65 - Pilgrimage to Kurukshetra

Mohini said: - 

1. O leading Brahmana, what are the forests there? What are the splendid rivers? Kindly recount to me the pilgrimage that bestows Siddhi. 

2. Mention to me the Tirthas that are present in Kurukshetra that yields merit, since you are my preceptor and bestower of salvation. 

Vasu said: - 

3. O Mohini, listen. I shall recount to you the rules of procedure for undertaking the pilgrimage of Kurukshetra. It bestows merit. By undertaking the pilgrimage, the devotee attains excellent salvation. 

4-7. In the middle of Kurukshetra there are seven holy forests.1 I shall mention their names as they are bestowers of merit on men: 1) the Kamyakavana is meritorious. 2) the Aditivana is very big. 3) Vyasa’s forest is sacred. 4) So also, is Phalakivana. 5) The Suryavana is holy. 6) Madhuvana is equally meritorious. 7) Sitavana is famous and is destructive of sins. Thus, there are seven forests here. There are many Tirthas. The river Sarasvati is holy. So also, is the river Vaitarani, Ganga, Mandakini (flowing slowly) is also meritorious.

1. The Vamana P. 34-37 confirms the list of seven forests in Kurukshetra as given by NP. here. But today there is no trace of a single forest, though the names of some villages (e. g. Kamoda for Kamyakavana, Pharal for Phalaki-vana) are popularly believed to be the sites of those forests. 

8-9. Another river is Madhusrava. Drushadvati, Kaushiki and Hairanvati are also sacred.2 Excepting Sarasvati all these rivers are flooded during the rainy season. The waters of these rivers are holy for touching, drinking and plunging. 

2. The Vamana P. 39. 6-8 confirms this list of so-called rivers. Today even the great Sarasvati of Vedic and Puranic fame has a bare existence. V. 10a below euphemistically suggests that these rivers were dry even in the days of the Narada Purana. 

10A. These rivers are not frothy and foaming in view of the greatness of the sacred holy centre. 

10B-11A. The devotee should first go to Rantuka and pay respects to that Yaksha, the extremely powerful gatekeeper. Only then the pilgrim should begin his pilgrimage. 

11B-13A. Thereafter, O auspicious lady, the man should go to the holy Aditivana.1 It was here that a great penance was duly performed by Aditi for obtaining sons. By taking holy dip and worshipping Aditi, the mother of the Devas, the lady-devotee gives birth to a great and heroic son endowed with all auspicious characteristic features.

1. Now there is no jungle but it is believed that its site was near the village Amin where there is Aditi Tirtha. Amin is at a distance of 5 miles from Kurukshetra on the Delhi-Ambala linc (Kalyana-Tirthanka, p. 78). 

13B-16A. Thereafter, O fair lady, the pilgrim should go to the excellent spot of Vishnu that is famous by the name of Vimala.2 Lord Hari is present here. By taking holy dip in Vimala and by visiting lord of Vimala the devotee should become (free from impurities). He shall attain the world of discus-bearing lord of the Devas. O Mohini, there is no doubt about this that by visiting Hari and Baladeva occupying one and the same seat, the devotee shall immediately be liberated from sins.

2. Now-a-days a small eminence near Vishnupada is called Vimala and is regarded as the hermitage of sage Vimala (Kalyana 31. 1 P. 82) but at the time of the NP. both Vishnupada and Vimala seem to have been identical. 

16B-17. Thereafter, the devotee should go to the Tirtha Pariplava3 wellknown in the worlds. By taking holy dip there and drinking its waters as well as by propitiating a Brahmana who has mastered the Vedas, by means of monetary gifts etc., the devotee shall derive the benefit of Brahma-Yajna.

3. Mentioned as a famous Tirtha at Kurukshetra in Mbh. Vana. 83.12 and in VmP. (Vamana P.) 34.17. 

18. By devoutly taking a holy dip in the place where the sin-destroying confluence of the Kaushiki4 is present, O splendid lady, the man attains union with his beloved ones.  

4. This is a different river from modern Kosi and the one mentioned in Gaya-mahatmya. Its confluence with the Drushadvati is regarded as holy in VmP. 34.18 and the same confluence is implied here. 

19. Thereafter, the man endowed with forbearance should go to the Prithivitirtha and devoutly take holy dip. Thereby, O blessed lady, he attains excellent salvation. 

