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 75 - Mārkaṇḍeyatīrtha and other Holy Centres
(description of Markandeya-tirtha)
Brahmās aid:
I. The holy centre well-known as Mārkaṇḍeya is capable of ridding one of all sins. It is meritorious. It yields the benefit of all Yajñas. It dispels lots of sins.
2-4. I shall recount its efficacy. Listen to it attentively, O Nārada.
Mārkaṇḍeya, Bharadvāja, Vasiṣṭha, Atri, Gautama, Yājñavalkya, Jābāla—these and other sages, O Nārada, are the composers of scriptures. They have mastered the Vedas and the Vedāṅgas. They are conversant with the Purāṇas and the topics of discourse in Nyāya (Logic) and Mīmāṃsā. These scholars talked to one another about liberation, as much as they could as far as their intellect allowed.
5. Some of them praised knowledge, some praised Karman (holy rites) and some praised both. After discussing among themselves they asked me for my opinion.
6-7. Having known my opinion they went to the lord bearing discus and iron club. After knowing his opinion also, those sages of great power discussed once again. They attempted to ask Śaṅkara. After worshipping Bhava in Gaṅgā they mentioned to him the same topic.
8. The destroyer of the three cities (Śiva) mentioned the importance of Karman in the form of holy rites. Holy rite itself is called so (knowledge), he said.
9. Hence, all living beings shall obtain (spiritual) achievement only through Karman. Karman alone is one that pervades the whole universe. Without it nothing can be obtained.
10. The performance of Yajñas, the practice of learning, the worship of Śiva, the practice of Yoga—everything is Karman. Nowhere does a living being exist without Karman,
11-12. Karman alone is the cause (of salvation). Everything other than it is the doing of a lunatic.
Where the sages discussed (everything), where Lord Maheśvara decided that everything is acquired by men through Karman is called Mārkaṇḍa (i.e. Mārkaṇḍeya) because he was the chief (of those sages).
13-14. This holy centre is occupied by the sages on the northern bank of Gaṅgā. It purifies the Manes. It is holy always. It yields benefit even on being remembered.
The lord identical with the universe says that there are ninety-eight holy centres there. The same has been mentioned by the Vedas too. The sages have accepted it.