enjoyeth happiness in the heavenly regions. Even
this is the opinion of the wise. O foremost of
kings, Naimisha is ever sacred and holy. Proceeding
next to Gangod-bheda and fasting there for
three nights, a man obtaineth the merit of the Vajapeya
sacrifice, and becometh like unto Brahma himself.
Journeying to the Saraswati, one should offer oblations
unto the gods and the Pitris. By this, one certainly
enjoyeth bliss in the regions called Saraswata.
Then should one wend to Vahuda, with subdued
soul and observing the Brahmacharya vow. Residing
there for one night, one becometh adored in heaven,
and obtaineth also, O Kaurava, the merit of the Devasatra
sacrifice. Then should one repair to the holy
Kshiravati, frequented by holier men. By
worshipping the gods and the Pitris there, one obtains
the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice. Proceeding
next to Vimalasoka, with subdued soul and observing
the Brahmacharya vow, and residing there for one night,
one is adored in heaven. One should next proceed
to the excellent Gopratra in the Sarayu, whence
Rama, O king, with all his attendants and animals,
renouncing his body, ascended to heaven in consequence
of the efficacy of the tirtha alone. Bathing
in that tirtha, O Bharata, one’s soul,
through Rama’s grace, and by virtue of his own
deeds, being cleansed of all sins, one becometh adored
in heaven. O Bharata! Proceeding next, O
son of the Kuru race, to the Rama-tirtha on
the Gomati, and bathing there, one obtaineth the merit
of the horse-sacrifice, and sanctifieth also his own
race. There, O bull of the Bharata race, is another
tirtha called Satasahasrika. Bathing
there, with restrained senses and regulated diet,
a person reapeth, O bull of Bharata race, the merit
of giving away a thousand kine. Then should one,
O king, go to the unrivalled tirtha called
Bhartristhana. By this, a person obtaineth
the merit of the horse-sacrifice. Bathing next
in the tirtha called Koti, and worshipping
Kartikeya, a man reapeth, O king, the merit of giving
away a thousand kine, and acquireth great energy.
Proceeding next to Varanasi, and worshipping
the god having the bull for his mark, after a bath
in the Kapilahrada, one obtaineth the merit
of the Rajasuya sacrifice. Repairing then, O
perpetuator of the Kuru race, to the tirtha
called Avimukta, and beholding there the god
of gods, the pilgrim, from such sight alone, is immediately
cleansed of even the sin of slaying a Brahmana.
By renouncing one’s life there, one obtaineth
deliverance. Arriving next, O king, at the rare
tirtha called Markandeya celebrated
over the world and situated at the confluence of the
Ganges, a person obtaineth the merit of Agnishtoma
sacrifice, and delivereth his race. Sojourning
next to Gaya, with subdued senses and observing
the Brahmacharya vow, one obtaineth the merit of the