79 - The Greatness of Mathura 

Mohini requested: 

1. O Vasu, the greatness of Avanti that is destructive of sins of men, has been heard. Now I wish to hear the greatness of Mathura.1 

1. Being a Vaishnava Purana, the NP naturally concludes with the descriptions of Mathura and Vrundāvana. Mathura is famous since the 6th century B.C., as we get references in the Anguttara (1. 167) and Majjhima (II. 84) Nikayas to Buddha's direct disciple Maha Kacchāyana preaching in Mathura. Excavations at Mathura reveal that in addition to Brahmanism, and Buddhism, Jainism also flourished at Mathura. The Vā. P 99.383, VP, V. 6. 28-40, AP. 11. 8-9 mention it but it is glorified in details in Vaiśhnava Puranas like V. P. V VI amsha, Bh. P. X Skandha. The NP. being a Vaiśhnava Purana describes it as a Tirtha. The NP. uses two terms--Mathura Mandala, the country round Mathura within the radius of twenty Yojanas in the middle of which the town of Mathura is situated (VV. 20-21.) 

Vasu said: 

2. O Mohini, listen. I shall recount the greatness of Mathura that is conducive to auspiciousness. It was here that the lord was born on being requested by the lotus-born deity Brahma. 

3. After manifesting himself there, the lord went over to the cowherds' colony of Nanda. Staying there, he played all games in the company of young cowherds. 

4. After killing demons beginning with Pūtanā, sent by Kaṁsa, he sported in the twelve forests along with the cowherdesses. 

5. O Mohini, listen. Now I shall recount to you those Tīrthas that are in the forests and in the area of Mathura. 

6. The first forest2 is what is called Madhuvana. By taking a holy bath there and performing the Tarpaņa rites unto the Devas, sages and Pitris, the excellent man is honoured in the world of Viśhņu. 

2. VV. 6-18 enumerate 12 forests round Mathura- now mere names only. The NP. describes the fruits of religious acts performed in each forest. 

7. O gentle lady, the second excellent forest is what is called Tāla. The man who takes a holy bath there with devotion, has all his objectives in life accomplished. 

8. O lady of beautiful eyes, the third one is what is called Kumuda. By taking a holy bath there, the devotee attains cherished desires and rejoices here and hereafter. 

9. The fourth one is glorificd by the name of Kāmya vana. It contains many Tīrthas. By visiting it one attains the world of Viśhņu. 

10. There is an excellent Tirtha called Vimala Kuņda. It is the most excellent of all Tīrthas. O gentle lady, the man who takes a holy dip there, attains the region of Vişhnu. 

11. The fifth forest that is destructive of sins, is called Bahula. By taking a holy ablution, the man attains all desires. 

12. There is the sixth forest named Bhadravana. The man who takes a bath here, sees everything auspicious, thanks to the grace of lord Kriśhņa. 

13. O gentle lady, the seventh forest is Khadira Vana. Merely by taking a holy dip here, the man attains that greatest region of Viśhņu.

14. The eighth forest is Mahāvana most liked by Hari. By visiting it with devotion, the nian is honoured in the world of Indra (i.e. heaven). 

15. The ninth forest is Lohajangha. The man who takes a holy bath there, attains worldly pleasures and salvation, thanks to the grace of MahaViśhņu. 

16. O lady of beautiful waist, Bilva is the tenth forest. He who takes a holy dip there, goes to the world of Shiva or Viśhņu as he pleases. 

17. The eleventh forest is Bhändira, most liked by the Yogins. The man who devoutly takes a bath there, is libe rated from all sins. 

18. Vrundāvana is the twelfth one. It destroys all sins. O chaste lady, there is no other forest equal to this on the surface of the earth. 

19. The man who takes a holy bath there and performs Tarpaņa to the Devas, sages and Pitris, becomes liberated from the three-fold indebtedness. He is honoured in the world of Viśhņu. 

20. The precincts of the holy centre Mathura extend to twenty Yojanas (240 kms). If any person takes a holy bath anywhere within this area, he shall attain devotion to Viśhņu. 

21. Within it, is the city named Mathura. It is the most excellent of all cities. Merely by seeing it, one obtains devotion to Viśhņu. 

22. O queen of men, there is a jewel among Tirthas named Viśhrānti.1 The man who devoutly takes a holy dip there, attains the region of Vişhnu. 

1. VV. 22 ff describe various Tirthas in this region, declare the religious merits accrued from bath etc. in those Tirthas. The Vishranti Tirtha is Viśhrama Ghất. Here Kriśhņa is supposed to have taken rest after killing Kamsa. Various Tirthas reminding one of other famous independent Tirthas like Prayaga, Kanakhala are also included in the list of sub-Tirthas at Mathura. The usual formula of bath, Japa etc. is recommended at each Tirtha. 

23. Near Viśhrānti and to the south of it, is the excel lent Tīrtha viz. Vimukta. It is certain that the man who devoutly takes bath there attains liberation. 

24. O queen of the people, still south of it, is the Rāma Tīrtha. The man who takes a holy bath there shall certainly be liberated from the bondage of ignorance. 

25. To the south of this, is the excellent Tīrtha called Samsāra Mokşhaņa. A man who takes a holy dip there, is honoured in the world of Viśhnu. 

