Passage 1
यौवराज्यस्थिते रामे गुणैर्नन्दयति प्रजाः। लक्ष्मणे च महावीरे वहति स्वगतां धुरम्॥१॥
When Rāma, established as heir apparent, delighted the people through his virtues, the mighty hero Lakṣmaṇa also bore the responsibilities allotted to him.
Passage 2
राजा दशरथो न्यस्य पुत्रयोरखिलां पुरीम्। स्वयं जगाम तीर्थानां यात्रायै धर्मभूरुहः॥२॥
King Daśaratha, that flourishing tree of dharma, entrusted the entire city to his two sons and prepared to undertake a pilgrimage to the sacred fords. King Daśaratha said:
Passage 3
राममाहूय नृपतिर्जगाद जगदीश्वरम्। लक्ष्मणं च सुसत्कृत्य तीर्थयात्रार्थमुद्यतः॥३॥
Ready to depart on pilgrimage, the king summoned Rāma, addressed the Lord of the universe, and duly honored Lakṣmaṇa as well.
Passage 4
अहो रघुकुलश्लाघ्यौ चरित्रैर्गुणवत्तरौ। युवयोर्वीरधनयोर्भुजे न्यस्य धराधुरम्॥४॥
“Ah, you two are the glory of Raghu’s lineage, rich in virtue through your conduct and endowed with heroic power. Placing the burden of the earth upon your arms—
Passage 5
तीर्थयात्राविधिं कर्तुमुद्यतोऽस्मि विशेषतः। निश्चिन्तोऽहं त्वया राम जगदारामहेतुना॥५॥
“I am now especially resolved to perform the prescribed pilgrimage. Rāma, because you are the cause of the world’s repose, I can depart free from worry.
Passage 6
पृथिव्यां सप्त द्वीपानि तेषु वर्षाणि भागशः। तेषु यावन्ति तीर्थानि तानि यास्यामि सादरम्॥६॥
“Earth has seven island-continents, each divided into regions. I shall reverently visit as many sacred fords as lie within them.
Passage 7
आरभ्य भारतं वर्षं यावन्ति खलु भूतले। वर्षाणीह व्यवस्थितानि तेषु तीर्थानि भूरिशः॥७॥
“Beginning with Bhārata-varṣa and extending through all the regions situated upon the earth, I shall visit their sacred places in abundance.
Passage 8
अहं तावत्सुसंगम्य स्नात्वा दत्त्वा च भक्तितः। ब्राह्मणेभ्यो गवां कोटीः स्वर्णशृङ्गीः पयस्विनीः॥८॥
“At every holy confluence I shall bathe and, with devotion, give brāhmaṇas millions of milk-giving cows whose horns are adorned with gold.
Passage 9
श्रियं सफलयिष्यामि त्वद्वीर्यबलवृंहिताम्। भूतानामनुकम्पां च कुर्वन्नन्नादिदानतः॥९॥
“I shall make fruitful the prosperity enlarged by your heroic strength, while showing compassion to living beings through gifts of food and other necessities.
Passage 10
तेषु तेषु सुतीर्थेषु विचरिष्यामि पुण्यकृत्। सपत्नीकः सानुगश्च इत्थं मे निश्चला मतिः॥१०॥
“Performing meritorious acts, I shall travel among those excellent sacred places with my wives and attendants. This is my settled intention.”
Passage 11
इति श्रुत्वा पितुर्वाक्यं प्रोवाच रघुनन्दनः। प्रीत्या संसादयंश्चित्तं शृण्वतामत्युदारधीः॥११॥
Hearing his father’s words, the magnanimous delight of Raghu’s line answered in a way that lovingly gladdened the hearts of all who listened. Śrī Rāma said:
Passage 12
सप्तद्वीपवती पुण्या तत्र तीर्थानि भूरिशः। कानि कानि तु गम्यानि मानवेन निजशक्तितः॥१२॥
“The sacred earth contains seven island-continents and innumerable holy places. Which of them can a human being actually visit within his own ability?
Passage 13
एतन्निर्धार्य भो विभो वसिष्ठादिसुयोगिनाम्। वाक्येन राजशार्दूल यानि गम्यानि च प्रभो॥१३॥
“O mighty tiger among kings, first determine this through the counsel of Vasiṣṭha and the other accomplished yogins: which places should indeed be visited.
Passage 14
ततस्त्वं कुरु तीर्थानि यथागुणविशेषणम्। यथाद्रव्यविधानं च यथोपस्करमाश्रितः॥१४॥
“Then undertake the pilgrimage according to each place’s particular merit, the prescribed resources, and the equipment required for its observances.”
