Kurma Purana

हिरण्यगर्भं गोप्रेक्ष्यं तीर्थं चैव वृषध्वजम्

Hiraṇyagarbha, Goprekṣya, and Vṛṣadhvaja Tīrtha as well,

त्रिलोचनं महातीर्थं लोलार्कं चोत्तराह्वयम्

Trilocana, the great tīrtha, and Lolārka, called Uttara,

शुक्रेश्वरं महापुण्यमानन्दपुरमुत्तमम्

Śukreśvara, of great merit, and Ānandapura, the supreme,

न शक्यं विस्तराद् वक्तुं तीर्थसंख्या द्विजात्तमाः

It is not possible to describe in detail the number of tīrthas, O best of twice-born.

उपोष्य तत्र तत्रासौ पाराशर्यो महामुनिः

Having observed a fast there, the great sage Pārāśarya,

जगाम पुनरेवापि यत्र विश्वेश्वरः शिवः

Went again to the place where Śiva, Lord of All, resides.

उवाच शिष्यान् धर्मात्मा स्वान् देशान् गन्तुमर्हथा

The righteous one spoke to his disciples: 'You ought to return to your own lands.'

वासं च तत्र नियतो वाराणस्यां चकार सः

He made his residence there, in Vārāṇasī, with discipline.

भैक्षाहारो विशुद्धात्मा ब्रह्मचर्यपरायणः

Sustaining himself by alms, pure in mind, devoted to celibacy.

भ्रममाणेन भिक्षा तु नैव लब्धा द्विजोत्तमाः

As he wandered, O best of twice-born, he did not obtain alms.

विघ्नं सृजामि सर्वेषां येन सिद्धिर्विहीयते

I create an obstacle for all, by which their accomplishment is hindered.

प्रादुरासीत् स्वयं प्रीत्या वेषं कृत्वा तु मानुषम्

Then, out of affection, she herself appeared, having assumed a human form.

गृहाण भिक्षां मत्तस्त्वमुक्त्वैवं प्रददौ शिवा

Saying, 'Take alms from me,' Śivā thus gave it to him.

इह क्षेत्रे न वस्तव्यं कृतघ्नो ऽसि त्वया सदा

In this place, you must not dwell; you are always ungrateful.

उवाच प्रणतो भूत्वा स्तुत्वा च प्रवरैः स्तवैः

He spoke, having bowed and praised her with excellent hymns.

एवमस्त्वित्यनुज्ञाय देवी चान्तरधीयत

Saying, 'So be it,' and granting permission, the goddess disappeared.

ज्ञात्वा क्षेत्रगुणान् सर्वान् स्थितस्तस्याथ पार्श्वतः

Then, knowing all the qualities of the place, he remained at her side.

तस्मात् सर्वप्रयत्नेन वाराणस्यां वसेन्नरः

Therefore, with every effort, a man should dwell in Vārāṇasī.

श्रावयेद् वा द्विजान् शान्तान् सो ऽपियातिपराङ्गतिम्

Or he should have it recited to peaceful twice-born men; he too attains the highest state.

नदीनां चैव तीरेषु देवतायतनेषु च

On the banks of rivers and in temples of the gods,

जपेदीशं नमस्कृत्य स याति परमां गतिम्

He should recite the Lord's name, having bowed; he attains the supreme goal.

इदानीं तु प्रयागस्य माहात्म्यं ब्रूहि सुव्रत

Now, tell the greatness of Prayāga, O virtuous one.

इदानीं कथयास्माकं सूत सर्वार्थविद् भवान्

Now, tell us, O Sūta, knower of all meanings.

प्रयागस्य च माहात्म्यं यत्र देवः पितामहः

And the greatness of Prayāga, where the god, the Grandfather, [Brahmā]—

यथा युधिष्ठिरायैतत् तद्वक्ष्ये भवतामहम्

As it was told to Yudhiṣṭhira, so I shall relate it to you.

शोकेन महाताविष्टा मुमोह स युधिष्ठिरः

Yudhiṣṭhira, overwhelmed by great sorrow, fainted.

संप्राप्तो हास्तिनपुरं राजद्वारे स तिष्ठति

He reached Hastināpura and stood at the royal gate.

मार्कण्डेयो द्रष्टुमिच्छंस्त्वामास्ते द्वार्यसौ मुनिः

Markandeya, that sage, is waiting at the door, desiring to see you.

स्वागतं ते महाप्राज्ञ स्वागतं ते महामुने

Welcome to you, O greatly wise one; welcome to you, O great sage.