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Ayodhyā-māhātmya · Chapter 8

Chapter 8

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Ayodhyā-māhātmya · Chapter 8

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।। अगस्त्य उवाच ।। ।। घोषार्कतीर्थाद्विप्रर्षे पश्चिमे दिक्तटे स्थितम् ।। रतिकुण्डमिति ख्यातं सर्वपापहरं सदा ।। १ ।। यत्र स्नानेन दानेन परां कांतिमवाप्नुयात् ।। तत्पश्चिमदिशाभागे कुसुमायुधनामकम् ।। २ ।। कुंडं प्रसिद्धमतुलं सर्वकामार्थसिद्धये ।। यत्र स्नानेन दानेन कन्दर्पसदृशाकृतिम् ।। लभते ना विधानेन मुने नास्त्यत्र संशयः ।। ३ ।। रतिकुंडे तथा विप्र कुसुमायुधकुण्डके ।। श्रद्धया कुरुते स्नानं स सौख्यपरमो भवेत् ।। ४ ।। कुण्डद्वयेऽत्र मिथुनं यत्स्नानं कुरुते किल ।। रतिकामाविव ख्यातौ सदा तौ सुंदरौ तदा ।। ५ ।। तस्मादत्र विधानेन स्नातव्यं धर्मकांक्षिभिः ।। दानं देयं यथाशक्त्या रतिकंदर्पतुष्टये ।। ६ ।। भवेतां नियतं तस्य संतुष्टौ रतिमन्मथौ ।। माघे विशदपंचम्यां यत्र स्नानं शुभप्रदम् ।। ७ ।। रतिकुंडे पुरः स्नात्वा पश्चात्कंदर्प्पकुंडके ।। स्नातव्यं तद्दिने विप्र मिथुनेन प्रयत्नतः ।। ८ ।। रतिकंदर्प्पयोः पूजा विधातव्या विशेषतः ।। वस्त्रादिभिरलंकारैः संपूज्यौ द्विजदंपती ।। ९ ।। सर्वान्कामानवाप्नोति नात्र कार्या विचारणा ।। 2.8.8.१० ।। चंदनागुरुकर्पूरकस्तूरीकुंकुमादिभिः ।। वासोभिर्विविधैः पुष्पैः पूजयेद्द्विजदम्पती ।। ११ ।। एवं कृते न संदेहो रतिकंदर्पतुष्टये ।। तद्व्रजेन्मिश्रुनं विप्र रतिकंदर्प्पतुल्यताम् ।। १२ ।। कुसुमायुधकुंडात्तु प्रतीच्यां दिशि संस्थितम् ।। मन्त्रेश्वर इति ख्यातं तत्स्थानं भुवि दुर्लभम् ।। १३ ।। तत्र तीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा मन्त्रेश्वरं विभुम् ।। न तेषां पुनरावृत्तिः कल्पकोटिशतैरपि ।। १४ ।। पुरा रामो देवकार्यं विधायामलकर्मकृत् ।। कालेन सह संगम्य मन्त्रं चक्रे नरेश्वरः ।। १५ ।। स्वर्गं प्रति प्रयाणाय यत्र स्नातौ जितेंद्रियः ।। तत्रैव स्थापितं लिंगं मन्त्रेश्वर इति श्रुतम् ।। १६ ।। तदुत्तरे सरो रम्यं कुमुदोत्पलमंडितम् ।। तत्र स्नानं तथा दानं नानाफलदमुत्तमम् ।। १७।। चैत्रशुक्लचतुर्दश्यां यात्रा सांवत्सरी स्मृता ।। तत्र स्नानेन दानेन ब्राह्मणानां च पूजनात् ।। अक्षयं स्वर्गमाप्नोति तत्र कार्या विचारणा ।। १६ ।। मंत्रेश्वरस्य महिमा नहि केनापि शक्यते ।। सम्यग्वर्णयितुं विप्र य उत्तमफलप्रदः ।। मंत्रेश्वरसमं लिंगं न भूतं न भविष्यति ।। १९ ।। सुगंधिपुष्पधूपादिकुसुमाद्यनुलेपनैः ।। पूजनीयः प्रयत्नेन सर्वकामार्थसिद्धिदः ।। 2.8.8.२० ।। एवं कृते न संदेहो मुक्तिस्तस्य करे स्थिता ।। तत्रैवोत्तरभागे तु शीतला वर्ततेऽनघ ।। २१ ।। तां संपूज्य नरो विद्वान्सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ।। सर्वदा पूजनं तस्याः सोमवारे विशेषतः ।। कर्त्तव्यं सुप्रयत्नेन नृभिः सर्वार्थसिद्धये ।। २२ ।। विस्फोटकादिकभये नरैश्च समुपस्थिते ।। कर्तव्यं पूजनं सम्यग्रोगादिभयनाशनम् ।। २३ ।। तदुत्तरे तु तत्रैव देवी वन्दीति विश्रुता ।। यस्याः स्मरणमात्रेण निगडादिभयं नहि ।।२४।। राज्ञा क्रुद्धेन ये बद्धाः शृंखलानिगडादिभिः ।। बन्दी संस्मृत्य देवीं तु मुक्ताः स्युस्तत्क्षणाद्धि ते ।।२५।। यात्रा तस्याः प्रयत्नेन कर्तव्या यत्नतो नरैः ।। मंगले हि विशेषेण सर्वकामार्थसिद्धिदा ।।२६।। गंधैः पुष्पैस्तथा धूपैर्दीपैरपि च सुव्रत ।। नैवेद्यैर्विविधैर्वापि पूजनीया प्रयत्नतः ।। २७ ।। बन्दीप्रीत्यै मुनिश्रेष्ठ देयं ब्राह्मणभोजनम् ।। एवं कृते न संदेहः सर्वान्कामानवाप्नुयात् ।। २८ ।। तदुत्तरस्मिंस्तत्रैव चुडकी भुवि कीर्तिता ।। वर्तते परमा सिद्धिरूपिणी स्मरणान्नृणाम् ।। २९ ।। सुसंदिग्धेषु कार्येषु भये च समुपस्थिते ।। यस्याः स्मरणतो नॄणां सर्वसिद्धिः प्रजायते ।। 2.8.8.३० ।। अग्रे तस्याः सदा कार्या नृभिरंगुष्ठतो ध्वनिः ।। दीपदानं प्रयत्नेन कर्त्तव्यं नियतात्मभिः ।। ३१ ।। सर्वाभीष्टप्रदं नॄणां दीपदानं प्रशस्यते ।। चतुर्दश्यां चतुर्दश्यां तस्या यात्रा विनिर्मिता ।। ३२ ।। ततः पूर्वदिशाभागे वर्त्तते तीर्थमुत्तमम् ।। महारत्न इति ख्यातं सर्वतीर्थोत्तमोत्तमम् ।। ३३ ।। यत्र स्नानेन दानेन पूजया च द्विजन्मनाम् ।। सर्वकर्मार्थसिद्धिः स्यान्नात्र कार्या विचारणा ।। ३४ ।। भाद्रे कृष्णचतुर्दश्यां यात्रा सांवत्सरी स्मृता ।। यात्राऽऽस्ते किल मुख्याऽस्य महारत्ना इति श्रुता ।। ३५ ।। महारत्न इति ख्यातं तस्मात्तीर्थमनुत्तमम् ।। तत्र दानं प्रकर्त्तव्यं द्विजसंतोषकारकम् ।। ३६ ।। नारीभिरपि विप्रर्षे कर्त्तव्यो जागरोत्सवः ।। वीर्यसौभाग्यसंपन्नसर्वसौख्याय सर्वदा ।। तत्र स्नानं प्रयत्नेन कर्त्तव्यं श्रद्धया नरैः ।। ३७ ।। ततो नैऋत्यदिग्भागे दुर्भराख्यं सरा शुभम् ।। वर्तते सुकृतोदारं महाभरसरस्तथा ।। ३८ ।। तत्र स्नानादवाप्नोति सदा स्वर्गपदं नरः ।। धनं बहुविधं देयं वासांसि विविधानि च ।। ।। ३९ ।। शिवपूजा प्रकर्त्तव्या स्नात्वा कुण्डद्वये नरैः ।। नानाविधेन भावेन भक्त्या परमया युतैः ।। 2.8.8.४० ।। गन्धादिभिः शुभैः पुष्पैरर्च्चनीयो महेश्वरः ।। नीलकंठोंऽधकारातिराराध्यो योगिनामपि ।। ४१ ।। इति ध्यात्वा शिवं सार्द्धं निष्पापं प्रयतो नरः ।। सर्वकामानवाप्याशु शिवलोके वसेत्सदा ।। ४२ ।। एवं कृत्वा नरो विप्र सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ।। महाभरे वरे तीर्थे तथा दुर्भरसंज्ञके ।। ४३ ।। भाद्रकृष्णचतुर्दश्यां यः कुर्य्याच्छ्रद्धयाऽन्वितः ।। शिवपूजां च विधिवद्द्विजपूजां विशेषतः ।। ४४ ।। यः करोति नरो भक्त्या शिवलोके स संवसेत् ।। एवं कुर्वन्नरो विद्वान्न मुह्यति कदाचन ।। ४५ ।। विष्णुरुद्रौ च तस्यातिसुप्रसन्नौ सनातनौ ।। तयोः स्मरणमात्रेण सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ।। ४६ ।। अतः किं बहुनोक्तेन विप्रतीर्थमनुत्तमम् ।। सर्वपापौघशमनं सर्वाभीष्टकरं सदा ।। ४७ ।। अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि तीर्थमन्यच्छुभावहम् ।। यत्र यात्रा तथा दानं विना भाग्यं न संभवेत् ।। ४८ ।। ईशाने दुर्भरस्थानान्महाविद्याभिधं महत् ।। तस्य दर्शनतो नॄणां सिद्धयः स्युः करे स्थिताः ।। ४९ ।। तदग्रे सरसि स्नात्वा महाविद्यां तु यो नरः ।। पश्यति श्रद्धया भक्त्या स याति परमां गतिम् ।। 2.8.8.५० ।। सिद्धपीठं तथा ख्यातं सम्यक्प्रत्ययकारकम् ।। तत्र पूजा विधातव्या भक्त्या परमया द्विज ।। ५१ ।। मंत्रं यः श्रद्धया विप्र शैवं शाक्तमथापि वा ।। गाणपत्यं वैष्णवं वा तत्र यः प्रयतो नरः ।। ५२ ।। एकाग्रमानसो विद्वन्नाराध्यावर्तयेत्सदा ।। तस्य सिद्धिर्भवेन्नित्यं चमत्कारो भवेद्द्विज ।। ५३ ।। तस्मादत्र प्रकर्तव्यं जपादिकमतंद्रितैः ।। अष्टम्यां च नवम्यां च यात्रा स्यात्प्रतिमासिकी ।। ५४ ।। देयान्यन्नानि बहुशो नानाविधफलानि च ।। क्षीरेण स्नपनं कार्यं पूजनीया प्रयत्नतः ।। ५५ ।। उच्चाटनादीन्यपि च मोहनादि विशेषतः ।। अत्र स्थाने विशेषेण दुष्टमन्त्रोऽपि सिध्यति ।। ५६ ।। सिद्धस्थाने परं मोक्षं वशीकरणमुत्तमम् ।। जपो होमस्तथा दानं सर्वमक्षयतां व्रजेत् ।। ५७ ।। आश्विने शुक्लपक्षस्य नवरात्रिषु सुव्रत ।। यत्र गत्वा नरो विप्र सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ।। ५८ ।। यदा पूर्वं विनिर्जित्य रावणं लोकरावणम् ।। समागतो रघुपतिः सीतालक्ष्मणसंयुतः ।। ५९ ।। यत्र गत्वा पदा वीरो भरतो रामकांक्षया ।। स्थितः सानुचरः श्रीमाञ्छ्रिया परमया युतः ।। 2.8.8.६० ।। तत्रागमत्सुरगवी प्रादुर्भूता स्रवत्स्तनी ।। तत्स्तनेभ्यः प्रसुस्राव दुग्धं बहुगुणाधिकम् ।। ६१ ।। तद्भूमिपतितं दुग्धं दृष्ट्वा वानरराक्षसाः ।। विस्मयं परमं जग्मुः प्रपपुस्ते चराचरम् ।। ६२ ।। किमेतदिति राजेंद्र तानुवाच रघूद्वहः ।। वसिष्ठो वेत्ति तत्सर्वं पृच्छामस्तं मुनिं वयम् ।। ६३ ।। इत्युक्तास्तु ततः सर्वे वसिष्ठप्रमुखे स्थिताः ।। ते पप्रच्छुः प्रांजलयः कृत्वा चाग्रेसरं नृपम् ।। ६४ ।। वसिष्ठोऽपि क्षणं ध्यात्वा तमुवाच निराकुलम् ।। राघवं प्रति संबोध्य सर्वेषामग्रतो मुनिः ।। ६५ ।। ।। ।। वसिष्ठ उवाच ।। ।। शृणु राम महाबाहो कामधेनुरियं शुभा ।। समागता तव स्नेहात्प्रस्रवंती स्तनात्पयः ।। ६६ ।। दुग्धमध्ये समुद्भूतो रुद्रस्त्वां द्रष्टुमागतः ।। निष्पन्नकार्य्यं देवानां निर्जितारातिमुत्तमम् ।। ६७ ।। इमं संपूजय क्षिप्रमेतत्कुण्डस्य सन्निधौ ।। शीघ्रं त्वमपि यत्नेन पूजयेमं शिवं शुभम् ।। दुग्धेश्वरमिति ख्यातं क्षीरकुण्डे पवित्रकम् ।। ६८ ।। ।। अगस्त्य उवाच ।। ।। ततो रघुपतिः श्रीमान्वसिष्ठोक्तविधानतः ।। पूजयामास तल्लिंगं दुग्धेश्वरमिति स्मृतम् ।।६९।। सीतया सत्कृतं यस्मात्तत्कुण्डं क्षीरसंगमम् ।। सीताकुंडमिति ख्यातिं जगामानुपमां ततः।।2.8.8.७० ।। सीताकुण्डे नराः स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा दुग्धेश्वरं प्रभुम् ।। सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यंते नात्र कार्या विचारणा ।।७१।। अत्र स्नानं जपो होमो दानं चाक्षयतां व्रजेत् ।। सीताकुंडे तु संपूज्य सीतारामौ सलक्ष्मणौ ।।७२।। दुग्धेश्वरं च संपूज्य सर्वान्कामानवाप्नुयात् ।। ज्येष्ठे मासि चतुर्दश्यां यात्रा सांवत्सरी स्मृता।।७३।। एवं यो विधिवत्कुर्याद्दयाधर्मविशारदः ।। स याति परमं स्थानं यत्र गत्वा न शोचति ।। ७४ ।। तत्र पूर्वदिशाभागे सुग्रीवरचितं महत् ।। तीर्थं तपोनिधेस्तत्र वर्तते सन्निधौ शुभम् ।। ७५ ।। यत्र स्नात्वा च दत्त्वा च रामं संपूज्य यत्नतः ।। तस्मिन्नेव दिने तत्र सर्वान्कामानवाप्नुयात् ।। ७६ ।। तत्प्रत्यग्दिशि वै स्थानं हनुमत्कुण्डमित्यपि ।। तस्य पश्चिमतो विप्र विभीषणसरः दूरर ।। ७७ ।। तयोः स्नानेन दानेन रामसंपूजनेन च ।। सर्वान्कामानवाप्नोति तस्मिन्नेव विधानतः ।। इयं सा परमा मेध्याऽयोध्या धर्मनिधिः स्मृता ।। ७८ ।। इत्युक्तास्तु ततः सर्वे वसिष्ठमुनिमादरात् ।। पप्रच्छुर्विनयात्क्षिप्रं विभीषणपुरःसराः ।। कथयस्व तपोराशे कथामेतां सुदुर्लभाम् ।। ७९ ।। अयोध्यायाः परं विप्र माहात्म्यं कथयंति यत् ।। तत्सर्वं कथय क्षिप्रं श्रुत्वा माहात्म्यमुत्तमम् ।। 2.8.8.८० ।। यथा यात्रां विधास्यामः क्रमेण च विधानतः ।। तदस्मासु कृपां कृत्वा कथयस्व तपोनिधे ।। ८१ ।। ।। वसिष्ठ उवाच ।। ।। शृण्वन्तु मुनयः सर्वे अयोध्यामहिमाद्भुतम् ।। यच्छ्रुत्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मुच्यते नात्र संशय ।। ।। ८२ ।। इदं गुह्यतरं क्षेत्रमयोध्याभिधमुत्तमम् ।। सर्वेषामेव भूतानां हेतुर्मोक्षस्यः सर्वदा ।। ८३ ।। अस्मिन्सिद्धाः सदा देवा वैष्णवं व्रतमास्थिताः ।। नानालिंगधरा नित्यं विष्णुलोकाभिकांक्षिणः ।। ८४ ।। अभ्यस्यंति परं योगं युक्तप्राणा जितेन्द्रियाः ।। नानावृक्षसमाकीर्णे नानाविहगवासिनि ।। ८५ ।। कमलोत्पलशोभाढ्ये सरोभिः समलंकृते ।। अप्सरोगणसंकीर्णे सर्वदा सेविते शुभे ।। ८६ ।। रोचते हि सदा वासः क्षेत्रे नित्यं हरेरिह ।। मन्यमाना विष्णुभक्ता विष्णौ सर्वेऽर्पितक्रियाः।।८७।। यथा मोक्षमिहायांति नान्यत्र हि तथा क्वचित् ।। अतः श्रेष्ठतमं क्षेत्रं यस्माच्च वसतिर्हरेः ।। महाक्षेत्रमिदं यस्मादयोध्याभिधमुत्तमम् ।। ८८ ।। नैमिषे च कुरुक्षेत्रे गंगाद्वारे च पुष्करे ।। स्नानात्संसेवनाद्वापि न मोक्षः प्राप्यते तथा ।। ८९ ।। इह संप्राप्यते यद्वत्तत एव विशिष्यते ।। प्रयागे वा भवेन्मोक्ष इह वा हरिसंश्रयात् ।। सर्वस्मादपि तीर्थाग्र्यादिदमेव महत्कृतम् ।। 2.8.8.९० ।। अव्यक्तलिंगैर्मुनिभिः सर्वैः सिद्धैर्महर्षिभिः ।। इह संप्राप्यते मोक्षो दुर्ल्लभोऽन्यत्र यो मतः ।। ।। ९१ ।। तेभ्यः प्रयच्छति हरिर्योगमैश्वर्य्यमुत्तमम् ।। आत्मनश्चैव सायुज्यमीप्सितं स्थानमुत्तमम् ।। ९२ ।। ब्रह्मा देवर्षिभिः सार्द्धं श्रीश्च वायुर्दिवाकरः ।। देवराजस्तथा शक्रो ये चान्येऽपि दिवौकसः ।। ९३ ।। उपासते महात्मानः सर्वत्र हरिमादरात् ।। अन्येपि योगिनः सिद्धाः क्षेत्ररूपा महाव्रताः ।। अनन्यमनसो भूत्वा सर्वदोपासते हरिम् ।। ९४ ।। विषयासक्तचित्तोऽपि त्यक्तधर्मरतिर्नरः ।। इह क्षेत्रे मृतः सोपि संसारी न पुनर्भवेत् ।। ९५ ।। ये पुनर्निगमाधीनाः सत्रस्था विजितेंद्रियाः ।। व्रतिनश्च निरारंभाः सर्वे ते हरिभाविताः ।। ९६ ।। देहभंगं समापद्य धीमंतः संगवर्जिताः ।। गतास्ते च परं मोक्षं प्रसादात्सर्वदा हरेः ।। ९७ ।। जन्मान्तरसहस्रेषु युञ्जन्योगी न चाप्नुयात् ।। तमिहैव परं मोक्षं मरणादपि गच्छति ।। ९८ ।। एतत्संक्षेपतो वच्मि क्षेत्रस्य महिमाद्भुतम् ।। एतदेव परं स्थानमेतदेव परं पदम् ।। एतादृङ्नापरं स्थानं पुनरन्यत्र दृश्यते ।। ९९ ।। अत्र गत्वा प्रयत्नेन यात्रा पुण्याभिकांक्षिभिः ।। कर्तव्या विधिवद्धीराः क्रमेण श्रद्धयान्वितैः ।। ।। 2.8.8.१०० ।। प्रथमेऽहनि कर्त्तव्य उपवासो यतात्मभिः ।। नियमेन ततः स्नानं दानं चैव स्वशक्तितः ।। १०१ ।। उपावृत्तस्तु पापेभ्यो यस्य वासो गुणैः सह ।। उपवासः स विज्ञेयः सर्वभोगविवर्जितः ।। १०२ ।। उपवासं विधायासौ चक्रतीर्थे नरः कृती ।। उपवासदिने स्नायाद्दद्याच्चैव स्वशक्तितः ।। १०३ ।। विप्रं संपूज्य विधिवत्पश्येद्विष्णुहरिं विभुम् ।। स्वर्गद्वारे नरः स्नात्वा विष्णुं संपूज्य यत्नतः ।। १०४ ।। क्षौरं च कारयेत्तत्र व्रती धर्माभिधे ततः ।। पापमोचनके स्नानमृणमोचनके ततः ।। १०५ ।। स्नात्वा सहस्रधारायां शेषं संपूज्य यत्नतः ।। दृष्ट्वा चंद्रहरिं देवं ततो धर्महरिं विभुम्।। १०६ ।। ततश्चक्रहरिं दृष्ट्वा दद्याच्चैव स्वशक्तितः ।। ब्रह्मकुण्डे नरः स्नात्वा सर्वकामार्थसिद्धये ।। महाविद्यासमीपे तु रात्रौ जागरणं चरेत् ।। १०७ ।। ततः प्रभाते विमले पुनरुत्थाय सद्व्रती ।। स्वर्गद्वारे प्रयत्नेन विधिवत्स्नानमाचरेत् ।। १०८ ।। श्राद्धं च विधिवत्कृत्वा दत्त्वा चैव स्वशक्तितः।। विष्णुं संपूज्य विधिवद्विप्रानपि पुनःपुनः ।।१०९।। दंपती च प्रयत्नेन पूज्यौ वस्त्रादिभिस्तथा ।। श्रद्धया परया युक्तैर्दातव्या भूरिदक्षिणा ।। 2.8.8.११० ।। विप्रान्संपूज्य विधिवद्भुंजीत प्रयतो नरः ।। १११ ।। अन्येद्युरपि चोत्थाय श्रद्धया परया युतः ।। रुक्मिणीप्रभृतीन्यत्र पश्येत्तीर्थानि च क्रमात् ।। ११२ ।। तत्रतत्र नरः स्नात्वा दत्त्वा चैव स्वशक्तितः ।। विष्णुं संपूज्य यत्नेन मनोवाक्कायनिर्मलः ।। ११३ ।। यात्रां समापयेत्सम्यङ्नियतात्मा शुचिव्रतः ।। यत्र क्वापि मृतो धीरः परं मोक्षमवाप्नुयात् ।। ११४ ।। ।। अगस्त्य उवाच ।। ।। वसिष्ठोक्तमिति श्रुत्वा कृत्वा चैव यथाविधि ।। विभीषणपुरोगास्ते बभूवुर्निर्मलास्तदा ।। ११५ ।। इति बहुलविधानैस्तीर्थयात्रां विधाय प्रचुरसुकृतपूर्णास्ते च सुग्रीवमुख्याः ।। गतमलिनसुदेहाः स्वर्गचर्याप्रयत्नादुपगुणितगुणौघास्ते बभूवुः समस्ताः ।। ११६ ।। इति श्रीस्कान्दे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां द्वितीये वैष्णवखंडेऽयोध्यामाहात्म्ये महारत्नतीर्थदुर्भरमहाभरतीर्थमहाविद्यातीर्थ सिद्धपीठक्षीरेश्वरसीताकुण्ड सुग्रीवतीर्थहनुमत्कुण्ड विभीषणसरस्तीर्थायोध्यायात्राविधिक्रमवर्णनंनामाष्टमोऽध्यायः ।। ८ ।।

