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 49 - Somatīrtha

(description of soma-tirtha)

Brahmā said:

1. The holy centre Somatīrtha has also been mentioned by noble men. By taking a holy plunge and by distributing charitable gifts there, the benefit of drinking Soma juice can be had.

2. Formerly, the medicinal herbs were the mothers of worlds. They are honoured by all living beings. They are also my divine mothers. They are prior to all prior ones.

3. Virtue is rooted in them. So also the study of Vedas and sacrificial rites. All the three worlds, and their mobile and immobile beings are sustained by these.

4. All the ailments are undoubtedly cured by them. Food comes from them and all lives are saved by them. These medicinal herbs are worthy of being honoured by the worlds but being free from egoism they spoke to me.

Medicinal herbs said:

5-8. O most excellent Deva, give us a king. Give us our husband.

Brahmā said:

On hearing their words the medicinal herbs were told by me: “All of you will obtain a husband, a king, who will heighten your pleasure”.

On hearing the word “king” they said to me again, O sage: “Where shall we go?”

They were told by me, “May the mothers go to Gautamī. If she is satisfied you will have a king worshipped by the world.”

O excellent sage, they went to the river Gautamī and eulogized her.

Medicinal herbs said:

9. O Gautamī, of meritorious waters, O beloved of Śambhū, if you had not come down to the Earth, could the people with miseries arising from their contact with different sins, have found it possible to live?

10. Who knows the fate of persons on the Earth, O queen of rivers? O mother Gaṅgā, you are the destroyer of their sins. You are easily accessible to them for ever.

11. O Gaṅgā, worthy of being honoured by the three worlds, O mother of the worlds, does anyone understand your real greatness? Although his body is closely embraced by Gaurī, lord Śiva holds you on his head.

12. Obeisance to you, O mother, bestower of all desired objects! Obeisance to you, O destroyer of sins, O goddess identical with Brahman! Obeisance to you, O river, rising from the lotus-like feet of Viṣṇu! Obeisance to you, O river rising from the matted hair of Śambhu!

Brahmā said:

13-16. Even as they were eulogizing thus the goddess said: “What shall I give you?”

Medicinal herbs said:

O mother of the universe, give us a husband, a king of excessive splendour.

Brahmā said:

Then the river Gaṅgā spoke these words to the medicinal herbs.

Gaṅgā said:

I am of the nature of Nectar, the medicinal herbs are mothers of nectarous nature. I shall give you Soma (Moon) as your husband as he has nectar within.

Brahmā said:

17-20. Devas, sages, Moon and medicinal herbs accepted that proposal. Thereafter, they went to their respective abodes. Where the great medicinal herbs obtained the king of nectarous soul, the Moon, the dispeller of all distresses and sins, that holy centre is known as Somatīrtha. It bestows the benefit of drinking the Soma juice. If a person takes a holy plunge there and distributes monetary (and other) gifts his deceased ancestors will attain heavenly abode.

He who listens to this daily, or reads, or remembers it devoutly obtains a long life. He shall have sons. He shall be rich.

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