Chapter 18 - Cakratīrtha (for the protection of Yama)

Brahmā said:

1. O Brahmin, there is a great holy centre well known as Cakratīrtha. By taking holy ablution there with devotion a man shall obtain the world of Viṣṇu.

2. O King, if one fasts on the eleventh day of the bright lunar fortnight and takes bath in the Gaṇikā Saṅgama one shall attain the everlasting region.

3. Even as I recount what had happened there formerly, listen to it.

There was a Vaiśya of plenty of wealth. His name was Viśvadhara.

4. When he was much advanced in age, O sage, an excellent son was born to him. He possessed all good qualities. He was very handsome. He was indulgent in sports. He was splendid in appearance.

5. The son who was dear to them more than their life passed away untimely. On seeing him dead the parents were afflicted by misery.

6-7. They became inclined to die along with him. They lamented: “O son, you were in the prime of youth. You were an ocean of virtue. Still you have been taken away by the sinful and evil-minded god of death. You are dearer to us than even our life breath”.

8-10. On hearing their lamentation thus Yama’s mind became overwhelmed by sympathy. On hearing the piteous cry of the couple, Yama abandoned his city and went to Godāvarī. Seated on its banks he began to meditate on Janārdana. Within a short while everywhere, all round, the subjects became old, very old. The whole Earth was filled with old people so much so that they began to say: “My ground extends this much. Let it be said. By whom was it filled?” No living creature died. The Earth was over-burdened.

11. Thereupon, O excellent sage, the goddess of Earth went to the place where Indra, the conqueror of enemies’ cities, was seated along with the Devas. On seeing the Earth Indra bowed to her and said this.

Indra said:

12. O Earth, What is the purpose of your arrival here? May it be said.

Earth said:

13. O Indra, I am afflicted by a heavy burden, in the absence of death. I have come here to enquire about the cause thereof. May it be mentioned to me.

Brahmā said:

14-18. On hearing these words of the Earth Indra spoke these words.

Indra said:

If there is any cause, O Earth, it will be known by me. I am the lord of all Devas.

Brahmā said:

Then, on hearing his words the Earth said to Indra:

Then, let Yama be ordered so that he would annihilate the subjects.

On hearing these words of the Earth Siddhas and Kinnaras were ordered to bring Yama quickly, O great sage, by Mahendra. Thereafter all of them, Sidhas along with Kinnaras, immediately went to the city of Yama. There they did not see Yama. After returning hurriedly they made a report to Indra.

Siddhas and Kinnaras said:

19. O lord, although he was searched for all round strenuously, Yama was not seen by us in the city of Yama.

Brahmā said:

20. On hearing these words of Siddhas and Kinnaras, Savitṛ (the sun) who was his father was asked by Indra, “Where is Yama?”

The Sun said:

21. O Indra, Yama is now on the banks of Godāvarī performing a very severe penance. I do not know what the reason is.

Brahmā said:

22-23. On hearing these words of the Sun Indra became suspicious.

Indra said:

Alas! Woeful! O woeful! My lordship of Devas has come to an end. Yama of evil activities performing penance at Godavari! It is my opinion that he is surely desirous of seizing my position, O Devas.

Brahmā said:

24-25. After saying this, the celestial damsels were immediately summoned by Indra.

Indra said:

May this be quickly mentioned to me, who among you is capable of spoiling the penance of my enemy Yama who is performing austerities on the banks of the Gautamī river?

Brahmā said:

26. Even on hearing these words of Indra, O great sage, no one said anything. Then in great rage Indra said to celestial damsels.

Indra said:

27. No one has replied to me. Therefore we ourselves shall go. Let all Devas be ready. Let them, without any delay, come with their armies. We shall slay our enemy who is desirous of ruling over heaven by means of his penance.

Brahmā said:

28-30. When this was said, the army of Devas appeared there.

On coming to know about the motive of Indra, the discusbearing lord Hari, the preserver of worlds, sent his discus for the protection of Yama. Where the discus appeared is the excellent holy centre Cakratīrtha.

Then Menakā who was suspicious about the outcome said to Indra:

31-32. “O lord of Devas, no one among us is capable of even looking at Yama. It is better to die at your hands than at Yama’s. Amongst us, that harlot Kṣamā is proud of her beauty and youth. Request her and send her to dissuade Yama, if you, O lord, consider it necessary.”

Brahmā said:

33. On hearing her words, Indra the lord of Devas, ordered Kṣamā after duly honouring her.

Indra said:

34. O harlot, go. Carry out my task, beautiful woman. If you fulfil it and return, you shall be as dear to me as Śacī.

Brahmā said:

35. On hearing the words of Indra, Kṣamā flew over the quarters. The beautiful lady came near Yama in a moment.

36. Brightening the ten quarters the lady came near Yama. She sang the sweet Hindolaka song in an exquisitely graceful style.

37-40. Then the delicate tremulous mind of Yama was moved. He opened his eyes filled (as though) with the fire of passion, O great sage, and stared at her although she was a hindrance to his welfare. Thereafter the lady immediately became melted and attained the state of a river. This harlot joined the river Gautamī. Her songs of praise were sung by the Gaṇas and Kiṅkaras. Due to the power of the holy centre she ascended to heaven. On seeing the harlot going to heaven seated in an aerial chariot, Yama of tremulous eyes was surprised very much.

Then the Sun came there and said to Yama:

The Sun said:

41. Carry out, dear Son, your duty of annihilating the subjects. See the wind that blows always, Brahma who creates subjects, Earth that carries them and me who wander over the three worlds.

Brahmā said:

42-43. On hearing the words of his father, Yama said:

Yama said:

Surely I shall not carry on this despicable work. It docs not behove you to command me to do this extremely cruel task.

44-46. On hearing the words of Yama the Sun spoke thus: “O Yama, how is your duty despicable? It is proper for you to do (this work). Did you not see that that harlot on having plunged into the waters of Gautamī went to heaven immediately, even as the Gaṇas and Kiṅkaras were singing songs of her praise.

Oh son, severe penance has been performed by you. It is very difficult to do. I do not see its end. Hence go to your city.”

47-49. On saying these words lord Sun took his bath and went to heaven. Yama too had his bath at the confluence and went to his city.

The slayer of the living beings cast off his doubts, O great sage. On seeing Yama go, the discus too went away to the place where Govinda embellished with the garlands of sylvan flowers, was present. The man who reads this or listens to this narrative shall obtain long life. All his adversities shall perish.