Chapter 37 - Kṣīrakuṇḍa

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Note: After describing the sacred Tīrthas on Rāmasetu ending with Dhanuṣkoṭi, the author describes a few miscellaneous Tīrthas. This  Kṣīrakuṇḍa Tīrtha is near Cakratīrtha (Tiruppullaṇi. called here ‘Phullagrāma’). The Pilgrims’ Guide does not mention it.

Śrī Sūta said:

1-2. O ye all ascetics, residents of Naimiṣa forest, twenty-four Tīrthas beginning with Cakratīrtha and ending with Rāmadhanuṣkoṭi have been described by me now. In addition to these what do you wish to know?

The sages said:

3-5. We wish to hear about the glory of Kṣīrakuṇḍa, O sage. Earlier it was said by you that Cakratīrtha is near it. Where is that Kṣīrakuṇḍa? Of what sort is its glory? How did it become famous by the name Kṣīrakuṇḍa? It behoves you to narrate this in detail to us who faithfully listen to it.

Śrī Sūta said:

I shall describe it. Listen ye all with great concentration.

6. To the west of the exceedingly meritorious Devīpura and not far from it, there is a very great holy spot well-known as Phullagrāma.

7. The town named Phullagrāma from where Rāma began building his Setu on the great sea, is an exceedingly meritorious holy spot.

8-9. Kṣīrakuṇḍa too is there itself. It is destructive of great sins. On being seen, touched, meditated upon and glorified, it bestows salvation. I shall earnestly recount to you all including how that meritorious Tīrtha became famous by the name Kṣīrakuṇḍa. Listen to it faithfully.

10-14. Formerly there was a sage named Mudgala.^[1] He followed the path of the Vedas. In the exceedingly sacred PhuIIagrāma, he performed an excellent Yajña, causing pleasure to Nārāyaṇa.

Completely gratified by his Yāga, Viṣṇu became delighted in heart, O excellent Brāhmaṇas. He appeared before him in that sacrificial chamber. Viṣṇu whose body was rendered splendid by Lakṣmī, who had the lustre of a dark cloud, who shone in his yellow garments, who was seated on Garuḍa, whose chest was beautified by the Kaustubha jewel and whose four arms shone with the conch-shell, discus, iron club and lotus, appeared before him.

On seeing him, overwhelmed with devotion, Mudgala whose body was thrilled (with joy) with hair standing all over his body then eulogized the Lord with words pleasing to the ears.

Mudgala said:

15-20. Obeisance to you, to Nārāyaṇa, to the Creator of the universe first, then to the Protector, and to the Annihilator thereafter. Bow to the Lord in the form of fish, to (him in the form of) tortoise, to one of the nature of knowledge and consciousness.

Obeisance to the Lord with the physical form of a boar. Hail to the Lord in the form of a lion. Obeisance to you, to Vāmana. Obeisance to you, to the son of Jamadagni. Bow to you, to Rāghava. Obeisance to you, to Balabhadra.^[2] Obeisance to you, to Kṛṣṇa, to Kalki. Bow to the Lord in the form of perfect knowledge. Protect me, O ocean of mercy, O Nārāyaṇa, O Lord of the universe. I am a shameless wretch. I am slanderous, cruel, wicked, hypocrite and insignificant fellow. I am enamoured of other men’s wives, wealth and fields. My mind is contaminated by feelings of jealousy. Kindly save me, O Hari.

21. On being eulogized thus directly by Mudgala, O excellent Brāhmaṇas, Hari said to Sage Mudgala, in a voice as majestic as thunder:

Śrī Hari said:

22-23. O Mudgala, I am pleased with this hymn of yours as well as by the sacrifice (Kratu). I have come to your sacrifice to partake of the Havis directly.

On being told thus by Hari there, Mudgala became delighted in his mind. The Brāhmaṇa, endued with great devotion, spoke to Viṣṇu:

Mudgala said:

24-29. O Hṛṣīkeśa, I am one who has attained his object. My wife too is blessed. Today my birth has become fruitful. My penance has become fruitful. My family has become fruitful. My sons have become fruitful. My hermitage has become fruitful. Everything belonging to me has become fruitful today since you have come to my sacrificial chamber to partake of the Havis directly. I directly perceive that Lord whom Yogins engaged in Yoga-practice, seek in their hearts. My Kratu has achieved its purpose.

After saying thus he honoured Viṣṇu through the offerings of seats, etc. He offered him sandal-paste, flowers and other things by way of Arghya. Then with great delight he presented to Viṣṇu, Puroḍāśa and other Havis offerings.

The sanctifier of the worlds, Viṣṇu himself, took the Havis in his hand as it was offered by Mudgala.

30. When the Havis was consumed by the powerful Viṣṇu, O Brāhmaṇas, all the Devas including Agni became delighted and contented.

31-33. The Ṛtviks, the Yajamāna (the sponsor of the sacrifice) and all the Brāhmaṇas present there and whatever there was in the world of living beings, mobile or immobile—all the universe became satisfied when the Havis was consumed by Viṣṇu.

