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.
तस्मात्सर्व प्रयत्नेन स्नानं तत्र समाचरेत
Therefore, with all effort, one should perform bathing there.
विष्णोः पदस्य संप्राप्ते अयने दक्षिणोत्तरे
When the sun turns to the northern or southern course, at the time of Viṣṇu’s step—
तत्केन विधिना सूत मन्त्रैश्च वद सत्वरम्
By what procedure, O Sūta, and with what mantras should it be done? Tell me quickly.
दक्षिणे चोत्तरे चापि संप्राप्ते चायनद्वये
At the arrival of both solstices, the southern and the northern,
षण्मासाभ्यंतरे मृत्युर्यद्यकस्माद्भवेन्मम
If within six months, death should come to me suddenly,
एवं प्रोच्य हरिं पश्चात्पूजयेद्ब्राह्मणांस्ततः
Having spoken thus, one should then worship Hari and afterwards the brāhmaṇas.
तद्वोऽहं संप्रवक्ष्यामि गंगामाहात्म्यसंभवम्
Now I shall tell you about the origin of the greatness of the Gaṅgā.
चमत्कारपुरे विप्रः पुरासीत्संशितव्रतः
In the city of Camatkāra, there was once a brāhmaṇa devoted to strict vows.
स यदा यौवनोपेतस्तदा वेश्यानुरागकृत्
When he reached youth, he became attached to a courtesan.
स कदाचिन्निशीथेऽथ तृषार्तश्च समुत्थितः
Once, in the middle of the night, tormented by thirst, he rose up.