The Narada-Purana, Part 5, by Motilal Banarsidas

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The Narada-Purana
Part 5
Motilal Banarsidas
1952

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-- The Narada-Purana, Part 5, Motilal Banarsidass,1952

Contents:

• Translation and Notes, Part V
o 38. The Greatness of the Ganga
o 39. The Glory of Ablution in the Ganga
o 40. The Fruit of Ablution in Different Holy Centres
o 41. The Procedure for Charitable Gifts
o 42. The Procedure for the Gift of Guda-dhenu
o 43. The Procedure of Worship of the Ganga
o 44. The Greatness of Gaya
o 45. The Procedure of offering Pindas in the Gaya-Yatra
o 46. Importance of offering Pindas at Gaya
o 47. The Glory of Gaya
o 48. The Greatness of Kasi
o 49. Pilgrimage to Kasi
o 50. The Glory of Kasi
o 51. The Greatness of Kasi (concluded)
o 52. The Greatness of Purusottama (Jagannatha of Puri)
o 53. The Greatness of Purusottama (contd.)
o 54. The Glory of Purusottama (contd.)
o 55. The Greatness of Purusottama (contd.)
o 56. The Greatness of Purusottama (contd.)
o 57. The Glory of Purusottama: The Procedure of Worship
o 58. The Creation of the Golden Egg
o 59. Purusottama Mahatmyam (Contd.)
o 60. Ablution of Deity
o 61. The Fruit of Pilgrimage to Purusottama Ksetra
o 62. The Greatness of Prayaga; the Procedure of Pilgrimage
o 63. The Greatness of Prayaga (concluded)
o 64. The Greatness of Kuruksetra
o 65. Pilgrimage to Kuruksetra
o 66. Glory of Gangadvara (or Haridvara)
o 67. The Greatness of Badarikasrama
o 68. The Legend of Kamada
o 69. The Greatness of Kamaksa
o 70. The Greatness of Prabhasa
o 71. The Greatness of Puskara
o 72. The Power of Austerities of Gautama
o 73. The Greatness of Tryambakesvara
o 74. The Glory of Gokarna
o 75. The Greatness of Laksmanacala
o 76. The Greatness of Setu
o 77. Sanctity of the Tirthas in Narmada
o 78. The Glory of Avanti
o 79. The Greatness of Mathura
o 80. The Glory of Vrndavana
o 81. The Review of the Story of Vasu
o 82. The Benefit of Listening to the Narada Purana

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Chapter Fifty-Six: The Greatness of Purusottama (Contd.)

Vasu said:

1-2. “O blessed lady, listen to another group of Tirtha in the holy centre of Purusottama. It is highly meritorious. By the mere sight, it destroys sins. By visiting Vasudeva termed Ananta with devotion and by bowing down to him, a man shall be liberated from all sins, he shall attain the greatest region (viz. Vaikuntha)

3. By taking bath in the Svetaganga [Sveta-Ganga pool is on the way to the sea (from Jagannatha Temple). The two Madhava shrines (Matsya and Sveta) are near it.] and by visiting Sveta-Madhava as well as Matsya-Madhava, the devotee goes to Sveta Dvipa (the abode of Narayana).

4-7a. Visnu’s devotees of great concentration and purity shall attain heaven by visiting the pure deity which resembles snow in complexion; who bears conch, discus and iron club; who is endowed with all auspicious characteristics; whose chest has the mark of Srivatsa, who is delighted, who has four arms, whose chest is covered with garlands of sylvan flowers; who wears coronet and armlets; whose garments are yellow in colour; whose shoulders are plum and who is bedecked in earrings. By touching the leading king, Svetagangeya (god Sveta- Madhava), even with the tip of a Kusa grass they go to heaven.  

7b-9a. He who sees this idol of lustre called Madhava, that resembles conch and cow’s milk and that destroys all sins, he who bows to that idol with eyes resembling lotuses even but once, with devotion and eschewing worldly desires is honoured in the world of Visnu.

9b-10. For many Manvantaras, he enjoys extensive pleasures as he pleases, along with the Devas, surrounded by Divine virgins, sung in praise by the Gandharvas and worshipped by Siddhas and Vidyadharas.

11. Falling off from these, becomes to the mortal world and is born as a Brahmana knowing the Vedas and the Vedangas. He will be intelligent, long-lived and enjoying worldly pleasures.

12. He will be richly endowed with elephants, horses, chariots and other vehicles. He will be pure and blessed with wealth and food-grains. He shall be handsome and very fortunate. He will have sons and grandsons.

13. He goes again unto Purusottama on the seashore at the root of the holy Banyan tree. After abandoning the body and remembering Hari he shall go to the region of calmness and peace. (Moksa)

14-16. By visiting Svetamadhava and Matsya-madhava near him and by bowing down to him with purity, the devotee should leave off all distressing features. When formerly the whole universe was vast sheet of water, the lord had at the outset assumed the form of a fish of the Rohita type. It was to redeem the Vedas (from the demon who had stolen them) that the lord thus stationed himself on the surface of Rasatala. Thinking about the earth, the fish established itself there. Then the Matsya (fish) assumed the form of a youth. That is Matsya Madhava.

17. He goes to that highly excellent place where lord Hari is present himself. In due course of time, he comes down here and shall be the king on the surface of the earth.

18. By resorting to Matsya-Madhava, a man will be invincible. He will be a liberal donor, enjoyer of pleasures, a warrior, a devotee of Visnu and true to his word.

19-20a. Afterwards, by being enlightened in the Yoga leading to Hari, he shall attain liberation. The greatness of Matsyamadhava has been recounted by me to you. On seeing him, O daughter of Brahma, the devotee shall attain all desires.

20b-22. I shall now describe the rite of Marjana in the sacred and auspicious pool of water called Markandeyahrada. The ablution in the Markandeyahrada at all times is praised.

It is an ancient rite to plunge into it with a singleminded devotion. Particularly on the Caturdasi day, the ablution is destructive of all sins. Similarly, the ablution in the ocean at all times is praised.

23-24a. Particularly, on the full moon day, (the ablution in the ocean) makes one attain the benefit of a horse-sacrifice. On the full Moon day in the month of Jyestha, when the constellation is also Jyestha, the devotee shall particularly visit that king of holy centres which is exceedingly splendid.

24b-25. He should have pure and holy Sattvaic feelings physically, verbally and mentally, and his mind should not be directed towards anything else. He should be liberated from all mutually clashing opposites. He should be devoid of passions and malicious rivalry. He should circumambulate the beautiful Kalpa-tree, the banyan tree, where Janardana himself abides.

26-27a. With great concentration, he should circumambulate it three times. On seeing it, the sin originating from seven births perishes. O Mohini, he attains an extensive merit and his desired goal.

27b-28. I shall mention to you its names in the different Yugas. The names of the banyan tree in the Krta and other Yugas have been glorified as follows: (They know them as) Vata, Vatesvara, Santa and Purana Purusa.

29. In the Krta and other Yugas, the girth of the banyan tree has been respectively one Yojana, three-fourths of a Yojana, half a Yojana and one-fourth of a Yojana.

30. After bowing down to the banyan tree, repeating the Mantra mentioned above, the devotee should go to the south at a distance of three hundred Dhanus (bows or twelve hundred hastas or cubits).

31. It is the place where the sign, the beautiful portals of heaven, become visible within the ocean, a log of wood equipped with all auspicious attributes has been drawn.

32. He should bow down to it, worship it and then stand by. He shall then be liberated from all the multitudes of sins, effects of evil planets and other inauspicious things.

33. Formerly, Ugrasena looked at the ocean through heavenly portals. He went there. With purity of word, mind and deed, he meditated on the supreme Narayana and performed the Acamana rite.

34. Thereafter, the devotee should fix the eight-syllabled Mantra on the hand as well as on the body. [VV. 34-54 disclose the powerful influence of the Pancaratra system on the NP.] The Mantra is what learned men utter viz. ‘Om namo Narayanaya'.  

