संति स्वर्गा बहुविधाः सुखेतर विवर्जिता
There are many kinds of heavens, devoid of suffering and filled with happiness.
स्वर्लोकादधिकं रम्यं नहि ब्रह्मांडगोलके
Within the cosmic egg, there is nothing more delightful than the world of heaven.
स्वर्लोकादपिरम्याणि पातालानीति नारदः 4.1.22.
O Nārada, there are realms even more charming than heaven, namely the netherworlds.
आह्लादकारिणः शुभ्रा मणयो यत्र सुप्रभाः
There, radiant and pure jewels bring delight.
दैत्यदानवकन्याभिरितश्चेतश्च शोभिते
Those places are adorned here and there by the daughters of Daityas and Dānavas.
दिवार्करश्मयस्तत्र प्रभां तन्वंति नातपम्
There, the rays of the sun give light but do not cause heat.
यत्र न ज्ञायते कालो गतोपि दनुजादिभिः
There, even for the Dānavas and others, the passage of time is not perceived.
कलाः पुंस्को किलालापाः सुचैलानि शुचीनि च
There are refined conversations, pure garments, and clean surroundings.
वीणावेणुमृदंगादि निस्वनाः श्रुतिहारिणः
The sounds of vīṇā, flute, mṛdaṅga, and other instruments are enchanting to the ear.
एतान्यन्यानि रम्याणि भोग्योग्यानि दानवैः
These and other delightful enjoyments are fit for the Dānavas.
पातालेभ्योपि वै रम्यं द्विज वर्षमिलावृतम्
Beyond the netherworlds, O twice-born, lies a land called Varṣa, surrounded by Ilāvṛta, which is even more delightful.
सदा सुकृतिनो यत्र सर्वभोगभुजो द्विज
There, O twice-born, the virtuous always enjoy all pleasures.
भोगभूमिरियं प्रोक्ता श्रेयो विनिमयार्जिता 4.1.22.
This is called the land of enjoyment, attained through the exchange of merit.
अक्लीबभाषिभिश्चापि पुत्रक्षेत्राद्यहीनकैः
Even those who do not speak harshly and lack sons or fields are found there.
संति द्वीपा ह्यनेका वै पारावारांतरस्थिताः
There are indeed many islands, situated between the oceans.
तत्रापि नववर्षाणि भारतं तत्र चोत्तमम्
There, too, are nine regions; among them, Bhārata is the foremost.
अष्टौ किंपुरुषादीनि देवभोग्यानि तानि तु
There are eight regions, beginning with Kiṃpuruṣa, which are enjoyed by the gods.
योजनानां सहस्राणि नवविस्तारतस्त्विदम्
This land extends for nine thousand yojanas in breadth.
तत्रापि हिमविंध्याद्रेरंतरं पुण्यदं परम्
There too, between the Himalaya and Vindhya mountains, is a supremely sacred region.
कुरुक्षेत्रं हि सर्वेषां क्षेत्राणामधिकं ततः
Among all holy places, Kurukshetra is considered the foremost.
नैमिषारण्यतोपीह सर्वस्मिन्क्षितिमंडले
Even Naimisharanya, in this entire realm of earth,
स्वर्गदोमोक्षदश्चैव सर्वकामफलप्रदः
It bestows heaven, liberation, and the fulfillment of all desires.
यागाः सर्वे मया पूर्वं तुलया विधृता द्विज 4.1.22.
All sacrifices previously performed by me, O twice-born, have been weighed on a scale.
दृष्ट्वा प्रकृष्टयागेभ्यः पुष्टेभ्यो दक्षिणादिभिः
Having seen the most excellent sacrifices, enriched with generous gifts and offerings,
नाममात्रस्मृतेर्यस्य प्रयागस्य त्रिकालतः
For Prayaga, even the mere remembrance of its name at the three times of day,
संति तीर्थान्यनेकानि पापत्राणकराणि च
There are many sacred fords here, which remove the stains of sin.
जन्मांतरेष्वसंख्येषु यः कृतः पापसंचयः
The accumulation of sins committed over countless lifetimes,
स तीर्थराजगमनोद्यतस्य शुभजन्मनः
For one who sets out to visit the king of fords, born with good fortune,
ततः क्रांतार्धमार्गस्य प्रयाग दृढचेतसः
Then, when half the journey is crossed with firm resolve toward Prayaga,
भाग्यान्नेत्रातिथीभूते तीर्थराजे महात्मनः
By fortune, when the king of fords, the great-souled one, becomes a guest to the eyes,