Pulastya said: O hero of excellent vows, learned in the precepts of virtue, O greatly exalted one, I am much pleased with your humility, self-control and truth.

O sinless one, O son, it is for the virtue which you have acquired from your great regard and respect for your forefathers that you have been able to see me and that I have been so pleased with you.

O Bhishma, my eyes can penetrate into everything. Tell me what I can do for you. O foremost of the Kuru race, O sinless one, I shall grant you whatever you will ask from me.

Bhishma said: O greatly exalted one, () worshipped of all the world, when you are pleased with me and when I have got a sight of you. I consider myself crowned with success.

O foremost of all virtuous men, if I have deserved your favour, you will kindly dispel my doubts; I shall describe them to you.

O exalted one, I have some religious doubts regarding Tirthas. I desire to hear you. Tell me separately of (each) in detail.

O celestials-like one, O Brahmana Rishi, what virtue is derived by him who travels over the earth, (seeing sacred places)? Tell me this with certainty.

Pulastya said: O son, listen to me with an attentive mind. I shall tell you the virtues which are derived in Tirthas that are the refuge of the Rishis.

He, whose hands, feet, mind, learning, asceticism and deeds are under proper control, enjoys the fruits of Tirthas.

He, who has ceased to accept gifts, who is contented with little and who is free from pride, enjoys the fruits of Tirthas.

He who is free from sins, who acts without desire, who eats light food, who has conquered his passions and who is free from all sins, enjoys the fruits of Tirthas.

O king of kings, he who is free from anger, who is truthful, who is firm in his vows and who considers all creatures as his own self, enjoys the fruits of Tirthas.

The Rishis have told in due order the sacrifices and also their fruits to be obtained here (in this birth) and hereafter (in the next birth).

O ruler of earth, the poor cannot perform these sacrifices, for the sacrifices require many materials and various things in large quantities.

These (sacrifices) therefore be performed by the kings and also by the men of wealth and affluence. They cannot be performed by men without wealth and without friends and by men destitute of means and destitute of friends.

O ruler of men, best of warriors, I shall now tell you about that which can be performed by the poor and the fruits of which are equal to those sacred ones of sacrifices.

foremost of the Bharata race, visiting Tirthas, which are sacred and which are a great mystery of the Rishis, is even superior to the sacrifices. can

He is called poor who, having gone to a Tirtha, does not fast for three nights and who does not give away gold and kine (in charity).

One does not acquire so much virtue in Agnihotra and other sacrifices full of large Dakshinas, as he acquires by visiting a Tirtha.

There is in the world of men that Tirtha of the god of gods which is celebrated all over the three worlds and which is known by the name of Pushkara. One (who goes there) becomes equal to that greatly exalted deity (the god of gods).

O high-ininded one, O descendant of Kuru, at the three Sandhyas, there are always present hundred thousand millions of Tirthas in Pushkara.

O lord, the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the Sadhyas, the Maruts, the Gandharvas and the Apsaras are always present there.

O great king, it was there that the Devas, the Danavas and the Brahmarshi, after performing their ascetic devotions, acquired great virtues and final divinity.

The sins of the intelligent man are all cleansed, even if he mentally thinks of Pushkara. He is adored even in heaven.

O great king, the lotus-seated, illustrious Grand-Sire always dwells in great pleasure in this Tirtha.

O greatly exalted one, is war formerly in Pushkara, that the celestials with the Rishis, having acquired great virtue, finally obtained the highest success.

The wise men say that those that bathe in it in honour of the Pitris and the celestials obtain ten times the fruits of the Ashvamedha sacrifice.

O Bhishma, he, who, going to the forest of Pushkara, feeds but only one Brahmana, becomes by his that act happy here and hereafter.

He, who supports himself on vegetables, roots and fruits, may very well offer such food to the Brahmanas with due regard and without any disrespect.

O foremost of kings, the wise men obtain by it the fruits of the Ashvamedha sacrifice. Among the Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras, those that are high-souled are freed from the bondage of rebirth, if they bathe in it.

Especially he who goes to Pushkara in the full-moon on the (month) of Kartikeya, that man, obtains everlasting regions in the abode of Brahma.

O descendant of Bharata, he who thinks of Pushkara, morning and evening with joined hands, practically bathes in all the Tirthas.

Whatever sins a man or a woman commits from his and her birth, are all destroyed at the very moment he or she bathes in Pushkara.

O king, as the slayer of Madhu is the origin of all the celestials, so is, Pushkara called the origin of all the Tirthas.

He who lives at Pushkara for twelve years in purity. Acquires all the merits of performing sacrifices and goes to the region of Brahma.

He who performs the sacred Agnihotra for one hundred years acquires the same mcrit as he who lives only one month of Kartikeya in Pushkara.

There are three white hills and three springs (in Pushkara). We do not know why they are known by the name of Pushkara from the remotest time.

It is very difficult to go to Pushkara; it is very difficult to undergo asceticism Pushkara; it is very difficult to give away in charity at Pushkara.

Having lived for twelve nights at Pushkara with regulated diet and regulated food and having walked round it, one goes to Jambu marga. at

He who goes to the Jambu marga which is frequented by the celestials Rishis and the Pitris, obtains the fruits of a horse-sacrifice and fulfillment of all his wishes.

He who lives there for five nights has his soul cleansed of all sins. He does not meet with any distress; he obtains the highest success.

O great king, leaving Jambu marga one goes to the Tandulikasrama. He who goes there never meets with any disaster, but goes to the region of Brahma.

O king, he who goes to Agastya's lake and engages himself in the worship of the Pitris and the celestials, fasting there for three nights, obtains the fruits of performing Agnishtoma.

He who (going there) lives on vegetables or fruits acquires the state of Kumara. One should then go to the hermitage of Kansa, worshipped by the whole world.

O best of the Bharata race, it was a sacred and holy forest from the remotest time. As soon as one enters it, he is cleansed of all his sins.

He, who with regulated diet and vows worships here the Pitris and the celestials, obtains the fruits of performing sacrifices and fulfillment of all his wishes.

Having walked round it, one should go where Yayati fell. This gives that man fruits, obtained by the performance of a horsesacrifice.

One should then go to Mahakala with regulated diet and vows. Having bathed in the Kati Tirtha he obtains the fruit of a horsesacrifice.

The virtuous man then should go to the Tirtha of Sthanu, the husband of Uma, which is known all over the three worlds by the name of Bhadravata.

Going there he beholds Ishana and obtains the fruit of (giving away) one thousand kine. Through the grace of Mahadeva (Shiva), he obtains the state of Ganapatya. That foremost of man becomes blessed with prosperity, peace and highest grace.

Going to the river Narmada which is celebrated all over the three worlds, he obtains the fruit of Agnishtoma by offering oblations to the Pitris and the celestials.

Going to the southern sea, he who practices Brahmacharya and conquers his passions obtains the fruit of Agnishtoma and ascends to heaven.

Going to Charmanvati with regulated diet and vows, he obtains at the command of Rantideva the fruit of Agnishtoma sacrifice.

O virtuous king, O Yudhishthira, he should then go to the son of Himavata, named Arvuda, where there is a hole through the earth from ancient days.

There is the hermitage of Vasishtha, celebrated over the three worlds. He who lives there only for one night obtains the merit of giving away one thousand kine.

O ruler of men, O foremost of men, he who leading the life of a Brahmachari bathes in the Pinga Tirtha obtains the merit of giving away one hundred Kapila kine.

O King of kings, thence one should go to that excellent Tirtha called Pravasha; Hutashana (Agni) himself is always present there. O hero, he is the mouth of the celestials and has wind for his chariot.

If a man bathes in this Tirtha with subdued mind, he becomes pure. That man obtains the fruits of performing Agnishtoma and Atiratha sacrifices.

One should then go to the place where river Sarasvati mixes with the ocean. He who goes there obtains the fruit giving away one thousand kine and acquires also heaven. O best of the Bharata race, he always blazes like the fire.

He who bathes in the Tirtha of the chief of water with subdued mind and lives there three nights and offers oblations to the Pitris and the celestials.

Blazes forth like the Moon and obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha sacrifice. O best of the Bharata race, one should then go to the Tirtha named Vasudeva,

Where Durvasha bestowed a boon on Vishnu. The man who bathes in Vardana obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine.

Then one should go to Daravati with regulated diet and vows. The man who bathes in the Pindaraka obtains (the merit of giving away) much gold.

O greatly exalted one, O chastiser of foes, it is wonderful that in that Tirtha even today coins are found with the marks of lotus;

And lotuses are seen with the marks of trident. O descendant of Kuru, O foremost of men, Mahadeva is always present there.

O descendant of Bharata, going to the place where the Sindhu mixes with the sea and bathing in the Tirtha of the chief of the water with subdued mind, O best of the Bharata, race and also offering oblations to the Pitris, the Rishis and the celestials, one obtains the region of Varuna and blazes forth in his own effulgence.

O Yudhishthira, the wise men say that by worshipping the deity, Sankhakarneshvara, one obtains ten times the merit of Ashvamedha (sacrifice).

O best of the Bharata race, O foremost of the Kurus, having walked round it, one should go to the Tirtha, celebrated all over the three worlds. It is known by the name of Drimi, which is capable of cleansing off all sins and where the celestials including including Brahma worshipped Maheshvara (Shiva).

Bathing in it and worshipping here Rudra surrounded by the celestials, all the sins committed from one's birth are cleansed off.

O foremost of men, it was here that Drimi was worshipped by all the celestials. Bathing here one obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha (sacrifice).

O greatly wise man, O king, here did Vishnu, the creator of the universe, after killing the Daityas and the Danavas, purify himself.

O virtuous king, one should then go to Vasudhara which is worshipped by all. He who goes there obtains the fruits of Ashvamedha (sacrifice).

O foremost of the Kurus, bathing there with subdued soul and rapt attention and offering oblations to the Pitris and the celestials one is adored in the regions of Vishnu.

O best of the Bharata race, in that Tirtha there is a lake of the Vasus. Bathing in it and drinking its water, one becomes respected of the Vasus. O foremost of men, it is known by the name of Sindhuttama and it destroys all sins. Bathing in it one obtains (the fruits of giving away) much gold.

Going to Bharutunga, with purity of conduct, one goes to the region of Brahma and obtains the highest state.

Then is the Tirtha, called Kumariak of Sakra (Indra), frequented by the Siddhas. O foremost of men, bathing there one obtains the region of Sakra (Indra).

There is another Tirtha called Renuka, frequented by the Siddhas. Bathing in it, a Brahmana becomes as pure as the moon.

Then going to the five rivers with regulated food and vows, one obtains the fruits of the five sacrifices as described in order in the Shastras).

O king of kings, one should then go to the excellent region of Bhima. O best of the Bharata race, bathing there in Yoni (Tirtha) a man. Becomes, O king, a son of a goddess, adorned with earring set with pearls. That man also obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine.

Going to Srikunda, celebrated over the three worlds and bowing there to the Grandsire, one obtains the fruit of giving away one thousand kine.

O virtuous man, one should then go to that excellent Tirtha called Simala, where even today are to be seen fishes of silver and golden colour.

Bathing in it a man soon obtains the region of Vashava (Indra) and his soul becomes pure with all his sins destroyed; he also obtains the highest state.

O descendant of Bharata, going to Vitasta and offering oblations to the Pitris and the celestials a man obtains the fruits of the Vajapeya (sacrifice).

The Tirtha known by the name of Vitasta is situated in Kashmira and it is the abode of Naga and Takshaka. It is capable of destroying all sins.

Bathing there a man is certain to obtain the fruits of the Vajapeya sacrifice. His soul becoming pure with all his sins destroyed, he obtains the highest state.

O king, one should then go to the Vadaba, celebrated all over the three worlds. Bathing there with due rites in the evening, one should offer Charu (rice boiled in butter and milk) according to the best of his means to the deity of seven flames (fire). The learned men say that gift to the Pitris (offered there) becomes inexhaustible.

The Rishis, the Pitris, the Devas, the Gandharvas, the Apsaras, the Guhyakas, the Siddhas, the Vidyadharas, the men. The Rakshashas, the Daityas, the Rudras, the Brahma himself, O ruler of men, having their senses subdued and having performed austere asceticism for one thousand years. In order to secure the grace of Vishnu, cooked Charu here and gratified Keshava (Vishnu) with oblation (offered), each time uttering seven Riks (the verse of three Vedas).

