Chapter 55 - The Greatness of Vimaloda Tīrtha

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Note: The legend explains the genesis of the Vimaloda Tīrtha and the presence of Vindhyavāsinī in Mahākālavana.

Vyāsa said:

1. O holy Sir, what is this Vindhyagiri mountain? At what time did it come to Mahākālavana, the beautiful spot? By whom was it formerly sent?

Sanatkumāra said:

2-4. O Vyāsa, formerly this earth was flooded by the waters of Revā. Then the extremely venerable sage Agastya was propitiated by all the Devas for providing relief unto the earth. Then that excellent sage came to the beautiful mountain Vindhya. With full concentration of the mind he adored Goddess Bhavānī Vindhyavāsinī, with a desire for the acquisition of boons.

Agastya’s prayer: [Prayer to Vindhyavāsinī]

5-12. (I bow unto) the goddess who routed Kaṃsa; who brought about the destruction of Asuras; who brought down all burdens; who is the meritorious younger sister of Baladeva; who is the splendid (daughter) born of the womb of Yaśodā; who is the suppressor of the prowess of Cāṇūra; who is stationed in the sky with the splendour of lightning; who is dark coloured; who subdued the black serpent; who is the mother of Devasena; who is Vāk, the goddess of poets; who is Gāyatrī of the chief of Brāhmaṇas; who is the Vyāhṛti; who is the most excellent of all Chandas; who is the thousand-eyed goddess of Indra; who is the greatest Arundhatī of the sage (Vasiṣṭha); who is the Kāmaduhā (wish-yielding cow) of all cows; who is Śyāmā (dark-coloured); who is fond of the very sweat intoxicating wine; who is Aditi of all mothers; who is Pārvati [Pārvatī?] of all women; who is the Jyotsnā (moonlight) of Candramas (moon); who is the Bālā (young maiden), the bestower of the boon of all desired things; who is Śāradī (the autumnal goddess) in Ṛtuvelā (time of the seasons); who is the most excellent stroller of Vṛndāvana; who is the Vaiṣṇavī Māyā of all Māyins (possessors of Māyā powers), who brings about the delusion of all Daityas; who is Lakṣmī, the favourite of the prosperous ones; who is Yakṣiṇī adored by Dhanada (Kubera); who is the Velā (Foreshore) liked by the great ocean; who is the royal prosperity (property) of the kings; who is the Vedikā of sacrificial halls; who is the splendid Havir-āhavanī (worthy of offering of Havis); who is the Dakṣiṇā (monetary gift) of the Dīkṣās (initiations); and who is the bestower of the fruit of all desires.

13. On being eulogized thus, Goddess Vindhyavāsinī became visible. With the excellent countenance beaming with pleasure, she said to the sage (Agastya), the most excellent one among sages:

14. “O excellent Brāhmaṇa, what has been desired from us may be wooed; O dear one, desirous of what has this eulogy been composed by you, the pure one?”

Agasti said:

15-20. O mother, O benefactress of Devas, if a boon is to be given let it be this: This Revā has flooded the world, terrifying all the people; the entire universe has been submerged in flood by her. Restrain her.

On being requested thus at that time by that great sage, O Vyāsa, the good lady went then to the splendid Mahākālavana. Then with consoling attitude, she said these words to Agasti: “O sage, I shall immediately restrain the increasing Devī (Revā). Till then the great mountain named Vindhya should not grow up. As long as you, O excellent sage, shall remain in the Trikūṭa Dvāra, endeavouring for the tasks of the Devas in the excellent southern quarter let the mountain remain low.

Kuśasthalī is extremely meritorious, pure and remover of sins. O excellent sage, this city is famous in all the three worlds. I shall live there itself along with the Mātṛs (Mothers) for a long time.

21-28. There you shall always attain the lordship of the Siddhi Kṣetra. My lake of pure waters is meritorious and well-known. It is the place where meritorious persons reside. Crores of goddesses stay there. Men should take their holy bath in that Tīrtha, become clean and shall be endowed with concentration. They shall worship me devoutly by means of incense, lights, sacrificial fires and libations. They should duly feed Brāhmaṇas with various kinds of foodstuffs, sugar-candies and milk. In all the three worlds nothing shall be in access to them.

Various kinds of enjoyments are attained by them with wealth, food-grain, grounds, riches, sons, wives and other possessions. These pleasures are very rare even unto the Devas. They need not be afraid of enemies, robbers or angry kings.

Never shall any mishap occur to them through weapons, fires, waters etc. They shall be long-lived and wise. After staying in the world for many years they shall become rid of all sins. On death they shall go to Śivapura.” Thus, O Vyāsa, Goddess Vindhyavāsinī reached the splendid Ujjayinī and resorted to it ultimately. A man who takes his holy bath in that Tīrtha becomes rid of all sins.

29-30. If women have menstrual disorder, if they are Kākavandhyās (have only one child) or Bakavandhyās (having still-born children), if they are unfortunate, if they are devoid of chastity, if they are bereft of all desired objects, they should take their holy bath in Vimaloda and visit Vindhyavāsinī. They will be rid of all defects. There need not be any doubt in this matter.

31-33. Those who have no sons will get sons; a virgin will get a bold husband; all good fortunes are obtained; all boons granting desires will be obtained. A Brāhmaṇa becomes learned, a Kṣatriya becomes victorious, a Vaiśya will obtain much profit, and a Śūdra gains happiness.”

One who reads or listens to this meritorious story that grants all desires and boons shall obtain the merit of gifting a thousand cows.