Chapter 11 - Eminence of Viṣṇupada Tīrtha

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Prahlāda said:

1. Then O the foremost Brāhmaṇas! visit Viṣṇupadodbhava tīrtha, i.e. the centre of pilgrimage where the foot of Viṣṇu has come up. Taking only a sight of this yields the fruits of having a bath in Gaṅgā.

2. O the virtuous Brāhmaṇas! I have already narrated about its origin earlier. By simply remembering its glory, sins get destroyed.

3. Hari had brought down Gaṅgā here to please Rukmiṇī. By just having a mouthful of its water one can obtain the fruits of yajña involving sacrifice of horses.

4-5. Gaṅgā here emerges below the foot of Viṣṇu. Hence it has been referred to as Vaiṣṇavī. Therefore you—the highly fortunate souls, go there and make offering as a part and parcel of your worship and as per accepted procedure. Offer your salutations to Goddess Bhagavatī, i.e. Gaṅgā emerging below the foot of Viṣṇu saying, “O Gaṅgā! please accept our offerings as part of the worship along with Viṣṇu.”

6. O the foremost Brāhmaṇas! after making this utterance, pick up some mud in hand and then facing East take bath remaining as far as possible in one spot.

7-11. After this it is desirable to do libations to gods, one’s forefathers and other human beings with seasame and unbroken whole grains. Then after inviting Brāhmaṇas there one may make offering of gifts. The adept must perform śrāddha attended with earnest faith and offer gold and silver as religious fee as has been stated. The virtuous Brāhmaṇas, make charities for the poor, the blind and the miserly as per your own affordability and donate gold in particular. Make presents of footwear as well as water pitchers to the Brāhmaṇas. Give them curd added with water and salt Also give them cooked spinach added with cumin seeds. Give red clothes with blouses which Rukmiṇī wears. Make offering of gifts to Brāhmaṇas as well as their wives to earn pleasure of Viṣṇu.

12-14. O the foremost Brāhmaṇas! a man can consider himself fortunate by doing so. His forefathers attain inexhaustible pleasure by all these like that of the śrāddha at Gayā. His forefathers extending over three lineages go to the abode of Viṣṇu. And while alive, blessed with prosperity that man gets bestowed with sons and grandsons. Besides Rukmiṇī, Kṛṣṇa gets pleased for ever by śrāddha here and grants him all objects desired for in this as well as the next world.

15. This is all about the eminence of the Tīrtha where the foot of Viṣṇu has come up. One gets free from all sins by listening to this with all devotion in Hari.

16. The merit earned by listening to as well as reading it leads to liberation from all sins.