The Gaya and Allied Tirthas

Verse 1 (padma.3.38.1)

नारद उवाच । वाराणस्याश्च माहात्म्यं तस्यां तीर्थानि च प्रभो । कथितानि समासेन तीर्थान्यन्यानि संशृणु ।

nārada uvāca vārāṇasyāśca māhātmyaṁ tasyāṁ tīrthāni ca prabho kathitāni samāsena tīrthānyanyāni saṁśṛṇu

Narada said: O lord, I have told in brief the greatness of Varanasi and its tirthas; now hear of the other tirthas.

Verse 2 (padma.3.38.2)

ततो गयां समासाद्य ब्रह्मचारी समाहितः । अश्वमेधमवाप्नोति गमनादेव भारत ।

tato gayāṁ samāsādya brahmacārī samāhitaḥ aśvamedhamavāpnoti gamanādeva bhārata

Then, reaching Gaya, a self-controlled celibate, O Bharata, obtains the fruit of the Ashvamedha by the very act of going there.

Verse 3 (padma.3.38.3)

यत्राक्षय्यवटो नाम त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतः । पितॄणां तत्र वै दत्तमक्षयं भवति प्रभो ।

yatrākṣayyavaṭo nāma triṣu lokeṣu viśrutaḥ pitṝṇāṁ tatra vai dattamakṣayaṁ bhavati prabho

Where stands the banyan tree named Akshayavata, renowned in the three worlds; whatever is offered there to the ancestors, O lord, becomes imperishable.

Verse 4 (padma.3.38.4)

महानद्यामुपस्पृश्य तर्पयेत्पितृदेवताः । अक्षयान्प्राप्नुयाल्लोकान्कुलं चैव समुद्धरेत् ।

mahānadyāmupaspṛśya tarpayetpitṛdevatāḥ akṣayānprāpnuyāllokānkulaṁ caiva samuddharet

Touching the waters of the Mahanadi, one should offer libations to the ancestor-deities; he obtains imperishable worlds and delivers his lineage.

Verse 5 (padma.3.38.5)

ततो ब्रह्मसरो गच्छेद्ब्रह्मारण्योपसेवितम् । पुंडरीकमवाप्नोति प्रभातमिव शर्वरी ।

tato brahmasaro gacchedbrahmāraṇyopasevitam puṁḍarīkamavāpnoti prabhātamiva śarvarī

Then let him go to Brahmasaras, frequented by the sages of Brahmaranya; he obtains the fruit of the Pundarika sacrifice, as night gives way to dawn.

Verse 6 (padma.3.38.6)

सरसि ब्रह्मणा तत्र यूपश्रेष्ठः समुच्छ्रितः । यूपं प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा वाजपेयफलं लभेत् ।

sarasi brahmaṇā tatra yūpaśreṣṭhaḥ samucchritaḥ yūpaṁ pradakṣiṇaṁ kṛtvā vājapeyaphalaṁ labhet

At that lake a most excellent sacrificial post was raised by Brahma; circumambulating the post, one obtains the fruit of the Vajapeya sacrifice.

Verse 7 (padma.3.38.7)

ततो गच्छेत राजेंद्र धेनुकं लोकविश्रुतम् । एकारात्रोषितो राजन्प्रयच्छेत्तिलधेनुकाम् ।

tato gaccheta rājeṁdra dhenukaṁ lokaviśrutam ekārātroṣito rājanprayacchettiladhenukām

Then, O lord of kings, let him go to Dhenuka, renowned throughout the world; fasting one night, O king, let him give a cow made of sesame in gift.

Verse 8 (padma.3.38.8)

सर्वपापविशुद्धात्मा सोमलोकं व्रजेद्ध्रुवम् । तत्र चिह्नं महाराज अद्यापि हि न संशयः ।

sarvapāpaviśuddhātmā somalokaṁ vrajeddhruvam tatra cihnaṁ mahārāja adyāpi hi na saṁśayaḥ

With soul purified of all sin, he surely goes to the world of Soma; there, O great king, a mark of this remains even to this day — of that there is no doubt.

Verse 9 (padma.3.38.9)

कपिला सहवत्सा वै पर्वते विचरत्युतः । सवत्सायाः पदान्यस्या दृश्यंतेऽद्यापि भारत ।

kapilā sahavatsā vai parvate vicaratyutaḥ savatsāyāḥ padānyasyā dṛśyaṁte'dyāpi bhārata

A tawny cow with her calf indeed roams that mountain even now; the footprints of that cow with her calf, O Bharata, are seen even today.