O ruler of earth, Keshava, being thus gratified, bestowed on them the eight-fold attributes, called Aishvarya and other objects which they had desired to obtain. O descendant of Bharata, having bestowed these on them the one deity disappeared before their very sight as a flash of lightning in a cloud. Thus did it become known on earth by the name of Sapta Charu. If seven Charus are offered here, it secures greater merit than that of giving away one thousand kine, that of one hundred Rajasuyas and that of thousand Ashvamedhas (sacrifices). O king of kings, leaving that Tirtha, one should go to the Raudra Pada and worshipping Mahadeva there, one obtains the fruit of Ashvamedha sacrifice.

O king, going to Manimanta and practising Brahmacharya and subduing one's mind and living there for (only) one night, one obtains the fruits of Agnishtoma (sacrifice).

O king of kings, O best of the Bharata race, one should then go to Davika, celebrated all over the world. It is heard that the Brahmana first came into existence in that place.

Here is situated the region of the wielder of the trident (Shiva) which is celebrated all over the world. Bathing in the Davika and worshipping Maheshvara and by offering Charu to the best of the deities, O best of the Bharata race, one obtains the fruit of sacrifices that is capable of fulfilling every desire.

There is another Tirtha of Rudra, called Kamakya frequented by the celestials. Bathing in it, a man soon obtains salvation.

By touching the water of Yajana, Yojana, Branka, Valuka and Pushpama one becomes freed from grief and death.

It is said that the sacred Dabhika (Tirtha), frequented by the celestials and Rishis, is five yojanas in length and half a yojana in breadth.

O king, one should then go in due order to Dirghasatra. There did Brahma and the celestials, the Siddhas and the great Rishis.

Being installed performed the longextending sacrifice with regulated vows.

O king of kings, O chastiser of foes, O descendant of Bharata, going to Dirghasatra, one obtains the fruits of Rajasuya and Ashvamedha.

Then one should go with regulated diet and subdued soul to Vinasana, where the Sarasvati, disappeared on the breast of the Meru (mountain).

And then again reappeared at Chamasha, Sivodveda and Nagaveda. Bathing in Ckamashveda one obtains the fruits of Agnishtoma.

Bathing in Sivodveda a man obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine. Bathing in Nagaveda a man goes to the region of the Nagas.

O king of kings, going to the inaccessible Tirtha, called Sashyana, where the cranes disappear in the forms of Susas and reappear every year in the month of Kartikeya and bathe in the Sarasvati. O descendant of Bharata, O best of the Bharata race, O greatly exalted one. O chief of men, one, bathing there, becomes like the moon and obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine.

O descendant of Kuru, going next to Kumarkoti with subdued soul, one should bathe there and engage himself in worshipping the celestials and the Pitris.

He thus obtains the fruits of giving away ten thousand kine and raises his race to the highest state. O virtuous man, one should then go to Rudrakati with subdued soul. Here, O great king, in olden days ten millions of Rishis were assembled and were filled with great joy at the prospect of seeing Rudra (Shiva). O descendant of Bharata, O king, “I have first seen (the deity) Vrishadhvaja" "I have first seen (the deity) Vrishadhvaja” thus the Rishis spoke to one another.

O ruler of earth, thereupon in order to prevent disputes among those self-controlled Rishis, the lord of Yoga (Shiva) by his Yoga powers, multiplied himself into ten millions of forms and appeared before the Rishis. Then they all separately thought, “I have seen him first.” () king, being (nuch) pleased with the great devotion of those Rishis of subdued soul, Mahadeva granted them a boon.

(Saying) “From today your virtues will increase." ( foremost of men, bathing with purity in Raudrakota a inan obtains the fruits of the Ashvamedha (sacrifice) and saves his race.

O king of kings, one should then go to the Sangama, celebrated all over the world. A region of great sacredness, where the Sarasvati mixes with the sea. Here Keshava is worshipped by Brahma and other celestials, by Rishis and by ascetics.

On the fourteenth day of the white fortnight of Chaitra, O king of kings, O foremost of men, bathing there one obtains the fruits of giving away much wealth. His sins being all destroyed and his soul becoming pure, he goes to the region of Brahma.

O ruler of men, it is there that the Rishis completed many sacrifices. Going to this Satravasana one obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine.