Stories of the Great Bharata - A Retelling

Arc 5 - Tirth-Yatra Parva - Chapter 4 - The Benediction and the Promise of Lomāśa

Pulastya said:

“Proceeding then to Phalgu, one gains the fruit of the horse-sacrifice and great success.

At Dharmapṛṣṭha, where Dharma dwells forever, drinking the water of its well and bathing in purity, a man who offers oblations to gods and Pitṛs is cleansed of every sin and ascends to heaven.

There is also the hermitage of the great Ṛṣi Mātaṅga, master of self. Entering that asylum, soothing weariness and grief, one wins the merit of the Gavāyana sacrifice. Touching the image of Dharma that abides there, one gains the fruit of the horse-sacrifice itself.”

Pulastya said:

“Next, O king, one should visit the excellent tīrtha called Brahmasthāna. There abides Brahmā, the bull among beings. Approaching him, a pilgrim wins the fruit of both the Rājasūya and the Aśvamedha sacrifices.

From there, proceed to the tīrtha named Rājasūya. Bathing in its waters, a man dwells in heaven as happily as Kakṣīyān the sage. After ablution, one should partake of the offerings made daily to the Yakṣiṇī, for by her grace the sin of even slaying a Brāhmaṇa is effaced.

Journeying to Manināga, one obtains the merit of gifting a thousand kine. Whoever eats of the produce of this tīrtha, if bitten by a venomous serpent, will not die of the poison. Residing there for one-night cleanses all sins.”

“Where Yakṣiṇī receives the gift,

The slayer’s sin dissolves away;

Where Manināga guards the wood,

Even poison turns aside its sway.”

Pulastya continued:

“Proceed next to the sacred grove of the Brahmarṣi Gautama. Bathing in the lake of Ahalyā, exalted state is won; beholding the image of Śrī herself, prosperity is assured.

There stands a well famed through the three worlds. Bathing in it brings the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. Another well, consecrated to Janaka the royal Ṛṣi, is there also; bathing in its waters lifts the pilgrim to Viṣṇu’s realm.

From there, one should go to Vināśana, destroyer of all sin. By sojourning there, the fruit of the Vājapeya sacrifice is attained, and Soma’s abode is won.

Proceeding next to the river Gaṇḍakī, born of the mingled waters of all tīrthas, a pilgrim gains the fruit of the Vājapeya sacrifice and ascends to the solar region.

Then to Viśālā, renowned in the three worlds; by bathing there, one wins the Agniṣṭoma sacrifice and ascends to heaven.

At Adhivāṅga, seat of ascetics, great happiness among the Guhyakas is bestowed. Bathing in the Kampanā river, visited by Siddhas, yields the merit of the Puṇḍarīka sacrifice and heaven as reward.

Next is Maheśvarī, river of sanctity; by bathing there, one gains the fruit of the horse-sacrifice and rescues his lineage.

At the tank of the celestials, one wins immunity from misfortune and the horse-sacrifice’s merit.

Then to Somapada, with senses subdued and vow of Brahmacarya. Bathing in Mahesvarapada there, one reaps the horse-sacrifice. It is said that ten million tīrthas dwell within that place. Once, a wicked Asura in the form of a tortoise sought to steal it away, but Viṣṇu the powerful seized it back. Bathing there wins the Puṇḍarīka sacrifice and Viṣṇu’s own realm.

Then to the seat of Nārāyaṇa, where the Lord abides forever. There the gods with Brahmā at their head, Ṛṣis of ascetic wealth, Ādityas, Vasus, and Rudras, all worship Janārdana. Viṣṇu of wonderful deeds, abiding as Śālagrāma, is adored there. Approaching him, eternal Lord of the three worlds, giver of boons, the pilgrim wins the horse-sacrifice’s merit and ascends to Viṣṇu’s region.

In that place also is a well capable of destroying every sin. The four seas are ever present in its waters. He who bathes there is freed from misfortune.

Beholding Mahādeva there, fierce and boon-giving, the pilgrim shines like the moon freed from cloud.

Bathing at Jātismara, with mind purified and senses restrained, a man without doubt recalls his former lives.”

“By Gaṇḍakī flows the Śālagrāma,

Seat of Hari, Lord of all;

By Jātismara’s sacred spring,

The soul remembers life’s long thrall.”

