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...
Brahmā said:
1. The holy centres well known as Bhānutīrtha, Tvāṣṭra, Māheśvara, Aindra, Yāmya and Āgneya are destroyers of all sins.
2. There was a king of very pleasing appearance well known as Abhiṣṭuta. He began to worship Devas by performing a holy horse-sacrifice.
3-6. There were sixteen Ṛtviks there the leaders whereof were Vasiṣṭha and Atri. A doubt arose among them.
“When a Kṣatriya is the sponsor of a sacrifice, how shall the altar of sacrifice be made ready? When a brahmin gets himself initiated it is the king who has to arrange for the sacrificial ground. But when a king gets himself initiated who is the person to make an altar. If a Brahmin were to do that, it would be sinful. It could cause all unhappiness. Therefore, the Kṣatriya king should not employ Brahmins for that job.”
When the brahmins were discussing this among themselves the highly intelligent Vasiṣṭha, the most excellent among the knowers of Dharma, spoke:
Vasiṣṭha said:
7-9. When the king gets himself initiated the sun should be requested for the job.
The sun should be requested by the king thus—“O lord Savitṛ, prepare on my behalf the sacrificial ground befitting the deities. You are the divine Kṣatriya, O (supreme) lord of living beings. Obeisance be to you.”
Savitṛ thus requested by the king will certainly grant the splendid sacrificial ground for Devas. Hence, O king, pray to Sun-god.
Brahmā said:
10. Saying “So be it” Abhiṣṭuta faithfully prayed to Sun-god, lord of Devas, Ravi who is identical with Hari, Śiva and Brahmā.
The king said:
11-14. O Savitṛ, obeisance be to you. Grant us the sacrificial ground of Devas.
Brahmā said:
Since the sun is a divine Kṣatriya the ground was given to the lord of the Earth. Savitṛ, the lord of the chiefs of Devas, spoke—“I shall give”.
He who performs a sacrifice thus will never have misfortune. When the holy Satra, the horse-sacrifice was begun by brahmins, the masters of the Vedas, the sun was eulogized by the king. The place where the Sun-god came to grant the divine sacrificial ground is called Bhānutīrtha.
15-18. The Daityas, Danujas and other destroyers of sacrifice assumed the guise of brahmins and came to that divine sacrifice, the excellent horse sacrifice presided over by Devas. Since they were reciting hymns like the highly intelligent Sāman-singers they could enter without being stopped (at the entrance). Some of the Asuras (in disguise) began to ridicule the sacrificial ladle and other vessels, the wooden ring on the top of the sacrificial post, Sāman, the drinking of Soma juice, Havis offerings, the priests and the king. Others began to throw sacrificial articles helter-skelter. Still others began to laugh. Excepting Viśvarūpa none else knew about these activities of theirs.
19. Viśvarūpa said to his father—“These are the Daityas”. On hearing his son’s words Tvaṣṭṛ said thus to Devas.
Tvaṣṭr said:
20-21. Take water and Kuśa grass and sprinkle all round. Saying “All those who censure the holy sacrifice, the ladle, vessel and the Soma juice have been removed by me” you sprinkle water.
Brahmā said:
22-24. Devas did so. Tvaṣṭṛ also did the same. The demons were reduced to ashes. Then they fled.
Saying “The sinners have been killed by me” he sprinkled the water. Thereupon Daityas whose lives had been crippled became angry and started from that place. The place where Tvaṣṭṛ, the Prajāpati of worlds sprinkled water is reputed as Tvāṣṭra Tīrtha. It is the destroyer of all sins.
25-28. Then Yama killed Daityas who had fallen as a result of the (rebuking) words of Tvaṣṭṛ. Angrily he killed them with Kāladaṇḍa (Black Staff), Kāla Pāśa (Black Noose) and discus. The holy centre where Daityas were killed is called Yāmya.
The place where the sacrifice was completed after offering Amṛta into the fire, the place where the Fire-god became satisfied with the incessant flow (of ghee) in the manner of a flight of arrows in that great sacrifice and became pleased with Abhiṣṭuta is known as Agnitīrtha. It yields the same benefit as the horse sacrifice.
Indra accompanied by Maruts said auspicious words to the king.
29. “O king, you will become the Emperor of both worlds. You will undoubtedly become my perpetual dear friend.”
30. He who performs the holy rite of water libation in the Indratīrtha is the most blessed in the mortal world. For the propitiation of manes he must perform Tarpaṇa particularly in the Yamatīrtha.
31. That holy centre where Śiva was eulogized and worshipped with devout mind by the brahmins who were experts in all holy rites is called Māheśvaratīrtha.
32-35. The king worshipped with a concentrated mind Maheśvara who is worthy of worship. He worshipped him in various ways such as by Vedic Mantras and non-Vedic prayers, dances and songs, musical intruments, Pañcāmṛtas (the five sweet articles—honey, ghee, jaggery, curd, milk), prostrations, circumambulations, incenses, lights, flowers scents and Naivedyas (food offerings). Thereupon, the delighted lords of Devas granted him boons along with great power. They granted the great king Abhiṣṭuta both worldly pleasures and liberation. Similarly, they granted the holy centre excellent efficacy.
36-38. Thereafter, that holy centre is called Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava (pertaining to Śiva and Viṣṇu). They know that a holy plunge and monetary gifts performed there are the bestowers of all cherished desires. He who remembers or reads about all these holy centres shall be rid of all sins and shall go to the cities of Śiva and Viṣṇu. Especially having a holy bath in the Bhānutīrtha bestows all riches. In this holy spot there are a hundred holy centres.