The greatness of Kurukshetra.

1. О merciful Vasu, О knower of virtue, the greatness of Prayaga, the king of Tirthas, has been narrated to me by you who are deeply erudite.

2. Now recount full details of the splendid Kuruksetra which is the most auspicious of all important Tirthas and which sanctifies all the worlds.

3. Listen, О Mohini, I shall narrate to you the details of Kurukshetra which bestows great merits. By going there and taking the holy dip, a man is liberated from all sins.

4. There are many holy centres there resorted to by the leading sages. They bestow salvation to those who listen. I shall recount them to you.

5. Liberation is of four types: Viz: knowledge of the Brahman, Sraddha at Gaya, death while defending cattle and residence at Kurukshetra.

6. They call the land between the two divine rivers Sarasvati and Drsadvati ‘Brahmavarta’, a land resorted to by the Devas.2

7. He who continuously says thus: — “Although I stay far off, I will go to Kurukshetra and stay there”, is liberated from all sins.3

1. Kurukshetra or the land of Kurus is a very sacred region. Since Vedic times, it was the cradle of Aryan civilisation. As recorded in the opening verse of the BG., Kurukshetra was originally a dharma-kfetra as gods, sages and kings have performed sacrifices in the area on the banks of Sarasvati. Its area is much wider than the place now called Kurukshetra as it includes Thaneswar, Sonepat, Amin, Asthipur etc. De, p. 110.

2. Mbh. Vana 83. 3, 204205 records that the land between the Sarasvati and the Df^ad-vati is Kurukshetra. Мали II. 17 calls this tract Brahmavarta.

8 There is no doubt about this that the knowledge of the self-possessed learned person who stays on the banks of the Sarasvatl will be full of Brahman.

9. О gentle lady, the deities, sages and Siddhas resort to Kurujangala1 (the forest in Kurukshetra). By resorting to that place, one realises Brahman in his Atman.

10. О excellent Brahmana, how is Kurukshetra superior to all other Tlrthas? Recount it in detail to me. I have sought refuge in you.

11. О splendid lady, listen. I shall recount to you the details of Kurukshetra that yields great benefit. I shall tell you how it has become one that burns the sins of men and is a favourite of Brahma.

12. At that holy spot, the meritorious Brahmasaras (the lake of Brahma) came into being at the outset. Then the Ramahrada (deep pool of Parasurama) came into being and thereafter Kurukshetra (the land ploughed by King Kuru.)2

13. The lake nearby was created by Brahma formerly. Moreover, the altar of Brahma is in between the quarters.

14. О Mohinl, penance was performed here by Brahma who was desirous of creation (of the universe). Penance was performed by the discus-bearing Hari also who was desirous of sustaining the worlds.

1. Vamana P. 22.47 regards the region between Sarasvati and Drsadvati as Kurujangala. Formerly, there must have been some forests in Kurukshetra but now no jungle is there. Mbh. Adi 94-49 identifies Kuru- k?etra and Kurujangala with Hastinapura as its capital.

2. Vamana P. 22.59-60 confirms that originally this tract of land was called the Vtdi (sacrificial altar) of Brahma. Later, when Paraiurama filled five pools with blood of Kshattriyas, it became known as Ramahrada (or Syamanta or Samania Pahcaka); lastly when king Kuru, the son of Sarfivarana ploughed this land with a golden plough for fourteen miles all round, it Came to be known as Kurukshetra ‘The farm-land of Kuru.'

15A. Thanks to the entry into the lake, Sthanutva (the state of being steady like a pillar) was attained by Sambhu also.

15B-17A. О beautiful woman, Paraiurama was enraged because his father had been slain. (By way of revenge} he killed the Kshatriyas unfavourable to Brahmanas. Pools of blood were made by him. He performed the rite of Tarpana to the Pitrs with that blood and performed a penance there. Thereafter, it became famous as Ramatlrtha.1 It became destructive of sins.

17B-18. In the place where sage Markantjeya performed a great penance, the river Sarasvatl originating from the Plaksa tree flowed. The river was welcomed, honoured and eulogised by the righteous sage.

