गङ्गाद्वारे प्रयागे च गङ्गासागरसंगमे
At the gateway of the Ganga, at Prayaga, and at the confluence where the Ganga meets the ocean—
गतिमन्वेषमाणानां नास्ति गङ्गासमा गतिः
For those seeking liberation, there is no path equal to that of the Ganga.
माहेश्वरात् परिभ्रष्टा सर्वपापहरा शुभा
Though fallen from the favor of Shiva, she remains auspicious and the remover of all sins.
द्वापरे तु कुरुक्षेत्रं कलौ गङ्गां विशिष्यते
In Dvapara, Kurukshetra is preeminent; in Kali, the Ganga surpasses all.
नान्यत् कलियुगोद्भूतं मलं हन्तुं सुदुष्कृतम्
There is nothing else in the age of Kali that can destroy accumulated sin so difficult to remove.
स मृतो जायते स्वर्गे नरकं च न पश्यति
One who dies there is born in heaven and does not see hell.
माघमासे गमिष्यन्ति गङ्गायमुनसंगमम्
In the month of Magha, people will go to the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna.
प्रयागे माघमासे तु त्र्यहं स्नातस्य तत् फलम्
At Prayaga, in the month of Magha, the fruit of bathing for three days is as follows:
अहीनाङ्गो ऽप्यरोगश्च पञ्चेन्द्रियसमन्वितः
Even if he is not deformed, is free from disease, and possesses all five senses—
तावद् वर्षसहस्त्राणि स्वर्गलोके महीयते राहुग्रस्तो यथा सोमो विमुक्तः सर्वपातकैः
He is honored in heaven for as many thousands of years as the moon, freed from all stains, is after being released from Rahu’s grasp.
स भुक्त्वा विपुलान् भोगांस्तत् तीर्थं भजते पुनः
Having enjoyed abundant pleasures, he again attains that sacred place.
षष्टिं वर्षसहस्त्राणि षष्टिं वर्षशतानि च
For sixty thousand years and sixty hundred years—
ततो भ्रष्टस्तु राजेन्द्र समृद्धे जायते कुले
After falling from there, O king, he is born in a prosperous family.
शतं वर्षसहस्त्राणि स्वर्गलोके महीयते
For a hundred thousand years, he is honored in heaven.
भुक्त्वा तु विपुलान् भोगांस्तत् तीर्थं भजते पुनः
Having enjoyed abundant pleasures, he again attains that sacred place.
विहगैरुपभुक्तस्य शृणु तस्यापि यत्फलम्
Hear also the fruit of that which has been enjoyed by birds.
ततस्तस्मात् परिभ्रष्टो राजा भवति धार्मिकः
Falling from there, he becomes a righteous king.
भुक्त्वा तु विपुलान् भोगांस्तततीर्थं भजते पुनः
Having enjoyed abundant pleasures, he again attains that sacred place.
ऋणप्रमोचनं नाम तीर्थं तु परमं स्मृतम्
The sacred place called Ṛṇapramocana is regarded as supreme.
सूर्यलोकमवाप्नोति अनृणश्च सदा भवेत्
One attains the world of the sun and remains forever free from debt.
समागता महाभागा यमुना यत्र निम्नगा
The blessed ones have gathered where the Yamunā river flows.
योजनानां सहस्त्रेषु कीर्तनात् पापनाशनी
Merely mentioning it, even from a thousand yojanas away, destroys sin.
प्राणांस्त्यजति यस्तत्र स याति परमां गतिम्
Whoever gives up their life there attains the highest state.
तत्र स्नात्वा दिवं यान्ति ये मृतास्ते ऽपुनर्भवाः
Those who die after bathing there ascend to heaven and are not reborn.
धर्मराजं महापापैर्मुच्यते नात्र संशयः
One is freed from great sins before the Lord of Dharma; there is no doubt.
प्रयागे संस्थितानि स्युरेवमाहुर्मनीषिणः
The sages declare that these places are established at Prayāga.
दिवि भूम्यन्तरिक्षे च तत्सर्वं जाह्नवी स्मृता
In heaven, on earth, and in the sky, all these are known as Jāhnavī.
सिद्धिक्षेत्रं तु तज्ज्ञेयं गङ्गातीरसमाश्रितम्
Know this as the field of accomplishment, situated along the banks of the Gaṅgā.
आस्ते वटेश्वरो नित्यं तत् तीर्थं तत् तपोवनम्
The Lord of the Banyan tree always resides there; that is the sacred place, that is the forest of austerity.
सुहृदां च जपेत् कर्णे शिष्यस्यानुगतस्य तु
One should recite it in the ear of a friend or a devoted disciple.