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 81 - Nimnabheda and other Holy Centres

(description of Nimnabheda-tirtha)

Brahmā said:

1. The holy centre well known as Nimnabheda is the destroyer of all sins. It is on the northern bank of Gaṅgā. It is well reputed in the three worlds.

2. Merely by remembering it, sins are dispelled. By visiting the Vedadvīpa there, one shall become conversant with the Vedas.

3. King Purūravas who was highly virtuous loved Urvaśī. Who is not fascinated and enchanted on seeing a beautiful woman?

4-6. She came to the place where the king was present. While she was with him she would take in only a small quantity of ghee. The king accepted this and agreed to her time limit of remaining with him only as long as she espied him naked. With this condition he accepted that maiden who was charming to young men and who appeared fresh always. Once when she was lying asleep on the bed, Purūravas got up. On seeing him without a cloth she left the place at the very same time. Where is stability in women whose minds are as fickle as lightning?

7-10. That great king was surprised at something during the night. He looked out. At that time he had no apparel on. In the meantime the king went for a battle with his enemies. After conquering them he again went to the well-honoured world of Devas. The great king then returned. From his priest Vasiṣṭha he heard of the departure of Urvaśī. Thereupon, he became extremely distressed. He did not perform Homa. He did not take food. He did not see or hear anything.

In the meantime, with statements full of reasonable arguments the priest enlightened the excellent king who was in the state of death.

Vasiṣṭha said:

11-12. O great king, she is dead now. Do not grieve over this, O extremely intelligent one. Let not the inauspicious arrows of Cupid touch you who are in this condition. You do not know the hearts of womenfolk, O highly intelligent one. They are like those of wolves. Hence O king, do not grieve.

13-16. Who is there in the world, O great king, who has not been deceived by lovely damsels? The following are the nutural characteristics of women: fraudulence, ruthlessness, fickleness and bad habits. How can they be the cause of happiness to man?

Who has not been struck dead by Kāla (god of Death)? Which suppliant has been honourably treated? Who has not been set awhirling by glory and splendour? Who has not been betrayed by women?

Women are comparable to (things seen in) dreams and illusions, O king. They are those whose minds are overwhelmed by haughtiness. How can they be conducive to happiness. Be steady after realizing this. Excepting Śaṅkara, Viṣṇu or Gautamī, O extremely intelligent one, there is no other refuge in the three worlds for miserable persons.

Brahmā said:

17-18. On hearing this the king strenuously annihilated his sorrow. He stood in the middle of Gautamī. The extremely virtuous Aila propitiated Śiva, Viṣṇu, Brahmā, Bhāskara (Sun-god), Gaṅgā and Devas strenuously.

19-24. What a plight does a creature find itself in, the creature that is subject to the control of Kāla (god of Death) and that is in adversity but does not resort to either holy centres or deities!

Therefore, the king considered Īśvara as his sole refuge. He was eager to serve Gautamī. He had great faith. He was averse to worldly pleasures. With the help of Ṛtviks he performed many Yajñas with plenty of monetary gifts. Therefore, that island came to be called Vedadvīpa and Yajñadvīpa. On all full-moon nights Urvaśī comes there always. If a man circumambulates that island it is as though the ocean-girt Earth had been circumambulated by him. If a meritorious person remembers the Vedas or performs Yajñas in that holy centre he shall obtain the fruit of great Vedic sacrifices.

That holy centre should be known as Ailatīrtha, Purārava Tīrtha, Vāsiṣṭha and Nimnabheda.

25-29. When Aila ruled as a king there could be no substandard thing in any holy rite. What was base with respect to Urvaśī, viz. too much of passionate feelings for her—that also had been cleared away by Vasiṣṭha and Gaṅgā.

Therefore, it is called Nimnabheda. It yields the fulfilment of all desires for things seen and unseen. They say that there are seven hundred meritorious holy centres there. Taking holy bath and offering charitable gifts there yields the benefit of all sacrifices.

If anyone takes holy bath in Nimnabheda and visits these Devas he will never have anything low or base here or hereafter. Attaining height above all he rejoices in heaven like Indra.

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: