Chapter 59 - The Greatness of Āditya Tīrtha

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Mārkaṇḍeya said:

1-8. Thereafter, a person should go to Puṣkariṇī that is destructive of all sins. When its power is listened to, one is rid of all sins.

There is a highly splendid Tīrtha on the northern bank of Revā, where Lord Divākara (Sun-god) is always present as Vedamūrti (the Veda incarnate).

This Tīrtha is meritorious and bestower of all desires just as Kurukṣetra is meritorious, excellent and conducive to the fulfilment of all desires.

O Lord of the Earth, just as Dāna increases in benefit at Kurukṣetra, so also undoubtedly it increases in Puṣkariṇī as well.

If a person gifts a grain of Yava at Puṣkariṇī, the place (in heaven) that he attains is proclaimed as the same as when one offers gold over the head, O king.

One should take his holy ablution at the time of solar eclipse and make duly gifts of elephants, horses, chariots, jewels, a house, cows, bullocks bearing the burden of the yokes etc.

If a person gives gold or silver to Brāhmaṇas till the thirteenth day, it shall give thirteen times the benefit.

He should propitiate the Pitṛs and deities by means of libations of water mixed with gingelly seeds. The person shall cherish love for that Tīrtha in the twelfth year, O king.

9-14. If a person performs Śrāddha there with milk-pudding, honey and ghee, the performer of Śrāddha attains heaven. Everything given to the Pitṛs shall be everlasting.

One attains never-failing benefit by offering raw rice grains, Badaras, Bilvas or oil extracted from Iṅguda along with sesamum in that Tīrtha.

There is no doubt about it. The devotee shall take his holy ablution in the Tīrtha, worship Lord Divākara, perform the Japa of Ādityahṛdaya and again worship the Sun-god. He shall attain the greatest world honoured even by Devas.

If a person makes the Japa of even a single Mantra from the Ṛgveda, Yajur Veda or a Sāman hymn, O king, he attains the benefit of (reciting) the entire Veda.

One who meditates upon Divākara and repeats the three-syllabled Mantra (i.e. Āditya) after the Japa of Ādityahṛdaya, is released from all sins.

O excellent king, one who duly gives up his life there, shall go to the greatest region where Lord Divākara is present.