Pulastya said:

“Proceed next, O king, to Maheśvarapura, and worship there the lord who bears the bull for his mark. Fasting the while, a pilgrim attains without doubt the fruition of every desire.

Then journey to Vāmana, destroyer of all sin. By beholding Hari there, one wins freedom from misfortune.

Repair next to the āśrama of Kuśika, remover of all stain; and to the river Kauśikī, which cleanses from the gravest sins. Bathing there, one gains the merit of the Rājasūya sacrifice.

Thence, O Bharata, to the Champaka woods, fragrant and holy. By dwelling there one night, a thousand kine are as though gifted. At Jyeṣṭhilā, rare among tīrthas, the same fruit is won. Beholding Viśveśvara of blazing glory with his consort, the goddess herself, one attains the realm of Mitra-Varuṇa; and by fasting three nights, the merit of an Agniṣṭoma is secured.

At Kanyā-samvedya, with restrained senses, a pilgrim reaches Manu’s world, lord of creation. Whatever is gifted here becomes eternal; so declare the ṛṣis.

To Niśchira, famed in the three worlds, one must next go; there is gained the horse-sacrifice’s fruit and Viṣṇu’s realm. Gifts at its confluence raise the giver to Brahmā’s abode. Within that tīrtha lies Vasiṣṭha’s hermitage; bathing there brings the Vājapeya’s merit.

Then to Devakūṭa, haunt of celestial ṛṣis: there the horse-sacrifice’s reward is won, and the pilgrim redeems his race.

At the lake of the sage Kuśika, where Viśvāmitra attained perfection, a man bathing wins the merit of Vājapeya. A month’s sojourn there yields the fruit of the horse-sacrifice.

At Mahā-hrada, the best of tīrthas, one gains immunity from misfortune and the merit of gifting abundant gold.

At Vīrāśrama, behold Skanda, son of the fiery god; worshipping him, one gains the horse-sacrifice.

Proceed then to Agnidhāra, revered in all the worlds; there, after ablution, beholding Viṣṇu, boon-giving and eternal, one secures the Agniṣṭoma.

At the Grandsire’s tank, near the snowy heights, bathing grants the Agniṣṭoma’s merit. From that tank descends the sanctifying stream Kumāra-dhārā, famed through the worlds. Bathing there fulfills every purpose; fasting three days cleanses even Brahma-hatya.

Climb then to the peak of the great goddess Gaurī; at Stana-kuṇḍa, touching its waters, one wins the Vājapeya. Bathing there and worshipping gods and Pitṛs, the pilgrim gains the horse-sacrifice and ascends to Indra’s realm.

At the well of Tāmraruṇa, frequented by the gods, the fruit of human-sacrifice is won.

At the confluence of Kīrtikā, Kauśikī, and Āruṇā, fasting three nights, the wise are cleansed of all sins.

Visit then Urvāśī’s tīrtha, and next to Soma-āśrama. Bathing at Kumbhakarṇāśrama, one is adored among men.

At Kokāmukha, with steady vows and Brahmacarya, memory of former births returns.

At the river Nandā, a brāhmaṇa freed from sin ascends to Indra’s realm.

At Ṛṣabha-dvīpa, island sanctified, bathing in Sarasvatī makes the pilgrim blaze in heaven.

At Audḍālaka’s tīrtha, frequented by Munis, all sins are washed away.

At Dharma-tīrtha, visited by Brahmarṣis, the Vājapeya is gained and heaven’s honor won.

To Champa, bathing in Bhāgīrathī, and sojourning at Daṇḍaparna, a man gains the merit of gifting a thousand kine.

Finally, at Lalitikā, graced by the presence of the virtuous, the pilgrim secures the Rājasūya’s merit and exalted place in heaven.”

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“By Stana-kuṇḍa’s secret pool,

By Nandā’s shining wave,

By Kokāmukha’s memory stream,

The soul recalls what past lives gave.

By Lalitikā, bright with grace,

Where virtue’s presence stays,

The Rājasūya’s fruit is won,

And heaven crowns his days.”

Pulastya spoke:

“Arriving at the excellent tīrtha called Samvedya in the evening, and touching its waters, a man surely gains divine knowledge. This holy place, O king, was made a tīrtha in ancient days by the fiery energy of Rāma.

From there, if one proceeds to Lauhitya, he wins the merit of gifting gold without measure.

