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 90 - The Holy Centre Devāgamatīrtha

(description of Devagama-tirtha)

Brahmā said:

1. The holy centre Devāgama is auspicious and it fulfils all cherished desires. It yields worldly pleasures and liberation to all men. It causes gratification of the manes.

2. I shall describe in detail what happened there, to you, O Nārada. Once there was great rivalry between Devas and Asuras for the sake of wealth.

3-4. Heaven belonged to Devas and the Earth to Asuras. Having support of the Karmabhūmi (the Earth where one can perform holy rites and enjoy their fruits) the Asuras scattered themselves everywhere. Then the Asuras began to kill those who offered shares in Yajñas to Devas. Thereupon the groups of Devas were deprived of their shares in Yajñas.

5-6. They were distressed. They came to me and said, “What should be done?” Devas were advised by me thus: “Defeat Asuras with your might. You will reach Earth and receive holy rites and great renown.”

Saying “So be it” Devas who had decided upon a war went to Earth.

7. Daityas, Dānavas, Rākṣasas proud of their strength joined together and marched. They also wanted to be victorious and sought war.

8. There were the great warriors on the side of Asuras—Ahi, Vṛtra, Bali, son of Tvaṣṭṛ (i.e. Triśiras), Namuci, Śambara, Maya and many other warriors proud of their strength.

9. (The leaders of Devas were) Agni, Indra, Varuṇa, Tvaṣṭṛ, Pūṣan, Aśvins, Maruts and the guardians of quarters. All of them were experts in different martial strategies.

10. All those demons made great efforts in fighting in the southern quarter. They stationed themselves in the southern ocean.

11. Formerly the excellent mountain Trikūṭa belonged to Rākṣasas. All of them went to the southern ocean through the forests therein along with those (Dānavas etc.).

12. All of them assembled on the mountain Malaya. This Malaya region also belonged to the enemies of Devas.

13. The assembly of Devas took place on the banks of Gautamī because lord Śiva is present there.

14. Seated in their respective chariots Devas of pure thoughts came to the banks of Gautamī, the mother of rivers.

15. She was pleased with all. She was the bestower of cherished desires of the Pitṛs. After eulogizing lord Maheśvara Devas mutually discussed as to how to attain freedom from fear.

Devas said:

16. What shall be our means, should we be defeated by the enemies? Only one of these two shall be conducive to our welfare, victory or death. Fie upon the life of those who are overcome by the enemies (especially if) they are intelligent and noble-minded!

Brahmā said:

17-19. In the meantime, O son, an unembodied voice spoke:

The Ethereal Voice said:

Enough of your stress and strain, O Devas. Hasten to Gautamī. There propitiate lords Hari and Hara devoutly. What is impossible to do if Godāvarī and those two lords were to favour you.

Brahmā said:

20-22. From Hari and Īśa who were pleased the heaven-dwellers obtained the desired victory. They went all round protecting the lands.

The place where Devas arrived and gathered together be came well known as Devāgama. Sages, the knowers of truth, praise Devāgama.

There are eighty thousand Śivaliṅgas there, O Nārada.

The mountain Devāgama is also called Priya. Thenceforth that holy centre is known as Devapriya.

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