Passage 15
इति श्रुत्वा रामचन्द्रस्य वाक्यं गुणान्वितं सत्समाख्यातधर्मम्। आकारयामास रघुप्रवीरो मुनीश्वरं स्वाश्रमात्तं वसिष्ठम्॥१५॥
Hearing Rāmacandra’s virtuous words, which clearly expressed true dharma, Raghu’s eminent king summoned the lordly sage Vasiṣṭha from his hermitage.
Passage 16
तं पूजयित्वा नृपतिः समागतं वसिष्ठनामानमशेषधर्मगम्। उवाच राजा धृतनम्रकन्धरो भक्तिप्रकर्षेण सुहृष्टरोमा॥१६॥
The king worshiped the arriving sage Vasiṣṭha, who knew every aspect of dharma. With bowed shoulders and his hair thrilled by intense devotion, he spoke. King Daśaratha said:
Passage 17
भगवन्मुनिशार्दूल सर्वशास्त्रसुकोविद। सर्वधर्मैकतत्त्वज्ञ किंचित्प्रष्टुमना अहम्॥१७॥
“Revered tiger among sages, you are deeply learned in every scripture and know the single essence of all dharmas. I wish to ask you something.
Passage 18
पृथिव्यां यानि तीर्थानि पुण्यान्यायतनानि च। तानि मे वदतां श्रेष्ठ वद विस्तरशो मुने॥१८॥
“O best of speakers, tell me fully about the sacred fords and holy sanctuaries that exist upon the earth.
Passage 19
शास्त्रेषु यानि चोक्तानि तीर्थानि परमार्थिभिः। कर्तव्यानि गृहस्थैर्यान्यद्भुतानि स्थलानि च॥१९॥
“Describe the tīrthas taught in scripture by seekers of the highest good, the pilgrimages householders should undertake, and the wondrous places they should see.
Passage 20
क्षेत्राणि धर्मस्थानानि महापुण्यप्रदानि च। तानि मे मुनिशार्दूल वेद चेदागमप्रमाणतः॥२०॥
“Tiger among sages, if you know from the authority of Veda and Āgama those holy fields and seats of dharma that bestow immense merit, disclose them to me.
Passage 21
सर्वशास्त्रपुराणेभ्यः प्रमितानि भवदृशैः। संचीय तानि सर्वाणि प्रदर्शय महामुने॥२१॥
“Great sage, gather and show me all the places established from the scriptures and Purāṇas by seers such as yourself.
Passage 22
तीर्थयात्रां विधानेन करिष्याम्यहमादृतः। रामचन्द्रस्य वीर्येण संचिताः परमाः श्रियः॥२२॥
“With reverence I shall perform the pilgrimage according to rule. Through Rāmacandra’s prowess, supreme riches have accumulated—
Passage 23
आनीयमानाः कोशेषु अर्जयिष्यामि तत्फलम्। धारणेन च देहस्य करिष्ये सुकृतोदयम्॥२३॥
“and are continually brought into the treasuries. I shall now reap their proper fruit and make this embodied life give rise to merit.
Passage 24
भवादृशानां मुनिपुङ्गवानां मुखाच्छ्रुतं शास्त्रनिगूढतत्त्वम्। यदर्जनीयं सुकृतं जनेन श्रीभिः पुमर्थेन सुसंचिताभिः॥२४॥
“From the mouths of eminent sages like you one hears scripture’s hidden truth: a person should employ well-earned wealth and effort to accumulate merit.
Passage 25
पुण्येन पापेन च संभवोऽस्य देहस्य तेनानिशमर्जनीयम्। निरन्तरं सुकृतं येन न स्यात्पुनर्मातुः कुक्षिमध्ये निवासः॥२५॥
“This body arises through merit and sin; therefore merit must be acquired unceasingly, so that one need never again reside within a mother’s womb.
Passage 26
दिने दिने क्षीयमाणस्य चास्य किमायुषः फलमेतेन लब्धम्। यन्नष्टजन्मोदरमात्रभृत्यानिमग्नः स्याद्विषयसुखेषु जन्तुः॥२६॥
“What fruit has been gained from a lifespan diminishing day by day if a being wastes birth merely filling the belly and remains submerged in sensual pleasures?
Passage 27
पापोद्भवस्य मलमात्रभृतोऽत्यनिष्टभूतस्य देहकृतकस्य कृते क आर्थः। पापैकहेतुमुदरंभरिसेव्यमानं भोगं करोति विषयस्य घृणैकपात्रम्॥२७॥
“What discerning person would live only for this contrived body, born of sin, filled with filth, and deeply undesirable? Whoever serves merely the belly and enjoys the senses as a cause of sin becomes an object of disgust.
Passage 28
तदहं त्वां पुरोधाय मुनिवर्यान्भवादृशान्। अटिष्यामि सुपुण्यानि तीर्थानि भुवि भूरिशः॥२८॥
“Therefore, placing you and other excellent sages like you at our head, I shall journey through the earth’s many highly sanctifying sacred places.
