तीर्थानि च यथोक्तेन विधिना संचरंति ये
Those who travel to the holy places according to the prescribed rule—
तीर्थयात्रां चिकीर्षुः प्राग्विधायोपोषणं गृहे
Desiring to undertake a pilgrimage, one should first perform fasting at home as prescribed.
कृतपारणको हृष्टो गच्छेन्नियमधृक्पुनः
Having completed the pāraṇa, one should, with joy and self-restraint, proceed again.
न परीक्ष्यो द्विजस्तीर्थेष्वन्नार्थी भोज्य एव च
A twice-born should not be tested at sacred fords, nor one who is not seeking food, nor one who is to be fed.
कर्तव्यमृषिभिर्दृष्टं पिण्याकेन गुडेन च
What has been prescribed by the seers should be performed, with flour-cakes and with jaggery.
अकालेप्यथवा काले तीर्थे श्राद्धं च तर्पणम् 4.1.6.
Whether out of season or in season, at a sacred ford, one should perform śrāddha and tarpaṇa.
तीर्थं प्राप्य प्रसंगेन स्नानं तीर्थे समाचरेत्
Upon reaching a sacred ford, one should, as occasion arises, perform bathing at the ford.
नृणां पापकृतां तीर्थे पापस्य शमनं भवेत्
For people who have committed sins, at a sacred ford, there is pacification of sin.
षोडशांशं स लभते यः पराथं च गच्छति
He who goes further attains a sixteenth part.
कुश प्रतिकृतिं कृत्वा तीर्थवारिणि मज्जयेत्। मज्जयेच्च यमुद्दिश्य सोष्टमांशं लभेत वै
Having made an image of kuśa grass, one should immerse it in the water of the sacred ford; immersing it for the sake of Yama, one surely obtains an eighth part.
तीर्थोपवासः कर्तव्यः शिरसो मुंडनं तथा। शिरोगतानि पापानि यांति मुंडनतो यतः
One should undertake a fast at the sacred ford, and also shave the head; for the sins that reside on the head depart upon shaving.
यदह्नि तीर्थप्राप्तिः स्यात्ततोह्नः पूर्ववासरे
On the day when arrival at the sacred ford is to occur, one should stay there from the previous day.
तीर्थप्रसंगात्तीर्थांगमप्युक्तं त्वत्पुरोमया
Because of the occasion of the sacred ford, the approach to the ford has also been declared by me before you.
काशीकांती च मायाख्या त्वयोध्याद्वारवत्यपि
Kāśī, Kāntī, and Māyā by name, as well as Ayodhyā and Dvāravatī.
श्रीशैलो मोक्षदः सर्वः केदारोपि ततोऽधिकः
Śrīśaila grants liberation to all, but Kedāra is even greater than that.
प्रयागादपि तीर्थाग्र्यादविमुक्तं विशिष्यते 4.1.6.
Even more distinguished than Prayāga, the foremost of sacred fords, is Avimukta.
अन्यानि मुक्तिक्षेत्राणि काशीप्राप्तिकराणि च श्रावयित्वा द्विजांश्चापि श्रद्धाभक्तिसमन्वितान्
Other fields of liberation, and those that grant attainment of Kāśī, having caused the twice-born who are endowed with faith and devotion to hear of them—
क्षत्रियान्धर्मनिरतान्वैश्यान्सन्मार्गवर्तिनः
—and the kṣatriyas devoted to dharma, and the vaiśyas who walk the good path—
अगस्तिरुवाच तस्य पुत्रो महातेजाः शिवशर्मेति विश्रुतः
Agastya said: His son, of great brilliance, was renowned as Śivaśarman.
अधीत्यवेदान्विधिवदर्थं विज्ञाय तत्त्वतः।. पठित्वा धर्मशास्त्राणि पुराणान्यधिगम्य च
Having duly studied the Vedas and truly understood their meaning, having recited the Dharmaśāstras and also mastered the Purāṇas,
अंगान्यभ्यस्य तर्कांश्च परिलोड्य समंततः
Having practiced bodily exercises and thoroughly examined various arguments,
आयुर्वेदं विचार्यापि नाट्यवेदे कृतश्रमः
Even after considering Ayurveda, I exerted myself in the study of the Nāṭyaveda.
कलासु च कृताभ्यासो मन्त्रशास्त्रविचक्षणः
I practiced the arts and became skilled in the science of mantras.
अर्थानुपार्ज्य धर्मेण भुक्त्वा भोगान्यदृच्छया
Without acquiring wealth, I enjoyed pleasures as they came, in accordance with righteousness.
यौवनं गत्वरं ज्ञात्वा जरां दृष्ट्वाश्रितां श्रुतिम्
Recognizing the fleeting nature of youth and seeing old age accompanied by the scriptures,
पठतो मे गतः कालस्तथोपार्जयतो धनम्
Time passed for me while reading and likewise while earning wealth.
न मया तोषितो विष्णुः सर्वपापहरो हरिः
I did not please Viṣṇu, the remover of all sins, Hari.
तमस्तोमहरः सूर्यो नार्चि तो वै मया क्वचित् 4.1.7.
I never worshipped the Sun, who dispels masses of darkness, at any time.
न प्रीणिता मया देवा यज्ञैः सर्वैः समृद्धिदाः
I did not gladden the gods, who grant prosperity, with all kinds of sacrifices.
न मया तर्पिता विप्रा मृष्टान्नैर्मधुरै रसैः
I did not satisfy the Brahmins with well-cooked food and sweet flavors.