Verse 10 (padma.3.38.10)

तेषूपस्पृश्य राजेंद्र पदेषु नृपसत्तम । यत्किंचिदशुभं पापं तत्प्रणश्यति भारत ।

teṣūpaspṛśya rājeṁdra padeṣu nṛpasattama yatkiṁcidaśubhaṁ pāpaṁ tatpraṇaśyati bhārata

O lord of kings, best of rulers, by touching those footprints, O Bharata, whatever inauspicious sin there may be is destroyed.

Verse 11 (padma.3.38.11)

ततो गृध्रवटं गच्छेत्स्थानं देवस्य शूलिनः । स्नायात्तु भस्मना तत्र संगम्य वृषभध्वजम् ।

tato gṛdhravaṭaṁ gacchetsthānaṁ devasya śūlinaḥ snāyāttu bhasmanā tatra saṁgamya vṛṣabhadhvajam

Then let him go to Gridhravata, the place of the trident-bearing god; let him bathe there with ash, having drawn near to the bull-bannered one.

Verse 12 (padma.3.38.12)

ब्राह्मणेन भवेच्चीर्णं व्रतं द्वादशवार्षिकम् । इतरेषां तु वर्णानां सर्वपापं प्रणश्यति ।

brāhmaṇena bhaveccīrṇaṁ vrataṁ dvādaśavārṣikam itareṣāṁ tu varṇānāṁ sarvapāpaṁ praṇaśyati

For a Brahmin it is deemed equal to a twelve-year vow duly observed; for the other castes too, all sin is destroyed.

Verse 13 (padma.3.38.13)

गच्छेत तत उद्यंतं पर्वतं गीतनादितम् । सावित्रं तु पदं तत्र दृश्यते भरतर्षभ ।

gaccheta tata udyaṁtaṁ parvataṁ gītanāditam sāvitraṁ tu padaṁ tatra dṛśyate bharatarṣabha

Let him then go to the rising mountain, resounding with song; there, O bull of the Bharatas, the footprint of Savitri is seen.

Verse 14 (padma.3.38.14)

तत्र संध्यामुपासीत ब्राह्मणः संशितव्रतः । उपास्ताहि भवेत्संध्या तेन द्वादशवार्षिकी ।

tatra saṁdhyāmupāsīta brāhmaṇaḥ saṁśitavrataḥ upāstāhi bhavetsaṁdhyā tena dvādaśavārṣikī

There a Brahmin of strict vows should perform the twilight worship; that sandhya, worshipped there, becomes equal in merit to twelve years of it elsewhere.

Verse 15 (padma.3.38.15)

योनिद्वारं च तत्रैव विश्रुतं भरतर्षभ । तत्राभिगम्य मुच्येत पुरुषो योनिसंकटात् ।

yonidvāraṁ ca tatraiva viśrutaṁ bharatarṣabha tatrābhigamya mucyeta puruṣo yonisaṁkaṭāt

There too, O bull of the Bharatas, is the renowned Yoni-dvara, 'gate of the womb'; going there, a man is freed from the constriction of repeated birth.

Verse 16 (padma.3.38.16)

शुक्लकृष्णावुभौ पक्षौ गयायां यो वसेन्नरः । पुनात्यासप्तमं राजन्कुलं नास्त्यत्र संशयः ।

śuklakṛṣṇāvubhau pakṣau gayāyāṁ yo vasennaraḥ punātyāsaptamaṁ rājankulaṁ nāstyatra saṁśayaḥ

O king, the man who dwells at Gaya through both the bright and the dark fortnights purifies his lineage up to the seventh generation — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 17 (padma.3.38.17)

एष्टव्या बहवः पुत्रा यद्यप्येको गयां व्रजेत् । यजेत वाश्वमेधेन नीलं वा वृषमुत्सृजेत् ।

eṣṭavyā bahavaḥ putrā yadyapyeko gayāṁ vrajet yajeta vāśvamedhena nīlaṁ vā vṛṣamutsṛjet

Many sons are to be desired, for if even one of them goes to Gaya, it is as though the Ashvamedha sacrifice were performed, or a blue bull set free.

Verse 18 (padma.3.38.18)

ततः फल्गुं व्रजेद्राजंस्तीर्थसेवी नराधिप । अश्वमेधमवाप्नोति सिद्धिं च परमां व्रजेत् ।

tataḥ phalguṁ vrajedrājaṁstīrthasevī narādhipa aśvamedhamavāpnoti siddhiṁ ca paramāṁ vrajet

Then, O king, let the pilgrim go to the river Phalgu; there he obtains the fruit of the Ashvamedha and attains supreme perfection.

