"'Pulastya said, "O thou of excellent vows, I have been much gratified
with thy humility, thy self-control, and thy truth, thou blessed one
versed in morality! O sinless one, it is for this virtue of thine which
thou hast acquired from regard to thy ancestors, that I have been
gratified with thee and thou hast, O son, obtained a sight of my person.
O Bhishma, my eyes can penetrate into everything. Tell me what I may do
for thee. O sinless one, O thou foremost of the Kuru race, I will grant
thee whatever thou mayst ask me."
"'Bhishma said, "O highly blessed one, when thou who art worshipped by
the three worlds hast been gratified with me and when I have obtained a
sight of thy exalted self, I regard myself as already crowned with
success. But, O thou foremost of virtuous persons, if I have deserved
thy favour, I will tell thee my doubts and it behoveth thee to dispel
them. O holy one, I have some religious doubts in respect of _tirthas_.
Speak of those to me in detail, I desire to hear thee. O thou that
resemblest a celestial himself, what is his merit, O regenerate Rishi,
who goeth round the whole earth (visiting shrines). O tell me this with
certainty."
"'Pulastya said, "O son, listen with attention. I will tell thee of the
merit which attacheth to _tirthas_ and which constituteth the refuge of
the Rishis. He whose hands and feet and mind and knowledge and
asceticism and acts are under wholesome control, enjoyeth the fruits of
_tirthas_. He who has ceased to accept gifts, he that is contented, he
that is free from pride enjoys the fruits of _tirthas_. He that is
without sin, he that acts without purpose, he that eats light, he that
has his senses under control, he that is free from every sin, enjoys the
fruits of _tirthas_. O king, he that is free from anger, he that
adhereth to truth, he that is firm in vows, he that regardeth all
creatures as his own self, enjoyeth the fruits of _tirthas_. In the
Vedas the Rishis have declared in due order the sacrifices and also
their fruits here and hereafter truly. O lord of earth, those sacrifices
cannot be accomplished by him that is poor, for those sacrifices require
various materials and diverse things in large measures. These, therefore
can be performed by kings or sometimes by other men of prosperity and
wealth. O lord of men, that rite, however, which men without wealth,
without allies, singly, without wife and children, and destitute of
means, are capable of accomplishing and the merit of which is equal unto
the sacred fruits of sacrifices, I will now declare unto thee, thou best
of warriors! O thou best of the Bharata race, sojourns in _tirthas_
which are meritorious and which constitute one of the high mysteries of
the Rishis, are even superior to sacrifices. He is a poor man who having
gone to a _tirtha_ hath not fasted for three nights, who hath not given
away gold, and who hath not distributed kine. Indeed, one acquireth not,
by the performance of the _Agnishtoma_ and other sacrifices
distinguished by large gifts, that merit which one requireth by a
sojourn to a _tirtha_. In the world of men, there is that _tirtha_ of
the God of gods, celebrated over the three worlds by the name of
_Pushkara_. One that sojourneth there becometh equal unto that deity. O
high-souled son of the Kuru race, during the two twilights and mid-day
there is the presence of hundred thousand millions of _tirthas_ in
_Pushkara_. The Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the Sadhyas, the Maruts,
the Gandharvas, and the Apsaras are ever present, O exalted one, in
_Pushkara_. It was there, O king, that the gods, the Daityas and
_Brahmarshis_, having performed ascetic devotions there, obtained great
merit and finally attained to god-hood.
"'"Men of self-control, by even thinking mentally of Pushkara, are
cleansed from their sins, and regarded in heaven. O king, the
illustrious grand-sire having the lotus for his seat, had dwelt with
great pleasure in this _tirtha_. O blessed one, it was in Pushkara that
the gods with the Rishis having acquired of old great merit, finally
obtained the highest success. The person who, devoted to the worship of
the gods and the _Pitris_, batheth in this _tirtha_, obtaineth, it hath
been said by the wise, merit that is equal to ten times that of the
horse-sacrifice. Having gone to the Pushkara woods, he that feedeth even
one Brahmana, becometh happy here and hereafter, O Bhishma, for that
act. He that supporteth himself on vegetables and roots and fruits, may
with pious regard and without disrespect, give even such fare to a
Brahmana. And, O best of kings, the man of wisdom, even by such a gift,
will acquire the merit of a horse-sacrifice. Those illustrious persons
among Brahmanas or Kshatriyas or Vaisyas or Sudras that bathe in
Pushkara are freed from the obligation of rebirth. That man in special
who visits Pushkara on the full moon of the month of _Karttika_,
acquireth ever-lasting regions in the abode of Brahma. He that thinketh
with joined hands morning and evening, of the Pushkara, practically
batheth, O Bharata, in every _tirtha_. Whether a male or a female,
whatever sins one may commit since birth, are all destroyed as soon as
one batheth in Pushkara. As the slayer of Madhu is the foremost of all
the celestials, so is Pushkara, O king, the foremost of all _tirthas_. A
man by residing with purity and regulated vows for twelve years in
Pushkara, acquireth the merit of all the sacrifices, and goeth to the
abode of Brahma. The merit of one who performeth the _Agnihotra_ for
full one hundred years, is equal to that of him who resideth for the
single month of _Karttika_ in Pushkara. There are three white hillocks
and three springs known from the remotest times, we do not know why, by
the name of the Pushkara. It is difficult to go to Pushkara; it is
difficult to undergo ascetic austerities at Pushkara; it is difficult to
give away at Pushkara; and it is difficult to live at Pushkara.
