पुरा महर्षिभिः सम्यक् कथ्यमानं मया श्रुतम्
Formerly, I heard this properly narrated by the great sages.
अत्र स्नात्वा दिवं यान्ति ये मृतास्ते ऽपुनर्भवाः
Those who die there, having bathed, go to heaven and are not born again.
बहून्यन्यानि तीर्थानि सर्वपापापहानि तु
There are many other holy places, indeed, that remove all sins.
संक्षेपेण प्रवक्ष्यामि प्रयागस्येह कीर्तनम्
I shall briefly declare the praise of Prayaga here.
यमुनां रक्षति सदा सविता सप्तवाहनः
The Sun, with his seven steeds, always protects the Yamuna.
मण्डलं रक्षति हरिः सर्वदेवैश्च सम्मितम्
Hari protects the Mandala, which is revered by all the gods.
स्थानं रक्षन्ति वै देवाः सर्वपापहरं शुभम्
The gods indeed protect this place, which is auspicious and removes all sins.
प्रयागं स्मरमाणस्य सर्वमायाति संक्षयम्
For one who remembers Prayāga, all sins are destroyed.
मुत्तिकालम्भनाद् वापि नरः पापात् प्रमुच्यते
Even by merely touching its mud, a person is freed from sin.
प्रयागं विशतः पुंसः पापं नश्यति तत्क्षणात्
The moment a person enters Prayāga, his sin is destroyed.
अपि दुष्कृतकर्मासौ लभते परमां गतिम्
Even one who has performed evil deeds attains the highest state.
तथोपस्पृश्य राजेन्द्र स्वर्गलोके महीयते
In the same way, O king, by bathing there, one is honored in heaven.
गङ्गायमुनमासाद्य त्यजेत् प्राणान् प्रयत्नतः
Reaching the confluence of Gaṅgā and Yamunā, if one gives up life with effort—
ईप्सितांल्लभते कामान् वदन्ति मुनिपुङ्गवाः
He attains the desired wishes, so say the foremost sages.
वराङ्गनासमाकीर्णैर्मोदते शुभलक्षणः
He, adorned with auspicious marks, delights among beautiful women.
यावन्न स्मरते जन्म तापत् स्वर्गे महीयते
As long as he does not remember his birth, he is honored in heaven.
हिरण्यरत्नसंपूर्णे समृद्धे जायते कुले
He is born in a prosperous family filled with gold and jewels.
देशस्थो यदि वारण्ये विदेशे यदि वा गृहे
Whether he is in his own land, in the forest, in a foreign country, or at home—
ब्रह्मलोकमवाप्नोति वदन्ति मुनिपुङ्गवाः
He attains the world of Brahmā, so say the foremost sages.
ऋषयो मुनयः सिद्धास्तत्र लोके स गच्छति
He goes to that world where seers, sages, and perfected beings dwell.
मोदते मुनिभिः सार्धं स्वकृतेनेह कर्मणा
He rejoices there with the sages, as a result of his actions here.
ततः स्वर्गात् परिभ्रष्टो जम्बुद्वीपपतिर्भवेत्
Then, having fallen from heaven, he becomes a lord of Jambudvīpa.
कर्मणा मनसा वाचा सत्यधर्मप्रतिष्ठितः
Established in truth and righteousness through deed, mind, and speech—
सुवर्णमथ मुक्तां वा तथैवान्यान् प्रतिग्रहान्
Gold, or pearls, or other gifts likewise—
निष्फलं तस्य तत् तीर्थं यावत् तत्फलमश्नुते
For him, that pilgrimage is fruitless until he attains its result.
निमित्तेषु च सर्वेषु अप्रमत्तो द्विजो भवेत्
In all occasions, a twice-born should remain vigilant.
स्वर्णशृङ्गीं रौप्यखुरां चैलकण्ठां पयस्विनीम्
A cow with golden horns, silver hooves, a cloth around its neck, and yielding milk—
तावद् वर्षसहस्त्राणि रुद्रलोके महीयते
He is honored in Rudra's realm for as many thousands of years.
आर्षेण तु विधानेन यथा दृष्टं यथा श्रुतम्
But according to the sage's ordinance, as seen and as heard—
बलीवर्दं समारूढः शृणु तस्यापि यत्फलम्
Mounted upon a bull, listen to the result of that as well.