Tirthayatra Parva — Description of Pulastya Tirtha

Pulastya said : O great king, one should then go to the excellent Tirtha, called Dharma where the greatly exalted Dharma performed excellent asceticism.

It is for this reason he made the place a sacred Tirtha and made it known after his own name. O king, bathing there a virtuous-man with subdued soul purifies without doubt his ancestors seven generations upwards and downwards.

O king of kings, one should then go to the excellent Gyanapavana (going there) one obtains the fruits of Agnishtoma and goes to the region of Munis.

O king, a man should then go to Saugandikvana.

There live Brahma and other celestials, the Rishis, the ascetics, the Siddhas, the Charanas, the Gandharvas, the Kinnaras and the great Nagas.

As soon as one enters that forest all sins are destroyed. There flows that best of streams, that foremost river of all rivers, that sacred goddess, O king, which is known (there) by the name of Plaksha Devi; bathing there in the water issuing forth from the bill.

And worshipping the Pitris and the celestials, one obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha sacrifice. There is a a very inaccessible Tirtha, called Ishanadhyushita.

Lying from the anthill at the distance of six throws of a Shamya (wooden sacrificial stick). O foremost of men, it is seen in the Puranas that as soon as one bathes in it, one obtains the iruits of giving away one thousand Kapila kine and also those of Ashvamedha sacrifice.

O descendant of Bharata, next are the Tirthas called Sugandha, Shatakumbha and Panchayajna.

One going there, O king, becomes adored in the celestials region. O descendant of Bharata, going there to the Tirtha called Trishulakhata and bathing there and worshipping the Pitris and the celestials, there is no doubt one obtains the state of Ganapatya after giving up his body.

O king of kings, one should then go to the excellent celestials region which is known all over the three worlds by the name of Shakambhari.

O ruler of men, for one thousand celestials years, that lady of excellent vows lived month after month on herbs. Many ascetic ladies who were devoted to that goddess came there. O descendant of Bharata, they were all entertained by her with herbs.

O descendant of Bharata, it is for this she was given the name of Shakambhari. Going to Shakambhari with rapt attention and with Brahmacharya life and living in purity three nights there on herbs alone, the merit of living on herbs for twelve years a man obtains at the will of the goddess.

Then one should go to the Tirtha called Suvarna, celebrated all over the three worlds. There Vishnu in the days of yore worshipped Rudra in order to get his grace. He obtained many boons difficult to be got by even the celestials.

O descendant of Bharata, having been thus gratified, the destroyer of Tripura said, “O Krishna, you shall certainly be very beloved on earth. There is no doubt you will be the foremost being in the universe." O king of kings, going there and worshipping Vrishadhvaja (Shiva). One obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha (sacrifice) and acquires the state of Ganapatya. Then one should go to Dhumavati and fasting there for three nights, a man obtains without doubt all the desires that he entertains in his mind.

O ruler of men, in the southern side of this Tirtha, belonging to this Tirtha, there exists a Tirtha called Rathavarta. O virtuous man, one should go there with reverential mood and with passions all subdued. He then obtains through the grace of Mahadeva the highest state.

O best of the Bharata race, O greatly wise one, walking round it, one should, go to the Tirtha called Dhara which destroys all sins.

O foremost of men, O king, bathing there, one becomes freed from fall sorrow.

O virtuous one, one should then go, after bowing to the great mountain. To the source of the Ganges which is certainly like the gate of heaven. There one should with controlled soul bathe in the Tirtha called Koti.

He then obtains the fruits of Pundarika sacrifice and saves his own race. Living there for one night, one obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine.

Offering oblations according to the ordinance to the Pitris and the celestials at Saptaganga, Triganga and Shakravarta, one becomes adored in the regions of the virtuous.

Then bathing in Kanakhala and fasting there for three nights one obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha and goes to the celestials region.

O ruler of men, then the pilgrim should go to Kapilavata; and fasting there for one night, one obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine.

O king of kings, O best of the Kurus, one should then go to the illustrious Kapila, the king of the Nagas who is celebrated all over the three worlds.

O ruler of men, bathing in the Naga-Tirtha, a man obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand Kapila kine.

Then one should go to the Tirtha of Shantanu, called Lalitaka. O king, bathing there a man never meets with calamity.

The man, who bathes at the confluence of the Ganga and the Yamuna, obtains the fruits of ten Ashvamedha sacrifice and saves his own race.

O king of kings, one should then go to Sugandhaka celebrated all over the world. His soul being purified and his sins all destroyed cile becomes adored in the region of Brahma.

O ruler of men, then the pilgrim should go to the Rudravarta. O king, bathing there one goes to the celestials region.

O foremost of men, bathing at the confluence of the Ganges and the Sarasvati one obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha and goes to the celestials region.

Going to Bhadrakarneshvara and worshipping the celestials according to proper rites, one never meets with any calamity; and becomes adored in the celestials region.

O ruler of men, one should then go to Kubjamraka; one then obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine and goes to the celestials region.

O ruler of men, then the pilgrim should go to Arundhantivata. Bathing at Samudrava with concentrated soul and with Brahmacharya life and fasting there for three nights, a man obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha sacrifice. He obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine and saves his own race.

One should then go with concentrated mind and with Brahmacharya life to Brahmavarta. He obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha and goes to the region of Soma.

Going to Yamunaprabhva he who bathes in the Yamuna obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha and becomes adored in the celestials region.

Then going to the Tirtha called Darvisankramana which is adored by all the three worlds, one obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha and goes to the celestials region.

Going to Sindhu which is frequented by the Siddhas and the Gandharvas and living there for five nights, one obtains the fruits of giving away much gold.

Then going to the very inaccessible Vedi, one obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha and goes to the celestials region.

O descendant of Bharata, going to Rishikulya and Vasishtha and by visiting Vasishtha, all the other orders attain to Brahmanhood.

Going to Rishikulya, the man who bathes there becomes freed from all his sins and by worshipping there the Pitris and the celestials, he goes to the region of the Rishis.

O ruler of men, if one lives there for a month subsisting on herbs (he too goes to the Rishi's land). Going then to Bhrigutunga, one obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha (sacrifice).

Going to Virapramoksha one is cleansed of all his sins. O descendant of Bharata, going then to the Tirtha, called Kirtika and Magha, a man obtains the fruits of Agnishtoma and Atiratha (sacrifices). Then going to the excellent Tirtha called Vidya in the evening. He who bathes there obtain every kind of knowledge. Then one should live one night at Mahasrama, which is capable of destroying all sins. By taking a single meal there a man obtains many blessed regions.

Fasting there for six days and living there for a month at Mahalaya, his soul being purified and all his sins destroyed, one obtains the fruits of giving away much gold and saves ten preceding and ten succeeding generations of his race.

Then going to Vetasika frequented by the Grandsire obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha and acquires the state of Ganas.

Then going to the Tirtha called Sundarika, frequented by the Siddhas, it is seen in the Puranas, one obtains personal beauty. one

Then going to Brahmani with one's passions controlled and with Brahmacharya life, one goes to the region of Brahma on a lotus coloured car.

Then one should go to the sacred Naimisha, frequented by the Siddhas, where Brahma with the celestials always dwells.

Only by wishing to go to Naimisha, half of one's sins is destroyed. As soon as a man enters it, he is cleansed of all his sins.

O descendant of Bharata, the heroic pilgrim should live in Naimisha for one month; for all the Tirthas are in Naimisha.

O descendant of Bharata, bathing there with regulated diet and subdued soul, one obtains the fruits of many sacrifices.

O best of the Bharata race, he sanctifies his race for seven generations upwards and downwards. He who gives up his life in Naimisha by fasting. The wise men say, sports in the celestials region. O foremost of kings, Naimisha is ever sacred and holy.

Going to Gangodbheda and fasting there for three nights, a man obtains fruits of Vajapeya and becomes like Brahma himself.

Going to the Sarasvati, he who offers libations to the Pitris and the celestials, no doubt sports in the regions of Sarasvati.

