ess one, is the well-known
celestial _tirtha_ called Agnisiras, which is productive of great merit.
There king Sahadeva had celebrated a sacrifice measuring out the ground
by a throw of the _Samya_. It is for this reason, O Yudhishthira, that
Indra sang the praises of Sahadeva in verse. Those verses are still
current in this world, being recited by the regenerate ones, e.g., _on
the Yamuna Sahadeva worshipped the sacrificial fire, with gifts in a
hundred thousands to Brahmanas_. There the illustrious king, the
imperial Bharata, performed five and thirty horse-sacrifices. O child,
we have heard that Sarabhanga of yore used to fully gratify the desires
of the regenerate ones. There in this region is his celebrated asylum
productive of great merit. In that region also, O son of Pritha, is the
river Saraswati, which is ever worshipped by the god, where, in days of
yore, the Valikhilyas, O great king, performed sacrifices. In that
region also, O Yudhishthira, is the well-known river Drisadwati, which
is productive of great merit. Then, O chief of men, are Nyagrodhakhya,
and Panchalya, and Punyaka and Dalbhyaghosha, and Dalbhya, which are, O
son of Kunti, the sacred asylum in the world of illustrious Anandayasas
of excellent vows and great energy, and which are celebrated over the
three worlds. Here also, O lord of men, the illustrious Etavarna and
Avavarana versed in the Vedas, learned in Vedic lore, and proficient in
the knowledge of Vedic rites, performed meritorious sacrifices, O chief
of the Bharata race! There also is Visakhayupa to which, in days of
yore, came the gods with Varuna and Indra, and practised ascetic
austerities. And therefore is that spot so eminently sacred. Here also
is Palasaka, where the great and illustrious and highly blessed Rishi
Jamadagni performed sacrifices. There all the principal rivers in their
embodied forms taking their respective waters stood surrounding that
best of sages. And there also, O monarch, Vibhavasu (fire) himself,
beholding that high-souled one's initiation, sang the following _sloka:
"The river coming to the illustrious Jamadagni while sacrificing unto
the gods gratified the Brahmanas with offerings of honey."_ O
Yudhishthira, the spot where Ganga rusheth past, cleaving the foremost
of mountains which is frequented by Gandharvas and Yakshas and Rakshasas
and Apsaras, and inhabited by hunters, and Kinnaras, is called
Gangadwara. O king, Sanatkumara regardeth that spot visited by