Chapter 34 - The Miraculous Power of Agastya Tīrtha and Agastyeśvara

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Arjuna said:

1-3. Even after frequent drinking of the nectar of your statements through the ears as though in handfuls, my mind, being desirous of hearing further, does not become satiated. I am desirous of hearing more of your words. This repeated act (i.e. of requesting you for elucidation and narration) of mine shall not cause any distress in your mind, since your heart is filled with mercy. Now I wish to hear, O great sage, as to what are those holy places on this river capable of destroying sins and where are they located.

4. What are the different holy rivers that flow into this river, O sage? Where are the people to take their holy bath so that they can dispel sins and cease to be afraid of Yama?

5. What are those meritorious and sacred shrines and holy spots of Hara, Acyuta and other Devas situated on both the banks of this river?

6. What is the benefit that is obtained by those men who duly perform auspicious rites such as holy bath, charitable gift etc. in those holy spots?

7. A great desire has cropped up, O most excellent one among those who are conversant with the Vedas, to know all these things along with the associated subsidiary tales and anecdotes. Narrate them in due order and in full details.

Bharadvāja said:

8. What is asked by you, O son of Pṛthā, is being related in due order and in its full details. The greatness of the group of sacred places is being told now beginning with Agastyatīrtha, the lord of all the Tīrthas.

9-11. The first place where the great river was brought down from the mountain to the earth by the noble-souled Agastya, worthy of being honoured by Suras as well as Asuras, who wished for the welfare of all the worlds by means of perfect knowledge, is called Agastyatīrtha.^[1] By taking his holy bath there in the great river a person becomes blessed and has his objectives achieved. It is the most sacred one in all the three worlds. By taking their holy bath there even great sinners become purified.

12. People who (regularly) take their holy bath there, dispel the mass of great sins committed in the course of their many births, and they rejoice in heaven.

13-14. If ascetics and persons of perfect control over their sense-organs take their holy bath in that Tīrtha and make great charitable gifts of cows, lands, gingelly seeds, gold etc., O Arjuna, they obtain full hundred times of the benefit of the charitable gifts made by people of great purity and concentration at Gaṅgādvāra (place where Gaṅgā enters the plains).

15-16. Lord Īśa is also here. He is well-known by the name Agastyeśa. The Liṅga had been installed by sage Agastya who caused happiness to all the worlds. Those who take their holy bath in the great river and worship that Liṅga, acquire the benefit of ten horse sacrifices.

[Time Prescribed for Holy Bath in Suvarṇamukharī]:—

17-19. When the Sun leaves the sign of Zodiac Sagittarius and enters that of Capricorn,^[2] that holy period is called Uttarāyaṇa (Northern Transit). People who take their holy bath in that river on that day with perfect self-control, concentration and mental purity, and visit the Lord of Pārvatī, Agastyeśa, worshipped by Suras, get the benefit of a thousand Agniṣṭomas and a hundred Vājapeyas. They rejoice in heaven and are honoured by multitudes of Devas.

20. At the time of the transit of Mṛga (i.e. when the constellation Orion is associated with the Sun) all persons seeking their welfare must certainly visit Agastyeśa.

[The Greatness of Devarṣipitṛtīrtha]:—

21. To the north-east of that Tīrtha, O Arjuna, in a place extending to a Krośa (3 kms), there are three Tīrthas named after Devas, Ṛṣis (Sages) and Pitṛs (Manes).

22. Devas, Sages and Pitṛs were worshipped there by that sage. Delighted in their minds, they granted him all the desired objects.

23. At that time it was spoken in his presence by Devas, Ṛṣis and Pitṛs: “These three Tīrthas should be honoured by our names in this order.”

24. Those who take their holy bath in those three Tīrthas and perform the Tarpaṇa rite (water libations) are liberated from the three-fold debt and they attain everlasting stay in heaven.

[The Confluence of Veṇā and Suvarṇamukharī]:—

25. In the land to the north-east of it, within 2 Yojanas, a great river named Veṇā joins Suvarṇamukharī.

26. With increased force of its current it causes the trees on the banks to fall down. It floods the forests (and fields) through the waters gushing out through its canals.

27. On its raised banks flocks of ruddy geese play about and make them noisy and full of excitement. There are the pleasant humming sounds of the swarms of bees inebriated by the fragrance of lotuses.

28. It crosses many lofty mountains and has plenty of sweet water. Thus it joins Suvarṇamukharī.

29. Those who take their holy bath in the confluence of the two rivers in accordance with the injunctions shall derive full benefit of ten horse-sacrifices.

30. The sacred river Suvarṇamukharī flows northwards after its confluence with Veṇā. It goes through the impassable mountainous track.

31. The river then flows for about 4 Yojanas (=50 kms.) through the rugged path amongst mountains and appears charming.

32-33. For about one and a half Yojanas the great river flows to the east. There is the well-known Liṅga of Śiva named Agastyeśvara on its fascinating northern bank. Its remembrance removes all the sins of Devas as well as of human beings.

34-35. Men who exercise great control over their sense organs and take their holy bath in the great river and then visit the Lord of Pārvatī installed by Agastya, dispel the mass of sins accumulated in the course of their innumerable previous births. They then rejoice in heaven for an everlasting period.

36. Thereafter Suvarṇamukharī flows northwards for about half a Yojana. That strip of land contains many Tīrthas.

[The Confluence of Suvarṇamukharī with the River named Vyāghrapadā^[3]]:—

37. It is at this place which is very charming on account of Hintāla, date-palms and resin-bearing Śāla trees that the river named Vyāghrapadā joins Suvarṇamukharī.

38-41. It gracefully flows preventing many inevitable sins. On either side there is a dense growth of canes and reeds adorning the banks.

Young females of Siddha and Gandharva families plunge into its waters regularly. It sparkles with the flowers and oblations offered into it by daughters of ascetics.

Its surroundings are exciting and noisy on account of the cackling and chirping sounds of swans, Kāraṇḍava and Krauñca birds (cranes). It flows eastwards through forests and mountains.

Excellent men who take their holy bath in the confluence of the two rivers shall get the full benefit of ten horse-sacrifices.

[Śaṅkhatīrtha^[4]]:—

42-46. On the banks of the river named Vyāghrapadā that dispels the dirt (sins) of all the worlds, stands the excellent Śaṅkhatīrtha that annihilates all sins.

It is a permanent abode of Brahminical Sages. It is frequented by Suras and Gandharvas. It gives immeasurable pleasure by its sight, holy ablution therein and drinking and using in various ways of its water.

Lord Īśa resides there, O Phālguna, by the name Śaṅkheśa. The Liṅga was installed by a great sage named Śaṅkha.

Those who take their excellent bath there and visit the Bull-vehicled Lord, obtain the merit accruing from ten horse-sacrifices. They then go to heaven.

After joining the river named Vyāgḥrapadā (Suvarṇamukharī) flows to a distance of about a Yojana and reaches the mountain named Vṛṣabhācala. It is resorted to by eminent sages. Its waters are splendid and free from dirt.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

VV 9-16 describe the glory of Agastya Tīrtha.

[2]:

This generally falls on the 14th January (or a day on either side according to some almanacs).

[3]:

Vyāghrapadā is modern Vāghurā. VV 37-41 describe the confluence of Suvarṇamukharī and Vāghurā.

[4]:

VV 42-46 describe Śaṅkha Tīrtha. It appears that the author has personally followed the course of Suvarṇamukharī.