Then one should with Brahmacharya life go to Bahuda. Living there for one night, one becomes adored in celestials region. O descendant of Kuru, he obtains the fruits of the Devasatra sacrifice.

Then one should go to the holy Kshiravati surrounded by holier beings. Worshipping there the Pitris and the celestials one obtains the fruits of Vajapeya (sacrifice).

Then going to Vimalashoka lake with concentrated mind and with Brahmacharya life and living there for one night, one becomes adored in the celestials region.

One should then go to Gopratara, the excellent Tirtha in the Sarayu. Where Rama went to heaven with all his servants, soldiers and beasts of burden. By giving up one's body, O king, he obtains the great effulgence of the Tirtha.

O descendant of Bharata, through the grace of Rama and through one's own virtuous deeds. O ruler of men, the man who bathes in that Tirtha called Gopratara, his body being purified and his sins being destroyed, becomes adored in the celestials region.

O descendant of Kuru, bathing in the Rama Tirtha in the Gomati, a man, obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha sacrifice and sanctifies his own race.

O best of the Bharata race, there is a Tirtha called Satasahasraka. Bathing there with regulated diet and subdued soul. O best of the Bharata race, one obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine.

O king, one should then go to Bhatri Tirtha, a man obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha sacrifice.

O king, bathing in the Koti Tirtha and worshipping Guha, a man obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine and becomes effulgent.

Then going to Varanasi and worshipping Vrishadhvaja (Shiva) and then bathing in the Kapalihrada a man obtains the fruits of Rajasuya sacrifice.

O perpetuator of the Kuru race, going to Avimukta, the pilgrim is cleansed of even the sin of killing a Brahmana as soon as he sees the god of gods (Shiva). A man who gives up his life there obtains final salvation.

O king of kings, then going to the inaccessible Tirtha of Markandeya situated at the confluence of the Gomati and the Ganges, ever celebrated over the world, one obtains the fruits of Agnishtoma (sacrifice) and saves his race.

Then going to Gaya with concentrated mind and with Brahmacharya life, one obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha and also saves his race.

There is the Tirtha called Aksayavata, celebrated all over the three worlds. Whatever is offered there to the Pitris is said to become inexhaustible.

Bathing in the Mahanadi and offering their oblations to the Pitris and the celestials, one obtains eternal region and also saves his race.

Then going to Brahmasara adorned with the woods of Dharma, one goes to the region of Brahma as soon as the night is gone.

A best sacrificial pillar was built on that lake by Brahma. He who walks round that pillar obtains the fruits of Vajapeya (sacrifice).

O king of kings, one should go to Dhenuka celebrated over the world. O king, living there one night and giving away sesamum and kine. His soul being purified and his sins being all destroyed, a man certainly goes to the region of Soma.

O king, there is still to be seen a greatly wonderful mark. The Kapilas with their calves used to roam over that mountain. O descendant of Bharata, the hoof-marks of Kapilas with their calves are to be seen there even up to date.

O king of kings, O foremost of monarchs, bathing in these hoof-marks, O descendants of Bharata, whatever sin is committed is all destroyed.

Then one should go to Gridhravata which is the region of the god, the wielder of trident. Going to Vrishadhvaja (Shiva), one should rub his body with ashes.

If he is a Brahmana, he will obtain the fruit of observing twelve years vows and if he is of other castes, all his sins will be destroyed.

O best of the Bharata race, one should then go to Udyanta mountain resounding with melodious notes. The foot-prints of Savitri are still to be seen there.

The Brahmana of rigid vows who recites his Sandhya (prayers) there but once obtains the merit of reciting Sandhya for twelve years.

O best of the Bharata race, there is the Tirtha known by the name of Yonidvara. Going there a man is freed from the pain of rebirth.

O king, the man who lives at Gaya during both the white and the black fortnight, no doubt sanctifies the seven generations of his race upwards and downwards.

One should desire for many sons, so that one may go to Gaya or perform Ashvamedha or offer a Nila bull.

O king, O ruler of men, the pilgrim should then go to Falgu; he obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha (sacrifice) and attains to great success.

