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.
भुक्त्वा भोगान्सुविपुलाञ्छिवलोके महीयते
Enjoying abundant pleasures, he is honored in the world of Śiva.
माहात्म्यमेतच्छिवभक्तिवर्द्धनं यशस्करं पुण्यविवर्द्धनं च
This greatness increases devotion to Śiva, brings fame, and augments merit.
इति श्रीस्कांदे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां संहितायां पंचम आवंत्यखंडेऽवन्तीक्षेत्रमाहात्म्ये व्याससनत्कुमारसंवादे ऽवन्तीक्षेत्रमाहात्म्यवर्णनंनामैक सप्ततितमोऽध्यायः
Thus ends the seventieth chapter, named 'The Description of the Greatness of Avantīkshetra,' in the dialogue between Vyāsa and Sanatkumāra, in the Avantī section of the fifth book, in the eighty-one-thousand-verse Śrī Skanda Mahāpurāṇa.
(५-२) श्रीगणेशाय नमः कथ्यतां तानि यत्नेन श्राद्धं येषु प्रदीयते
Salutations to Śrī Gaṇeśa. Tell me with care those places where śrāddha is to be performed.
सेविता देवगंधर्वैर्मुनिभिश्च निषेविता
They have been frequented by gods and gandharvas, and have been visited by sages.
तपनस्य सुता देवी यमुना लोकपावनी
The goddess Yamunā, daughter of the Sun, is the purifier of the worlds.
चन्द्रभागा वितस्ता च नर्मदाऽमरकंटके
So too are Candrabhāgā, Vitastā, and Narmadā at Amarakantaka.
केदारं पुष्करं चैव तथा कायावरोहणम्
Kedāra and Puṣkara as well, and also Kāyāvarohaṇa.
यत्रास्ते श्रीमहाकालः पापेंधनहुताशनः
There abides Śrī Mahākāla, the fire that consumes the wealth of sin.
भुक्तिदं मुक्तिदं क्षेत्रं कलिकल्मषनाशनम्
This field grants enjoyment and liberation, and destroys the sins of the Kali age.
यानि तीर्थानि वंद्यानि यानि लिंगानि संति वै
Whatever sacred fords are venerable, whatever liṅgas there are—
क्षेत्रमाद्यं महादेवि ममातीव प्रियं सदा ।। 5.2.1.
The foremost field, O great goddess, is always especially dear to me.
यत्रास्ति च महापुण्या सर्वपापहरा परा
There exists a supremely meritorious place, which removes all sins.
नीलगंगा चतुर्थी तु श्रेष्ठा नद्यः प्रकीर्तिताः
The Nīlagaṅgā is the fourth and foremost among the celebrated rivers.
गंगायास्त्रिगुणं देवि चतुर्वर्गफलप्रदम्
O Goddess, it bestows three times the merit of the Gaṅgā and grants the fruits of the four aims of life.
सिद्धलिंगानि तिष्ठंति भुक्तिमुक्तिकराणि च
There stand the perfected liṅgas, bestowers of both enjoyment and liberation.
एकादश तथा रुद्रा आदित्या द्वादश स्मृताः
There are eleven Rudras and twelve Ādityas, as is remembered.
यदाहं गतवांस्तत्र महाकालवने शुभे
When I went there, to the auspicious forest of Mahākāla—
एभिर्व्याप्तं क्षेत्रमिदं देवि योजनमायतम्
O Goddess, this field, a yojana in extent, is filled with these.
तानि विस्तरतो ब्रूहि सर्वपापहराणि तु
Describe those in detail, which indeed remove all sins.