Chapter 84 - Tirthas from the Confluence of Gangā and Varaṇā up to Maṇikarṇikā

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Skanda said:

1. O Brāhmaṇa, listen how Sthāṇu (Siva) created a holy spot by means of the meritorious confluence of Gaṅgā and Varaṇā.

2. A person who takes his holy bath in that confluence and worships Saṅgameśa, shall never again meet with the contact of a mother’s womb.

3. The Tīrtha called Pādodaka is there. It is there that the Lord wielding Śārṅga bow (i.e. Viṣṇu) washed his feet at the outset as soon as he came from Mandara.

4. On the Vyatīpāta day (New-Moon day on Sunday etc.) the devotee should perform all the rites such as offering water-libation in Viṣṇupādodaka Tīrtha. He will never have any return to the worldly existence.

5. A person who bathed in Pādodaka Tīrtha and worshipped Keśava becomes an excellent man rid of the residence in Saṃsāra.

6. That spot in Kāśī has been pointed out by Brāhmaṇas as Svetadvīpa. After acquiring merit there, the devotee shall become lord of Śvetadvīpa.

7. Beyond Pādodaka Tīrtha is the Tīrtha called Kṣīrābdhi (Milk Ocean). One who acquires merit there will stay on the shore of the Milk Ocean.

8. To the southern side of Kṣīroda is the excellent Śaṅkha Tīrtha. A man who takes his bath there, will certainly become lord of the treasures, Śaṅkha etc.

9. Behind Śaṅkha Tīrtha is the excellent Cakra Tīrtha. By getting immersed in the waters of that Tīrtha, one averts fall into Saṃsāracakra (cycle of worldly existence).

10. Beyond that is Gadā Tīrtha that is destructive of the ailments of worldly existence. By performing Śrāddha etc. there, one shall see Lord Gadādhara.

11. Beyond that is Padma Tīrtha that causes glorious fortune and satisfaction of the Pitṛs. By performing the rites of holy ablution etc. there one shall accomplish the reduction of sins.

12. Thereafter is the Tīrtha of Mahālakṣmī that bestows great merit. By adoring Mahālakṣmī there one shall obtain the glory of salvation.

13. Thereafter is Gārutmata Tīrtha that is destructive of the poison of worldly existence. One who performs rites such as offering water-libations there, achieves residence in Vaikuṇṭha.

14. Thereafter is Nārada Tīrtha, the sole cause of the attainment of Brahmavidyā (knowledge of the Absolute). By taking the holy bath there and viewing Nāradakeśava, one shall become liberated.

15. To the south thereof is Prahlāda Tīrtha that bestows the benefit of devotion. Merely by taking the holy bath there one shall become extremely endearing to Viṣṇu.

16. Thereafter is Aṃbarīṣa Tīrtha that destroys great sins. People who perform auspicious rites there, do not enter a mother’s womb (i.e. are not reborn).

17. Thereafter is the excellent Tīrtha named Ādityakeśava. One who takes the ablution there too shall get coronation bath in heaven.

18. The Tīrtha of Dattātreya, the most sacred one in all the three worlds, is also there. By devoutly taking the holy bath therein, one shall attain perfection in Yoga (Yogasiddhi).

19. Beyond that is Bhārgava Tīrtha that bestows great knowledge. By taking the holy bath duly there one shall attain Bhārgava’s world.

20. Thereafter is Vāmana Tīrtha that causes the presence of Viṣṇu. By performing Śrāddha rite there, one is liberated from indebtedness to Pitṛs.

21. Thereafter is the Tīrtha called Naranārāyaṇa that bestows auspiciousness. By getting immersed in that Tīrtha, people rarely find residence in the womb.

22. To the south thereof is the auspicious Yajñavarāha Tīrtha. Men who take their holy bath there, certainly obtain the benefit of Rājasūya.

23. The holy Tīrtha named Vidāranārasiṃha is also there. By a single holy bath there the sin acquired in the course of a hundred births perishes.

24. Thereafter is Gapīgovinda Tīrtha that bestows the world of Viṣṇu. A wise man who takes his holy bath there will never know the pain of being in a womb.

25. To the south of Gopīgovinda is Lakṣmīnṛsiṃha Tīrtha. The excellent man stationed there is wooed by Nirvāṇalakṣmī (glory of salvation).

26. In the southern direction thereof is the excellent Śeṣa Tīrtha. If one gets immersed there, no trace of one’s mass of great sins remains there.

27. In the southern direction thereof is Śaṅkha-Mādhava Tīrtha. Whence is the great fear of sin to men if they resort to that?

28. Thereafter is the Tīrtha called Nīlagrīva which is unparalleled. It is more sacred than Śaṅkhamādhava Tīrtha. It accords Siddhi at the same instant. One who bathes there, is always pure.

29. Uddālaka Tīrtha too is there. It is destructive of all the mass of sins. Merely with the holy bath there, it bestows on men great prosperity.

30. Thereafter, in the vicinity of Sāṅkhyeśvara is the Tīrtha called Sāṅkhya. By resorting to that Tīrtha Sāṅkhya-Yoga becomes clear to man.

31. In the vicinity of Svarlīneśvara is Svarlīna Tīrtha, so called because Lord Umāpati himself got merged therein from the heavenly world.

32. There all sacred rites of men such as the rites of ablution, making gifts, feeding Brāhmaṇas faithfully, Japas, Homas and Arcanās become indestructible.

33. The extremely sacred Mahiṣāsura Tīrtha is near it. That leader of demons could conquer all the Suras due to the penance he performed there.

34. A person resorting to that Tīrtha even today is never harassed by enemies nor by great sins. He will obtain the benefit sought.

35. Very near it is Bāṇa Tīrtha that bestows a thousand arms. A man taking his holy bath there will obtain (develop) steady devotion to Śaṃbhu.

36. Beyond it is the excellent Tīrtha named Gopratāreśvara. If a man without a son takes his holy bath there, he will easily cross Vaitaraṇī.

37. To the south thereof is the Tīrtha called Hiraṇyagarbha which dispels all sins. One who takes the holy ablution there is never devoid of gold.

38. Beyond that is Praṇava Tīrtha which is the most excellent of all excellent Tīrthas. A man will become liberated while still living merely by taking his holy bath there.

39. Beyond it is Piśaṅgilā Tīrtha which dispels sins even by the vision thereof. O Sage Agastya, it is the site of my abode, the bestower of excellent Siddhi.

40. If one takes his holy bath in Piśaṅgilā Tīrtha and makes the gift of something, why should he be afraid of the sin committed by him even if he dies elsewhere?

41. A person who takes his holy bath in Piśaṅgilā Tīrtha and adores me, will become my friend having the lustre akin to that of the Sun.

42. Thereafter is the Tīrtha named Pilipilā that is entirely sanctified by the vision of Triviṣṭapa (i.e. Lord Trilocana). It destroys the impurities of the mind.

43. By performing Śrāddha and other rites there and fully satisfying the distressed and the helpless ones, a man obtains great and steady prosperity.

44. Thereafter is Nāgeśvara Tīrtha that dispels great sins. By immersing oneself in that Tīrtha one can achieve the reduction of all sins.

45. To the south thereof is the excellent Tīrtha of great merit named Karṇāditya. A man who bathes in it will attain the brilliance of the Sun.

46. Thereafter is Bhairava Tīrtha that bestows the destruction of the masses of great sins, causes the rise of the fourfold aims of life and dispels all obstacles.

47. On the Bhaumāṣṭamī day i.e. eighth lunar day coinciding with a Tuesday) if a man takes his holy bath there, offers libation to the Pitṛs and visits Kālabhairava, he will subdue Kali and Kāla.

48. The Tīrtha called Kharvanṛsiṃha is in front of Bhairava Tīrtha. How can a man who takes his holy bath there have the fear originating from sins?

49. To the south thereof is the exceedingly pure Tīrtha of Sage Mṛkaṇḍa. Men who take their holy bath there, will not meet with accidental death anywhere.

50. Thereafter is the Tīrtha named Pañcanada which is resorted to by all Tīrthas. A man who takes his bath there, does not continue to be a worldly being (i.e. becomes free from Saṃsāra).

51. All the Tīrthas of the entire Cosmic Egg enter that Tīrtha during the month of Kārttika for getting rid of their own sins.

52. Always all these excellent Tīrthas stay there for three days from the Daśamī (tenth day) onwards for the sake of ridding themselves of their own impurities.

53. Within Kāśī, at every step, there are all sorts of Tīrthas. But the greatness of Pañcanada is unique. Nowhere else has it been obtained by any of them.

54. If people make at least one Kārttika day fruitful by means of Japa, Homa, Arcanā and Dāna, they alone are blessed ones who have fulfilled their tasks.

55. If all the Tīrthas (consolidated together) are simultaneously weighed against Pañcanada, they do not attain equality with even a sixteenth part of Pañcanada.

56. An intelligent man who takes the holy bath in Pañcanada Tīrtha and visits Bindumādhava is never reborn in the belly of a mother.

57. Thereafter is Jñānahrada Tīrtha which dispels the sluggishness and ignorance of even the dull-witted. A man who takes his holy bath there, never experiences loss of wisdom.

58. A man should take his holy bath in Jñānahrada and visit Jñāneśvara. He will thereby obtain that knowledge by which he is never tormented (by ignorance).

59. Thereafter is Maṅgala Tīrtha that destroys all inauspiciousness. By diving into it a devotee shall be the recipient of auspiciousness.

60. All inauspiciousness shall perish. Auspicious results take place. This happens in the case of a person who takes his bath in Maṅgala Tīrtha and bows down to Lord Maṅgala.

61. Beyond that is the Tīrtha of the Sun which is destructive of impurities. One who takes the holy ablution there and visits Gabhastīśa shall be free from impurities.

62. There itself Makha Tīrtha is in the vicinity of Makheśvara. An excellent man who takes his holy bath there acquires the benefit and merit of performing a sacrifice.

63. By the side thereof is Bindu Tīrtha, the cause of the greatest knowledge. By performing Srāddha etc. there one shall get the excellent merit of good deeds.

64-65. The Tīrtha of Sage Pippalāda is situated to the south thereof. On a Saturday the devotee should take his holy bath there, visit Pippaleśvara and eat a Pippala fruit uttering the Mantra beginning with aśvatthe etc.^[1] He will never be afflicted by Saturn. It will destroy evil dreams too.

66. Thereafter is the Tīrtha called Tāmra-Varāha. It is exceedingly sacred. If the devotee bathes there and makes some gifts, he will never become immersed in the ocean of sins.

67. Beyond it is Kālagaṅgā that destroys the sins of the Kali age. A sensible man who bathes there becomes rid of sins instantly.

68. The great Indradyumna Tīrtha is in front of Indradyumneśvara. By performing aquatic rites there one shall attain the world of Indra.

69. Thereafter is Rāma Tīrtha in front of Vīrarāmeśvara. Merely by bathing in that Tīrtha one shall attain the world of Viṣṇu.

70. Thereafter is Aikṣvākava Tīrtha destructive of the masses of all sins. An excellent man becomes sanctified in his soul by taking his bath there.

71. Marutta Tīrtha is by its side in the vicinity of Marutteśvara. By taking bath there and adorning the Lord, one shall attain great prosperity.

72. Thereafter is Maitrāvaruṇa Tīrtha, destructive of sins. By offering balls of rice there, one becomes a favourite of the Pitṛs.

73. Thereafter is the great and pure Agni Tīrtha in front of Agnīśa. By diving in that Tīrtha, one attains Agniloka.

74. There itself in the vicinity of Aṅgāreśvara is Aṅgāra Tīrtha. On the Aṅgāra Caturthī day (the 4th in the dark half falling on Tuesday) a devotee taking his bath there becomes liberated from sins.

75. Thereafter is Kali Tīrtha in the vicinity of Kalaśeśvara. If one bathes there and adores that Liṅga, be need not be afraid of Kali age and Kāla (god of Death).

76. There itself is Candra Tīrtha in the vicinity of Candreśvara. By taking bath there and worshipping Candreśvara the devotee attains the world of the Moon.

77. Beyond that is Vīra Tīrtha in the vicinity of Vīreśvara which has already been mentioned to you. It is the greatest and most excellent of all Tīrthas.

78. Thereafter is Vighneśa Tīrtha that removes all obstacles. Even one who has perfectly bathed therein is not assailed by obstacles.

79. Thereafter is excellent Tīrtha of the saintly King Hariścandra. One who takes his holy bath there, never swerves from truth.

80. The merit acquired in the Tīrtha of Hariścandra, O Vīra, gives inexhaustible enjoyment in this world as well as the other.

81. Thereafter is Parvata Tīrtha in the vicinity of Paravateśa. The holy bath therein whether on Parva Kāla^[2] or otherwise, yields the benefit of all festive occasions.

82. Kambaleśvara Tīrtha there eliminates all kinds of poisons. A man who takes his holy ablution becomes an expert in musical lore.

83. Thereafter is Sārasvata Tīrtha that bestows all Lores. The Pitṛs shall be present there along with the celestial sages and human beings (Pitṭs of that category).

84. Umā Tīrtha is there itself. It possesses all power. Merely by taking bath therein it will be conducive to the attainment of Umā’s world.

85. Beyond that is the most excellent Tīrtha the name of which is Maṇīkarṇikā. It is well-known in all the three worlds. It is capable of uplifting the three worlds.

86. That is the same as Cakrapuṣkariṇī Tīrtha made at the outset by Viṣṇu. Merely by hearing its name one is rid of all sins.

87. The heaven-dwellers perform the Japa of Maṇikarṇikā in all the three Sandhyās (dawn, midday and dusk). The utterance of the name thereof is conducive to the great welfare of all men.

88. O Vīra, only they are blessed, they can be considered as persons of fulfilled tasks by whom Maṇikarṇikā is heard, seen and remembered.

89. O Vīra, thrice a day I perform the Japa of those men of meritorious deeds who perform the Japa of Maṇikarṇikā in all the three worlds.

90. If the five-syllabled great Mantra, Ma-ṇi-kar-ṇi-kā is uttered by anyone, it is as though he has performed many great Yajñas with a hundred thousand (gold coins) for Dakṣiṇā.

