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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Puranic Encyclopedia

Mahīratha (महीरथ).—A King who earned great merit by observing Vrata in the month of Vaiśākha (May). This King gave to those in hell his one day’s puṇya and all of them were released from hell. Mahīratha was a King who became prosperous by accrued puṇya. Kaśyapa was his guru. The King entrusted the affairs of the state to his ministers and led a very immoral life. The country began to decay day by day and one day Kaśyapa gave Dharmopadeśa to Mahīratha. The Guru said: "Oh King, your body which was in a state of sinning has attained a state of virtue by your association with me. Those well-versed in the Vedas say that the body is of three different kinds. Firstly there is the one which is evil-natured without either virtue or knowledge. Secondly, there is the virtuous one with good conduct. Thirdly, there is the agonising body which hides both virtue and evil. The body without virtue and salvation is always a body of sins. Your body has now become virtuous by becoming devotional to your guru and attending to my words. You are now fit to do virtuous deeds and I shall now make you enjoy the benefits of Vaiśākhasnāna (a bath with religious rites in the month of Vaiśākha (May). (See full article at Story of Mahīratha from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

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The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

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Search found 3 books and stories containing Mahiratha, Mahīratha; (plurals include: Mahirathas, Mahīrathas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)

Story of Mahīratha

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The Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)

Chapter 4 - The Holy Rites to be Observed in Vaiśākha < [Section 7 - Vaiśākhamāsa-māhātmya]

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The Padma Purana (by N.A. Deshpande)

Chapter 102 - King Mahīratha Gives Part of His Merit to the Sufferers in Hell < [Section 5 - Pātāla-Khaṇḍa (Section on the Nether World)]

Chapter 99 - Kaśyapa’s Advice to King Mahīratha < [Section 5 - Pātāla-Khaṇḍa (Section on the Nether World)]

Chapter 101 - King Mahīratha Goes to Viṣṇu’s Abode < [Section 5 - Pātāla-Khaṇḍa (Section on the Nether World)]

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