The Glory of the Cluster of Tirthas

Verse 1 (skanda.7.463.1)

प्रह्लाद उवाच। ततो गच्छेद्द्विजश्रेष्ठा गदातीर्थमनुत्तमम्। यत्र स्नात्वा नरो भक्त्या लभेद्भूदानजं फलम्

prahlāda uvāca| tato gacchedvijaśreṣṭhā gadātīrthamanuttamam| yatra snātvā naro bhaktyā labhedbhūdānajaṁ phalam

Prahlada said: O best of brahmins, thence one should go to the most excellent Gada Tirtha, where a man who bathes with devotion obtains the fruit of the gift of land.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.463.2)

तर्पयेत्पितृदेवांश्च ऋषींश्चैव यथाक्रमम्। श्राद्धं च कारयेत्तत्र पितॄणां तृप्तिहेतवे

tarpayetpitṛdevāṁśca ṛṣīṁścaiva yathākramam| śrāddhaṁ ca kārayettatra pitṝṇāṁ tṛptihetave

There one should offer libations to the ancestors, gods, and sages in due order, and perform the shraddha rite for the satisfaction of the forefathers.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.463.3)

गदातीर्थे तु देवेशं विष्णुं वाराहरूपिणम्। समभ्यर्च्य नरो भक्त्या विष्णुलोके महीयते

gadātīrthe tu deveśaṁ viṣṇuṁ vārāharūpiṇam| samabhyarcya naro bhaktyā viṣṇuloke mahīyate

At Gada Tirtha, having worshipped with devotion Vishnu, lord of gods, in his Boar form, a man is glorified in the realm of Vishnu.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.463.4)

नागतीर्थं ततो गच्छेत्सरः परमशोभनम्। यत्र स्नात्वा नरः सम्यङ्नागलोकमवाप्नुयात्

nāgatīrthaṁ tato gacchetsaraḥ paramaśobhanam| yatra snātvā naraḥ samyaṅnāgalokamavāpnuyāt

Then one should go to Naga Tirtha, a most beautiful lake, bathing in which a man duly attains the world of the serpents.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.463.5)

भद्रतीर्थं ततो गच्छेत्सरस्त्रिभुवनार्चितम्। स्नानमात्रेण लभते तिलधेनुफलं नरः

bhadratīrthaṁ tato gacchetsarastribhuvanārcitam| snānamātreṇa labhate tiladhenuphalaṁ naraḥ

Then one should go to Bhadra Tirtha, a lake honoured by the three worlds; by bathing alone a man obtains the fruit of the gift of a cow made of sesame.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.463.6)

चित्रातीर्थं ततो गच्छेत्सरः परमशोभनम्। स्नानमात्रेण लभते घृतधेनुफलं नरः

citrātīrthaṁ tato gacchetsaraḥ paramaśobhanam| snānamātreṇa labhate ghṛtadhenuphalaṁ naraḥ

Then one should go to Chitra Tirtha, a most beautiful lake; by bathing alone a man obtains the fruit of the gift of a cow made of ghee.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.463.7)

यदा द्वारावती विप्रा प्लाविता सागरेण हि। पुण्यानि बहुतीर्थानि च्छन्नानि जलपांसुभिः

yadā dvārāvatī viprā plāvitā sāgareṇa hi| puṇyāni bahutīrthāni cchannāni jalapāṁsubhiḥ

O brahmins, when Dvaravati was flooded by the ocean, many sacred tirthas became covered over by water and silt.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.463.8)

दृश्यानि कतिचित्संति ह्यदृश्यान्यपराणि च। तानि सर्वाणि विप्रेन्द्राः कथयिष्यामि सर्वतः

dṛśyāni katicitsaṁti hyadṛśyānyaparāṇi ca| tāni sarvāṇi viprendrāḥ kathayiṣyāmi sarvataḥ

Some of them remain visible, others have become invisible. O chief of brahmins, I shall now tell you of all of them in full.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.463.9)

चंद्रभागां ततो गच्छेत्सर्वपापप्रणाशिनीम्। यत्र स्नात्वा नरो भक्त्या वाजपेयफलं लभेत्

caṁdrabhāgāṁ tato gacchetsarvapāpapraṇāśinīm| yatra snātvā naro bhaktyā vājapeyaphalaṁ labhet

Then one should go to the Chandrabhaga, destroyer of all sins; bathing there with devotion, a man obtains the fruit of the Vajapeya sacrifice.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.463.10)

देवी चंद्रार्चिता यत्र यशोदा नंदनंदिनी। कौमारिका शक्तिहस्ता खङ्गखेटकधारिणी

devī caṁdrārcitā yatra yaśodā naṁdanaṁdinī| kaumārikā śaktihastā khaṅgakheṭakadhāriṇī

There resides the goddess Yashoda, daughter of Nanda, worshipped by the moon — ever a maiden, bearing a spear, and holding sword and shield.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.463.11)

केश्यादिदैत्यदलिनी स्वसा वै रामकृष्णयोः। यस्या दर्शनमात्रेण सर्वान्कामानवाप्नुयात्

keśyādidaityadalinī svasā vai rāmakṛṣṇayoḥ| yasyā darśanamātreṇa sarvānkāmānavāpnuyāt

She, the crusher of the demon Keshi and others, is indeed the sister of Rama and Krishna; by the mere sight of her one attains all desires.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.463.12)

ततो गच्छेत विप्रेन्द्रास्तीर्थं महिषसंज्ञकम्। यस्य दर्शनमात्रेण मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः

tato gacchet viprendrāstīrthaṁ mahiṣasaṁjñakam| yasya darśanamātreṇa mucyate sarvapātakaiḥ

O chief of brahmins, thence one should go to the tirtha called Mahisha, by the mere sight of which a man is freed from all sins.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.463.13)

मुक्तिद्वारं ततो गच्छेत्तीर्थं पाप प्रणाशनम्

muktidvāraṁ tato gacchettīrthaṁ pāpa praṇāśanam

Then one should go to the tirtha called Muktidvara, the Gate of Liberation, which destroys sin.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.463.14)

वसिष्ठेन समानीता मुनिना यत्र गोमती। स्नातो भवति गंगायां यत्र स्नात्वा कलौ युगे

vasiṣṭhena samānītā muninā yatra gomatī| snāto bhavati gaṁgāyāṁ yatra snātvā kalau yuge

There flows the Gomati, brought by the sage Vasishtha; bathing there in the Kali age is as if one had bathed in the Ganga.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.463.15)

गोमती निःसृता यस्मात्प्रविष्टा वरुणालयम्। तत्र स्नात्वा नरो भक्त्या अश्वमेधफलं लभेत्

gomatī niḥsṛtā yasmātpraviṣṭā varuṇālayam| tatra snātvā naro bhaktyā aśvamedhaphalaṁ labhet

Where the Gomati, having issued forth, enters the abode of Varuna, there, bathing with devotion, a man obtains the fruit of the Ashvamedha sacrifice.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.463.16)

भृगुणा हि तपस्तप्तं स्थापिता यत्र चांबिका। भृग्वर्चिता ततो देवी प्रसिद्धा श्रूयते क्षितौ

bhṛguṇā hi tapastaptaṁ sthāpitā yatra cāṁbikā| bhṛgvarcitā tato devī prasiddhā śrūyate kṣitau

There Bhrigu performed austerities and installed the goddess Ambika; worshipped by Bhrigu, that goddess is renowned and celebrated on earth.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.463.17)

संसिद्धिं परमां याति यस्याः संस्मरणान्नरः। शिवलिंगान्यनेकानि यत्र सन्ति महीतले

saṁsiddhiṁ paramāṁ yāti yasyāḥ saṁsmaraṇānnaraḥ| śivaliṁgānyanekāni yatra saṁti mahītale

By merely remembering her a man attains the highest perfection; there, on that ground, stand many lingas of Shiva.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.463.18)

ततो गच्छेत विप्रेन्द्राः कालिन्दीसर उत्तमम्। कालिन्दी सूर्यतनया सरश्चक्रे त्वनुत्तमम्

tato gacchet viprendrāḥ kālindīsara uttamam| kālindī sūryatanayā saraścakre tvanuttamam

O chief of brahmins, thence one should go to the excellent lake of Kalindi; Kalindi, daughter of the Sun, herself made this peerless lake.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.463.19)

तत्र स्नात्वा नरो भक्त्या न दुर्गतिमवाप्नुयात्। सांबतीर्थं ततो गच्छेत्सर्वपापप्रणाशनम्

tatra snātvā naro bhaktyā na durgatimavāpnuyāt| sāṁbatīrthaṁ tato gacchetsarvapāpapraṇāśanam