35. What purpose is served by many Mantras causing the richness of the mind? The Mantra “Namo Narayanaya” is that which achieves all objects.

36. Apah (waters) are glorified as Nara since they are the offsprings of Nara (Man). They were the former abode of Visnu. Hence Visnu is remembered as Narayana.

37. The Vedas are devoted to Narayana. The Brahmanas are devoted to Narayana. Perfect knowledge is concerned with Narayana. Holy rites are related to Narayana.

38. Dharma (virtue) is concerned with Narayana. The penance is connected with Narayana, charitable gift is concerned with Narayana; holy rites are related to Narayana.

39. The worlds are concerned with Narayana, the Devas are devoted to Narayana; the Nitya rites (routine holy rites) are related to Narayana. The region (to be reached) is concerned with Narayana.

40. (All the elements are concerned with Narayana, such as the earth is devoted to Narayana; the water is related to Narayana; the fire element is concerned with Narayana; the firmament is devoted to Narayana.

41. The Vayu (wind god) is devoted to Narayana; the mind is concerned with Narayana: the Ahamkara (Ego) and the Buddhi (Intellect) both of these are of the nature of Narayana.

42. The things of the past, present and future, whatever is termed as Jiva (living individual), the gross, the subtle and the huge, everything is of the nature of Narayana.

43. O Mohini, I do not see anything here different than Narayana; this world consisting of the visible and the invisible, the mobile, and immobile beings is pervaded by him.

44-45. Waters constitute the abode of Visnu, the ocean is the lord of waters. Hence, he is in the waters. Particularly, at the time of ablution, the devotee should worship Narayana the dispeller of sins. He should remember Narayana and meditate on him. He should then perform the Nyasa rite on the hand and on the body.

46-47. He should fix the syllable Om on the left hip, the syllable ‘Na’ on the right hip, the syllable ‘Ra’ in the umbilical region, the syllable ‘Ya’ in the left arm and the syllable ‘Na’ in the right arm. He should fix the syllable ‘Ya’ on the head and then fix beneath, above, sideways, in the heart behind and in front.

48-50. The learned devotee should meditate on Narayana and thereafter begin the Kavaca (protective Mantras of mystic syllables): In the east of me may Govinda protect; may Madhusudana protect me in my south; may lord Sridhara protect me in my west; may Kesava protect me in the north; may Visnu protect me in the south-east; may the unchanging Madhava protect me in the southwest; may Hrsikesa protect me in the north-west; may Vamana protect me in the north-east; may the Boar protect me in the earth and may Trivikrama protect me in the upward direction.

51. After assigning the Kavaca to various parts thus, the devotee should contemplate about himself, thus—“I am lord Narayana. the wielder of the conch, discus and iron club.”

52-54. After meditating on the Atman thus, the devotee should repeat this Mantra: “You are the fire-god, O lord of Bipeds; you are the discharger of the semen; you are the igniter of love’s fire. You are the chief of all living beings and individual souls; you are the unchanging lord; you are the Arani of the nectar; O lord of waters, you are the source of origin of the Devas; dispel my sins, O king of Tirthas obeisance be to you”.

After uttering thus duly, he should perform the rite of ablution according to injunctions.

55. Otherwise, O daughter of Brahma, the bath there is not commended. The devotee should perform the rite of ablution and Marjana (sprinkling) within water with those Mantras the deities of which are the waters.

56-57a. Then he should repeat the Mantra of Aghamarsana. O gentle lady, just as the horse-sacrifice is a Yajna that dispels sins, so also the hymn of Aghamarsana [Aghamarsana hymns (RV. X. 190. 1-3) are supposed to wash off sins of men.] dispels all sins.

57b-58.He should then come out of water and wear clean washed clothes. He should then restrain his breath, perform Acamana rite and worship the sun by way of Sandhya. He should then offer in the upward direction a handful of water and flowers.

