The Gautami Mahatmya

by G. P. Bhatt | 1955 | 127,137 words

This is the English translation of the Gautami-Mahatmya, which forms the fourth part of the Brahma-purana. The Gautamimahatmya narrates the legends and merits of the various holy places (tirthas) situated around the bank of the Godavari river in 105 chapters. It can be seen as distinct work by itself, and was declared as a “highly meritorious puran...

Chapter 13 - Daśāśvamedha-tīrtha

(description of dashashvamedha-tirtha)

Brahmā said:

1. O great sage, listen to the description of the holy centre of Daśāśvamedha[1]. Merely by listening to its name one shall acquire the merit of a horse-sacrifice.

2. The glorious Viśvarūpa of great strength was the son of Viśvakarman. Pramati was his son. His son was lordly Bhauvana.

3. His chief priest was Kaśyapa who was an expert in all wise lores. The brawny-armed Bhauvana, the ruler of the whole world asked him:

4. “O sage, I wish to perform a horse sacrifice simultaneously with ten horses.”

He then asked his preceptor the brahmin: “Where shall I perform the sacrifice?”

5. He said: “O excellent king, there are Devayajanas (places for the worship of Devas) at different places where excellent brahmins performed great sacrifices.”

6. Ten sacrifices were simultaneously performed by the priest. In that sacrifice in a group, a number of sages were employed as Ṛtviks.

7-8. Avoiding Devayajana, the priest had initiated the sacrifices in another place. Hence defects and obstacles overwhelmed him. The sacrifices could not be completed. On seeing them the king was extremely worried. On observing the sacrifice incomplete the king spoke to the preceptor.

The king said:

9. Is it because of the defect of place, or of the defect of time, or my defect or your defect that the ten horse sacrifices have not become complete?

Brahmā said:

10. The grief-stricken king accompanied by his preceptor Kaśyapa went to Saṃvarta the elder brother of Bṛhaspati. They spoke to him.

Kaśyapa and Bhauvana said:

11. O holy sage, the bestower of honour, ten horse-sacrifices have to be performed simultaneously. Tell us about the place and the preceptor thereof so that all the ten will be completed.

Brahmā said:

12. The excellent sage Saṃvarta meditated for a while and spoke to Bhauvana: “Go to Brahmā. He will tell you about the preceptor and the place of sacrifice.”

13. Bhauvana of great intellect came to me accompanied by the noble Kaśyapa. They asked me about the preceptor, place of sacrifice and other things.

14. Then O dear son, I spoke to Bhauvana and Kaśyapa: “O leading king, go to Gautamī. That place is highly meritorious for sacrifices.

15-16. This Kaśyapa alone is your excellent preceptor. He is a master of Vedas. By the grace of this preceptor as well as of Gautamī, with a single horse sacrifice and the holy ablution therein, O king, you will achieve the benefit of ten horse sacrifices.”

17. On hearing it the king Bhauvana went to the banks of Gautamī with Kaśyapa to assist him. He got himself initiated for the horse sacrifice.

18-19. Then the horse sacrifice, the lord of Yajñas was begun. When it was completed, the king became ready to offer the whole of the Earth. Then an ethereal voice addressed the excellent king who was standing by after worshipping the brahmins, the Ṛtviks and Sadaspatis[2] (types of priests).

The Ethereal Voice said:

20-22. O king, everything has been given by you who are desirous of giving the whole Earth with mountains, forests and parks to Kaśyapa, your priest.

Eschew your desire to give the Earth as gift. Offer food that yields great results. There is no meritorious thing like the gift of food in all the three worlds particularly on the bank of Gaṅgā if it is given with great faith, O sage.

This horse sacrifice with many monetary gifts has been performed by you. You are satisfied, welfare unto thee. No worry need be felt.

Brahmā said:

23-25. Still Bhauvana wanted to give the Earth away as gift. The Earth said to him then again and again:

The Earth said:

O son of Viśvakarman, do not give me away. If a person goes to the banks of Gautamī and gives a morsel of food it is as good as though I have been given wholly. Why do you give me then, O Bhauvana? I shall sink into water. It behoves you not to give me.

Brahmā said:

26. Then Bhauvana became afraid. He asked, “What then, should be given?” Again the Earth addressed Bhauvana surrounded by the brahmins.

The Earth said:

27-28. Gingelly seeds, cows, money, grains—whatever is given on the banks of Gautamī is everlasting in its benefit. Why then, do you give me, Bhauvana? If a person goes to the banks of Gaṅgā and gives a morsel of food, it is as good as though I have been given wholly. Why do you give me then, O Bhauvana?

Brahmā said:

29-30. On hearing the words of the Earth Bhauvana, the ruler of the whole world, considered that it should be so. He then gave food to the brahmins on a big scale. Ever since then, people know it to be Daśāśvamedhika Tīrtha. By taking bath there, the fruit of ten horse sacrifices is acquired.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

A sacred place in Kurukṣetra. (MBh, Vanaparva, 9.14)

[2]:

Lit. lord of the seat or sacrifìcial assembly.

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