172 Earn Narayan — Translation of the Ayodhya-Mdhatmya. [No. 2, 



and settled there as invisible beings. There was a great assembly of the 

 people at the Ghat, and some person went to Vas'ishtha Muni and asked 

 him the cause of it. He said that it was Ramachandra's anniversary, when 

 bathing in the Sarayu and worshipping him, destroys all sins and releases 

 men from returning to a mother's womb. Hear, O Goddess, some of the 

 advantages of this holy spot as described by the Muni to the inquirer. On 

 the day of Eama Navami, a peacock accidentally came to Rama Ghat with 

 a serpent, which fell from its beak into the Sarayu, assumed a beautiful 

 shape, with four arms, and riding on a celestial car went to heaven, in 

 presence of the whole assembly. Drums beat in the skies and flowers were 

 showered down. The Rishis were struck with astonishment. Rama Ghat 

 is also called Rama Kunda. Narada said to the Rishis, ' This is the benefit 

 of bathing at the Ghat.' Hearing this, they did as they were told, became 

 four-armed, and went to heaven. Those who listen to this story obtain sal- 

 vation, and their deceased ancestors are satisfied. All the qualities in a man, 

 such as truth, purity of heart, fondness of the Vedas, reading religious stories, 

 knowledge, wisdom, good behaviour, mercy, humility, and simplicity are 

 unprofitable, if he do not visit Ayodhya. Even to cherish the wish to go to 

 Ayodhya is commendable. The advantages of the Rama Navami are ever- 

 lasting. One gains heaven by daily praising Ayodhya early in the morning. 

 All good actions are inglorious unless a man see Ayodhya, just as the day is 

 useless without the sun, and the night without the moon." 



Parvati said, "O Mahadeva, you have related to me the fruits of visiting 

 the sacred spots in Ayodhya, describe those of the city itself." Mahadeva 

 answered, " Goddess, those who perform the pilgrimage to Ayodhya bodily, 

 mentally and orally, gain all advantages. They should first purify their 

 hearts, and secondly visit the sacred places outside." The goddess asked 

 how the first could be done. Mahadeva replied, " By speaking the truth, 

 shewing mercy, restraining the passions, and by wisdom, fasting, and devo- 

 tion." 



Chapter XXX. 



As there are pure, indifferent, and impure parts in the body, so are 

 there water and fire on earth. Those who perform acts of both internal and 

 external devotion as mentioned before, are sure to go to heaven. The chief- 

 thing in worship is to be pure-hearted. The animals in the water are born 

 and die in it, but they do not get to heaven, because they are not pure- 

 hearted. An impure heart is attached to the passions of the body, to house 

 and wife, and son, and friend, and wealth. A pure heart is one which is 

 free from these things and loves Vishnu. Bathing in water does not purify 

 the heart, just as a wine-vessel is not pure, be it ever so clean. He who 

 bathes, gives alms, makes sacrifices, prays with a pure heart, lives in a sacred 