Passage 29
तानि मे गणयाशु त्वमुद्देशेन महामुने। आवश्यकानि यात्रायां विहितानि विशेषतः॥२९॥
“Great sage, quickly enumerate for me the principal places especially enjoined as indispensable to a pilgrimage.
Passage 30
येषु स्नानेन दानेन यात्रया च विधानतः। नरो मुच्येत पापेभ्यस्तानि मह्यं विनिर्दिश॥३०॥
“Identify those places where, through prescribed bathing, giving, and pilgrimage, a person may become free from sins.”
Passage 31
श्रुत्वा राजर्षिवचनं प्राजापत्यो मुनीश्वरः। उवाच यात्राविषये तीर्थान्यावश्यकानि सः॥३१॥
Hearing the royal sage’s words, the lordly seer descended from Prajāpati named the sacred places essential to pilgrimage. Vasiṣṭha said:
Passage 32
शृणु राजेन्द्र वक्ष्यामि तीर्थानां विधिमुत्तमम्। येनाशु कृतमात्रेण चित्तशुद्धिर्भवेन्नृणाम्॥३२॥
“Listen, king of kings. I shall explain the highest discipline of pilgrimage, whose mere performance quickly purifies the human heart.
Passage 33
अदो तवैव भविकावलिदायिनीयं दिव्या पुरी परममङ्गलभूरयोध्या। आस्ते परा सकलकल्मषनाशितोया पुण्या विभाति सरयूः सरितां वरिष्ठा॥३३॥
“Here before you is the divine city Ayodhyā, ground of supreme auspiciousness and bestower of flourishing devotion. Beside it shines the sacred Sarayū, foremost of rivers, whose waters destroy every stain.
Passage 34
सर्वेषामेव तीर्थानां गङ्गा कोटिगुणा फलैः। गङ्गा कोटिगुणा नित्यं सरयूर्विश्वपावनी॥३४॥
“In the fruit it bestows, the Gaṅgā surpasses all other sacred waters ten millionfold; and the world-purifying Sarayū perpetually surpasses even the Gaṅgā ten millionfold.
Passage 35
सरयूः कोटिगुणितफलायोध्यापुरीतले। ततः कोटिगुणं पुण्यं स्वर्गद्वारे विशेषतः॥३५॥
“Ayodhyā’s ground yields merit ten million times greater than the Sarayū, and Svargadvāra there confers merit greater by yet another ten millionfold.
Passage 36
पुरा यत्र स्वयं विष्णुर्भगवान्विश्वमङ्गलः। विधाय विविधं कर्म भूभारहरणोद्यतः॥३६॥
“There in ancient times Lord Viṣṇu himself, the auspiciousness of the universe, performed manifold deeds after undertaking to remove the earth’s burden.
Passage 37
गतो वैकुण्ठसदनं तदेतत्स्थानमुत्तमम्। सरयूतीर्थराशिभ्योऽप्यधिकं विश्वपावनम्॥३७॥
“From that very place he went to the abode of Vaikuṇṭha. It is therefore the highest place, purifying the world beyond even all the Sarayū’s sacred fords.
Passage 38
इदानीं चापि भगवांस्त्वत्कुले जनितो हरिः। विश्वमङ्गलरूपोऽसौ रामः परमसुन्दरः॥३८॥
“Now too Lord Hari has taken birth in your lineage as Rāma, supremely beautiful and the very embodiment of the universe’s welfare.
Passage 39
अत्रैव नेष्यते सर्वान्साकेतपुरमानवान्। पशुकोटपतङ्गादीन् स्वीयं प्रमोदमालयम्॥३९॥
“From this very place he will lead all the people of Sāketa—even animals, insects, and countless other creatures—to his own garland-like abode of joy.
Passage 40
तेनेदमुत्तमं स्थानं तीर्थानां तीर्थमुत्तमम्। अत्र स्नानेन दानेन नरो मुच्येत पातकैः॥४०॥
“It is therefore the highest place, the supreme sacred ford among all sacred fords. By bathing and giving here, a person is freed from sins.
Passage 41
अत्र दद्यात्पितृभ्योऽपि श्राद्धमञ्जलिसंपुटम्। गयाश्राद्धेन यत्पुण्यं तत्पुण्यं लभते नरः॥४१॥
“One should also offer the cupped handful of śrāddha here to the ancestors. A person thereby gains the same merit as from ancestral rites at Gayā.
Passage 42
यं यं कामयते कामं तं तमाप्नोति नित्यशः। नानेन सदृशं तीर्थं त्रिषु लोकेषु विद्यते॥४२॥
“Whatever desire one cherishes is continually obtained here. No sacred ford equal to this exists in the three worlds.