|| agastya uvāca || || ghoṣārkatīrthādviprarṣe paścime diktaṭe sthitam || ratikuṇḍamiti khyātaṃ sarvapāpaharaṃ sadā || 1 || yatra snānena dānena parāṃ kāṃtimavāpnuyāt || tatpaścimadiśābhāge kusumāyudhanāmakam || 2 || kuṃḍaṃ prasiddhamatulaṃ sarvakāmārthasiddhaye || yatra snānena dānena kandarpasadṛśākṛtim || labhate nā vidhānena mune nāstyatra saṃśayaḥ || 3 || ratikuṃḍe tathā vipra kusumāyudhakuṇḍake || śraddhayā kurute snānaṃ sa saukhyaparamo bhavet || 4 || kuṇḍadvaye'tra mithunaṃ yatsnānaṃ kurute kila || ratikāmāviva khyātau sadā tau suṃdarau tadā || 5 || tasmādatra vidhānena snātavyaṃ dharmakāṃkṣibhiḥ || dānaṃ deyaṃ yathāśaktyā ratikaṃdarpatuṣṭaye || 6 || bhavetāṃ niyataṃ tasya saṃtuṣṭau ratimanmathau || māghe viśadapaṃcamyāṃ yatra snānaṃ śubhapradam || 7 || ratikuṃḍe puraḥ snātvā paścātkaṃdarppakuṃḍake || snātavyaṃ taddine vipra mithunena prayatnataḥ || 8 || ratikaṃdarppayoḥ pūjā vidhātavyā viśeṣataḥ || vastrādibhiralaṃkāraiḥ saṃpūjyau dvijadaṃpatī || 9 || sarvānkāmānavāpnoti nātra kāryā vicāraṇā || 2.8.8.10 || caṃdanāgurukarpūrakastūrīkuṃkumādibhiḥ || vāsobhirvividhaiḥ puṣpaiḥ pūjayeddvijadampatī || 11 || evaṃ kṛte na saṃdeho ratikaṃdarpatuṣṭaye || tadvrajenmiśrunaṃ vipra ratikaṃdarppatulyatām || 12 || kusumāyudhakuṃḍāttu pratīcyāṃ diśi saṃsthitam || mantreśvara iti khyātaṃ tatsthānaṃ bhuvi durlabham || 13 || tatra tīrthe naraḥ snātvā dṛṣṭvā mantreśvaraṃ vibhum || na teṣāṃ punarāvṛttiḥ kalpakoṭiśatairapi || 14 || purā rāmo devakāryaṃ vidhāyāmalakarmakṛt || kālena saha saṃgamya mantraṃ cakre nareśvaraḥ || 15 || svargaṃ prati prayāṇāya yatra snātau jiteṃdriyaḥ || tatraiva sthāpitaṃ liṃgaṃ mantreśvara iti śrutam || 16 || taduttare saro ramyaṃ kumudotpalamaṃḍitam || tatra snānaṃ tathā dānaṃ nānāphaladamuttamam || 17|| caitraśuklacaturdaśyāṃ yātrā sāṃvatsarī smṛtā || tatra snānena dānena brāhmaṇānāṃ ca pūjanāt || akṣayaṃ svargamāpnoti tatra kāryā vicāraṇā || 16 || maṃtreśvarasya mahimā nahi kenāpi śakyate || samyagvarṇayituṃ vipra ya uttamaphalapradaḥ || maṃtreśvarasamaṃ liṃgaṃ na bhūtaṃ na bhaviṣyati || 19 || sugaṃdhipuṣpadhūpādikusumādyanulepanaiḥ || pūjanīyaḥ prayatnena sarvakāmārthasiddhidaḥ || 2.8.8.20 || evaṃ kṛte na saṃdeho muktistasya kare sthitā || tatraivottarabhāge tu śītalā vartate'nagha || 21 || tāṃ saṃpūjya naro vidvānsarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate || sarvadā pūjanaṃ tasyāḥ somavāre viśeṣataḥ || karttavyaṃ suprayatnena nṛbhiḥ sarvārthasiddhaye || 22 || visphoṭakādikabhaye naraiśca samupasthite || kartavyaṃ pūjanaṃ samyagrogādibhayanāśanam || 23 || taduttare tu tatraiva devī vandīti viśrutā || yasyāḥ smaraṇamātreṇa nigaḍādibhayaṃ nahi ||24|| rājñā kruddhena ye baddhāḥ śṛṃkhalānigaḍādibhiḥ || bandī saṃsmṛtya devīṃ tu muktāḥ syustatkṣaṇāddhi te ||25|| yātrā tasyāḥ prayatnena kartavyā yatnato naraiḥ || maṃgale hi viśeṣeṇa sarvakāmārthasiddhidā ||26|| gaṃdhaiḥ puṣpaistathā dhūpairdīpairapi ca suvrata || naivedyairvividhairvāpi pūjanīyā prayatnataḥ || 27 || bandīprītyai muniśreṣṭha deyaṃ brāhmaṇabhojanam || evaṃ kṛte na saṃdehaḥ sarvānkāmānavāpnuyāt || 28 || taduttarasmiṃstatraiva cuḍakī bhuvi kīrtitā || vartate paramā siddhirūpiṇī smaraṇānnṛṇām || 29 || susaṃdigdheṣu kāryeṣu bhaye ca samupasthite || yasyāḥ smaraṇato nṝṇāṃ sarvasiddhiḥ prajāyate || 2.8.8.30 || agre tasyāḥ sadā kāryā nṛbhiraṃguṣṭhato dhvaniḥ || dīpadānaṃ prayatnena karttavyaṃ niyatātmabhiḥ || 31 || sarvābhīṣṭapradaṃ nṝṇāṃ dīpadānaṃ praśasyate || caturdaśyāṃ caturdaśyāṃ tasyā yātrā vinirmitā || 32 || tataḥ pūrvadiśābhāge varttate tīrthamuttamam || mahāratna iti khyātaṃ sarvatīrthottamottamam || 33 || yatra snānena dānena pūjayā ca dvijanmanām || sarvakarmārthasiddhiḥ syānnātra kāryā vicāraṇā || 34 || bhādre kṛṣṇacaturdaśyāṃ yātrā sāṃvatsarī smṛtā || yātrā''ste kila mukhyā'sya mahāratnā iti śrutā || 35 || mahāratna iti khyātaṃ tasmāttīrthamanuttamam || tatra dānaṃ prakarttavyaṃ dvijasaṃtoṣakārakam || 36 || nārībhirapi viprarṣe karttavyo jāgarotsavaḥ || vīryasaubhāgyasaṃpannasarvasaukhyāya sarvadā || tatra snānaṃ prayatnena karttavyaṃ śraddhayā naraiḥ || 37 || tato naiṛtyadigbhāge durbharākhyaṃ sarā śubham || vartate sukṛtodāraṃ mahābharasarastathā || 38 || tatra snānādavāpnoti sadā svargapadaṃ naraḥ || dhanaṃ bahuvidhaṃ deyaṃ vāsāṃsi vividhāni ca || || 39 || śivapūjā prakarttavyā snātvā kuṇḍadvaye naraiḥ || nānāvidhena bhāvena bhaktyā paramayā yutaiḥ || 2.8.8.40 || gandhādibhiḥ śubhaiḥ puṣpairarccanīyo maheśvaraḥ || nīlakaṃṭhoṃ'dhakārātirārādhyo yogināmapi || 41 || iti dhyātvā śivaṃ sārddhaṃ niṣpāpaṃ prayato naraḥ || sarvakāmānavāpyāśu śivaloke vasetsadā || 42 || evaṃ kṛtvā naro vipra sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate || mahābhare vare tīrthe tathā durbharasaṃjñake || 43 || bhādrakṛṣṇacaturdaśyāṃ yaḥ kuryyācchraddhayā'nvitaḥ || śivapūjāṃ ca vidhivaddvijapūjāṃ viśeṣataḥ || 44 || yaḥ karoti naro bhaktyā śivaloke sa saṃvaset || evaṃ kurvannaro vidvānna muhyati kadācana || 45 || viṣṇurudrau ca tasyātisuprasannau sanātanau || tayoḥ smaraṇamātreṇa sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate || 46 || ataḥ kiṃ bahunoktena vipratīrthamanuttamam || sarvapāpaughaśamanaṃ sarvābhīṣṭakaraṃ sadā || 47 || ataḥ paraṃ pravakṣyāmi tīrthamanyacchubhāvaham || yatra yātrā tathā dānaṃ vinā bhāgyaṃ na saṃbhavet || 48 || īśāne durbharasthānānmahāvidyābhidhaṃ mahat || tasya darśanato nṝṇāṃ siddhayaḥ syuḥ kare sthitāḥ || 49 || tadagre sarasi snātvā mahāvidyāṃ tu yo naraḥ || paśyati śraddhayā bhaktyā sa yāti paramāṃ gatim || 2.8.8.50 || siddhapīṭhaṃ tathā khyātaṃ samyakpratyayakārakam || tatra pūjā vidhātavyā bhaktyā paramayā dvija || 51 || maṃtraṃ yaḥ śraddhayā vipra śaivaṃ śāktamathāpi vā || gāṇapatyaṃ vaiṣṇavaṃ vā tatra yaḥ prayato naraḥ || 52 || ekāgramānaso vidvannārādhyāvartayetsadā || tasya siddhirbhavennityaṃ camatkāro bhaveddvija || 53 || tasmādatra prakartavyaṃ japādikamataṃdritaiḥ || aṣṭamyāṃ ca navamyāṃ ca yātrā syātpratimāsikī || 54 || deyānyannāni bahuśo nānāvidhaphalāni ca || kṣīreṇa snapanaṃ kāryaṃ pūjanīyā prayatnataḥ || 55 || uccāṭanādīnyapi ca mohanādi viśeṣataḥ || atra sthāne viśeṣeṇa duṣṭamantro'pi sidhyati || 56 || siddhasthāne paraṃ mokṣaṃ vaśīkaraṇamuttamam || japo homastathā dānaṃ sarvamakṣayatāṃ vrajet || 57 || āśvine śuklapakṣasya navarātriṣu suvrata || yatra gatvā naro vipra sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate || 58 || yadā pūrvaṃ vinirjitya rāvaṇaṃ lokarāvaṇam || samāgato raghupatiḥ sītālakṣmaṇasaṃyutaḥ || 59 || yatra gatvā padā vīro bharato rāmakāṃkṣayā || sthitaḥ sānucaraḥ śrīmāñchriyā paramayā yutaḥ || 2.8.8.60 || tatrāgamatsuragavī prādurbhūtā sravatstanī || tatstanebhyaḥ prasusrāva dugdhaṃ bahuguṇādhikam || 61 || tadbhūmipatitaṃ dugdhaṃ dṛṣṭvā vānararākṣasāḥ || vismayaṃ paramaṃ jagmuḥ prapapuste carācaram || 62 || kimetaditi rājeṃdra tānuvāca raghūdvahaḥ || vasiṣṭho vetti tatsarvaṃ pṛcchāmastaṃ muniṃ vayam || 63 || ityuktāstu tataḥ sarve vasiṣṭhapramukhe sthitāḥ || te papracchuḥ prāṃjalayaḥ kṛtvā cāgresaraṃ nṛpam || 64 || vasiṣṭho'pi kṣaṇaṃ dhyātvā tamuvāca nirākulam || rāghavaṃ prati saṃbodhya sarveṣāmagrato muniḥ || 65 || || || vasiṣṭha uvāca || || śṛṇu rāma mahābāho kāmadhenuriyaṃ śubhā || samāgatā tava snehātprasravaṃtī stanātpayaḥ || 66 || dugdhamadhye samudbhūto rudrastvāṃ draṣṭumāgataḥ || niṣpannakāryyaṃ devānāṃ nirjitārātimuttamam || 67 || imaṃ saṃpūjaya kṣiprametatkuṇḍasya sannidhau || śīghraṃ tvamapi yatnena pūjayemaṃ śivaṃ śubham || dugdheśvaramiti khyātaṃ kṣīrakuṇḍe pavitrakam || 68 || || agastya uvāca || || tato raghupatiḥ śrīmānvasiṣṭhoktavidhānataḥ || pūjayāmāsa talliṃgaṃ dugdheśvaramiti smṛtam ||69|| sītayā satkṛtaṃ yasmāttatkuṇḍaṃ kṣīrasaṃgamam || sītākuṃḍamiti khyātiṃ jagāmānupamāṃ tataḥ||2.8.8.70 || sītākuṇḍe narāḥ snātvā dṛṣṭvā dugdheśvaraṃ prabhum || sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyaṃte nātra kāryā vicāraṇā ||71|| atra snānaṃ japo homo dānaṃ cākṣayatāṃ vrajet || sītākuṃḍe tu saṃpūjya sītārāmau salakṣmaṇau ||72|| dugdheśvaraṃ ca saṃpūjya sarvānkāmānavāpnuyāt || jyeṣṭhe māsi caturdaśyāṃ yātrā sāṃvatsarī smṛtā||73|| evaṃ yo vidhivatkuryāddayādharmaviśāradaḥ || sa yāti paramaṃ sthānaṃ yatra gatvā na śocati || 74 || tatra pūrvadiśābhāge sugrīvaracitaṃ mahat || tīrthaṃ taponidhestatra vartate sannidhau śubham || 75 || yatra snātvā ca dattvā ca rāmaṃ saṃpūjya yatnataḥ || tasminneva dine tatra sarvānkāmānavāpnuyāt || 76 || tatpratyagdiśi vai sthānaṃ hanumatkuṇḍamityapi || tasya paścimato vipra vibhīṣaṇasaraḥ dūrara || 77 || tayoḥ snānena dānena rāmasaṃpūjanena ca || sarvānkāmānavāpnoti tasminneva vidhānataḥ || iyaṃ sā paramā medhyā'yodhyā dharmanidhiḥ smṛtā || 78 || ityuktāstu tataḥ sarve vasiṣṭhamunimādarāt || papracchurvinayātkṣipraṃ vibhīṣaṇapuraḥsarāḥ || kathayasva taporāśe kathāmetāṃ sudurlabhām || 79 || ayodhyāyāḥ paraṃ vipra māhātmyaṃ kathayaṃti yat || tatsarvaṃ kathaya kṣipraṃ śrutvā māhātmyamuttamam || 2.8.8.80 || yathā yātrāṃ vidhāsyāmaḥ krameṇa ca vidhānataḥ || tadasmāsu kṛpāṃ kṛtvā kathayasva taponidhe || 81 || || vasiṣṭha uvāca || || śṛṇvantu munayaḥ sarve ayodhyāmahimādbhutam || yacchrutvā sarvapāpebhyo mucyate nātra saṃśaya || || 82 || idaṃ guhyataraṃ kṣetramayodhyābhidhamuttamam || sarveṣāmeva bhūtānāṃ heturmokṣasyaḥ sarvadā || 83 || asminsiddhāḥ sadā devā vaiṣṇavaṃ vratamāsthitāḥ || nānāliṃgadharā nityaṃ viṣṇulokābhikāṃkṣiṇaḥ || 84 || abhyasyaṃti paraṃ yogaṃ yuktaprāṇā jitendriyāḥ || nānāvṛkṣasamākīrṇe nānāvihagavāsini || 85 || kamalotpalaśobhāḍhye sarobhiḥ samalaṃkṛte || apsarogaṇasaṃkīrṇe sarvadā sevite śubhe || 86 || rocate hi sadā vāsaḥ kṣetre nityaṃ hareriha || manyamānā viṣṇubhaktā viṣṇau sarve'rpitakriyāḥ||87|| yathā mokṣamihāyāṃti nānyatra hi tathā kvacit || ataḥ śreṣṭhatamaṃ kṣetraṃ yasmācca vasatirhareḥ || mahākṣetramidaṃ yasmādayodhyābhidhamuttamam || 88 || naimiṣe ca kurukṣetre gaṃgādvāre ca puṣkare || snānātsaṃsevanādvāpi na mokṣaḥ prāpyate tathā || 89 || iha saṃprāpyate yadvattata eva viśiṣyate || prayāge vā bhavenmokṣa iha vā harisaṃśrayāt || sarvasmādapi tīrthāgryādidameva mahatkṛtam || 2.8.8.90 || avyaktaliṃgairmunibhiḥ sarvaiḥ siddhairmaharṣibhiḥ || iha saṃprāpyate mokṣo durllabho'nyatra yo mataḥ || || 91 || tebhyaḥ prayacchati hariryogamaiśvaryyamuttamam || ātmanaścaiva sāyujyamīpsitaṃ sthānamuttamam || 92 || brahmā devarṣibhiḥ sārddhaṃ śrīśca vāyurdivākaraḥ || devarājastathā śakro ye cānye'pi divaukasaḥ || 93 || upāsate mahātmānaḥ sarvatra harimādarāt || anyepi yoginaḥ siddhāḥ kṣetrarūpā mahāvratāḥ || ananyamanaso bhūtvā sarvadopāsate harim || 94 || viṣayāsaktacitto'pi tyaktadharmaratirnaraḥ || iha kṣetre mṛtaḥ sopi saṃsārī na punarbhavet || 95 || ye punarnigamādhīnāḥ satrasthā vijiteṃdriyāḥ || vratinaśca nirāraṃbhāḥ sarve te haribhāvitāḥ || 96 || dehabhaṃgaṃ samāpadya dhīmaṃtaḥ saṃgavarjitāḥ || gatāste ca paraṃ mokṣaṃ prasādātsarvadā hareḥ || 97 || janmāntarasahasreṣu yuñjanyogī na cāpnuyāt || tamihaiva paraṃ mokṣaṃ maraṇādapi gacchati || 98 || etatsaṃkṣepato vacmi kṣetrasya mahimādbhutam || etadeva paraṃ sthānametadeva paraṃ padam || etādṛṅnāparaṃ sthānaṃ punaranyatra dṛśyate || 99 || atra gatvā prayatnena yātrā puṇyābhikāṃkṣibhiḥ || kartavyā vidhivaddhīrāḥ krameṇa śraddhayānvitaiḥ || || 2.8.8.100 || prathame'hani karttavya upavāso yatātmabhiḥ || niyamena tataḥ snānaṃ dānaṃ caiva svaśaktitaḥ || 101 || upāvṛttastu pāpebhyo yasya vāso guṇaiḥ saha || upavāsaḥ sa vijñeyaḥ sarvabhogavivarjitaḥ || 102 || upavāsaṃ vidhāyāsau cakratīrthe naraḥ kṛtī || upavāsadine snāyāddadyāccaiva svaśaktitaḥ || 103 || vipraṃ saṃpūjya vidhivatpaśyedviṣṇuhariṃ vibhum || svargadvāre naraḥ snātvā viṣṇuṃ saṃpūjya yatnataḥ || 104 || kṣauraṃ ca kārayettatra vratī dharmābhidhe tataḥ || pāpamocanake snānamṛṇamocanake tataḥ || 105 || snātvā sahasradhārāyāṃ śeṣaṃ saṃpūjya yatnataḥ || dṛṣṭvā caṃdrahariṃ devaṃ tato dharmahariṃ vibhum|| 106 || tataścakrahariṃ dṛṣṭvā dadyāccaiva svaśaktitaḥ || brahmakuṇḍe naraḥ snātvā sarvakāmārthasiddhaye || mahāvidyāsamīpe tu rātrau jāgaraṇaṃ caret || 107 || tataḥ prabhāte vimale punarutthāya sadvratī || svargadvāre prayatnena vidhivatsnānamācaret || 108 || śrāddhaṃ ca vidhivatkṛtvā dattvā caiva svaśaktitaḥ|| viṣṇuṃ saṃpūjya vidhivadviprānapi punaḥpunaḥ ||109|| daṃpatī ca prayatnena pūjyau vastrādibhistathā || śraddhayā parayā yuktairdātavyā bhūridakṣiṇā || 2.8.8.110 || viprānsaṃpūjya vidhivadbhuṃjīta prayato naraḥ || 111 || anyedyurapi cotthāya śraddhayā parayā yutaḥ || rukmiṇīprabhṛtīnyatra paśyettīrthāni ca kramāt || 112 || tatratatra naraḥ snātvā dattvā caiva svaśaktitaḥ || viṣṇuṃ saṃpūjya yatnena manovākkāyanirmalaḥ || 113 || yātrāṃ samāpayetsamyaṅniyatātmā śucivrataḥ || yatra kvāpi mṛto dhīraḥ paraṃ mokṣamavāpnuyāt || 114 || || agastya uvāca || || vasiṣṭhoktamiti śrutvā kṛtvā caiva yathāvidhi || vibhīṣaṇapurogāste babhūvurnirmalāstadā || 115 || iti bahulavidhānaistīrthayātrāṃ vidhāya pracurasukṛtapūrṇāste ca sugrīvamukhyāḥ || gatamalinasudehāḥ svargacaryāprayatnādupaguṇitaguṇaughāste babhūvuḥ samastāḥ || 116 || iti śrīskānde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṃ saṃhitāyāṃ dvitīye vaiṣṇavakhaṃḍe'yodhyāmāhātmye mahāratnatīrthadurbharamahābharatīrthamahāvidyātīrtha siddhapīṭhakṣīreśvarasītākuṇḍa sugrīvatīrthahanumatkuṇḍa vibhīṣaṇasarastīrthāyodhyāyātrāvidhikramavarṇanaṃnāmāṣṭamo'dhyāyaḥ || 8 ||

