Chapter 26 - The Greatness of Dvārikā

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Note: Dvārāvatī, Dvārikā or Dvārakā refers to the city founded by Kṛṣṇa. It is one of the seven “Liberation-giving” (Mokṣa-dāyikā) cities in India, the others being Ayodhyā, Mathurā etc. There are three places in Saurashtra claiming to be the “real” Dvārakā. But the claim accepted is of that city where there is the Dvārakādhīśa temple and the seat of Śaṅkarācārya’s Maṭha.

Vyāsa said:

1 -3. The doorway to heaven is opened by Mārkaṇḍeya by bringing down Sarasvatī. Those who cast off their bodies therein with a desire for some benefit, will get that benefit. Ultimately they shall get Sāyujya (i.e. intimate communion and absorption) with Viṣṇu. Hence what is the propriety of more talk? People always should renounce their bodies at Dvārāvatī with a desire to conquer (attain) the world of Viṣṇu.

Those excellent men who are (casting their bodies) in water or in unextinguishing fire (?) become absolved of all sins and go to the city of God Viṣṇu.

4. Another man who is free from sickness and observes fast (unto death), becomes free from all sins and goes to the city of Viṣṇu.

5-9. At last for a hundred thousand years, the Brāhmaṇa lives in heaven.

There is nothing more holy and purifying than Brāhmaṇas. There is no other rite in austere penance on a par with fasts. There is no greater scripture than the Vedas. There is no preceptor like mother. There is nothing greater than righteousness. There is no greater penance than observance of (holy) fast.

After taking bath here, if the devotee offers water libations and balls of rice and performs Śrāddha here, his Manes become pleased with him as long as the complete day (the day and night) of Brahmā.

One who bathes in the holy pool there and worships Keśava, shall be free from all sins, and he shall attain the region of Viṣṇu. The spot where Hari is present is the holiest of all holy places.

10. He removes every sin of that man who stays at that (holy spot). (The holy spot) accords salvation to those who desire salvation, wealth to those who seek wealth and longevity, happiness and all desired fruits (to all devotees).

11. What is the importance of other Tīrtha (as compared with this) where God Janārdana always abides out of compassion for all?

12. Whatever small gift is given with great faith there, all of it becomes everlasting in this world and in the next.

13-15. Whatever benefit is obtained by wise people by means of Yajñas, liberal gifts and austerities, is acquired here by means of a holy dip alone by Śūdras who serve well.

He who fasts on the eleventh day (of a lunar fortnight) and performs Śrāddha here, uplifts all his ancestors from hells. There is no doubt about this.

Janārdana, the Supreme Soul, attains everlasting satisfaction. If anything is gifted here with anything in view, that is said to be never-ending.