O king of kings, one should then go with concentrated mind to Dharmaprastha. O great king ever steady in war, Dharma is always present there.

Drinking there the water of the well and purifying one's self there by a bath and also offering oblations to the Pitris and the celestials, one, being cleansed of his sins, goes to heaven.

There is the hermitage of Matanga the Rishi of controlled passions. By entering that charming hermitage which is capable of destroying all grief's and sorrows. A man obtains the the fruits of the Gavamayana (sacrifice). By touching (the image of) Dharma there, one obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha sacrifice.

O king of kings, one should then go to the excellent region of Brahma. O king, going there by that foremost of Purushas, Brahma. A man obtains the fruits of Rajasuya and Ashvamedha sacrifices.

O ruler of men, the pilgrim should then go to Rajagriha. Bathing there one rejoices (in heaven) like (the Rishi) Kakshivan. A man with purity should take there the offerings daily made to Yakshini. Through the favour of Yakshini one is cleansed of the sin of even killing a Brahmana.

There going to Maninaga one obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine.

O descendant of Bharata, he who eats anything belonging to that Tirtha does not die even if he is bitten by a venomous snake. Living there for one night, the fruits of giving away one thousand kine.

Then one should go to the charming forest of the Brahmarshi Gautama. Bathing in the lake Ahalya one attains to most excellent state; attaining to Sree, O king, one obtains best prosperity.

O virtuous man, there is a well celebrated all over the three worlds. Bathing there one obtains the fruits of Vajapeya (sacrifice).

There is (another) well sacred to the royal sage Janaka worshipped by the celestials. Bathing there one goes to the region of Vishnu.

Then one should go to Vinashana which destroys all sins. He obtains the fruits of Vajapeya (sacrifice) and goes to the region of Soma.

Going then to Gandaki which was produced by the water of all Tirthas, one obtains the fruits of Vajapeya (sacrifice) and goes to the region of Surya.

Then going to the river Vishalya, celebrated over the three worlds, one obtains the fruits of Agnishtoma sacrifice and goes to the celestials region.

O virtuous man, than going to the forest of the ascetics called Adhivanga. O great king, one rejoices without doubt among the Guhyakas.

Then going to the river named Kampana frequented by the Siddhas one obtains the fruits of Pundarika sacrifice and goes to the celestials region.

O ruler of earth, then going to the stream, called Maheshvari, one obtains the fruits of Ashvarmedha (sacrifice) and saves his own race.

O ruler of men, going to the tank, of the celestials, one never meets with any calamity; he obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha sacrifice.

Then one should go with concentrated mind and with Brahmacharya life to Somapada. Bathing in Maheshvara pada, one obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha sacrifice.

O best of the Bharata race, it is well-known there is in that Tirtha, ten millions of Tirthas. O king of kings, a wicked-minded Asura in the form of a tortoise, was stealing it away, when, O king, it was recovered from hiin by Vishnu. O hero steady in war, bathing in that Tirtha. One obtains the fruits of Pundarika (sacrifice) and goes to the region of Vishnu.

O king of kings, one should then go to the region of Narayana, O descendant of Bharata, near which Vishnu always dwells. There Brahma and other celestials, the ascetic Rishis, the Adityas, the Vasus and the Rudras adore Janardana (Krishna). (In that Tirtha) Vishnu of wonderful deeds has become known Shaligrama.

Going to the lord of the three worlds, the giver of boons, the eternal Vishnu, one obtains as the fruits of Ashvamedha and goes to the region of Vishnu,

O virtuous man, there is a well which is capable of destroying all sins; in that well four seas always dwell.

O king of kings, bathing in it, one does not meet with any calamity; going to the giver of boons, the great god, the eternal Rudra, where, O king, he always dwells, one shines like the moon emerged from the clouds. Bathing in Jatismara with subdued mind and with purity.

One obtains without doubt the recollections of his former life by his bath there. Going to Maheshvarpura and worshipping Vrishadhvaja (Shiva). One obtains without doubt the fulfillment of his desire by fasting (in that Tirtha). Then going to Vamana which destroys all sins and going to the deity Hari one never meets with any calamity. Then one should go to the hermitage called Kushika, which is capable of destroying all sins.

