Varaha Purana

सा चैकान्ते च दिवसे पानमांसरता सदा 180.

And she, always devoted to drinking and meat, was alone that day.

सेवकैः सा करे गृह्य आनीता मुनिसन्निधौ

She was brought into the presence of the sage, seized by the servants by her hand.

प्रत्ययार्थं तु तस्या वै मुनिः प्राह क्रियां प्रति

Then the sage spoke to her regarding the rite, for the sake of certainty.

तर्पणं चापि नो दत्तं पितॄणां चातिमुक्तिदम्

The offering of water to the ancestors, which grants supreme liberation, was not given.

न जानामि पितॄन्स्वान्वै क्रियां कार्यं च वै विभो

I do not know my ancestors, nor indeed the rite to be performed, O Lord.

पत्नी च मथुरेशस्य नृपः सपुरसज्जनः

And the wife of the lord of Mathurā, along with the king and the noble citizens.

राज्ञा नीतास्तत्र तीर्थे श्राद्धार्थं मुनिना सह

The king brought them to that holy place for the śrāddha, together with the sage.

तत्र दृष्टः स वै जन्तुर्न च तन्तुर्विचेतनः

There, that being was seen, but the offspring was unconscious.

अगस्त्य उवाच करोतु तर्पणं चास्मिन्पूर्वोक्तविधिना त्वियम् ।।180.

Agastya said: Let her perform the offering of water here, according to the procedure previously described.

ततः श्राद्धं सरौप्यं च सवस्त्रं सविलेपनम्

Then the śrāddha was performed, with silver, with garments, and with unguents.

अत्रैव सर्वे स्थित्वा वै मामीक्षथ सुखान्वितम्

All of you, remaining here, saw me, endowed with happiness.

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा राजपत्नी यशस्विनी

Hearing those words, the illustrious wife of the king

वेष्टितः शुशुभेऽतीव दीक्षितोऽवभृथे यथा

Clad, he shone exceedingly, like one consecrated at the final bath.

तीर्थानि सरितः श्रेष्ठाः पर्वताश्च सरांसि च

The holy places, the best rivers, the mountains, and the lakes,

पितॄणां मुक्तिदं चान्यन्न भूतं न भविष्यति 180.

There has never been, nor will there be, any other that grants liberation to the ancestors.

शुक्लप्रतिपदन्तं च तीर्थं प्राप्य ससत्वराः

Having reached the sacred place at the end of the bright lunar first day, with urgency,

कृत्वा प्रेतपुरीं शून्यां स्वर्ग पातालमेव च

having made the city of the departed empty, as well as heaven and the netherworld,

कन्यां गते सवितरि यः श्राद्धं सम्प्रदास्यति

when the maiden has gone to the sun, whoever offers the śrāddha ceremony,

सुतृप्ताः स्मो वयं शश्वद्यास्यामः परमां गतिम्

we are fully satisfied and shall always attain the supreme state.

दृष्टो भवद्भिः सर्वं यदस्माकं सुदुरत्ययम्

All that is exceedingly difficult for us has been witnessed by you.

इति विश्राव्य वचनं राजानं स ऋषिं जनान्

Having thus proclaimed these words to the king, the sage, and the people,

आरुह्य वरयानं ते गताः स्वर्गं वृता सुरैः ततः स राजशार्दूलः सगणः परिवारकैः

they ascended the celestial vehicle and went to heaven, accompanied by the gods; then that tiger among kings, with his retinue and attendants,

दृष्ट्वा तीर्थस्य माहात्म्यं प्रणम्य ऋषिसत्तमम्

having seen the greatness of the sacred place, bowed to the foremost sage.

एतत्ते कथितं भद्रे माहात्म्यं मथुराभवम्

This, O blessed one, is the greatness of Mathurā that has been told to you.

पठति श्रद्धया युक्तो ब्राह्मणानां च सन्निधौ 180.

One who recites this with devotion in the presence of Brāhmaṇas,

एतत्त्वयानाव्रतिने न चाशुश्रूषये तथा

this should not be recited by you to those without vows, nor to those who do not listen properly.

तीर्थानां परमं तीर्थं धर्माणां धर्ममुत्तमम्

Among sacred places, it is the supreme; among dharmas, it is the highest dharma.

कथनीयं महाभागे पुण्यान्भागवतान्सदा एतच्छ्रुत्वा प्रभोर्वाक्यं धरणी विस्मयान्विता

It should always be narrated, O greatly fortunate one, to the pious devotees; hearing this word of the Lord, the earth was filled with wonder.

पप्रच्छ मुदिता देवी प्रतिमास्थापनं प्रति

The delighted goddess asked regarding the installation of the image.