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 68 - Bhānutīrtha and other Holy Centres

(description of Bhanu-tirtha)

Brahmā said:

1. The holy centre by the name Bhānutīrtha is well known as a giver of all powers and prosperity to men. I shall recount what happened there. It is conducive to the destruction of great sins.

2. There was an extremely virtuous king famous by the name Śaryāti. Hīs wife was Sthaviṣṭhā. She was unrivalled in physical beauty in the whole world.

3. The priest of that king was a brahmanical sage born of the family of Viśvāmitra well known as Madhucchandas. He was the lord of persons of great self-control.

4. Accompanied by his priest, that king, that heroic lord of rulers of men went to conquer the quarters. After conquering the quarters and camping on the way back the king said to the priest of great dignity.

5-7. He asked thus: “O priest of majestic lustre, tell me the reason why you are dejected. In my kingdom you alone are the person worthy of being honoured by all. You have the excellent knowledge of all the branches of learning.

You have dispelled all sins. Then why do you appear to be one with the mind attracted by something else? Why are you devoid of happiness? The (whole) of this world has been conquered. Great kings have been defeated. This is great occasion for rejoicing. Why should then you be lean and emaciated? O most excellent twice-born of great dignity, tell me the truth”.

After addressing Śaryāti the brahmin Madhucchandas spoke these pleasing words full of love.

Madhucchandas said:

8-10. Listen to my statement, O king, (as well as) to what was uttered by my wife. “We are going when there is still a Yāma (i.e. 3 hrs.)” (said by me). “The night—half of it has passed by” (said by my wife). (Now) my beloved who is the owner of this body who is awaiting me. On remembering those words of my beloved my body becomes parched and dried up. When there is an aberration caused by Cupid it is the beloved who can be the curative medicine for restoration.

Brahmā said:

The king who used to suppress his enemies laughed and said to the priest:

The king said:

11-13. You are my preceptor and friend. Why are you deceiving yourself? Of what avail is my advice, O extremely intelligent one, the bes tower of honour? What love and attachment can noble persons have for the pleasure that is transitory, perishable and momentary?

Brahmā said:

On hearing this the intelligent Madhucchandas said.

Madhucchandas said:

The three-fold objects of life (virtue, love and wealth) increase when there is mutual compatibility and consideration between husband and wife. What is usually a defect may be considered an ornament there, O king.

Brahmā said:

14-15. The king came back to his own land accompanied by the army. In order to test his (boasted) love he circulated this rumour in the city: “When king Śaryāti proceeded ahead in his conquest of quarters, a great Rākṣasa killed him along with his priest and went away to the nether worlds.”

16-18. The king’s wives, O excellent sage, began to enquire for confirmation. But on hearing the news from the messengers the wife of Madhucchandas died immediately. It was indeed extremely surprising. On seeing what happened in the city the messengers reported to the king as to what was done by the queens as well as by the beloved wife of the priest. The king was both surprised and distressed. He spoke to the messengers again.

The King said:

19. O messengers, go quickly. Preserve the body of that brahmin lady and spread the rumour that the king will be coming along with his preceptor.

Brahmā said:

20-21. When the king was worried in this manner an unembodied voice announced.

The Ethereal Voice said:

O king, Gaṅgā will fulfil your desire entirely. Gautamī subdues all mortifications on the Earth. She is sacred.

Brahmā said:

22-27. On hearing it Śaryāti resorted to the banks of Gautamī. He offered monetary gifts to brahmins and performed tarpaṇa rites unto the manes and sages. He then sent the excellent brahmin, the priest, to another holy centre after providing him with adequate funds. He told him thus: “Give money and other charitable gifts too to the members of the caravan.” The king’s idea was not to make the priest aware of what he was planning to do. When the noble preceptor, the descendant of Viśvāmitra had gone, the king sent away the entire army and entered the burning pyre on the banks of Gaṅgā after proclaiming as follows. The leading king addressed Gaṅgā, the Sun-god and Devas and said as follows: “If momentary gifts have been made by me, if Homa has been performed by me, if the subjects have been protected by me, let that chaste woman come back to life by that truth, by dint of (the balance of) my life.”

After saying this, the excellent king Śaryāti entered the burning pyre. At the very same time the wife of the priest of that king regained her life.

28-32. The preceptor of the king heard about these incidents that caused him a great deal of wonder. He was wonder-struck on hearing that the king entered the burning fire; that this chaste wife who was dead regained her life; that it was for this spec ial purpose that the king had sacrificed his own life. Thereupon he remembered his own duty. He mused thus: “Shall I too enter the burning fire? Or shall I go back to my beloved wife? Or shall I perform a penance here?” Then the brahmin came to this decision: “I consider this alone as my duty as well as a meritorious deed. I shall first resuscitate the king and then go to my beloved wife. This alone shall be conducive to my auspiciousness.”

Thereafter, he eulogized the Sun-god. There is no god other than the Sun-god who bestows all cherished desires.

Madhucchandas said:

33-34. Obeisance be to that Sun, who is liberation itself, who has unmeasured splendour, who is identical with the Vedas; obeisance to you, the lord who is the meaning of Oṃkāra (i.e. the mystic MantraPraṇava”).

Obeisance to the lord without a form, to the lord with splendid form, to the lord possessing the three attributes and the three forms, to the powerful lord, the cause of birth, sustenance and destruction.

Brahmā said:

35-36. Then the delighted Sun revealed himself and spoke to him, “Choose your boon”.

Madhucchandas said:

O lord of Devas, give me the king and my wife of sweet talk. Give me splendid sons ana give the king excellent boons.

Brahmā said:

37-38. Then the lord of the universe gave Śaryāti his wife and other splendid boons. Everthing was full of weal. Then the king was extremely pleased. He went back to his kingdom, accompanied by the delighted priest. He was happy. That holy centre is remembered as a splendid one.

39-41. There are three thousand holy centres of good quality there. Thenceforth that holy centre is cited as Bhānutīrtha. It is well known by the names Mṛtasañjīvana (Reviving the dead) and Śaryāta. It is also called Madhucchandas. O sage, on being remembered it dispels sins.

A holy plunge there and offering of charitable gifts yields the benefit of all yajñas. It resuscitates the dead. It causes increase of longevity and health.

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: