दर्दुरेश्वरस्ततः प्रोक्तो द्वारे चोत्तरसंज्ञिके
Next is Dardureśvara, proclaimed at the gate called northern.
महाकालवने रम्ये समाख्याता हि पावनाः
In the delightful Mahākālavana, the purifying ones are indeed renowned.
महाकालवने व्यास लिंगसंख्या न विद्यते
In Mahākālavana, O Vyāsa, the number of liṅgas is not known.
यस्य देवस्य यत्तीर्थं तन्नाम्ना परिकीर्तितम् 5.1.70.
The sacred ford of each deity is named after that deity.
तथा नवग्रहाः पुण्याः समाख्याताः पुराऽनघ
Likewise, the nine auspicious planets have been described, O sinless one.
नरादित्य इति ख्यातः सोमेश्वरस्ततः परः
He is known as Narāditya, and next as Someśvara.
बृहस्पतीश्वरः प्रोक्तस्तथा शुक्रेश्वरः शिवः
He is called Bṛhaspatīśvara, and likewise Śukreśvara is Śiva.
ग्रहा राज्यं प्रयच्छंति ग्रहा राज्यं हरंति च
The planets grant kingdoms, and the planets also take kingdoms away.
ग्रहतीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा ग्रहाणामर्चनं चरेत्
A man, having bathed at the holy place of the planets, should worship the planets.
एवं व्यास समाख्याता मया देवाश्च तीर्थकाः
Thus, Vyāsa, I have described to you the gods and the sacred places.
ग्रहपीडासु चोग्रासु दारिद्र्ये घोरसंकटे
In severe afflictions caused by the planets, in poverty, and in terrible distress—
क्षेत्रस्यांतर्गृहीं नित्यं ये कुर्वंति नरोत्तमाः
Those excellent men who always perform (worship) within the field's enclosure—
अपुत्रो लभते पुत्रं निर्धनो धनमाप्नुयात् 5.1.70.
A sonless man obtains a son; a poor man attains wealth.
अक्षया संततिस्तस्य शिवलोके महीयते
His lineage becomes unending, and he is honored in the realm of Śiva.
अवंतीतीर्थमाहात्म्यं पवित्रं वेदसंमितम्
The greatness of the Avanti tīrtha is pure and in accordance with the Vedas.
भूयस्तु श्रोतुमिच्छामि त्वत्तो ब्रह्मविदां वर तीर्थानि कतिसंख्यानि विद्यंते ह्यत्र सुव्रत
But again, I wish to hear from you, O best of knowers of Brahman: how many tīrthas exist here, O virtuous one?
उमामहेश्वरसंवादं नारदस्य च धीमतः
The dialogue between Umā and Maheśvara, and also of the wise Nārada—
तीर्थानि यानि वर्तंते तानि नो वद विस्तरात्
Tell us in detail about the tīrthas that exist.
इति पृष्टस्तदा विप्र नारदेन पुराऽनघ
Thus, O sinless one, was I formerly questioned by Nārada, O brāhmaṇa.
तीर्थानि यानि तिष्ठंति तानि वक्ष्यामि सुव्रत
I shall now tell you, O virtuous one, about the tīrthas that exist.
पुष्कराद्यानि तीर्थानि यानि कानि महीतले
The tīrthas beginning with Puṣkara, and whatever others are on the earth—
असंख्यातसहस्राणि कोटिकोटीनि सत्तम
They are countless thousands, and hundreds of millions, O noble one.
नीहारकणिकावृष्टिं गिरौ वर्षंति किन्नराः 5.1.71.
On the mountain, the Kinnaras pour down a shower of tiny drops like mist.
न हि संख्यां विजानामि तीर्थानां भुवि सत्तम
Indeed, O noble one, I do not know the number of tīrthas on earth.
तथाऽपि च प्राधान्येन कथयिष्यामि सत्तम
Nevertheless, I shall tell you the principal points, O noble one.
तावंति प्रापणीयानि प्रसिद्धानि परंतप
These are the well-known observances that must be performed, O subduer of foes.
विधिवत्कुरुते यस्तु साक्षाच्छंभुर्भवेच्च सः
Whoever performs them properly, indeed becomes like Śambhu himself.
तत्फलं जायतेऽवंत्यां वैशाखे पंचभिर्दिनैः
The fruit of this is obtained within five days in Vaiśākha, at the end.
माधवेऽपि विशेषेण ह्यवंतीस्नानमाचरेत्
One should especially bathe in Avantī during Mādhava as well.
संवत्सरव्रती स्नातस्तीर्थेतींर्थे यथाविधि
Having bathed at the holy place according to the prescribed rule, one who observes the annual vow is purified.