तथा चक्रहरेः पीठे मत्प्रीत्यै दानमुत्तमम्
Likewise, at the seat of Hari with the discus, the highest gift should be given for my satisfaction.
भवन्तोऽपि विधानेन यात्रां कुर्वंतु सत्तमाः
You also, O best of the good, should undertake the pilgrimage here according to the injunction.
प्रत्यग्भागे गोप्रताराद्योजनत्रयसंमिते
On the eastern side, from the cow’s ford, extending for three yojanas,
अत्र स्नात्वा विधानेन द्रष्टव्योऽत्र प्रयत्नतः
Here, after bathing according to the injunction, one should carefully behold this place.
देवा अपि विधानेन कृत्वा यात्रां प्रयत्नतः 2.8.6.
Even the gods, having performed the pilgrimage here according to the injunction, with great care,
तदाप्रभृति विप्रेंद्र तत्स्थानं भुवि पप्रथे
From that time, O best of brāhmaṇas, that place became renowned on earth.
विभोर्गुप्तहरेस्तत्र संगमस्नानपूर्विका स्नात्वा देवोऽर्चनीयोऽयं सर्वकामफलप्रदः
There, at the confluence, after bathing, the Lord, the concealed Hari, should be worshipped; he grants all desired fruits.
तथा चक्रहरेर्यात्रा कर्त्तव्या सुप्रयत्नतः
Likewise, the pilgrimage to Hari with the discus should be performed with great care.
एवं यः कुरुते यात्रां विष्णुलोके स मोदते
Thus, whoever undertakes this pilgrimage rejoices in the world of Viṣṇu.
कृष्णद्वैपायनो व्यासः पुनराह सविस्मयः
Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana Vyāsa then spoke again, with wonder.
उक्तवानसि येनैतत्साश्चर्य्यं मम मानसम्
By what you have spoken, this wonder has arisen in my mind.
विस्तरेण मम ब्रूहि माहात्म्यं परमाद्भुतम्
Tell me in detail about this most marvelous greatness.
शृणु संगममाहात्म्यं विप्रेंद्र परमाद्भुतम्
Listen, O best of Brahmins, to the most wondrous greatness of the confluence.
दशकोटिसहस्राणि दशकोटिशतानि च निवसंति सदा विप्र स्कन्दादवगतं मया
Ten billion thousand and ten billion hundred beings always dwell there, O Brahmin, as I have learned from Skanda.
देवतानां सुराणां च सिद्धानां योगिनां तथा 2.8.6.
Of the gods, the immortals, the perfected ones, and also the yogis.
तस्मिन्संगमसलिले नरः स्नात्वा समाहितः
A man who bathes there in the waters of the confluence with a focused mind—
हुत्वा वैष्णवमंत्रेण शुचिर्यत्फलमाप्नुयात्
Having performed a sacrifice with a Vaiṣṇava mantra in purity, whatever fruit he obtains—
अश्वमेधसहस्रस्य वाजपेयशतस्य च
Is equal to a thousand horse sacrifices and a hundred Vājapeya rites.
सुवर्णदाने यत्पुण्यमहन्यहनि तद्भवेत्
And the merit gained by giving gold daily is also obtained there.
अमावास्यां पौर्णमास्यां द्वादश्योरुभयोरपि
On the new moon, the full moon, and on both twelfth days—
तिष्ठेद्युगसहस्रं तु पादेनैकेन यः पुमान्
Whoever stands for a thousand ages even on one foot—
लंबतेऽवाक्छिरा यस्तु युगानामयुतं पुमान्
And whoever hangs down with head inverted for ten thousand ages—
व्युष्टिर्भवति या पुंसां न सा क्रतुशतैरपि
The result attained by men here is not gained even by a hundred sacrifices.
पौषे मासि विशेषेण स्नानं बहुफलप्रदम्
Especially in the month of Pauṣa, bathing yields abundant rewards.
पौषे मासि विशेषेण यः कुर्यात्स्नानमादृतः स याति ब्रह्मणः स्थानं पुनरावृत्तिवर्जितम् ।।2.8.6.
Especially in the month of Pauṣa, whoever bathes with devotion goes to the abode of Brahman, free from return.
पौषे मासे तु यो दद्याद्घृताढ्यं दीपमुत्तमम्
And in the month of Pauṣa, whoever gives a lamp filled with ghee, the best—
नानाजन्मार्जितं पापं स्वल्पं बह्वपि वा भवेत्
Whatever sin, little or great, accumulated over many births—
आयुरारोग्यमैश्वर्यं संततीः सौख्यमुत्तमम्
Long life, health, prosperity, offspring, and supreme happiness—
यस्तु शुक्लत्रयोदश्यां पौषेऽत्र प्रयतो व्रती
He who, with discipline and devotion, observes a vow on the thirteenth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Pauṣa,
जागरं विदधद्रात्रौ दीपं दत्त्वा तु सर्वशः
and keeps vigil through the night, offering lamps everywhere,