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 29 - Ṛṇamocana-tīrtha

(description of Rinamocana-tirtha)

Brahmā said:

1. Those conversant with the Vedas know the holy centre Ṛṇapramocana. I shall mention its features, O Nārada. Listen to it attentively.

2-4. There was a favourite son of Kakṣīvān named Pṛthuśravas. Due to his detachment he did not marry. Nor did he worship fire.

His younger brother was competent, but, O sage, due to his fear of incurring sin he did not marry before his elder brother.

Then the manes spoke separately to the elder and the younger sons of Kakṣīvān.

Pitṛs said:

5-7. Let the marriage be performed for removing the threefold debts.

Brahmā said:

Thereupon the elder one said: “No, what is the debt? By whom is it incurred?” The younger one said to the Pitṛs: “Due to the fear of sin, O intelligent ones, it is not proper for me to marry while I have the elder brother.” The grandfathers thereupon spoke to both of them again.

Pitṛs said:

8-9. O sons of Kakṣīvān, both of you go to the holy Gautamī. Perform the rite of holy dip therein. The holy dip in Gautamī fulfils all cherished desires. Go to Gautamī Gaṅgā which sanctifies the three worlds. Perform the rites of bath and libation in that river with due faith.

10-12. Gautamī is the bestower of all cherished things when it is seen, meditated upon or plunged into. There is no sort of restriction of place, time, caste etc. for plunging into it. The elder brother will be freed from the sin of indebtedness and the younger one will not incur the sin of marrying before the elder brother.

Brahmā said:

Then the elder brother Pṛthuśravas performed the holy dip and libation rites. He became free from indebtedness to Pitṛs, Thenceforth that Tīrtha is called Ṛṇamocana. O Nārada, by taking bath or distributing charitable gifts a debtor becomes free from all debts mentioned in Vedas and Smṛtis as well as ordinary debts incurred by him.

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