all the _tirthas_ of the earth are at Naimisha. Bathing there,
with restrained senses and regulated fare, one obtains, O Bharata, the
merit of the cow-sacrifice, and also sanctifies, O best of 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
_Gangod-bheda_ 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