13 - Enumeration of Holy Spots for Shraddha

Bruhaspati Said: —

1. The unchanging and undying Pitrus become pleased even if they are worshipped only once. They are noble-souled ones of Yogic selves. They have great strength and they are free from sins and evils.

2-3. O gentle one, I shall tell you those lakes and rivers, sacred holy spots and countries, mountains and hermitages where they bless the devotees with most of their attachment (desires) on the earth, with the heavenly world after death, and with the attainment of salvation in due course.¹

1. Holy places have a deep psychological effect on religious-minded persons. Shraddha is to be performed in one's own house. But as KP.II.22.17 states, holy places are no one's private property. And a list of such holy spots is recommended in different Puranas like KP.II.20-32-36, Va.P. Ch. 77, Mt.P. ch. 22. Not that these lists agree, but there is a great deal of overlapping as a number of holy spots like Gaya, Varanasi, Prayaga, Pushkara command respect from most of Hindus. Here is the list recommended by our Text.

4-5. The mount Amarakantaka² always sacred. It is the most excellent mountain in the three worlds. It is holy and frequented by Siddhas and Charanas.

2. A mountain in Bilaspur District of Madhya Pradesha (Va. P. 77.10-11 and 15.16). Vishnu Dh. S. 85.6 highly glorifies the performance of Shraddha on this mountain. Our Text gives the credit of this sanctity to the penance of Angiras on this.

Formerly, the holy lord Angiras performed a very severe penance very difficult to be performed by others, for billions and millions of thousand years. 

6. Mrutyu (god of death) has no access to that place nor do the Asuras and Rakshasas have it. As long as the earth exists there is no fear and no Alakshmi (loss of splendour and prosperity) there.

7. On account of his power of penance and brilliant splendour that excellent mountain always shines like the Samvartaka (i.e., the all-destroying fire at the time of annihilation of the universe) on the peak of Malyavan. 

8. To the south of the Narmada, the Kusha grasses are well reputed all around. They are soft, fragrant and very pleasing to behold. They have a tranquil golden lustre. 

9. While performing the Agnihotra, the highly resplendent holy lord Angiras used those excellent Kusha grasses for the sake of spreading round the altar formerly. He then saw the steps leading to the heaven.

10. I shall recount the benefit attained by that intelligent man who offers Pindas on those Darbha grasses even on a single occasion on the mountain Amarakantaka. 

11. That Shraddha becomes one of everlasting benefit. It increases the pleasures of the Pitrus. On reaching that holy centre, they always vanish.

12. During the Parvan days, a holy lake of brilliant flames is seen there. The river there, is Vishalyakarani (one that removes pain due to the pricking of darts) of animals with bony spikes (like porcupine). 

13. On the peak of the lordly mountain Malyavan, in the hinder half of the country of Kalinga, there is a pool on that very excellent mountain. It has an eddy stretching towards the south-cast. 

14. O excellent sages, it is mentioned as the greatest Siddhikshetra (the holy spot for accomplishment of super normal power) on the earth. It is equally approved of and honoured by the Devas and the Daityas. Ushanas has sung this verse in this connection. 

15. “Blessed are those persons in the world who are devotedly attached to the Pitrus and who will propitiate the Pitrus by means of Shraddha after reaching the Amarakantaka. 

16. Those who worship even once in the Amarakantaka go to heaven. There is no doubt that they attain spiritual achievement with a very little penance. 

17. The mountain Mahendra¹ is holy and beautiful. It is resorted to by Shakra. One becomes sanctified often climbing it. The Shraddha performed there yields great fruit.

1. A mountain range from Orissa to Madura (including a part of Eastern Ghats) but the name is specially applied to the range of hills separating the Maha-nadi from Ganjam dist. It is regarded as the resort of Parashurama. De 119, HD. IV.777.

18. After performing the yogic exercises on the summit of Vailata the divine vision begins to function (in the performer). The devotee becomes unassailable and invincible to all living beings. He walks over the earth lika a Deva.

