Chapter 64 - The greatness of Bhīmeśvara

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Sūta said:

1 -2. While the grandson of Bhīma thus resided there on the banks, engaged in the propitiation of the goddess and worship of the seven Liṅgas, the Pāṇḍavas who had been defeated in the game of dice, came there after some time in the course of their travels over the earth by way of pilgrimage.

3. At the outset itself, all of them with Draupadī as the sixth member reached (the shrine of) goddess Caṇḍikā situated in the north-east of the holy spot. They had become extremely tired on the way.

4-5. At that time the group of Caṇḍikās sat there itself. Barbarīka saw those warriors arriving there but he did not know the Pāṇḍavas nor they him, because ever since his birth there had been no contact between he and the Pāṇḍavas.

6. After entering the temple, the Pāṇḍavas approached (the idol of) the goddess and offered rice balls etc. Then they looked for water to quench their thirst.

7. Therefore Bhīma entered the Kuṇḍa in order to drink water. As he was entering it, Yudhiṣṭhira said these words:

8. “Take water out and wash your feet. Thereafter you may drink water. Otherwise great sin will befall you.”

9. With eyes extremely agitated on account of thirst, Bhīma did not hear those words of the king. With a desire for water, he entered the Kuṇḍa.

10. On seeing the water, he resolved to drink it there itself. For the sake of cleanliness, he washed his face, hands and feet.

11. If anyone drinks water without washing, ghosts and vampires will enter him and drink it.

12. While Vṛkodara (i.e. Bhīma) was washing his feet thus, Suhṛdaya who was above, spoke these truthful words:

13. “O vicious one with sinful resolve, what is this that you are doing? You are washing your face, hands and feet in the Kuṇḍa of the goddess.

14. It is with this water that the goddess is always bathed by me. Therefore, are not you afraid of sin in dropping dirty water therein?

15-16. As it is, dirty water is not worthy of being touched even by men. How can it be touched by gods? Why do you incur this sin? Tell me the truth. Come out of this Kuṇḍa immediately. Stand outside and drink- O sinner, if you are such a fool, why do you roam about (as a pilgrim) to holy spots?”

Bhīma said:

17-19. O ruthless, base Rākṣasa, what are you saying? Why do you speak harshly? Indeed, water is meant to be utilised by all living beings. It has been said by excellent sages that one should have holy ablution in Tīrthas. Washing the limbs is also said to be (a form of) ablution. Why then do you rebuke me? If people do not drink or wash their limbs, what for are the holy rites of Pūrta (i.e. endowing wells, tanks etc.) performed by virtuous persons?

Suhṛdaya said:

20-23. One should necessarily take bath in important Tīrthas. This is true- There is no doubt about it. But, in Caras (mobile ones, i.e. flowing rivers and streams) you can enter (the Tīrtha for bathing) but in Sthāvaras (immobile ones, i-e. tanks, wells etc.) you must stand outside (for bathing).

It is not ordained that bath in the Sthāvaras should be performed by entering them. In places where water is not taken by devotees for bathing the deities, or in those lakes where the water level is above hundred Hastas, it is ordained so. Even in the case of (permitted) entry, the procedure is to wash the feet outside (before entering) and then to take bath. Otherwise, it is said, there is sin. Has not this verse, formerly pronounced by the lotus-bora Lord Brahmā, been heard by you?

24-26. “Those who discharge faeces, urine, rubbish, phlegm, spittle, tears and gargled water (in Tīrthas) are on a par with slayers of Brāhmaṇas.”

Hence come out quickly. If you have no control over your sense organs, O puerile one of evil conduct, why do you roam about the holy spots (for pilgrimage)?

Only he whose hands, feet, and mind are perfectly under control and whose activities are free from aberrations, will attain the benefit of the Tīrtha.

Bhīma said:

27. Let it be sin or virtue, I am unable to come out. Neither hunger nor thirst can ever be controlled by me.

Suhṛdaya said:

28. Why do you commit a sin for the sake of life? Tell me. Has this verse uttered by Śibi not been heard by you?

29. “A man should live even for a short while with ‘white’ (i.e. pure) actions but not for a Kalpa with actions opposed to both the worlds.”

Bhīma said:

30. My ears have become deaf due to your crowing sound. I will certainly drink water here. You may very well lament or become dried up.

Suhṛdaya said:

31. Iam born in the family of Kṣatriyas who protect virtue. Hence I will not allow you to commit a sin at any cost.

32-36. Hence, O pitiable wretch, come out of this Kuṇḍa immediately. Otherwise I will smash your head with brickbats.

After saying this, he took a brick and hurled it at his head. Bhīma dodged that brick and jumped out. Both of them began to revile each other. Both of them were of immense strength. Both of them were masters of warfare. With their long mighty arms, they fought with each other. Both of them had broad chests and long arms. Both were experts in close combats and duels. They struck each other with fists, knees and heels. Then within a short while, the son of Pāṇḍu, the descendant of Kuru, became exhausted.

37. Even when he was exhausted, Bhīma tried again and again to get up to fight. He became still more exhausted, but Barbarīka grew (in power).