20. The goddess (Earth) forgives the offences committed by a man on the Earth, if that embodied soul takes his holy dip there. 

21. By visiting Shiva, the lord of Daksha in the holy hermitage Dakshashrama, the man obtains the benefit of a horse sacrifice. 

22. Thereafter, the devotee shall go to shalakini. After taking a holy dip there, he should worship Hari in communion with Hara, for achieving the desired object. 

23. The devotee who knows rules of procedure should go to Nagatirtha and take holy dip there. By taking in ghee and curds thereafter, he shall attain freedom from the fear of serpents. 

24. Thereafter, he should return in the evening to the shrine of Rantuka. Staying there for a night, the devotee should worship the getekeeper on the next day. 

25. The next day he should worship a Brahmana receiving him with scents and other articles of service and then feed him. Thereafter, he should go to the Tirtha, Panchanada, well known in the three worlds. 

26-27A. It was here that Shiva gave out five loud shouts that terrified the Asuras. Hence, the holy centre is famous by the name Panchanada. It is destructive of all sins. By taking a holy dip there and making charitable gifts, the man becomes fearless. 

27B-29A. Thereafter, he should go to Kotitirtha, O Mohini, where a crore of Tirtha were brought as installed by Rudra the Great Atman. By taking the holy dip in that Tirtha and by visiting Hara, Kotishvara (the lord of crores) the devotee shall attain the merit originating from five Yajnas ever since that day. 

29B-30A. It was here alone that lord Vamana was installed by all Devas. 

30B. Hence by worshipping him the devotee shall derive the benefit of Agnishtoma sacrifice. 

31A. Thereafter, he should go to Ashvitirtha. By having faith and mastering sense-organs as well as by taking holy dip therein, the man shall become renowned and handsome. 

31B-32A. Then he should go to the Varahatirtha created by Vishnu. By taking holy dip therein with faith, the man shall attain good goal. 

32B-33. Thereafter, O fairfaced lady, he should go to Soma tirtha1 where Soma (the moon) performed penance and became free from ailments. The devotee should like his holy plunge therein. By giving a cow as gift there, he shall attain the benefit of Rajasuya sacrifice.

1. It is probably the tank to the South of Amin mentioned also in the Mbh. Vana 83.114, VmP. 41.4. 

Many of the sub-Tirthas mentioned in the NP. are the same as in the Mbh. Vana and also in VmP. In fact, many lines are borrowed verbatim from Mbh. by NP. Thus NP. V. 33=Mbh Vana 83, 206-21a, NP. V. 36=Mbh. Vana 83. 21b-22a. Such borrowings are found in all Puranas.  

34. By worshipping Bhuteshvara, Jvalamaleshvara and Tandalinga, the devotee shall never have rebirth. 

35. By taking a holy dip in Ekahamsha, the man shall attain the benefit of charitable gift of a thousand cows. By taking holy bath in Kritashauca the man shall attain the benefit of sacrifice called Pundarika. 

36. Thereafter, the devotee should go to the holy centre of the trident-bearing lord, called munja-vata. By observing fast for a night and worshipping Isha he shall be the lord of Ganas. 

37. The devotee should propitiate the female Yakshini stationed at the threshold by observing fast, taking the holy dip and worshipping. For quelling great sins, he should feed the Brahmanas. 

38. He shall circumambulate them. Thereafter, he shall go to Pushkara. By taking a bath and by worshipping the Pitris, he shall have his objects accomplished. 

39. If any one offers the gift of a virgin (i.e. if he gives a virgin away in marriage) there on the fullmoon day of Karttika, the deities will be delighted and give him the desired benefit.

40. Kapila, the great Yaksha, is stationed here as the gate keeper. He creates obstacles in the commission of sins (to the sinners). He grants merit too. 

41-42A His highly blessed wife Ukhalamekhala continuously beats the Dundubhi drum and wanders everywhere. She prevents sinners from taking bath. She leads the meritorious ones. 

42B-43 Thereafter, the devotee shall go to Ramahrada.1 By taking a holy dip therein duly and by worshipping the Devas, Pitris and sages the devotee shall attain worldly pleasuses and liberation. By worshipping Parashurama faithfully and by making gift of gold, the devotee shall become rich.