Then Hari who was delighted in his mind replied to Mudgala:

“I am pleased. I am the bestower of boons. O sage of good holy rites, choose your boon.”

When this was said by Keśava, the great sage spoke to him:

Mudgala said:

34-40. The fact that you appeared personally and the Havis oblation was partaken of by you in my sacrifice, has made me contented. What alse can be better than this? Still, O Lord Viṣṇu, let my devotion to you be always steady. Let it be devoid of deceitfulness. This is the first boon (I seek).

O Mādhava, O Hari, I wish to perform Homa everyday in the morning and in the evening to Fire-god who has your form. I wish to perform the Homa with cow’s milk for propitiating you. O bestower of boons, grant me another boon therefore. Indeed it has been ordained in the Vedas that Homa should be performed twice everyday with milk. I have no cows, for I am only an ascetic without any wealth or other possessions.

When this was spoken by Mudgala, Lord Hari Nārāyaṇa summoned Viśvakarman Tvaṣṭṭ, an immortal (the celestial architect). He made him dig a lake of very great splendour. Through that architect Viśvakarman he got it levelled up by means of crystals and other kinds of rocks. Then it was rendered beautiful with bunds and boundary walls. Then the Lord summoned Surabhi and spoke these words:

Śrī Hari said:

41-45a. O Surabhi (divine cow)! This is Mudgala, my devotee. For the sake of propitiating me he joyously wishes to perform Payohoma (Homa with milk) everyday. Hence, O gentle lady, urged by me, you come here everyday in the morning and in the evening. O splendid Surabhi, fill this lake everyday with the milk produced by you. With that milk he will perform Homa everyday in the morning as well as in the evening.

Surabhi who was addressed thus by Nārāyaṇa said: “Let it be so” (and went away).

45b. Then lord Nārāyaṇa spoke to Mudgala:

46-49a. “With the milk of Surabhi available in this lake, O Mudgala of great fortune, perform the Homa into the fire for propitiating me everyday in the morning and in the evening. Thereby I shall be pleased with you. Due to my satisfaction you will have all Siddhis, O Mudgala.

This will become a well-known Tīrtha by the name Kṣīrasaras. The five great sins as well as other sins of the people who take their holy bath in this Tīrtha, Kṣīrasaras, will perish at the very same instant. After your death, O Mudgala, you shall be free from all bondage. You shall then attain me.”

49b-51. After saying this Lord Viṣṇu embraced Mudgala. He bowed down to him and then Viṣṇu vanished there itself.

When Viṣṇu had gone, Mudgala began his Homa with the milk of Surabhi. He performed the Homa in Agni (fire) for the propitiation of Hari and continued the same for many hundred years, staying in that Phullagrāma, the bestower of salvation. On death he attained salvation in the form of Sāyujya with Viṣṇu.

Srī Sūta said:

52-57a. Thus, O excellent Brāhmaṇas, I have spoken to you how this Tīrtha got the name Kṣīrasaras formerly.

This Kṣīrasaras is meritorious and well-known in all the worlds. Urged by her husband, O excellent Brāhmaṇas, Kadrū, a wife of Sage Kaśyapa, took her holy bath here and observed all restraints and vows. Immediately thereafter she was liberated from the sin of defeating her co-wife through fraudulent means. Thus men who take their holy bath here in this Tīrtha, become pure in mind. They are liberated from all bondages. They attain salvation. They are of meritorious deeds. Of what avail are Yāgas, the Vedas, pilgrimages to Tīrthas, Japa, observances of holy rites, to those who visit Kṣīrakuṇḍa?

57b-61. A man whose body is touched by the wind coming from Kṣīrakuṇḍa, O Brāhmaṇas, reaches the world of Brahmā and is liberated there itself. Those who have taken their plunge in this Kṣīrakuṇḍa disregard Yama. They may stand over his head blazing like fire.

To those who have had their holy bath in this Kṣīrakuṇḍa, the river Vaitaraṇī becomes cool. Surely all the Narakas become ineffective. Even when this Kṣīrakuṇḍa which is on a par with Kāmadhenu is present, if any man wanders elsewhere for taking holy bath, O excellent Brāhmaṇas, he goes (in search of) the juice of the Arka plant even when cow’s milk is available.

62-63. There is nothing which is inaccessible to those who take their holy bath in this Kṣīrakuṇḍa. Salvation is secure in their hands. Why then talk much about other things? I proclaim with my hands raised; I tell you the truth; (I repeat) I tell you the truth.

He who reads this chapter or listens to this with attention, obtains the excellent benefit of holy bath in Kṣīrakuṇḍa.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The story of Mudgala, how God Viṣṇu made the heavenly cow Surabhi fill the Kuṇḍa for Mudgala, is given to explain the name Kṣīrakuṇḍa. The Brāhmaṇa is one Mudgala, not the one mentioned in Mbh or in Purāṇas included in PI and PE.

[2]:

In the list of ten incarnations of Visṇu. Buddha is omitted and Balabhadra. the elder brother of Kṛṣṇa, is included. It shows that Buddha was not then recognised as an incarnation of Viṣṇu—a significant factor in determining the date of this part of the Purāṇa.