1875.] Earn Narayan — Translation of the Ayodhya-Muhatmya. 151 



kiitha of Kubera, because S'ri Baghunathji enjoys himself here. There 

 are many buildings and many seats, and upon one of the latter Eamachandra 

 seated Janaki with his own hand. The maids and male servants brought 

 pleasant food and beverages to them. A great many Apsaras and Huris 

 came to dance, and having partaken of the food began to sing. Eamachandra 

 pleased all, and sat with Janaki, as Chandrama does with Eohini, or the 

 seven Munis with their wives. After this, he daily enjoyed himself with her, 

 as Mahadeva does with Parvati. In that orchard there is the Sitakunda, 

 constructed by Sita with her own hands. Eamachandra said that it should be 

 the bestower of innumerable blessings. Listen, Janaki, I shall describe its 

 advantages. The benefits of bathing and giving alms, and of devotion and 

 sacrifice here, are everlasting. The pilgrimage is to be performed on the 

 4th of the dark half of Agrahayana, and destroys all sins. This Kunda is 

 superior to all other sacred places. Bathing and giving alms here and worship- 

 ping Eamachandra with Janaki, bestows salvation." 



Then Mahadeva said, " Goddess, hear the advantages of the other sacred 

 places. "West of Sita-kunda is Yidya-kunda, the mere sight of which 

 confers all sorts of blessings. West of it is V i d y a - P i t h a, and south of it 

 isYidya Devi. He who bathes in the Kund and visits the Devi, obtains 

 salvation. Yidya-Pitha is also called Siddha-Pitha, and is the bestower of 

 knowledge. A man should worship the Pith-Devi, offer the sixteen prescribed 

 articles, read mantras, and the following prayer : ' O goddess, he who wor* 

 ships thee and meditates on thee, obtains elephants for his vehicle ; and 

 becomes a Lokes'var (master of the world). He who thinks of thee with- 

 out asking for anything, gains salvation.' Vishnu, Siva, the sun, Gaues'a, 

 and Devi are pleased with one who reads their mantras here, and make him 

 prosper. Therefore it is necessary that one should worship here. The 

 pilgrimage is to be performed every month on the 8th of both the wane and 

 the waxing of the moon. Here a man ought to give grain and fruits and 

 wash the Devi with milk. The Uchchatana, Mohana, Stambhan or Pryoga, 

 are accomplished here. A pilgrimage, performed during the first nine days 

 of the light half of Kartika, removes sins and bestows salvation." 



Chapter XIII. 



Then Mahadeva said, " Goddess, south of Vidya-kunda is K h a r j u r a- 

 k u n d a, which is also called K h a j o h a. Bathing in it cures diseases such 

 as the itch. Its pilgrimage is performed on every Sunday. West of Yidya- 

 kunda is the Maniparvat (hill of jewels) surrounded on all sides by creepers, 

 and plants. The Tilodaki flows near it. The cause of the hill's being here, 

 is as follows : Once Janaki said to Eamachandra, ' I wish to enjoy myself on 

 a hill, get me one, if you are pleased with me. Eaghunatha replied, ' Very 

 good' ; then called Garuda and said to him, ' O king of birds, go towards the 