19-20. The river flooded the lake nearby and flowed to the West. The place all around extending to five Yojanas was ploughed by Kuru as cultivable land.2 The area upto Syamantapanchaka is cited as Kurukshetra. It is the source of (qualities like) mercy, truthfulness and forgiveness.

21. О gentle lady, men who take holy dip here obtain everlasting merit. Those who die here ride in an aerial chariot and go to the world of Brahma.

22. No doubt need be entertained in this respect hat observance of fast, charitable gifts, Нота, Japa and worsi.ip of the lord in this place attain everlasting benefit.

23-24. Those who die at Brahmavedi (the pulpit or altar of Brahma) in Kurukshetra are not reborn. Planets, stars and other luminaries have the fear of falling off after some time, but there is no fall in regard to those who die in Kuru- ksetra. Hence, even Devas, sages, Siddhas and Gandharvas are eager to resort to that lake.

1. Ramahrada is a lake at a distance of one mile from Kuruksetr i station. Its area is 3546 ft. (length) X 1900 (breadth). It was originall/ known as Brahmasaras as god Brahma performed penance on its bant. Parasurama performed the Tarpana of his Pitrs here and hence it is called Ramahrada. De (P. 166) is wrong in identifying Dvaipayanahrada with it as that lake (also known as Parasara) is at a distance of 20 miles from Thanesar.

2. That the extent of Kurukshetra is five Yojanas in radius is confirmed in the Mbh. Vana 129-22 and Vamana P. 22.15-16. Sya (Sa-) manta- paficaka or Ramahrada forms the boundary of Kurukshetra. This specific area was advised as proper for the battlefield by Balarama (Mbh. Salya 55. 5-18).

25-26. The holy spot is called Rantuka. О auspicious lady, the following guards were settled here by Vishnu for protecting the holy centre. They are: — Sucandra, Yaksa, Raksasa, Surya, Vasuki, Sukesin and Vidyadhara, Sambu- karnaka.

27. With their servants whose number goes upto eight thousand and who bear bows and arrows, they protect Kuru- ksetra and prevent sinners.

28. After reaching Rantuka,1 the devotee should crave forgiveness again and again. He should take a holy dip in Sarasvatl, visit Yaksa Rantuka and bow to him. After offering flowers, incense and Naivedya, he should utter the following:

29-30A. “O leading Yaksa, it is thanks to your favour that I could wander over forests, rivers and Tlrthas. Let there be no obstacle therein. Obeisance to you”.

30B. After craving forgiveness and propitiating the leading Yaksa thus, the devotee shall start on his pilgrimage.

31-32. О Mohini, there is no shortage or deficiency in this world or in the other world in regard to that person who makes a pilgrimage to the forests, Tirthas and rivers of Kuru- ksetra. The pilgrimage yields merits.

1. Rantuka is probably (as opined by Cunningham in Arch. Survey Report for India II. P. 215) the Ratan Jaksha situated at the north-east comer of Kuruk?etra, four miles to the east of Thanesar.

1. О leading Brahmana, what are the forests there? What are the splendid rivers? Kindly recount to me the pilgrimage that bestows Siddhi.

2. Mention to me the TIrthas that are present in Kurukshetra that yields merit, since you are my preceptor and bestower of salvation.

3. О Mohini, listen. I shall recount to you the rules of procedure for undertaking the pilgrimage of Kurukshetra. It bestows merit. By undertaking the pilgrimage, the devotee attains excellent salvation.

4-7. In the middle of Kurukshetra there are seven holy forests.1 1 shall mention their names as they are bestowers of merit on men: 1) the Kamyakavana is meritorious. 2) the Aditivana is very big. 3) Vyasa’s forest is sacred. 4) So also is Phalakivana. 5) The Suryavana is holy. 6) Madhu- vana is equally meritorious. 7) Sitavana is famous and is destructive of sins. Thus there are seven forests here. There are many TIrthas. The river Sarasvatl is holy. So also is the river Vaitarani. Ganga, MandakinI (flowing slowly) is also meritorious.