19. By taking a holy dip in the Saptagodavari¹ and the penance grove of Gokarna² by giving charitable gifts, one obtains the benefit of a horse sacrifice.

1. Sapta-Godavari—11) The seven 'mouths' of the Godavari while falling into the Sea (2) Solangipur sixteen miles from Pithapur in the Godavari District-De.178.

2. Gokarna-A place sacred to Shiva on the Western Coast in Kumta Tehsil of North Kanara District--HD IV. 753.

20. After reaching the holy spot “Dhutapapa”,³ if a man takes a holy dip, he becomes sanctified. Rudra, the great Ishvara, the lord of the Devas, had performed a penance there.

3. A tributary of the Ganga at Varanasi.

21. A proof has been placed in the Gokarna by the Devas, in order to convince atheists (that they are wrong). If a non-Brahmana recites Savitri Mantra there, he perishes (while reciting?) 

22. If a person climbs the peak Devarshibhavana (Abode of the celestial sage), frequented by Siddhas and Charanas and regularly continues the observances of holy rites, he goes to the heaven. 

23. (There is a garden) beautified by celestial sandal trees and other heavenly trees. Water mixed with sandal powder continuously flows from it. 

24. A river named Tamraparni⁴ flows from that water collection. From the great forest of sandal trees, it flows towards the Southern Ocean.

4. River rising in Agastya-Kuta-Mountain Malaya flowing through old Pandya country to the Sea (the gulf of Manar) celebrated for pearl fishery. De. 203,HD.IV. 812.

25. Oyster shells from where pearls are produced are the conchs washed down to the great sea, carried by the river Tamra (Tamraparni). 

26. If devotees bring water containing conchs and pearls, they become free from mental agonies and physical ailments. They go to the celestial city Amaravati. 

27. (The charitable gifts) of pearls and conchs produced from sandalwood cause the redemption of Pitrus even though they be perpetrators of sinful activities as mentioned in the Vedas.

28-30. In all these holy places viz-Chandratirtha Kumari (i.e., Cape Comorin or Kanyakumari) the source of the Kaveri river, the holy spots on the mountain Shriparvata¹ and the mountain Vaikruta, it appears as though the trees Palasha Khadira, Bilva, Plaksha, Ashvattha and Vikankata stand in one place, viz. the Aushira mountain. This place should be known as Dvimandalaviddha (pierced through two zones), O excellent Brahmanas, a person who casts off his body in this place goes to the celestial city Amaravati immediately.

1. Shri Shailam in Kurnool District in Andhra Pradesh. One of the Twelve Jyotir-lingas.

31. The holy rites performed in the holy centres of the Shriparvata and the mountain Vaikruta fructify from the beginning to the end.

32-35. The rites of Pitrus performed there, even if they are defective, yield the same benefit as do the defectless well perforined rites.

The holy river Narmada, the most excellent among the rivers is the daughter of the Pitrus. The Shraddhas offered therein become everlasting in yielding benefits.

After performing the yogic exercises, in the holy forest of Mathara on that great mountain frequented by Siddhas and Charanas, the devotees vanish and go to heaven.

On the holy mountain Vindhya, there is a waterfall that acts as test of virtue and evil. Sinners do not see that waterfall. Good persons see that waterfall. This is how the sin of some evil doers becomes manifest there. 

36. Birds that could move as they wish, go to heaven after taking bath in that sin-destroyi tank of Matanga on the Kailasa mountain. 

37-38a. In the following holy centres viz—the sacred spot of Shaurparaka², the mountain Palamanjara³ in the well of Pandukupa near the sea and the banks of the Pidaraka* which is free from sins and impurities, one shall perform the rite of Samkalpa (decision in the mind about the holy rite to be performed) that yields everlasting benefit.

2. Sopara, 4 miles NW. of Bassein in Thana District of Maharashtra— De. 197.

3. Near Shurparaka--HD IV 787. 

*Probably Pindaraka. It is near Golagar to the east of Dwaraka in Gujarat. 

38b-39. The Shraddha performed in the following places yields infinite bliss viz-Shriveksha Chitrakuta¹, Jambumarga and the holy mountain of Asita, the intelligent preceptor of the Yogic cult. The Shraddha performed regularly in the Asita yields infinite bliss.

1. Chitrakuta--A hill, 65 miles from Prayaga in Banda District of Madhya Pradesh-HD IV. 744. 

40. The Shraddha performed at Pushkara² yields everlasting benefit. The penance performed there yields great fruit. One shall point out the same thing in the same manner on the shore of the great ocean and at Prabhasa³.

2. Pushkara—a sacred lake near Ajmer, Rajasthan.

3. Somanathapattana in Saurashtra—one of the sacredmost Jyotirlingas. It was demolished by Mahmud of Gazni but was reconstructed after Independence of India.

41. There is a well named Vrusha in the Devika⁴. It is resorted to by the Siddhas. Water comes out from it always with the sound of cows and bulls.

4. Devika-variously identified with the Deeg, a tributary of the Ravi or with Southern part of the Sharayu-De. 55

42. That (holy centre) is always resorted to by masters of yogic cult. It is always free from sins. I shall mention the benefit attained by the person who offers Shraddha there. 

43-44. The Shraddha gives infinite bliss. It yields all desires. It pleases and propitiates the Pitrus. There is a rock "Jatavedah-Shila" there directly named after the eternal fire-god. Shraddhas and all holy rites which one performs there yield infinite bliss. He who enters fire there, rejoices in the heaven. 

45-50. There is a place where the fire becomes tranquil (and extinguished) and is produced once again. What is offered there becomes everlasting.

There is no doubt that the sacrifices performed in the holy centres Dashashvamedhika and Panchashvamedhika yield the benefit intended.

There is a holy centre well known by the name Hayashiras which bestows the boon immediately. The Shraddha performed there is always everlasting in benefit. The donor (i.e., he who performs the Shraddha and makes monetary gifts) rejoices in the heaven. 

Shraddha should be offered in the holy centre Sunda-Nisunda. It is destructive of sins. 

Shraddha there, is said to be everlasting. So also, are the Japas, Homas and penances. 

One should always propitiate the Pitrus by offering water libations in the splendid holy centre Ajatunga. It is the place where during the Parvan days shadow of the heaven-dwellers is always seen. 

On the earth, everlasting is the benefit of what is offered in the place where the tree Virajas grows. It is always resorted to by the masters of Yogic cult. It is out of the clutches of all sins. I shall mention the benefit of that person who offers Shraddha there.

51. The Pitrus become directly worshipped by him. In this world he will be one with perfect self-control. After death he becomes honoured in the heaven. 

52. Most of the Madravas are holy. So also, is the eddy named Siva, There the lake named Vyasas Saras is holy. So also, is the divine Brahmahrada. 

53. The mountain Urjanta¹ is holy. It is the place where there is a shrine of the master of Yogic cult. Here itself is the sacred hermitage of the noble-souled Vasishtha.

1. In Aparanta as per HD.IV.815.

54. The following have been created by the self-born lord--the Tirthas (named after) the Ruk, Yajus and Saman, the Kapotas (doves) and Pushpasahvayas (having the same name as flower) the fifth veda (characterised by) narratives i.e., the Puranas*.

*Va.P. 77-53 reads: akhyatah panchamo vedah. ‘The fifth veda (viz the Purana) has been narrated.'

55. A Brahmana who visits these places and resorts to fire becomes rid of his sins. The Shraddha performed in these holy centres yields infinite bliss. So also do the Japas, Homas and the penance (practised here). 

56. In the great holy centre Pundarika the benefit is on a par with the white lotus (?). O highly intelligent one, the benefit in the Brahmatirtha is on a par with the performance of all Yajnas. 

57. The benefit is everlasting (for the holy rites performed) in the place where the river Sindhu meets the ocean, so also in the Panchanada. It is holy in the Viraja and Madrava on the mountain. 

