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 33 - Śamī and other Holy Centres

(description of Shami-tirtha)

Brahmā said:

1. The holy centre well known as Śamītirtha subdues all sins. I shall narrate it. Listen to it attentively, O Nārada.

2. There was a Kṣatriya named Priyavrata. He was the most excellent of all conquerors. He was initiated for a horse sacrifice by his preceptor on the southern bank of Gautamī.

3-6. Vasiṣṭha was the priest of that king of powerful arms.

When that horse-sacrifice wherein the sages were the Ṛtviks (officiating priests), began, a Dānava named Hiraṇyākṣa came to that sacificial chamber. Devas with Indra as their leader became frightened on seeing that demon. Some of them went to heaven. Havyavāṭ (Fire-god) entered the Śamī tree. Viṣṇu went to the Aśvattha (the holy fig tree), Bhānu (Sun-god) went to the Arka plant. Śiva went to the Vaṭa (Banyan) tree. Soma (Moon) went to the Palāśa tree. Havyavāhana (Fire-god) went to the waters of Gaṅgā. The Aśvins (Twin gods) took the sacrificial horse (and fled). Yama turned himself into a crow.

7. In the meantime, the holy sage Vasiṣṭha took up a Yaṣṭi (thick stick) and commanded demons to stop.

8. Then the sacrifice began to function again. The Daitya who had his own intrinsic strength went away. Thereafter these holy centres became auspicious. They bestow the benefits of ten horse-sacrifices.

9. The first holy centre is Śamītīrtha. The second holy centre is Vaiṣṇava. The other holy centres, viz. Arka (belonging to Sun-god), Śaiva (belonging to Śiva), Saumya (belonging to Moon-god) and Vasiṣṭha (belonging to Vasiṣṭha) are the bestowers of all cherished things.

10-12. When the elaborate horse sacrifice had been completed Devas and sages became pleased. They spoke to Vasiṣṭha, Priyavrata the sponsor of the sacrifice, those trees and Gaṅgā with great joy: “These have gone here and there for the fulfilment of horse-sacrifice. The holy centres bestow the benefit of horse sacrifice.” Devas said thus. Therefore by taking holy dip and distributing charitable gifts in these holy centres, one surely attains the benefit of a horse sacrifice.

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