59. With the arms raised up, he should worship the sun by means of the Mantras his symbols. Thereafter, he should repeat the holy and divine Gayatri Mantra hundred and eight times.

60. Standing there with concentration, he should repeat other Mantras also pertaining to the sun. He should then circumambulate and bow to the sun and be seated.

61-62a. He should then face the east and recite Veda-Mantras  as Svadhyaya. Then the Tarpana rite of the Devas, human beings, sages and the Pitrs of his own family should be duly performed by the devotee who is the knower of names and Gotra. He should perform the Tarpana rite with water mixed with sesame seeds, according to prescribed injunction and with concentration of mind.

62b-64a. During Sraddha and the Havana (oblations to fire) rites the devotee should perform the same with a single hand. The rite of Tarpana shall be performed with both the hands. This is the standing injunction. He should perform the rite with the right hand supported by the left (?) “May they be satiated”. He shall utter these words clearly uttering the name and the Gotra but silently otherwise.

64b-65a. If anyone out of delusion performs the Tarpana rite for the Pitrs, by means of gingelly seeds clinging to the body, it is as though the Tarpana rite has been performed by means of skin, flesh, blood and bones.

65b-67a. The water libation will not reach the Pitrs, if the devotee stands in water and offers on to the ground or if he stands on the ground and offers it into the water. The water should be offered standing on the ground and on to the ground. What is not offered on the ground does not reach (the Pitrs). The earth has been given by Brahma as the imperishable (eternal) place of the Pitrs. Hence (the libation) should be given only there, by the person who wishes for the pleasure of the Pitrs.

67b-68a. The earth is born out of water; the water is present therein and gets dissolved in the earth. Hence, one should offer water on the ground.

68b,c. He should spread the Kusa grass on the ground and invoke the Pitrs or the Devas by their respective Mantras. In respect of the Devas, the tips of the Kusa grass shall be towards the east, and in the case of the Pitrs (manes) they shall be towards the south.  

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CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN

[The editor of the text of N. P. introduces this chapter with the remark: Henceforth the greatness of Badari is begun.]

The Greatness of Badarikasrama [Mod. Badrinath in Garhwal, (Uttar Pradesh)]

Mohini said:

1. O excellent Brahmana, the greatness of Gangadvara has been recounted. Now narrate the greatness of Badari that is destructive of sins.

Vasu said:

2. Listen, O gentle lady, I shall describe in detail to you the greatness of Badari. On hearing this, a creature (the living soul) is liberated from the bondage of birth and samsara.

3. The holy centre of Hari named Badari is destructive of all sins. It bestows liberation on those men who are afraid of worldly existence and it dispels the defects of Kali Yuga.

4-5. There, lord Narayana and the holy sage Nara who were born of Murti and Dharma, went to Gandhamadana mountain where there is a Badari tree endowed with many fruits of sweet fragrance.

O blessed lady, on that spot, they have been engaged in penance ever since the beginning of Kalpa.

6. They are surrounded by Narada and other excellent sages staying in the village of Kalapa [Puranas like Bh. P. X. 87.7 state that there was a village called Kalapa near Badarikasrama, but now there is no such village. The big plain behind Mucakunda’s cave is regarded by some as the site of Kalapa grama (Kalyana 31.1 P. 60); about other locations vide De, p. 84.] and also by the groups of Siddhas. They stationed themselves there for the sustenance of the world.

7. There is a well known holy centre named Agnitirtha [This is the hot-water spring near Badrinath temple where people take bath. It is below the local Kedaranatha shrine.] (Hot water spring). It yields all Siddhis. Even those who are defiled by great sins become purified by taking holy dip therein.

8. Just as the discoloured gold becomes pure when heated in the fire, so also the embodied soul becomes liberated from sins by plunging into the Agnitirtha.

9. By taking a holy dip in the Agnitirtha a man obtains that benefit which is obtained from thousands of Candrayanas and crores of Krcchras.

