Chapter 60 - Glory of five holy spots (pañcatīrthi)

Brahmā said:

1. O excellent Brahmins, thence the devotee should go to the holy spot of sacrifices where the splendid and sacred lake Indradyumna is situated.

2. The intelligent devotee should go there with pure mind and body, and meditate mentally on lord Hari, approach the sacred waters, perform the Ācamana rite and repeat this Mantra:—

3. “O holy spot that is sanctified by the performance of horse sacrifice, and which destroys sins, I am taking a holy dip in you, Remove my sin. Obeisance be to you”.

4-5. After uttering this, he should duly bathe. With gingelly seeds and water he should perform Tarpaṇa to Devas, Pitṛs and others. He should perform Ācamana rite with restrained speech. He should offer balls of rice to the Pitṛs and worship Puruṣottama. By performing these rites he obtains merits and benefits of ten horse-sacrifices.

6. He redeems seven former generations and seven subsequent generations of his family. Like a God he goes to the world of Viṣṇu on an aerial chariot that can go in all directions.

7. He can enjoy pleasures and happiness there, as long as the moon, sun and stars last. Falling off from that world he returns to the earth and attains salvation thereafter.

8-9. The devotee should conclude his pilgrimage to the five holy spots (pañcatīrthi). He shall observe fast on the eleventh day. He who visits Puruṣottama on the fifteenth day in the bright half of the month of Jyeṣṭha, obtains the benefits and sport in the abode of Lord Viṣṇu. He then goes to that highest region from which he never returns.

The sages said:

10. O lord, great-grandfather, why do you praise the month of Jyeṣṭha in preference to Māgha and other months. Kindly tell us the reason thereof.

Brahmā said:

11. O leading sages, listen, I shall briefly mention why I praise the month of Jycṣṭha in preference to other months.

12-14. All holy spots, rivers, lakes, lotus, ponds, wells, tanks, eddies, streams and oceans flow into the holy centre of Puruṣottama for seven days beginning with the tenth day in the bright half of the month of Jyeṣṭha. Hence, O branmins whatever rite is performed there at that time such as holy ablution, charitable gifts, visiting the deity etc. should become inexhaustible in merits.

15. O excellent brahmins, the tenth day in the bright half of the month of Jyeṣṭha removes ten sins. Hence it is called ‘Daśaharā’.

16. The man who visits Balarāma, Kṛṣṇa, and Subhadrā meditates upon them with concentration and mental purity will get rid of all sins and go to the world of Viṣṇu.

17. O Brahmins, by visiting Puruṣottama, Rāma and Subhadrā during the first day of the northern and southern solar transits the man goes to the world of Viṣṇu.

18. By visiting Govinda, the most excellent of all Gods, seated on the swing, on the full moon day in the month of Phālguna the devotee of great self-restraint shall go to the city of Govinda.

19-20. When the day of Viṣṇu arrives, O brahmins, the devotee will perform the holy pilgrimage to the five holy spots in accordance with the injunctions and visit Saṅkarṣaṇa, Kṛṣṇa and Bhadra. He attains the rare benefit accruing from the performance of various sacrifices. Rid of all sins, he goes to the world of Viṣṇu.

21-22. He who sees Kṛṣṇa smeared with sandal paste on the third day in the bright half of the month of Vaiśākha goes to the palace of Lord Viṣṇu. He who sees Puruṣottama on the full moon day in the month of Jyeṣṭha, when the constellation of Jyeṣṭha occurs will redeem twenty-one members of his family and go to the world of Viṣṇu.