"'"Having dwelt for twelve nights at Pushkara with regulated diet and
vows, and having walked round (the place), one must go to _Jamvu-marga_.
One that goeth to _Jamvu-marga_ which is resorted to by the celestials,
the Rishis, and the _Pitris_, acquireth the merit of the horse-sacrifice
and the fruition of all his wishes. The man that resideth there for five
nights, hath his soul cleansed from all sins. He never sinketh into
hell, but acquireth high success. Leaving Jamvu-marga one must go to
_Tandulikasrama_. He that goeth there never sinketh into hell but
ascendeth to the abode of Brahma. He that goeth to the lake of Agastya
and occupieth himself with the worship of the _Pitris_ and celestials,
fasting for three nights, acquireth, O king, the fruit of the
_Agnishtoma_. Going thither, he that liveth on vegetables or fruits
acquireth the status called _Kaumara_. One should next proceed to the
beautiful asylum of Kanwa, which is worshipped by the whole world. That
sacred wood characterised by holiness, existeth, O bull of the Bharata
race, from very remote times. As soon as one entereth it, he is freed
from all his sins. He who with regulated diet and vows worshippeth the
_Pitris_ and the gods there, obtaineth the fruit of a sacrifice that is
capable of bestowing the fruition of all one's desires. Having walked
round this asylum one must then go to the spot where Yayati fell (from
heaven). He that goeth thither, acquireth the merit of a
horse-sacrifice. One must then go to _Mahakala_ with regulated diet and
senses subdued. And having bathed in the _tirtha_ called _Koti_, one
obtaineth the merit of a horse-sacrifice. A virtuous man should next
proceed to the _tirtha_ of Sthanu, the husband of Uma, known over the
three worlds by the name of _Bhadravata_. That best of men who goeth to
_Bhadravata_, beholdeth Isana and obtaineth the fruit of a gift of a
thousand kine. And through the grace of Mahadeva, he acquireth the
status of _Ganapatya_ blessed with prosperity and peace and high grace.
Having arrived then at the _Narmada_, that river celebrated over the
three worlds, and given oblations of water to the _Pitris_ and the gods,
one acquireth the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. He that goeth into the
Southern ocean, practising the Brahmacharya mode of life, and with
senses subdued, acquireth the fruit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice and
ascendeth to heaven. Having arrived at _Charmanwati_, with regulated
diet and senses subdued, one acquireth, at the command of Ramideva, the
merit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice. One must then go, O virtuous chief
of warriors, to _Arauda_, the son of Himavat, where there was a hole
through the earth in days of yore. There is the asylum of Vasistha,
celebrated over the three worlds. Having resided for one night, one
obtaineth the merit of the gift of a thousand kine. He that, leading a
Brahmacharya mode of life batheth in the _tirtha_ called _Pinga_,
obtaineth, O tiger among kings, the merit of the gift of a hundred
_Kapila_ kine. One must next go, O king, to that excellent _tirtha_
called _Prabhasa_. There Hutasana is always present in his own person.