8-9. Another river is Madhusrava. Drsadvatl, KausikI and Hairanvatl arc also sacred.2 Excepting Sarasvatl all these rivers arc flooded during the rainy season. The waters of these rivers are holy for touching, drinking and plunging.

1. The Vamana P. 34-37 confirms the list of seven forests in Kuruksetra as given by NP. here. But today there is no trace of a single forest, though the names of some villages (e. g. Kamo da, for Kamyakavana, Pharal for Phalaki-vana) are popularly believed to be the sites of those forests.

2. The Vamana P. 39. 6-8 confirms this list of so-called rivers. Today even the great Sarasvatl of Vedic and Purapic fame has a bare existence. V. 10a below euphemistically suggests that these rivers were dry even in the days of the Narada Purapa.

10A. These rivers are not frothy and foaming in view of the greatness of the sacred holy centre.

10B-11 A The devotee should first go to Rantuka and pay respects to that Yaksa, the extremely powerful gatekeeper. Only then the pilgrim should begin his pilgrimage.

11B-13A. Thereafter, О auspicious lady, the man should go to the holy Aditivana.1 It was here that a great penance was duly performed by Aditi for obtaining sons. By taking holy dip and worshipping Aditi, the mother of the Devas, the lady-devotee gives birth to a great and heroic son endowed with all auspicious characteristic features.

13B-16A. Thereafter, О fair lady, the pilgrim should go to the excellent spot of Vishnu that is famous by the name of Vimnla.2 Lord Hari is present here. By taking holy dip in Vimala and by visiting lord of Vimala the devotee should become (free from impurities). He shall attain the world of discus-bearing lord of the Devas. О Mohini, there is no doubt about this that by visiting Hari and Baladeva occupying

16B-17. Thereafter, the devotee should go to the Tirtha Pariplava3 wcllknown in the worlds. By taking holy dip there and drinking its waters as well as by propitiating a Brah- mana who has mastered the Vedas, by means of monetary gifts etc., the devotee shall derive the benefit of Brahma-Yajna.

18. By devoutly taking a holy dip in the place where the sin-destroying confluence of the Kausiki4 is present, О splendid lady, the man attains union with his beloved ones.

1. Now there is no jungle but it is believed that its site was near the village Amin where there is Aditi Tirtha. Amin is at a distance of 5 miles from Kurukshetra on the Delhi-Ambala line Kalyaija-Tirthanka, p. 78)#

2. Now-a-days a small eminence near Vishnupada is called Vimala and is regarded as the hermitage of sage Vimala (Kalyava 31. 1 P.82) but at the time of the NP. both Vishnupada and Vimala seem to have been identical.

3. Mentioned as a famous Tirtha at Kuruk?etra in Mbh. Vana, 83.12 and in VmP. (Vamana P.) 34.17.

4. This is a different river from modem Kosi and the one mentioned in Gaya-mahatmya. Its confluence with the Dr?advati is regarded as holy in VmP. 34.18 and the same confluence is implied here.

19. Thereafter, the man endowed with forbearance should go to the Prthivi tirtha and devoutly take holy dip. Thereby, О blessed lady, he attains excellent salvation.

20. The goddess (Earth) forgives the offences committed by a man on the Earth, if that embodied soul takes his holy dip there.

21. By visiting Shiva, the lord of Daksa in the holy hermitage Daksasrama, the man obtains the benefit of a horse- sacrifice.

22. Thereafter, the devotee shall go to Salakini. After taking a holy dip there, he should worship Hari in communion with Нага, for achieving the desired object.

23. The devotee who knows rules of procedure should go to Nagatirtha and take holy dip there. By taking in ghee and curds thereafter, he shall attain freedom from the fear of serpents.

24. Thereafter, he should return in the evening to the shrine of Rantuka. Staying there for a night, the devotee should worship the getekeeper on the next day.

25. The next day he should worship a Brahmana receiving him with scents and other articles of service and then feed him. Thereafter, he should go to the Tirtha, Paficanada, well known in the three worlds.