1. This is to the north of Thaneswar, Mbh. Vana 83. 26-40 tells us that originally five tanks were filled with the blood of Kshattriyas by Parashurama for the Tarpana to his ancestors and at his request they transformed them into Tirthas; also vide Pd. P. I. 26. 23-37. 

44. By going to Vamshamula Tirtha and by taking the holy bath therein, the devotee shall uplift his own race. By taking the holy dip in Kayashodhanaka (that which purifies the body) the devotee’s body shall become pure and he shall enter Hari. 

45. The devotee shall go to Lokoddhara. By taking bath and worshipping Janardana, he shall attain the permanent world where the eternal Vishnu abides. 

46. He should then go to Shritirtha and after taking bath should worship the excellent Salagrama. Thereby, he sees Hari present continuously near him. 

47. After reaching Kapilahrada, he should take a holy bath and worship Devas and Pitris. Thereby, he derives the merit of a thousand tawny-coloured cows. 

48. By duly worshipping Kapila, the lord of the universe, O gentle lady, the devotee shall be duly grected by Devas and he shall derive the region of Shiva himself. 

49. Thereafter, observing fast, he should worship the sun in the Suryatirtha. After attaining the benefit of Agnishtoma sacrifice, he shall go to heaven.  

50. Ganapati himself is stationed at the entrance to a crevice into the Earth. By visiting him and duly worshipping him, the devotee shall attain the benefit of a Yajna. 

51. By taking a holy dip in the Tirtha of Goddess, a man obtains cxcellent features. By taking holy dip Brahmavarta, a man attains perfect knowledge of the Brahman. 

52. By taking holy dip in Sutirthaka and by worshipping Devas, sages, Pitris and human beings, a man obtains the benefit of a horse-sacrifice. 

53. By performing holy bath in the Tirtha of Kameshvara with faith, the devotee shall be liberated from all ailments. He shall attain the eternal Brahman. 

54. By taking a holy dip and worshipping with faith in the Matrtirtha the family flourishes till the eleventh generation. Excellent prosperity increases. 

55. Thereafter, the devotee should go to Sitavana.1 O auspicious lady, there is a great Tirtha there. By its mere vision, it sanctifies twenty-one generations.

1. Probably the same as Shita-Vana mentioned as the seventh holy forest in Kurukshetra in VmP. 34. 7. The village Shivana is supposed to be on its site. Sita, the queen of Rama, has no association with Kurukshetra as per VR.  

56-57. By casting off the tresses of hair there, the devotee becomes liberated from sins. The Tirtha named Dashashvamedhika is well known in all the three worlds. By seeing that Tirtha one shall be liberated from sins. Thereafter, he shall go to the Tirtha called Manusha2 and take the holy bath.

2. It is also glorified in VmP. 35. 50-56, Pd. P. I. 26. 60-63. 

58-59. O daughter of god Brahma, if one wishes for a human birth once again one slıall take bath in the Tirtha Manusha. The river Mahanadi three kilometres from the Manusha Tirtha is well known. After taking bath there in accordance with the injunctions, the devotee should feed cxcellent Brahmana on Shyamaka rice cooked in milk. 

60-61A. His sins perish. He attains salvation by performing the rite of Shraddha to the Pitris. At midday on the fourteenth day during the Pitrupaksha (the dark fortnight dedicated to the manes) called Mahalaya in the month of Bhadra-pada, the devotee shall offer Pindas. Thereby, he shall attain liberation. 

61B-62A. Thereafter, he should go to Brahma’s spot Brahmodumbaraka. He who takes a holy dip in the pools of Brahmarshis (Brahmanical sages) obtains the benefit of Somayaga. 

62B-63A. By worshipping Sthanu accompanied by Dandin in the Tirtha called Vruddhakedaraka the man attains the power of vanishing at will. 

63B-64A. Thereafter, the devotee should go to Kalasi where the goddess herself is present. By taking a holy dip here and worshipping Ambika, one shall cross the ocean of worldly existence. 

64B-65. By visiting lord Maheshvara at Saraka1 on the fourteenth day in the dark half of the month, the man endowed with faith, shall attain the region of Shiva. O beautiful lady, there are three classes of Tirthas at Saraka.