58. Shraddha must be offered in the Saptanada or particularly in the Manasa. So also, on the Mahakuta, the mountains Ananta and Trikakuda. 

59. At dusk, a great miracle is seen in the Mahanadi. It does not approach one who has no faith. It does appear to a person who maintains holy observances and rites. 

60. After resorting to them one by one in the evenings day by day, Shraddha should always be offered to the Pitrus who seek everlasting benefit. 

61. There is a holy centre named Svargamargaprada (Bestower of guide to the path to the heaven) which yields instant boons. It is the place where a man is found out to be self-possessed or not. 

62. The seven sages had gone to the heaven after casting off their bark garments here. Even today those bark garments are seen in the waters. 

63. By taking the holy dip in that excellent holy river a man attains heaven. There is a well-known shrine of Nandin which is resorted to by the Siddhas. 

64. The idol of Nandishvara is not seen by persons devoid of good conduct. At the time when the sun rises, golden flames resembling sacrificial posts are seen there. 

65. Devotees who circumambulate them become delighted and go to the heaven. The land all over Kurukshetra¹ is especially a very good holy centre.

1. The famous sacred place in Haryana-The country round Thaneswar. Some of the holy places mentioned in VV 69-71 Below are in Kuru-kshetra. Thus Vyasa-Tirtha or Dvaipayana Hrada is situated near Thaneswar.The Sarasvati and Drushadvati rivers flow through it.

66. It is the sacred holy centre of Sanatkumara the noble-souled lord of the Yogic cult. It is glorified as yielding everlasting benefit if the Pitrus are offered gingelly seeds. 

67-68. It has already been mentioned that the Shraddha performed by Dharmaraja was of everlasting benefit. If Shraddha is offered on the new moon day in accordance with the injunction and in the respective order by a man (in the Sarasvati river) that is near-by, it yields everlasting benefit. If the son worships the Pitrus particularly in Kurukshetra or in the Sarasvati near-by, he becomes free for indebtedness. 

69-71. Shraddha must be offered by a person who wishes for everlasting benefit in these holy centres viz-Sarasvati, Vinasana,¹ Plakshaprasravana,² Vyasatirtha on the Drushadvati, Triplaksha in particular, Omkarapavana, Shakravatara in the Ganga, the excellent mountain Mainaka and at the source of the Yamuna. The devotee is rid of all his sins. There are very hot and very cool water springs.

1. The spot in the Sandy desert in the district of Sirhind where the Sarasvati disappears—De 37.

2. The source of the river Sarasvati in the hills of Sirmur in the Siwalik range of the Himalayas—De 180. 

72. The holy sister of Yama and the splendid daughter of the sun (i.e., the Yamuna) is a sacred river. The Shraddha there is always of every lasting benefit. This has been glorified formerly by the Pitrus. 

73. By taking a holy dip in the eddy of Brahmakunda one becomes a Brahmana instantly. The Shraddha (performed) there gives infinite bliss. So also, are the Japa, Homa and penance. 

74. Vasishtha of great penance performed his austerities there standing still like a stump. Even today trees with jewels for their leaves are seen there. 

75. The balance that indicated virtue and evil is also seen there. By means of that, the excellent benefit of the holy centres was weighed by the Brahmanas. 

76-77. The daughter of the Pitrus, a Yogini well known by the name Gandhakali was born there. She would give birth to Vyasa the noble-souled sage of great Yogic power. He would be born of the family of Parashara. He was the fourth part of Brahma. That intelligent great sage will divide the veda into four parts. 

78-79. There is a lake named Acchodaka.¹ The river Acchoda takes its origin there. (Gandhakali) was born again in the womb (species) of a fish on account of a direction (? behest) and for a purpose.

1. A lake at the foot of mount Chandraprabha. The river Acchoda takes its rise from this lake. If identical with Acchoda-sarovara in Bana's Kadambari, it is Acchavat, six miles from Martanda in Kashmir.