At the river Karatoyā, by fasting for three nights, one attains the merit of the horse-sacrifice—such is the Creator’s own injunction.

And the wise have declared, O king, that at the sacred spot where Gaṅgā mingles with the sea, the merit is tenfold that of the Aśvamedha. Crossing to the far bank of Gaṅgā, and dwelling three nights, a man who bathes there is cleansed of every sin.

One should then journey to Vaitaraṇī, destroyer of every taint, and next to the tīrtha of Virajā, where the pilgrim shines bright as the moon, sanctifies his race, and is freed of every blemish. Bathing there, he also reaps the fruit of gifting a thousand kine.

At the confluence of Soṇā and Jyotirathī, offering libations to gods and Pitṛs, the Agniṣṭoma’s merit is secured. Touching the waters of Vaṅśagulma, source of Soṇā and Narmadā, one wins the horse-sacrifice’s fruit.

At the tīrtha of Ṛṣabha in Kośala, by fasting three nights, a pilgrim gains the Vājapeya’s reward, the gift of a thousand kine, and deliverance for his race.

At Kālā in Kośala, bathing brings the merit of giving eleven bulls. At Puṣpavatī, three nights’ fast yields sanctification for one’s line, and the fruit of a thousand kine.

At Vādarikā, a bath bestows long life and the way to heaven.

At Champa, by bathing in the Bhāgīrathī and beholding Daṇḍa, one earns the merit of gifting a thousand kine.

At Lapeṭikā, sanctified by the pious, the pilgrim gains the Vājapeya’s fruit and honor among the gods.

At the holy Mahendra mountain, once the dwelling of Rāma Jamadagnya, bathing in Rāma’s tīrtha gives the horse-sacrifice’s merit.

Nearby lies Matanga’s Kedāra, O son of Kuru. Bathing there, a man wins the fruit of gifting a thousand kine.

Ascending to the mountain of Śrī, and touching its waters, worshipping the god with bull-banner, one gains the horse-sacrifice. For there dwells Mahādeva with the goddess, resplendent, and with them Brahmā and all the hosts of heaven.

Bathing at Deva-lake with pure heart and restrained mind, a pilgrim attains the horse-sacrifice’s fruit and ascends to the highest blessedness.”

By Gaṅgā where she meets the sea,

Tenfold Aśvamedha’s fruit is won;

By Virajā the moonlike soul

Shines pure as the stainless sun.

On Mahendra’s heights, by Kedāra’s spring,

By Śrī’s bright stream where Śiva dwells,

The pilgrim gains the horse-sacrifice,

And heaven its highest story tells.

Pulastya spoke:

“From there, O king, one should journey to the mountain Ṛṣabha in the southern Pāṇḍya land. Worshipped by the gods, that peak bestows the merit of the Vājapeya sacrifice, and grants rejoicing in heaven.

To the holy Kāverī next, where Apsaras bathe, the pilgrim should go. By bathing there, he earns the merit of giving away a thousand kine.

Touching the waters of the sea-shore tīrtha called Kanyā, he is freed from all sin. Then should he go to Gokarṇa, famed across the three worlds, standing amid the deep ocean. There Brahmā and the hosts of gods, Ṛṣis blazing with tapas, Yakṣas, Piśācas, Gandharvas, Nāgas, Siddhas, and rivers and mountains together worship Īśāna, the Lord of Umā.

Fasting for three nights and worshipping the bull-bannered god, one gains the merit of the horse-sacrifice and the status of Gaṇapatya. Residing twelve nights with vows of purity, his soul is cleansed of every sin.

From there, the pilgrim should approach the tīrtha of Gāyatrī, renowned over the three worlds. Staying three nights and chanting the sacred hymn, he wins the fruit of gifting a thousand kine. A marvel is told, O king:

—If a Brāhmaṇa recites Gāyatrī here, whether born of a Brāhmaṇī or of another woman, the verse itself flows forth in rhythm and melody. But if one who is no Brāhmaṇa attempts it, the hymn will not rise at all.

Then to the hidden tank of Saṃvarta Ṛṣi should he go; bathing there, he gains beauty and prosperity.

At Veṇā, libations offered win a divine car drawn by peacocks and cranes.

At the Goḍāvarī, ever beloved of Siddhas, bathing grants the merit of the cow-sacrifice and ascent to the region of Vāsuki.

At the confluence of Veṇā and Varadā, by ablutions, he gains the Vājapeya’s fruit, the gift of a thousand kine, and heaven.