Verse 19 (padma.3.38.19)

ततो गच्छेत राजेंद्र धर्मपृष्ठं समाहितः । यत्र धर्मो महाराज नित्यमास्ते युधिष्ठिर ।

tato gaccheta rājeṁdra dharmapṛṣṭhaṁ samāhitaḥ yatra dharmo mahārāja nityamāste yudhiṣṭhira

Then, O lord of kings, let him go, composed in mind, to Dharmaprishtha, where Dharma himself, O great king Yudhishthira, dwells eternally.

Verse 20 (padma.3.38.20)

धर्म्मं तत्राभिसंगम्य वाजिमेधफलं लभेत् । ततो गच्छेत राजेंद्र ब्रह्मणस्तीर्थमुत्तमम् ।

dharmmaṁ tatrābhisaṁgamya vājimedhaphalaṁ labhet tato gaccheta rājeṁdra brahmaṇastīrthamuttamam

Having drawn near to Dharma there, one obtains the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. Then, O lord of kings, let him go to the excellent tirtha of Brahma.

Verse 21 (padma.3.38.21)

तत्राभिगम्य ब्रह्माणमर्चयेन्नियतव्रतः । राजसूयाश्वमेधाभ्यां फलं प्राप्नोति भारत ।

tatrābhigamya brahmāṇamarcayenniyatavrataḥ rājasūyāśvamedhābhyāṁ phalaṁ prāpnoti bhārata

Going there, one of strict vows should worship Brahma; by this, O Bharata, he obtains the fruit of both the Rajasuya and the Ashvamedha.

Verse 22 (padma.3.38.22)

ततो राजगृहं गच्छेत्तीर्थसेवी नराधिप । उपस्पृश्य ततस्तत्र कक्षीवानिव मोदते ।

tato rājagṛhaṁ gacchettīrthasevī narādhipa upaspṛśya tatastatra kakṣīvāniva modate

Then let the pilgrim go to Rajagriha; touching its waters there, he rejoices like the sage Kakshivan.

Verse 23 (padma.3.38.23)

यक्षिण्या नैत्यकं तत्र प्रागग्निपुरुषः शुचिः । यक्षिण्यास्तु प्रसादेन मुच्यते ब्रह्महत्यया ।

yakṣiṇyā naityakaṁ tatra prāgagnipuruṣaḥ śuciḥ yakṣiṇyāstu prasādena mucyate brahmahatyayā

There, before the fire and in the presence of the Yakshini, a pure man performs his daily rite; by the Yakshini's grace he is freed from the sin of killing a Brahmin.

Verse 24 (padma.3.38.24)

मणिनागं ततो गच्छेद्गोसहस्रफलं लभेत् । नैत्यकं भुंजते यस्तु मणिनागस्य मानवः ।

maṇināgaṁ tato gacchedgosahasraphalaṁ labhet naityakaṁ bhuṁjate yastu maṇināgasya mānavaḥ

Then let him go to Maninaga; there he obtains the fruit of a thousand cows. Whatever man daily partakes of Maninaga's offering —

Verse 25 (padma.3.38.25)

दष्टस्याशीविषेणास्य न विषं क्रमते नृप । तत्रोष्य रजनीमेकां सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ।

daṣṭasyāśīviṣeṇāsya na viṣaṁ kramate nṛpa tatroṣya rajanīmekāṁ sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

if he is bitten by a venomous serpent, the poison does not take effect on him, O king. Dwelling there one night, one is freed from all sins.

Verse 26 (padma.3.38.26)

ततो गच्छेत ब्रह्मर्षेर्गौतमस्य वनं नृप । अहल्याया ह्रदे स्नात्वा व्रजेत परमां गतिम् ।

tato gaccheta brahmarṣergautamasya vanaṁ nṛpa ahalyāyā hrade snātvā vrajeta paramāṁ gatim

Then let him go, O king, to the forest of the Brahmarshi Gautama; bathing in Ahalya's pool, he attains the supreme goal.

Verse 27 (padma.3.38.27)

अभिगम्य श्रियं राजन्विंदते श्रियमुत्तमाम् । तत्रोदपानो धर्म्मज्ञ त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतः ।

abhigamya śriyaṁ rājanviṁdate śriyamuttamām tatrodapāno dharmmajña triṣu lokeṣu viśrutaḥ

Approaching the goddess Shri there, O king, one obtains supreme prosperity. There, O knower of dharma, is a well renowned in the three worlds.

