away; in the Malaya mountains, one should ascend the funeral pyre; and in Bhrigutunga, one should renounce one’s body by forgoing food.  Bathing in Pushkara, in Kurukshetra, in the Ganga and in the confluence (of the Ganga and the Yamuna), one sanctifieth seven generations of one’s race up and down.  He that reciteth the name of the Ganga is purified; while he that beholdeth her, receiveth prosperity; while he that bathes in her and drinks of her waters sanctifieth seven generations of his race up and down.  As long, O king, as one’s bones lie in contact with the waters of the Ganga, so long doth he live regarded in heaven, even as one liveth in heaven in consequence of the merit he earneth by pious pilgrimages to sacred tirthas and holy spots.  There is no tirtha that is like unto the Ganga, there is no god like unto Kesava, and there is none superior to Brahmanas,—­this hath been said even by the Grandsire.  O great king, the region through which the Ganga flows should be regarded as a sacred asylum, and a spot of land that is on the Ganga’s banks, should be regarded as one favourable to the attainment of ascetic success.

“’"This truthful description (of the tirthas) one should recite only unto the regenerate ones, unto those that are pious, unto one’s son and friends and disciples and dependents.  This narrative, without a rival, is blessed and holy and leadeth to heaven.  Holy and entertaining and sanctifying, it is productive of merit and high worth.  Destructive of every sin, it is a mystery that the great Rishis cherish with care.  By reciting it in the midst of Brahmanas, one is cleansed of every sin, and ascends to heaven.  This description of tirthas is auspicious and heaven-giving and sacred; ever blessed as it is, it destroys one’s enemies; foremost of all accounts, it sharpens the intellect.  By reading this narrative the sonless obtains sons, the destitute obtains riches, a person of the royal order conquereth the whole earth, the Vaisya cometh by wealth, the Sudra obtaineth all his desires, and the Brahmana crosseth the ocean (of the world).  Purifying himself, he that listens daily to the merits of the different tirthas, recollects the incidents of many previous births and rejoices in heaven.  Of the tirthas that have been recited here, some are easily accessible, while others are difficult of access.  But he that is inspired with the desire of beholding all tirthas, should visit them even in imagination.  Desirous of obtaining merit, the Vasus, and the Sadhyas, the Adityas, the Maruts, the Aswins, and the Rishis equal unto celestials, all bathed in these tirthas.  Do thou also, O thou of the Kuru race, observing the ordinance as explained by me, visit, with subdued senses, these tirthas, increasing thy merit, O thou of excellent vows.  Men of piety and learning are able to visit these tirthas, by reason of their purified senses, their belief in Godhead, and