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...
Brahmā said:
1. To the south of it, O brahmin, is the very rare Tīrtha known as Pitṛtīrtha. It is pure. It dispels all sins.
2. They know this as Pitṛtīrtha, O brahmin, because it was the place where Rāma, the son of Daśaratha, propitiated his ancestors, in the company of Sītā.
3. If holy bath, charitable gift and water libation unto the ancestors were performed there everything attains an everlasting status. No worry need be felt in this respect.
4-5. The place where the great king Rāma, the son of Daśaratha, honoured the great sage Viśvāmitra along with the sages, the seers of reality, is the holy centre Viśvāmitra. It yields great merit. It is frequented by ages. I shall recount its features as cited by the expounders of the Vedas.
6-7. Formerly, there was a great drought, extremely terrible unto the subjects. The extremely intelligent Viśvāmitra went to the Gautamī, accompanied by his disciples.
On seeing his disciples, sons and wife very lean and afflicted by hunger the glorious sage became distressed and spoke thus to his disciples.
Viśvāmitra said:
8. Let something to eat, something to munch and crunch be brought, no matter what the quantity be, in whatever manner possible, from wherever it is available. Let it be brought as it is. Do not delay. You must go now itself. It must be brought in a trice.
Brahmā said:
9-12. At this bidding of the sage the hungry disciples set out in a hurry. Wandering here and there they saw a dead dog. Taking it they rushed back and offered the same to their preceptor. Saying “Good! well done!” he grasped it with his hand.
“Cut the flesh of the dog. Wash it with water. Cook it duly after repeating the Mantras and perform Homa into the fire in accordance with the injunctions.
After propitiating Devas, sages, Pitṛs, guests, preceptors and others, all of us shall partake of the remainder”, said the sage thus.
13-17. On hearing the words of Viśvāmitra, the disciples did exactly so. When the dog’s flesh was being cooked, Agni the messenger of Devas went to the abode of Devas and intimated everything to them.
Agni said:
Dog’s flesh has to be taken by Devas as it has been offered by the sage and it has occurred so.
Brahmā said:
At these words of Agni, Indra assumed the form of a vulture and flying through the sky took away the closed pot that was filled with the flesh.
On seeing that the disciples informed the sage about the vulture. “O excellent sage, the pot has been taken away by the senseless vulture”.
Thereafter, the holy sage became furious. He was ready to curse Indra. On coming to know of this, Indra filled the pot with honey.
18. Indra in the form of a bird, thereupon, placed the pot filled with honey among the comets. Viśvāmitra became angry. On seeing the pot, the sage said thus furiously.
Viśvāmitra said:
19. “Give us the dog’s flesh alone. You can take away the excellent nectar. If not, I shall reduce you to ashes.”
Becoming frightened Indra spoke then.
Indra said:
20. “Perform the Homa of honey duly and drink it along with your sons. Of what avail is this unholy filthy flesh of a dog, O great sage?”
Viśvāmitra said:
21-25. No. If a single person, that is, I alone take it in, what is the benefit? The subjects are exhausted and distressed, O Indra. Of what avail is that honey (wine)? If the people get nectar I shall also consume the same. Or after the divine Pitṛs have consumed flesh, I shall partake of that. I do not speak untruth. Believe me.
Thereafter the frightened lord of thousand eyes called the clouds quickly and showered nectar. The brahmin Viśvāmitra propitiated Devas at first and the three worlds thereafter by means of holy nectar offered by Indra. He then partook of it along with his disciples and his wife.
26-28. Thenceforth that holy centre is mentioned as the bestower of great merit. It is the place where Indra came and where the nectar was offered without meat. It is a holy centre that bestows merit on men. The holy bath taken there and the charitable gifts offered yield the benefit of all sacrifices. Thenceforth that holy centre is remembered as Viśvāmitra, Madhutīrtha, Aindra, Śyena and Parjanya.