Ayodhyā-māhātmya · Chapter 10
Source।। अगस्त्य उवाच ।। ।। निराहारो नरो भूत्वा क्षीराहारोऽपि वा पुनः ।। अजितं पूजयेद्विप्र तस्य सिद्धिः करे स्थिता ।। १ ।। महोत्सवस्तु कर्तव्यो गीतवादित्रसंयुतः ।। एवं यः कुरुते धीमान्सर्वान्कामानवाप्नुयात् ।। २ ।। एतस्मादुत्तरे विद्वन्वीरस्य शुभसूचकम् ।। स्थानं मत्तगजेन्द्रस्य वर्तते नियतव्रत ।। ३ ।। तदग्रे सरसि स्नात्वा वसेत्तत्र सुनिश्चितम् ।। पूर्णा सिद्धिमवाप्नोति यामवाप्य न शोचति ।। ४ ।। अयोध्यारक्षको वीरः सर्वकामार्थसिद्धिदः ।। नवरात्रिषु पंचम्यां यात्रा सांवत्सरी भवेत् ।। ५ ।। गंधपुष्पादिधूपादि नैवेद्यादिविधानतः ।। पूजनीयः प्रयत्नेन सर्वकामार्थसिद्धिदः ।। यंयं काममिहेच्छेत तंतं काममवाप्नुयात् ।। ६ ।। एतस्माद्द्क्षिणेभागे सुरसानाम राक्षसी ।। विष्णुभक्ता सदा विप्र वर्तते सिद्धिदायिका ।। ७ ।। तां संपूज्य नरो भक्त्या सर्वान्कामानवाप्नुयात् ।। ८ ।। लंकास्थानादिहानीता रामेणोत्कृष्टकर्मणा ।। अयोध्यायां स्थापिता सा रक्षार्थं नियतव्रतैः ।। ९ ।। संपूज्य विधिवत्तस्या दर्शनं कार्यमादरात् ।। सर्वकामार्थसिद्ध्यर्थमुत्सवोऽपि शुभप्रदः ।। कर्त्तव्यः सुप्रयत्नेन गीतवादित्रसंयुतैः ।। 2.8.10.१० ।। नवरात्रे तृतीयायां यात्रा सांवत्सरी भवेत् ।। सर्वदा सुखसंतानसिद्धये परमार्थदा ।। नानासंगीतवादित्रनृत्योत्सवमनोहरा ।। ११ ।। एवं कृते न संदेहः सर्वदा रक्षितो भवेत् ।। १२ ।। एतत्पश्चिमदिग्भागे वर्तते परमो मुने ।। पिंडारक इति ख्यातो वीरः परमपौरुषः ।। पूजनीयः प्रयत्नेन गंधपुष्पाक्षतादिभिः ।। १३ ।। यस्य पूजावशान्नॄणां सिद्धयः करसंश्रिताः ।। तस्य पूजाविधानेन कर्तव्यं पूजनं नरैः ।। १४ ।। सरयूसलिले स्नात्वा पिंडारकं च पूजयेत् ।। पापिनां मोहकर्त्तारं मतिदं कृतिनां सदा ।। १५ ।। तस्य यात्रा विधातव्या सपुष्या नवरात्रिषु ।। तत्पश्चिमदिशाभागे विघ्नेशं किल पूजयेत् ।। १६ ।। यस्य दर्शनतो नॄणां विघ्नलेशो न विद्यते ।। तस्माद्विघ्नेश्वरः पूज्यः सर्वकामफलप्रदः ।। १७ ।। तस्मात्स्थानत ऐशाने रामजन्म प्रवर्त्तते ।। जन्मस्थानमिदं प्रोक्तं मोक्षादिफलसाधनम् ।। १८ ।। विघ्नेश्वरात्पूर्वभागे वासिष्ठादुत्तरे तथा ।। लौमशात्पश्चिमे भागे जन्मस्थानं ततः स्मृतम् ।। १९ ।। यद्दृष्ट्वा च मनुष्यस्य गर्भवासजयो भवेत् ।। विना दानेन तपसा विना तीर्थैर्विना मखैः ।। 2.8.10.२० ।। नवमीदिवसे प्राप्ते व्रतधारी हि मानवः ।। स्नानदानप्रभावेण मुच्यते जन्मबन्धनात् ।। २१ ।। कपिलागोसहस्राणि यो ददाति दिनेदिने ।। तत्फलं समवाप्नोति जन्मभूमेः प्रदर्शनात् ।। २२ ।। आश्रमे वसतां पुंसां तापसानां च यत्फलम् ।। राजसूयसहस्राणि प्रतिवर्षाग्निहोत्रतः ।। २३ ।। नियमस्थं नरं दृष्ट्वा जन्मस्थाने विशेषतः ।। मातापित्रोर्गुरूणां च भक्तिमुद्वहतां सताम् ।। २४ ।। तत्फलं समवाप्नोति जन्मभूमेः प्रदर्शनात् ।। २५ ।। ।। अथ सरयूवर्णनम् ।। ।। पितॄणामक्षया तृप्तिर्गयाश्राद्धाधिकं फलम् ।। २६ ।। मन्वंतरसहस्रैस्तु काशीवासेषु यत्फलम् .।। तत्फलं समवाप्नोति सरयूदर्शने कृते ।। २७ ।। गयाश्राद्धं च ये कृत्वा पुरुषोत्तम दर्शनम् ।। कुर्वंति तत्फलं प्रोक्तं कलौ दाशरथीं पुरीम् ।। २८ ।। मथुरायां कल्पमेकं वसते मानवो यदि ।। तत्फलं समवाप्नोति सरयूदर्शने कृते ।।।। २९ ।। पुष्करेषु प्रयागेषु माघे वा कार्त्तिके तथा ।। तत्फलं समवाप्नोति सरयूदर्शने कृते ।। 2.8.10.३० ।। कल्पकोटिसहस्राणि ह्यवन्तीवासतो हि यत् ।। तत्फलं समवाप्नोति सरयूदर्शने कृते ।। ३१ ।। षष्टिवर्षसहस्राणि भागीरथ्यवगाहजम् ।। तत्फलं निमिषार्द्धेन कलौ दाशरथीं पुरीम् ।। ।। ३२ ।। निमिषं निमिषार्द्धं वा प्राणिनां रामचिन्तनम् ।। संसारकारणाज्ञाननाशकं जायते धुवम् ।। ३३ ।। यत्र कुत्र स्थितो यस्तु ह्ययोध्यां मनसा स्मरेत्।। न तस्य पुनरावृत्तिः कल्पांतरशतैरपि ।। ३४ ।। जलरूपेण ब्रह्मैव सरयूर्मोक्षदा सदा ।। नैवात्र कर्मणो भोगो रामरूपो भवेन्नरः ।। ।। ३५ ।। पशुपक्षिमृगाश्चैव ये चान्ये पापयोनयः ।। तेऽपि मुक्ता दिवं यांति श्रीरामवचनं यथा ।। ३६ ।। इत्युक्त्वा विरते तस्मिन्मुनौ कलशजन्मनि ।। कृष्णद्वैपायनव्यासः पुनरूचे तपोधनः ।। ३७ ।। दुर्लभा सर्वजन्तूनां कथा विस्तरतः क्रमात् ।। यात्राक्रमोऽपि च मया श्रुत आगच्छतां नृणाम्।। ३८ ।। इदानीं श्रोतुमिच्छामि क्षेत्रस्थानं यथाविधि ।। यात्राक्रमं मुनिश्रेष्ठ सम्यक्त्वस्तपोधन ।। ३९ ।। फलं ब्रूहि क्रमेणैव विस्तरात्पृच्छतो मम ।। यद्यस्ति मयि ते विद्वन्कृपा कारुणिकोत्तम ।। 