Then going there to Kaushiki which destroys the greatest of sins, a man obtains the fruits of Rajasuya sacrifice.

O king of kings, one should then go to the excellent forest called Champaka. Living there for one night one obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine.

Then going to the inaccessible Tirtha, called Jyeshthila and living there for one night one obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine.

O foremost of men, seeing there the lord of the universe with his goddess of great effulgence, one goes to to the region of Mitravaruna. Fasting there for three nights one obtains the fruits of Agnishtoma sacrifice.

Going to Kanyasamveda with regulated diet and subdued soul. O foremost of men, one goes to the region of Manu, the lord of creation. O descendant of Bharata, whatever is given away (in charity) at (the Tirtha, named) Kanya, the Rishis of rigid vows say, becomes everlasting.

Going to Nischira which is celebrated all over the three worlds, one obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha sacrifice and goes to the region of Vishnu. The man, who gives away in charity at the confluence of Nischira. O foremost of men, goes to the blessed region of Brahma. There is the hermitage of Vasishtha, celebrated all over the world.

Bathing there one obtains the fruits of Vajapeya sacrifice. Going to Devakuta, frequented by the celestials Rishis, one obtains the fruit of Ashvamedha (sacrifice) and saves his race.

O king of kings, one should then go to the lake of the Rishi Kaushika, where in days of yore Kaushika's son Vishvamitra obtained success (in asceticism). O best of the Bharata race, the hero who lives at Kaushika for one month.

Obtains in one month without doubt the virtue which is the fruit of Ashvamedha (sacrifice). He who lives in that foremost of all Tirthas, called Mahahrada. Never meets with any calamity and obtains the fruits of giving away much gold.

Seeing Kumara (Kartikeya) who lives in Virasrama, a man obtains without doubt the fruits of Ashvamedha sacrifice.

Going then to Agnidhara, celebrated all over the three worlds and bathing there, one obtains the fruits of Agnishtoma sacrifice.

Going to the great god, the giver of boons, the eternal Vishnu,

And going to the tank, sacred to the Grandsire (Brahma) (situate) near the king of mountains and bathing there, one obtains the fruits of Agnishtoma sacrifice.

Issuing from the Grandsire's tank, that holds the sanctifying (stream) Kumaradhara celebrated all over the three worlds.

And bathing there one considers in his mind that all his desires are fulfilled. Fasting for six days, one is cleansed of the sin of even killing a Brahmana.

O virtuous man, the pilgrim should then go to the peak of the great goddess Gauri, celebrated all over the world.

O foremost of men, ascending it one should go to Stanakunda Bathing in Stanakunda, one obtains the fruits of Vajapeya (sacrifice).

Bathing there and worshipping the Pitris and the celestials one obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha (sacrifice) and goes to the region of Sakra (Indra).

Then going to the well, called Tamraruna, frequented by the celestials, O ruler of men, one obtains the virtue that is the fruit of a mansacrifice.

O best of kings! then going to the well of celestials in the Nandini tirtha, one gets the fruit equal to the Naramedha sacrifice.

Bathing at the confluence of the Kalika and the Kaushika and the Aruna and fasting there for three nights, a learned man is cleared of all his sins.

Going to the Tirtha called Urvashi and then to Somasrama and bathing at Kumbhakarnasrama a wise man becomes adored on earth.

Bathing in Kokamukha with Brahmacharya life and well observed vows, it is seen in the Puranas, one obtains the recollection of his former births.

Going to Prangnadi, a twice-born becomes successful in his wishes and his soul being purified and sins being all destroyed he goes to the region of Shakra (Indra).

Going then to the island called Rishabha and Kraunchanishudana which destroys all sins and bathing in the Sarasvati one blazes forth in heaven.

O great king, bathing then in the Tirtha, called Auddalaka, frequented by the Rishis one is cleansed of all his sins.

Going then to the sacred Dharma Tirtha, frequented by the Brahmarshis, one obtains the fruits of Vajapeya (sacrifice) and becomes adored in heaven.