Chapter 36 - The Glory of Dāruka Tīrtha

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Note: As noted in Chapter 231 infra. Dāruka Tīrtha is repeated four times (catvāro dārukeśvarāḥ) in this text.—Dāruka was a trusted charioteer of Kṛṣṇa and is mentioned many times in Mahābhārata. Before his death, Kṛṣṇa sent Dāruka to Pāṇḍavas with the news of the catastrophic destruction of Yādavas (Mahābhārata, Mausala 4.2-3). This Purāṇa writer claims the greatness of Dāruka’s career to this Tīrtha by naming it Dāruka Tīrtha.

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

1-6. Thereafter, O great king, one should go to the excellent Dāru Tīrtha¹ where Indra’s friend Dāruka became a Siddha formerly.

Yudhiṣṭhira said:

O sinless one, how was the penance performed formerly by Dāruka? I wish to hear the procedure thereof from you, O excellent Brāhmaṇa.

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

Well, I shall recount to you the wonderful incident that occurred long back in the celestial assembly of the sages of purified souls. The name of the favourite charioteer of Indra was Mātali. Once for some reason he cursed his son. The son affected by the curse quaked and fell at the splendid feet of Indra with his head touching them. He submitted to the Lord of Devas (the full details). The Lord of Suras told the accursed one how and by means of what rite could the terrible curse come to an end:

7-13. “Go to the banks of Narmadā and stay there till the end of the Yuga propitiating Maheśvara. Then you will have a rebirth. In this birth you will be well known by the name Dāruka [see notes above] in the form of a human being. After serving the great Lord holding the conch, discus and club you will attain Siddhi.”

On being told thus by the intelligent thousand-eyed Indra, (the son of Mātali) who had lost his senses, bowed down to him and came to the banks of Narmadā. By means of Vratas and fasts he mortified his body. He was always engaged in Japa and Homa and propitiated the trident-bearing, noble-souled Mahādevā, the bestower of boons. He adored with great devotion, O king, till the ultimate annihilation of all living beings. The excessively wise son of Mātali became a charioteer of a partial incarnation of Viṣṇu. Propitiating the Lord of the Cosmos he attained the good state (i.e. Mokṣa).

14-19. Thus, O dear one of good holy Vratas, the origin of Dārutīrtha has been recounted in the manner it was narrated to me by Śaṅkara.

On hearing it, Yudhiṣṭhira was struck with great wonder. He saw his brothers with hairs standing on end repeatedly.

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

A man who takes his holy ablution there duly, says the Sandhyā prayers, worships Śaṅkara, the Lord of Devas, and begins the repeated recitation of the Vedas with concentration, shall undoubtedly attain the merit of a horse-sacrifice. One who devoutly feeds Brāhmaṇas at that Tīrtha with great purity attains the merit of feeding a thousand Brāhmaṇas (elsewhere). Whatever has been performed with pure intention, viz. Snāna (holy bath), Dana (offering gifts), Japa, Homa, self-study of the Vedas, adoration of the deities etc. shall be fruitful.