Bathing there with devotion, a man does not fall into an evil state. Then one should go to Samba Tirtha, which destroys all sin.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.463.20)

कृत्वा श्राद्धं च विधिवल्लभेद्गोदानजं फलम्

kṛtvā śrāddhaṁ ca vidhivallabhedgodānajaṁ phalam

Having duly performed the shraddha there, one obtains the fruit of the gift of a cow.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.463.21)

गच्छेच्च शांकरं तीर्थं ततस्त्रैलोक्यपावनम्। यत्र स्नात्वा नरो भक्त्या लभेद्बहुसुवर्णकम्

gacchecca śāṁkaraṁ tīrthaṁ tatastrailokyapāvanam| yatra snātvā naro bhaktyā labhedbahusuvarṇakam

One should then go to Shankara Tirtha, which purifies the three worlds; bathing there with devotion, a man obtains the fruit of the gift of much gold.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.463.22)

ततो नागसरो गच्छेत्तीर्थं पापप्रणाशनम्। पितॄन्सन्तर्प्य विधिवन्नागलोकमवाप्नुयात्

tato nāgasaro gacchettīrthaṁ pāpapraṇāśanam| pitṝnsantarpya vidhivannāgalokamavāpnuyāt

Then one should go to the tirtha Nagasaras, which destroys sin; duly offering libations to the ancestors there, one attains the world of serpents.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.463.23)

लक्ष्मीं नदीं ततो गच्छेद्गच्छन्तीं सागरं प्रति। यस्या दर्शनमात्रेण मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः

lakṣmīṁ nadīṁ tato gacchedgacchaṁtīṁ sāgaraṁ prati| yasyā darśanamātreṇa mucyate sarvapātakaiḥ

Then one should go to the river Lakshmi, flowing towards the ocean; by the mere sight of it one is freed from all sins.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.463.24)

श्राद्धे कृते तु विप्रेन्द्राः पितरो मुक्तिमाप्नुयुः। दाने मनोरथावाप्तिर्जायते नात्र संशयः

śrāddhe kṛte tu viprendrāḥ pitaro muktimāpnuyuḥ| dāne manorathāvāptirjāyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

O chief of brahmins, when shraddha is performed there, the ancestors attain liberation, and by giving gifts one's heart's desires are fulfilled — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 25 (skanda.7.463.25)

कंबुसरस्ततो गच्छेत्तीर्थं पापप्रणाशनम्। तर्पणे च कृते श्राद्धे ह्यग्निष्टोमफलं लभेत्

kaṁbusarastato gacchettīrthaṁ pāpapraṇāśanam| tarpaṇe ca kṛte śrāddhe hyagniṣṭomaphalaṁ labhet

Then one should go to the tirtha Kambusaras, which destroys sin; performing libation and shraddha there, one obtains the fruit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.463.26)

कुशतीर्थं ततो गच्छेत्स्नात्वा सन्तर्पयेत्पितॄन्। दानं दत्त्वा यथाशक्त्या निर्मलं लोकमाप्नुयात्

kuśatīrthaṁ tato gacchetsnātvā saṁtarpayetpitṝn| dānaṁ dattvā yathāśaktyā nirmalaṁ lokamāpnuyāt

Then one should go to Kusha Tirtha; bathing there, one should offer libations to the ancestors, and giving gifts according to one's ability, attain a stainless world.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.463.27)

द्युम्नतीर्थं च तत्रैव सर्वपापप्रणाशनम्। कृत्वा श्राद्धं च तत्रैव वाजिमेधफलं लभेत्

dyumnatīrthaṁ ca tatraiva sarvapāpapraṇāśanam| kṛtvā śrāddhaṁ ca tatraiva vājimedhaphalaṁ labhet

There too is Dyumna Tirtha, which destroys all sin; performing shraddha there as well, one obtains the fruit of the horse sacrifice.

