Chapter 66 - The Greatness of Mātṛtīrtha (Mātṛ Tīrtha)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

1-9. Then, O great king, a person should go to the excellent Mātṛtīrtha. It is situated on the southern bank of Narmadā very near the confluence.

The Mothers gathered together on the bank of Narmadā, O great king. The Lord of Devas, wearing a Vyāla (python) as his Yajñopavīta and with Umā as half of his body, was present there. The group of Yoginīs said: “O Hara, it is a pity indeed, O Maheśvara. That we are invincible to all Devas is due to your grace, O Maheśvara. (But now) may this Tīrtha be well-known by this procedure all over the earth.” Śiva said: “O Yoginīs, let it be so.” After saying this, he vanished.

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

The devotee should be invariably pure and observe fast at that Tīrtha with great devotion on the ninth lunar day. He should adore Mātṛgocara (Lord Śiva). The Mothers will be pleased with him. The Bull-vehicled Lord too will be delighted.

An excellent scholar well-versed in the Mantraśāstra should preside over the ritualistic holy ablution of a barren woman and of a woman whose dear child is dead or one who has no son, O Yudhiṣṭhira.

They should offer a water-pot with gold and five kinds of jewels therein.

The preceptor should bathe the woman desirous of a son with a brass-pot. That woman shall bear a vigorous son endowed with good qualities.

Whatever one desires shall be achieved by him, O king. There has never been a Tīrtha greater than Mātṛtīrtha and never shall be.