should one reside for a month, O bull of the Bharata
race! By a month’s residence there, one
reapeth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. He
that resideth at the best of tirthas called Maha-hrada,
enjoys immunity from misfortune, and also obtains the
merit of giving away gold in abundance. Beholding
next Kartikeya who dwelleth at Virasrama, a man certainly
reapeth the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. Proceeding
then to Agnidhara celebrated over the three worlds,
and beholding there after a bath the eternal and boon-giving
Vishnu, that god of gods, one obtaineth the merit
of the Agnishtoma sacrifice. Proceeding next
to the Grandsire’s tank near the snowcapped of
mountains, and bathing in it, a man obtains the merit
of the Agnishtoma sacrifice. Falling from the
Grandsire’s tank, is that world-sanctifying (stream),
celebrated over the three worlds, called Kumara-Dhara.
Bathing there, one regardeth himself as having all
his purposes fulfilled. Fasting in that tirtha
for three days, one is even cleansed from the sin of
slaying a Brahmana. The pilgrim should next,
O virtuous one, proceed to the peak of the great goddess
Gauri, famed over the three worlds. Ascending
it, O best of men, one should approach Stana-Kunda.
By touching the waters of Stana-Kunda, a person obtaineth
the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice. Bathing
in that tirtha and worshipping the gods and Pitris,
one acquireth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and
also ascendeth to the region of Indra. Arriving
next at the well of Tamraruna, that is frequented by
the gods, one acquireth, O lord of men, the merit
that attaches to human sacrifice. Bathing next
at the confluence of the Kirtika with the Kausiki
and the Aruna, and fasting there for three nights a
man of learning is cleansed of all his sins.
Proceeding next to the tirtha called Urvasi, and then
to Somasrama, a wise man by bathing next at Kumbhakarnasrama
becometh adored in the world. The ancients knew
that by touching the waters of Kokamukha, with steady
vows and leading Brahmacharya mode of life, the memory
of one’s former life is revived. Arriving
next with speed to the river called Nanda a regenerate
one becometh freed from all his sins and ascendeth
with soul under control to Indra’s region.
Proceeding next to the island called Rishabha, that
is destructive of cranes, and bathing in the Saraswati,
an individual blazeth forth in heaven. Proceeding
next to the tirtha called Auddalaka frequented by
Munis, and bathing there one is cleansed of all his
sins. Repairing next to the sacred tirtha called
Dharma that is visited by Brahmarshis, one acquireth
the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice and becometh respected
in heaven. Proceeding next to Champa and bathing
in the Bhagirathi he that sojourneth to Dandaparna,
acquireth the merit of giving away a thousand kine.
Then should one proceed to the sacred Lalitika that
is graced by the presence of the virtuous. By
this one acquireth the merit of the Rajasuya sacrifice
and is regarded in heaven.”