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...
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Chapter 51 - Vidarbhā-saṅgama and other Holy Centres
(description of vidarbha-sangama)
Brahmā said:
1. Vidarbhā-Saṅgama (the confluence of Vidarbhā and Gaṅgā) is holy. So also is Revatī-Saṅgama. What happened there I shall narrate. It is what those conversant with the Purāṇas knew.
2. There was a sage known as Bharadvāja. He was superior to others in penance. His sister Revatī was ugly in form. Her voice was disgusting.
3-6. On seeing her deformed and loathsome her brother, the valorous Bharadvāja was extremely worried. He had his splendid hermitage on the southern bank of Gaṅgā where he sat pondering thus: “To whom shall I give this girl, my sister of terrible features. No one will take her, but my sister has to be given away. Oh! no one should have a girl who is the sole cause of misery, a veritable death at every step even to a living being!”
Even as he was pondering thus, an excellent sage came there to see Bharadvāja, a regular observer of vows.
7. He was a quiet young man of sixteen years with a splendid body. He was a mine of good qualities with subdued sense-organs. He was known by the name of Kaṭha. He bowed down to Bharadvāja.
8. Bharadvāja duly honoured that brahmin Kaṭha. Standing in front of him he asked Kaṭha the purpose of his visit.
9. Kaṭha said to Bharadvāja: “I have come to you as a student seeking learning and as a person desirous of seeing you. What is proper (in this situation) may be done.”
10. Bharadvāja spoke to Kaṭha: “Study whatever you desire, such as Purāṇa, Smṛtis, Vedas and the various treatises on Dharma (virtue).
11. I know everything, O highly intelligent one. Speak something sweet. Do not delay. It is only through merits that one gets a disciple who is of noble birth, who is engaged in piety, who is devoted to the service of his preceptors, who is proud (of his heritage) and who grasps what is heard.”
Kaṭha said:
12. O brahmin, teach me, your disciple. I am devoid of sins. I am eager to serve you. I am your devotee. I am of noble birth and a speaker of truth.
Brahmā said:
13. Saying “So be it”, Bharadvāja imparted to him all knowledge. After acquiring knowledge, Kaṭha was delighted and he spoke to Bharadvāja:
Kaṭha said:
14. O preceptor, I would like to give you your fee. Tell me what is thought desirable by you, even if it be a very rare thing. Obeisance be to you.
15. Even after acquiring learning if there are persons who, out of delusion, do not give a suitable present to the preceptor, they fall into hell and remain there as long as the Moon and stars shine.
Bharadvāja said:
16. Duly accept this girl. Make my sister your wife; you must treat her lovingly. I ask for this as my fee.
Kaṭha said:
17. A disciple should always be like a younger brother or son to his preceptor. A preceptor should be like a father. How can then there be an alliance here?
Bharadvāja said:
18. You make my statement true. What I command you should be offered as Dakṣiṇā by you. Remembering everything, O Kaṭha, support and maintain Revatī with your mind directed to her.
Brahmā said:
19-22. Saying “So be it” Kaṭha grasped the hand of Revatī at the instance of his preceptor after she had been duly offered.
On seeing her Kaṭha worshipped Śaṅkara, lord of Devas there itself for the sake of Revatī’s beauty as well as Śiva’s favour. (As a result of that) Rcvatī became beautiful with all her limbs very fascinating. In beauty she became incomparable. The water of ablution performed by Ravatī flowed down and joined Gaṅgā. That turned out to be a river named after her. It is reputed as Revatī. It betows beauty and conjugal bliss.
23-26. Again with various kinds of Darbha grass he performed consecration by sprinkling water for attaining holy form and features. That water became the river Vidarbhā.
By taking a holy dip in the confluence of Revatī and Gaṅgā with great faith a man is freed from all sins and he is honoured in the world of Viṣṇu.
In the same manner, O sage, if a man takes a holy bath in the confluence of Vidarbhā and Gautamī, with full faith, he instantaneously attains worldly pleasures and salvation.
There are altogether a hundred holy centres on the banks of the river. They dispel all sins. They bestow all spiritual achievements.
Other Purana Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Vidarbha-sangama and other Holy Centres’. Further sources in the context of Purana might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Sadhana, Bharadvaja, Revati, Katha, Dakshina, Worldly pleasure, Sweet speech, Noble birth, Holy bath, Holy dip, Spiritual achievement, Excellent sage, World of Vishnu, Darbha grass, Terrible features, Sage Bharadvaja, Conjugal bliss, Sense-organ, Knowledge imparted, Splendid hermitage, Splendid body, Present to the preceptor, Suitable present.