horse-sacrifice and also rescueth his race. There
in that tirtha is the Akshaya-vata,
celebrated over the three worlds. Whatever is
offered there to the Pitris is said to become inexhaustible.
Bathing there at the Mahanadi, and offering
oblations to the gods and the Pitris, a man acquireth
eternal regions, and also rescueth his race.
Proceeding then to Brahma-sara that is adorned
by the woods of Dharma, and passing one night there,
a man attaineth to the region of Brahma. In that
lake, Brahma had raised a sacrificial pillar.
By walking round this pillar, a person acquireth the
merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice. One should
next, O mighty monarch, go to Denuka celebrated
over the world. Staying there for one night and
giving away sesame and kine, one’s soul being
cleansed from every sin, one ascendeth, without doubt
to the region of Soma. There, O king, on the
mountains, the cow called Kapila used to range with
her calf. There is little doubt of this, O Bharata,
the hoof-marks of that cow and her calf are seen there
to this day. By bathing in those hoof-prints,
O foremost of monarchs, whatever sin a man may have
incurred is, O Bharata, washed away. Then should
one go to Gridhravata, the spot consecrated
to the trident-bearing god. Approaching the deity
having the bull for his mark one should rub himself
with ashes. If a Brahmana, he obtains the merit
of observing the twelve year’s vow and if belonging
to any of the other orders, he is freed from all his
sins. One should next proceed to the Udyanta
mountains, resounding with melodious notes. There,
O bull of the Bharata race, is still seen the foot-print
of Savitri. The Brahmana of rigid vows, who sayeth
his morning, noon and evening prayers there, obtaineth
the merit of performing that service for twelve years.
There, O bull of the Bharata race, is the famous Yonidwara.
Repairing thither, a person becometh exempted from
the pain of rebirth. The person that stayeth at
Gaya during both the dark and lighted fortnights, certainly
sanctifieth, O king, his own race up and down to the
seventh generation. One should wish for many
sons so that even one may go to Gaya, or celebrate
the horse-sacrifice, or offer a nila bull.
Then, O king, the pilgrim should proceed to Phalgu.
By this, he obtains the merit of horse-sacrifice,
and acquires great success. O king, one should
repair then, with subdued soul, to Dharmaprishta.
There, O foremost of warriors, dwelleth Dharma for
aye. Drinking of the water of a well which is
there, and purifying one’s self by a bath, he
that offereth oblations to the gods and the Pitris
is cleansed of all his sins and ascendeth to heaven.
There in that tirtha is the hermitage of the
great Rishi Matanga of soul under complete control.
By entering that beautiful asylum capable of soothing
fatigue and sorrow, one earneth the merit of the Gacayana
sacrifice, and by touching (the image of) Dharma which