सोमद्वीपं महापुण्यं तीर्थं वाराणसीसमम्
Somadvipa is a most holy tirtha, equal in sanctity to Varanasi.
विश्वामित्रस्य भगिनी गङ्गया यत्र संगता
There, the sister of Vishvamitra met with the Ganges.
जह्नुह्रदे महातीर्थे स्नातो मर्त्यो हि मोहिनि
In the great tirtha of Jahnu Lake, a mortal who bathes is indeed enchanted, O Mohini.
तस्माददितितीर्थं च यत्रावापादितिर्हरिम्
Next is the tirtha of Aditi, where Aditi obtained Hari.
शिलोच्चयं महातीर्थं यत्र तप्त्वा तपः प्रजाः
There is the great tirtha of the stone heap, where the people performed austerities.
इन्द्राणीनामतीर्थं स्याद्यत्रेन्द्राणी तु वासवम्
There is the tirtha named after Indrani, where Indrani attained Vasava.
पुण्यदं स्नातकं तीर्थं विश्वामित्रस्तपश्चरन्
The tirtha bestowing merit, where Vishvamitra practiced austerity after bathing.
प्रद्युम्नतीर्थं तपसा ख्यातं यत्र स्मरो हरेः
Pradyumna tirtha, renowned for asceticism, where Kama was destroyed by Hari.
ततो दक्षप्रयागं तु गङ्गातो यमुनागत
Then comes Daksha Prayaga, where the Yamuna joins the Ganges.
स्नात्वा तत्राक्षयं पुण्यं प्रयाग इव लभ्यते
By bathing there, inexhaustible merit is gained, just as at Prayaga.
सावधाना शृणुष्व त्वं ब्रह्मपुत्रि नृपप्रिये
Listen attentively, O daughter of Brahma, beloved of kings.
तेषां कुलानां लक्षं तु भवात्तारयते शिवा
The auspicious one delivers a hundred thousand families of their lineage.
पुण्यं लक्षगुणं कर्तुं समर्था द्विजपावनी
The purifier of twice-borns is able to produce merit a hundred thousand times.
अक्षयां तु प्रकुर्वन्ति तृप्तिं मोहिनि दुर्लभाम्
They grant inexhaustible satisfaction, O Mohini, which is difficult to obtain.
तावद्वर्षसहस्राणि पितरः स्वर्गवासिनः
For so many thousands of years, the ancestors dwell in heaven.
तर्प्यमाणाः परां तृप्तिं यान्ति गङ्गाजलैः शुभैः
When gratified with pure Ganges water, they attain supreme satisfaction.
स पितॄंस्तर्पयेद्गङ्गामभिगम्य सुरांस्तथा
He should satisfy the ancestors and also the gods by approaching the Ganges.
कुशैस्तिलैर्गाङ्गजलैस्ते प्रयान्ति हरेः पदम्
With kuśa grass, sesame seeds, and water from the Ganges, they attain the abode of Hari.
ते तर्पिता गाङ्गजलैर्मोक्षे यान्ति विधेर्वचः
Those ancestors who are satisfied with water from the Ganges attain liberation, as declared by the ordinance.
गङ्गायां पितरः सर्वे सुप्रीताः सूर्यवर्चसः
On the Ganges, all the ancestors, radiant as the sun, are exceedingly pleased.
मुक्ताजालपरिच्छन्नान्वेणुवीणानिनादितान्
Adorned with strings of pearls and resounding with the music of flutes and vīṇās,
गन्धर्वदेहरुचिरान्दिव्यभोगसमन्वितान्
They possess the beautiful forms of Gandharvas and enjoy divine pleasures.
गङ्गायां तु नरः स्नात्वा यो नित्यं लिङ्गमर्चयेत्
But the man who bathes in the Ganges and daily worships the liṅga—
अग्निहोत्राणि वेदाश्च यज्ञाश्च बहुदक्षिणाः
Agnihotra sacrifices, the Vedas, and sacrifices with abundant gifts—
पितॄनुदिश्य वा देवान्गङ्गांभिभिः प्रसिंचयेत्
He should sprinkle the Ganges water for the ancestors or the gods.
मृत्कुंभात्ताम्रकुंभैस्तु स्नानं दशगुणं स्मृतम्
Bathing with water from an earthen or copper pot is said to be ten times more meritorious.
एवमर्घे च नैवेद्ये बलिपूजादिषु क्रमात्
In the same way, in arghya, naivedya, bali, worship, and other rites, successively—
विभवे सति यो मोहान्न कुर्याद्विधिविस्तरम्
If someone, though able, neglects out of delusion to perform the full ritual as prescribed—
देवानां दर्शनं पुण्यं दर्शनात्स्पर्शनं वरम्
The sight of the gods is meritorious, but touching them is considered superior to seeing.
प्राहुर्गङ्गाजलैः स्नानं घृतस्नानसमं बुधाः
The wise declare that bathing with Ganges water is equal to bathing in ghee.