26-27A. It was here that Shiva gave out five loud shouts that terrified the Asuras. Hence, the holy centre is famous by the name Paficanada. It is destructive of all sins. By taking a holy dip there and making charitable gifts, the man becomes fearless.

27B-29A. Thereafter, he should go to Kotitirtha, О Mohini, where a crore of Tirtha were brought as installed by Rudra the Great Atman. By taking the holy dip in that Tirtha and by visiting Нага, Ko(isvara (the lord of crores) the devotee shall attain the merit originating from five Yajfias ever since that day.

З0В. Hence by worshipping him the devotee shall derive the benefit of Agnisfoma sacrifice.

31 A. Thereafter, he should go to Asvitirtha. By having faith and mastering sense-organs as well as by taking holy dip therein, the man shall become renowned and handsome.

31B-32A. Then he should go to the Varahatirtha created by Vishnu. By taking holy dip therein with faith, the man shall attain good goal.

32B-33. Thereafter, О fairfaced lady, he should go to Soma tirtha1 where Soma (the moon) performed penance and became free from ailments. The devotee should like his holy plunge therein. By giving a cow as gift there, he shall attain the benefit of Rajasuya sacrifice.

34. By worshipping Bhutesvara, Jvalamalesvara and Tan<Jalinga, the devotee shall never have rebirth.

35. By taking a holy dip in Ekahaihsa, the man shall attain the benefit of charitable gift of a thousand cows. By taking holy bath in Krtasauca the man shall attain the benefit of sacrifice called Pun<jarlka

36. Thereafter, the devotee should go to the holy centre of the trident-bearing lord, called munja-vata. By observing fast for a night and worshipping Isa he shall be the lord of Ganas.

37. The devotee should propitiate the female YaksinI stationed at the threshold by observing fast, taking the holy dip and worshipping. For quelling great sins, he should feed the Brahmanas.

38. He shall circumambulate them. Thereafter, he shall go to Puskara. By taking a bath and by worshipping the Pitrs, he shall have his objects accomplished.

39. If any one offers the gift of a virgin (i.e. if he gives a virgin away in marriage) there on the fullmoon day of Karttika, the deities will be delighted and give him the desired benefit.

1. It is probably the tank to the South of Amin mentioned also in the Mbh. Vana 83.114, VmP. 41.4.

Many of the sub-Tirthas mentioned in the NP. are the same as in the Mbh. Vana and also in VmP. In fact many lines are borrowed verbatim from Mbh. by NP. Thus NP. V. 35=Mbk Vana 83. 20b-21a, NP. V. 36=Mbh. Vana 83. 21b-22a. Such borrowings are found in all Puraiias.

40. Kapila, the great Yaksa, is stationed here as the gatekeeper. He creates obstacles in the commission of sins (to the sinners). He grants merit too.

41-42A His highly blessed wife Okhalamekhala continuously beats the Dundubhi drum and wanders every where. She prevents sinners from taking bath. She leads the meritorious ones.

42B-43 Thereafter, the devotee shall go to Ramahrada.1 By taking a holy dip therein duly and by worshipping the Devas, Pitrs and sages the devotee shall attain worldly plcasuses and liberation. By worshipping Parasurama faithfully and by making gift of gold, the devotee shall become rich.

44. By going to Vamsamula Tirtha and by taking the holy bath therein, the devotee shall uplift his own race. By taking the holy dip in Kayasodhanaka (that which purifies the body) the devotee’s body shall become pure and he shall enter Hari.

45. The devotee shall go to Lokoddhara. By taking bath and worshipping Janardana, he shall attain the permanent world where the eternal Vishnu abides.

46. He should then go to Srltirtha and after taking bath should worship the excellent Salagrama. Thereby, he sees Hari present continuously near him.

47. After reaching Kapilahrada, he should take a holy bath and worship Devas and Pitrs. Thereby, he derives the merit of a thousand tawny-coloured cows.

48. By duly worshipping Kapila, the lord of the universe, О gentle lady, the devotee shall be duly greeted by Devas and he shall derive the region of Shiva himself.

49. Thereafter, observing fast, he should worship the sun in the Suryatirtha. After attaining the benefit of Agnistoma sacrifice, he shall go to heaven.