Verse 28 (skanda.7.463.28)

कुशतीर्थं ततो गच्छेत्पितॄणां तृप्तिरक्षया। यत्र श्राद्धात्तर्पणाच्च जायते नात्र संशयः

kuśatīrthaṁ tato gacchetpitṝṇāṁ tṛptirakṣayā| yatra śrāddhāttarpaṇācca jāyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

Then one should go to Kusha Tirtha, where, through shraddha and libation, the ancestors attain imperishable satisfaction — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.463.29)

जालतीर्थं ततो गच्छेत्सर्वपापहरं शुभम्। दुर्वाससा यत्र शप्ताः कोपाद्यदुकुमारकाः

jālatīrthaṁ tato gacchetsarvapāpaharaṁ śubham| durvāsasā yatra śaptāḥ kopādyadukumārakāḥ

Then one should go to Jala Tirtha, auspicious and remover of all sin, where the young princes of the Yadus were cursed in anger by Durvasas.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.463.30)

देवो जालेश्वरस्तत्र सं बभूव उमापतिः। जालेश्वरं नरो दृष्ट्वा सद्यः पापात्प्रमुच्यते

devo jāleśvarastatra saṁ babhūva umāpatiḥ| jāleśvaraṁ naro dṛṣṭvā sadyaḥ pāpātpramucyate

There the Lord Umapati manifested as Jaleshvara. Seeing Jaleshvara, a man is instantly freed from sin.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.463.31)

संपूज्य देवं भक्त्या च शिवलोकमवाप्नुयात्

saṁpūjya devaṁ bhaktyā ca śivalokamavāpnuyāt

Worshipping that god with devotion, a man attains the world of Shiva.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.463.32)

चक्रस्वामिसुतीर्थं च ततो गच्छेद्धि मानवः। कृत्वा स्नानं पितॄंस्तर्प्य विष्णुलोकमवाप्नुयात्

cakrasvāmisutīrthaṁ ca tato gacchaddhi mānavaḥ| kṛtvā snānaṁ pitṝṁstarpya viṣṇulokamavāpnuyāt

Thereafter a man should go to Chakrasvami Su-tirtha; bathing there and offering libations to the ancestors, he attains the world of Vishnu.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.463.33)

जरत्कारुकृतं तीर्थं सर्वपापप्रणाशनम्। स्नात्वा तत्र द्विजश्रेष्ठा न दुर्गतिमवाप्नुयात्

jaratkārukṛtaṁ tīrthaṁ sarvapāpapraṇāśanam| snātvā tatra dvijaśreṣṭhā na durgatimavāpnuyāt

O best of brahmins, the tirtha made by the sage Jaratkaru destroys all sin; bathing there, one does not fall into an evil state.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.463.34)

ततो गच्छेद्द्विजश्रेष्ठास्तीर्थं खञ्जनकाभिधम्। आसीत्खञ्जनको नाम दैत्यश्चातिबलान्वितः

tato gacchedvijaśreṣṭhāstīrthaṁ khañjanakābhidham| āsītkhañjanako nāma daityaścātibalānvitaḥ

O best of brahmins, thence one should go to the tirtha called Khanjanaka. There once was a demon named Khanjanaka, endowed with immense strength.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.463.35)

ततः खञ्जनकं तीर्थं तस्य नाम्नेति विश्रुतम्। तत्र स्नात्वा नरो याति सोमलोकं न संशयः

tataḥ khañjanakaṁ tīrthaṁ tasya nāmneti viśrutam| tatra snātvā naro yāti somalokaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

After him, that tirtha became renowned by the name Khanjanaka. Bathing there, a man goes, without doubt, to the world of the Moon.

Verse 36 (skanda.7.463.36)

सन्ति तीर्थान्यनेकानि सुगुप्तानि द्विजोत्तमाः। तानि गच्छेत्तु विप्रेन्द्राः सर्वपापापनुत्तये

saṁti tīrthānyanekāni suguptāni dvijottamāḥ| tāni gacchettu viprendrāḥ sarvapāpāpanuttaye

O best of brahmins, there are many well-hidden tirthas there. O chief of brahmins, one should visit them all for the removal of every sin.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.463.37)

ततो गच्छेद्द्विजश्रेष्ठास्तीर्थमानकदुन्दुभेः। शूरतीर्थं परमकं गदतीर्थमतः परम्

tato gacchedvijaśreṣṭhāstīrthamānakaduṁdubheḥ| śūratīrthaṁ paramakaṁ gadatīrthamataḥ param

O best of brahmins, thence one should go to the tirtha of Anakadundubhi (Vasudeva); beyond it lies the supreme Shura Tirtha, and further still, Gada Tirtha.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.463.38)

गावल्गणस्य तीर्थं च अक्रूरस्य महात्मनः। बलदेवस्य तीर्थं तु उग्रसेनस्य चापरम्

gāvalgaṇasya tīrthaṁ ca akrūrasya mahātmanaḥ| baladevasya tīrthaṁ tu ugrasenasya cāparam

There is the tirtha of Gavalgani, and that of the great soul Akrura; further, the tirtha of Baladeva, and yet another of Ugrasena.

