मथुरायां तथाप्येवं सापराधः शुचिर्भवेत्
Even so, in Mathurā, one remains pure despite an offense.
सहस्रजन्मसु कृतानपराधाञ्जहाति सः
He is freed from offenses committed over a thousand lifetimes.
श्रवणान्मननाच्चैव दर्शनाद्याति पातकम् मथुरा सूकरं चैव द्वावेतौ तव वल्लभौ
By hearing, reflecting, and seeing, sin departs; Mathurā and the Boar are both dear to you.
विशिष्टमनयोः किं च सत्यं ब्रूहि सुरेश्वर पृथिव्यां यानि तीर्थानि आसमुद्रसरांसि च
Tell me truly, O Lord of the gods, what is superior between these two? What are the holy places and lakes on earth up to the ocean?
कुब्जाम्रकं प्रशंसन्ति सदा मद्भावभाविताः
Those devoted to my nature always praise Kubjāmra.
एकाहं मार्गशीर्ष्यां च द्वादश्यां सितवैष्णवम् 179.
On a single day in Mārgaśīrṣa, on the twelfth lunar day sacred to Viṣṇu—
गुह्याद्गुह्यतरं पुण्यं माथुरं मम मण्डलम्
My Māthura region is a merit more secret than the most secret.
अटित्वा सर्वतीर्थानि कुब्जाम्रादीनि नित्यशः
Having visited all the holy places, including Kubjāmra and others, continually—
विश्रमणाच्च विश्रान्तिस्तेन संज्ञा वरा मम
From resting comes repose; thus, the name 'Varā' is mine.
गतिरन्वेषणीयानां मथुरा परमा गतिः
Of all destinations sought, Mathurā is the supreme goal.
विना सांख्येन योगेन मुच्यते नात्र संशयः
Without Sāṃkhya or Yoga, one is liberated—there is no doubt of this.
सा गतिस्त्यजतः प्राणान्मथुरायां न संशयः न तीर्थं मथुराया हि न देवः केशवात्परः
There is no doubt that Mathurā grants that liberation to one who gives up life there; there is no holy place like Mathurā, nor any god greater than Keśava.
इति श्रीवराहपुराणे मथुरामाहात्म्ये अपराधप्रायश्चित्तमाहात्म्यं नाम ऊनाशीत्यधिकशततमोऽध्यायः
Thus ends the one hundred and seventy-ninth chapter, named 'The Greatness of Atonement for Offenses,' in the Mathurā-māhātmya of the glorious Varāha Purāṇa.
श्रीवराह उवाच ध्रुवतीर्थे पुरावृत्तं तच्छृणुष्व वसुन्धरे
Śrī Varāha said: Listen, O Earth, to what happened long ago at Dhruva-tīrtha.
अस्यां पुर्यां तु राजासीद्धार्मिकः सत्यविक्रमः
In this city, there was once a king, righteous and steadfast in truth.
तस्य नार्यः शते द्वे तु कुलशीलवयोयुते
He had two hundred wives, all of noble family, character, and age.
नाम्ना चन्द्रप्रभा चैव वीरसूर्वीरपुत्रका
One was named Candraprabhā, heroic, and mother of heroic sons.
तस्याः परिग्रहास्त्वेकोद्दिष्टाचारविहीनकाः
Her companions, however, lacked the conduct prescribed for wives.
स्वदोषैः पतिताः सर्वे नरकं प्रति भामिनि
O beautiful one, all have fallen toward hell by their own faults.
कदाचिदपि तस्याथो भ्रष्टः प्राणिजनो महान्
At some time, indeed, a great being among living creatures fell from there.
कृष्णरूपाश्चंक्रमन्तो मशकाकारसन्निभाः
Taking on dark forms, resembling the shape of mosquitoes, they move about.
तस्मिन्क्षणे न च कृतं व्रतं जप्यं विमोहनात् 180.
In that moment, due to delusion, no vow or recitation was performed.
चतुर्थांशावशेषश्च दिवसः पर्यवर्त्तत
A fourth part of the day remained.
अन्ये पूर्वोत्तराद्देशाद्दक्षिणात्पश्चिमात्तथा
Others came from the eastern and western directions, as well as from the south.
हृष्टास्तुष्टा सुपुष्टांगा गच्छन्तो दिवि सङ्घशः
Joyful, satisfied, and with well-nourished bodies, they go in groups to the heavens.
वस्त्रालङ्कारपुष्टांगा हृष्टा गच्छन्ति संघशः
Adorned with garments and ornaments, with strong bodies and delight, they go in groups.
अन्ये यथागतं यान्ति आयान्ति पुनरेव हि
Others depart as they had come, and indeed, they return again.
समागच्छन्ति गच्छन्तीरयन्तश्चाशिषो मुदा
They gather, depart, and arrive, wishing blessings with joy.
निर्गतोदरसूक्ष्माश्च गच्छन्ति सुविमानिताः
With slender bodies and sunken bellies, they go, honored with fine palanquins.
महोत्सवमिवालक्ष्य विस्मितो मुनिरुत्थितः
Seeing it as a great festival, the sage rose up in amazement.