1S75.] Rim Narayan — Translation of the Ayodhya-Malwtmi/a. 155 



Sankha, Makara, Kachchapa, Mukunda, Kunda, Nila, and Varchcha, because 

 all these reside at this place. He should also give gold and grain 

 publicly and privately, particularly on the fourth day of the dark half of 

 every month. Pilgrimage, bathing, and libation of water here, satisfy all, 

 from Brahma to the smallest insect. Having said this, Yaksha, people 

 should throw water three times and gain salvation. By worshipping thee, 

 the nine Nidhis, and Lakshmi, either out of or in the water, a man shall 

 obtain great blessings, such as a son, riches, faith, knowledge, and salvation. 

 Whoever from pride does not worship thee, shall forfeit the religious fruits 

 of one year's devotion.' After saying this the Muni disappeared. 



" West of it is Vishnu ha ri, a celebrated shrine." Parvati said, 

 " Bhagavan, tell me what the cause is of its renown." 



Chapter XV. 



Mahadeva answered, " O Goddess, there was a Brahman named 

 Vis'va-s'arma, acquainted with the Vedas and religious principles, virtu- 

 ous and much devoted to the worship of Vishnu. He once came on a pil- 

 grimage to Ayodhya in hope of seeing Vishnu and pleasing him with his 

 devotion. He practised great austerity, kept fasts, and ate herbs, fruits, 

 and roots. In Jyaisthaand A'sadha, he sat before a fire ; in the rainy season, 

 in the rain ; and in winter, in the water ; and thus he bathed and worshipped 

 Vishnu with all his heart. He meditated on the sun, moon, and fire, which 

 he made the Pitha upon which he seated Vishnu, dressed in yellow-silk cloth, 

 with his weapons, and worshipped him with perfumes and flowers. He 

 read the twelve-letter Mantra for thirty years, lived on air, and repeat- 

 ed the following prayer, ' Bhagavan, animate and inanimate, spiritual 

 guide, the best of mankind, the god of the gods, lotus-eyed, beyond 

 thought, imperishable, master of sacrifices and the world, the destroyer of 

 sins, endless, spoiler of births, having the lotus in the navel, bearing the 

 garland of the seeds of the lotus, lord of all, destroyer of Kaitabha,* master 

 of the three words, four-bodied Basudeva, Sankarshana, Pradyumna and 

 Aniruddha, armed with the Chakra, parent of the whole world, protector of 

 the people, lovely one, the father of fathers, thou art the articles of sacri- 

 fice ; thou art the mantra ; thou art the master of the sacrifice ; thou art fire ; 

 thou art Varuna, armed with the Sankha, Chakra, Gada, and Padma ; sup- 

 porter of the weak ; holder of the Mandar hill ; destroyer of Madhu ; and 

 husband of Lakshmi. Thou art Narayana, Krishna, and Madhava, be pleased 

 with me." Upon this, Bhagavan appeared, riding on Garuda, dressed in 

 yellow-silk cloth, armed with the Sankha and Chakra, and said, ' son, I 

 am satisfied with thy devotion ; ask for a boon.' Vis'va-s'arma replied, 

 ' O Bhagavan, all my wishes are accomplished by thy visit, give me everlast- 



* Name of a devil. 

 T 



