तीर्थयात्रा पर्व — लक्ष्यावतरण जानु

Lomasha said: O king, here did Prajapati himself perform a sacrifice in the days of yore. It was called Ishtikrita which occupied one thousands years.

The son of Nabhaga, Ambrisha, performed a sacrifice near the Yumuna in which he gave away ten padmas (of gold coins) to the Sadasyas.

O son of Kunti, he obtained the greatest success by his sacrifices and asceticism; this is the place where the king of all kings, the immeasurably powerful Yayati, the son of Nahusha, performed his sacrifices. He competed with Indra and he performed his sacrifices here.

Behold how the ground is studded with places for sacrificial altars of all sorts. (Behold), the earth appears as if she is sinking under the preasure of Yayati's good works.

Here is the Shami tree which has but one; single leaf; this is an excellent work. Behold the lake of Rama and the hermitage of Narayana.

O ruler of earth, this is the path which was followed by immeasurably effulgent son of Richika who roamed over the earth practising Yoga on the banks of the Raupya.

O descendant of Kuru, hear what a Pishacha woman, adorned with pestles as her ornaments, said as I was reciting the table of genealogy.

(She said), "Having eaten curd Yugandhara and lived in Achyutasthala and at also bathed in Bhutalya you should live with your sons.

Having spent here the first night, if you pass the second night here, the events of the nighttime will then be different from the day-time.

O foremost of the Bharata race, O descendant of Bharata, O son of Kunti, we shall today live here. This is the gate of Kurukshetra.

O king, here did king Yayati, the son of Nahusha, perform sacrifices in which gifts of gems were in great abundance and by which Indra was much gratified.

This is Plakshavatarana, an excellent tirtha in the Yamuna. The learned men call it the gate of heaven.

O child, after performing the Sarasvata sacrifice and using the sacrificial stakes as their pestles, the great Rishis perform here these ablutions prescribed at the end of a sacrifice.

O monarch, king Bharata performed sacrifices here. To perform a horse-sacrifice, he here set free the horse which was the intended victim and which was marked with black strips. He ruled the earth with righteousness. O foremost of men, here did Maruta, protected by Samvarata the foremost of Rishis, succeed in performing excellent sacrifices. O king of kings, bathing here one obtains all the regions. He is purified from all his evil deeds. Therefore bathe at this place.

Vaishampayana said: Being praised by the great Rishis he (Yudhishthira) bathed there with his brothers. Then that foremost of the Pandavas thus spoke to Lomasha.

Yudhishthira said: O greatly powerful Rishis, I see all the worlds by virtue of asceticism. I also see that foremost of the Pandavas Svetavahana (Arjuna).

Lomasha said: O mighty-armed hero, it is as you say. Thus do great Rishis see (all the worlds). Yonder is the sacred Sarasvati, thronged by persons who consider her to be their sole refuge.

O foremost of men, bathing in it, you will be freed from all your sins. O son of Kunti, the celestials Rishis performed here the Sarasvata sacrifice; so did the Rishis and the royal sages.

This is the altar of the Prajapati; it is five yojanas in extent on all sides round. This is the field of the high-souled Kurus who always performed sacrifices.