Chapter 37 - Glorification of Deva Tīrtha

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

1-8.- Therefrom, O eminent king, one should go to the excellent Tīrtha called Devatīrtha where thirty-three Devas took their holy bath and attained great Siddhi.

Yudhiṣṭhira asked:

How did all the Suras attain the great Siddhi, O dear one? All of them had been conquered by the powerful Dānavas. How did they get highest salvation by taking the holy bath in the Tīrtha?

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

Formerly, O king, Indra along with the groups of Devas, was ousted from his kingdom by the awful hordes of Daityas of great might in the course of a battle.

Their army was shattered by the divisions of elephants, horses and chariots. On being annihilated and smashed and dissipated by the onslaughts they fled along the roads. Assailed by Jaṃbha, Śuṃbha and Niśuṃbha, Kūṣmāṇḍa, Kuhaka and others, they trembled with fear and all of them approached God Brahmā. The Devas with Vaḥni as their leader bowed down, their heads to Brahmā Parameṣṭhin and submitted thus: “See, see, O highly esteemed one, we have been smashed to smithereens by the Dānavas. We have been separated from our sons and wives. Hence we have sought refuge in you. Save us, O Lord of Devas, O grandfather of all the worlds. O Lord of Suras, O Parameśvara, barring you we have no other refuge.”

Brahmā said:

9-17. For the sake of the destruction of the Dānavas, station yourselves on the banks of Narmadā and perform penance in the place with composure. Penance is the greatest strength.

There is no other means of remedy; there is no Mantra or rite excepting the meritorious waters of Revā, the cause of the destruction of all sins. It is my opinion that poverty, ailment, death, imprisonment and other difficulties are the results of sin. After realizing this, perform severe penance.

On hearing those truthful words of Brahmā Parameṣṭhin, all the Suras with Agni as their leader came to Narmadā.

There they performed severe penance and attained Siddhi. Ever since then that Tīrtha is being sung about as the excellent Devatīrtha in all the three worlds. It is conducive to the destruction of all sins.

A man who has controlled his sense-organs duly and goes there and devoutly takes the holy bath, shall obtain Mauktika (pearl, salvation).

He who feeds a few Brāhmaṇas at that Tīrtha shall obtain, O king, the merit as though he has fed a thousand Brāhmaṇas. Devaśilā (‘the Rock of Gods’) there is very beautiful and is conducive to the increase of great merit.

18-22. Those who die after renunciation shall obtain everlasting state (i.e. Mokṣa). He who enters burning fire there at that Tīrtha, O Lord of men, shall stay in Rudraloka until the annihilation of all living beings.

Thus Snāna, Japa, Homa, self-study of the Vedas, adoration of the deities, good and evil deeds done at that Tīrtha shall be everlasting.

Thus the origin and procedure of the pilgrimage to Devatīrtha has been entirely recounted to you as was heard from Śaṅkara.

Those who read this story of Devatīrtha that destroys sins and redeems devotees from all miseries do go to Devaloka.