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.
यत्र स्नात्वा च दत्त्वा च यथाशक्त्या जितेंद्रियः
There, after bathing and giving according to one's ability, with the senses subdued,
नरकस्थाश्च ये केचित्पितरश्च पितामहाः
Those ancestors and grandfathers who are in hell—
तस्मिञ्छ्राद्धे कृते विप्र पितॄणामनृणो भवेत्
When the śrāddha is performed there, O Brāhmaṇa, one becomes free from debt to the ancestors.
कर्त्तव्यमृषिनिर्दिष्टं पिण्याकेन गुडेन वा
It should be done as prescribed by the sages, with piṇḍa or with molasses.
तत्र श्राद्धं प्रकर्त्तव्यं नरैः श्रद्धासमन्वितैः
There, the śrāddha should be performed by men endowed with faith.
तुष्टेषु पितृषु श्रीमाञ्जायतेपुत्रवाँस्तथा
When the ancestors are satisfied, a prosperous man is born, possessing sons.
श्रियं च विपुलान्भोगाञ्छ्राद्धकृद्भयो न संशयः
There is no doubt that one who performs śrāddha obtains prosperity and abundant enjoyments.
श्राद्धं श्रद्धायुतैः सम्यगभीष्टफलकांक्षिभिः
Śrāddha should be properly performed by those who are full of faith and desire the fruits they wish for.
सोमवारेण संयुक्ता अमावास्या यदा भवेत् 2.8.9.
When the new moon falls on a Monday,
अन्यदा सोमवारेण तत्र श्राद्धं विधानतः
Or on any other Monday, śrāddha should be performed there according to the prescribed method.