1. Also glorified in Mbh. Vana 83. 75-76, Pd. P.I. 26.76. 

66-67A. The Rudrakoti (the crore of Rudras) is stationed in the well in the middle of the lake. The man who takes bath in that lake and remembers Rudrakoti is meritorious. There is no doubt about this that Rudrakoti it worshipped by him. 

67B-69A. There is another Tirtha there itself, viz. Ihaspapadam (Basis for desire). It is destructive of sins. By its mere sight a man attains liberation. By worshipping Devas and Pitris, the man wards off mishaps. He shall obtain everything mentally thought of. 

69B-70A. There is a great Tirtha called Kedara. It is destructive of all sins. By taking a holy bath there, the man shall achieve the benefit of all gifts. 

70B-71A. There is a great lake of very clear water to the east of Saraka. It is well known by the name “Anyajanma” (another birth), where the lord Hari and Hara are present. Vishnu stands there in his four-armed form, while Shiva abides there in the form of a Linga. By performing holy ablution there in visiting and eulogising the deity, the man obtains liberation. 

         71B-73A. Thereafter, the devotee shall go to Nagahrada and take a holy dip towards the end of the bright half of the month of Caitra. By offering Shraddha, he attains liberation. He never sees the world of Yama. 

73B-75. Thereafter, the devotee shall go to the Tirtha Trivishtapa that is resorted to by the Devas. There is a holy river Vaitarani there. It liberates one from sins. By taking a holy dip and worshipping the trident-bearing and bull-emblemed deity, he shall purify his soul of all sins. He will definitely attain the greatest goal (Moksha). By taking holy dip in the Rasavarta the man attains excellent Siddhi. 

76. On the fourteenth day in the bright half of the month of Caitra, the devotee should take a holy dip in the Vilepaka and worship Shiva devoutly. Thereby he is liberated from all sins. 

77. Thereafter, O gentle lady, the man should go to the excellent Phalakivana1 where Devas perform great pen ance along with the Gandharvas.

1. There is no jungle now, but the village Pharal is regarded as the site of Phalaki Vana. 

78. By taking a holy dip in the river Drushadvati there in accordance with the injunctions and by performing the rite of Tarpana to the Devas and Pitris. the man shall attain the benefit of Agnishtoma and Atiratra sacrifices. 

79. On the new-moon day or on Lunar-day (Full-moon day) (?) the man shall perform Shraddha rite there. He attains an excellent benefit thereby on a par with that of Gayashraddha. 

80A. That is the benefit of the Shraddha. The remembrance of the forest yields satisfaction to the Pitris. 

80B-81A. Thereafter, the devotee shall go to the Tirtha Panighata and perform the rite of Tarpanas to the Pitris. Thereby he attains the benefit of Rajasuya and of Sankhya and Yoga as well. 

81B-82A. Then the man should perform bath in the Tirtha Mishraka in accordance with the injunctions. Thereby he attains the benefit of all the Tirthas and attains excellent salvation.  

82B-83A. Thereafter he should go to Vyasavana1 and take a holy dip in the Tirtha Manojava. By visiting the lord Manishin he shall attain whatever is mentally thought of.

1. No jungle now. Its site is now occupied by the village Varasa to the south of Karnal-Kaithal road. This is different from Vyasasthali in VV. 85-86 below, where Vyasa tried to commit suicide (mentioned in Pd. P. I. 26. 90-91). 

83B-84A. After going to the Madhu-vana, he should take a holy bath in the Tirtha of the goddess and be pure. By worshipping Devas and sages, he attains an excellent Siddhi. 

84B-85A. The man shall take a holy plunge in the Tirtha, the confluence of Kaushiki and Drushadvati. If he observes restraints and restricts his diet, he shall be liberated from all sins. 

85B-86. Thereafter, the devotee should go to Vyasasthali. It was here that the intelligent Vyasa, overwhelmed by grief at the bereavement of his son, decided on casting off his body. He was resuscitated to life by Devas. By going to that holy spot, the man is rid of his grief. 

87. After going to the well of Kindushu kupa the devotee should make a gift of a Prastha incasure of gingelly seeds. There by, he attains the greatest Siddhi. If he dies there, he shall attain liberation. 

88. Two Tirthas are well-known over the Earth Viz. Ahna and Mudita. By taking a holy dip therein and purifying the soul, the devotee shall attain the world of Sun. 