It is cited that the Shraddha offered even once in her first holy hermitage frequented by meritorious persons, will yield everlasting benefit. 

80. What is offered in the river will bestow simultaneously Yogic power and mental concentration (?). What is offered in Kuberatunga and Vyasatirtha is destructive of sins.

81. It is laid down that the Shraddha offered at the Brahmavedi (the altar of Brahma) yields infinite bliss. It is always resorted to by the Siddhas. It is perceived by persons of self control. 

82. (The Shraddha) in the Nanda which is on the North-eastern quarter of the Vedi, yields the benefit of Anivartana (non-return to samsara). It is the spot of spiritual achievement, resorted to by the gods after reaching which one never returns (i.e., attains liberation from samsara). 

83. Mahadeva, the intelligent deity, imprinted his foot in the shrine Mahalaya for the purpose of merciful blessing of all living beings and as a proof of its efficacy for atheists (to convince them that they are wrong). 

84-85. The Shraddha offered at Viraja is of everlasting benefit. So also, the one at Mahalaya (which has been mentioned) already. 

Those who perform Shraddha at Nanda, Viraja² and Mahalaya redeem themselves as well as ten generations of predecessors as well as those of successors.

2. Variously identified with a country round Jaipur in Orissa (ii) with Lonardesh and a lake in Buldhana District of Maharashtra and (iii) with a bill in Sahyadri near Godavari (?) and Bhima. 

(One who performs. Shraddha) at Kakahrada attains Jatismarana (the power of remembering previous births), good complexion and unmeasured vigour and strength.

86. The holy lake Kaumara is protected by the body of serpents. By taking a holy dip in the Kumaratirtha, a man goes to heaven. 

87-88. (Partially defective text). By performing a difficult and severe penance in the holy shrine of the goddess* at Umatunga, standing on a single foot and abstaining from food, one attains divine brilliance lasting for a Yuga. Shraddha should always be offered at Umatunga, Bhrugutunga, Brahmatunga and Mahalaya by a person who wishes for everlasting benefit.

*devyalaye as in Va. P. 77.82 a.

89. The Shraddha offered at Shalagrama¹ is always of everlasting benefit. The sin of those persons who have no self control is directly perceived there all round.

1. A place near the source of the Gandak, the place where Sage Pulaha and Bharata performed penance.

90-91. That is a divine warning to the evil-doers and especially so to good persons. There the Devahrada (the eddy of the Devas) is very holy. The pure serpent king of Brahma accepts the Pindas (rice-balls) offered by good people. For the highly refulgent serpents (?) it is impossible to eat the cooked rice. 

92-94. Dharma (Virtue) is directly perceived in these two holy centres. By going into the cave (?) of Shandilya and that of Vamana one becomes purified (and sinless) and the Shraddha performed there is of inexhaustible merit. Whatever one does, Japa, Homa, penance or meditation, becomes well done. He who maintains the vow of celibacy and devotion to the preceptor lives for a hundred years. These and others are the excellent rivers by taking bath in which one can get rid of sins. 

Kumaradhara² is there itself. Sin perishes if it is visited by a devotee.

2. Due to its mention of Kantipura (ancient name of Kathmandu) and its protection by Kiratas, it may be located on the spurs of the Himalayas to the North-East of Kathmandu (Nepal).

95-97. Even today the seat of meditation of Vyasa is seen there itself. The mountain is situated in the north eastern quarter near the city of Kantipura. There is a holy lotus pond there. It is protected by groups of Kiratas. By taking a holy dip in it even once a Brahmana attains desires eternally. Becoming invisible to all living beings, he walks over the earth like a god. 

98. There is a great holy centre of Kashyapa well known as Kalasarpis. Shraddhas should always be offered there by one who desires everlasting benefit. 

99. In the forest called Devadaruvana¹ there is a waterfall which is a proof of the removal of sins. The original sins of noble souls of good meritorious deeds are seen as they are being washed away.