Verse 28 (padma.3.38.28)

तत्राभिषेकं कुर्वीत वाजिमेधमवाप्नुयात् । जनकस्य तु राजर्षेः कूपस्त्रिदशपूजितः ।

tatrābhiṣekaṁ kurvīta vājimedhamavāpnuyāt janakasya tu rājarṣeḥ kūpastridaśapūjitaḥ

Bathing there, one obtains the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. And the well of the royal sage Janaka is worshipped by the thirty gods.

Verse 29 (padma.3.38.29)

तत्राभिषेकं कृत्वा च विष्णुलोकमवाप्नुयात् । ततोऽविनाशनं गच्छेत्सर्वपापप्रमोचनम् ।

tatrābhiṣekaṁ kṛtvā ca viṣṇulokamavāpnuyāt tato'vināśanaṁ gacchetsarvapāpapramocanam

Bathing there too, one obtains the world of Vishnu. Then let him go to Avinashana, which releases from all sin.

Verse 30 (padma.3.38.30)

वाजिमेधमवाप्नोति सोमलोकं च गच्छति । गंडकीं च समासाद्य सर्वतीर्थजलोद्भवाम् ।

vājimedhamavāpnoti somalokaṁ ca gacchati gaṁḍakīṁ ca samāsādya sarvatīrthajalodbhavām

There one obtains the fruit of the horse-sacrifice and goes to the world of Soma. And reaching the Gandaki, which arises from the waters of all tirthas —

Verse 31 (padma.3.38.31)

वाजपेयमवाप्नोति सूर्यलोकं च गच्छति । ततो ध्रुवस्य धर्मज्ञ समाविश्य तपोवनम् ।

vājapeyamavāpnoti sūryalokaṁ ca gacchati tato dhruvasya dharmajña samāviśya tapovanam

he obtains the fruit of the Vajapeya sacrifice and goes to the world of the Sun. Then, O knower of dharma, entering the penance-grove of Dhruva —

Verse 32 (padma.3.38.32)

गुह्यकेषु महाभाग मोदते नात्र संशयः । कर्मदां तु समासाद्य नदीं सिद्धनिषेविताम् ।

guhyakeṣu mahābhāga modate nātra saṁśayaḥ karmadāṁ tu samāsādya nadīṁ siddhaniṣevitām

one rejoices among the Guhyakas, O greatly fortunate one — of this there is no doubt. And reaching the river Karmada, frequented by Siddhas —

Verse 33 (padma.3.38.33)

पुंडरीकमवाप्नोति सोमलोकं च गच्छति । ततो विशालामासाद्य नदीं त्रैलोक्यविश्रुताम् ।

puṁḍarīkamavāpnoti somalokaṁ ca gacchati tato viśālāmāsādya nadīṁ trailokyaviśrutām

he obtains the fruit of the Pundarika sacrifice and goes to the world of Soma. Then, reaching the river Vishala, renowned in the three worlds —

Verse 34 (padma.3.38.34)

अग्निष्टोममवाप्नोति स्वर्गलोकं च गच्छति । अथ माहेश्वरीं धारां समासाद्य नराधिप ।

agniṣṭomamavāpnoti svargalokaṁ ca gacchati atha māheśvarīṁ dhārāṁ samāsādya narādhipa

one obtains the fruit of the Agnishtoma and goes to Svargaloka. Then, O lord of men, reaching the stream Maheshvari —

Verse 35 (padma.3.38.35)

अश्वमेधमवाप्नोति कुलं चैव समुद्धरेत् । दिवौकसां पुष्करिणीं समासाद्य नरः शुचिः ।

aśvamedhamavāpnoti kulaṁ caiva samuddharet divaukasāṁ puṣkariṇīṁ samāsādya naraḥ śuciḥ

one obtains the fruit of the Ashvamedha and delivers one's lineage. A pure man, reaching the lotus-pool of the sky-dwelling gods —

Verse 36 (padma.3.38.36)

न दुर्गतिमवाप्नोति वाजपेयं च विंदति । अथ माहेशपदं गच्छेद्ब्रह्मचारी समाहितः ।

na durgatimavāpnoti vājapeyaṁ ca viṁdati atha māheśapadaṁ gacchedbrahmacārī samāhitaḥ

does not fall into an evil state, and obtains the fruit of the Vajapeya. Then a self-controlled celibate should go to Maheshapada.