26. To the south of this is the Tirtha called Prayaga. It is difficult of access even to the Devas. O gentle lady, the man who takes a holy dip there shall obtain the benefit of Agniśhtoma. 

27. Thereafter, is the Tirtha Kanakhala. O chaste lady, the man who takes a holy bath there, attains heaven. 

After death he rejoices in the Nandana Park and other places. 

28. To the south of it is the holy centre Tinduka. The excellent man who takes a holy bath there attains the benefit of Rājasūya sacrifice. He rejoices in heaven like a Deva. 

29. Beyond that is the holy centre Pațusvāmi Tirtha. It is a favourite of the Sun-god. By taking a holy bath and seeing the Sun, the devotee enjoys all worldly pleasures and goes to heaven. 

30. O gentle lady, to the south of it is the excellent Dhruva Tīrtha. By taking a holy bath and by having a sight of Dhruva (pole star), the devotee obtains the region of Viśhņu. 

31. Beyond Dhruva Tīrtha, to the south of it is the Tirtha frequented by seven sages. By taking the holy plunge and by visiting the sages, the devotee rejoices in the world of sages. 

32. To the south of Ruşhitirtha is the excellent Moksha Tirtha. Merely by taking a holy bath therein, one is liberated from all sins. 

33. To the south of it is Bodhini Tirtha. The man who takes a holy dip there and offers Piņda to the Pitris leads them to the heaven. 

34. To the south of it is Koți Tīrtha. By taking the bath therein, a man is liberated from all sins. He shall attain the world of Viśhnu. 

35. To the northern side of Viśhrānti is the holy centre Asikundaka. O gentle lady, the man who takes a holy bath there attains the region of Viśhņu. 

36. O lady of beautiful eyes, Nava Tirtha is to the north of Asikunda. By taking a holy dip there, the man is honoured in the heavenly world. 

37. The Tirtha called Samyamana is situated to the north of it. By taking a holy dip therein and offering charitable gifts, the devotee does not see the world of Yama. 

38. To the north of it there is a great Tirtha Dhärāyatana. By taking the holy bath therein, the man rejoices in the company of ancestors. 

39. To the north of it is the Någa Tirtha. O Mohini, by taking a holy dip therein the devotee derives fearlessness, protection from the serpents. He is honoured in the heavenly world. 

40. To the north of it is the Tirtha named Brahmaloka Ghanțābharaṇaka. By means of a holy dip this Tirtha dispels all sins. It bestows the goal of the world of Brahma. 

41. To the north of this is the great Tirtha named Soma. He who takes a holy plunge in it, attains the world of Soma (Moon). Rid of sins he becomes the most excellent of men. 

42. O auspicious lady, one should take a holy bath in Práchi Sarasvati which is to the north of it. Merely by taking a holy dip there, the man shall become the lord of speech. 

43. To the north of it is the Chakra Tirtha. The man who takes a holy dip there, conquers hosts of his enemies and rejoices in heaven for the period of seven Yugas. 

44. O blessed lady, the Tīrtha Daśhāśhvamedha is situated to the north of it. By taking a holy dip therein, one shall attain the benefit of a horse-sacrifice. 

45. By worshipping Shiva designated Gokarņa, in accordance with the injunctions, the man attains his cherished desires. In the end he is honoured in the world of Shiva. 

46. To the north of it is situated the Tirtha named Vighna-Rāja. By taking a holy bath there one shall attain the benefit of his holy rites without an obstacle. 

47. To the north of it is the Tīrtha named Ananta. The man who takes a holy bath there shall attain the benefit of twenty-four Tirthas of Mathura. 

48. O blessed lady, Lord Hari himself is stationed in Mathura, in the form of Chaturvyūha (four manifestations of Viśhņu). He is the bestower of liberation on the citizens of Mathura. 

49. The four manifestations are: one is the form of Varáha (the Divine Boar), another one is called Nārāyaṇa; the third form is called Vāmana and the fourth is Haladhara (i.e. Sankarşhaņa).1 

1. This is another variety of the Vyuha Theory including Varáha, Nárayaņa, Våmana and Sankarşhaņa as the four Vyühas. 

50. By visiting the lord of the four Vyūhas and by worshipping him in accordance with the injunctions, man attains liberation. 

51. By visiting and duly worshipping Rangeśha, Bhūtesha, Mahavidya and Bhairava, the devotee shall attain the benefit of the pilgrimage. 

52. By taking a holy dip in the Chatuḥsamudrika (where four oceans meet), the well of Kubja and Ganga called Krishņā and of the lord of Gaņas (attendants), the devotee is liberated from all sins. 

53. O auspicious-faced lady, lord Keśhava, the destroyer of all miseries presides as the overlord of the entire zone called Mathura. 

54. O gentle lady, if one does not see Keśhava in the sacred zone of Mathura, one's life becomes purposeless. He will drift about in the ocean of worldly existence. 

55-56. O splendid-faced lady, there are many other numerous Tirthas there. By taking a holy dip therein and by giving something to the people staying there, a man wards off a wretched state. He does not go to hell. The truth has been stated to you. He who narrates or listens to the greatness of Mathura attains devotion to Hari and (thereafter) attains all cherished desires.