1. This is situated on the Ganga near Kedar in Garhwal. Badarikashrama is situated in this Vana.

100. On the river Bhagirathi it is said that the Shraddha) is always of everlasting benefit if performed at Prayaga,² Kalanjara, Dasharna, Naimisha and Kurujangala.

2. These are identified as follows: Prayaga (Allahabad); Kalanjara (Kalinjar in Badausa Sub-Division of Banda District, Bundelkhand (M.P.); Dasharna (Eastern N, Malwa, including Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, Vidisha was its capital); Naimisha (Nimsar, 45 miles NW of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh); Kurujangala (a forest country situated in Sirhind, NW of Hastinapur-De.

101. Shraddha should be scrupulously offered (with effort) in the city of Varanasi. The lord of the Yogic cult is always present there. What is offered there is of everlasting benefit. 

102. By going to these holy centres one shall become endowed with the merit of pious liberality and gets sanctified. The Shraddha is of everlasting benefit. Whatever is performed, whether Japa, Homa or meditation shall become well done and meritorious. 

103. In the holy centres of Lauhitya³ Vaitarani, and Svargavedi near the seashore that goddess (?) is seen through names * (? by the Japa repetition of the names of the goddess).

3. The following are identified as per De's Dictionary; Lauhitya (the Brahmaputra, Assam); Vaitarani (the river Baitarani in Orissa) Jaipur stands on this river.

* The text hereof-sa tu devi samudrante drushyate chaiva namabhih is obscure. Va. P. 77.97a reads:

sakrudeva samudrante druyshyate punyakarmabhih|

"On account of meritorious acts, it is seen only once near the sea"

104. The Shraddha offered at Dharmaprushtha the lake of Brahma and Grudhravata is of great benefit.

105. Snow falls there five Yojanas all around. The forest of the holy hermitage of Bharata is remembered as extremely meritorious. 

106. The forest of Matanga is seen there by all men. Everything connected with virtue had been established by him as a model evidence for this world (for all the people). 

107-108. The Dandaka¹ forest there is very holy. It is frequented by persons of meritorious deeds. They say that the holy centre named Vishalya² is in it. It offers proof instantaeously through various Shastras and Tulamanas (the weighing balance and the beams). The persons who commit sins on coming into contact with it emerge**.

1.     Dandakaranya probably comprised all forests from Bundelkhand or Bhopal right down to the Godavari or the Krishna river, HD. IV. p. 745.

2.    A branch of the Narmada--Dc 39.

**The idea seems to be: --the pan containing the sins goes down and the pan holding the sinners goes up thereby indicating how sinful they are.

109. The Shraddha offered on the Trutiya (third) day of the lunar fortnight at the foot or in the circular zone of Niradha (?) or in the great eddy of the Kaushiki is of great benefit. 

110. The intelligent deity Mahadeva set foot on Mundaprushtha.³ For many divine Yugas, he performed a very severe penance very difficult to be performed by others.

3. A hill situated on the Western bank of the Phalgu river at Gaya HD.IV.827.

111. Here, a righteously inclined man casts of his sins within a short while, just like the serpent that quickly casts off its old slough.

112. It causes delight to the Siddhas. It is terrible to the sinners. It is protected by very terrible great serpents with their tongues moving up and down for licking. 

113. The holy centre by name Kanakanandi (near Gaya) is well known in the world. It is on the north of the Mundaprushtha. It is frequently resorted to by the Brahmana sages. 

114. By taking their holy dip there, men go to heaven along with their physical bodies. It is cited that the Shraddha offered there is always of everlasting benefit. 

115. By taking a holy dip there, a man redeems his body from its threefold indebtedness. One should perform Shraddha after taking bath in the Manasa lake. 

116. On the bank of that lake, there is a great shrine. After getting on to it and performing Japa, one shall get spiritual attainment and go to heaven thereafter. 

117. After going to the Uttara Manasa, one attains very excellent Siddhi (spiritual enlightenment). After taking the holy bath in that excellent lake, one sees a great miracle. 

