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 48 - Aśvattha and other Tīrthas

(description of ashvattha-tirtha)

1. There are some other holy centres, viz. Aśvattha, Pippala and Mandatīrtha in the North. Listen to their excellence.

2. Formerly, the saintly lord Agastya of the southern quarter was induced by Devas to make a request to Vindhya mountain.

3-5. Surrounded by one thousand sages he approached Vindhya mountain abounding in trees of various kinds. With enumerable peaks Vindhya was trying hard to excel in height mountain Meru and the Sun. He had risen to a great height. Sage Agastya, the strong-willed husband of Lopāmudrā, was received with great acclaim along with other brahmins. The sage praised the mountain and spoke with the accomplishment of the object of Devas in mind.

Agastya said:

6. I am going on a pilgrimage, O excellent Mountain, along with these sages, the seers of truth. I am going in the southern direction.

7. O lord of mountains, give me the way, I beg of you. Accord me a hospitable welcome. Till I return you should stay thus.

8. It should not be otherwise. “So be it”, said the excellent mountain surrounded by sages. Sage Agastya went in the southern direction.

9. Slowly and slowly he went to Gautamī and got initiated for the sacrifice. Surrounded by sages he performed the sacrifice for a year.

10. There were two sinful sons of Kaiṭabha. They were Rākṣasas, the source of vexation to the virtuous. They were known in the abode of Devas as Aśvattha and Pippala.

11. Aśvattha disguised himself as the holy fig tree and Pippala assumed the form of a brahmin. Both of them were anxious to destroy the sacrifice.

12. The evil-minded Dānavas assumed the desired forms Aśvattha the form of a tree and Pippala the form of a brahmin.

13. Both of them harassed brahmins daily, O saint. Whoever touched Aśvattha was devoured by that tree.

14. Pippala, the younger Rākṣasa posed, as a chanter of Sāmans and devoured his disciples. That is why even today the chanters of Sāmans among the brahmins are devoid of compassion.

15-16. On seeing the brahmins dwindling in number the sages realized that they were being devoured by the Rākṣasa. The intelligent sages approached Śanaiścara (Saturn), son of the Sun-god, who was performing penance on the southern bank of Gautamī and observing the holy rites. They reported to him the (mischievous) activities of the two Rākṣasas.

17. The son of the Sun-god said to the sages: “I shall kill those Rākṣasas, O brahmins, when I complete my penance. With the penance (as yet) incomplete I am powerless to kill them.”

18. Again, the sages said: “We shall give you the benefit of our penance”.

On being told thus by the brahmins the son of Sun-god said to them, “It is done”.

19. Saturn, the son of the Sun-god, approached the Rākṣasa in the form of a holy fig. Saturn was in the guise of a brahmin. As a brahmin he circumambulated the Rākṣasa.

20. As he circumambulated the Rākṣasa the sinful demon thought that he was an ordinary brahmin. He therefore ate him up by his power of Māyā.

21-23. After entering his body, Saturn looked at his intestines. On being looked at by Saturn the sinful Rākṣasa was reduced to ashes like a mountain struck down by thunderbolt.

After reducing Aśvattha to ashes he went to the other Rākṣasa who was equally the abode of sin and who had assumed the form of a brahmin. He approached the Rākṣasa with humility as a disciple would approach his preceptor.

24. As usual Pippala devoured Saturn, the son of Sun-god. When Saturn-entered his body he looked at the intestines in the belly of the Rākṣasa.

25-27. The moment he was looked at by Saturn the Rākṣasa was reduced to ashes. After killing both of them Saturn said: “What remains to be done now? Let all sages tell me”.

Then the sages with Agastya as their head became pleased. They granted boons to Saturn, the slow moving son of the Sun-god.

Being pleased, the powerful Saturn spoke to the brahmins:

Saturn said:

28. The tasks of the people will be accomplished when they touch the holy fig tree on my day after observing all holy rites. They will not have any trouble arising from me.

29. There is another boon: The tasks of the people will be accomplished when they take a holy plunge in the holy centre Aśvattha.

30-33. (The following Mantra is to be recited) “O holy fig tree, subdue immediately the throbbing of my eyes, the throbbing of my arms, the effects of bad dreams, vicious thoughts and suppress my enemies too.”

On Saturdays men should get up early in the morning, O divine sage. They should meditate on Śiva. Repeating the above Mantra they should touch the holy fig tree. Thus the evil effects due to adverse planets will be dispelled.

Brahmā said:

Thereafter, they know this holy centre as Aśvattha and Pippala. There are other holy centres known as Saturn, Agastya, Sātrika, Yājñika and Sāmaga. Sixteen thousand and eight holy centres originated in this manner. A holy plunge therein and distribution of holy gifts yield the benefit of all sacrifices.

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