10. There are five rocky slabs. [The five rocky-slabs are below the hot-water-spring called Agni Tirtha. The order of slabs to-day is (1) Garuda or Vainateya (2) Narada, (3) Markandeya, (4) Narasimha and (5) Varahi (Kalyanaa 30. 1. p. 59). The order in the NP is as follows: (1) Narada, (2) Vainateya or Garuda 3) Varahi, (4) Narasimha (5) Nara:Narayana Sila on the bank of the hot-spring (Vahni Kunda).] O daughter of Brahma, Agnitirtha is situated in their midst. By its mere sight, it dispels sins.

11. That rocky slab is called Naradi sila where the holy sage Narada performed a terrible penance. By its very sight, it yields liberation.

12-14A. O lady of beautiful eyes, there is the perpetual presence of Hari, there. The Naradakunda (holy pool of Narada) is also there. The man who takes a holy bath there becomes pure. He obtains whatever he desires, such as worldly pleasures, salvation and devotion to Hari. Whatever a man performs here with devotion such as holy bath, charitable gift, worship of Devas, Homa, Japa or other rites are imperishable.

14B-15. There is another splendid rocky slab in that holy centre. It is called Vainateyasila.

It was here that a very severe penance was performed by Garuda of noble soul, for thirty thousand years with the desire for seeing Hari.

16. O auspicious lady, the delighted lord granted him the boon and said, “O dear one, be unconquerable to the host of Daityas, and a terror unto the serpents.

17-18A. Become my vehicle. I am delighted with you. This rocky slab where the penance has been performed by you will become famous over the Earth by your name. By its mere sight it shall be the bestower of merit on men.

18B-19A. In this most important Tirtha on Ganga, with a desire to attain my love (you have performed penance). O blessed one, may it manifest itself as the granter of merits to those who take their holy dip here.

19b-20. He who takes a holy bath in the Pancaganga and performs the rites of Tarpana to the Devas and others, does not return from the eternal world of Brahma.”

After granting this boon, Visnu vanished then.

21-22A. At the behest of Visnu, Garuda attained the state of being the vehicle of Visnu. Thereafter, that holy centre has become destructive of sins.

22B. It is the bestower of merits on being remembered. It yields the goal of Vainateya. There is another auspicious slab of a rock. It is known as Varahi (Sila).

23. It was here that the lord (in the form of a divine Boar) lifted up the Earth after striking down Hiranyaksa and occupied this position in the form of a rocky slab. He is the destroyer of sins.

24. The man who goes there, plunges into the pure waters of Ganga and worships that rocky slab with devotion does not attain misfortunes or hell.

25. There is another rocky slab called Narasimha sila. The lord of Devas killed Hiranyakasipu and rested there on the rock.

26. Later on, his anger was assuaged by the celestial sages. He was requested to stay perpetually there at Visala (i.e. Badarikasrama).

27. The four-armed deity accordingly assumed the rocky form. Engaged in aquatic sports, he permanently stays in the middle of water.

28. The man who takes a holy bath there and worships the rocky slab, attains the abode of Visnu from which rarely does any one return to Samsara.

29. O gentle lady, know the fifth rocky slab situated on the banks of Vahnikupa (i.e. the hot water spring thereof). It is called Naranarayana Sila. I shall explain about it now, listen.

30. In the age called Krtayuga, Hari in the form of Naranarayana stayed there directly visible to all as the bestower of worldly pleasures and liberation.

31. O auspicious lady, in the age named Tretayuga, he is seen by the sages, Devas and Yogins and not by others. He himself adopts the Yogic posture and remains as the sustainer of worlds.

32. When Dvapara Age arrives he is seen by the path of knowledge and not by any other means. In the Tisya (i.e. Kali age) he becomes (completely) invisible.

33. Therefore, Brahma and other Devas, sages and ascetics, eulogised lord Hari with various kinds of praise and propitiated him.

34. Thereupon, an incorporeal voice (from heaven) addressed Brahma and others: “I shall not be visible in the Kali age that is devoid of virtue and piety.

35. O leading Devas, if you have faith in viewing the Mandapa (ceremonial hall) take up my image of rock situated in the Narada Kunda”.

36-37. On hearing those words, Brahma and others became delighted at heart. They took out that divine rock image situated in the Naradakunda and installed it. After worshipping it, they went to their respective abodes. It is in the month of Vaisakha that Devas go back to their abodes.

38-39. They come back again in the month of Karttika and perform the rite of worship. At the beginning of Vaisakha, due to the melting away of snow, the meritorious human beings devoid of sinful actions are able to see the deity. The deity is to be worshipped for six months by Devas and for six months by human beings.

40-41A. It is under these conditions that the image manifested itself from that time onwards. He who devoutly worships the image of Visnu and partakes of Naivedya, certainly attains liberation.

41B-42. These five holy rocky slabs are thus situated in Visala (Badarika). The Naivedya offered to Hari in these places is inaccessible even to Devas. What then to the human beings? If it is partaken of, it is a means to salvation.

43. Even if the boiled rice offered as Naivedya to Visnu at Badari is partaken of, it shall purify sins in the body like the blazing fire that purifies the dross in gold.  

44. Thus this is the holy spot of Kapalamocana [It is at a distance of about one and a half furlong from the Agni-Tirtha on the bank of the Alakananda. When god Siva cut off the fifth head of god Brahma, it stuck to his hand, Siva performed pilgrimage to all places but was rid of that sticking head at this Tirtha. Hence it is called Brahma-Kapala. Pilgrims offer here to their ancestors.] which dispels sins. In its midst too, there arr five rocky slabs that dispel sins.

45. O Mohini, listen to another great holy pool here itself. By taking a holy dip here with devotion, the man becomes master of the Vedas.

46. The Asura named Hayasiras, a terror to Devas and others, snatched away Vedas coming out of the mouth of god Brahma.

47. Thereupon, prayed to by Brahma, Visnu manifested himself in the form of a divine Fish. The lord killed the demon and handed over the Vedas to Brahma.

48. That Tirtha is highly meritorious. It illuminates all lores. O blessed lady, it is called Taimingila Tirtha. By its mere vision it is destructive of sins.

49-50. Once again, the unchanging lord Visnu in the form of the horse-necked being, killed the arrogant Asuras, Madhu and Kaitabha who stole the Vedas from god Brahma. He handed the Vedas back to Brahma. O daughter of Brahma that Tirtha dispels sins by a mere holy dip.

51. In both Tirthas, Matsya (i.e. Taimingalla) [According to Kalyana 31. 1 P. 61, it is high up on the mountain behind the Badrinatha temple at a higher altitude than Urva-Kunda.] as well as Hayagriva, the Vedas exist in the liquid form of water perpetually. O gentle lady, that water is destructive of sins.

52. O gentle lady, there is a famous holy centre Indrapada in the south-east corner. By taking a holy dip therein, a man shall attain the region of Indra (or Indra-hood).

53. There is another charming Tirtha there named Manasodbhedaka [At Kesava-Prayaga, near the stone bridge or Bhimasila on the Alakananda, two cascades form this Tirtha. Its water is famous in Garhwal for its health-restorative efficacy.] (resolver of the mind.) It splits the knots in the hearts; it dispels all doubts.

54-55. It dispels all sins also. Hence, it is called Manasodbhedaka.

O fair-faced lady, there is another Tirtha there called Kamakama. It bestows the desired objects on those who have a desire for it and confers salvation on those who have no desires.

O gentle lady, to the west of it is the Tirtha called Vasudhara. [This is a beautiful waterfall at a distance of five miles from Badarinatha shrine.]

56-57. By taking a holy bath therein with devotion, a man obtains the desired benefit (Defective Text). The meritorious persons see the deity, stationed in the middle of waters. On seeing it, the creature does not have the compulsion to stay in the womb (i.e. is not reborn).

Thereafter, in the south-western direction five currents flow down.

58. Their names are Prabhasa, Puskara, Gaya, Naimisaranya and Kuruksetra. By taking a holy dip in every one of them separately, the man obtains the benefit of respective Tirtha.

59-60A. There is another pure Tirtha, the second name of which is Somakunda, By performing severe penance here, Soma (the moon god) became the over-lord of planets and luminaries that move about in the firmament). O gentle lady, by taking a holy bath, a man becomes free from defects and sins.

60B-61a. There is another Tirtha there called Dvadasaditya, (the sacred pool of the twelve sun-gods). It is excessively destructive of sins. By taking a holy dip in it, a man becomes comparable to the sun by means of his refulgence.

61B-62A. There is another Tirtha there called Catuhsrotas. A man who plunges into it attains whatever he wishes from among the Purusarthas viz. virtue, wealth love and liberation.

62B-63. There is another charming Tirtha there named Saptapada. By the very sight of this Tirtha, even great sins definitely perish. O chaste lady, what then if he takes a holy bath therein?

64. In the sacred pools called Trilokakundas, Brahma, Visnu and Mahesvara are stationed. By dying therein the man attains the region called Satya-loka.

65-66A. O auspicious lady, there is another Tirtha in the residence of Naranarayana. Its name is Urvasikunda. [Just behind tlie Badarinatha shrine, high up on the hill there is the Urvasi Kunda. Here Narayana is said to have created Urvasi from his lap and discomfited Indra’s band of tempters.] One who takes bath here becomes endowed with handsome features. He shall be a great favourite of Narayana. He will captivate the universe.

66B. Then to the south of it there is the great Tirtha called Astra.

67-68. It was here that Nara and Narayana deposited their weapons and engaged themselves in the penance. (It is true) O highly blessed lady, since the divine weapons (such as) the conch, discus etc are seen in embodied form by meritorious persons. A man who takes a holy bath there with devotion shall never be afraid of an enemy.

69. There is the holy centre called Merutirtha there. By visiting the bowbearing deity after the holy dip, O auspicious lady, the devotee realises all desires.

70-71 A. There is another Tirtha named after the guardians of quarters. It is an excellent holy centre. It is here that the guardians of quarters performed penance. O gentle lady, the man who performs ablution into the Tirtha attains the benefit of plunging into all Tirthas.

71B-72A. Since it was by striking with his staff that the Tirtha was created by Hari, it has come to be called Dandapuskarini. It yields happiness to the protectors of the worlds (i.e. the guardians of quarters.)

72B-74A. That Tirtha where the Bhagirathi is joined by Alakananda is the most excellent of all holy spots in the sacred Badarikasrama. By taking a holy bath and devoutly performing the Tarpana rites to the Pitrs and Devas and by worshipping them with devotion, the devotee attains the abode of Visnu. He is bowed to by all Devas.

74B-75. O splendid-faced lady, there is Dharmaksetra (the sacred place called Dharma) to the south of the confluence. I consider that holy centre as the most sacred. It is the most excellent of all Tirthas. O gentle lady, by taking a holy bath there, the man becomes one who has reached the vicinity of that which should be accomplished (viz. Moksa).

76. The Tirtha called Urvasisangama, is the dispeller of all sins of man. There is another holy centre called Karmoddhara. It is the sole means to attain Hari’s devotion.

77. The Tirtha called Brahmavarta is the sole cause of attaining the world of Brahma. These Tirthas based on the Ganga have been recounted to you.

78-79A. Even god Brahma is not competent to describe entirely the Tirthas stationed there. He who listens to this and he who narrates this with concentration shall be liberated from all sins. He shall attain the world of Visnu.

79B-80A. The man who stays here for a month and observes holy rites with devotion, will visualize lord Hari, Nara and Narayana directly.

80B. Premature death, mental anguish, physical ailments and fear of serpents shall not befall the abode, O gentle lady, where the greatness of Badarikasrama has been written and preserved. Thanks to Hari’s favour, happiness always abides there. The riches flourish, thanks to the favour of Visnu.