He, the friend of Pavana, O hero, is the mouth of all the gods. The man
that with subdued and sanctified soul batheth in that _tirtha_,
obtaineth merit greater than that of the _Agnishtoma_ or _Atimtra_
sacrifices. Proceeding next to the spot where the Saraswati mingleth
with the sea, one obtaineth the fruit of the gift of a thousand kine and
heaven also besides, O bull of the Bharata race, blazing forth for all
time like Agni himself. He that with subdued soul batheth in the
_tirtha_ of the king of waters, and giveth oblations of water unto the
_Pitris_ and the gods, living there for three nights, blazeth forth like
the Moon, and obtaineth also the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. One
should next proceed, O best of the Bharata, unto the _tirtha_ known by
the name of _Varadana_, where (the Rishi) Durvasa had given a boon unto
Vishnu. A man by bathing in Varadana obtaineth the fruit of the gift of
a thousand kine. One should next proceed with subdued senses and
regulated diet to _Dwaravati_, where by bathing in _Pindaraka_, one
obtaineth the fruit of the gift of gold in abundance. O blessed one, it
is wonderful to relate that in that _tirtha_, to this day, coins with
the mark of the lotus and lotuses also with the mark of the trident, are
seen, O represser of heroes! And O bull among men, the presence of
Mahadeva is there. Arriving then, O Bharata, at the spot where the
_Sindhu_ mingleth with the sea, one should with subdued soul bathe in
that _tirtha_ of Varuna. And bathing there and giving oblations of water
to the _Pitris_, the Rishis, and the gods one acquireth, O bull of the
Bharata race, the region of Varuna, and blazeth forth in effulgence of
his own. Men of wisdom say that, by worshipping the god known by the
name of _Shankukarneswara_, one acquireth ten times the merit of the
horse-sacrifice. O bull of the Bharata race, having walked round that
_tirtha_, one should, O thou foremost of the Kurus, go to that _tirtha_
celebrated over the three worlds and known by the name of _Drimi_. That
_tirtha_ cleanseth from every sin, and it is there that the gods
including Brahma worship Maheswara. Having bathed there and worshipped
Rudra surrounded by the other gods, one is freed from all sins since
birth. It was there, O best of men, that _Drimi_ was adored by all the
gods. Bathing there, O best of men, one obtaineth the fruit of the
horse-sacrifice. O thou of great intelligence, Vishnu the creator of the
universe, after slaying the Daityas and Danavas, went thither to purify
himself. O virtuous one, one should next proceed to _Vasudhara_ adored
by all. The moment one arrives at that _tirtha_, one acquireth the fruit
of the horse-sacrifice. And, O thou best of the Kurus, by bathing there
with subdued soul and rapt attention, and giving oblations of water unto
the gods and the _Pitris_ one ascendeth unto the region of Vishnu and is
adored there. In that _tirtha_, O bull of the Bharata race, there is a
sacred lake of the Vasus. By bathing there and drinking of its water,
one becometh regarded of the Vasus. There is a celebrated _tirtha_ of
the name of _Sindhuttama_, which destroyeth every sin. O best of men, by
bathing there, one acquireth the fruit of the gift of gold in abundance.
By arriving at _Bhadratunga_ with sanctified soul and purity of conduct,
one acquireth the region of Brahma and a high state of blessedness.
There is then the _tirtha_ of the _Kumarikas_ of Indra, that is much
resorted to by the _Siddhas_. O best of men, by bathing there, one
obtaineth the region of Indra. In _Kumarika_ there is another _tirtha_
called _Renuka_, which is also resorted to by the _Siddhas_. A Brahmana
by bathing there would become as bright as the Moon. Proceeding next to
the tirtha called the _Panchananda_, with subdued sense and regulated
diet, one obtaineth the fruit of the five sacrifices that have been
mentioned one after another in the scriptures. Then, O king, one should
go to the excellent region of Bhima. O best of the Bharatas by bathing
in the _tirtha_ there, that is called _Yoni_, a man (in his next birth)
becometh, O king, the son of a goddess, bearing ear-rings decked with
pearls, and obtaineth also the merit of the gift of a hundred thousand
kine. Proceeding next to _Srikunda_, celebrated over the three worlds
and worshipping the grandsire, one obtaineth the fruit of the gift of a
thousand kine. O virtuous one, one should then go to the excellent
tirtha called _Vimala_, where to this day may be seen fishes of golden
and silver hues. By bathing there, one soon acquireth the region of
Vasava, and his soul being cleansed from every sin, he attaineth to a
high state of blessedness. Proceeding next to _Vitasta_ and giving
oblations of water unto the _Pitris_ and the gods, a man, O Bharata,
obtaineth the fruit of the _Vajapeya_ sacrifice. That sin-destroying
tirtha known by the name of _Vitasta_, is situate in the country of the
_Kasmiras_ and is the abode of the Naga Takshaka. Bathing there, a man
certainly obtaineth the fruit of the _Vajapeya_ sacrifice, and his soul
cleansed from every sin, he attaineth to a high state of blessedness.
One should next proceed to _Vadava_ celebrated over the three worlds.
