109 -The greatness of sacred spots

Agni said: 

1-4. Ishall describe the greatness of all sacred spots which confer enjoyment and emancipation. One, whose hands, feet and mind are well-disciplined and one who possesses learning, austerity and penance, reaps the fruits of pilgrimage. One who has restrained from accepting alms, one who eats less, one who has conquered his senses, one who is devoid of sins, such a person on pilgrimage would get the fruits of all sacrificial rites. One would be born as poor, if he has not fasted three nights, had not gone on pilgrimage and had not given gold and cows as gift. Whatever fruit is got by doing sacrificial rites will be gained by going on pilgrimage. 

5. O Brahmin! Pushkara is the excellent sacred spot. Oneshould dwell there atleast for three nights. There are thousand crores of sacred places in Pushkara. 

6. Lord Brahmå resides here along with celestials. The sages who desire for everything and the celestials have had perfection here after bathing and worshipping the ancestors and celestials. 

7. They attain the fruits of performing Aśvamedha rite and reach Brahmaloka. One who gifts food in (the month of) Kärttika, gets free from sins and reaches Brahmaloka. 

8. It is difficult to go to Pushkara and the austerity at Pushkara is still more difficult. It is difficult to give gift at Pushkara and it is still more difficult to stay at Pushkara. 

9. One elevates hundreds of manes by staying therein, by repetition (of divine names) and by doing ancestoral rites. The path to Jambū also lies therein, as also the sacred spot of Tandulikáśrama. 

10-11. The Kanvāśrama, Koțitirtha, (river) Narmadā, Arbuda, Charmaņvati, Sindhu, Somanåtha, Prabhāsa, confluence of (river) Sarasvati at the ocean, the ocean, Piņdaraka, Dvaraka and Gomati yield all fruits. 

12-13. The Bhūmitirtha, Brahmatunga and the (land of) five rivers, the king of mountains, Devika, the destroyer of sins, the meritorious Vinaśana, Nagodbheda, the destroyer of sins the Kumārakoți are spoken as bestowers of all benefits. 

14. Whoever always says, “I will go to Kurukshetra and live, therein", becomes free of sin and goes to heaven. 

15. The gods Vishņu and others dwell there. (One who) lives therein reaches lord Vishnu. One who bathes in the river Sarasvati and Sannihata reaches the region of Brahma. 

16. Even the dust particles at Kurukshetra confer excellent position. The Dharmatirtha, Suvarna and Haridvåra are excellent places. 

17. The sacred places Kanakhala and Bhadrakarņahrada are meritorious. The confluence of the rivers Ganges and Sarasvati and the Brahmävarta destroy sins. 

18. The Bhrugutunga, Kubjámra and the place of origin of Ganges destroy sins. Varanasi is an excellent sacred spot. Avimukta is unsurpassed. 

19. The sacred Kapālamochana and Prayaga, the excellent sacred spot, the confluence of Gomati and Ganga and (the river) Ganga throughout do not confer hell. 

20. The sacred Rajagrha is meritorious. Salagrāma removes sins. Vațeśa, the sacred Vamana and the confluence of Kälikä are excellent places. 

21. Lauhitya, (river) Karatoya, śoṇa, Rushabha (hills) are excellent places. Śriparvata, Kolbagiri, Sahyadri and Malayagiri (are sacred). 

22. The rivers Godavari, Tungabhadrā, Kāverī, Tāpi, Payoshni and Revā are the bestowers (of fruits). The Dandaka forest is excellent. 

23. Kalañjara, Muñjavața, Sūrpäraka, (river) Mandakini, Chitrakūța and Srugaverapura are excellent spots. 

24. Avanti is an excellent place. Ayodhyā destroys one's sins. Naimiņa is an excellent place which yields enjoyment and liberation.