Varaha Purana

भूम्याः परिक्रमे सम्यक्योजनानां प्रमाणकम्

The proper measure of yojanas is to be observed in the circumambulation of the earth.

तीर्थान्येतानि देवाश्च तारकाश्च नभस्थले

These sacred places, the gods, and the stars in the sky—

ब्रह्मणा लोमशेनैव नारदेन ध्रुवेण च

By Brahmā, Lomaśa, Nārada, and Dhruva—

एतैरनेकधा देवैः ससागरवना मही

By these many gods, the earth with its oceans and forests—

अन्तरा भ्रमणेनैव सुग्रीवेण महात्मना 159.

And by the wandering of the great-souled Sugrīva in between—

योगसिद्धैस्तथा कैश्चिन्मार्कण्डेयमुखैरपि

And also by some who have attained yogic perfection, such as Mārkaṇḍeya and others—

अल्पसत्त्वबलोपेतैः प्राणिभिश्चाल्पबुद्धिभिः

And by beings of little strength and intelligence, endowed with little vitality—

सप्तद्वीपे च तीर्थानां भ्रमणाद्यत्फलं भवेत्

Whatever fruit arises from journeying to the holy places in the seven continents—

मथुरां समनुप्राप्य यस्तु कुर्यात्प्रदक्षिणम्

Whoever, having reached Mathurā, performs circumambulation—

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन सर्वकामानभीप्सुभिः

Therefore, with all effort, by those who desire all wishes—

धरण्युवाच प्रदक्षिणाफलं सम्यगनुक्रमविधिं वद

The Earth said: Tell me in order the proper method and the full fruit of circumambulation.

श्रीवराह उवाच इदमेव पुरा प्रोक्तं यथा पृष्टा त्वया ह्यहम्

Śrī Varāha said: This was declared before, just as you have now asked me.

श्रुत्वा सर्वपुराणोक्तं तीर्थानुक्रमणं परम्

Having heard the supreme account of the sacred places as told in all the Purāṇas—

सर्वदेवेषु यत्पुण्यं सर्वतीर्थेषु यत्फलम्

The merit gained among all the gods, the fruit attained at all the sacred waters—

यत्फलं लभ्यते विप्रास्तस्माच्छतगुणोत्तरम् 159.

O Brahmins, the fruit obtained here is a hundred times greater than that.

इत्युक्त्वा ऋषयो जग्मुरभिवाद्य स्वयम्भुवम्

Having spoken thus, the sages departed, having offered their respects to the self-born one.

ध्रुवेण सहिताश्चासन्कामयानास्तु तद्दिनम्

Together with Dhruva, they went forth, traveling as they wished on that day.

मथुरोपक्रमं कृत्वा सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते

By performing the circumambulation of Mathura, one is freed from all sins.

इति श्रीवराहपुराणे मथुरामाहात्म्ये मथुराप्रदक्षिणादिकं नामैकोनषष्ट्यधिकशततमोऽध्यायः

Thus ends the one hundred fifty-ninth chapter, named 'The Circumambulation of Mathura,' in the section on the greatness of Mathura, in the glorious Varaha Purana.

अथ मथुरापरिक्रमप्रादुर्भावः अष्टम्यां मथुरां प्राप्य कार्त्तिकस्यासिते नरः

Now, the manifestation of the circumambulation of Mathura: On the eighth day of the dark half of Karttika, a man should reach Mathura.

विश्रांतिदर्शनं कृत्वा दीर्घविष्णुं च केशवम्

He should visit the place of rest and see the long form of Vishnu, known as Keshava.

उपवासरतः सम्यगल्पमेध्याशनोऽथवा

Engaged in fasting, eating little and pure food, or otherwise,

ब्रह्मचर्येण तां रात्रिं कृत्वा सङ्कल्प्य मानसे

Observing celibacy that night, having resolved in his mind,

तिलाक्षतकुशान् गृह्य पितृदेवार्थमुद्यतः

Taking sesame, rice, and sacred grass, prepared for the sake of ancestors and gods,

यथानुक्रमणं तैश्च ध्रुवाद्यैर्ऋषिभिः कृतम्

And, in due order, as performed by Dhruva and other sages with those items,

प्रदक्षिणा वर्त्तमाना भक्तिश्रद्धासमन्वितः

He should perform the circumambulation, filled with devotion and faith.

एवं जागरणं कृत्वा नवम्यां नियतः शुचिः

Thus, having kept vigil, on the ninth day, disciplined and pure,

तथा प्रारभयेद्यात्रां यावन्नोदयते रविः

In this way, he should begin the journey before the sun rises.

प्रक्षाल्य पादावाचम्य हनुमन्तं प्रसादयेत् 160.

Having washed his feet and rinsed his mouth, he should propitiate Hanuman.