Verse 39 (skanda.7.463.39)

अर्जुनस्य च तीर्थं तु सुभद्रातीर्थमेव च। देवकीतीर्थमाद्यं तु रोहिणीतीर्थमेव च

arjunasya ca tīrthaṁ tu subhadrātīrthameva ca| devakītīrthamādyaṁ tu rohiṇītīrthameva ca

There is the tirtha of Arjuna, and likewise the tirtha of Subhadra; the ancient tirtha of Devaki, and that of Rohini as well.

Verse 40 (skanda.7.463.40)

उद्धवस्य च तीर्थं तु सारंगाख्यं तथैव च। सत्यभामाकृतं तीर्थं भद्रातीर्थमतः परम्

uddhavasya ca tīrthaṁ tu sāraṁgākhyaṁ tathaiva ca| satyabhāmākṛtaṁ tīrthaṁ bhadrātīrthamataḥ param

There is the tirtha of Uddhava, and likewise one called Saranga; the tirtha made by Satyabhama, and beyond it, Bhadra Tirtha.

Verse 41 (skanda.7.463.41)

जामदग्न्यस्य तीर्थं तु रामस्य च महात्मनः। भासतीर्थं च तत्रैव शुकतीर्थमतः परम्

jāmadagnyasya tīrthaṁ tu rāmasya ca mahātmanaḥ| bhāsatīrthaṁ ca tatraiva śukatīrthamataḥ param

There is the tirtha of Jamadagnya, the great soul Parashurama; there too Bhasa Tirtha, and beyond it, Shuka Tirtha.

Verse 42 (skanda.7.463.42)

कर्दमस्य च तीर्थं तु कपिलस्य महात्मनः। सोमतीर्थं च तत्रैव रोहिणीतीर्थमेव च

kardamasya ca tīrthaṁ tu kapilasya mahātmanaḥ| somatīrthaṁ ca tatraiva rohiṇītīrthameva ca

There is the tirtha of Kardama, and that of the great soul Kapila; there too, Soma Tirtha, and likewise Rohini Tirtha.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.463.43)

एतान्यन्यानि संक्षेपान्मया वः कथितानि च। सर्वपापहराणीह मोक्षदानि न संशयः

etānyanyāni saṁkṣepānmayā vaḥ kathitāni ca| sarvapāpaharāṇīha mokṣadāni na saṁśayaḥ

These and others I have told you of, in brief; without doubt, all of them here remove every sin and bestow liberation.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.463.44)

प्रच्छन्नानि द्विजवरास्तीर्थानि कलिसंक्रमे। प्लावितानि समुद्रेण पांसुनाऽप्युदकेन च

pracchannāni dvijavarāstīrthāni kalisaṁkrame| plāvitāni samudreṇa pāṁsunā'pyudakena ca

O best of brahmins, at the onset of the Kali age these tirthas became hidden, submerged by the ocean under both water and silt.

Verse 45 (skanda.7.463.45)

एतन्मया वः कथितं संक्षेपात्तीर्थविस्तरम्। आत्मप्रज्ञानुमानेन किमन्यच्छ्रोतुमिच्छथ

etanmayā vaḥ kathitaṁ saṁkṣepāttīrthavistaram| ātmaprajñānumānena kimanyacchrotumicchatha

Thus have I told you, in brief, the extent of these tirthas, according to the measure of my own understanding. What else would you now like to hear?

Verse 46 (skanda.7.463.46)

शृणुयात्परया भक्त्या तीर्थयात्रामिमां द्विजाः। सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो विष्णुलोकं स गच्छति

śṛṇuyātparayā bhaktyā tīrthayātrāmimāṁ dvijāḥ| sarvapāpavinirmukto viṣṇulokaṁ sa gacchati

O brahmins, whoever hears this account of the tirtha-pilgrimage with supreme devotion, becomes freed from all sin and goes to the world of Vishnu.