118-120. Falling off from heaven, the holy river of great splendour and majesty shines in the atmosphere. It is the divine river Ganga flowing in the three worlds after slipping down from the foot of Vishnu. 

There in the sky is seen a great festoon resembling the sun. It is meritorious and golden. It is like the widely opened door to the heaven. 

It is from there that the river flows once again embellishing the entire ocean and sanctifying all living beings particularly those who are conversant with piety and virtue. 

121. The Chandrabhaga (the Chinab) and the Sindhu are two splendid rivers originating from the Manasa (lake). They flow into the western ocean. The divine Sindhu river is a big river. 

122. The mountain named Himavan is embellished with different kinds of minerals. It is many thousand Yojanas in length. 

123. There is a charming lotus lake there named Sushumna. It is full of Siddhas and Charanas. It is frequently resorted to by groups of celestial sages.

124. One who takes bath there, lives for ten thousand years. The Shraddha offered there is of limitless benefit and great rise (prosperity). 

125. The Shraddha always redeems ten generations of predecessors and ten generations of successors. 

Everywhere the Himavan is holy and sacred. The Ganga is sacred all round. 

126. All the oceans and the rivers flowing into the oceans are sacred all round. A learned man should perform Shraddha in the holy centres like these and others. 

127-130. One should perform Shraddha always in accordance with the injunctions. The devote becomes sanctified by taking bath, by performing Homas and offering charitable gifts. 

The Shraddhas shall be performed in the following places: Ridges of mountains, caves and dens, lonely spots of the slopes of mountains, waterfalls, banks of rivers and their sources, great ocean, cowpens, confluences of rivers, forests, pleasing fragrant spots well-scrubbed and smeared, vacant houses, places well smeared with cowdung. 

131. The alert devotee should perform Shraddha thus in all these places after going to the south-east quarter, with the desire for doing everything desirable. 

132-134. The intelligent (devote performing Shraddha) in all these places shall attain the Brahmi Siddhi (the state of being the Brahman and the attainment of spiritual enlightenment). The opportunity of worshipping the Pitrus is attainable to those people engaged in the activities ordained for the people belonging to the three high castes and the different stages of life. They must discard (the occasions of) anger. Even a person who has committed many sins becomes sanctified if he boldly undertakes the pilgrimages with great faith, concentration and mental purity. What then in the case of a person performing splendid holy rites? He is never born in the lower species of animals nor in despicable country. 

135-137. A Brahmana becomes a citizen of heaven. He obtains means of absolution (Moksha).

The following five persons never achieve the benefit of holy centres of pilgrimage viz-One who has no faith, one who leads a sinful life, an atheist, one whose doubts are not cleared and a Hetunishtha (ultra-rationalist). 

There is a great Siddhi in Gurutirtha. It is the greatest spot among holy centres. Meditation is a great holy centre. The eternal Brahmatirtha is greater than that. Maditation is greater than fasting. The withdrawal of the sense-organs is also necessary. 

138-143. One shall bring Prana and Apana under control by keeping the vital airs inter-connected with fasting. Thereafter, all the sense-organs must be brought under control. The intellect should be restrained within the mind and all (the sense-organs) should be withdrawn. If this Pratyahara (with-drawal of the sense-organs) is carried out, know that it is undoubtedly the means of Liberation (moksha). Among the sense-organs, the mind is terrible. The transformation of the intellect etc. can be achieved through abstinence from food. A person who undertakes fast attains everlasting benefit. It should be known that fasting is a form of penance. When the intellect and the mind are restrained the knowledge of other things does not arise. When all the defects are destroyed, when the sense-organs are suppressed, the pure soul attains the bliss of Liberation like the fire devoid of fuel. The person conversant with the Yogic practice engages the Kshetrajna (individual soul) by means of the Yogic exercise, remaining away from all causes and casting off Gunas, entirely, whether manifest or unmanifest. 

He does not go towards nor has he a situation within everything that is either manifest or unmanifest. He is neither sat (existing) nor asat (non-existing) not sat-asat (existing-cum non-existing). He is nothing at all but he has existence.