obtaineth
the merit of performing that service for twelve years. There, O bull of
the Bharata race, is the famous _Yonidwara_. Repairing thither, a person
becometh exempted from the pain of rebirth. The person that stayeth at
Gaya during both the dark and lighted fortnights, certainly sanctifieth,
O king, his own race up and down to the seventh generation. One should
wish for many sons so that even one may go to Gaya, or celebrate the
horse-sacrifice, or offer a _nila_ bull. Then, O king, the pilgrim
should proceed to _Phalgu_. By this, he obtains the merit of
horse-sacrifice, and acquires great success. O king, one should repair
then, with subdued soul, to _Dharmaprishta_. There, O foremost of
warriors, dwelleth Dharma for aye. Drinking of the water of a well which
is there, and purifying one's self by a bath, he that offereth oblations
to the gods and the Pitris is cleansed of all his sins and ascendeth to
heaven. There in that _tirtha_ is the hermitage of the great Rishi
Matanga of soul under complete control. By entering that beautiful
asylum capable of soothing fatigue and sorrow, one earneth the merit of
the _Gacayana_ sacrifice, and by touching (the image of) Dharma which is
there, one obtaineth the fruit of the horse-sacrifice. One should next
go, O king, to the excellent _tirtha_ called _Brahmasthana_. Approaching
Brahma, that bull among male beings, who is there, one acquireth, O
mighty monarch, the merit of the Rajasuya and horse-sacrifices. The
pilgrim should then repair to _Rajasuya_, O king of men! Bathing there,
one liveth (in heaven) as happily as (the Rishi) Kakshiyan. After
purifying himself, one should partake there of the offerings daily made
unto the Yakshini. By this, one is freed from the sin of even slaying a
Brahmana, through the Yakshini's grace. Proceeding next to _Maninaga_,
one obtains the merit of giving away a thousand kine. O Bharata, he that
eateth anything relating to the _tirtha_ of _Maninaga_, if bitten by a
venomous snake, doth not succumb to its poison. Residing there for one
night, one is cleansed of one's sins. Then should one proceed to the
favourite wood of the Brahmarshi Gautama. There bathing in the lake of
_Ahalya_, one attaineth to an exalted state. Beholding next the image of
Sree, one acquireth great prosperity. There in that _tirtha_ is a well
celebrated over the three worlds. Bathing in it, one obtaineth the merit
of the horse-sacrifice. There also existeth a well sacred t