1. This is to the north of Thaneswar, Mbh. Vana 83. 2G-40 tells us that originally five tanks were filled with the blood of Ksattriyas by Parasurama for the Таграца to his ancestors and at his request they transformed them into Tirthas; also vide Pd. P. I. 26. 23-37.

50. Ganapati himself is stationed at the entrance to a crevice into the Earth. By visiting him and duly worshipping him, the devotee shall attain the benefit of a Yajna.

51. By taking a holy dip in the Tirtha of Goddess, a man obtains excellent features. By taking holy dip Brahma- varta, a man attains perfect knowledge of the Brahman.

52. By taking holy dip in Sutirthaka and by worshipping Devas, sages, Pitrs and human beings, a man obtains the benefit of a horse-sacrifice.

53. By performing holy bath in the Tirtha of Kames- vara witli faith, the devotee shall be liberated from all ailments. He shall attain the eternal Brahman.

54. By taking a holy dip and worshipping with faith in the Matrtirtha the family flourishes till the eleventh generation. Excellent prosperity increases.

55. Thereafter, the devotee should go to Sitavana.1 О auspicious lady, there is a great Tirtha there. By its mere vision, it sanctifies twenty-one generations.

56-57. By casting off the tresses of hair there, the devotee becomes liberated from sins. The Tirtha named Dasasvame- dliika is well known in all the three worlds. By seeing that Tirtha one shall be liberated from sins. Thereafter, he shall go to the Tirtha called Manusa2 and take the holy bath.

58-59. О daughter of god Brahma, if one wishes for a human birth once again one shall take bath in the Tirtha Manusa. The river Mahanadi three kilometres from the Manusa Tirtha is well known. After taking bath there in accordance with the injunctions, the devotee should feed excellent Brahmana on Syairiaka rice cooked in milk.

60-61 A. His sins perish. He attains salvation by performing the rite of Sraddha to the Pitrs. At midday on the fourteenth day during the Pitrpaksa (the dark fortnight dedicated to the manes) called Mahalaya in the month of Bhadra-pada, the devotee shall offer Pindas. Thereby, he shall attain liberation.

1. Probably the same as Sita-Vana mentioned as the seventh holy forest in Kurukshetra in VmP. 34. 7. The village Shivatia is supposed to be on its site. Sita, the queen of Rama, has no association with Kurukshetra as per VR.

61B-62A. Thereafter, he should go to Brahma’s spot Brahmodumbaraka. He who takes a holy dip in the pools of Brahmarsis (Brahmanical sages) obtains the benefit of Somaya ga.

62B-63A. By worshipping Sthanu accompanied by Dan- din in the Tirtha called Vrddhakedaraka the man attains the power of vanishing at will.

63B-64A. Thereafter, the devotee should go to KalasI where the goddess herself is present. By taking a holy dip here and worshipping Ambika, one shall cross the ocean of worldly existence.

64B-65. By visiting lord Mahesvara at Saraka1 on the fourteenth day in the dark half of the month, the man endowed with faith, shall attain the region of Shiva. О beautiful lady, there are three classes of Tirthas at Saraka.

66-67A. The Rudrakoti (thecrore ofRudras) is stationed in the well in the middle of the lake. The man who takes bath in that lake and remembers Rudrakoti is meritorious. There is no doubt about this that Rudrakoti it worshipped by him.

67B-69A. There is another Tirtha there itself, viz. Ihaspa- padam (Basis for desire). It is destructive of sins. By its mere sight a man attains liberation. By worshipping Devas and Pitrs, the man wards off mishaps. He shall obtain everything mentally thought of.

69B-70A. There is a great Tirtha called Kedara. It is destructive of all sins. By taking a holy bath there, the man shall achieve the benefit of all gifts.

70B-71A. There is a great lake of very clear water to the east of Saraka. It is well known by the name “Anyajanma” (another birth), where the lord Hari and Нага are present. Vishnu stands there in his four-armed form, while Shiva abides there in the form of a Linga. By performing holy ablution there in visiting and eulogising the deity, the man obtains liberation.

