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 Gavayana sacrifice, and by touching
(the image of) Dharma which is there, one obtaineth
the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. One should next
go, O king, to the excellent tirtha called Brahmasthana.