161 - The greatness of Devavana

Earth said:

1. O Krishna what is the way (for liberation) for those ignorant people who have no knowledge of righteous actions and (hence) are condemned to hell?

2. Tell me by what means they can avoid the sorrows of hell?

Varãha said:

3. For all those cursed people who never do righteous deeds it is goddess Mathurä (the Mathura region with all its tirthas) that removes all sins and sorrows of hell.

4-5. Those who live in Mathura, those who resort to the tirthas there, those who do perambulation there, those who see the woods there and those who do with might amidst them hundred and one1, never go to hell but go to heaven.

1. What this refers to is not clear.

6. (Among the woods), the first is Madhuvana, the second Tälavana, the third Kundavana,

7. The fourth Kämyakavana, the fifth Bahuvana, the sixth Bhadravana,

8. The seventh Khädiravana well-known in the world, the eighth Mahävana always dear to me,

9. The ninth is the holy Lohärgalavana, the tenth Bilvavana   by gods,

10. The eleventh Bhändiravana and the twelfth Vrundakävana. Those who see these will not have to go to hell.

11. Those who visit these worlds with full control of mind, go to the world of Indra.