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,
सप्तधातुमयी भूततनौ पापानि यानि वै
Whatever sins exist in the body made of the seven elements,
पुण्यराशिं च विपुलं पुण्यान्भोगान्यथेप्सितान् 4.1.22.
He obtains a vast heap of merit and the desired enjoyments of virtue.
स्नायाद्योभिलषन्मोक्षं कामानन्यान्विहाय च
One who bathes there, desiring liberation, abandoning all other desires,
तीर्थराजं परित्यज्य योऽन्यस्मात्काममिच्छति
Whoever, abandoning the king of fords, seeks some other desire elsewhere,
सत्यलोके प्रयागे च नांतरं वेद्म्यहं द्विज
Between the world of truth and Prayaga, O twice-born, I know of no difference.
तीर्थाभिलाषिभिर्मर्त्यैस्सेव्यं तीर्थांतरं नहि
Other sacred places are not to be sought by mortals who desire holy fords.
यथांतरं द्विजश्रेष्ठ भूपेत्वितरसेवके
Just as there is a difference, O best of twice-born, between a king and his other servants,
यथाकथंचित्तीर्थेऽस्मिन्प्राणत्यागं करोति यः
Whoever, in whatever manner, gives up their life at this holy place,
यस्य भाग्यवतश्चात्र तिष्ठंत्यस्थीन्यपि द्विज
Even the bones of one who is fortunate enough to remain here, O Brahmin,
ब्रह्महत्यादि पापानां प्रायश्चित्तं चिकीर्षुणा
For one wishing to perform atonement for sins such as killing a Brahmin,