naraḥ samyagdvādaśavarṣāṇi badarīṁ bhakṣayettu yaḥ

where the jujube fruit is eaten; a man who has fasted three nights, and who, for a full twelve years, properly eats the jujube fruit,

Verse 71 (padma.3.27.71)

त्रिरात्रोपोषितश्चैव भवेत्तुल्यो नराधिप । इंद्रमार्गं समासाद्य तीर्थसेवी नराधिप

trirātropoṣitaścaiva bhavettulyo narādhipa iṁdramārgaṁ samāsādya tīrthasevī narādhipa

obtains the same fruit as three nights' fasting, O lord of men. O lord of men, devoted to the tirtha, having reached Indramarga,

Verse 72 (padma.3.27.72)

अहोरात्रोपवासेन स्वर्गलोके महीयते । एकरात्रं समासाद्य एकरात्रोषितो नरः

ahorātropavāsena svargaloke mahīyate ekarātraṁ samāsādya ekarātroṣito naraḥ

by a fast of a day and a night, one is honored in the heavenly world. Having reached there for a single night, a man who has fasted for a single night,

Verse 73 (padma.3.27.73)

नियतः सत्यवादी च ब्रह्मलोके महीयते । तथा गछेच्च राजेंद्र तीर्थं त्रैलोक्यविश्रुतम्

niyataḥ satyavādī ca brahmaloke mahīyate tathā gachecca rājeṁdra tīrthaṁ trailokyaviśrutam

disciplined and truthful in speech, is honored in Brahmaloka. And, O lord of kings, one should likewise go to a tirtha renowned in the three worlds,

Verse 74 (padma.3.27.74)

आदित्यस्याश्रमो यत्र तेजोराशेर्महात्मनः । तस्मिंस्तीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा पूजयित्वा विभावसुम्

ādityasyāśramo yatra tejorāśermahātmanaḥ tasmiṁstīrthe naraḥ snātvā pūjayitvā vibhāvasum

where the hermitage of Aditya, mass of radiance, the great-souled one, is; having bathed at that tirtha and worshipped Vibhavasu,

Verse 75 (padma.3.27.75)

आदित्यलोकं व्रजति कुलं चैव समुद्धरेत् । सोमतीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा तीर्थसेवी कुरूद्वह

ādityalokaṁ vrajati kulaṁ caiva samuddharet somatīrthe naraḥ snātvā tīrthasevī kurūdvaha

one goes to the world of Aditya and redeems one's family. O scion of the Kurus, devoted to the tirtha, having bathed at Soma-tirtha,

Verse 76 (padma.3.27.76)

सोमलोकमवाप्नोति नरो नास्त्यत्र संशयः । ततो गच्छेत धर्मज्ञ दधीचस्य नराधिप

somalokamavāpnoti naro nāstyatra saṁśayaḥ tato gaccheta dharmajña dadhīcasya narādhipa

a man attains the world of Soma — there is no doubt of this. Then, O knower of dharma, O lord of men, one should go to the tirtha of Dadhicha,

Verse 77 (padma.3.27.77)

तीर्थं पुण्यतमं राजन्पावनं लोकविश्रुतम् । यत्र सारस्वतो यातः सिद्धिं स तपसोनिधिः

tīrthaṁ puṇyatamaṁ rājanpāvanaṁ lokaviśrutam yatra sārasvato yātaḥ siddhiṁ sa tapasonidhiḥ

greatly sacred, O king, purifying, renowned throughout the world, where that treasury of austerity went to accomplishment in the Sarasvata realm.

Verse 78 (padma.3.27.78)

तस्मिंस्तीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा वाजपेयफलं लभेत् । सारस्वतीं मतिं चैव लभते नात्र संशयः

tasmiṁstīrthe naraḥ snātvā vājapeyaphalaṁ labhet sārasvatīṁ matiṁ caiva labhate nātra saṁśayaḥ

Having bathed at that tirtha, a man obtains the fruit of the Vajapeya, and attains the eloquence of Sarasvati too — there is no doubt of this.

