यथा मोक्षमिहायांति नान्यत्र हि तथा क्वचित् महाक्षेत्रमिदं यस्मादयोध्याभिधमुत्तमम्
Just as liberation is attained here, so it is not attained elsewhere in the same way; for this is the great and supreme holy place known as Ayodhya.
नैमिषे च कुरुक्षेत्रे गंगाद्वारे च पुष्करे
At Naimisha, Kurukshetra, Gangadvara, and Pushkara—
इह संप्राप्यते यद्वत्तत एव विशिष्यते सर्वस्मादपि तीर्थाग्र्यादिदमेव महत्कृतम् ।। 2.8.8.
—even there, what is attained here is surpassed; among all foremost sacred places, this alone is considered the greatest.
अव्यक्तलिंगैर्मुनिभिः सर्वैः सिद्धैर्महर्षिभिः
By all sages with unmanifest marks, by perfected beings and great seers—
तेभ्यः प्रयच्छति हरिर्योगमैश्वर्य्यमुत्तमम्
—to them, Hari grants supreme yogic power and sovereignty.
ब्रह्मा देवर्षिभिः सार्द्धं श्रीश्च वायुर्दिवाकरः
Brahma, along with the divine sages, Shri, Vayu, and the Sun—
उपासते महात्मानः सर्वत्र हरिमादरात् अनन्यमनसो भूत्वा सर्वदोपासते हरिम्
—these great souls worship Hari everywhere with reverence; being single-minded, they always worship Hari.
विषयासक्तचित्तोऽपि त्यक्तधर्मरतिर्नरः
Even a man whose mind is attached to sense objects, who has abandoned delight in righteousness—
ये पुनर्निगमाधीनाः सत्रस्था विजितेंद्रियाः
But those who are devoted to the Vedas, who dwell at sacrificial sessions, whose senses are conquered—
देहभंगं समापद्य धीमंतः संगवर्जिताः
—when these wise ones, free from attachment, encounter bodily death—
जन्मान्तरसहस्रेषु युञ्जन्योगी न चाप्नुयात्
—even a yogi practicing for thousands of lifetimes may not attain what they do.
एतत्संक्षेपतो वच्मि क्षेत्रस्य महिमाद्भुतम् एतादृङ्नापरं स्थानं पुनरन्यत्र दृश्यते
I declare in brief the wondrous glory of this holy place; nowhere else is there found a place like this.
अत्र गत्वा प्रयत्नेन यात्रा पुण्याभिकांक्षिभिः ।। 2.8.8.
Coming here with effort, those who desire merit should undertake the pilgrimage.
प्रथमेऽहनि कर्त्तव्य उपवासो यतात्मभिः
On the first day, those who are self-controlled should observe a fast.
उपावृत्तस्तु पापेभ्यो यस्य वासो गुणैः सह
He whose dwelling is accompanied by virtues and who has turned away from sins—
उपवासं विधायासौ चक्रतीर्थे नरः कृती
—having observed the fast, that meritorious man at the Chakra Tirtha—
विप्रं संपूज्य विधिवत्पश्येद्विष्णुहरिं विभुम्
—should duly honor a Brahmin and behold the mighty Vishnu Hari.
क्षौरं च कारयेत्तत्र व्रती धर्माभिधे ततः
There, the vow-observant devotee should have his head shaved, as prescribed by dharma.
स्नात्वा सहस्रधारायां शेषं संपूज्य यत्नतः
After bathing in the thousand-streamed river, one should carefully worship Śeṣa.
ततश्चक्रहरिं दृष्ट्वा दद्याच्चैव स्वशक्तितः महाविद्यासमीपे तु रात्रौ जागरणं चरेत्
Then, beholding the discus-bearing Hari, one should offer according to one's ability; and at night, near the great goddess, one should keep vigil.
ततः प्रभाते विमले पुनरुत्थाय सद्व्रती
Then, at dawn, when the sky is clear, the virtuous observer should rise again.
श्राद्धं च विधिवत्कृत्वा दत्त्वा चैव स्वशक्तितः
Having performed the śrāddha according to the rite, and having given as much as one is able,
दंपती च प्रयत्नेन पूज्यौ वस्त्रादिभिस्तथा 2.8.8.
The husband and wife should also be worshipped with care, with garments and the like.
विप्रान्संपूज्य विधिवद्भुंजीत प्रयतो नरः
Having duly honored the Brāhmaṇas, the devoted man should partake of food.
अन्येद्युरपि चोत्थाय श्रद्धया परया युतः
On the next day as well, rising up, endowed with supreme faith,
तत्रतत्र नरः स्नात्वा दत्त्वा चैव स्वशक्तितः
In each place, after bathing and giving according to one's ability,
यात्रां समापयेत्सम्यङ्नियतात्मा शुचिव्रतः
With self-control and purity of vow, one should properly complete the pilgrimage.
विभीषणपुरोगास्ते बभूवुर्निर्मलास्तदा
Then Vibhīṣaṇa and his followers became pure.
इति बहुलविधानैस्तीर्थयात्रां विधाय प्रचुरसुकृतपूर्णास्ते च सुग्रीवमुख्याः
Thus, having performed the pilgrimage with many rites, those chiefs led by Sugrīva became filled with abundant merit.
गयाकूपमिति ख्यातं सर्वाभीष्टफलप्रदम्
The well of Gayā is renowned as granting all desired fruits.