Behold how the ground is studded with places for the
sacrificial fires of various forms, and how the earth
seems to be subsiding here under the pressure of Yayati’s
pious works. This is the Sami tree, which hath
got but a single leaf, and this is a most excellent
lake. Behold these lakes of Parasurama, and the
hermitage of Narayana. O protector of earth!
This is the path which was followed by Richika’s
son, of unmeasured energy, who roamed over the earth,
practising the Yoga rites in the river Raupya.
And, O delight of the tribe of Kurus! Hear what
a Pisacha woman (she-goblin), who was decked
with pestles for her ornaments, said (to a Brahmana
woman), as I was reciting here the table of genealogy.
(She said), “Having eaten curd in Yugandhara,
and lived in Achutasthala, and also bathed in Bhutilaya,
thou shouldst live with thy sons.” Having
passed a single night here, if thou wilt spend the
second, the events of the night will be different
from those that have happened to thee in the day-time,
O most righteous of Bharata’s race! Today
we shall spend the night at this very spot. O
scion of Bharata’s race! this is the threshold
of the field of the Kurus. O king! At this
very spot, the monarch Yayati, son of Nahusha, performed
sacrificial rites, and made gifts of an abundance
of gems. And Indra was pleased with those sacred
rites. This is an excellent holy bathing-place
on the river Yamuna, known as Plakshavatarana (descent
of the banian tree). Men of cultured minds call
it the entrance to the region of heaven. O respected
sir! here, after having performed sacrificial rites
of the Saraswata king, and making use of the sacrificial
stake for their pestle, the highest order of saints
performed the holy plunge prescribed at the end of
a sacred ceremony. O monarch! King Bharata
here performed sacrificial rites. To celebrate
the horse-sacrifice, he here set free the horse who
was the intended victim. That monarch had won
the sovereignty of the earth by righteousness.
The horse he let go more than once were of a colour
checkered with black. O tiger among men! it was
here that Marutta sheltered by Samvartta, leader of
saints, succeeded in performing excellent sacrifices.
O sovereign of kings! Having taken his bath at
this spot, one can behold all the worlds, and is purified
from his evil deeds. Do thou, therefore, bathe
at this spot.’”
Vaisampayana said, “Then that most praiseworthy of Pandu’s sons, there bathed with his brothers, while the mighty saints were uttering laudatory words to him. And he addressed the following words to Lomasa, ’O thou whose strength lieth in truthfulness! By virtue of this pious act, I behold all the worlds. And from this place, I behold that most praiseworthy of Pandu’s sons Arjuna, the rider of white steed.’