Chapter 66 - The Glory of Lord Puruṣottama

The sages said:

1-9. O lord of the universe, the glorious world of lord Viṣṇu has been recounted by you. It has many mysterious features. It yields perpetual bliss, worldly pleasures and liberation. Puruṣottama, the rarest of holy centres in the world has perfectly been glorified by you. By casting off his body there, a man will directly go to the abode of Viṣṇu.

Wonderful, indeed, is this path of liberation that you have mentioned for helping men viz. the abandonment of body in the holy centre named Puruṣottama.

Without any strain, O lord of Devas, excellent men abandon their bodies in that holy centre and go to the region of Viṣṇu devoid of ailment.

O lord of Devas, by bearing the greatness of holy centres we are extremely amazed. Hairs stand on end and we feel extremely satisfied.

There are other holy centres and shrines viz. Prayāga, Puṣkara etc. There are many holy centres on the earth, rivers and lakes. O excellent Deva, you do not praise them in the same manner as you praise the holy centre Puruṣottama. O grandsire, your intent has been understood by us whereby you praise the holy centres Puruṣottama that bestows liberation.

Certainly, there is no other holy centre on par with Puruṣottama. Hence, O excellent Deva, you praise it over and again.

Brahmā said:

10. O excellent sages, the truth, the very truth has been cited by us on all. There is no other holy centre on Earth that is equal to Puruṣottama.

11. All those holy centres and shrines do not deserve even a sixteenth part of Puruṣottama.

12. Just as Viṣṇu, the lord of all, is the most excellent of all excellent ones so also the holy centre of Puruṣottama is the most excellent of all holy centres.

13. Just as Viṣṇu has been cited as the most excellent one among the sons of Aditi so also Puruṣottama is the most excellent one among the holy centres.

14. Just as the moon among the stars and ocean among lakes so also the holy centre of Puruṣottama is the most excellent among the holy centres.

15. Like (fire) among the Vasus and Śaṅkara among the Rudras, so also Puruṣottama is the most excellent of all holy centres.

16. Like brahmins among the four castes and Garuḍa among the birds, Puruṣottama is the most excellent of all holy centres.

17. Just as the Meru is the most excellent among mountains with lofty peaks, just as the Himālaya is the most excellent among the mountains so also Puruṣottama is the most excellent holy centre.

18. Like Lakṣmī among young women and Gaṅgā among the rivers Puruṣottama is the most excellent of all holy centres.

19. Like Airāvata among the leading elephants, like Bhṛgu among the great sages, Puruṣottama is the excellent of all holy centres.

20. Like Skanda among the commanders of armies, like Kapila among the saintly men of great achievements Puruṣottama is the most excellent of all holy centres.

21. Like Uccaiśśravas among the horses, like Uśanas among the poets, Puruṣottama is the most excellent of all holy centres.

22. Like Vyāsa among the sages, like Kubera among Yakṣas and (like Vibhīṣaṇa among) Rākṣasas, Puruṣottama is the excellent of all holy centres.

23. Like mind among the organs of sense, like earth among the elements, Puruṣottama is the most excellent of all holy centres.

24. Like the holy big tree among all trees, like wind among those who float and spread, Puruṣottama is the most excellent of all holy centres.

25. O brahmins, just as the crest-jewel is the most excellent of all ornaments, so also Puruṣottama is the most excellent of all holy centres.

26. Like Citraratha among the Gandharvas, like Kuliśa among weapons, Puruṣottama is the most excellent among all holy centres.

27. Like the letter A among all syllables, like Gāyatrī among all vedic mantras, Puruṣottama is the most excellent of all holy centres.

28. O excellent brahmins, just as the head is excellent of all limbs so also Puruṣottama is the most excellent of all holy centres.

29. Just as Arundhatī is excellent among chaste ladies so also Puruṣottama is the most excellent of all holy centres.

30. Just as the doctrine of salvation is the greatest of all doctrines and lores so also Puruṣottama is excellent of all holy centres.

31. Like the king among men, like the Divine cow among cows, Puruṣottama is the most excellent of all holy centres.

32. Like a piece of gold among jewels, like Vāsuki among serpents, Puruṣottama is the most excellent among holy centres.

33. Like Prahlāda among all Daityas, like Rāma among the wielders of weapons, Puruṣottama is the most excellent of all holy centres.

34. Like the shark among fishes, like lion among violent animals, Puruṣottama is the most excellent among all holy centres.

35. Just as the milky ocean is excellent of all oceans so also puruṣottama is the most excellent of all holy centres.

36. Just as Varuṇa is excellent of all aquatic beings, just as Yama is excellent of all Yogins. so also Puruṣottama is the most excellent of all holy centres.

37. O excellent sages, just as Nārada is excellent of all divine sages so also Puruṣottama is the most excellent of all holy centres.

38. Like gold among metals, like the gift of coins among all sacred gifts, Puruṣottama is the most excellent of all holy centres.

39. Like Dakṣa among Prajāpatis, like Kaśyapa among sages, Puruṣottama is the most excellent of all holy centres.

40. Like the Sun among planets, like Praṇava among Mantras, Puruṣottama is the most excellent of all holy centres.

41. Just as the horse-sacrifice (aśvamedha) is glorified as excellent of all sacrifices, O excellent brahmins, so also that holy centre is the most excellent of all holy centres.

42. Just as the food-grain plant is the most excellent of all plants; like the cocoanut or palmyra among the grassy species, Puruṣottama is the most excellent of all holy centres.

43. Just as the holy rite of all sacred places is the means of redemption from worldly existence so also Puruṣottama is excellent of all holy centres.