89. Thereafter, he should go to the Tirtha Mrugamucya on the Ganga. By bowing down and worshipping Mahadeva, the devotee shall attain the benefit of a horse-sacrifice. 

90. Thereafter, he should go to Kotitirtha. By taking a holy dip, by visiting Shivakotishvara and by eulogising him faithfully, he shall attain the benefit of a crore of sacrifices. 

91-92. Thereafter, the devotee shall go to Vamanakunda2 wellknown in the three worlds. It was here that Vamana his birth with the desire to destroy Bali’s Yajna. By taking the holy bath at Vishnupada therein and by worshipping Vamana, the devotee shall be freed of all sins. He is honoured in the world of Vishnu.

2. Mentioned in Mbh. Vana 83.103, 88.130. Pd. P. I. 26.96. A Vamana-Kunda (a pool) is now shown at its site (Kalyana 31. 1 P. 81) 

93-94. The hermitage Jyeshthashrama is destructive of all sins. The devotee should observe fast on the eleventh day in the bright half of the month of Jyeshtha. On the next day, he should perform ablution therein in accordance with the injunctions. Thereby, he attains the greatest excellence among men. O gentle lady, the Shraddha performed there gives great satisfaction to the Pitris. 

95. There itself is the Kotitirtha well known in the three worlds. By taking a holy dip in that Tirtha he shall obtain the benefit of a crore of sacrifices. 

96. By duly worshipping Maheshvara, the lord of the Devas, named Kotishvara, the devotee shall attain chieftancy of the Ganas. 

97A. By taking a holy dip in the Suryatirtha the devotee shall attain the world of the Sun. 

97B-98A. Going to the Tirtha callecl Kulottaranaka and taking a holy dip therein, the devotee uplifts his family. He then stays in heaven till the end of Kalpa. 

98B-99A. By taking a holy dip in the Deep pool of the Wind-God and by visiting lord Maheshvara, the devotee shall be liberated from all sins and attain Shiva’s region. 

99B. By taking a holy dip in the Hanumattirtha the man shall attain liberation. 

100. By taking a holy dip in the Tirtha of the saintly king Shalahotra the devotee shall be devoid of sins. By taking the holy dip in the Tirtha of the Sarasvati named Shrikumbha the man shall attain the benefit of Yajna. 

101. By taking the holy dip in the Naimishakunda the devotee attains the merit of ablution in the Naimisha. By taking a holy bath in the Vedavati tirtha a woman shall attain the Status of Sati (Parvati). 

102. By taking a holy dip in the Brahma Tirtha a man obtains Brahmana-hood. This is the greatest spot of Brahma. By going there none comes to grief. 

103. By taking a holy dip in Somatirtha, a man shall attain heavenly goal. By going to and by having a holy dip in the seven Sarasvata Tirthas the man shall attain liberation. 

104-105. The seven Sarasvatis viz. Suprabha, Kancanakshi, Vishala, Manohari, Sunanda, Suvenu and Vimalodaka join together there. By taking a holy bath in the Aushanasa Tirtha, the devotee shall be freed from all sins. 

106. By taking a holy dip in the Kapalamochana even a Brahmana-slayer becomes pure. A man who takes a holy dip in the Vaishvamitra Tirtha shall attain Brahmana-hood. 

107. By taking the holy dip in the Prithudaka1 one is liberated from worldly bondage. By taking a holy dip in the Avakirna a man attains the benefit of celibacy.

1. Pruthudaka is the famous holy place Pehoa or Pehova, Karnal Dist. It is highly valued in Mbh. Vana 83. 142-149 and in Shalya Parva 39. 33-34. Also, in Pd. P. Svarga, 27.31, 38, 39. VMP. calls it Brahma-yoni Tirtha (39. 20, 23).  

108. One who goes to Madhusrava and takes a holy bath shall be liberated from sins. By taking the holy dip in the Vasishthatirtha, the devotee attains the world of Vasishtha. 

109. By taking a holy bath in the confluence of Arun and by observing fast for three days, the devotee attains liberation. No doubt need be entertained in this respect. 

110. O auspicious lady, there are four seas there. One who takes a holy dip there attains the benefit of the gift of a thousand cows. He is honoured in the heavenly world. 