71B-73A. Thereafter, the devotee shall go to Nagahrada and take a holy dip towards the end of the bright half of the month of Chaitra. By offering Sraddha, he attains liberation. He never sees the world of Yama.

73B-75. Thereafter, the devotee shall go to the Tirtha Trivistapa that is resorted to by the Devas. There is a holy river Vaitarani there. It liberates one from sins. By taking a holy dip and worshipping the trident-bearing and bull-emblemed deity, he shall purify his soul of all sins. He will definitely attain the greatest goal (Moksha). By taking holy dip in the Rasavarta the man attains excellent Siddhi.

76. On the fourteenth day in the bright half of the month of Chaitra, the devotee should take a holy dip in the Vilepaka and worship Shiva devoutly. Thereby he is liberated from all sins.

77. Thereafter, О gentle lady, the man should go to the excellent Phalakivana1 where Devas perform great penance along with the Gandharvas.

78. By taking a holy dip in the river Drsadvatl there in accordance with the injunctions and by performing the rite of Tarpana to the Devas and Pitrs. the man shall attain the benefit of Agnistoma and Atiratra sacrifices.

79. On the new-moon day or on Lunar-day (Full-moon day (?) the man shall perform Sraddha rite there. He attains an excellent benefit thereby on a par with that of Gayasraddha.

80A. That is the benefit of the Sraddha. The remembrance of the forest yields satisfaction to the Pitrs.

80B-81A. Thereafter, the devotee shall go to the Tirtha Panighata and perform the rite of Tarpanas to the Pitrs. Thereby he attains the benefit of Rajasiiya and of Sankhya and Yoga as well.

81B-82A. Then the man should perform bath in the Tirtha MiSraka in accordance with the injunctions. Thereby he attains the benefit of all the Tlrthas and attains excellent salvation.

1. There is no iungle now, but the village Pharal is regarded as the site of Phalakl Vana.

82B-83A. Thereafter he should go to Vyasavana1 and take a holy dip in the Tirtha Manojava. By visiting the lord Manlsin he shall attain whatever is mentally thought of.

83B-84A After going to the Madhu-vana, he should take a holy bath in the Tirtha of the goddess and be pure. By worshipping Devas and sages, he attains an excellent SiddhL

84B-85A The man shall take a holy plunge in the Tirtha, the confluence of Kausiki and Drsadvatl. If he observes restraints and restricts his diet, lie shall be liberated from all sins.

85B-86. Thereafter, the devotee should go to Vyasa- sthali. It was here that the intelligent Vyasa, overwhelmed by grief at the bereavement of his son, decided on casting oif his body. He was re-suscitated to life by Devas. By going to that holy spot, the man is rid of his grief.

87. After going to the well of Kindusu kupa the devotee should make a gift of a Prastha measure of gingolly seeds. Thereby, he attains the greatest Siddhi. If he dies there, he shall attain liberation.

88. Two Tirthas are well-known over the Earth Viz. Ahna and Mudita. By taking a holy dip therein and purifying the soul, the devotee shall attain the world of Sun-

89. Thereafter, he should go to the Tirtha Mrgamucya on the Ganga. By bowing down and worshipping Mahadeva, the devotee shall attain the benefit of a horse-sacrifice.

90. Thereafter, he should go to Kotitirtha. By taking a holy dip, by visiting Shivakotisvara and by eulogising him faithfully, he shall attain the benefit of a crore of sacrifices.

91-92. Thereafter, the devotee shall go to Vamana- kunda2 well-known in the three worlds. It was here that Vamana his birth with the desire to destroy Bali’s Yajfta. By taking the holy bath at Vishnupada therein and by worshipping Vamana, the devotee shall be freed of all sins. He is honoured in the world of Vishnu.

1. No jungle now. Its site is now occupied by the village Varasa to the south of Karnal-Kaithal road. This is different from Vyasasthali in VV. 85-86 below, where Vyasa tried to commit suicide (mentioned in Pd. P. I. 26. 90-91).

