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 25 - Śukra-tīrtha and Mṛtasañjīvanī-tīrtha

(description of Shukra-tirtha and Mritasanjivani-tirtha)

Brahmā said:

1. The holy centre known as Śukratīrtha is conducive to the achievement of all Siddhis. It subdues sins and destroys ailments.

2-4. There were two great sages of excellent virtue, namely Aṅgiras and Bhṛgu. Their sons known as Jīva (Jupiter) and Kavi (Venus) were very intelligent and handsome. The sons were obedient to their parents. On seeing that their sons had had their initiation ceremony the fathers spoke to each other.

The sages said:

Only one of us need be the preceptor for our sons, maintaining discipline. Let one be the preceptor and let the other one remain carefree and happy.

Brahmā said:

5. On hearing this Aṅgiras said to Bhārgava quickly, “I shall teach them equally. Let Bhārgava remain carefree and happy.”

6. On hearing these words of Aṅgiras the scion of the family of Bhṛgu said “So be it” and entrusted his son Śukra to Aṅgiras.

7. He taught both the boys separately on account of his unequal feeling towards them. After a long time Śukra spoke to Bṛhaspati.

Śukra said:

8. O preceptor, everyday you teach me with discrimination. This discrimination between son and disciple is not proper on the part of a preceptor.

9. Only teachers of deluded thinking practise discrimination. There is no limit to the sins incurred by the persons of discriminatory feelings.

10. O preceptor, you have heen well-understood. I shall bow down to you again and again. I shall go to another preceptor. It behoves you to permit me.

11. O brahmin, I shall go to my father. If he too were to have this discrimination, I shall go elsewhere. O lord, I take leave of you. Bid me depart.

Brahmā said:

12. After taking leave of his preceptor Bṛhaspati and on being permitted by him Śukra went from there thinking, “I shall go to my father only after I have acquired learning.”

13. So “Whom shall I approach? Which preceptor will be excellent?” thinking thus he asked Vṛddhagautama of great intellect.

Śukra said:

14. Who can be my preceptor, O excellent sage? Tell me. I shall go to that person who is competent to be the preceptor of all the three worlds.

Brahmā said:

15. Old Gautama told him to approach Lord Śiva, the preceptor of the Universe, lord of the worlds.

Śukra said:

How can I see that lord of Devas? Where can I propitiate him?

On being addressed thus, Gautama said.

Gautama said:

16. Remaining pure in mind and body on the Gautamī Tīrtha propitiate Śiva by means of hymns. Being pleased thereby the lord of three worlds will impart learning to you.

Brahmā said:

17. At those words of Gautama, the scion of the family of Bhṛgu went to Gaṅgā. After taking a holy dip and becoming pure the boy began eulogizing Śiva.

18-21. “O Śambhu, I am seeking refuge in you, the sole refuge for the poor and the helpless. O lord with the crescent moon, I am a boy of puerile intellect. I do not know how to eulogize you. Obeisance be to you. I have been abandoned by my preceptor. I have neither friends nor comrades. In every respect you are the lord. O lord of the worlds, obeisance be to you. You are weightier than the weightiest and greater than the greatest. I am only a small boy. O lord identical with the universe, obeisance be to you. It is for the sake of learning that I have come to you. O lord of Devas, I do not know your way. Look at me with kindness. Obeisance be to you, O lord, witness unto the worlds.”

Brahmā said:

22-23. Even as he was eulogizing thus the lord of Devas became pleased with him.

Śiva said:

Welfare unto you. Choose what you wish even if it were to be difficult of access unto Devas.

Brahmā said:

24-27. Śukra said to the lord of Devas, with palms joined in reverence and the mind greatly pleased.

Śukra said:

O lord, I beg of you that learning which is not accessible to the sages as well as Brahmā and others. You are my preceptor. You are my deity.

Brahmā said:

The excellent Deva granted unto suppliant Śukra the Vidyā called Sañjavanī which was unknown even to Devas.

Other Vidyās are secular. Vedic lore is known to many. When Śaṅkara is pleased what is it that remains unachieved.

28. After acquiring the great learning he went to his father. By virtue of his learning Śukra received honour. He became the preceptor of Daityas.

29-32. Afterwards Kaca, the son of Bṛhaspati acquired Vidyā from Śukra. The reason thereof was something very different. From Kaca, Bṛhaspati acquired this and from him Devas acquired it separately. It was this great Vidyā which they called Mṛtajīvanī.

The place where Śukra acquired that Vidyā after worshipping Śiva on the northern bank of Gautamī is called Śukratīrtha.

This Tīrtha is conducive to the increase of life and health. Holy dip and charitable gifts at that place bestow everlasting merit.

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