Verse 37 (padma.3.38.37)

माहेश्वरपदे स्नात्वा वाजिमेधफलं लभेत् । तत्र कोटिस्तु तीर्थानां विश्रुता भरतर्षभ ।

māheśvarapade snātvā vājimedhaphalaṁ labhet tatra koṭistu tīrthānāṁ viśrutā bharatarṣabha

Bathing at Maheshvarapada, he obtains the fruit of the horse-sacrifice; there, O bull of the Bharatas, is the renowned Tirthakoti — 'ten million tirthas.'

Verse 38 (padma.3.38.38)

कूर्मरूपेण राजेंद्र असुरेण दुरात्मना । ह्रियमाणा हृता राजन्विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना ।

kūrmarūpeṇa rājeṁdra asureṇa durātmanā hriyamāṇā hṛtā rājanviṣṇunā prabhaviṣṇunā

O lord of kings, when it was being carried off by an evil-minded demon in the form of a tortoise, it was rescued, O king, by the mighty Vishnu.

Verse 39 (padma.3.38.39)

तत्राभिषेकं कुर्वीत तीर्थकोट्यां नराधिप । पुंडरीकमवाप्नोति विष्णुलोकं च गच्छति ।

tatrābhiṣekaṁ kurvīta tīrthakoṭyāṁ narādhipa puṁḍarīkamavāpnoti viṣṇulokaṁ ca gacchati

Let him bathe there at Tirthakoti, O lord of men; he obtains the fruit of the Pundarika sacrifice and goes to the world of Vishnu.

Verse 40 (padma.3.38.40)

ततो गच्छेन्नरश्रेष्ठ स्थानं नारायणस्य च । सदा सन्निहितो यत्र हरिर्वसति भारत ।

tato gacchennaraśreṣṭha sthānaṁ nārāyaṇasya ca sadā sannihito yatra harirvasati bhārata

Then, O best of men, let him go to the place of Narayana, where Hari always dwells in constant presence, O Bharata.

Verse 41 (padma.3.38.41)

यत्र ब्रह्मादयो देवा ऋषयश्च तपोधनाः । आदित्यावसवोरुद्रा जनार्दनमुपासते ।

yatra brahmādayo devā ṛṣayaśca tapodhanāḥ ādityāvasavorudrā janārdanamupāsate

where Brahma and the other gods, the sages rich in austerity, the Adityas, the Vasus, and the Rudras worship Janardana.

Verse 42 (padma.3.38.42)

शालग्राम इति ख्यातो विष्णोरद्भुतकर्मणः । अभिगम्य त्रिलोकेशं वरदं विष्णुमच्युतम् ।

śālagrāma iti khyāto viṣṇoradbhutakarmaṇaḥ abhigamya trilokeśaṁ varadaṁ viṣṇumacyutam

That place, of Vishnu who performs wondrous deeds, is known as Shalagrama; approaching the lord of the three worlds, the boon-giver, the unfallen Vishnu —

Verse 43 (padma.3.38.43)

अश्वमेधमवाप्नोति विष्णुलोकं च गच्छति । तत्रोदपानो धर्मज्ञ सर्वपापप्रमोचनः ।

aśvamedhamavāpnoti viṣṇulokaṁ ca gacchati tatrodapāno dharmajña sarvapāpapramocanaḥ

one obtains the fruit of the Ashvamedha and goes to Vishnu's world. There, O knower of dharma, is a well that releases from all sin.

Verse 44 (padma.3.38.44)

समुद्रास्तत्रचत्वारः कूपे सन्निहिताः सदा । तत्रोपस्पृश्य राजेंद्र न दुर्गतिमवाप्नुयात् ।

samudrāstatracatvāraḥ kūpe sannihitāḥ sadā tatropaspṛśya rājeṁdra na durgatimavāpnuyāt

The four oceans are ever present together in that well; touching it there, O lord of kings, one does not fall into an evil state.

Verse 45 (padma.3.38.45)

अभिगम्य महादेवं वरदं विष्णुमव्ययम् । विराजते यथा सोम ऋणैर्मुक्तो युधिष्ठिर ।

abhigamya mahādevaṁ varadaṁ viṣṇumavyayam virājate yathā soma ṛṇairmukto yudhiṣṭhira

Approaching the great, boon-giving, imperishable Vishnu, O Yudhishthira, one shines forth like the moon, freed from all debts.