2. Mentioned in Mbh. Vana 83.103, 88.130. Pd. P. I. 26.96. A Vamana-Kunda (a pool) is now shown at its site (Ка'уйпа 31. 1 P. 81)

93-94. The hermitage Jycsthasrama is destructive of all sins. The devotee should observe fast on the eleventh day in the bright half of the month of Jyestha. On the next day, he should perform ablution therein in accordance with the injunctions. Thereby, lie attains the greatest excellence among men. О gentle lady, the Sraddha performed there gives great satisfaction to the Pitis.

95. There itself is the Kotitlrtha well known in the three worlds. By taking a holy dip in that Tlrtha he shall obtain the benefit of a crore of sacrifices.

96. By duly worshipping Mahesvara, the lord of the Dcvas, named Kotlsvara, the devotee shall attain chieftancy of the Ganas.

97A. By taking a holy dip in the Siiryatlrtha the devotee shall attain the world of the Sun.

97B-98A. Going to the Tlrtha called Kulottaranaka and taking a holy dip therein, the devotee uplifts his family. He then stays in heaven till the end ofKalpa.

98B-99A. By taking a holy dip in the Deep pool of the Wind-God and by visiting lord Mahesvara, the devotee shall be liberated from all sins and attain Shiva’s region.

100. By taking a holy dip in the Tlrtha of the saintly king Salahotra the devotee shall be devoid of sins. By taking the holy dip in the Tlrtha of the Sarasvati named Shrikumbha the man shall attain the benefit of Yajna.

101. By taking the holy dip in the Naimisakunda the devotee attains the merit of ablution in the Naimisa. By taking a holy bath in the Vedavati tlrtha a woman shall attain the Status of Satl (Parvatl).

102. By taking a holy dip in the Brahma Tlrtha a man obtains Brahmana-hood. This is the greatest spot of Brahma. By going there none comes to grief.

103. By taking a holy dip in Somatirtha, a man shall attain heavenly goal. By going to and by having a holy dip in the seven Sarasvata Tirthas the man shall attain liberation. m

104-105. The seven Sarasvatls viz Suprabha, Kaftca- naksl, Visala, Manohari, Sunanda, Suvenu and Vimalodaka join together there. By taking a holy bath in the Ausanasa Tirtha, the devotee shall be freed from all sins.

106. By taking a holy dip in the Kapalamocana even a Brahmana-slayer becomes pure. A man who takes a holy dip in the Vaisvamitra Tirtha shall attain Brahmana-hood.

107. By taking the holy dip in the Prthudaka1 one is liberated from worldly bondage. By taking a holy dip in the Avakirna a man attains the benefit of celibacy.

108. One who goes to Madhusrava and takes a holy bath shall be liberated from sins. By taking the holy dip in the Vasisthatlrtha, the devotee attains the world of Vasistha.

109. By taking a holy bath in the confluence of Aruna and by observing fast for three days, the devotee attains liberation. No doubt need be entertained in this respect.

110. О auspicious lady, there are four seas there. One who takes a holy dip there attains the benefit of the gift of a thousand cows. He is honoured in the heavenly world.

111. There is another Somatirtha there. О Mohini, by taking holy bath in that on the sixth day in the bright half of the month of Chaitra, and by performing Sraddha, one shall uplift the Pitrs.

112. By taking a holy dip in the Panchavata and by duly worshipping Shiva who has assumed the Yogic form, the devotee rejoices along with the Devas.

113. One who takes a holy dip in the Kurutlrtha shall attain all Siddhis. The man who takes a plunge in the Svargadvara, is honoured in the heavenly world.

1. Prthudaka is the famous holy place Pehoa or Pehova, Kamal Dist. It is highly valued in Mbh. Vana 83. 142-149 and in Salya Parva 39. 33-34. Abo in Pd. P. Svarga, 27.31, 38, 39. VMP. calls it Brahma-yoni- Tirtha (39. 20, 23).

114B-115A. О gentle lady, thereafter, the man should go to the excellent forest Kamyaka Vana.1 The moment he enters, he is liberated from all accumulations of sins.

