स त्रिरात्रं स्थितस्तत्र यात्रां कृत्वा यथाविधि
He stayed there for three nights, performing the pilgrimage as prescribed,
तमायांतं विलोक्याशु बहुलानन्दसुन्दरम्
Seeing him arrive, beautiful and full of abundant joy,
परमानंदसंदोहः समभूत्सांप्रतं तव
A flood of supreme bliss arose in you at that moment,
कस्मादानंदपोषोऽभूत्तव ब्रह्मन्वदस्व मे
Why did this nourishment of joy arise in you, O Brahman? Tell me.
अगस्त्य उवाच अहो महदथाश्चर्य्यं विस्मयो मुनिसत्तम
Agastya said: O most excellent sage, truly this is a great and wondrous marvel!
तस्मादानंदसंदोहः समभून्मम सांप्रतम्
Therefore, at this very moment, a flood of joy has arisen within me.
अयोध्याया महापुर्या महिमानं गुणाधिकम्
The supreme greatness and abundant virtues of the great city of Ayodhya—
कः क्रमस्तीर्थयात्रायाः कानि तीर्थानि को विधिः एतत्सर्वं समाचक्ष्व विस्तराद्वदतां वर
What is the order of pilgrimage? Which are the sacred places, and what is the proper procedure? Please tell me all this in detail, O best of speakers.
दृश्यते येन पृच्छा ते ह्ययोध्यामहिमाश्रिता
By your question, the glory of Ayodhya is indeed revealed.
अकारो ब्रह्म च प्रोक्तं यकारो विष्णुरुच्यते 2.8.1.
The letter 'A' is said to be Brahma, and the letter 'Ya' is called Vishnu.
सर्वोपपातकैर्युक्तैर्ब्रह्महत्यादिपातकैः
Even those burdened with all major sins, including the killing of a Brahmin and other great offenses—
विष्णोराद्या पुरी येयं क्षितिं न स्पृशति द्विज
This foremost city of Vishnu, O twice-born, does not touch the earth.
केन वर्णयितुं शक्यो महिमाऽस्यास्तपोधन
By whom can the greatness of this city be described, O treasure of austerity?
सहस्रधारामारभ्य योजनं पूर्वतो दिशि
Beginning from Sahasradhara, it extends one yojana to the east.
दक्षिणोत्तरभागे तु सरयूतमसावधिः मत्स्याकृतिरियं विप्र पुरी विष्णोरुदीरिता
To the south and north, its boundary is the Sarayu up to the river Asā; this city, O Brahmin, is said to have the form of a fish and is declared to be Vishnu's own.
पश्चिमे तस्य मूर्द्धा तु गोप्रतारासिता द्विज
To the west, its head is marked by the place called Gopratāra, O Brahmin.
पूर्वतः पृष्ठभागो हि दक्षिणोत्तरमध्यमः पूर्वंदृष्टप्रभावोऽसौ प्राधान्येन वसत्यपि
Its rear portion is to the east, and the middle lies between south and north; its former glory is well known, and it resides there with preeminence.
कीर्तितो मुनिशार्दूल प्रसिद्धिं गतवान्कथम्
O tiger among sages, how did this city become renowned as has been described?
अगस्त्य उवाच विष्णुशर्मेति विख्यातः पुराभूद्ब्राह्मणोत्तमः
Agastya said: There was once a foremost Brahmin known as Vishnusharman.
योगध्यानरतो नित्यं विष्णुभक्तिपरायणः अयोध्यामागतो विष्णुर्विष्णुःसाक्षाद्वसेदिति ।। 2.8.1.
Always devoted to yoga and meditation, dedicated to the worship of Vishnu, he came to Ayodhya, believing that Vishnu himself truly dwells there.
चिंतयन्मनसा वीरस्तपः कर्तुं समुद्यतः
Contemplating in his mind, the valiant one resolved to undertake austerities.
ग्रीष्मे पंचाग्निमध्यस्थो ह्यतपत्स महातपाः
In the summer, standing amidst five fires, that great ascetic performed severe penance.
स्नात्वा यथोक्तविधिना कृत्वा विष्णोस्तथार्चनम्
Having bathed according to the prescribed manner, he performed worship of Vishnu as instructed.
मनो विष्णौ समावेश्य विधाय प्राणसंयमम्
Focusing his mind on Vishnu, he controlled his breath as required.
तन्मध्ये रविसोमाग्निमण्डलानि यथाविधि
Within that, he visualized the circles of the sun, moon, and fire as prescribed.
पीतांबरधरं विष्णुं शंखचक्रगदाधरम्
He meditated on Vishnu, clad in yellow garments, holding the conch, discus, and mace.
ब्रह्मरूपं हरिं ध्यायञ्जपन्वै द्वादशाक्षरम्
Contemplating Hari in the form of Brahma, he recited the twelve-syllable mantra.
ततो द्विजवरो ध्यात्वा स्तुतिं चक्रे हरेरिमाम् विष्णुशर्माथ तुष्टाव नारायणमतंद्रितः
Then, having meditated, the excellent Brahmin composed this praise of Hari; Vishnuśarma worshipped Nārāyaṇa with unwavering devotion.
प्रसीद देवदेवेश प्रसीद कमलेक्षण
Be gracious, Lord of gods; be gracious, lotus-eyed one.
जय कृष्ण जयाचिंत्य जय विष्णो जयाव्यय 2.8.1.
Victory to Krishna, victory to the inconceivable one, victory to Vishnu, victory to the imperishable.