Verse 46 (padma.3.38.46)

जातिस्मरं उपस्पृश्य शुचिः प्रयतमानसः । जातिस्मरत्वं प्राप्नोति स्नात्वा तत्र न संशयः ।

jātismaraṁ upaspṛśya śuciḥ prayatamānasaḥ jātismaratvaṁ prāpnoti snātvā tatra na saṁśayaḥ

Touching Jatismara, pure and with a controlled mind, one obtains the memory of past births by bathing there — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 47 (padma.3.38.47)

वटेश्वरपुरं गत्वा अर्चयित्वा च केशवम् । ईप्सिताँल्लभते लोकानुपवासान्न संशयः ।

vaṭeśvarapuraṁ gatvā arcayitvā ca keśavam īpsitā~llabhate lokānupavāsānna saṁśayaḥ

Going to Vateshvarapura and worshipping Keshava, one obtains through fasting the worlds he desires — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 48 (padma.3.38.48)

ततस्तु वामनं गत्वा सर्वपापप्रणाशनम् । अभिवाद्य हरिं देवं न दुर्गतिमवाप्नुयात् ।

tatastu vāmanaṁ gatvā sarvapāpapraṇāśanam abhivādya hariṁ devaṁ na durgatimavāpnuyāt

Then, going to Vamana, which destroys all sin, and bowing to the god Hari, one does not fall into an evil state.

Verse 49 (padma.3.38.49)

भरतस्याश्रमं गत्वा सर्वपापप्रमोचनम् । कौशिकीं तत्र सेवेत महापातकनाशिनीम् ।

bharatasyāśramaṁ gatvā sarvapāpapramocanam kauśikīṁ tatra seveta mahāpātakanāśinīm

Going to the hermitage of Bharata, which frees from all sin, one should resort there to the river Kaushiki, the destroyer of great sins.

Verse 50 (padma.3.38.50)

राजसूयस्य यज्ञस्य फलं प्राप्नोतिमानवः । ततो गच्छेत धर्मज्ञ चंपकारण्यमुत्तमम् ।

rājasūyasya yajñasya phalaṁ prāpnotimānavaḥ tato gaccheta dharmajña caṁpakāraṇyamuttamam

A man obtains the fruit of the Rajasuya sacrifice. Then, O knower of dharma, let him go to the excellent Champaka forest.

Verse 51 (padma.3.38.51)

तत्रोष्य रजनीमेकां गोसहस्रफलं लभेत् । अथ गोविंदमासाद्य तीर्थं परमसम्मतम् ।

tatroṣya rajanīmekāṁ gosahasraphalaṁ labhet atha goviṁdamāsādya tīrthaṁ paramasammatam

Dwelling there one night, he obtains the fruit of a thousand cows. Then, reaching Govinda, a tirtha held in the highest regard —

Verse 52 (padma.3.38.52)

उपोष्य रजनीमेकामग्निष्टोमफलं लभेत् । तत्र विश्वेश्वरं दृष्ट्वा देव्या सह महाद्युतिम् ।

upoṣya rajanīmekāmagniṣṭomaphalaṁ labhet tatra viśveśvaraṁ dṛṣṭvā devyā saha mahādyutim

fasting there one night, he obtains the fruit of the Agnishtoma. Beholding there Vishveshvara, of great splendor, together with the Goddess —

Verse 53 (padma.3.38.53)

मित्रावरुणयोर्लोकान्प्राप्नुयाद्भरतर्षभ । त्रिरात्रोपोषितस्तत्र अग्निष्टोमफलं लभेत् ।

mitrāvaruṇayorlokānprāpnuyādbharatarṣabha trirātropoṣitastatra agniṣṭomaphalaṁ labhet

he obtains the worlds of Mitra and Varuna, O bull of the Bharatas. Fasting three nights there, one obtains the fruit of the Agnishtoma.

Verse 54 (padma.3.38.54)

कन्यावसथमासाद्य नियतो नियताशनः (आवसथ्य)। मनोः प्रजापतेर्लोकानाप्नोति भरतर्षभ ।

kanyāvasathamāsādya niyato niyatāśanaḥ (āvasathya) manoḥ prajāpaterlokānāpnoti bharatarṣabha

Reaching Kanyavasatha, disciplined and moderate in food, one obtains the worlds of Manu Prajapati, O bull of the Bharatas.

Verse 55 (padma.3.38.55)

कन्यायां ये प्रयच्छंति दानमण्वपि भारत । तदक्षयमिति प्राहुरृषयः संशितव्रताः ।

kanyāyāṁ ye prayacchaṁti dānamaṇvapi bhārata tadakṣayamiti prāhurṛṣayaḥ saṁśitavratāḥ

O Bharata, whatever gift, even a small one, people give at the Kanya tirtha there — the sages of strict vows declare it to be imperishable.