2.8.10.४० ।। यथा श्रुत्वा क्रमेणैव यात्रां विश्वविदां वर ।। करोमि त्वत्प्रसादेन तथा कुरु यतव्रत ।। ४१ ।। ।। अगस्त्य उवाच ।। ।। शृणु वक्ष्यामि तत्त्वेन यात्राक्रममथादितः ।। अयोध्यां सप्ततीर्थानां यथावदनुपूर्वशः ।। ।। ४२ ।। मनोवाक्कायशुद्धेन निर्दोषेणांतरात्मना ।। मानसेषु सुतीर्थेषु स्नात्वा किल जितेंद्रियः ।। यः करोति विधिं सम्यक्स तीर्थफलमश्नुते ।। ।। ४३ ।। ।। व्यास उवाच ।। ।। मानसान्येव तीर्थानि कथयस्व तपोधन ।। येषु स्नातवतां नॄणां विशुद्धिर्मनसो भवेत् ।। ४४ ।। ।। ।। अगस्त्य उवाच ।। ।। शृणु तीर्थानि गदतो मानसानि ममानघ ।। येषु सम्यङ्नरः स्नात्वा प्रयाति परमां गतिम् ।। ४५ ।। सत्यतीर्थं क्षमातीर्थं तीर्थमिंद्रियनिग्रहः ।। सर्वभूतदयातीर्थं तीर्थानां सत्यवादिता ।। ४६ ।। ज्ञानतीर्थं तपस्तीर्थं कथितं तीर्थसप्तकम् ।। सर्वभूतदयातीर्थे विशुद्धिर्मनसो भवेत्।। ४७ ।। न तोयपूतदेहस्य स्नानमित्यभिधीयते ।। स स्नातो यस्य वै पुंसः सुविशुद्धं मनो मतम् ।। भौमानामपि तीर्थानां पुण्यत्वे कारणं शृणु ।। ४८ ।। यथा शरीरस्योद्देशाः केचिन्मध्योत्तमाः स्मृताः ।। तथा पृथिव्यामुद्देशाः केचित्पुण्यतमाः स्मृताः ।। ४९ ।। तस्माद्भौमेषु तीर्थेषु मानसेषु च संवसेत्।। उभयेषु च यः स्नाति स याति परमां गतिम् ।। 2.8.10.५० ।। तस्मात्त्वमपि विप्रेंद्र विशुद्धेनांतरात्मना ।। यात्रां कुरु प्रयत्नेन यात्रा वै नोदिता मया ।। तं तु वक्ष्यामि विप्रेंद्र तीर्थयात्राविधिं क्रमात् ।। ५१ ।। जायन्ते च जलेष्वेव म्रियंते च जलौकसः ।। न च गच्छंति ते स्वर्गमशुद्धमनसो मलाः ।। ५२ ।। विषयेष्वनिशं रागो मनसो मल उच्यते ।। तेष्वेव हि न संगम्य नैर्मल्यं समुदाहृतम् ।। ५३ ।। चित्तमन्तर्गतं दुष्टं तीर्थस्नानं न शुध्यति ।। शतशोऽपि जलैर्धौते सुराभाण्डमपावनम् ।। ५४ ।। दानमिज्या तपः शौचं तीर्थसेवा श्रुतिस्तथा ।। सर्वाण्येतानि तीर्थानि यदि भावेन निर्मलः ।। ५५ ।। निगृहीतेंद्रियग्रामो यत्रैव वसते नरः ।। तत्र तस्य कुरुक्षेत्रं नैमिषं पुष्करं तथा ।। ५६ ।। एतत्ते कथितं विप्र मानसं तीर्थलक्षणम् ।। स्नाते यस्मिन्क्रियाः सर्वाः सफलाः स्युः क्रियावताम् ।। ५७ ।। प्रातरुत्थाय मतिमान्संगमे स्नानमाचरेत् ।। विभुं विष्णुहरिं दृष्ट्वा स्नायाद्वै ब्रह्मकुण्डके ।। ५८ ।। चक्रतीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा चक्रहरिं विभुम् ।। ततो धर्महरिं दृष्ट्वा सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ।। ५९ ।। एकादश्यामेकादश्यामियं यात्रा शुभावहा ।। प्रातरुत्थाय मतिमान्स्वर्गद्वारजलप्लुतः ।। 2.8.10.६० ।। विधाय नित्यजं कर्म अयोध्यां च विलोकयेत् ।। सरयूं तु ततो दृष्ट्वा पश्येन्मत्तगजं ततः ।। ६१ ।। बंदीं च शीतलां चैव वटुकं च विलोकयेत् ।। तदग्रसरसि स्नात्वा महाविद्यां विलोकयेत् ।। ६२ ।। पिण्डारकं ततो दृष्ट्वा ततो भैरवदर्शनम्।। अष्टम्यां च चतुर्दश्यामेषा यात्रा फलप्रदा ।। ६३।। अंगारकचतुर्थ्यां तु पूर्वोक्ता देवता अपि ।। विघ्नेशं च ततः पश्येत्सर्वकामार्थसिद्धये।। ६४ ।। प्रातरुत्थाय मतिमान्ब्रह्मकुण्डजले प्लुतः ।। विष्णुं विष्णुहरिं दृष्ट्वा मनोवाक्कायशुद्धिमान्।।।।६५।। मंत्रेश्वरं ततो दृष्ट्वा महाविद्यां विलोकयेत् ।। अयोध्यां च ततो दृष्ट्वा सर्वकामार्थसिद्धये।।६६।। स्वर्गद्वारे नरः स्नात्वा सचैलो विजितेंद्रियः ।। नानाविधानि पापानि बहुजन्मकृतानि च ।। सचैलस्नानतो यांति तस्मात्सचैलमाचरेत् ।। ६७ ।। एषा वै गदिता यात्रा सर्वपापहरा शुभा ।। ।। ६८ ।। य एवं कुरुते यात्रां नित्यं शुभफलप्रदाम् ।। न तस्य पुनरावृत्तिः कल्पकोटिशतैरपि ।। ६९ ।। तस्मात्त्वमपि विप्रेंद्रः अयोध्यां व्रज मा चिरम् ।। तत्र गत्वा क्रमेणैव यात्रां कुरु यतेंद्रियः ।। 2.8.10.