Passage 43
अयोध्यायां सप्तहरितीर्थान्याहुर्मनीषिणः। तत्र धर्महरिः पूर्वं धर्मो यत्र प्रतिष्ठितः॥४३॥
“The wise speak of seven Hari tīrthas in Ayodhyā. First is Dharma-hari, where dharma itself stands firmly established.
Passage 44
चतुष्पादङ्गसहितो यथा सत्ययुगे सदा। कलिधर्मप्रवेशेन संततं नोपहन्यते॥४४॥
“There dharma always possesses all four of its feet and limbs, just as in the Satya age, and is never injured by the encroachment of Kali’s ways.
Passage 45
ततो गुप्तहरिः प्रोक्तो गुप्तो यत्र हरिः स्वयम्। अशेषशुभदो नॄणां स्नानदानादिकारिणाम्॥४५॥
“Next is called Gupta-hari, where Hari himself remains hidden and grants every blessing to those who bathe, give, and perform the other observances.
Passage 46
ततो भरतपूर्वश्च हरिर्यत्रातिपावने। भरतो नाम राजा वः पूर्वजः सिद्धिमाप्तवान्॥४६॥
“Then comes the exceedingly sanctifying Hari associated with the earlier Bharata, an ancestral king of your line who attained perfection there.
Passage 47
भरतस्य यशः पुण्यं त्रैलोक्यस्यातिपावनम्। आख्यातं मुनिवर्यैस्तु विष्णोरिव महात्मनः॥४७॥
“Excellent sages have proclaimed the sacred fame of that great Bharata, which purifies the three worlds like the glory of Viṣṇu himself.
Passage 48
अयं च भरतो नाम तव पुत्रस्तृतीयकः। तस्यापि नाम्ना भुवने ख्यातमेतद्भविष्यति॥४८॥
“Your own third son is also named Bharata; in the future this place will become renowned throughout the world under his name as well.
Passage 49
अयं हि भगवान्साक्षाद्यथा रामस्तथा गुणैः। कल्याणकर्मा भुवने धर्मसेतुरुदीरितः॥४९॥
“He too is the Lord directly manifest, equal to Rāma in virtues. Performing deeds of welfare, he is proclaimed throughout the world as a bridge of dharma.
Passage 50
ततो विष्णुहरिः प्रोक्तो विष्णुर्यत्र स्वयं स्थितः। समस्तदुःखहरणे भूतानामनुकम्पया॥५०॥
“Next is called Viṣṇu-hari, where Viṣṇu himself abides and, from compassion for living beings, removes every sorrow.
Passage 51
विष्णुशर्मा द्विजः कश्चिदत्र दिव्येन कर्मणा। साक्षाल्लक्ष्मीपतेरुच्चैर्हरेः सायुज्यमाप्तवान्॥५१॥
“A certain brāhmaṇa named Viṣṇuśarman performed a divine observance here and attained exalted union with Hari, the Lord of Lakṣmī himself.
Passage 52
अथ बिल्वहरिः प्रोक्तो यत्र बिल्वफलाशनाः। मुनयो दीर्घतपसः परमां सिद्धिमाप्नुवन्॥५२॥
“Then comes Bilva-hari, where long-austere sages living upon bilva fruits attained the highest perfection.
Passage 53
तीर्थानामुत्तमं तीर्थमेतन्नाम्ना निगद्यते। स्नानदानविधानाद्यैः सर्वपापविनाशनम्॥५३॥
“It is declared under this name to be the supreme ford among sacred fords; by the prescribed bathing, giving, and related rites, it destroys every sin.
Passage 54
ततश्चन्द्रहरिः प्रोक्तो महापातकनाशनः। यत्र संस्नानमात्रेण चन्द्रलोके महीयते॥५४॥
“Next is Candra-hari, destroyer of the gravest sins. Merely by bathing there, a person is honored in the realm of the moon.
Passage 55
ततश्चक्रहरिर्नाम तीर्थराजः सनातनः। चक्रं सुदर्शनं यत्र महापातकतारणम्। यत्रास्थि पतितं नॄणां षण्मासाच्चक्रतां व्रजेत्॥५५॥
“Then comes the eternal king of sacred fords called Cakra-hari, where the Sudarśana discus carries one beyond the gravest sins. A human bone falling there assumes the form of a discus within six months.
Passage 56
एतेषु तीर्थवर्येषु स्नानदानादिमात्रतः। नरः शुभमवाप्नोति सद्यः प्रत्ययमेव च॥५६॥
“At these excellent sacred fords, merely through bathing, giving, and the other rites, a person immediately obtains auspiciousness and direct assurance of their power.
Passage 57
ब्रह्मकुण्डे नरः स्नात्वा सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते। काशीकोटिगुणं पुण्यं यत्रोत्तरवहा सरित्॥५७॥
“A person bathing in Brahmakuṇḍa becomes free from every sin. Where the river flows northward there, the merit is ten million times that of Kāśī.
Passage 58
तत्र स्नानेन दानेन नरः कैवल्यमाप्नुयात्। ब्रह्मकुण्डजलस्पर्शात्कोलश्वानखरादयः॥५८॥
“By bathing and giving there, a person may attain final liberation. Through contact with Brahmakuṇḍa’s water, even boars, dogs, donkeys, and other creatures—
Passage 59
काककङ्कपतङ्गाद्या अपि पापैकयोनयः। पशवः पक्षिणश्चापि नरा व्याघ्रादिजन्तवः॥५९॥
“crows, vultures, insects and others born in conditions shaped by sin, as well as beasts, birds, human beings, tigers, and other animals—
Passage 60
ब्रह्महत्यादिपापौघैर्दूषिता अपि मानवाः। पापीयसीं तनुं त्यक्त्वा यान्ति नाम तथात्मताम्॥६०॥
“and even people defiled by floods of sins beginning with brahminicide cast off their deeply sinful bodies and truly attain identity with the Lord.
Passage 61
शङ्खचक्रगदापद्मचतुर्भुजविराजिताः। विमानवरमारुह्य यान्ति श्रीराममन्दिरम्॥६१॥
“Resplendent with four arms bearing conch, discus, mace, and lotus, they mount excellent celestial aircraft and go to Śrī Rāma’s abode.
Passage 62
अस्ति वै मगधे देशे पुरं राजपुराभिधम्। तत्र कश्चिद्द्विजोऽधीत्य गुरोर्वेदमशेषतः॥६२॥
“In the land of Magadha there is a city named Rājapura. A certain brāhmaṇa there studied the Veda completely under his teacher.
Passage 63
तन्निन्दाचरणाज्जातो ब्राह्मणो ब्रह्मराक्षसः। पुरुषमनुजान्नित्यमाविश्य कुरुतेऽसुखम्॥६३॥
“Because he later reviled that teacher, the brāhmaṇa became a brahmarākṣasa. Continually possessing human beings, he inflicted misery upon them.
Passage 64
यमाविशति तस्यान्तं कुरुते ब्रह्मराक्षसः। बहवो नाशितास्तेन नरा नार्यश्च रक्षसा॥६४॥
“Whomever he possessed, that brahmarākṣasa brought to death. Many men and women were destroyed by the demon.
Passage 65
एवं प्रेतालयं जातं नगरं सर्वमेव तत्। विख्यातो राक्षसस्तत्र वसतीति श्रुतिजने॥६५॥
“Thus the entire city became a dwelling of spirits, and word spread among the people that the notorious demon lived there.
Passage 66
कदाचिद्ब्राह्मणः कश्चिदागतस्तत्र पण्डितः। शास्त्रेण वाच्यमानेन श्रुतं तस्य मुखाज्जनैः॥६६॥
“One day a learned brāhmaṇa arrived there. As he expounded scripture, the people heard from his own mouth—
Passage 67
ब्रह्मकुण्डस्य माहात्म्यं सर्वपापविनाशनम्। ब्रह्मराक्षसवंशेभ्यो ब्राह्मणेभ्यो निदर्शितम्॥६७॥
“the greatness of Brahmakuṇḍa, destroyer of every sin, and its application to brāhmaṇa families afflicted by a brahmarākṣasa. The descendants said:
Passage 68
तच्छ्रुत्वा तस्य वंशस्थाः पण्डितस्य द्विजन्मनः। अन्तिकं समनुप्राप्ताः प्रोचुरेतद्द्विजन्मने॥६८॥
“Hearing this, the descendants of that learned twice-born man approached the brāhmaṇa and spoke these words to him.
Passage 69
अस्माकं पूर्वजो विद्वान्गुरुनिन्दोद्भवादघात्। ब्रह्मराक्षसतां ब्रह्मन्प्राप्तोऽद्यापीह तिष्ठति॥६९॥
“O brāhmaṇa, a learned ancestor of ours became a brahmarākṣasa through the sin arising from contempt for his teacher, and he remains here even today.
Passage 70
उद्वेजयति भूतानि समाविश्य भुनक्ति सः। यमाविशति तस्याशु निधनं खलु जायते॥७०॥
“He torments living beings by entering and consuming them. Whoever he possesses quickly meets death.
Passage 71
कलङ्किता वयं सर्वे तेनैव ब्रह्मरक्षसा। कथं नु मुच्यते ब्रह्मन्पातकात्सोऽतिदारुणात्॥७१॥
“That brahmarākṣasa has brought disgrace upon us all. O brāhmaṇa, how can he be freed from so dreadful a sin?
Passage 72
कृतानि भूरितीर्थानि गयाश्राद्धं तथा कृतम्। न मुच्यतेऽसौ पापीयान्ब्रह्मराक्षसयोनितः॥७२॥
“We have visited many sacred places and performed śrāddha at Gayā, yet that sinful being has not been freed from birth as a brahmarākṣasa.