Verse 56 (padma.3.38.56)

निष्ठावासं समासाद्य त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम् । अश्वमेधमवाप्नोति विष्णुलोकं च गच्छति ।

niṣṭhāvāsaṁ samāsādya triṣu lokeṣu viśrutam aśvamedhamavāpnoti viṣṇulokaṁ ca gacchati

Reaching Nishthavasa, renowned in the three worlds, one obtains the fruit of the Ashvamedha and goes to the world of Vishnu.

Verse 57 (padma.3.38.57)

ये तु दानं प्रयच्छंति निष्ठायाः संगमे नराः । ते यांति नरशार्दूल ब्रह्मलोकमनामयम् ।

ye tu dānaṁ prayacchaṁti niṣṭhāyāḥ saṁgame narāḥ te yāṁti naraśārdūla brahmalokamanāmayam

And those men who give gifts at the confluence of Nishtha, O tiger among men, go to the untroubled world of Brahma.

Verse 58 (padma.3.38.58)

तत्राश्रमो वसिष्ठस्य त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतः । तत्राभिषेकं कुर्वाणो वाजपेयमवाप्नुयात् ।

tatrāśramo vasiṣṭhasya triṣu lokeṣu viśrutaḥ tatrābhiṣekaṁ kurvāṇo vājapeyamavāpnuyāt

There is the hermitage of Vasishtha, renowned in the three worlds; bathing there, one obtains the fruit of the Vajapeya.

Verse 59 (padma.3.38.59)

देवकूटं समासाद्य देवर्षिगणसेवितम् । अश्वमेधमवाप्नोति कुलं चैव समुद्धरेत् ।

devakūṭaṁ samāsādya devarṣigaṇasevitam aśvamedhamavāpnoti kulaṁ caiva samuddharet

Reaching Devakuta, frequented by hosts of divine sages, one obtains the fruit of the Ashvamedha and delivers his lineage.

Verse 60 (padma.3.38.60)

ततो गच्छेत राजेंद्र कौशिकस्य मुनेर्ह्रदम् । तत्र सिद्धिं परां प्राप विश्वामित्रोऽथ कौशिकः ।

tato gaccheta rājeṁdra kauśikasya munerhradam tatra siddhiṁ parāṁ prāpa viśvāmitro'tha kauśikaḥ

Then, O lord of kings, let him go to the pool of the sage Kaushika; there Vishvamitra, called Kaushika, attained supreme perfection.

Verse 61 (padma.3.38.61)

यत्र मासं वसेद्धीरः कौशिक्यां भरतर्षभ । अश्वमेधस्य यत्पुण्यं तन्मासेनाधिगच्छति ।

yatra māsaṁ vaseddhīraḥ kauśikyāṁ bharatarṣabha aśvamedhasya yatpuṇyaṁ tanmāsenādhigacchati

If a wise man dwells for a month on the Kaushiki river, O bull of the Bharatas, he attains in that month the merit of an Ashvamedha.

Verse 62 (padma.3.38.62)

सर्वतीर्थवरं चैव यो वसेत महाह्रदम् । न दुर्गतिमवाप्नोति विंद्याद्बहुसुवर्णकम् ।

sarvatīrthavaraṁ caiva yo vaseta mahāhradam na durgatimavāpnoti viṁdyādbahusuvarṇakam

And whoever dwells at that great pool, the best of all tirthas, does not fall into an evil state, and obtains the merit of much gold given in gift.

Verse 63 (padma.3.38.63)

कुमारमभिगम्याथ वीराश्रमनिवासिनम् । अश्वमेधमवाप्नोति शक्रलोकं स गच्छति ।

kumāramabhigamyātha vīrāśramanivāsinam aśvamedhamavāpnoti śakralokaṁ sa gacchati

Then, approaching Kumara who dwells in the Virashrama, one obtains the fruit of the Ashvamedha and goes to the world of Indra.

Verse 64 (padma.3.38.64)

नंदिन्यां च समासाद्य कूपं त्रिदशसेवितम् । नरमेधस्य यत्पुण्यं तत्प्राप्नोति कुरूद्वह ।

naṁdinyāṁ ca samāsādya kūpaṁ tridaśasevitam naramedhasya yatpuṇyaṁ tatprāpnoti kurūdvaha

Reaching, on the river Nandini, the well frequented by the thirty gods, O foremost of the Kurus, one obtains the merit of the human-sacrifice.