Verse 79 (padma.3.27.79)

ततः कन्याश्रमं गत्वा नियतो ब्रह्मचर्यया । त्रिरात्रमुषितो राजन्नुपवासपरायणः

tataḥ kanyāśramaṁ gatvā niyato brahmacaryayā trirātramuṣito rājannupavāsaparāyaṇaḥ

Then, having gone to Kanyashrama, disciplined in celibacy, O king, having dwelt three nights, devoted to fasting,

Verse 80 (padma.3.27.80)

लभेत्कन्याशतं दिव्यं बह्मलोकं च गच्छति । ततो गच्छेत धर्मज्ञ तीर्थं संनिहितीमपि

labhetkanyāśataṁ divyaṁ bahmalokaṁ ca gacchati tato gaccheta dharmajña tīrthaṁ saṁnihitīmapi

one obtains a hundred divine maidens and goes to Brahmaloka. Then, O knower of dharma, one should go also to the tirtha of Sannihiti,

Verse 81 (padma.3.27.81)

यत्र ब्रह्मादयो देवा ऋषयश्च तपोधनाः । मासि मासि समेष्यंति पुण्येन महतान्विताः

yatra brahmādayo devā ṛṣayaśca tapodhanāḥ māsi māsi sameṣyaṁti puṇyena mahatānvitāḥ

where Brahma and the other gods, and the ascetic sages, endowed with great merit, gather every month.

Verse 82 (padma.3.27.82)

सन्निहित्यामुपस्पृश्य राहुग्रस्ते दिवाकरे । अश्वमेधशतं तेन इष्टं भवति शाश्वतम्

sannihityāmupaspṛśya rāhugraste divākare aśvamedhaśataṁ tena iṣṭaṁ bhavati śāśvatam

Having touched Sannihiti when the sun is seized by Rahu, thereby a hundred Ashvamedhas become, as it were, eternally performed.

Verse 83 (padma.3.27.83)

पृथिव्यां यानि तीर्थानि अंतरिक्षचराणि च । उदपानाश्च विप्राश्च पुण्यान्यायतनानि च

pṛthivyāṁ yāni tīrthāni aṁtarikṣacarāṇi ca udapānāśca viprāśca puṇyānyāyatanāni ca

Whatever tirthas there are upon the earth, and whatever wander through the sky, and wells, and brahmins, and sacred abodes —

Verse 84 (padma.3.27.84)

निःसंशयममावास्यां समेष्यंति नराधिप । मासिमासि नरव्याघ्र सन्निहित्यां जनेश्वर

niḥsaṁśayamamāvāsyāṁ sameṣyaṁti narādhipa māsimāsi naravyāghra sannihityāṁ janeśvara

without doubt, O lord of men, they all gather, every month on the new moon, O tiger among men, O lord of men, at Sannihiti.

Verse 85 (padma.3.27.85)

तीर्थसन्नयनादेव सन्निहिती भुवि विश्रुता । तत्र स्नात्वा च पीत्वा च स्वर्गलोके महीयते

tīrthasannayanādeva sannihitī bhuvi viśrutā tatra snātvā ca pītvā ca svargaloke mahīyate

Because the tirthas are brought together there, Sannihiti is renowned on earth. Having bathed and drunk there, one is honored in the heavenly world.

Verse 86 (padma.3.27.86)

अमावास्यां तथा चैव राहुग्रस्ते दिवाकरे । यः श्राद्धं कुरुते मर्त्यस्तस्य पुण्यफलं शृणु

amāvāsyāṁ tathā caiva rāhugraste divākare yaḥ śrāddhaṁ kurute martyastasya puṇyaphalaṁ śṛṇu

And likewise, on the new moon, when the sun is seized by Rahu, whoever, mortal, performs the shraddha rite there — hear the fruit of his merit:

Verse 87 (padma.3.27.87)

अश्वमेधसहस्रस्य सम्यगिष्टस्य यत्फलम् । स्नात एव तदाप्नोति श्राद्धं कृत्वा च मानवः

aśvamedhasahasrasya samyagiṣṭasya yatphalam snāta eva tadāpnoti śrāddhaṁ kṛtvā ca mānavaḥ

the fruit that comes from a properly performed thousand Ashvamedhas — that very fruit a man obtains merely by bathing and performing the shraddha there.

Verse 88 (padma.3.27.88)

यत्किंचिद्दुष्कृतं कर्म्म स्त्रिया वा पुरुषस्य वा । स्नातमात्रस्य तत्सर्वं नश्यते नात्र संशयः

yatkiṁcidduṣkṛtaṁ karmma striyā vā puruṣasya vā snātamātrasya tatsarvaṁ naśyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

Whatever evil deed, whether of a woman or of a man, is destroyed entirely merely by bathing there — there is no doubt of this.

