Varaha Purana

इति श्रीवराहपुराणे मथुरामाहात्म्ये मलयार्जुनतीर्थादिस्नानादि प्रशंसा नाम सप्तपञ्चाशदधिकशततमोध्यायः

Thus ends the one hundred and fifty-seventh chapter, named 'Praise of Bathing and Other Acts at Malayarjuna and Other Sacred Places,' in the glorious Varaha Purana, concerning the greatness of Mathura.

अथ मथुरातीर्थप्रादुर्भावः विंशतिर्योजनानां तु माथुरं मम मण्डलम्

Now, the manifestation of the Mathura sacred places: My region of Mathura extends for twenty yojanas.

वर्षाकाले तु स्थातव्यं यच्च स्थानं तु हर्षदम्

In the rainy season, one should stay at that place which brings joy.

सप्तद्वीपेषु तीर्थानि पुण्यान्यायतनानि च

In the seven continents, there are sacred places and holy abodes.

सुप्तोत्थितं तु दृष्ट्वा मां मथुरायां वसुन्धरे

Seeing me, awakened from sleep, on the earth in Mathura,

सुप्तोत्थितं तु वसुधे दृष्ट्वा मे मुखपङ्कजम्

O Earth, seeing my lotus-like face awakened from sleep,

मथुरावासिनो लोकाः सर्वे ते मुक्तिभाजनाः

All the inhabitants of Mathura are recipients of liberation.

स्नात्वा पुनस्तु कालिन्द्यां मम लोके महीयते

Having bathed again in the Kalindi, one is honored in my world.

प्रदक्षिणीकृतो येन मथुरायां तु केशवः

By whomsoever Kesava is circumambulated in Mathura,

घृतपूर्णेन पात्रेण समग्रेण च वाससा

With a vessel filled with ghee and with complete garments,

पंचयोजनविस्तारमायामं पंच विस्तरम् 158.

Five yojanas in breadth and five in length,

सर्वकामसमृद्धं तदप्सरोगणसेवितम्

That place is abundant in all desired enjoyments and attended by groups of apsaras,

समारोहति वै नित्यं प्रभामण्डलमण्डितम्

One ascends there daily, adorned with a circle of radiance,

तं स्पृहन्ति सदा देवि पुण्यमस्ति कृतं भुवि

O Devi, they always long for that; merit exists from what is done on earth,

सतां पुण्यगृहे देवि जायते मानवो हि सः क्षेत्रं हि रक्षते देव कस्त्विदं पापनाशनम्

O Devi, in the house of the virtuous, a human is born there; the deity protects the field, and this destroys sin,

पशुभूतपिशाचैश्च रक्षोभूतविनायकैः

From beings such as animals, ghosts, demons, and obstructive spirits,

श्रीवराह उवाच न विकुर्वन्ति ते दृष्ट्वा मत्पराणां हि देहिनाम्

Śrī Varāha said: They do not disturb, seeing those who are devoted to me,

रक्षार्थं हि मया दत्ता दिक्पालास्तु वरानने

For protection, I have appointed the guardians of the directions, O beautiful-faced one,

पूर्वां रक्षति इन्द्रस्तु यमो रक्षति दक्षिणाम्

Indra protects the east, and Yama protects the south,

उत्तरां वै कुबेरस्तु महाबलपराक्रमः

Kubera, of great strength and valor, protects the north,

मथुरायां गृहं यस्तु प्रासादं कुरुते नरः 158.

Whoever builds a house or palace in Mathurā,

मथुराया महाभागे कुण्डे च विमलोदके

In Mathurā, O greatly fortunate one, and at the pond with pure water,

तत्र मुञ्चेत यः प्राणान् स्नानं कृत्वा वसुन्धरे

There, whoever gives up their life after bathing, O Earth,

तत्रैव तु सदाश्चर्यं कथ्यमानं मया शृणु

There itself, always wondrous, hear what I am telling you,

हेमन्ते तु भवेच्चोष्णं शीतलं ग्रीष्मके भवेत्

In winter it becomes warm, and in summer it becomes cool,

न वर्द्धते च वर्षासु ग्रीष्मे चापि न हीयते

It does not increase in the rainy season, nor does it decrease in the summer,

पदे पदे तीर्थफलं मथुरायां वसुंधरे

At every step, O Earth, the fruit of pilgrimage is found in Mathurā,

वर्षासु स्थूलतीर्थेषु स्नातव्यं तु प्रयत्नतः

During the rainy season, one should bathe diligently at the prominent holy sites.

प्रवाहेषु च दिव्येषु नदीनां सङ्मेषु च

And also at the sacred currents and confluences of rivers.