Chapter 58 - The Greatness of Śūlabheda Tīrtha

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Uttānapāda said:

1-8. Thereafter, O Lord of the chiefs of Devas, what did Bhānumatī do? This is my doubt. O Lord, do me the favour of mentioning this.

Īśvara said:

After reflecting for a short while, she went near the Kuṇḍa. Observing the greatness of the Kuṇḍa, the queen became filled with delight.

She invited many Brāhmaṇas and adored them duly at the same moment. The princess duly made gifts to the Brāhmaṇas. After making firm resolve, she stayed with calmness of mind.

Then, O king, she adored the Pitṛs and Devas. She spent a fortnight of the month of Madhu remaining there. Then on the new-moon day, the queen went near the mountain.

She climbed on to the peak of the mountain, joined the palms of the hands together and spoke these words of request to all those Brāhmaṇas: “May my mother, father, brother and all other friends and relatives be requested to forgive me. Let them be told these words of mine: ‘Your daughter performed penance at Śūlabheda in accordance with her capacity. She cast herself into that Tīrtha and has gone to heaven.’”

The Brāhmaṇas said:

9-13. O lady of splendid vows, we shall convey the message given by you to your mother and father. O lady of excellent hips, let there be no doubt in your mind.

After dismissing those people, she, stood on the peak of the mountain and girdled herself with half of the upper cloth firmly. Then, O king, with concentration she hurled herself down from the top of the mountain.

When she fell down (half the distance from the mountain) the celestial damsels were delighted. They said: “O dear Bhānumatī, O highly esteemed fortunate lady of great penance, be pleased to get into the divine aerial chariot and proceed towards Kailāsa.” Even as they were all watching, she went to heaven.

Mārkaṇḍeya said:

14-24. Thus the full details regarding Śūlabheda have been recounted to you as heard earlier from Śaṅkara in the assembly of sages and Devas.

He who devoutly reads this at a Tīrtha or in a divine shrine, is released from great sins incurred in the course of a hundred births.

All these (following) sinners are released from the sins by the power of Śūlabheda: Sinners such as a Brāhmaṇa-slayer, a drinker of spirituous liquor, a thief, a defiler of his preceptor’s bed, a killer of cows, a murderer of women, a misappropriator of the property of gods (temples) and Brāhmaṇas, a traitor to his master, a killer of friends, a committer of breach of trust, one who takes away the deposits of others, destroyer of other people’s treasures (or pawned things), a diluter of wine, a user of false weights, a usurer (with high rates), a creater of impediments (with regard to marriages etc.) of girls, a seller of girls, one who indulges in sexual intercourse with wives of others or a brother, cows, daughter-in-law, daughters, a hater of others and defiler of piety. If anyone reads this at the time of Śrāddha, O king, while the Brāhmaṇas take their food, the Pitṛs become over-joyed with him.

One who devoutly listens to this when it is being read and has self-control shall be rid of all sins. He shall enjoy all pleasures and niceties of life.

This is conducive to great fame and longevity; this is sacred and excellent. It increases the life span and glory of those men who read and listen.

Thus the meritorious greatness of Śūlabheda has been recounted to you. It is not listened to by sinners. This Śūlabheda is situated on the southern bank of the river of the enemy of Madana (i.e. Gaṅgā). It is like a spade that digs up and uproots the bulbous roots of powerful sins.