English translation

Agastya said :

1-6. To the west of Ghoṣārkatīrtha, O Brāhmaṇa -sage, is situated a Tīrtha well-known as Rati Kuṇḍa . [1] It is destructive of all sins always. By taking holy bath here and by making charitable gifts, one shall attain excellent splendour.

To the west of that is situated a Tīrtha named Kusumāyudha Kuṇḍa. This is matchless and famous. It is conducive to the attainment of all desired objects. By taking holy bath here and by making charitable gifts in accordance with the injunctions a man obtains physical form on a par with that of the god of Love. O sage, there is no doubt about it.

One who faithfully takes holy bath, O Brāhmaṇa, in Ratikuṇḍa as well as Kusumāyudhakuṇḍa, shall attain the highest happiness.

Couples who take holy bath in both the Kuṇḍas will become famous like Rati and Kama . They will be handsome and charming permanently.

Hence holy bath in accordance with the injunctions should be taken by those who desire Dharma . Charitable gifts should be given in accordance with one’s capacity for the propitiation of Rati and Kāma .

7-10. Rati and Kāma shall invariably be pleased with them. Holy bath taken here on the fifth day in the bright half of Māgha bestows auspiciousness.

Couples must first take their bath in Ratikuṇḍa and afterwards in Kandarpakuṇḍa on that day very scrupulously, O Brāhmaṇa. The worship of Rati and Kandarpa should be specially performed. A Brāhmaṇa couple should be honoured with ornaments, garments etc. The devotee shall attain all desires. There is no doubt about this.

11. The devotee should worship the Brāhmaṇa couple with sandal-paste, agallochum, camphor, musk, saffron etc., with different kinds of clothes and with flowers.

12. When this is performed for the propitiation of Rati and Kandarpa, there is no doubt, O Brāhmaṇa, that the couple shall be on a par with Rati and Kandarpa.

13-14. A holy spot well-known as Mantreśvara [2] is situated to the west of Kusumāyudhakuṇḍa. It is very rarely accessible. If persons take their bath in that Tīrtha and visit Lord Mantreśvara, they will never return (to the earth) even in hundreds and crores of Kalpas .

15-18. Formerly Rāma of pure holy rites completed the task of the Devas . Then the king had consultation with Kāla in regard to going back to heaven. Where the Lord who had conquered the sense-organs took his bath, he installed a Liṅga well-known as Mantreśvara.

To the north of it there is a beautiful lake adorned with lilies and blue lotuses. Taking holy bath there and making charitable gifts bestows various benefits. It is very excellent.

The annual festival is to be celebrated on the fourteenth day in the bright half of the month of Cakra . By taking the holy bath, by making charitable gifts and by worshipping Brāhmaṇas , one attains infinite bliss in heaven. There is no doubt about this.

19-2la. The greatness of Mantreśvara cannot be adequately described by anyone, O Brāhmaṇa. The Lord is the bestower of excellent benefit. A Liṅga on par with Mantreśvara has never existed before nor will there be another.

The deity should be worshipped carefully by means of fragrant flowers, incense etc., unguents and other things. It is the bestower of all desired objects. If everything is performed thus, undoutbtedly, salvation is within his reach.

21b-22. To the north of this, O sinless one, is the Goddess Śītalā [3] stationed. By worshipping that goddess a learned man is liberated from all sins. The goddess can be worshipped always but particularly on Mondays the worship is to be performed by men with great care for the attainment of all objects.

23. When there is fear of the outbreak of smallpox etc. her worship is to be performed by men. It is destructive of the eruption of the disease etc.

24-28. There itself, to the north of it, is the goddess well-known as Bandī . Merely by remembering her, one is rid of the fear of being fettered.

Those who are bound with chains by an infuriated king, shall become liberated instantaneously on remembering Goddess Bandī.

A festival should be celebrated in her honour strenuously by men particularly on Tuesdays. It bestows all desired objects.

She is to be ardently and carefully worshipped by means of perfumes, flowers, incenses, lights and food offerings of various kinds, O sage of holy rites. In order to propitiate Bandī, O excellent sage, Brāhmaṇas should be fed. If this is done, one shall attain all desires. There is no doubt about it.

29-32. There itself, to the north of it, is the goddess well-known on the earth as Cuḍakī. By remembering her, men can achieve great Siddhis .

When success in undertakings is doubtful, when there is an imminent fear, men shall remember her. They will achieve everything.

In front of her, men should make the sound of snapping the fingers and the thumb. Lights should be offered carefully by persons of controlled selves. The offering of lamps is honoured. It bestows all desired objects on men. Her festival is to be celebrated on ail Caturdaśī days.

33. To the east thereof is an excellent Tīrtha well-known as Mahāratna. It is the most excellent of all splendid Tīrthas .

34. By taking holy bath here, by making charitable gifts and by worshipping Brāhmaṇas, there shall be the attainment of all desired objects. There is no doubt about it.

35-37. The annual festival is to be celebrated on the fourteenth day in the dark half of the month of Bhādrapada .

It is learnt that the main festival is well-known as Mahāratna. Hence the excellent Tīrtha is well-known as Mahāratna. There, charitable gifts giving satisfaction to Brāhmaṇas should be made. The festival of Jāgaraṇa (keeping awake) should always be celebrated, O Brāhmaṇa-sage, by women too for the sake of valour, good fortune, prosperity and all sorts of happiness. Holy bath should be taken faithfully and carefully by men.

38-42. To the south-west of it are the two auspicious lakes Durbhara and Mahābhara. They are liberal in bestowing auspicious merits.

By taking a holy bath there a man always attains the region of heaven. Many kinds of wealth and garments should be given away (at those Tīrthas). Worship of Śiva should be performed by men after taking bath in both the lakes. One should be endowed with ardent devotion and different kinds of (noble) sentiments.

Maheśvara , the blue-throated lord, should be worshipped with splendid flowers, sweet scents etc. The Enemy of Andhaka is worthy of being propitiated by even Yogins .

After meditating on Śiva thus, along with (Goddess Pārvatī ), a pure man devoid of sins attains all desires immediately. He shall reside always in the world of Śiva.

43. By doing this, O Brāhmaṇa, a man is liberated from all sins.

44-45. At the excellent Tīrtha called Mahābhara and at Durbhara, on the fourteenth day in the dark half of Bhādrapada, one should devoutly and according to injunctions, perform the worship of Śiva and especially of Brāhmaṇas.

A man who performs this with devotion happily resides in Śiva’s world. A person who does it thus is never deluded.

46-47. The eternal Lords Viṣṇu and Rudra become greatly pleased with him. Merely by remembering these two one is liberated from all sins.

Therefore, of what avail is much talk? O Brāhmaṇa, this Tīrtha is excellent; it suppresses all sins. It always brings about all the desired objects.

48. Henceforth I shall recount another auspicious Tīrtha, where without good fortune it is impossible to celebrate festivals or to make charitable gifts.

49-50. To the north-east of the holy spot of Durbhara there is a great Tīrtha named Mahāvidyā . (Merely) by visiting it Siddhis will be within the reach of men. After taking holy bath in the lake in front of the deity, a man who visits Mahāvidyā with faith and devotion shall attain the greatest goal.

51. Similarly Siddhapīṭha is very well-known. It inspires confidence and faith. O Brāhmaṇa, worship should be performed there with great devotion.

52-56. The pure devotee should, with concentration of mind, always practise and repeat with faith any Mantra which may be Śaiva , Śākta (pertaining to Śakti ), Gāṇapatya or Vaiṣṇava . O learned Brāhmaṇa, he shall achieve permanent Siddhi . It will be an astonishing show.

Hence Japa etc. should be performed without any lethargy. There should be had monthly festivals on the eighth and ninth days. Various kinds of fruits and cooked rice in plenty should be given away. The deity should be bathed with milk. It should be ardently worshipped.

At this place even wicked black magical mantras especially Uccāṭana (spells for eliminating the enemy) and Mohana (spells for deluding the enemy) become perfected and mastered.

57. At the place called Siddhasthāna, the mastering of Mokṣa is the best. Japa, Homa , charitable gifts (everything) shall be of infinite benefit.

58. O Brāhmaṇa, O sage of auspicious rites, a man who goes there during the nine days in the bright half of the month of Āśvina is liberated from all sins.

59-65. After conquering Rāvaṇa who had made the worlds cry aloud, the leading scion of the family of Raghu returned in the company of Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa . In order to receive Rāma, Bharata went to this place on foot. Endowed with good fortune and accompanied by his followers (Bharata) had halted here.

The divine cow appeared there with milk flowing from her udders in profuse quantity. On seeing the milk falling on the ground, the monkeys and the Rākṣasas were struck with wonder. They asked Rāma (the lord of) mobile and immobile beings: “O great king, what is this?” The great scion of the family of Raghu said to them: “ Vasiṣṭha knows everything. We shall ask that sage.” On being told thus, all of them with the king as their leader, stood in front of Vasiṣṭha and asked him with palms joined in reverence. Vasiṣṭha meditated for a short while. Addressing Rāma in front of all, the sage said to him calmly:

Vasiṣṭha said :

66-68. Listen, O mighty Rāma. This is the auspicious Kāmadhenu . Out of affection for you, she has come down here with milk flowing from her udders.

In the middle of the flowing milk Rudra has come up. He has come to see you, the excellent (warrior) who have conquered the enemy and who have fulfilled the task of Devas. Worship him quickly near this Kuṇḍa. Without any delay worship this auspicious Śiva ardently. In this Kṣīrakuṇḍa he is the holy deity well-known as Dugdheśvara.

Agastya said :

69. Then the glorious scion of the family of Raghu worshipped that Liṅga, known as Dugḍheśvara, in accordance with the injunctions of Vasiṣṭha.

70-73. Since that Kuṇḍa where the milk flowed, was honoured by Sītā, that Kuṇḍa attained a matchless reputation as ‘Sītākuṇḍa’ from that time onwards.

Men who take their holy bath in Sītākuṇḍa and visit Lord Dugdheśvara are liberated from all sins. There is no doubt about this. Holy bath taken, Japa, Homa performed and charitable gifts offered here shall bestow infinite merit.

By worshipping Sītā and Rāma at Sītākuṇḍa along with Lakṣmaṇa and by worshipping Dugdheśvara one shall attain all desires. The annual festival is to be celebrated on the fourteenth day in the month of Jyeṣṭha .

74-78. One who is very righteous and merciful and performs the rites like this duly, goes to the greatest abode, after reaching which one does not become grief-stricken.

There on the eastern side is the great Tīrtha of Taponidhi (‘Storehouse of penance’) made by Sugrīva . It is an auspicious Tīrtha that is situated nearby. One who takes the holy bath there, makes charitable gifts and carefully worships Rāma, shall attain all desires on that very day.

To the west of it is the holy spot Hanumatkuṇḍa. To the west of it, O Brāhmaṇa, is the splendid lake named Vibhīṣaṇa Saras . By taking a holy bath in both of them, by making charitable gifts and by worshipping Rāma there itself in accordance with the injunctions, one obtains (fulfilment of) all desires.

This is that extremely pure Ayodhyā . It is known as Dharmanidhi (‘Storehouse of piety’).

79-81. On being told thus [4] all of them with Vibhīṣaṇa as their leader humbly asked sage Vasiṣṭha with great respect: “O sage, O storehouse of great penance, recount this rare story. Describe the glory of Ayodhyā, so that after hearing the excellent greatness, we will be able to undertake the pilgrimage in accordance with the injunctions. Take pity on us, O storehouse of penance, and recount it.”

Vasiṣṭha said :

82. May all the sages listen to the wonderful glory of Ayodhyā [5] . On listening to it, one is rid of all sins. There is no doubt about it.

83. This exceedingly great, secret, holy spot named Ayodhyā is very excellent. It always causes salvation to all living beings.

84. In this (holy spot), Siddhas and Devas have adopted the Vaiṣṇava Vrata . They regularly wear different kinds of symbols and are desirous of the world of Viṣṇu.

85-88. They practise the great Yoga . They have just controlled the Prāṇas (vital airs); they have subdued their sense-organs. This holy spot is full of different kinds of trees and is the abode of many kinds of birds. It is beautified by many lakes full of the beauty and splendour of lotuses and lilies. It is frequented by groups of celestial damsels. This is the holy spot of Hari . This great place (city) named Ayodhyā is an excellent holy spot.

89-91. By taking holy bath or by residing in Naimiṣa , Kurukṣetra , Gaṅgādvāra and Puṣkara salvation is not attained (as easily as) it is obtained here. For that reason it surpasses all other holy spots. Either at Prayāga or here, one will attain salvation by resorting to Hari. This alone is known as greater than all other excellent Tīrthas.

Salvation which is considered difficult to have is obtained in this holy spot by all Siddhas, great sages and ascetics of unmanifest symbols.

92-94. Hari grants them Yogic power and excellent glory and even Sāyujya with himself. This excellent holy spot is desired (by all).

Brahmā accompanied by celestial sages, Śrī, Vāyu (Wind-god), Divākara (Sun-god), the Lord of Devas (i.e. Indra ) known as Śakra and other heaven-dwellers—all these noble souls worship Hari everywhere with great respect. Other Yogins, Siddhas of great holy rites identical with the holy spot, worship Hari with their minds not diverted to anyone else.

95. Even a person whose mind is attracted towards sensual objects, even a man who has forgotten everything about piety and holiness, does not resume worldly existence after dying in this holy spot.

96. Those who are dependent on Nigamas ( Vedas ), those who abide by Sattras (sacrificial sessions), those who have conquered the sense-organs, those who observe holy rites without undertaking any other activities—all these are sanctified by Hari.

97. With the favour of Hari these intelligent ones devoid of attachment attain the greatest salvation after the disintegration (i.e. death) of the physical body.

98. A Yogin practising for thousands of births may not attain the great salvation. That salvation is obtained by dying here.

99. I shall succinctly describe the wonderful glory of this holy spot. This alone is the greatest holy spot. This alone is the greatest region. No other holy spot like this is seen elsewhere.

100. Persons desirous of merits should go to this holy spot on pilgrimage. O intelligent ones, the pilgrimage has to be performed by persons with great faith in accordance with the injunctions and in due order.

101-103. On the first day Upavāsa (holy fast) must be performed by a person of controlled self. Thereafter he should undertake holy bath and then (give) charitable gifts according to his capacity. The term Upavāsa means this: One who has abstained from sins has his Vāsa (residence) with good qualities. That is the correct interpretation of the word Upavāsa . Hence it means avoidance of all sensual enjoyments.

After observing the fast the man of good holy rites should take the holy bath and make charitable gifts according to his capacity.

104-107. One should perform all these in due order: After worshipping a Brāhmaṇa duly, he should visit Lord Viṣṇuhari. Then he should take bath at Svargadvāra and worship Viṣṇu with concentration. Then the devotee observing the Vrata shall have a shave in the holy spot named Dharma. Thereafter, he should take baths in Pāpamocanaka and Ṛṇamocanaka Tīrtha. Then he should visit Lord Candrahari and Lord Dharmahari. After visiting Cakrahari he should make charitable gifts according to his capacity. Then the devotee takes his holy bath in Brahmakuṇḍa for the purpose of achieving all desired objects. Then he should perform the Jāgaraṇa rite at night in the vicinity of Mahāvidyā.

108. When the day dawns clearly, the person observing the good holy rites should get up and duly take his holy bath at Svargadvāra carefully.

109-110. After performing the Śrāddha rite duly and making charitable gifts according to his capacity, the devotee should duly worship Viṣṇu and the Brāhmaṇas repeatedly. A couple should also be worshipped and honoured with garments etc. Plenty of monetary gifts too should be offered by persons endowed with great faith.

111-114. After honouring the Brāhmaṇas duly, the pure man should himself take his food. On the next day the devotee endowed with great faith, should get up (early in the morning) and visit Rukmiṇī Tīrtha and other Tīrthas in the proper order. In the different places the man should take his holy bath and make charitable gifts according to his capacity. Then he should worship Viṣṇu carefully. He shall be free from mental, verbal and physical impurities. Thus, with the self fully controlled, the devotee of pure holy rites should conclude his pilgrimage successfully. If at any place he may happen to die (during the performance of pilgrimage) he shall attain the great salvation.

Agastya said :

115-116. After listening to these words spoken by Vasiṣṭha thus those Rākṣasas and others with Vibhīṣaṇa as their leader performed everything in accordance with the injunctions. Then they became free from impurities.

Thus the (Monkeys etc.) with Sugrīva as their chief performed the pilgrimage in accordance with the detailed injunctions. They acquired plenty of merit. Due to their endeavour to go back to heaven all the dirt in their bodies vanished. They attained excellent bodies. All or them attained the full complement of good qualities.

[1]: [1] : VV 1-12 describe Rati Kuṇḍa and Kusumāyudha Kuṇḍa which lie to the west of Ghoṣārka Tīrtha. Its special day is the 5th day in the bright half of Māgha (known as Vasanta-Pañcamī).

[2]: [2] : VV 13-20a give the importance of Mantreśvara installed by Rāma after his consultation with Kāla. Its special day is the 14th day in the bright half of Caitra.

[3]: [3] : There are minor sacred spots and deities described like Śītalā, the deity of Smallpox (vv 21b-23), Bandī, the releaser of prisoners (vv 24-28), Cuḍakī (vv 29-37), Mahāratna (vv 35-37), Durbhara and Mahābhara (vv 38-47).

[4]: [4] : All the verses from v 71 sītākuṇḍe narāḥ snātvā “Men who take their bath in Sītākuṇḍa” up to this verse constitute presumably Vasiṣṭha’s speech.

[5]: [5] : After describing minor Tīrthas, the author stresses the importance of Ayodhyā and outlines the pilgrimage to Ayodhyā in vv 82-116.

Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 23152, revision 71620 (2016-06-21T11:31:02Z). English is G. V. Tagare’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc371736.html and the archival publication witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.