Chapter 86 - The Greatness of Piṅgaleśvara (piṅgala-īśvara-tīrtha)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

1-8. Thereafter, O great king, one should go to the excellent Piṅgalāvarta. It is on the northern bank in the vicinity of the confluence. O leading king, Piṅgaleśvara was installed by Havyavāhana (Fire-god).

Yudhiṣṭhira said:

O venerable one, how was Īśvara installed by Havyavāha? Narrate everything to me. It behoves you to recount it as a favour.

Mārkaṇḍeya said:

O king, Retas (semen virile) was sprinkled over Havyavāhana by Śaṃbhu who had attained the height of orgastic excitement while gleefully sporting with Gaurī.

The Retas was cast into the mouth of Havyavāha by Rudra of unmeasured lustre. Scorched by the Retas of Rudra, he became eager to undertake a pilgrimage.

Crossing the oceans and rivers he gradually came to Revā. Fire-god then performed a severe penance with great devotion and meditated.

Hutāśana (Fire-god) solely lived on air and continued the penance for more than a hundred years. Ultimately Mahādeva became pleased and was ready to grant boons to Jātavedas (Fire-god). Approaching him (Fire-god), he spoke these words:

Īśvara said:

O Havyāśa (Fire-god), choose a boon, whatever may be in your mind.

Vahni (Fire-god) said:

Obeisance to you, O Lord of all the worlds. O Lord of fiery form, I make obeisance to you. Scorched by your Retas, I have become leprous, O Maheśvara. Be compassionate, O Mahādeva; destroy (heal completely my) ailments.

Īśvara said:

9-15. O Havyavāha, be free from illness quickly with my favour. Taking your holy birth in the Tīrtha here, you will regain your original form.

After saying thus, Mahādeva vanished there itself. Thereafter Havyavāha hurriedly took his bath in the waters of Revā. Instantly he became completely free from ailments and attained a divine form. Vahni (Fire-god) thereafter installed the Lord of Devas, named Piṅgaleśvara.

He worshipped him joyously and eulogized through prayers. Thereafter Havyavāhana went back to his own land, the land of Devas.

O king, it was thus that Piṅgaleśvara was installed by Havyavāha. Only he who has subdued anger should observe fast there. He will attain the benefit of the Yajña called Atirātra. In the end, he shall attain the status of Rudra.

O descendant of Bharata, one should offer a tawny-coloured cow with her calf to a Brāhmaṇa. She should be adorned in accordance with one’s capacity. O great king, he who gives this shall attain the greatest goal.