The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Vana Parva, Part 1
Religion
The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Vana Parva, Part 1
Epic literature, Sanskrit
Proceeding next to the mountain called _Mahendra_, inhabited (of yore)
by Jamadagnya, and bathing in Rama's _tirtha_, a person acquireth the
merit of the horse-sacrifice. Here is Matanga's _tirtha_ called
_Kedara_, O son of the Kuru race! Bathing in it, O foremost of the
Kurus, a man obtaineth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Going
to the mountain _Sree_, one who toucheth the waters of the stream that
is there by worshipping there the god having the bull for his mark
obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice. On the mountain Sree
dwelleth happily, the effulgent Mahadeva with the goddess, as also
Brahma with the other gods. By bathing in the lake of _Deva_, with
purity and restrained mind, one obtaineth the merit of the
horse-sacrifice, and also attaineth to the highest success.
"'"Proceeding next to the mountain _Rishabha_ in Pandya, worshipped by
the gods, one obtains the merit of the _Vajapeya_ sacrifice and rejoices
in heaven. One should next proceed to the river Kaveri, frequented by
Apsaras. Bathing there, O monarch, one obtaineth the merit of giving
away a thousand kine. Touching next the waters of the _tirtha_ called
_Kanya_ on the shores of the sea one is cleansed from every sin.
Proceeding next to _Gokarna_ celebrated over the three worlds, and which
is situate, O best of kings, in the midst of the deep, and is reverenced
by all the worlds, and where the gods headed by Brahma, and Rishis
endued with wealth of asceticism, and spirits and Yakshas and Pisachas,
and Kinnaras and the great Nagas, and Siddhas and Charanas and
Gandharvas, and men and Pannagas, and rivers, Seas and Mountains,
worship the lord of Uma, one should worship _Isana_, fasting there for
three nights. By this, one acquireth the merit of the horse-sacrifice,
and the status of _Ganapatya_. By staying there for twelve nights, one's
soul is cleansed of all sins. One should next proceed to the _tirtha_
known as _Gayatri_ celebrated over the three worlds. Staying there for
three nights, one acquireth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. A
strange phenomenon is seen to occur there in respect to Brahmanas, O
Lord of men! If a Brahmana, whether born of a Brahmani or any other
woman, reciteth the _Gayatri_ there, the recitation becomes rhythmic and
musical, while, O king, a person who is not a Brahmana cannot adequately
hymn it at all. Proceeding next to the inaccessible tank of the Brahmana
Rishi Samvarta, one acquireth personal beauty and prosperity. Repairing
next to _Vena_, he that offers oblations of water to the gods and the
Pitris, obtains a car drawn by peacocks and cranes. Going next to the
_Godavari_, ever frequented by the Siddhas, one earneth the merit of the
cow-sacrifice, and goeth to the excellent region of _Vasuki_. Bathing
next at the confluence of the _Venna_, one obtains the merit of the
_Vajapeya_ sacrifice. By a dip next at the confluence of _Varada_, one
acquireth the merit of giving away a thousand kine. Arriving next at
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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