Chapter 1 - The Greatness of the Holy Bath in Vaiśākha

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Obeisance to Śrī Gaṇeśa

After bowing down to Nārāyaṇa, Nara the most excellent one among men, Goddess Sarasvatī and Vyāsa, one should recite Jaya (the Purāṇa).^[1]

Sūta said:

1. Once again, the king (Aṃbarīṣa) asked Nārada, the son of Brahmā Parameṣṭhin, about the meritorious greatness of the month of Vaiśākha.

Aṃbarīṣa said:

2-6. The greatness of all the months has been truly heard by me from you, O Brāhmaṇa, formerly. It was then said by you that among these months Vaiśākha was the most excellent one. Hence, O Brāhmaṇa, I have great curiosity to hear the greatness of the month of Vaiśākha. How is it that this month is dear to Viṣṇu? What are those holy rites which Viṣṇu likes to be performed in the month that is a favourite of Mādhava? Out of these too, what are those holy rites most dear to Viṣṇu and worthy of being performed? What is to be given as charitable gift? What is its benefit? With whom (what deity) in view are we to perform these rites? What are those materials of worship with which Mādhava is to be worshipped at the advent of the month of Vaiśākha? O Nārada, describe this in detail to me who am full of devotion.

Śrī Nārada replied:

7. Formerly, on being asked by me, Brahmā described the ancient (traditional) holy rites pertaining to the different months as had been described previously to Śrī by the Supreme Ātman (Viṣṇu).

8. Thereupon, some months were particularly mentioned (such as) Kārttika and Māgha. Mādhava (Viṣṇu) made Vaiśākha the most excellent one among the months.

9-14. (The month of Vaiśākha) is the bestower of the desired things upon all the living beings, like a mother forever. It is the destroyer of all sins by means of charitable gifts, holy rites and ablutions. It is the essence of all virtues (religious acts), Yajñas and holy rites. It is the essence of all austerities. It is worshipped by Suras.

Like the Vedic lore among all lores,^[2] like Praṇava among all Mantras, like the divine Kalpa (wish-yielding) tree among trees, like the Kāmadhenu (wish-yielding cow) among all cows, like Śeṣa among all serpents, like Garuḍa among all birds, like Viṣṇu among all Devas, like Brāhmaṇa among all castes, like the vital air among the dearest objects, like wife among intimate ones, like Gaṅgā among all rivers, like the sun among luminaries, like discus among all the weapons, like gold among all metals, like Rudra among all Vaiṣṇavas and like Kaustubha among all jewels, Vaiśākha is the most excellent one among all the months conducive to piety and virtuousness.

15-17. There is nothing else like this in the world which is conducive to the pleasure of Viṣṇu.

The Lord accompanied by Lakṣmī is much delighted with a person habitually engaged in the holy bath before sunrise in the month of Vaiśākha (when the Sun is) in Aries.^[3]

Just as creatures are pleased with food, so also Viṣṇu is undoubtedly pleased with the holy bath in the month of Vaiśākha. On seeing people engaged in holy bath in the month of Vaiśākha, he becomes highly pleased.

18-22a. By that itself one is liberated from sins and is honoured in the world of Viṣṇu. By taking bath once in the morning when the Sun is in Aries and performing the daily round of duties, the devotee is liberated from great sins. He shall attain Sāyujya (identity) with Viṣṇu.

If a man takes a step for the purpose of ablution in the month of Vaiśākha, he undoubtedly attains the benefit of ten thousands of horse-sacrifices.

Or a man of crooked mind may simply resolve (this) within his mind. Even he will obtain the merit of a hundred sacrifices. There is no doubt in it.

He who goes a distance of a Dhanus (=distance of three and a half hands) in order to bathe when the Sun is in Aries, shall be liberated from all bondages. He shall attain Sāyujya with Viṣṇu.

22b-26. O eminent king, all the Tīrthas in the three worlds within the Cosmic Egg are present even in very little of water in streams etc. Sins entered in the records of Yama roar only as long as a living being does not take bath in cold water in the month of Vaiśākha!

All the deities of the Tīrthas etc., O king, are always present in the external water (i.e., in rivers, lakes etc.,) in the month of Vaiśākha. At the behest of Viṣṇu and with a desire for the welfare of men they stay there for six ghaṭikās (24x6=144 Minutes) from sunrise. If men do not take bath by that time, they curse them terribly and go over to their respective abodes. Hence, O great king one should take bath (as stated).

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

This benedictory verse shows that Vaiśākhmāsa-Māhātmya (VM) is an independent work incorporated in SkP. We have a VM in PdP V (Pātāla-Khaṇḍa), Chs. 84-98.

[2]:

VV 11-14 are an echo of BG X (Vibhūti-Yoga).

[3]:

VV 15-26 describe the meritorious nature of early bath (before sunrise) in Vaiśākha. The deities of Tīrthas go away from them after six ghaṭis from sunrise.