Varaha Purana

यत्र स्नातान्मनुष्यांश्च विघ्नराजो न पीडयेत्

At that place, the lord of obstacles does not trouble those humans who have bathed.

तस्मिंस्तीर्थवरे स्नातं न पीडयति विघ्नराट् 154.

At that excellent ford, the king of obstacles does not afflict one who has bathed.

अविघ्नं कुरुते तस्य सततं पार्वतीसुतः

The son of Parvati always removes obstacles for such a person.

ततः परे कोटितीर्थे पवित्रं परमं स्मृतम्

Beyond that is the Koṭitīrtha, remembered as supremely pure.

तथात्र मुञ्चते प्राणाँल्लोभमोहविवर्जितः

There, one who gives up greed and delusion departs from life.

अतः परं शिवक्षेत्रमर्द्धक्रोशं तु दुष्करम्

After that is the Śiva-kshetra, half a krosha in distance, difficult to reach.

तत्र स्नात्वा च पीत्वा च माथुरं लभते फलम्

There, by bathing and drinking, one attains the fruit of Māthura.

इति श्रीवराहपुराणे मथुरामाहात्म्ये यमुनातीर्थप्रभावो नाम चतुष्पञ्चाशदधिकशततमोऽध्यायः

Thus ends the one hundred fifty-fourth chapter, named 'The Power of the Yamuna Ford,' in the Mathura-mahatmya of the glorious Varaha Purana.

अथाऽक्रूरतीर्थप्रभावः पुनरन्यत्प्रवक्ष्यामि मर्त्त्यलोके सुदुर्लभम्

Now, I will again declare the power of the Akrura Ford, which is exceedingly rare in the mortal world.

तत्र .नित्यं स्थितो देवि लोकानां हितकाम्यया

There, O goddess, I always remain for the welfare of the worlds.

अयने विषुवे चैव तथा विष्णुपदीषु च

At the solstices, the equinoxes, and at the Viṣṇupadī times as well,

अक्रूरेति च विख्यातं मम क्षेत्रं वसुन्धरे

My field there, O Earth, is renowned as Akrura.

राजसूयाश्वमेधाभ्यां फलं प्राप्नोति मानवः

By bathing there, a person obtains the fruit of both the Rājasūya and Aśvamedha sacrifices.

तत्स्नानात्फलमाप्नोति प्रयागस्नानजं फलम्

From bathing there, one attains the fruit that comes from bathing at Prayāga.

नाम्ना तु सुधनो नाम मम भक्तः सदैव हि

By name, Sudhana is always my devotee.

बन्धुपुत्रकलत्रैश्च गृहे प्रीतिरनुत्तमा

He experiences unsurpassed affection at home with his relatives, sons, and wife.

गच्छन्ति दिवसास्तस्य मासाः संवत्सरास्तथा

His days, months, and years pass by.

मानकूटं तुलाकूटं न करोति स कर्हिचित् 155.

He never commits fraud in weights or measures.

नित्यं कालं च कुरुते हरिपूजनमुत्तमम्

He always devotes time to excellent worship of Hari.

उपहारेण दिव्येन धूपेन च सुगन्धिना

With divine offerings and fragrant incense, he performs worship.

उपवासं तु कुरुते रात्रौ जागरणं तथा

He observes fasting and keeps vigil at night as well.

तत्रागत्य ममाग्रेऽसौ नृत्यते शुभदर्शनः

Coming there, he dances before me, possessing an auspicious appearance.

चलमानो गृहीतस्तु चरणे ब्रह्मरक्षसा

As he was moving, he was seized by a Brahma-rākṣasa at the feet.

पादे गृहीत्वा वसुधे इदं वचनमब्रवीत्

Grasping his feet, the Brahma-rākṣasa spoke these words to the earth.

राक्षसोऽहं वणिक्श्रेष्ठ वसामि वनमाश्रितः

The rākṣasa said: I am a rākṣasa, O best of merchants, dwelling in the forest.

सुधन उवाच भक्षयिष्यसि मे गात्रं मिष्टान्नपरिपोषितम्

Sudhana said: Will you devour my body, which has been nourished with delicious food?

जागरं देवदेवस्य कर्तुमिच्छामि राक्षस

I wish to keep vigil for the Lord of gods, O rākṣasa.

तत्र जागरणं कृत्वा प्रभाते तव सन्निधौ 155.

There, after keeping vigil, in the morning, in your presence,

ततः खादिष्यसे गात्रं विनिवृत्तस्य जागरात्

Then you may eat my body, once I have finished the vigil.