द्वादशैतानि तीर्थानि देवानां दुर्ल्लभानि च
These twelve fords are difficult to attain even for the gods.
येषां स्मरणमात्रेण सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते 152.
By merely remembering them, one is freed from all sins.
इति श्रीवराहपुराणे मथुरामाहात्म्ये मथुरातीर्थप्रशंसा नाम द्वापंचाशदधिकशततमोऽध्यायः
Thus ends the one hundred and fifty-second chapter, named 'The Praise of the Fords of Mathura,' in the section on the greatness of Mathura in the glorious Varaha Purana.
अथ मथुरातीर्थमाहात्म्यम् उत्तरे शिवकुण्डाच्च तीर्थानां नवकं स्मृतम्
Now, the greatness of the Mathura fords: to the north of Shiva-kunda, nine fords are remembered.
तत्रैव स्नानमात्रेण सौभाग्यं जायते परम्
By merely bathing there, supreme good fortune arises.
तस्मिन् स्नातो नरो देवि मम लोके प्रपद्यते
O Devi, a man who bathes there attains my world.
तत्र स्नातो मृतो वापि मम लोकं स गच्छति
There, one who bathes or dies surely attains my world.
तस्मिन् संयमने तीर्थे यद्यद्वृत्तं पुरातनम्
Whatever ancient deeds occurred at that sacred place of restraint,
वसते नैमिषारण्ये सुप्रतीतेऽतिपापकृत्
Even one who has committed great sins, dwelling in the renowned Naimisha forest,
तत्र प्राप्य च कालिन्दीं कृष्णपक्षे चतुर्दशीम्
There, having reached the Yamuna on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight,
ततार यमुनां सोऽथ प्राप्य संयमनं शुभे
He crossed the Yamuna, then, having attained the auspicious place of restraint,
मग्नमात्रस्ततः पापः सद्यः प्राणैर्व्ययुज्यत
His sin, submerged only as much as a mother, immediately departed with his life-breath.
सौराष्ट्रविषये देवि क्षत्रियोऽभूद्धनुर्द्धरः 153.
In the land of Saurashtra, O goddess, there was a Kshatriya named Dhanurdhara.
पालयामास वसुधां क्षत्रधर्मं समाश्रितः
He ruled the earth, adhering to the duties of a Kshatriya.
पत्नी शतानां मुख्यानां प्रवरा सा वसुन्घरे
His chief among a hundred wives was the noble Vasunghara.
प्रासादेषु च रम्येषु नदीनां पुलिनेषु च
In splendid palaces and on the banks of rivers,
कालो गच्छति राजा तु भोगासक्तिं च विंदति
Time passed, and the king became attached to enjoyment.
पुत्राः सप्त तथा जाताः कन्याः पंच सुशोभनाः
Seven sons were born, and five daughters, all beautiful.
पुत्रान्संस्थापयामास स्थानेषु वसुधाधिपान्
He established his sons in positions as lords of the earth.
तत्र प्रबुद्धो नृपतिर्हाहेति वदते मुहुः
There, the awakened king repeatedly cried, 'Alas!'
तत सा पीवरी प्राह किमेवं भाषसे नृप
Then that Pivari said, 'Why do you speak thus, O king?'
मत्तः सुप्तः प्रमत्तश्च असम्बद्धं प्रभाषते
Intoxicated, asleep, or careless, he speaks incoherently.
पीवर्युवाच प्राणांस्त्यक्ष्याम्यहं देव गोपयिष्यसि मे यदि ।। 153.
Pivari said: 'I will give up my life, O lord, if you do not protect me.'
प्रियाया वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रत्युवाच नराधिपः
Hearing his beloved's words, the king replied.
तत्र गत्वा यथातत्त्वं वदिष्यामि शुभानने
There, having gone, I shall speak the truth as it is, O auspicious-faced one.
पुत्रान्संस्थाप्य दौहित्रान्स्वे स्थाने शुभान्प्रिये
Having established the sons and grandsons in their proper places, O beloved and auspicious one,
ततः सम्मानयामास जनं पुरनिवासिनम्
Then he honored the people who dwelled in the city.
राज्ये पुत्रान्नियोक्ष्यामि यदि वो रोचतेऽनघाः
I will appoint my sons to the kingdom, if it pleases you, O sinless ones.
नित्यमिच्छन्ति वै लोको यमस्येच्छन्ति नान्यथा
People always desire Yama’s wish; they do not wish otherwise.
तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन गच्छावो मथुरां पुरीम्
Therefore, with all effort, let us go to the city of Mathurā.