ou best of the Bharata race, having
bathed in the _tirtha_ of _Kasiswara_, one becometh freed from all
diseases and is adored in the abode of Brahma. There, in that _tirtha_,
is another called _Matri_. One that bathes in _Matri tirtha_ hath a
large progeny and obtaineth, O king, great prosperity. One should next
proceed with subdued sense and regulated diet to the _tirtha_ called
_Shitavana_. And, O great king, it hath been seen that one merit of that
_tirtha_ which rarely belongs to any other, is that one only going
thither obtaineth holiness. By casting off his hair in that _tirtha_ one
acquireth, O Bharata, great sanctity. There, in that _tirtha_, is
another called _Shwavillomapaha_, where, O tiger among men, and chief of
the Bharata race, learned Brahmanas that go to _tirthas_ obtain great
satisfaction by a dip into its waters. Good Brahmanas, O king, by
casting off their hair in that _tirtha_ acquire holiness by _Pranayama_
and finally attain to a high state. There, O king, _in that tirtha_ is
also another called _Dasaswamedhika_. Bathing there, O tiger among men,
one attains to a high state. One should next proceed, O king, to the
celebrated _tirtha_ called _Manusha_ where, O king, a number of black
antelopes afflicted by the hunter's arrows, plunging into its waters,
were transformed into human beings. Bathing in that _tirtha_, leading a
_Brahmacharya_ mode of life and with concentrated soul, a man becomes
freed from all his sins and is adored in heaven. Distant by a _krosa_, O
king, to the east of _Manusha_ there is a river celebrated by the name
of _Apaga_ that is resorted to by the _Siddhas_. The man that offereth
there the _syamaka_ grain in honour of the gods and the Pitris acquireth
great religious merit. And if one Brahmana is fed there, it becomes
equivalent to feeding ten millions of Brahmanas. Having bathed in that
_tirtha_ and worshipped the gods and the Pitris and resided there for
one night, a man obtaineth the merit of the _Agnishtoma_ sacrifice. One
should then repair, O king, to that excellent region of Brahma which, O
Bharata, is known on earth by the name of _Brahmodumvara_. Bathing in
the tank of the seven Rishis that is there, O bull among men, with pure
mind and subdued soul, as also in the _tirtha_ called _Kedara_ of the
high-souled _Kapila_, and beholding Brahma who is there, one's soul
being purified from all sins, one goeth to the abode of Brahma.
Proceeding next to the inaccessible _tirtha