Chapter 32 - The Greatness of Patreśvara (patra-īśvara-tīrtha)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

1-8. From there a pilgrim should go to Patreśvara that is destructive of all sins. It is there that the highly esteemed, powerful son of Citrasena became a Siddha (spiritually perfect).

Yudhiṣṭhira said:

O holy Sir, I wish to know who was this Siddha of great austerities, who attained spiritual perfection in that Tīrtha? Whose son was he and what was the cause (of his perfection)?

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

O excellent king, there was a former intimate friend of Indra called Citra. He had great splendour. His son was well-known as Patreśvara. He was handsome and fortunate. He was a terror unto all enemies. He was so close a friend of Indra as though he was another Jaya (Jayanta).

Once in the middle of the Royal Assembly where all the Devas had gathered together, he became much infatuated by the dance and songs of Menakā for a long time. He transgressed all bounds of decency. It was as though his life had become extinct. The Lord of Suras cursed him who had no control over his senses: “Though you are staying in Svarga, yet you have succumbed to weaknesses like a mortal. Hence you will certainly spend a long time in the mortal world.”

On being cursed thus by the Lord of Suras, the youthful son of Citrasena began to tremble. With palms joined in reverence, he spoke to the excellent one among Suras:

Patreśvara said:

9-15. I have been sinful, infatuated and lost control of the mind and senses. I, therefore, reaped the fruit thereof. But it behoves you to be pleased.

Śakra said:

Resort to the banks of Narmadā and propitiate the quiescent Śiva for twelve years with the senses under control. You will attain a good state. The scriptures declare that this world (i.e. Svarga) belongs to pious persons having self-control, truthfulness and purity, and not to people who are sinners.

When this was told by the intelligent Thousand-eyed One, the sensible son of the Gandharva bowed down to him and went to the earth.

He took his holy bath in the pure waters of Revā near Brahmāvarta. After performing Japa in accordance with the injunctions, he adored Śaṅkara by means of air, water, oilcake, fruits, flowers and leaves. He maintained himself by eating roots and drinking barley water. He performed severe austerities with five fires around him. Thereupon, the Lord became pleased.

He saw the Trident-bearing Consort of Umā, the bestower of boons. He had the Pināka bow in his hand. The Destroyer of Andhaka (Śiva) had the crescent moon for his crest-jewel and elephant hide as his cloth. On seeing the Lord in front, he fell down (at his feet).

Īśvara said:

16-25. Welfare unto you. Choose your boon. O sinless one, I shall grant you the boon. Whatever you wish, I shall give you. No doubt need be entertained in this.

Patreśvara said:

If you are pleased, O Lord of Devas, if a boon has to be granted to me, O Lord, be stationed here for ever in the Tīrtha after my name.

On hearing this, Mahādeva in words choked with joy said: “So be it”. Then the delighted Lord Śaṅkara went away along with Umā.

When the Lord went to heaven, he took his holy plunge in the Tīrtha, propitiated the Pitṛs in accordance with the injunctions regarding the Japa and installed the Lord of Devas duly, O descendant of Bharata. It became well known in all the three worlds as Patreśvara.

After being rid of his curse, O king, he went to the beautiful Indraloka. He was received with the utterances of “Be victorious” etc., and was highly delighted thereby. Thus, O Yudhiṣṭhira, the question you had put has been clarified. One is rid of all sins by a single holy ablution there. He who after holy ablution and adoration of the Pitṛs and Devas shall worship Mahādeva in that Tīrtha, O Yudhiṣṭhira, obtains the benefit of a horse-sacrifice. After death he will sport about in the city of Śiva for more than a hundred years and then be born among mortals as a king or someone of the same status as that of a king. He will be conversant with the truth of the Vedas and Vedāṅgas and live a hundred years without sickness or grief. Again he shall remember that water (the Tīrtha i.e. Revā).