136 Ram Narayan — Translation of the AyoiTiyd-M.ah6.tmya. [Xo. 2, 



natha. The same salvation which Yogis gain by residing at Kas'i and 

 dying there, is available to all, provided they bathe in the Sarayu. 

 He who prays to God for a moment, and even for half a moment, wherever 

 he may be, but bathes with joy in Ayodhya, is freed from the transmigra- 

 tion of his soul. The water of the Sarayu, which is the representation of 

 Brahma, is the bestower of salvation. Here, no one is judged by his ac- 

 tions, they are all counterparts or manifestations of llama. Men, animals, 

 birds, insects, and worms, receive salvation at this place." 



Chapter IV. 

 Mahadeva continued, " goddess, I am about to describe the first 

 sacred place (in Ayodhya). Its name is Svargadvar [gate to heaven], 

 and it is the bestower of both heaven and salvation. After enjoying the fruits 

 of heaven, a man obtains salvation and freedom from transmigration. Xo one 

 can sufficiently describe its advantages, but I will do so briefly. Its dimen- 

 sion is 31S yards, and it is situated east of the thousand-streamed Laksh- 

 mana Kunda. Those who are versed in the Puranas say that there has ueither 

 been, nor will ever be, so holy a spot as this on earth. 1 also affirm on oath 

 that there is no such place in the world, because all the heavenly and earthly 

 holy spots unite here in the morning, and consequently people should par- 

 ticularly bathe here at that time.- The man who dies here goes to the 

 regions of Vishnu. Svargadvar, after bestowing heaven, gives salvation, and 

 hence it is called ' Muktidvar'. Whatever a man desires, he obtains here. 

 The benefits of devotion, sacrifices, giving alms, building reservoirs, wells, 

 &c , are here everlasting. The sins of a thousand births are destroyed on 

 entering Svargadvar. All men, Hindus and Musalmans, animals, birds, 

 and insects, that die here, go to the place of Vishnu, become four- 

 armed, lotus-eyed, bear the Sankha, Chakra, Gada, Padma, and ride on 

 Garudas. Whoever dies at Svargadvar, whether he had any desire or not, 

 goes to heaven. Gods, angels, and sages, all bathe here publicly or privately 

 at noon. Those who restrain their passions, keep fasts even for a month, give 

 away grain, jewels, lands, cows, clothes, &c, and die here, gain salvation. S'ri 

 Ramachandra, who is the very identity of the godhead, always remains here 

 in the forms of Bharata, Satrughna, Lakshmana, and his own. There is no dis- 

 tinction of north or south at the time of death,* because salvation is certain 

 in every position. One who gets himself shaved, fasts, and visits Chandra Hari, 

 obtains heaven, and all his great crimes are washed away. The reason is 

 that the Moon considered this place the most excellent one of Vishnu, and 

 came here, and performed all the pilgrimages and prayers, thus pleasing 

 Hari. He said — ' Whoever shall bathe at this spot and look at my image, 

 shall go to heaven.' There are seven Haris here who all encourage good 



* The custom among the Hindus is that when a man is about to die, he is laid 

 down on the ground, with his feet towards the south. 