७० ।। अयोध्या परमं स्थानमयोध्या परमं महत् ।। अयोध्यायाः समा काचित्पुरी नैव प्रदृश्यते ।। ७१ ।। अयोध्या परमं स्थानं विष्णुचक्रे प्रतिष्ठितम् ।। ७२ ।। इत्येतत्कथितं विप्र मया पृष्टं हि यत्त्वया ।। समाश्रय मुने तां त्वमनुजानीहि मामतः ।। ७३ ।। ।। सूत उवाच ।। ।। इत्येतदुक्त्वा विरते मुनौ कलशजन्मनि ।। उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं व्यासः स तपसां निधिः ।। ७४ ।। ।। ।। व्यास उवाच ।। ।। धन्योऽस्म्यनुगृहीतोऽस्मि कृतकृत्योऽस्म्यहं मुने ।। सत्यं शौचं श्रुतं विप्र सुशीलं च क्षमार्जवम् ।। सर्वं च निष्फलं तस्य अयोध्यां नागतो यदि ।। ७५ ।। यस्मिन्मयि प्रसन्नेन त्वयोक्तो धर्मनिर्णयः ।। इदानीमपि गच्छामि ह्ययोध्यां निर्मलां पुरीम्।। त्वमपि व्रज विप्रेंद्र स्वमाश्रमपदं निजम् ।। ७६ ।। ।। सूत उवाच ।। ।। इत्यैवमुक्त्वा क्रमशो यात्राविधिमनुत्तमम्।। जगाम तपसां राशिरगस्त्यः कुंभसंभवः ।। ७७ ।। स्वमाश्रमपदं धीरो विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनः ।। व्यासोऽपि महसां राशिर्जगाम विजितेन्द्रियः ।। ७८ ।। अयोध्यामागतो विप्रः सर्वकामार्थसिद्धये ।। आगत्यैतद्विधानेन कृत्वा यात्रां यथाक्रमम् ।। ७९ ।। दृष्ट्वा महाश्चर्यकरं कारणं तीर्थमुत्तमम् ।। आनंदतुंदिलस्तत्र सम्यगाचम्य बुद्धिमान्।। 2.8.10.८० ।। ततो जगाम विप्रेंद्रः स्वमाश्रमपदं मुनिः ।। व्यासेन कथितं मह्यं माहात्म्यं क्रमशस्तदा ।। ८१ ।। मया श्रुत्वा च माहात्म्यं यात्रां कृत्वा विधानतः ।। कुरुक्षेत्रे समागत्य भवदग्रे निरूपितम् ।। ८२ ।। इदं माहात्म्यमतुलं यः पठेत्प्रयतो नरः ।। श्रद्धया यश्च शृणुयात्स याति परमां गतिम् ।। ८३ ।। तस्मादेतत्प्रयत्नेन श्रोतव्यं च जनैः सदा ।। द्विजपूजा विष्णुपूजा विधातव्या प्रयत्नतः ।। ८४ ।। दातव्यं च सुवर्णादि यथाशक्त्या द्विजन्मने ।। पुत्रार्थी लभते पुत्रान्धर्म्मार्थी धर्ममाप्नुयात् ।। ८५।। अतिविपुलविधानैर्वर्णितं धर्म्यमाद्यं कलयति परभक्त्या क्षेत्रमाहात्म्यमेतत् ।। य इह मनुजवर्यः श्रीसनाथः स सम्यग्व्रजति हरिनिवासं सर्वभोगांश्च भुक्त्वा ।। ८६ ।। यः पाठकस्यापि कदाचिदेव ददाति वित्तं च यथात्मशक्त्या ।। पात्राणि वस्त्राणि मनोहराणि रौप्यं सुवर्णं च गवीः स मुच्येत् ।। ८७ ।। इति श्रीस्कान्दे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां द्वितीये वैष्णवखण्डेऽयोध्यामाहात्म्येऽगस्त्यव्याससंवादेऽयोध्यायात्राविधिक्रमवर्णनंनाम दशमोऽध्यायः ।। १० ।। ।। छ ।। इति श्रीस्कान्दे महापुराणे द्वितीये वैष्णवखण्डेऽयोध्यामाहात्म्यं सम्पूर्णम् ।। ( २-८)
|| agastya uvāca || || nirāhāro naro bhūtvā kṣīrāhāro'pi vā punaḥ || ajitaṃ pūjayedvipra tasya siddhiḥ kare sthitā || 1 || mahotsavastu kartavyo gītavāditrasaṃyutaḥ || evaṃ yaḥ kurute dhīmānsarvānkāmānavāpnuyāt || 2 || etasmāduttare vidvanvīrasya śubhasūcakam || sthānaṃ mattagajendrasya vartate niyatavrata || 3 || tadagre sarasi snātvā vasettatra suniścitam || pūrṇā siddhimavāpnoti yāmavāpya na śocati || 4 || ayodhyārakṣako vīraḥ sarvakāmārthasiddhidaḥ || navarātriṣu paṃcamyāṃ yātrā sāṃvatsarī bhavet || 5 || gaṃdhapuṣpādidhūpādi naivedyādividhānataḥ || pūjanīyaḥ prayatnena sarvakāmārthasiddhidaḥ || yaṃyaṃ kāmamiheccheta taṃtaṃ kāmamavāpnuyāt || 6 || etasmāddkṣiṇebhāge surasānāma rākṣasī || viṣṇubhaktā sadā vipra vartate siddhidāyikā || 7 || tāṃ saṃpūjya naro bhaktyā sarvānkāmānavāpnuyāt || 8 || laṃkāsthānādihānītā rāmeṇotkṛṣṭakarmaṇā || ayodhyāyāṃ sthāpitā sā rakṣārthaṃ niyatavrataiḥ || 9 || saṃpūjya vidhivattasyā darśanaṃ kāryamādarāt || sarvakāmārthasiddhyarthamutsavo'pi śubhapradaḥ || karttavyaḥ suprayatnena gītavāditrasaṃyutaiḥ || 2.8.10.10 || navarātre tṛtīyāyāṃ yātrā sāṃvatsarī bhavet || sarvadā sukhasaṃtānasiddhaye paramārthadā || nānāsaṃgītavāditranṛtyotsavamanoharā || 11 || evaṃ kṛte na saṃdehaḥ sarvadā rakṣito bhavet || 12 || etatpaścimadigbhāge vartate paramo mune || piṃḍāraka iti khyāto vīraḥ paramapauruṣaḥ || pūjanīyaḥ prayatnena gaṃdhapuṣpākṣatādibhiḥ || 13 || yasya pūjāvaśānnṝṇāṃ siddhayaḥ karasaṃśritāḥ || tasya pūjāvidhānena kartavyaṃ pūjanaṃ naraiḥ || 14 || sarayūsalile snātvā piṃḍārakaṃ ca pūjayet || pāpināṃ mohakarttāraṃ matidaṃ kṛtināṃ sadā || 15 || tasya yātrā vidhātavyā sapuṣyā navarātriṣu || tatpaścimadiśābhāge vighneśaṃ kila pūjayet || 16 || yasya darśanato nṝṇāṃ vighnaleśo na vidyate || tasmādvighneśvaraḥ pūjyaḥ sarvakāmaphalapradaḥ || 17 || tasmātsthānata aiśāne rāmajanma pravarttate || janmasthānamidaṃ proktaṃ mokṣādiphalasādhanam || 18 || vighneśvarātpūrvabhāge vāsiṣṭhāduttare tathā || laumaśātpaścime bhāge janmasthānaṃ tataḥ smṛtam || 19 || yaddṛṣṭvā ca manuṣyasya garbhavāsajayo bhavet || vinā dānena tapasā vinā tīrthairvinā makhaiḥ || 2.8.10.20 || navamīdivase prāpte vratadhārī hi mānavaḥ || snānadānaprabhāveṇa mucyate janmabandhanāt || 21 || kapilāgosahasrāṇi yo dadāti dinedine || tatphalaṃ samavāpnoti janmabhūmeḥ pradarśanāt || 22 || āśrame vasatāṃ puṃsāṃ tāpasānāṃ ca yatphalam || rājasūyasahasrāṇi prativarṣāgnihotrataḥ || 23 || niyamasthaṃ naraṃ dṛṣṭvā janmasthāne viśeṣataḥ || mātāpitrorgurūṇāṃ ca bhaktimudvahatāṃ satām || 24 || tatphalaṃ samavāpnoti janmabhūmeḥ pradarśanāt || 25 || || atha sarayūvarṇanam || || pitṝṇāmakṣayā tṛptirgayāśrāddhādhikaṃ phalam || 26 || manvaṃtarasahasraistu kāśīvāseṣu yatphalam .|| tatphalaṃ samavāpnoti sarayūdarśane kṛte || 27 || gayāśrāddhaṃ ca ye kṛtvā puruṣottama darśanam || kurvaṃti tatphalaṃ proktaṃ kalau dāśarathīṃ purīm || 28 || mathurāyāṃ kalpamekaṃ vasate mānavo yadi || tatphalaṃ samavāpnoti sarayūdarśane kṛte |||| 29 || puṣkareṣu prayāgeṣu māghe vā kārttike tathā || tatphalaṃ samavāpnoti sarayūdarśane kṛte || 2.8.10.30 || kalpakoṭisahasrāṇi hyavantīvāsato hi yat || tatphalaṃ samavāpnoti sarayūdarśane kṛte || 31 || ṣaṣṭivarṣasahasrāṇi bhāgīrathyavagāhajam || tatphalaṃ nimiṣārddhena kalau dāśarathīṃ purīm || || 32 || nimiṣaṃ nimiṣārddhaṃ vā prāṇināṃ rāmacintanam || saṃsārakāraṇājñānanāśakaṃ jāyate dhuvam || 33 || yatra kutra sthito yastu hyayodhyāṃ manasā smaret|| na tasya punarāvṛttiḥ kalpāṃtaraśatairapi || 34 || jalarūpeṇa brahmaiva sarayūrmokṣadā sadā || naivātra karmaṇo bhogo rāmarūpo bhavennaraḥ || || 35 || paśupakṣimṛgāścaiva ye cānye pāpayonayaḥ || te'pi muktā divaṃ yāṃti śrīrāmavacanaṃ yathā || 36 || ityuktvā virate tasminmunau kalaśajanmani || kṛṣṇadvaipāyanavyāsaḥ punarūce tapodhanaḥ || 37 || durlabhā sarvajantūnāṃ kathā vistarataḥ kramāt || yātrākramo'pi ca mayā śruta āgacchatāṃ nṛṇām|| 38 || idānīṃ śrotumicchāmi kṣetrasthānaṃ yathāvidhi || yātrākramaṃ muniśreṣṭha samyaktvastapodhana || 39 || phalaṃ brūhi krameṇaiva vistarātpṛcchato mama || yadyasti mayi te vidvankṛpā kāruṇikottama || 2.8.10.40 || yathā śrutvā krameṇaiva yātrāṃ viśvavidāṃ vara || karomi tvatprasādena tathā kuru yatavrata || 41 || || agastya uvāca || || śṛṇu vakṣyāmi tattvena yātrākramamathāditaḥ || ayodhyāṃ saptatīrthānāṃ yathāvadanupūrvaśaḥ || || 42 || manovākkāyaśuddhena nirdoṣeṇāṃtarātmanā || mānaseṣu sutīrtheṣu snātvā kila jiteṃdriyaḥ || yaḥ karoti vidhiṃ samyaksa tīrthaphalamaśnute || || 43 || || vyāsa uvāca || || mānasānyeva tīrthāni kathayasva tapodhana || yeṣu snātavatāṃ nṝṇāṃ viśuddhirmanaso bhavet || 44 || || || agastya uvāca || || śṛṇu tīrthāni gadato mānasāni mamānagha || yeṣu samyaṅnaraḥ snātvā prayāti paramāṃ gatim || 45 || satyatīrthaṃ kṣamātīrthaṃ tīrthamiṃdriyanigrahaḥ || sarvabhūtadayātīrthaṃ tīrthānāṃ satyavāditā || 46 || jñānatīrthaṃ tapastīrthaṃ kathitaṃ tīrthasaptakam || sarvabhūtadayātīrthe viśuddhirmanaso bhavet|| 47 || na toyapūtadehasya snānamityabhidhīyate || sa snāto yasya vai puṃsaḥ suviśuddhaṃ mano matam || bhaumānāmapi tīrthānāṃ puṇyatve kāraṇaṃ śṛṇu || 48 || yathā śarīrasyoddeśāḥ kecinmadhyottamāḥ smṛtāḥ || tathā pṛthivyāmuddeśāḥ kecitpuṇyatamāḥ smṛtāḥ || 49 || tasmādbhaumeṣu tīrtheṣu mānaseṣu ca saṃvaset|| ubhayeṣu ca yaḥ snāti sa yāti paramāṃ gatim || 2.8.10.50 || tasmāttvamapi vipreṃdra viśuddhenāṃtarātmanā || yātrāṃ kuru prayatnena yātrā vai noditā mayā || taṃ tu vakṣyāmi vipreṃdra tīrthayātrāvidhiṃ kramāt || 51 || jāyante ca jaleṣveva mriyaṃte ca jalaukasaḥ || na ca gacchaṃti te svargamaśuddhamanaso malāḥ || 52 || viṣayeṣvaniśaṃ rāgo manaso mala ucyate || teṣveva hi na saṃgamya nairmalyaṃ samudāhṛtam || 53 || cittamantargataṃ duṣṭaṃ tīrthasnānaṃ na śudhyati || śataśo'pi jalairdhaute surābhāṇḍamapāvanam || 54 || dānamijyā tapaḥ śaucaṃ tīrthasevā śrutistathā || sarvāṇyetāni tīrthāni yadi bhāvena nirmalaḥ || 55 || nigṛhīteṃdriyagrāmo yatraiva vasate naraḥ || tatra tasya kurukṣetraṃ naimiṣaṃ puṣkaraṃ tathā || 56 || etatte kathitaṃ vipra mānasaṃ tīrthalakṣaṇam || snāte yasminkriyāḥ sarvāḥ saphalāḥ syuḥ kriyāvatām || 57 || prātarutthāya matimānsaṃgame snānamācaret || vibhuṃ viṣṇuhariṃ dṛṣṭvā snāyādvai brahmakuṇḍake || 58 || cakratīrthe naraḥ snātvā dṛṣṭvā cakrahariṃ vibhum || tato dharmahariṃ dṛṣṭvā sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate || 59 || ekādaśyāmekādaśyāmiyaṃ yātrā śubhāvahā || prātarutthāya matimānsvargadvārajalaplutaḥ || 2.8.10.60 || vidhāya nityajaṃ karma ayodhyāṃ ca vilokayet || sarayūṃ tu tato dṛṣṭvā paśyenmattagajaṃ tataḥ || 61 || baṃdīṃ ca śītalāṃ caiva vaṭukaṃ ca vilokayet || tadagrasarasi snātvā mahāvidyāṃ vilokayet || 62 || piṇḍārakaṃ tato dṛṣṭvā tato bhairavadarśanam|| aṣṭamyāṃ ca caturdaśyāmeṣā yātrā phalapradā || 63|| aṃgārakacaturthyāṃ tu pūrvoktā devatā api || vighneśaṃ ca tataḥ paśyetsarvakāmārthasiddhaye|| 64 || prātarutthāya matimānbrahmakuṇḍajale plutaḥ || viṣṇuṃ viṣṇuhariṃ dṛṣṭvā manovākkāyaśuddhimān||||65|| maṃtreśvaraṃ tato dṛṣṭvā mahāvidyāṃ vilokayet || ayodhyāṃ ca tato dṛṣṭvā sarvakāmārthasiddhaye||66|| svargadvāre naraḥ snātvā sacailo vijiteṃdriyaḥ || nānāvidhāni pāpāni bahujanmakṛtāni ca || sacailasnānato yāṃti tasmātsacailamācaret || 67 || eṣā vai gaditā yātrā sarvapāpaharā śubhā || || 68 || ya evaṃ kurute yātrāṃ nityaṃ śubhaphalapradām || na tasya punarāvṛttiḥ kalpakoṭiśatairapi || 69 || tasmāttvamapi vipreṃdraḥ ayodhyāṃ vraja mā ciram || tatra gatvā krameṇaiva yātrāṃ kuru yateṃdriyaḥ || 2.8.10.70 || ayodhyā paramaṃ sthānamayodhyā paramaṃ mahat || ayodhyāyāḥ samā kācitpurī naiva pradṛśyate || 71 || ayodhyā paramaṃ sthānaṃ viṣṇucakre pratiṣṭhitam || 72 || ityetatkathitaṃ vipra mayā pṛṣṭaṃ hi yattvayā || samāśraya mune tāṃ tvamanujānīhi māmataḥ || 73 || || sūta uvāca || || ityetaduktvā virate munau kalaśajanmani || uvāca madhuraṃ vākyaṃ vyāsaḥ sa tapasāṃ nidhiḥ || 74 || || || vyāsa uvāca || || dhanyo'smyanugṛhīto'smi kṛtakṛtyo'smyahaṃ mune || satyaṃ śaucaṃ śrutaṃ vipra suśīlaṃ ca kṣamārjavam || sarvaṃ ca niṣphalaṃ tasya ayodhyāṃ nāgato yadi || 75 || yasminmayi prasannena tvayokto dharmanirṇayaḥ || idānīmapi gacchāmi hyayodhyāṃ nirmalāṃ purīm|| tvamapi vraja vipreṃdra svamāśramapadaṃ nijam || 76 || || sūta uvāca || || ityaivamuktvā kramaśo yātrāvidhimanuttamam|| jagāma tapasāṃ rāśiragastyaḥ kuṃbhasaṃbhavaḥ || 77 || svamāśramapadaṃ dhīro vismayotphullalocanaḥ || vyāso'pi mahasāṃ rāśirjagāma vijitendriyaḥ || 78 || ayodhyāmāgato vipraḥ sarvakāmārthasiddhaye || āgatyaitadvidhānena kṛtvā yātrāṃ yathākramam || 79 || dṛṣṭvā mahāścaryakaraṃ kāraṇaṃ tīrthamuttamam || ānaṃdatuṃdilastatra samyagācamya buddhimān|| 2.8.10.80 || tato jagāma vipreṃdraḥ svamāśramapadaṃ muniḥ || vyāsena kathitaṃ mahyaṃ māhātmyaṃ kramaśastadā || 81 || mayā śrutvā ca māhātmyaṃ yātrāṃ kṛtvā vidhānataḥ || kurukṣetre samāgatya bhavadagre nirūpitam || 82 || idaṃ māhātmyamatulaṃ yaḥ paṭhetprayato naraḥ || śraddhayā yaśca śṛṇuyātsa yāti paramāṃ gatim || 83 || tasmādetatprayatnena śrotavyaṃ ca janaiḥ sadā || dvijapūjā viṣṇupūjā vidhātavyā prayatnataḥ || 84 || dātavyaṃ ca suvarṇādi yathāśaktyā dvijanmane || putrārthī labhate putrāndharmmārthī dharmamāpnuyāt || 85|| ativipulavidhānairvarṇitaṃ dharmyamādyaṃ kalayati parabhaktyā kṣetramāhātmyametat || ya iha manujavaryaḥ śrīsanāthaḥ sa samyagvrajati harinivāsaṃ sarvabhogāṃśca bhuktvā || 86 || yaḥ pāṭhakasyāpi kadācideva dadāti vittaṃ ca yathātmaśaktyā || pātrāṇi vastrāṇi manoharāṇi raupyaṃ suvarṇaṃ ca gavīḥ sa mucyet || 87 || iti śrīskānde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṃ saṃhitāyāṃ dvitīye vaiṣṇavakhaṇḍe'yodhyāmāhātmye'gastyavyāsasaṃvāde'yodhyāyātrāvidhikramavarṇanaṃnāma daśamo'dhyāyaḥ || 10 || || cha || iti śrīskānde mahāpurāṇe dvitīye vaiṣṇavakhaṇḍe'yodhyāmāhātmyaṃ sampūrṇam || ( 2-8)
English translation
Note: Although the outline of the pilgrimage to Ayodhyā is given in Ch. 8 vv 102-116, a detailed treatment is given in this chapter in vv 1-73.
Agastya said :
1-2. The devotee should worship Ajita ( Viṣṇu ) by abstaining from food or taking in only milk. Siddhi (spiritual achievement) comes within his hands (power).
The great festival should be celebrated with vocal and instrumental music. An intelligent devotee who does like this and performs the rites in this manner, shall attain all desires.
3-6. To the north of this is the auspicious Tīrtha of Vīra , the great elephant in rut, O sage regularly performing holy rites.
After taking the holy bath, the devotee should stay there in front of it determinedly. He attains the complete Siddhi on realizing which he does not bemoan or regret.
Vīra (Hero, the elephant deity here) is the defender of Ayodhyā and bestower of all desired objects. The annual festival shall be celebrated on the Pañcamī (fifth) day during Navarātris (Festival of nine days in Āśvina ). The deity should be worshipped cerefully by means of scents, incense, flowers etc. and food offerings in accordance with the injunctions. The deity shall be the bestower of all desired objects. Whatever he may desire, he shall attain.
7. To the south of this is the demoness named Surasā . O Brāhmaṇa , she is a perpetual devotee of Viṣṇu. She is a bestower of Siddhis .
8-12. By devoutly worshipping her one shall realize all desires. She was brought from her abode in Laṅkā by Rāma of magnificent activities. She was installed in Ayodhyā for the sake of its defence. People must observe vows and restraints, worship her duly and visit her with great respect. The festival for the sake of realizing all desired objects, bestows auspiciousness. It should be celebrated with great effort by means of vocal and instrumental music.
The annual festival shall be celebrated on Tṛtīyā (third day) during the Navarātris. It is conducive to the attainment of happiness and progeny. It bestows great objects. It shall be made pleasant by means of songs, musical instruments and dances. If everything is done thus, one shall be well-protected always. There is no doubt about this.
13-16a. In the western direction to this is installed a very great warrior of excellent heroism called Piṇḍāraka . He is to be worshipped with great effort by means of scents, flowers, raw rice-grains etc. As a result of this worship Siddhis shall be within the reach of men. The worship of that deity should be performed by men in accordance with the injunctions of worship. The devotee shall take his holy bath in the waters of Sarayū and then worship Piṇḍāraka who deludes sinners and bestows good intellect on men of good deeds always.
The (annual) festival should be celebrated during Navarātris with great luxury.
16b-17. To the west of it, the devotee should worship Vighneśvara by seeing whom not even the least obstacle remains (in the affairs) of men. Hence Vigneśvara, the bestower of all desired benefits, should be worshipped.
18-19. To the north-east of that spot is the place of the birth of Rāma. This holy spot of the birth is, it is said, the means of achieving salvation etc. It is said that the place of birth is situated to the east of Vighneśvara, to the north of Vāsiṣṭha and to the west of Laumaśa.
20. Only by visiting it a man can get rid of staying (frequently) in a womb (i.e. rebirth). There is no necessity for making charitable gifts, performing a penance or sacrifices or undertaking pilgrimages to holy spots.
21. On the Navamī day the man should observe the holy vow. By the power of the holy bath and charitable gifts, he is liberated from the bondage of births.
22. By visiting the place of birth one attains that benefit which is obtained by one who gives thousands of tawny-coloured cows everyday.
23-25. By seeing the place of birth one attains the merit of ascetics performing penance in hermitage, of thousands of Rājasūya sacrifices and Agnihotra sacrifices performed every year. By seeing a man observing the holy rite particularly in the place of birth he obtains the merit of the holy men endowed with devotion to mother and father as well as preceptors.
[ Now the description of Sarayū ]:—
26-27. It gives infinite satisfaction to the Pitṛs , the devotee gets more merit than that of Gayāśrāḍdha, if Sarayū is visited. One gets that merit thereby which is obtained by staying in Kāśī for thousands of Manvantaras .
28. By (visiting) the city of the Son of Daśaratha (i.e. Rāma) in Kali Yuga , it is said, one gets that merit which is obtained by persons who perform Gayāśrāddha and then visit Puruṣottama (Jagannāthapurī).
29. If Sarayū is visited, one attains that benefit which a man obtains when he stays in Mathurā for the period of a Kalpa .
30. If Sarayū is visited, one obtains that merit which is obtained in Puṣkara and Prayāga in the month of Māgha or Kārttika .
31. If Sarayū is seen, one obtains that merit which is obtained by means of stay in Avantī for thousands and crores of Kalpas .
32. By visiting the city of Daśaratha’s Son in Kaliyuga (even) for half a moment one obtains the merit of taking a holy plunge in Gaṅgā for sixty thousand years.
33. If living beings contemplate on Rāma for a moment or half a moment, it becomes the destroyer of ignorance which is the cause of the worldly existence.
34. Wherever one may stay, if one mentally remembers Ayodhyā, there is no question of his returning (to the earth) even in the course of hundreds of Kalpas.
35. Sarayū is Brahman itself in the form of water. It always bestows salvation. There is no question of experiencing the effects of Karma here. The man assumes the form of Rāma.
36. Beasts, birds, and animals and all those living beings of inferior species, become liberated and they go to heaven in accordance with the words of Śrīrāma .
37. After saying thus the Pot-born Sage stopped. Then Vyāsa , Kṛṣṇa-Dvaipāyana , the ascetic, said once again:
38. “The detailed story in the proper order is not accessible to all the living beings. I have heard the procedure (and the proper order) from the men who come from there.
39. Now I wish to hear about the places of pilgrimage in accordance with the injunctions. O excellent sage, I wish to hear the proper order and procedure of the pilgrimage clearly from you, O ascetic.
40. Even as I ask you for it, describe the benefit in detail and in due order, O learned one, O most excellent one among merciful person, if you have any pity for me.
41. O sage observing regular vows, the most excellent one among those who know the entire universe, do it so that with your favour I can also undertake the pilgrimage.”
Agastya said :
42-43. Listen. I shall describe accurately the procedure for the pilgrimage, from the beginning, to Ayodhyā and to the seven Tīrthas in the proper manner and in due order. A pilgrim must be pure mentally, verbally and physically. His conscience must be free from impurities. With the sense-organs under control, he should take the holy baths in the Mānasa (Mental) Tīrthas. He who performs the rite perfectly well like this, attains the merit of visiting the Tīrtha.
Vyāsa said :
44. O ascetic, recount the Mānasa Tīrthas where the mind of those men who take the holy bath becomes pure.
Agastya said :
45. O sinless one, listen as I narrate to you the Mental Tīrthas, by taking a proper bath in which a man attains the highest goal.
46-47. They are: Satyatīrtha (Truthfulness), Kṣamātīrtha (Forbearance), Indriya - nigraha (Restraint of the sense-organs), Sarva - Bhūta - dayā Tīrtha (Mercifulness to all living beings), the most excellent Tīrtha of Satyavāditā (Speaking the truth), Jñānatīrtha (Knowledge) and Tapastīrtha (Penance). Thus the seven Tīrthas have been recounted. The mind will become pure in the Tīrtha of mercifulness to all living beings.
48. Purification of the body alone by means of water is not implied by the word Snāna (holy bath). If the mind of a man is pure he is said to have (really) taken Snāna .
Listen to the criterion for the meritoriousness of the terrestrial Tīrthas.
49. Just as some parts of the body are known as excellent, middling etc. so also there are some places on the earth that are proclaimed as exceedingly meritorious.
50. Therefore, one should have his stay in the terrestiral Tīrthas as well as mental Tīrthas. He who takes his holy bath in both, attains the greatest goal.
51. Hence you too, O leading Brāhmaṇa, undertake the pilgrimage with a pure conscience. Adopt it with great effort. (But) the pilgrimage has not yet been described by me. O eminent Brāhmaṇa, I shall describe the procedure for the pilgrimage in due order.
52. Aquatic beings are born in waters and they die in waters. They are impure in mind. They do not become free from impurities. They do not go to heaven.
53. Unceasing attachment to the objects of sensuous pleasures is called the dirt or impurity of the mind. If the mind refrains from coming into close contact with them, it is called its freedom from impurities.
54. If the mind is internally defiled, holy bath in a Tīrtha does not purify one. A liquor pot is unholy even if it is washed with water hundreds of times.
55. Charitable gifts, sacrifice, penance, cleanliness, pilgrim age to Tīrthas, Vedas —all these are holy Tīrthas if the devotee is mentally and emotionally pure.
56. A man who has restrained the group of his sense-organs may stay anywhere. That place is Kurukṣetra , Naimiṣa and Puṣkara for him.
57. Thus, O Brāhmaṇa, the characteristic features of a Mental Tīrtha have been recounted to you. If one takes bath therein all one’s holy rites shall be fruitful.
58. An intelligent devotee should get up very early in the morning and take bath in the confluence. After visiting Lord Viṣṇuhari he should take bath in Brahmakuṇḍa .
59. After taking the holy bath in Cakratīrtha, visiting first Lord Cakrahari and then Dharmahari, a man shall be liberated from all sins.
60-62. The pilgrimage undertaken on every Ekādaśī (eleventh) day is conducive to auspiciousness. The intelligent devotee shall get up early in the morning and take his plunge in the waters of Svargadvāra . After performing his daily round of duties he shall visit Ayodhyā. After viewing Sarayū he should visit the Elephant in Rut (i.e. Vīra). He should then see Bandī , Śītalā and Baṭuka . After taking his holy bath in the lake in front of him he shall see Mahāvidyā .
63. After visiting Piṇḍāraka he should see Bhairava . This pilgrimage on the eighth and fourteenth days (of Lunar months ) bestows merit.
64. On the Aṅgāraka Caturthī (fourth) day the devotee should visit the deities mentioned before and then visit Vighneśvara for the purpose of attaining all desired objects.
65-68. The intelligent devotee should get up early in the morning and take his plunge in the waters of Brahmakuṇḍa. After visiting Viṣṇu and Viṣṇuhari, he should, with mental, verbal and physical purity, see Mantreśvara and then Mahāvidyā. Then he should visit Ayodhyā for the purpose of attaining all desired objects.
The devotee who has conquered his sense-organs should take bath along with the clothes on. Due to the holy bath along with the clothes one has on, different kinds of sins committed in the course of many births perish. Hence one should take holy bath with the clothes on. Thus the auspicious pilgrimage that dispels all sins, has been recounted.
69. Even in the course of hundreds and crores of Kalpas one does not return (to the earth), if one performs regularly the pilgrimage that bestows auspicious benefits.
70. Hence you too, O eminent Brāhmaṇa, go to Ayodhyā. Do not delay. After going there undertake the pilgrimage with perfect restraint on the sense-organs.
71. Ayodhyā is the greatest holy place. Ayodhyā is exceedingly great. No other city like Ayodhyā is seen.
72-73. Ayodhyā is the greatest holy place established on the discus of Viṣṇu. Thus what was asked by you has been recounted, O Brāhmaṇa, by me. Resort, O sage, to that and allow me (to proceed) from here.
Sūta said :
74. After saying these things when the Pot-born Sage stopped, Vyāsa, the storehouse of penance, spoke these sweet words:
Vyāsa said :
75-76. I am blessed. I am contented, O sage, I have done my duty. Truthfulness, cleanliness, learning, good conduct, forbearance, straightforwardness—all these are in vain if one does not go to Ayodhyā. Since you who were pleased with me have pronounced the right judgement, I shall go to the pure city of Ayodhyā even now. O great Brāhmaṇa, you too do go back to your own hermitage.
Sūta said : [1]
77-78. After describing the excellent procedure for the pilgrimage in due order, the pot-born sage, Agastya , the mass of penance, went to his penance-grove. The intelligent mass of splendour, Vyāsa, who had conquered his sense-organs, went to Ayodhyā with his eyes beaming with surprise and pleasure like a lotus in full bloom. The Brāhmaṇa went to Ayodhyā for the purpose of attaining all desired objects.
79-82. After proceeding to Ayodhyā he performed the pilgrimage in accordance with the injunctions in due order. On seeing the excellent Tīrtha, the performer of wonderful miracles, he became exceedingly delighted. The intelligent sage ceremoniously sipped the water therein. Then the sage, the great Brāhmaṇa, went to his penance-grove.
The glory was recounted to me by Vyāsa in the due order. I listened to the glory and undertook the pilgrimage in accordance with the injunctions. After conning to Kurukṣetra it has been recounted and reviewed before you.
83. The pure man who reads this matchless glory and listens to this with faith, attains the great goal.
84. Hence this should be listened to with great care always by people. The worship of Brāhmaṇas and Viṣṇu should be performed scrupulously.
85. Gold etc. should be given in accordance with one’s capacity to a Brāhmaṇa. He who seeks sons will get sons. He who seeks Dharma will get Dharma.
86. This has been described along with detailed injunctions. It is conducive to Dharma. An excellent man who comprehends this glory of the holy place with great devotion, shall be endowed with prosperity. He goes to the abode of Hari after enjoying all pleasures.
87. He who gives to the expounder of the Purāṇa some time money according to his capacity, vessels, clothes of great beauty and charm, silver, gold and cows shall be liberated.
:: End of Ayodhyā- Māhātmya ::
[1]: [1] : In vv 77-87 Sūta concludes the present Māhātmya with its Phalaśruti .
Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 14433, revision 372492 (2023-06-17T20:12:00Z). English is G. V. Tagare’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc371738.html and the archival publication witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.