91. O Vīra, if after reaching Maṇikarṇikā I am worshipped by anyone, he is a man of meritorious deeds, by whom great gifts have been donated.

92. If the ancestors have been propitiated by anyone by means of the waters of Maṇikarṇikā, it is as though Śrāddhas have been performed by him at Gayā with honey and milk puddings.

93. Somapānas (‘Drinking Soma juice frequently’) are characterized by a return to this world. Of what avail is Somapāna (Drinking of Soma juice) to that man of purified intellect by whom the water of Maṇikarṇikā is drunk (as Mokṣa is attained thereby)?

94. If the holy ablution is performed in Maṇikarṇikā it is as though they have taken baths in all the Tīrthas again and again during the great Parva occasions. Similarly, they have had all the Avabhṭtha baths.

95. If Maṇikarṇikā is adored with gems and flowers of gold, it is as though they have worshipped all the Suras beginning with Brahmā and Viṣṇu by means of holy sacrifices.

96. If Maṇikarṇikā is worshipped by anyone, it is as though I have been daily worshipped along with Umā after the Śāṃbhavī Dīkṣā (Initiation in the adoration of Śaṃbhu).

97. If the glorious Maṇikarṇikā has been faithfully served by anyone, it is as though austerities have been performed by him for a long time with withered leaves etc. (for diet).

98-99. One may very well make plenty of gifts, one may perform many sacrifices and one may perform austerities in the forests for a long time. Still after enjoying heavenly opulence one has to return to the earth. But if Maṇikarṇikā, the charming Tīrtha in Pañcakrośī (the holy spot extending to five Krośas), in the extensive earth is resorted to, those devotees go away never to return (to Saṃsāra).

100. I think that this alone is the benefit of gifts, Vratas, sacrifices and austerities that Maṇikarṇikā becomes accessible.

101. This glorious Maṇikarṇikā is the Glory of Salvation itself directly. Even I do not know clearly the (entire) greatness of this Maṇikarṇikā practically.

102-105. To the south of Maṇikarṇikā is the great Pāśupata Tīrtha; beyond it is the Tīrtha called Rudrāvāsa and thereafter is the great Viśva Tīrtha. Thereafter is the beautiful Mukti Tīrtha; then the excellent Avimukta, Tāraka Tīrtha and Skanda Tīrtha. Beyond it is the Tīrtha of Dhuṇḍhi. Then there are the Tīrthas of Bhavānī, Īśāna, the excellent Jñāna Tīrtha, Nandī Tīrtha, Viṣṇu Tīrtha and the Tīrtha of Pitāmaha. This is the Nābhi Tīrtha and beyond it is Brahmanāla. Then the Bhagīratha Tīrtha which has already been recounted to you.

106. On the north-flowing celestial river there are many meritorious Tīrthas near Kāśī but only a few have been mentioned by me.

107. O Prince, among them Pañcatīrthī (set of five Tīrthas) is exceedingly excellent. By the holy ablution therein a man can well forget further stay in a womb.

108-110. The first one is the confluence of Asi (with Gaṅgā), the greatest and the most excellent one among the Tīrthas. Thereafter is the Tīrtha called Daśāśvamedha which is resorted to by all the Tīrthas. There is the Pādodaka Tīrtha in the vicinity of Ādikeśava; then is the meritorious Pañcanada which removes mass of sins merely by the ablution. O highly excellent one, apart from these four Tīrthas the fifth one named Maṇikarṇikā accords the purity of the mind and the limbs.

111. I take bath here always in the company of Umā during Parvan days (religious festivals) and also with Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Indra and other Suras and sages.

112-113. That is why this Gāthā (verse current among the folks) in accordance with the Vedas, is being sung always by those who reside in Nāgaloka and also by the heaven-dwellers: ‘It is the truth. It is the truth. (I repeat) Again it is the truth. This is the truthful statement. There is no Tīrtha on a par with Maṇikarṇikā anywhere in the Cosmic Egg.’

114. By taking the holy bath in Pañcatīrthī a man ceases to take up the body consisting of five elements. Or he becomes Pañcāsya (the five-countenanced Lord Viśveśvara himself).”

115. After granting to Vīra these boons, Lord Hara vanished. That Vīra adored Vīreśa and attained his desire.

Skanda said:

116. O Agastya, if anyone listens to this meritorious chapter on Tīrthas, his sins become reduced even if they have been acquired in the course of hundreds of births.

117. This narrative of Vīreśvara has already been told to you in the context of Tīrthas. Hereafter I shall describe Kāmeśa.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The Mantra is “aśvatthe vo niṣadanam” etc. (RV.X. 97.5).

[2]:

Parvakāla: The time at which the Moon at its conjunctions or opposition passes through the node (MW 609A).