111. There is another Somatirtha there. O Mohini, by taking holy bath in that on the sixth day in the bright half of the month of Caitra, and by performing Shraddha, one shall uplift the Pitris. 

112. By taking a holy dip in the Panchavata and by duly worshipping Shiva who has assumed the Yogic form, the devotee rejoices along with the Devas. 

113. One who takes a holy dip in the Kurutirtha shall attain all Siddhis. The man who takes a plunge in the Svargadvara, is honoured in the heavenly world.

114A. One who takes bath in the Tirtha Anaraka is liberated from all sins. 

114B-115A. O gentle lady, thereafter, the man should go to the excellent forest Kamyaka Vana.1 The moment he enters, he is liberated from all accumulations of sins.

1. The site of the forest is occupied by the village Kamodha. It is three miles from Jyotisaras to the south of the Pehova road.  

115B-116A. After reaching Adityavana, if he visits (the deity) he will be liberated. By taking holy dip there on a Sunday, the devotee shall attain everything desired. 

116B. By taking a holy dip in the Yajnopavitika Tirtha, the devotee shall attain the benefit of maintaining his own duty. 

117. Thereafter, the excellent man shall take a holy dip in the Tirtha Catuhpravaha. Thereby, he attains the benefit of all Tirthas and rejoices in heaven like a Deva. 

118. One who takes bath in the Tirtha Vihara shall attain all happiness. By taking a holy dip in the Durga Tirtha a man never faces misfortunes. 

119. Thereafter, the devotee should take bath in the well Sarasvati also known as Pitri-Tirtha, and perform the Tarpana rite to the Devas and others; thereby he shall attain excellent salvation. 

120. By taking a holy dip in the Praci Sarasvati2 (Eastern Sarasvati) and by performing the Shraddha rites in accordance with the injunctions, the devotee shall attain even inaccessible desires. At the time of death, he shall attain heavenly goal.

2. It is so called as the Sarasvati turned to the east at this place. Today there is only a tank of that name where pilgrims performed Tarpana to the ancestors. The surrounding relics testify to its glorious past.  

121-22A. By taking a holy dip in the Shukra Tirtha and offering Shraddha a man shall uplift the Pitris. He should observe fast on the eighth or the fourteenth day particularly in the dark half of the month of Caitra and take bath in the Brahma Tirtha. Undoubtedly, he will attain liberation.

122B-123. Thereafter, he shall take bath in the Sthanu Tirtha and visit the Sthanuvrusha. The man thereby is liberated from terrible sins. So, says Pitamaha. By visiting the Sthanu linga the pilgrimage becomes complete. 

124. O goddess, the pilgrimage of the holy centre Kurukshetra is thus complete. Truth and nothing but the truth is uttered by me. There has never been and there never will be a Tirtha like Kurukshetra. 

125A. By undertaking twelve such pilgrimages the devotee is not born again. 

125B-126A. Holy rites and laudable public works like digging tanks, wells, penances, Homas, duly given charitable gifts etc. at that place, everything shall be everlasting. They who know the Vedas know this. 

126B-127. One who takes a holy dip on the inaugural days of Manvantaras and Yugas, during lunar and solar eclipses during the transits of the sun, on Mahapata period and on other holy occasions shall attain infinite benefits. 

128. It is for the purification of sins of noble souls, originating from the Kali age that the pleasant Tirtha of Kurukshetra has been created by Brahma. 

129. He too who glorifies this sacred story that destroys sins, or the man who devoutly listens to this, is liberated from sins. 

130. In every birth, the man shall always attain whatever he gives away at Kurukshetra at the time of solar eclipse. 

131. Now, of what avail is much talk? O daughter of Brahma, listen to this decision. If one wishes for deliverance from worldly bondage, one shall of necessity resort to Kurukshetra. 

132. This is the greatest merit. This is the greatest penance. This alone is the greatest perfect knowledge if one goes to the Sthanutirtha. 

133. There is no other Tirtha on the Earth as splendid as Kurukshetra. Whether one adheres to the Acaras or not (i.e. discipline of castes and stages of life) one attains liberation there. 

134-135. O sinless lady, what I have been asked, I have told you entirely, about the greatness of Kurukshetra that destroys sins. It is meritorious. It bestows salvation. What else do you wish to hear?