38-40. Then Barbarīka lifted him with great force and dashed him (against the ground) furiously to the surprise of everyone. When he swooned and trembled again and again, he lifted him up and walked towards the sea in order to hurl him into the deep waters there. With their eyes restrained by the goddess, the Pāṇḍavas did not see this.

41. When the leading scion of the heroic family of Kuru was caught like that by that hero of wonderful valour, Devas and Devīs (goddesses) became surprised on seeing him from the sky.

42. On seeing Barbarīka gone to the seashore, Lord Rudra spoke to him from the sky:

43. “O Barbarīka of great strength, tiger among Rākṣasas, let go off this Bhīma, your grandfather, the most excellent one among the descendants of Bharata.

44. Indeed he is on a pilgrimage in the company of bis brothers and Kṛṣṇā (i.e. Draupadī). He came to this Tīrtha in order to take his ablution

45. In every respect the descendant of Kuru deserves your honour and respect. One’s grandfather should be revered irrespective of his being sinful or sinless.”

Sūta said:

46-48. Immediately after hearing these words of Rudra, he released (Bhīma) and fell at his feet. He then said: “Alas! Fie upon me! Alas! Let me be forgiven. Let me be forgiven.” He said thus repeatedly. Beating his own head he cried again and again. As he was lamenting regretfully and fainting down frequently, Bhīmaseṇa embraced and kissed him. Then he spoke these words:

49-55. “We do not know you nor you us ever since your birth. (Of course) your stay here had been heard from Ghaṭotkaca and Kṛṣṇa, O dear son. But as we had been overwhelmed by various kinds of calamities, we forgot it completely. It is clear that all faculties of memory will be lost in the case of persons suffering from misery. All our sorrows have been brought about by (the evils of) time. Do not bewail, dear boy. The fault is not yours even in the least.

Everyone going astray deserves to be punished by a Kṣatriya. Even one’s own self should be punished by a good man if it goes along evil path. What to say of father, mother, friend, brother, son etc.! Blessed indeed am I. My delight is very great indeed. My ancestors too are blessed, because my grandson is a knower of virtue and protects Dharma. You deserve boons because you deserve the praise of good people. Hence give up your sorrow. It behoves you to be calm and composed.”

Barbarīka said:

56. I am a sinner, O grandfather. I am more accursed than a Brāhmaṇa-slayer. I am despicable. I am not worthy of being praised, O Lord; it does not behove you even to see or touch me.

57. Expiation has been prescribed by learned men in the case of all sins. But there is no expiation for one wanting in devotion to one’s parents.

58. Hence I shall myself cast off my body in Mahī-Sāgara-Saṅgama, the body by which my grandfather has been afflicted.

59. In this manner let me avoid being sinful in (subsequent) births. It does not behove anyone to make me desist from this intention.

60. That is because one who prevents someone from expiation will be partly afflicted and affected by the same sin.

After saying this, the powerful hero went to the sea and jumped into it.

61-68. The sea trembled. It thought, ‘How can I kill him?’ Thereupon, Siddha Mother (goddess Siddhāṃbikā) and the fourteen goddesses steadied him and embraced him. Accompanied by Rudra, they said to him, “O leader among heroes! There is no sin if the act is done due to ignorance. This is a statement in the scriptures. It does not behove you to make it otherwise (disobey it). See your grandfather; he is closely behind you. He is repeatedly uttering, ‘O son, O Son.’ He is ready to die after you. If you give up your body now, O hero, Bhīma too will forsake it (i.e. his own). That will be a great sin on you. Realise this and retain your physical body, O highly intelligent one.

Or if you are desirous of abandoning your body, there too listen to these words. It has been destined that your death will take place in a short while at the hands of Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī. Wait for it, if you wish, since death at the hands of Viṣṇu is far more excellent. Hence, wait for that period at our request.”

On being told thus Barbarīka returned, though he was dejected.

69-70. He tauntingly spoke these words to Rudra, Cāmuṇḍā and other goddesses, “O goddess, you certainly know that Pāṇḍavas are being protected by the Śārṅga-bowed Lord. But why did you ignore them in their act of acquiring kingdom? But Vṛkodara has been protected by you after coming here.”

Devī said:

71 I shall protect my devotee from death at the hands of Kṛṣṇa. Since he fought a great fight in the rite connected with Caṇḍikā, he will be universally worshipped by the name Caṇḍila.

72. After saying this all the Devas and Devīs vanished. Bhīma took him with him and spoke everything to the Pāṇḍavas.

73. The Pāṇḍavas were surprised. They adored him again and again. They actively performed their holy bath and other rites in accordance with the injunctions.

74. In the place where he was set free by Rudra, Bhīma installed a very lustrous Liṅga well-known as Bhīmeśvara.

75. A devotee must observe fast on the fourteenth day in the dark half of the month of Jyeṣṭha. He must worship Bhīmeśa at night. He will be liberated from all sins of this birth.

76. Just as the seven main Liṅgas hereof yield great benefits when worshipped well, so also this Bhīmeśvara Liṅga dispels all sins. It is worthy of being worshipped well.