1S75.] Earn Narayan — Translation oftlie Ayocfliya-Maliatmya. 133 



On hearing this, Parvati asked what the manner was of performing the 

 pilgrimage, to secure all its advantages, and go to the place of Vishnu. 

 Mahadeva replied — " He who performs the pilgrimage with all his organs 

 of action and perception restrained, and with the profession of living the life 

 of a Brahma- chari, will reap all its rewards; others will not be deprived 

 of the usual ones. The rich should give charity, and the poor undergo 

 privations, that is, perform the pilgrimage, and fast three nights succes- 

 sively. The wealthy will become poor if they do not give alms in 

 proportion to their riches. Remaining in this holy place and observing 

 all the prescribed ceremonies, entitles a man to the full benefits of perform- 

 ing sacrifices and giving alms. Even sages and gods attained superiority 

 and affluence from remaining, bathing, and worshipping at this sacred city. 

 Such a pilgrimage should therefore be performed. He who, having bathed 

 in the Sarayu, adores the gods, gains the reward of an As'vamedha-Yajna. 

 Feeding a single Brahman at the Sarayu, leads to blessings in both worlds. 

 One who eats fruits and the roots of vegetables, and freely gives the same to 

 a Brahman, gains the advantage of an As'vamedha-Yajna. Men living 

 here are not transformed into mean creatures, and are freed from trans- 

 migration of the soul. He who thinks of Ayodhya, morning and evening, 

 reaps the fruit of visiting all the holy spots in it. The seven Puris (sacred 

 places) constitute the body of Vishnu ; Avantika, called Ujjain, the foot ; 

 Eanchi, the waist ; Dvarka, the navel ; Haridvar, the heart ; Mathura, the 

 neck ; KaVi, the fore part of the nose ; and Ayodhya, the head, which is 

 the principal member of the body. Visits to this place and bathing at it 

 wash away the sins of men and women. Even as Vishnu is superior to all the 

 gods, so is Ayodhya to all the holy places ; he who stops here for twelve 

 nights, derives the advantage which he would derive by performing all sorts 

 of sacrifices. Remaining only one night bestows upon him the blessings of a 

 hundred sacrifices on the fire. Residence, devotion, and charity at Ayodhya, 

 are only obtainable through great virtues. Fasting here twelve nights, a 

 man obtains the benefit of going once round the whole of India, as also what- 

 ever he wishes. One night's abode at Ayodhya with purity, gives freedom 

 from degradation and accomplishment of one's desires. Ayodhya is the 

 form of Parabbrahma ; the Sarayu, of Sagunabrahma ; and the inhabitants 

 of Ayodhya, of Jagannatha. I attest the truth of the above with an oath. 

 Parvati, the Vedas, the gods, Brahma, Vishnu, and myself, are unable to 

 describe fully the greatness of Ayodhya." 



Chapter III. 



Parvati now asked Mahadeva regarding the origin of the Sarayu. All 

 the Munis are anxious to hear an account of that river. Mahadeva an- 

 swered — " The Sarayu has herself described her origin. It is as follows : Once 



