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 22 - Pāpapraṇāśana-tīrtha

(description of papapranashana-tirtha)

Brahmā said:

1. There is the holy centre named Pāpapraṇāśana (Destroyer of sins). It dispels the fear of sins. I shall recount it, O Nārada. Listen to it attentively.

2. There was a brahmin known as Dhṛtavrata. His wife was a young woman named Mahī. She was the most beautiful woman in the world.

3. Their son was named Sanājjāta. He resembled the sun in splendour. Death urged by Kāla, O sage, took away Dhṛtavrata.

4. Unable to see anyone to protect her, that beautiful widow with a young son went to the hermitage of Gālava.

5. After entrusting her son to him that woman deluded by sin wandered here and there over many countries leading a lecherous life.

6-10. Her son became the master of Vedas and Vedāṅgas in the hermitage of Gālava. StiH, due to the faults of his mother he too became sexy and passionate.

There is a place known as Janasthāna. People of different castes stayed there. The lady Māhī resided there adopting the profession of a prostitute.

Her son too wandered over many countries as a lecherous debauchee. As time passed he too came to Janasthāna and lived there.

The son of Dhṛtavrata, the brahmin (Sanājjāta) was desirous of a harlot. The lady Mahī too wanted men who would lavishly spend money on her.

Due to the curious turn of fate the mother and the son had sexual union. She did not recognise her son nor did he recognize his mother.

11. Although their union lasted for a long time, the mother and the son did not know the real facts about each other.

12. Although the brahmin’s actions were bad, he possessed a good mind due to the virtue of his father. Listen to this wonderful account, O Nārada.

13. Living a carefree life he did not abandon prayers pertaining to Brahman. After performing the morning prayers he worked for earning wealth.

14-15. With the power of his learning he earned a lot and gave everything to that harlot. He used to get up early in the morning and go to Gaṅgā. He performed all acts of cleanliness, ablutions, prayers, etc. After performing all those he used to bow down to brahmins and return home.

16-17. When he went to Gautamī in the morning he was invariably ugly. His limbs were all afflicted by leprosy. Impure fetid blood oozed out of his body.

When he returned after bath in Gautamī Gaṅgā, he used to have handsome features. He was calm. He resembled the fire god and the sun. He appeared like the sun in human form.

18-23. That brahmin himself was not aware of the two different appearances. The holy sage Gālava, devoutly attached to penance and pursuit of knowledge, had his hermitage on the banks of Gautamī and lived there in the company of other sages. The brahmin Sanājjāta took bath everyday in the holy river and bowed to Gālava at the very same place. After bowing to Gālava he used to go to his own place.

Gālava observed the physical features of Sanājjāta both before and after his bath and prayers. On seeing this Gālava was surprised and he thought there must be some reason behind this.

Once when this brahmin was about to leave after bowing to Gālava, the sage called him out of wonder and spoke to him.

Gālava said:

24. Who are you? Where will you go? What do you do? Where do you eat? What is your name? Where do you sleep? Who is your wife? Tell me.

Brahmā said:

25-29. On hearing the words of Gālava, the brahmin said to the sage:

The Brahmin said:

I shall tell you tomorrow decisively everything connected with the matter.

Brahmā said:

Saying this to Gālava, Sanājjāta went home. Taking food at night he went to bed with the harlot. Sanājjāta was taken by surprise on remembering the words of Gālava. He said to her:

The Brahmin said:

You are endowed with all good qualities. Though you had been a harlot yet you are a chaste lady (now). Our mutual love is quite befitting. Let it continue as long as we live.

Still I wish to ask you something. What is your name? Where is your family? What is your native place? Where are your relatives? Let everything be mentioned to me.

The Harlot said:

30-31. There was a pure initiated brahmin Dhṛtavrata by name. I am Mahī, his wife. My son had been left in the hermitage of Gālava. He was an intelligent boy known as Sanājjāta. Due to my previous defects I abandoned my family tradition.

I am staying here as a carefree harlot, but, O brahmin, know me to be a brahmin lady.

Brahmā said:

32. On hearing her words he was hit in a vulnerable spot. He fell suddenly on the ground. Seeing him in this condition the harlot spoke to him.

The Harlot said:

33-36. What has happened, O excellent brahmin? Where has your love gone? What is that word uttered by me which has afflicted your mind so much?

Consoling himself by means of his own effort the brahmin spoke these words.

The Brahmin said:

My father was the brahmin Dhṛtavrata. I am his son Sanājjāta. This lady, my mother Mahī has come here by chance.

Brahmā said:

On hearing his words she too became excessively distressed. For the whole of that night both of them lamented.

Afterwards when the day dawned with the bright sun, the brahmin went to Gālava, the greatest among the sages, and intimated to him.

The Brahmin said:

37-39. O brahmin, I am the son of Dhṛtavrata. I have been nurtured by you and my sacred thread has been tied by you. O holy lord, this is Mahī my mother.

What shall I do. How can I expiate?

Brahmā said:

On hearing the words of the brahmin, Gālava spoke words of sympathy to the Brahmin:

“I am seeing everyday this uncommon feature of having two forms in you.

40. It was then that you have been asked about the news. Everything has been heard and understood by me. The evil action which you have committed has entirely perished in Gaṅgā,

41. By virtue of the sanctity of this Tīrtha, due to the grace of this goddess, you have been purified, O dear one, everyday. In this matter you need not worry at all.

42-43. Everyday in the morning your features appear sinful. Again I used to see your excellent form. When you come you are sinful. When you go you are sinless. I see this everyday. You have been made pure by the goddess now.

44-46. Now nothing remains for you to do. This mother of yours, O brahmin, who is known as a harlot, has repented much. She has refrained from committing sins. In regard to all living beings, love is natural. But due to the great merit resulting from association with good people, the turning away can be effected by the grace of fate. Due to the merit acquired by previous actions she has sufficiently repented.

47-49. By taking her holy bath in this Tīrtha she will become purified”.

Accordingly both of them, the mother and the son did so, O Nārada. Due to the holy dip both of them were undoubtedly rid of their sins. Thenceforward they call that Tīrtha Dhau-tapāpa. It is known as Pāpapraṇāśana and Gālava. Whether it is a “Great sin” or a minor one, whether it is little or big-this holy centre Dhautapāpa shall destroy everything. It yields good merit.

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