ततो नैऋत्यदिग्भागे दुर्भराख्यं सरा शुभम्
Then, in the southwest direction, is the auspicious lake called Durbhara.
तत्र स्नानादवाप्नोति सदा स्वर्गपदं नरः
By bathing there, a man always attains the realm of heaven.
शिवपूजा प्रकर्त्तव्या स्नात्वा कुण्डद्वये नरैः 2.8.8.
After bathing in the two pools, one should perform worship of Śiva.
गन्धादिभिः शुभैः पुष्पैरर्च्चनीयो महेश्वरः
The great Lord is to be worshipped with fragrant substances and auspicious flowers.
इति ध्यात्वा शिवं सार्द्धं निष्पापं प्रयतो नरः
Having thus meditated on Śiva together, a man, purified, becomes sinless.
एवं कृत्वा नरो विप्र सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते
By doing so, O sage, a man is freed from all sins.
भाद्रकृष्णचतुर्दश्यां यः कुर्य्याच्छ्रद्धयाऽन्वितः
Whoever performs this with faith on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight in Bhādra,
यः करोति नरो भक्त्या शिवलोके स संवसेत्
Whoever does this with devotion dwells in the world of Śiva.
विष्णुरुद्रौ च तस्यातिसुप्रसन्नौ सनातनौ
Viṣṇu and Rudra, the eternal ones, become exceedingly pleased with him.
अतः किं बहुनोक्तेन विप्रतीर्थमनुत्तमम्
Therefore, what is the use of saying more? O sage, this holy place is unsurpassed.
अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि तीर्थमन्यच्छुभावहम्
Now I shall further describe another holy place that bestows auspiciousness.
ईशाने दुर्भरस्थानान्महाविद्याभिधं महत्
In the northeast, from the region of Durbhara, is the great place known as Mahāvidyā.
तदग्रे सरसि स्नात्वा महाविद्यां तु यो नरः 2.8.8.
Whoever bathes in the lake before it, attains the great knowledge.
सिद्धपीठं तथा ख्यातं सम्यक्प्रत्ययकारकम्
It is also known as Siddhapīṭha, the seat of accomplishment, which grants firm conviction.
मंत्रं यः श्रद्धया विप्र शैवं शाक्तमथापि वा
O Brahmin, whoever with faith recites a mantra—whether Shaiva, Shakta, or otherwise—
एकाग्रमानसो विद्वन्नाराध्यावर्तयेत्सदा
with a mind concentrated and unwavering, O learned one, should always repeat it with devotion.
तस्मादत्र प्रकर्तव्यं जपादिकमतंद्रितैः
Therefore, here one should diligently perform japa and related practices without negligence.
देयान्यन्नानि बहुशो नानाविधफलानि च
One should offer various kinds of food and many sorts of fruits in abundance.
उच्चाटनादीन्यपि च मोहनादि विशेषतः
Even acts such as expulsion, enchantment, and especially delusion, may be performed.
सिद्धस्थाने परं मोक्षं वशीकरणमुत्तमम्
At a place of accomplishment, supreme liberation and the highest mastery can be attained.
आश्विने शुक्लपक्षस्य नवरात्रिषु सुव्रत
O virtuous one, during the bright fortnight of Ashvina, in the nine nights—
यदा पूर्वं विनिर्जित्य रावणं लोकरावणम्
when, having previously conquered Ravana, the terror of the worlds—
यत्र गत्वा पदा वीरो भरतो रामकांक्षया 2.8.8.
there, where the heroic Bharata went on foot, longing for Rama—
तत्रागमत्सुरगवी प्रादुर्भूता स्रवत्स्तनी
there appeared the celestial cow, manifest, with streaming udders.
तद्भूमिपतितं दुग्धं दृष्ट्वा वानरराक्षसाः
Seeing the milk that had fallen on that ground, the monkeys and demons—
किमेतदिति राजेंद्र तानुवाच रघूद्वहः
O king, asked, 'What is this?' Then the best of the Raghus spoke to them.
इत्युक्तास्तु ततः सर्वे वसिष्ठप्रमुखे स्थिताः
Thus addressed, all those present, led by Vasistha, stood there.
वसिष्ठोऽपि क्षणं ध्यात्वा तमुवाच निराकुलम्
Vasistha, after meditating for a moment, calmly spoke to him.
वसिष्ठ उवाच शृणु राम महाबाहो कामधेनुरियं शुभा
Vasistha said: 'Hear, O Rama of mighty arms, this is the auspicious wish-fulfilling cow.'
दुग्धमध्ये समुद्भूतो रुद्रस्त्वां द्रष्टुमागतः
'From the midst of the milk, Rudra himself has arisen, having come to see you.'