Bathing there with due rites in the evening, one should offer rice
boiled in butter and milk, according to the best of his might, unto the
deity of seven flames. Men of wisdom say that a gift made here in honour
of the _Pitris_, becometh inexhaustible. The Rishis, the _Pitris_, the
gods, the Gandharvas, several tribes of Apsaras, the Guhyakas, the
Kinnaras, the Yakshas, the _Siddhas_, the Vidhyadharas, the Rakshasas,
Daityas, Rudras, and Brahma himself, O king, having with subdued senses,
accepted a course of austerities for a thousand years in order to move
Vishnu to grace, cooked rice in milk and butter and gratified Kesava
with oblations, each offered with seven Riks. And, O king, the gratified
Kesava thereupon conferred on them the eight-fold attributes called
_Aiswarya_ and other objects that they desired. And having bestowed upon
them these, that god disappeared in their sight like lightning in the
clouds. And it is for this, O Bharata, that that _tirtha_ became known
by the name of _Saptacharu_, and if one offereth _Charu_ there to the
seven flamed deity, he obtaineth merit superior to that of the gift of a
hundred thousand kine, to that of a hundred Rajasuya sacrifices, as also
of a hundred horse-sacrifices. Leaving _Vadava_, O king, one should then
proceed to Raudrapada, and beholding Mahadeva there one obtaineth the
merit of the horse-sacrifice. Proceeding then, with subdued soul and
leading a Brahmacharya mode of life, to _Manirnat_, and residing there
for one night, one acquireth, O king, the merit of the _Agnishtoma_
sacrifice. One should then go, O king, to _Devika_ celebrated over the
whole world. It was there, O bull of Bharata race, that, as heard by us,
the Brahmanas first sprang into existence. There also is the region of
the holder of the trident--a region that is celebrated over the world.
Having bathed in _Devika_ and worshipped Maheswara by offering him, to
the best of one's might, rice boiled in milk and butter, a man
obtaineth, O bull of the Bharata race, the merit of a sacrifice that is
capable of filling every desire. There also is another _tirtha_ of Rudra
called _Kamakhya_, which is much resorted to by the gods. Bathing there,
a man speedily obtaineth success. By touching also the water of
_Yajana_, _Brahmavaluka_, and _Pushpamva_, one becometh free from sorrow
in after life. The learned have said that the sacred _tirtha_ of
_Devika_, the resort of the gods and the Rishis, is five _Yojanas_ in
length and half a _Yojana_ in breadth. One should then, in due order,
proceed, O king, to _Dirghasatra_. There the gods with Brahma at their
head, the _Siddhas_, and the greatest Rishis, with regulated vows and
the recitation and acceptance of the preliminary pledge, perform the
long-extending sacrifice. O king, by going only to _Dirghasatra_, O
represser of foes, one obtaineth merit that is superior, O Bharata, to
that of the Rajasuya or the horse-sacrifice. One should next proceed
with subdued senses and regulated diet to _Vinasana_, where _Saraswati_
disappearing on the breast of Meru, re-appeareth at _Chamasa_,
_Shivodbheda_ and _Nagadbheda_. Bathing in _Chamasadbheda_, one
obtaineth the merit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice. Bathing in
_Shivodbheda_, one acquireth the merit of the gift of a thousand kine.
And bathing in _Nagodbheda_, one obtaineth the region of the Nagas. One
should proceed, next, to the inaccessible _tirtha_ of _Shasayana_, where
the cranes, O Bharata, disappearing in the form of _sasas_, re-appear
every year in the month of _Kavttika_, and bathe, O blessed chief of the
Bharata race, in the Sarasawati. Bathing there, O tiger among men, one
blazeth forth like the Moon, and obtaineth, O bull of the Bharata race,
the merit of the gift of a thousand kine. One should next proceed, O
thou of the Kuru race, to _Kumarakoti_, with subdued senses, and bathing
there, worship the gods and the _Puris_. By doing this, one obtaineth
the merit of the gift of ten thousand kine, and raiseth all his
ancestors to higher regions. One should next, O virtuous one, proceed
with subdued soul to _Rudrakoti_, where in olden days, O king, ten
millions of Munis had assembled. And, O king, filled with great joy at
the prospect of beholding Mahadeva, the Rishis assembled there, each
saying, '_I will first behold the god! I will first behold the god!_'
And, O king, in order to prevent disputes amongst those Rishis of
subdued souls, the Lord of _Yoga_, by the help of his _Yoga_ power,
multiplied himself into ten million forms, and stood before every one of
them. And every one of these Rishis said, '_I have seen him first!_' And
gratified, O king, with the deep devotion of those Munis of subdued
souls, Mahadeva granted them a boon, saying, '_From this day your
righteousness shall grow!_' And, O tiger among men, one that bathes,
with a pure mind, in _Rudrakoti_ obtaineth the merit of the
horse-sacrifice and delivereth his ancestors. One should next proceed, O
king, to that highly sacred and celebrated region where the Saraswati
mingles with the sea. Thither, O king, the gods with Brahma at their
head and Rishis with wealth of asceticism repair for adoring Kesava on
the fourteenth day of the lighted fortnight of the month of Chaitra.
Bathing there, O tiger among men, one obtaineth the merit of giving away
gold in abundance, and his soul being cleansed from every sin, he
ascendeth to the region of Brahma. It is there, O king, that the Rishis
have completed many a sacrifice. By a trip to that spot one obtaineth
the merit of the gifts of a thousand kine."'"