भुवि तीर्थान्यनेकानि लोलमायुश्चलं मनः
On earth are many sacred places, with a restless lifespan and a fickle mind.
अयोध्यां च पुरीं गत्वा सरयूमवगाह्य च
He goes to the city of Ayodhya and immerses himself in the Sarayu river.
पंचरात्रमुषित्वा तु ब्राह्मणान्परिभोज्य च
After staying for five nights, he feeds the Brahmins.
सिताऽसिते सरिच्छ्रेष्ठे यत्रास्तां सुरदुर्लभे
Where the best of rivers, both white and dark, exist, rare even for the gods.
क्षेत्रं प्रजापतेः पुण्यं सर्वेषामेव दुर्लभम्
There is the sacred field of Prajāpati, difficult for all to attain.
दमयंतीं कलिं कालं कलिंदतनयां शुभाम्
Damayantī, Kali, Kāla, and the auspicious daughter of Kalinda.
प्रकृष्टं सर्वयागेभ्यः प्रयागमिति गीयते
It is celebrated as Prayāga, surpassing all other sacrifices.
यत्र स्थितः स्वयं साक्षाच्छूलटंको महेश्वरः 4.1.7.
Where Maheshvara himself stands, bearing the trident and the mark.
तत्राऽक्षय्यवटोऽप्यस्ति सप्तपातालमूलवान्
There also exists the imperishable banyan tree, whose roots reach the seven netherworlds.
हिरण्यगर्भो विज्ञेयः स साक्षाद्वटरूपधृक्
Hiraṇyagarbha is to be known as directly assuming the form of the banyan tree.
यत्र लक्ष्मीपतिः साक्षाद्वैकुंठादेत्य मानवान्
Where the Lord of Lakshmi himself comes from Vaikuṇṭha to visit mortals.
श्रुतिभिः परिपठ्येते सिताऽसित सरिद्वरे
The best of white and dark rivers are recited in the scriptures.
शिवलोकाद्ब्रह्मलोकादुमालोकवरात्पुनः तपोजनमहर्भ्यश्च सर्वे स्वर्लोकवासिनः
Again, from the worlds of Shiva, Brahma, and the supreme abode of Uma, all the inhabitants of Tapoloka, Janaloka, Maharloka, and Svargaloka come.
अचला हिमवन्मुख्याः कल्पवृक्षादयो नगाः
The immovable Himalaya is foremost, and the trees such as the wish-fulfilling ones are mountains.
दिगंगनाः प्रार्थयंति यत्प्रयागानिलानपि
The celestial maidens desire even the breezes of Prayāga.
अश्वमेधादियागाश्च प्रयागस्य रजः पुनः
The dust of Prayāga surpasses even the merits of sacrifices like the horse sacrifice.
मज्जागतानि पापानि बहुजन्मार्जितान्यपि 4.1.7.
Sins accumulated over many births, even those deeply rooted in the marrow, are washed away.
धर्मतीर्थमिदं सम्यगर्थतीर्थमिदं परम्
This is truly a sacred pilgrimage for righteousness, and the highest pilgrimage for wealth.
ब्रह्महत्यादि पापानि तावद्गर्जंति देहिषु
Sins such as the killing of a Brāhmaṇa roar within embodied beings until then.
तद्विष्णोः परमं पदं सदा पश्यंति सूरयः
The sages always behold that supreme abode of Viṣṇu.
सरस्वती रजो रूपा तमोरूपा कलिंदजा
Sarasvatī is of the nature of dust, and Kaliṃdajā is of the nature of darkness.
इयं वेणीहि निःश्रेणी ब्रह्मणो वर्त्मयास्यतः
This braided stream is the ladderless path of Brahmā's course.
काशीति काचिदबला भुवनेषु रूढा लोलार्क केशवविलोलविलोचना
Some maiden named Kāśī, established among worlds, with restless eyes disturbed by the playful sun and Keśava.
अगस्तिरुवाच तीर्थराजप्रयागस्य तीर्थैः संसेवितस्य च
Agastya said: The king of pilgrimages, Prayāga, served by holy places—
पापिनां यानि पापानि प्रसह्य क्षालितान्यहो
The sins of sinners are forcibly washed away—how wondrous!
प्रयागस्य गुणान्ज्ञात्वा शिवशर्मा द्विजः सुधीः
Knowing the virtues of Prayāga, the wise Brāhmaṇa Śivaśarmā—
प्रवेश एव संवीक्ष्य स देहलिविनायकम् 4.1.7.
Upon entering, he beheld the lord of the threshold.
निवेद्यमोदकान्पंच वंचयंतं निजं जनम्
He offered five sweet dumplings, deceiving his own people.
आगत्य दृष्ट्वा मणिकर्णिकायामुदग्वहां स्वर्गतरंगिणीं सः
Having arrived and seen, at Maṇikarṇikā, the river flowing upward, the heavenly-streaming one.
सचैलमाप्लुत्य जलेऽमलेऽमलेऽविलंबमालंबित शुद्धबुद्धिः
Having plunged, clothed, into the pure water, lingering, his mind purified.