Verse 65 (padma.3.38.65)

कालिकासंगमे स्नात्वा कौशिक्यारुणयोर्यतः । त्रिरात्रोपोषितो विद्वान्सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ।

kālikāsaṁgame snātvā kauśikyāruṇayoryataḥ trirātropoṣito vidvānsarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

Bathing at the confluence of the Kalika and the Kaushiki with the Aruna, a learned man, fasting three nights, is freed from all sins.

Verse 66 (padma.3.38.66)

उर्वशीतीर्थमासाद्य तथा सोमाश्रमं बुधः । कुंभकर्णाश्रमे स्नात्वा पूज्यते भुवि मानवः ।

urvaśītīrthamāsādya tathā somāśramaṁ budhaḥ kuṁbhakarṇāśrame snātvā pūjyate bhuvi mānavaḥ

Reaching Urvashi-tirtha and likewise Somashrama, a wise man, bathing at Kumbhakarna's hermitage, becomes honored upon the earth.

Verse 67 (padma.3.38.67)

तथा कोकामुखे स्नात्वा ब्रह्मचारी समाहितः । जातिस्मरत्वं प्राप्नोति दृष्टमेतत्पुरातनैः ।

tathā kokāmukhe snātvā brahmacārī samāhitaḥ jātismaratvaṁ prāpnoti dṛṣṭametatpurātanaiḥ

Likewise, bathing at Kokamukha, a self-controlled celibate obtains memory of past births — this has been witnessed by men of old.

Verse 68 (padma.3.38.68)

सकृन्नदीं समासाद्य कृतार्थो भवति द्विजः । सर्वपापविशुद्धात्मा स्वर्गलोकं च गच्छति ।

sakṛnnadīṁ samāsādya kṛtārtho bhavati dvijaḥ sarvapāpaviśuddhātmā svargalokaṁ ca gacchati

Reaching that river even once, a twice-born becomes fulfilled; his soul purified of all sin, he goes to Svargaloka.

Verse 69 (padma.3.38.69)

ऋषभद्वीपमासाद्य सेव्य क्रौंचनिषूदनम् । सरस्वत्यामुपस्पृश्य विमानस्थो विराजते ।

ṛṣabhadvīpamāsādya sevya krauṁcaniṣūdanam sarasvatyāmupaspṛśya vimānastho virājate

Reaching Rishabhadvipa, honoring the place of the slayer of Krauncha, and touching the Sarasvati, one shines forth seated in a celestial chariot.

Verse 70 (padma.3.38.70)

औद्यानकं महाराज तीर्थं मुनिनिषेवितम् । तत्राभिषेकं कुर्वीत सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ।

audyānakaṁ mahārāja tīrthaṁ muniniṣevitam tatrābhiṣekaṁ kurvīta sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate

Audyanaka, O great king, is a tirtha frequented by sages; bathing there, one is freed from all sins.

Verse 71 (padma.3.38.71)

ब्रह्मतीर्थं समासाद्य पुण्यं ब्रह्मर्षिसेवितम् । वाजपेयमवाप्नोति नरो नास्त्यत्र संशयः ।

brahmatīrthaṁ samāsādya puṇyaṁ brahmarṣisevitam vājapeyamavāpnoti naro nāstyatra saṁśayaḥ

Reaching Brahma-tirtha, sacred and frequented by Brahmarshis, a man obtains the fruit of the Vajapeya — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 72 (padma.3.38.72)

ततश्चंपां समासाद्य भागीरथ्यां कृतोदकः । दंडार्पणं समासाद्य गोसहस्रफलं लभेत् ।

tataścaṁpāṁ samāsādya bhāgīrathyāṁ kṛtodakaḥ daṁḍārpaṇaṁ samāsādya gosahasraphalaṁ labhet

Then, reaching Champa, having made his water-offering in the Bhagirathi, and reaching Dandarpana, he obtains the fruit of a thousand cows.

Verse 73 (padma.3.38.73)

लाविढिकां ततो गच्छेत्पुण्यां पुण्यनिषेविताम् । वाजपेयमवाप्नोति विमानस्थश्च पूज्यते ।

lāviḍhikāṁ tato gacchetpuṇyāṁ puṇyaniṣevitām vājapeyamavāpnoti vimānasthaśca pūjyate

Then let him go to the sacred Lavidhika, frequented by the meritorious; there he obtains the fruit of the Vajapeya and is honored, riding in a celestial chariot.