Skanda Purana

यस्यां जाता महीपालाः सूर्यवंशसमुद्भवाः

On whose banks were born kings descended from the solar dynasty,

यस्यास्तीरे पुण्यतोया कूजद्भृंगविहंगमा

On whose shore, with holy waters, bees and birds sing,

धर्मद्रवपरीता सा घर्घरोत्तमसंगमा

Filled with the essence of dharma, flowing with the best waters,

दक्षिणाच्चरणांगुष्ठान्निःसृता जाह्नवी हरेः

From whose southern toe emerged Jahnavi, the river of Hari,

तस्मादिमे पुण्यतमे नद्यौ देवनमस्कृते

Therefore, these two rivers are the most sacred, revered by the gods,

तामयोध्यामथ प्राप्तोऽगस्त्यः कुम्भोद्भवो मुनिः

Then Agastya, the sage born from the pot, arrived at Ayodhya,

आगत्य तु इतः सोऽपि कृऽत्वा यात्रां क्रमेण च

Having come from there, he too performed the pilgrimage in order,

पूजयित्वा यथान्यायं देवताः सकला अपि

He worshipped all the deities according to proper rites,

कृतकृत्योर्ज्जितानन्दस्तीर्थमाहात्म्यदर्शनात् 2.8.1.

Having fulfilled his purpose, rejoicing from witnessing the greatness of the holy place,

स त्रिरात्रं स्थितस्तत्र यात्रां कृत्वा यथाविधि

He stayed there for three nights, performing the pilgrimage as prescribed,

तमायांतं विलोक्याशु बहुलानन्दसुन्दरम्

Seeing him arrive, beautiful and full of abundant joy,

परमानंदसंदोहः समभूत्सांप्रतं तव

A flood of supreme bliss arose in you at that moment,

कस्मादानंदपोषोऽभूत्तव ब्रह्मन्वदस्व मे

Why did this nourishment of joy arise in you, O Brahman? Tell me.

अगस्त्य उवाच अहो महदथाश्चर्य्यं विस्मयो मुनिसत्तम

Agastya said: O most excellent sage, truly this is a great and wondrous marvel!

तस्मादानंदसंदोहः समभून्मम सांप्रतम्

Therefore, at this very moment, a flood of joy has arisen within me.

अयोध्याया महापुर्या महिमानं गुणाधिकम्

The supreme greatness and abundant virtues of the great city of Ayodhya—

कः क्रमस्तीर्थयात्रायाः कानि तीर्थानि को विधिः एतत्सर्वं समाचक्ष्व विस्तराद्वदतां वर

What is the order of pilgrimage? Which are the sacred places, and what is the proper procedure? Please tell me all this in detail, O best of speakers.

दृश्यते येन पृच्छा ते ह्ययोध्यामहिमाश्रिता

By your question, the glory of Ayodhya is indeed revealed.

अकारो ब्रह्म च प्रोक्तं यकारो विष्णुरुच्यते 2.8.1.

The letter 'A' is said to be Brahma, and the letter 'Ya' is called Vishnu.

सर्वोपपातकैर्युक्तैर्ब्रह्महत्यादिपातकैः

Even those burdened with all major sins, including the killing of a Brahmin and other great offenses—

विष्णोराद्या पुरी येयं क्षितिं न स्पृशति द्विज

This foremost city of Vishnu, O twice-born, does not touch the earth.

केन वर्णयितुं शक्यो महिमाऽस्यास्तपोधन

By whom can the greatness of this city be described, O treasure of austerity?

सहस्रधारामारभ्य योजनं पूर्वतो दिशि

Beginning from Sahasradhara, it extends one yojana to the east.

दक्षिणोत्तरभागे तु सरयूतमसावधिः मत्स्याकृतिरियं विप्र पुरी विष्णोरुदीरिता

To the south and north, its boundary is the Sarayu up to the river Asā; this city, O Brahmin, is said to have the form of a fish and is declared to be Vishnu's own.

पश्चिमे तस्य मूर्द्धा तु गोप्रतारासिता द्विज

To the west, its head is marked by the place called Gopratāra, O Brahmin.

पूर्वतः पृष्ठभागो हि दक्षिणोत्तरमध्यमः पूर्वंदृष्टप्रभावोऽसौ प्राधान्येन वसत्यपि

Its rear portion is to the east, and the middle lies between south and north; its former glory is well known, and it resides there with preeminence.

कीर्तितो मुनिशार्दूल प्रसिद्धिं गतवान्कथम्

O tiger among sages, how did this city become renowned as has been described?

अगस्त्य उवाच विष्णुशर्मेति विख्यातः पुराभूद्ब्राह्मणोत्तमः

Agastya said: There was once a foremost Brahmin known as Vishnusharman.

योगध्यानरतो नित्यं विष्णुभक्तिपरायणः अयोध्यामागतो विष्णुर्विष्णुःसाक्षाद्वसेदिति ।। 2.8.1.

Always devoted to yoga and meditation, dedicated to the worship of Vishnu, he came to Ayodhya, believing that Vishnu himself truly dwells there.