115B-116A. After reaching Adityavana, if he visits (the deity) he will be liberated. By taking holy dip there on a Sunday, the devotee shall attain everything desired.

116B. By taking a holy dip in the Yajftopavltika Tirtha, the devotee shall attain the benefit of maintaining his own duty.

117. Thereafter, the excellent man shall take a holy dip in the Tirtha Catuhpravaha. Thereby, he attains the benefit of all Tirthas and rejoices in heaven like a Deva.

118. One who takes bath in the Tirtha Vihara shall attain all happiness- By taking a holy dip in the Durga Tirtha a man never faces misfortunes.

119. Thereafter, the devotee should take bath in the well Sarasvatl also known as Pitr-Tlrtha, and perform the Tarpana rite to the Devas and others; thereby he shall attain excellent salvation.

120. By taking a holy dip in the PracI Sarasvati2 (Eastern Sarasvati) and by performing the Sraddha rites in accordance with the injunctions, the devotee shall attain even inaccessible desires. At the time of death, he shall attain heavenly goal.

121-22A. By taking a holy dip in the Sukra Tirtha and offering Sraddha a man shall uplift the Pitrs. He should observe fast on the eighth or the fourteenth day particularly in the dark half of the month of Gaitra and take bath in the Brahma Tirtha. Undoubtedly he will attain liberation.

1. The site of the forest is occupied by the village Kamodha. It is three miles from Jyotisaras to the south of the Pehova road.

2. It is so called as the Sarasvati turned to the east at this place. Today there is only a tank of that name where pilgrims performed Tarpana to the ancestors. The surrounding relics testify to its glorious past.

122В-123. Thereafter, he shall take bath in the Sthanu- Tlrtha and visit the Sthanuvrsa. The man thereby is liberated from terrible sins. So says Pitamaha. By visiting the Sthanu- linga the pilgrimage becomes complete.

124. О goddess, the pilgrimage of the holy centre Kurukshetra is thus complete. Truth and nothing but the truth is uttered by me. There.has never been and there never will be a Tirtha like Kurukshetra.

125B-126A. Holy rites and laudable public works like digging tanks, wells, penances, Homas, duly given charitable gifts etc. at that place, everything shall be everlasting. They who know the Vedas know this.

126B-127. One who takes a holy dip on the inaugural days of Manvantaras and Yugas, during lunar and solar eclipses during the transits of the sun, on Mahapata period and on other holy occasions shall attain infinite benefits.

128. It is for the purification of sins of noble souls, originating from the Kali age that the pleasant Tirtha of Kurukshetra has been created by Brahma.

129. He too who glorifies this sacred story that destroys sins, or the man who devoutly listens to this, is liberated from sins

130. In every birth, the man shall always attain whatever he gives away at Kurukshetra at the time of solar eclipse.

131. Now, of what avail is much talk? О daughter of Brahma, listen to this decision. If one wishes fir deliverance from worldly bondage, one shall of necessity resort to Kurukshetra.

132. This is the greatest merit. This is the greatest penance. This alone is the greatest perfect knowledge if one goes to the Sthanutlrtha.

133. There is no other Tirtha on the Earth as splendid as Kurukshetra. Whether one adheres to the Acaras or not (i.e. discipline of castes and stages of life) one attains liberation there.

134-135. О sinless lady, what I have been asked, I have told you entirely, about the greatness of Kurukshetra that destroys sins. It is meritorious. It bestows salvation. What else do you wish to hear?

ЧТО ПРОИСХОДИТ, КОГДА МЫ ССОРИМСЯ Не понимая различий, существующих между мужчинами и женщинами, очень легко довести дело до ссоры...

Система охраняемых территорий в США Изучение особо охраняемых природных территорий(ООПТ) США представляет особый интерес по многим причинам...

Что делает отдел по эксплуатации и сопровождению ИС? Отвечает за сохранность данных (расписания копирования, копирование и пр.)...

Что способствует осуществлению желаний? Стопроцентная, непоколебимая уверенность в своем...

Не нашли то, что искали? Воспользуйтесь поиском гугл на сайте: