अपरं ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठाः सर्वपातकनाशनम्
Another, O best of Brahmins, destroys all sins.
अयने दक्षिणे प्राप्ते यस्तत्पूज्य समाहितः
When the southern solstice arrives, whoever worships it with concentration—
स मृतोऽप्ययने याम्ये तद्विष्णोः परमं पदम्
Even if he dies during the southern solstice, he attains the supreme abode of Vishnu.
तथा चैवोत्तरे प्राप्ते पूजयित्वा यथाविधि सोऽपि विष्णोः पदं पुण्यं प्राप्य संजायते सुखी
Likewise, when the northern solstice arrives, having worshipped according to the proper method, he too attains the sacred abode of Vishnu and is born happy.
कथं निवेद्यते तत्र सम्यगात्माऽ यनद्वये
How is the self properly offered there in both solstices?
तस्मिन्दृष्टेऽथवा स्पृष्टे यत्फलं लभ्यते नरैः
When it is seen or touched, what fruit is obtained by men?
तदा क्रमैस्त्रिभिर्व्याप्तं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्
Then, by three steps, the three worlds, with their moving and unmoving beings, were pervaded.
हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे संन्यस्तः प्रथमः क्रमः
In the Hatakeshvara field, the first step was placed.
तृतीयस्य समुद्योगं यदा चक्रे स चक्रधृक्
When the wielder of the discus undertook the effort for the third step—
पादाग्रेणाथ संभिन्ने ब्रह्मांडे निर्मलं जलम् 6.24.
With the tip of his foot, when the cosmic egg was pierced, pure water emerged.
ब्रह्मलोकं तदा कृत्स्नं प्लावयित्वा जलं हि तत् मत्स्यकच्छपसंकीर्णं ग्राहयूथैः समाकुलम्
Then, that water flooded the entire world of Brahma, teeming with fish, turtles, and crowded with groups of aquatic creatures.
ततः प्रभृति सा लोके गंगा विष्णुपदी स्मृता
From that time onward, in the world, the Ganga is known as Vishnu's river.
एवं विष्णोः पदं तत्र संजातं मुनिसत्तमाः
In this way, O best of sages, the sacred footprint of Vishnu appeared there.
यस्तस्यां श्रद्धया युक्तः स्नानं कृत्वा यथोदितम्
Whoever, endowed with faith, bathes there as prescribed,
यस्तत्रकुरुते श्राद्धं सम्यक्छ्रद्धासमन्वितः
Whoever performs the śrāddha there, fully imbued with faith,
माघमासे नरः स्नानं प्रातरुत्थाय तत्र यः
Whoever, rising early in the morning during the month of Māgha, bathes there,
अथवा वत्सरं यावत्क्षणं कृत्वात्र भक्तितः
Or even one who, with devotion, remains there for a moment up to a year,
यस्यास्थीनि जले तत्र क्षिप्यंते मनुजस्य च
Whose bones are cast into the water there, even of a human,
अपि पक्षिपतंगा ये पशवः कृमयो मृगाः
Even birds, insects, animals, worms, and deer,
तेऽपि पापविनिर्मुक्ता देहांते चातिदुर्लभम् 6.24.
They too, freed from sin, at the end of their bodies attain what is extremely rare.
किं पुनः श्रद्धयोपेताः पर्वकाल उपस्थिते
What then of those who, endowed with faith, come at the proper sacred time?
तत्र गाथा पुरा गीता नारदेन महर्षिणा
There, an ancient verse was sung by the great sage Nārada:
किं व्रतैर्नियमैर्वापि तपोभिर्विविधैर्मखैः
What need is there of vows, restraints, or various austerities and sacrifices?
एकः सर्वेषु तीर्थेषु स्नानं मर्त्यः समाचरेत्
If a mortal bathes just once at all the sacred places,
एको दानानि सर्वाणि ब्राह्मणेभ्यः प्रयच्छति
If one person gives all gifts to the Brāhmaṇas,
पञ्चाग्निसाधको ग्रीष्मे वर्षास्वाकाशमाश्रितः
If another practices the five-fire vow in summer, or takes shelter in the open during the rains,
अन्यो विष्णुपदीतोये स्नात्वा विष्णुपदं स्पृशेत्
Another, having bathed in the water of Viṣṇupadī, touches the footprint of Viṣṇu,
एकांतरोपवासी य एकः स्याज्जीवितावधि
One who fasts on alternate days for his entire life,
त्रिरात्रोपोषितस्त्वेको यावद्वर्षशतं नरः
Or one who fasts for three nights, even if only once in a hundred years,
विरराम मुनीनां स बहूनां पुरतोऽसकृत् ॥ 6.24.
He repeatedly ceased in the presence of many sages.