Passage 73
प्रेतालयं कृतं तेन नगरं सर्वमेव तु। इति श्रुत्वा द्विजो वाक्यं ब्राह्मणानिदमब्रवीत्॥७३॥
“He has turned the entire city into a dwelling of spirits.” Hearing their words, the learned brāhmaṇa addressed those brāhmaṇas. The learned brāhmaṇa said:
Passage 74
अस्त्ययोध्यापुराभ्यासे ब्रह्मकुण्डमिति श्रुतम्। तीर्थानामुत्तमं तीर्थं त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम्॥७४॥
“Near the city of Ayodhyā is the place known as Brahmakuṇḍa, the highest among sacred fords and renowned throughout the three worlds.
Passage 75
तत्र गच्छत भो विप्रा भवन्तस्तस्य वंशजाः। तीर्थोदकैस्तर्पयित्वा श्राद्धं दत्त त्रिपिण्डकम्॥७५॥
“O brāhmaṇas, you descendants of that man should go there. Satisfy him with the tīrtha’s water and offer the three piṇḍas of śrāddha.
Passage 76
एकोद्दिष्टं तु प्रथमं विधाय विधिवद्द्विजाः। तेन पुण्यप्रभावेण प्रेतयोनेर्विमोक्ष्यते॥७६॥
“First perform the prescribed ekoddiṣṭa rite for that one departed spirit. By the power of its merit, he will be released from the spirit-birth.
Passage 77
शीघ्रं कुरुत तत्कार्यं भवतां धर्म एव सः। किं तैः पुत्रादिभिर्जातैर्यैः स्ववंश्या न मोचिताः॥७७॥
“Perform that rite quickly, for it is truly your duty. What use are sons and other descendants who do not liberate the members of their own lineage?”
Passage 78
द्विजोदीरितमाकर्ण्य ते तु चक्रुस्तथैव तत्। तथैव गुरुनिन्दोत्थपातकान्मुक्तिमीयिवान्॥७८॥
Hearing the brāhmaṇa’s direction, they did exactly as he said. In that very way, their ancestor gained release from the sin born of reviling his teacher.
Passage 79
सर्वैः प्रेतकुलैः सार्धं विमुक्तो भवबन्धनात्। जलाञ्जलिप्रदानेन ब्रह्मकुण्डस्य पावितः॥७९॥
Purified by the offering of handfuls of Brahmakuṇḍa’s water, he and all the hosts of spirits were freed from the bonds of worldly existence.
Passage 80
वैकुण्ठभवनं प्राप्तो विमुच्य ब्रह्मरक्षताम्। इति तद्विश्रुतं तीर्थं त्रैलोक्ये समभूत्तराम्॥८०॥
Released from the condition of a brahmarākṣasa, he reached the abode of Vaikuṇṭha. Thus that sacred ford became supremely renowned throughout the three worlds.
Passage 81
तदारभ्य ब्रह्मकुण्डं सर्वोद्धारि विराजते। गयाकोटिगुणं पुण्यं ब्रह्मकुण्डोऽत्र संभृतम्॥८१॥
“From that time onward Brahmakuṇḍa has shone as the deliverer of all. The merit gathered there is ten million times that obtained at Gayā.
Passage 82
किं वा तैर्बहुभिस्तीर्थैरेकमेव निषेव्यताम्। ब्रह्मकुण्डाभिधं तीर्थं महापापौघनाशनम्॥८२॥
“What need is there for many other sacred fords? One may serve this one place alone—Brahmakuṇḍa, destroyer of torrents of the gravest sins.
Passage 83
सूर्यकुण्डस्य माहात्म्यं किं वक्तव्यं जनाधिप। कुष्ठतोऽपि विमुच्यन्ते गलत्कुष्ठादिरोगतः॥८३॥
“What can adequately be said, O ruler, of Sūryakuṇḍa’s greatness? People are freed there even from leprosy and from suppurating diseases of that kind.
Passage 84
सूर्यवारे नरः स्नात्वा सर्वपापैर्विमुच्यते। पुत्रार्थी लभते पुत्रं धनार्थी धनमाप्नुयात्॥८४॥
“A person who bathes there on Sunday becomes free from every sin. One desiring a son gains a son, and one desiring wealth obtains wealth.
Passage 85
कामार्थी लभते काम्यं यद्यन्मनसि वर्तते। उपरागे व्यतीपाते स्नानदानादिकं त्विह॥८५॥
“One seeking a desired object gains whatever the mind holds. Bathing, giving, and other rites performed here during an eclipse or a vyatīpāta conjunction—
Passage 86
अक्षय्यफलतां याति नात्र कार्या विचारणा। सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः कुलकोटिं समुद्धरेत्॥८६॥
“yield imperishable fruit—there is no doubt about this. Freed from every sin, the pilgrim uplifts ten million members of the family line.
Passage 87
एतद्दर्शनमात्रेण नरो मुच्येत पातकात्। सूर्योऽभिषेचितः सर्वैर्देवैरत्र पुरा नृप॥८७॥
“Merely seeing this place releases a person from sin. Long ago, O king, all the gods consecrated Sūrya here.
Passage 88
ग्रहनक्षत्रताराणामाधिराज्यमवाप सः। अक्षय्यं निहितं चात्र पुण्यं द्वादशमूर्तिना॥८८॥
“He obtained sovereignty over the planets, lunar mansions, and stars. In his twelvefold form, Sūrya deposited imperishable merit at this place.
Passage 89
हत्यामोचनमत्रैव तीर्थमुत्तममस्ति वै। ऋणहत्या ब्रह्महत्या भ्रूणहत्यादिमोचनम्॥८९॥
“Here too is the excellent tīrtha called Hatyāmocana, which releases one from the sins of killing over a debt, killing a brāhmaṇa, killing an unborn child, and related transgressions.
Passage 90
पिशाचमोचनं नाम तीर्थमत्रैव वर्तते। तस्य माहात्म्यमतुलं किमाख्येयं मया नृप॥९०॥
“The sacred ford named Piśācamocana is also here. O king, how could I fully describe its incomparable greatness?
Passage 91
गाधिसूनुर्महीपालो विश्वामित्रो महातपाः। ब्रह्मर्षितां परिप्राप्तुं महान्तं यत्नमाचरत्॥९१॥
“Viśvāmitra, the profoundly ascetic royal son of Gādhi, made an immense effort to attain the state of a brahmarṣi.
Passage 92
क्षात्रदेहं ततक्षासौ तपः खलु तपोमयैः। तपसात्यूर्जितबलो नवीनकरणोद्यतः॥९२॥
“Through austerities composed entirely of ascetic fire, he pared away his warrior nature. His strength greatly increased by tapas, he strove to remake himself.
Passage 93
राजर्षितां गतोऽप्येष स्पृहयामास भूतले। ब्रह्मर्षिपदकामेन तपस्तेपे सुदुश्चरम्॥९३॥
“Although he attained the status of a royal sage upon earth, he aspired still higher. Desiring the rank of brahmarṣi, he performed exceedingly difficult austerities.
Passage 94
नवीनसृष्टिसामर्थ्यं दृष्ट्वा ब्रह्मा भयं गतः। तमस्तौषीन्महाराज चतुर्भिर्वदनैर्विधिः॥९४॥
“Seeing Viśvāmitra’s power to produce a new creation, Brahmā grew fearful. O great king, the Creator praised him with all four faces.
Passage 95
स विधिं प्रार्थयामास ब्रह्मर्षिः स्यामहं विधे। सुदुःसाध्यप्रसादाय तस्मै विधिरुवाच ह॥९५॥
“Viśvāmitra petitioned the Creator: ‘O Brahmā, may I become a brahmarṣi.’ To grant that exceedingly difficult favor, Brahmā replied to him. Brahmā said:
Passage 96
अस्त्ययोध्यापुराभ्यासे तीर्थं मन्नामविश्रुतम्। तत्र गत्वा भवान्भक्त्या यजन् रामं सदा मखैः॥९६॥
“‘Near the city of Ayodhyā is a celebrated sacred ford bearing my name. Go there and, with devotion, continually worship Rāma through sacrifices.
Passage 97
ब्रह्मकुण्डप्रभावेण ब्रह्मवर्चसमाप्स्यसीति। ब्रह्मणो वचनं श्रुत्वा विश्वामित्रो महातपाः॥९७॥
“‘Through Brahmakuṇḍa’s power you will attain the radiance of a brahmarṣi.’ Hearing Brahmā’s words, the profoundly ascetic Viśvāmitra—
Passage 98
ब्रह्मकुण्डतटे राममयष्ट विधिवन्मखैः। पत्नीयाजैस्ततश्चेष्ट्वा विधिवन्मुनिसत्तमः॥९८॥
“worshiped Rāma on Brahmakuṇḍa’s bank with properly conducted sacrifices. The excellent sage then performed the rites involving the sacrificer’s wife according to rule.
Passage 99
यज्ञावभृथमारभ्य भूयसा चोत्सवेन सः। बभूवुः संगतास्तत्र मुनयो दीर्घदर्शनाः॥९९॥
“He commenced the concluding avabhṛtha bath with a magnificent festival, and far-seeing sages assembled there.
Passage 100
याज्ञवल्क्यो महायोगी शुको व्यासः पराशरः। भृगुरत्रिर्भरद्वाजो दुर्वासा पुलहोऽङ्गिराः॥१००॥
“There were the great yogin Yājñavalkya, Śuka, Vyāsa, Parāśara, Bhṛgu, Atri, Bharadvāja, Durvāsas, Pulaha, and Aṅgiras.