Verse 89 (padma.3.27.89)

पद्मवर्णेन यानेन ब्रह्मलोकं स गच्छति । अभिवाद्य ततो नाम्ना द्वारपालं मचक्रुकम्

padmavarṇena yānena brahmalokaṁ sa gacchati abhivādya tato nāmnā dvārapālaṁ macakrukam

In a lotus-hued celestial vehicle, he goes to Brahmaloka. Then, having saluted by name the gatekeeper Machakruka,

Verse 90 (padma.3.27.90)

गंगाह्रदश्च तत्रैव तीर्थं भरतसत्तम । तत्र स्नायीत धर्मज्ञ ब्रह्मचारी समाहितः

gaṁgāhradaśca tatraiva tīrthaṁ bharatasattama tatra snāyīta dharmajña brahmacārī samāhitaḥ

O best of the Bharatas, and there too the Ganga-lake, a tirtha — there, O knower of dharma, a composed celibate student should bathe,

Verse 91 (padma.3.27.91)

राजसूयाश्वमेधाभ्यां फलं विंदति मानवः । पृथिव्यां नैमिषं पुण्यमंतरिक्षे च पुष्करम्

rājasūyāśvamedhābhyāṁ phalaṁ viṁdati mānavaḥ pṛthivyāṁ naimiṣaṁ puṇyamaṁtarikṣe ca puṣkaram

and a man obtains the fruit of the Rajasuya and Ashvamedha. Naimisha is sacred upon the earth, and Pushkara in the sky;

Verse 92 (padma.3.27.92)

त्रयाणामपि लोकानां कुरुक्षेत्रं विशिष्यते । पांसवोऽपि कुरुक्षेत्रे वायुनाति समीरिताः

trayāṇāmapi lokānāṁ kurukṣetraṁ viśiṣyate pāṁsavo'pi kurukṣetre vāyunāti samīritāḥ

but among the three worlds too, Kurukshetra is the most excellent. Even the dust of Kurukshetra, borne by the wind,

Verse 93 (padma.3.27.93)

अपि दुष्कृतकर्म्माणं नयंति परमां गतिम् । दक्षिणेन सरस्वत्यामुत्तरेण सरस्वतीम्

api duṣkṛtakarmmāṇaṁ nayaṁti paramāṁ gatim dakṣiṇena sarasvatyāmuttareṇa sarasvatīm

leads even one of evil deeds to the supreme destiny. To the south of the Sarasvati and to the north of the [other] Sarasvati,

Verse 94 (padma.3.27.94)

ये वसंति कुरुक्षेत्रे ते वसंति त्रिविष्टपे । कुरुक्षेत्रं गमिष्यामि कुरुक्षेत्रे वसाम्यहम्

ye vasaṁti kurukṣetre te vasaṁti triviṣṭape kurukṣetraṁ gamiṣyāmi kurukṣetre vasāmyaham

those who dwell in Kurukshetra dwell in the heavens. 'I shall go to Kurukshetra, I shall dwell in Kurukshetra' —

Verse 95 (padma.3.27.95)

अप्येकां वाचमुत्मृज्य स्वर्गलोके महीयते । ब्रह्मवेद्यां कुरुक्षेत्रं पुण्यं ब्रह्मर्षिसेवितम्

apyekāṁ vācamutmṛjya svargaloke mahīyate brahmavedyāṁ kurukṣetraṁ puṇyaṁ brahmarṣisevitam

even uttering this once, one is honored in the heavenly world. Kurukshetra, upon the altar of Brahma, sacred, served by brahmarshis —

Verse 96 (padma.3.27.96)

तस्मिन्वसंति ये राजन्न ते शोच्याः कथंचन । तरंडकारंडकयोर्यदंतरं रामह्रदानां च मचक्रुकस्य च । एतत्कुरुक्षेत्र समंतपंचकं पितामहस्योत्तर वेदिरुच्यते

tasminvasaṁti ye rājanna te śocyāḥ kathaṁcana taraṁḍakāraṁḍakayoryadaṁtaraṁ rāmahradānāṁ ca macakrukasya ca etatkurukṣetra samaṁtapaṁcakaṁ pitāmahasyottara vedirucyate

O king, those who dwell there are never in any way to be pitied. That which lies between the lakes Taranda and Karandava, and between the Ramahradas and Machakruka — this Kurukshetra, this Samantapanchaka, is called the Grandsire's northern altar.