The Skanda Purana
by G. V. Tagare | 1950 | 2,545,880 words
This page describes The Greatness of the Confluence of Vishalya which is chapter 23 of the English translation of the Skanda Purana, the largest of the eighteen Mahapuranas, preserving the ancient Indian society and Hindu traditions in an encyclopedic format, detailling on topics such as dharma (virtous lifestyle), cosmogony (creation of the universe), mythology (itihasa), genealogy (vamsha) etc. This is the twenty-third chapter of the Reva-khanda of the Avantya-khanda of the Skanda Purana.
Chapter 23 - The Greatness of the Confluence of Viśalyā
[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]
Mārkaṇḍeya said:
1-6. O king, those mortals with great devotion who cast off their lives at the confluence, attain the highest state.
He who goes to Amareśvara, abandons all cherished desires and gives up his life there shall invariably dwell in heaven.
A man who goes to the great mountain and gives us his life, shall go to Amarāvatī by means of an aerial chariot resembling the sun.
On seeing the man falling down from the mountain Amarakaṇṭaka, all the Apsarās say, “He shall be ray husband.”
Those conversant with piety say that the water of Sarasvatī is on a par with that of Gaṅgā. Men of enlightenment who know these things better, say that the water of Revā is far superior to it (i.e. the water of Gaṅgā). There is no doubt in it.
The place of one who keeps the water of Revā upon his head, is near the Lord of the leading Suras, because it is occupied for residence by many Vidyādharas, Kinnaras and others and is the abode of the greatest of merits.
7-15. O king, of what avail is the verbose talk? If one does not wish to see again the terrible ocean of worldly existence, one should always resort to Narmadā.
It is remembered as one that sanctifies all the three worlds. Even if one dies elsewhere he attains the goal of Gaṇeśvara.
This river is surrounded everywhere by many places of Yajñas. There is nothing here which is not a Tīrtha. As has been spoken by you, sinning men, whether they have performed penance or not, who die on her banks, go to Svarga like leading Amaras.
Thus, O excellent king, it is with a desire for the welfare of all the worlds that Kapilā and Viśalyā were created formerly by Īśvara.
By taking his holy bath there along with the observance of fast and control of the sense-organs, a man shall undoubtedly attain the benefit of a great Aśvamedha.
He who refrains from eating at this Tīrtha shall be rid of all sins and attain Śiva’s place.
By taking the holy bath once in the confluence of Viśalyā, one attains that benefit which one attains through Snāna and Dāna done all over the earth extending to the seas.
Thus, O king, the meritorious and sacred river has been extolled to you. I shall narrate again whatever you may ask.