the Bharatas, his race for seven generations both upwards and downwards.  He who renounceth his life at Naimisha by fasting, enjoyeth happiness in the heavenly regions.  Even this is the opinion of the wise.  O foremost of kings, Naimisha is ever sacred and holy.  Proceeding next to Gangodbheda and fasting there for three nights, a man obtaineth the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice, and becometh like unto Brahma himself.  Journeying to the Saraswati, one should offer oblations unto the gods and the Pitris.  By this, one certainly enjoyeth bliss in the regions called Saraswata.  Then should one wend to Vahuda, with subdued soul and observing the Brahmacharya vow.  Residing there for one night, one becometh adored in heaven, and obtaineth also, O Kaurava, the merit of the Devasatra sacrifice.  Then should one repair to the holy Kshiravati, frequented by holier men.  By worshipping the gods and the Pitris there, one obtains the merit of the Vajapeya sacrifice.  Proceeding next to Vimalasoka, with subdued soul and observing the Brahmacharya vow, and residing there for one night, one is adored in heaven.  One should next proceed to the excellent Gopratra in the Sarayu, whence Rama, O king, with all his attendants and animals, renouncing his body, ascended to heaven in consequence of the efficacy of the tirtha alone.  Bathing in that tirtha, O Bharata, one’s soul, through Rama’s grace, and by virtue of his own deeds, being cleansed of all sins, one becometh adored in heaven.  O Bharata!  Proceeding next, O son of the Kuru race, to the Rama-tirtha on the Gomati, and bathing there, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice, and sanctifieth also his own race.  There, O bull of the Bharata race, is another tirtha called Satasahasrika.  Bathing there, with restrained senses and regulated diet, a person reapeth, O bull of Bharata race, the merit of giving away a thousand kine.  Then should one, O king, go to the unrivalled tirtha called Bhartristhana.  By this, a person obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice.  Bathing next in the tirtha called Koti, and worshipping Kartikeya, a man reapeth, O king, the merit of giving away a thousand kine, and acquireth great energy.  Proceeding next to Varanasi, and worshipping the god having the bull for his mark, after a bath in the Kapilahrada, one obtaineth the merit of the Rajasuya sacrifice.  Repairing then, O perpetuator of the Kuru race, to the tirtha called Avimukta, and beholding there the god of gods, the pilgrim, from such sight alone, is immediately cleansed of even the sin of slaying a Brahmana.  By renouncing one’s life there, one obtaineth deliverance.  Arriving next, O king, at the rare tirtha called Markandeya celebrated over the world and situated at the confluence of the Ganges, a person obtaineth the merit of Agnishtoma sacrifice, and delivereth his race.  Sojourning next to Gaya, with subdued senses and observing the Brahmacharya vow, one obtaineth the merit of the horse-sacrifice and also rescueth his race.  There in that tirtha