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 SECTION CXIV (Tirtha-yatra Parva continued)

Vaisampayana said, “Then, O Janamejaya, the son of Pandu started from the river Kausiki and repaired in succession to all the sacred shrines. And, O protector of men, he came to the sea where the river Ganga falls into it; and there in the centre of five hundred rivers, he performed the holy ceremony of a plunge. Then, O ruler of the earth, accompanicd by his brothers, the valiant prince proceeded by the shore of the sea towards the land where the Kalinga tribes dwell.’”

“Lomasa said, ‘There is the land, O Kunti’s son, where the Kalinga tribes dwell. Through it passeth the river Vaitarani, on the banks whereof even the god of virtue performed religious rites, having first placed himself under the protection of the celestials. Verily this is the northern bank, inhabited by saints, suitable for the performance of reli- gious rites beautified by a hill, and frequented by persons of the regene- rate caste. This spot {in holiness} rivals the path whereby a virtuous man, fit for going to heaven, repairs to the region inhabited by gods. And verily at this spot in former times, other saints likewise worshipped the immortals by the performance of religious rites. And at the very spot it was that the god Rudra, O king of kings, seized the sacrificial beast and exclaimed, ‘This is my share’! O chief of the descendants of Bharata! Then when the beast was carried away by Siva, the gods spake to him saying, ‘Cast not a covetous glance ai the property of others, disregarding all the righteous rules.’ Then they addressed words of glori- fication of a pleasing kind to the god Rudra, And they satisfied him by offering a sacrifice, and paid him suitable honours. Thereupon he gave up the beast, and went by the path trodden by the gods. Thereupon what happened to Rudra, learn from me, O Yudhishthira! Influenced by the dread of Rudra, the gods set apart for evermore, the best allot- ment out of all shares, such as was fresh and not stale (to be appropria- ted by the god ). Whosoever performs his ablutions at this spot, while reciting this ancient story, beholds with his mortal eyes the path that leads to the region of the gods.”

Vaisampayana said, “Then all the sons of Pandu and likewise the daughter of Drupada—all of whom were the favoured of Fate— descended to tho river Vaitarani, and made libations to the names of their fathers.”

Yudhishthira said, “O Lomasa, how great must be the force of a pious deed! Having taken my bath at this spot in a proper form, I seem to touch no more the region inhabited by mortal men! O saint of a virtuous life, I am beholding all the regions. And this is the noise of the magnanimous dwellers of the wood, whe are reciting their audible prayers.”

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