Varaha Purana

मन्दारे कानि कर्माणि कुर्वन्ति च ततो नराः

What actions do people perform at Mandāra, and what results from them?

मन्दारे कानि गुह्यानि रहस्यं किंच तत्र वै

What are the secrets at Mandāra, and what is the mystery there?

श्रीवराह उवाच कथयिष्यामि ते गुह्यां मन्दारस्य महाक्रियाम्

Śrī Varāha said: 'I shall tell you the secret, the great rite of Mandāra.'

क्रीडमानोऽस्महं तत्र मन्दारे पुष्पिते तदा

At that time, I was playing there at Mandāra, when it was in bloom.

ततो ममाभवच्चिन्ता मन्दारे पर्वतस्थिते 143.

Then, as I was on Mandāra mountain, a thought arose in me.

विन्ध्ये च मत्प्रभावेण मन्दारश्च महाद्रुमः

And on the Vindhya, by my power, there is also the Mandara, the great tree.

दर्शनीयतमं स्थानं मनोज्ञं च शिलातलम्

A most delightful and charming place is the stone surface there.

विस्मयं शृणु सुश्रोणि मन्दारेऽस्मिन्महाद्रुमे

Hear of a marvel, O lovely-hipped one, concerning this great Mandara tree.

तत्र मध्याह्नवेलायां वीक्ष्यमाणो जनैस्ततः

There, at midday, it is beheld by people.

तस्मिन्मंदारकुण्डे तु एकभक्तोषितो नरः

There, in the Mandara pool, a man who stays fasting with a single meal—

अथ प्राणान्प्रमुच्येत कुण्डे मन्दारसंस्थिते

Then, if one gives up the breath of life in the pool at the base of the Mandara—

तस्य चोत्तरपार्श्वे च प्रापणं नाम वै गिरिः

And to its northern side is a mountain called Prapana.

स्नानकुण्डमिति ख्यातं तस्मिन्क्षेत्रे परं मम

There, in that field, is my supreme bathing pool, known as the Snanakunda.

तत्राथ मुंचते प्राणान्मम कर्मपरायणः 143.

There, then, one devoted to my deeds is released from life.

तस्य पूर्वोत्तरे पार्श्वे गुह्यं वैकुण्ठकारणम्

On its northeastern side is the secret cause of Vaikuntha.

यस्तत्र कुरुते स्नानमैकरात्रोषितो नरः

Whoever bathes there, having stayed a single night fasting—

तथाऽत्र मुंचते प्राणान्कृतकृत्यः सुनिश्चितः

Likewise, here, one certainly departs, having fulfilled all duties.

तस्य दक्षिणपूर्वेण समस्रोतो वरांगणे

To its southeast, in the beautiful Varangana, is a stream with even flow.

तत्र स्नानं तु कुर्वीत एकभक्तोषितो नरः

There, one should bathe, having stayed with a single meal and fasting.

अथात्र मुंचते प्राणान्मम चित्तव्यवस्थितः

Then here, one departs from life, with mind fixed on me.

मन्दारस्य तु पूर्वेण गुह्यं कोटरसंस्थितम्

To the east of the Mandara is a secret place within a hollow.

तत्र स्नानं प्रकुर्वीत पंचभक्तोषितो नरः

There, one should bathe, having stayed with five meals and fasting.

अथात्र मुंचते प्राणान् कृत्वा कर्म सुदुष्करम्

Then here, one departs from life, having performed a most difficult act.

तस्य दक्षिणपार्श्वे तु गुह्यं विन्ध्यविनिःसृतम् 143.

On its southern side is a secret place, emerging from the Vindhya.

तत्र स्नानं प्रकुर्वीत अहोरात्रोषितो नरः

There, a man who has fasted for a day and night should perform bathing.

अथात्र मुंचते प्राणान्कृत्वा कर्म सुदुष्करम्

Then, having performed a most difficult act, one gives up the breath here.

दक्षिणे पश्चिमे भागे मन्दारस्य यशस्विनि

On the southern and western side of the glorious Mandara—

तत्र स्नानं प्रकुर्वीत अहोरात्रोषितो नरः

There, a man who has fasted for a day and night should perform bathing.

अथात्र मुंचते प्राणान्मम कर्मव्यवस्थितः

Then here, one established in my prescribed acts gives up the breath.