Approaching Brahma, that bull among male beings, who
is there, one acquireth, O mighty monarch, the merit
of the Rajasuya and horse-sacrifices. The pilgrim
should then repair to Rajasuya, O king of men!
Bathing there, one liveth (in heaven) as happily as
(the Rishi) Kakshiyan. After purifying himself,
one should partake there of the offerings daily made
unto the Yakshini. By this, one is freed from
the sin of even slaying a Brahmana, through the Yakshini’s
grace. Proceeding next to Maninaga, one obtains
the merit of giving away a thousand kine. O Bharata,
he that eateth anything relating to the tirtha of
Maninaga, if bitten by a venomous snake, doth not succumb
to its poison. Residing there for one night,
one is cleansed of one’s sins. Then should
one proceed to the favourite wood of the Brahmarshi
Gautama. There bathing in the lake of Ahalya,
one attaineth to an exalted state. Beholding
next the image of Sree, one acquireth great prosperity.
There in that tirtha is a well celebrated over the
three worlds. Bathing in it, one obtaineth the
merit of the horse-sacrifice. There also existeth
a well sacred to the royal Rishi Janaka, which is
worshipped by the gods. Bathing in the well,
one ascendeth to the region of Vishnu. Then should
one repair to Vinasana that destroys every sin.
By a sojourn thither, one obtaineth the merit of the
Vajapeya sacrifice, and goeth also to the region of
Soma. Proceeding next to Gandaki which is produced
by the waters of every tirtha, a person acquireth
the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice, and ascendeth
also to the solar region. Proceeding next to the
Visala, that river celebrated over the three worlds,
one obtaineth the merit of the Agnishtoma sacrifice
and ascendeth also to heaven. Repairing then,
O virtuous one, to the woody seat of ascetics that
is called Adhivanga, one obtains, without doubt, great
happiness amongst the Guhyakas. Proceeding next
to the river Kampana, visited by the Siddhas, one
obtaineth the merit of the Pundarika sacrifice, and
ascendeth also to heaven. Arriving then, O lord
of earth, at the stream called Maheswari, one obtaineth
the merit of the horse-sacrifice and also rescueth
his own race. Repairing next to the tank of the
celestials, one earneth immunity from misfortune,
and also the merit of the horse-sacrifice. One
should next go to Somapada, with subdued soul and
leading a Brahmacharya mode of life. Bathing
in Maheswarapada that is there, one reapeth the merit
of the horse-sacrifice. There in that tirtha,
O bull of the Bharata race, it is well known that
ten millions of tirthas exist together. A wicked
Asura in the shape of a tortoise had, O foremost of
monarchs, been carrying it away when the powerful
Vishnu recovered it from him. There in that tirtha
should one perform his ablutions, for by this he acquireth
the merit of the Pundarika sacrifice and ascendeth
also to the region of Vishnu. Then, O best of
kings, should one proceed to the place of Narayana,
where, O Bharata, Narayana is ever present and dwelleth