At Brahmasthūna, three nights of stay secure the gift of a thousand kine.

At Kuśaplavaṇa, by Brahmacarya and restraint, one wins the horse-sacrifice’s fruit.

At the radiant lakes Deva-hrada and Jātismara-hrada, he regains memory of former births; here once Indra himself performed a hundred sacrifices and rose heavenward.

At Sarvadeva-hrada, the pilgrim wins the fruit of gifting a thousand kine.

At Payoṣṇī, oblations grant the same gift’s merit.

In Daṇḍaka forest, bathing frees one from sin with the worth of a thousand kine.

In the hermitages of Śarabhaṅga and Śuka, he finds protection from misfortune and sanctification for his race.

Then to Śūrpāraka, once the dwelling of Rāma Jāmadagnya. Bathing there, he gains the merit of giving gold in abundance.

At Saptagaḍavāra, with restraint and diet, he ascends to heaven.

At Tuṅgaka forest, where once the Vedas themselves had been forgotten, the Ṛṣi Sarasvata restored them by uttering Om upon the garments of the seers. Here too Bṛghu once kindled Agni and performed Agnyādhāna for gods and Ṛṣis alike. Dwelling here for a month, the pilgrim is cleansed of sin and raised to Brahmā’s abode.

At Medhāvikā, by oblations, one wins Agniṣṭoma’s fruit, as well as memory and intellect.

At Kālanjara mountain, bathing in its celestial lake wins the fruit of gifting a thousand kine, and offerings to Pitṛs are honored in heaven.

At the river Mandākinī on Chitrakūṭa, worship with bath grants the horse-sacrifice’s fruit and exaltation.

Then to the tīrtha of Bhartr̥sthāna, abode of Kārttikeya, where success is gained by a journey alone.

At Koṭi, bathing brings the gift of a thousand kine.

At Jyeṣṭhasthāna, beholding Mahādeva, one shines radiant as the moon. In the well there are said to be the four seas. Bathing with worship of gods and Pitṛs, the pilgrim is cleansed and exalted.

Finally, O king, to Śṛṅgaverapura, where Rāma once crossed the Gaṅgā. Bathing there, and with restraint immersing in Gaṅgā, one is freed of sin and wins the Vājapeya’s fruit.

From there, the soul ascends to Mayūravāta, consecrated to wise Mahādeva.”

At Gokarṇa’s shore, where oceans meet,

And gods and seers their homage pay,

By fasting, one the horse-yajña gains,

And all his sins are washed away.

Where Tuṅgaka’s forest shelters Om,

The lost Veda rose at Sarasvata’s call;

By dwelling there with heart restrained,

The pilgrim attains the Brahmic hall.

On Chitrakūṭa by Mandākinī’s wave,

Bathing wins the horse-sacrifice bright;

By Koṭi and Jyeṣṭha, with Śiva adored,

The moonlike soul ascends to light.

Pulastya spoke:

“Beholding the god there, bowing down and circumambulating his shrine, one attains, O Bharata, the status of Gaṇapatya. Bathing in the Gaṅgā at that sacred place, one is cleansed of every sin.

Then should a pilgrim proceed to Prayāga, whose praises resound in the mouths of Ṛṣis. Here dwell the gods headed by Brahmā, the guardians of the directions, the Lokapālas, the Pitṛs adored by all beings, the eternal Sanatkumāra and the Brahmarṣis like Aṅgiras, the Nāgas and Suparṇas, Siddhas and serpents, the rivers and the seas, the Gandharvas, Apsarases, and above all the Lord Hari with Prajāpati himself.

Here the Gaṅgā, swiftest and purest of rivers, courses through three fiery caverns; and here she, the daughter of the Sun, unites with the Yamunā, celebrated in all the three worlds. The land between them is likened to the womb of the earth, and Prayāga is its sacred heart.”

At Prayāga meet Gaṅgā and Yamunā,

The womb of the world, the seat of the gods;

Here sacrifices walk in living form,

And the Vedas themselves adore Brahmā.

The seers proclaim: “Of all tīrthas threefold,

Of all confluences, mountains, and shrines,

Prayāga is foremost, the highest of all,

Where every gift multiplies a thousand times.”

Pulastya continued:

“Bathing here at the confluence, one wins the combined merit of the Rājasūya and the Aśvamedha. Even the gods worship this sacrificial place. If a man gives even a little here, O Bhārata, it grows a thousandfold. Therefore, O child, heed not disputing texts or worldly reasoning—hold firmly in thy heart the wish to breathe thy last at Prayāga.

The wise declare that six hundred million and ten thousand tīrthas converge in this one place. Bathing here confers the merit of the fourfold knowledge and of truth itself.

There also is Vasuki’s tīrtha called Bhogavatī; bathing there, one gains the horse-sacrifice’s merit. Nearby is Rāmaprapātana, famed throughout the worlds, granting the fruit of ten Aśvamedhas.

Wherever a pilgrim bathes in Gaṅgā, he earns merit equal to a journey to Kurukṣetra; but Kanakhala holds exception, and Prayāga’s power surpasses them all. One who has committed a hundred sins finds them consumed in Gaṅgā’s flood, even as fuel in fire.”

In Satya’s age, all tīrthas were holy;

In Tretā, Pushkara alone held sway;

In Dvāpara, Kurukṣetra was foremost;

In Kali, Gaṅgā alone is the way.

At Pushkara let man perform tapas,

At Mahālaya give gifts with faith;

In Malaya ascend the pyre of fire,

At Bhṛgutunga fast unto death.

Pulastya said:

“By bathing at Pushkara, Kurukṣetra, Gaṅgā, and this sacred confluence, seven generations are sanctified above and below. Reciting her name purifies, beholding her brings prosperity, bathing in her and drinking her waters consecrates seven lines of descent.

As long as a man’s bones remain in Gaṅgā’s stream, so long he dwells in heaven. This is equal in merit to a thousand pilgrimages to every tīrtha. Truly, there is no tīrtha like Gaṅgā, no god equal to Keśava, no being superior to Brāhmaṇas—so has said the Grandsire himself.

Therefore, O king, the land through which Gaṅgā flows is itself an āśrama, and any plot upon her banks is soil that ripens ascetic success.”

Nārada spoke:

“Having spoken thus with cheer, the illustrious Ṛṣi Pulastya, well-pleased, vanished from sight. And Bhīṣma, tiger among men, comprehending the essence of the Śāstras, wandered the earth in obedience to Pulastya’s command.

Thus did Bhīṣma end his meritorious pilgrimage at Prayāga, sanctifying himself with waters that destroy all sins. He who traverses the earth according to these injunctions obtains the fruit of a hundred horse-sacrifices and the eightfold merit that leads to salvation.

Thou too, O son of Pṛthā, shalt gain what Bhīṣma gained of old. Indeed, by guiding these ascetics to the holy waters, thy merit will surpass his—for the tīrthas are haunted by Rākṣasas, and none but thee, O scion of Kuru, can venture safely there.”

Rise early, O king, and chant this tale,

The tale of tīrthas sung by the seers;

Sins shall fall like leaves in the gale,

And heaven shall open its shining spheres.

Nārada continued:

“Know that the foremost Ṛṣis await thee: Vālmīki, Kaśyapa, Atri, Kuṇḍajathara, Viśvāmitra, Gautama, Asita, Devala, Mārkaṇḍeya, Gālava, Bharadvāja, Vasiṣṭha, Uddālaka, Śaunaka with his son, Vyāsa the sage, Durvāsas the fiery, and Jāvāli of great austerities. With these illustrious ones shalt thou meet in the tīrthas.

And a great Ṛṣi, luminous and vast in energy, named Lomāśa, will come to thee. Do thou follow him, and me, and together visit the sacred fords in due order. By this thou wilt win renown like King Mahābhīṣa.

O tiger among kings, like Yayāti and Purūravas thou shalt blaze forth in virtue; like Bhagiratha and Rāma thou shalt shine among rulers as the Sun among planets. Like Ikṣvāku, Muni, Puru, and Vainya thou art celebrated on earth. And when thy foes are consumed as Indra consumed Vṛtra’s host, thou shalt rule thy subjects in peace.

Having conquered the earth according to dharma, thou shalt ascend to renown by thy virtue, even as Kārtavīrya Arjuna of old.”

Vaiśampāyana said:

“Thus comforting the son of Dharma, Nārada, the illustrious sage, vanished. And Yudhiṣṭhira the just, pondering the words in his heart, began to recount unto the assembled ascetics the merits of the tīrthas.”