Passage 101
ब्रह्मर्षिप्रवराः सर्वे देवर्षिप्रवरास्तथा। नारदाद्या मुनिश्रेष्ठा राजर्षिप्रवरास्तथा॥१०१॥
“All the foremost brahmarṣis and divine sages were present, together with Nārada and other eminent seers and the greatest royal sages.
Passage 102
तस्मिन्नवभृथे राजन्संगताः सर्व एव ते। विधिवत्स्नापयामासुर्ब्राह्मणाः कर्मकोविदाः॥१०२॥
“O king, they all gathered for that concluding bath. Brāhmaṇas skilled in the ritual actions bathed the sacrificer according to prescription.
Passage 103
ब्रह्मवर्चसकामं ते यजमानं महाव्रतम्। बभूवावभृथस्यान्ते व्योमवाक्तस्य कामदा॥१०३॥
“He was the great-vowed sacrificer who desired brahminical radiance. At the end of the avabhṛtha bath a voice in the sky arose, granting his desire.
Passage 104
शृण्वतामेव सर्वेषामृषीणां दीर्घदर्शिनाम्। ब्रह्मर्षिरसि संवृत्तस्त्वमिदानीं महातपाः॥१०४॥
“While all the far-seeing sages listened, it declared: ‘Great ascetic, you have now become a brahmarṣi.’
Passage 105
विश्वामित्र मुनीशान ऋषयोऽपि ब्रुवन्तु वै। ततः सर्वे ऋषिवरास्तथैवोचुः सुविस्मिताः॥१०५॥
“‘O Viśvāmitra, lord among sages, let the seers also pronounce it.’ Then all the excellent sages, filled with wonder, declared the same.
Passage 106
ब्रह्मकुण्डप्रभावेण त्वमिदानीं महाव्रत। तपोनिधे महातेजा ब्रह्मर्षिरसि सर्वदा॥१०६॥
“‘Great-vowed treasury of austerity, through Brahmakuṇḍa’s power you are now forever a greatly radiant brahmarṣi.’
Passage 107
इति प्रोक्तः प्रभावस्ते ब्रह्मकुण्डस्य भूरिशः। अयोध्यायां रामपुर्यां यत्रोत्तरवहा सरित्॥१०७॥
“Thus I have told you at length the power of Brahmakuṇḍa in Ayodhyā, Rāma’s city, where the river flows northward.
Passage 108
उपरागादिषु सदा तत्र स्नानाद्विधानतः। लभते सुमहत्पुण्यं कुरुक्षेत्रशताधिकम्॥१०८॥
“By bathing there according to rule during eclipses and other sacred times, a person always gains immense merit exceeding that of a hundred Kurukṣetras.
Passage 109
ऊषरः पुण्यपापानामयोध्यायामिदं त्रयम्। स्वर्गद्वारं ब्रह्मकुण्डं गुप्तगङ्गा च भूपते॥१०९॥
“O ruler, in Ayodhyā these three places exhaust the accumulated field of merit and sin: Svargadvāra, Brahmakuṇḍa, and Gupta-gaṅgā.
Passage 110
तीर्थानि सुबहून्यत्र कोटितीर्थसमान्यपि। तीर्थत्रयमिदं पुण्यं सर्वेभ्योऽपि विशिष्यते॥११०॥
“Although this city contains very many sacred fords, each equal to ten million tīrthas, this holy triad surpasses them all.
Passage 111
दिवि भूमितले वापि स्थानत्रयमिदं नृप। दुर्लभं सर्वदा नॄणां यथैतद्गदितं मम॥१११॥
“O king, whether in heaven or upon earth, this triad of places is always difficult for human beings to attain, just as I have explained it to you.” Thus ends Chapter 101, “Daśaratha’s pilgrimage,” in the Pūrva-khaṇḍa of the glorious Ādi Rāmāyaṇa, within the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍi. Source note This treatment is controlled against the 1975 Sanskrit–Hindi edition, Pūrva khaṇḍa, source leaves 606–615 (physical PDF pages 607–616; printed pages 475–484). OCR supplied the alignment layer, while the scan controlled the chapter boundary, speaker changes, tīrtha names, Viśvāmitra narrative, and colophon. The edition prints passage number 2 twice at the opening; the second printed 2 is registered editorially as passage 3. It prints the passage between 88 and 90 as 87; that passage is registered editorially as 89. After passage 106 it prints 108 twice; the first printed 108 is registered editorially as 107. The source reading ūṣaraḥ in passage 109 is retained; its footnote records the Rewa edition’s variant ākaraḥ. These corrections preserve the complete 111-passage sequence without abridgment.