Chapter 69 - The Greatness of Maṅgaleśvara (maṅgala-īśvara-tīrtha)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

1-8. Then one should go to the excellent Maṅgaleśvara installed by the Son of the Earth (i.e. Mars) with a desire for the welfare of all people.

The moon-crested Lord Śaṅkara was propitiated (by Maṅgala) with great devotion. On the fourteenth day, the Lord and preceptor, Maṅgaleśvara, manifested himself (and said): “Tell me, dear son, the splendid boon (you wish to have). I shall grant it to you, O Maṅgala.”

Maṅgala said:

O Śaṅkara, O Śaṃbhu, do me this favour: May I be born of the sweat of your limbs and stay in every birth in the middle of the Planets.

O Īśāna, with your favour I am worthy of being worshipped by all the Devas. Today I have become blessed due to your appearance before and conversation with me. Stay at this holy spot, O Lord of the chiefs of Devas, after my name (Maṅgalamaheśvara).

The Lord said, “Let it be so, dear son” and vanished.

Maṅgala, the noble soul, installed Maheśvara by means of his own Yogic power and worshipped the Trident-bearing Lord.

The Liṅga named Maṅgaleśvara is the destroyer of all miseries. A wise devotee should propitiate Brāhmaṇas at that Tīrtha. He shall propitiate the Brāhmaṇas along with their wives.

9-16. O excellent king, (he should observe) the Caturthī-aṅgāraka-vrata, at the conclusion of which a cow along with bulls capable to carry the yoke is given to a Brāhmaṇa couple (man and wife). The Brāhmaṇa should be learned and a master of the Veda. The gift should be given with God Śiva in view saying, “May Mahādeva, the bull-emblemed Lord, accompanied by his wife be pleased.” O son of Pāṇḍu, gift of a pair of red clothes should be made. The bearers of yoke (bulls) may be red in colour, or white or black. An umbrella, auspicious bed, red garlands and unguents should be given with a pure heart, O excellent son of Pāṇḍu.

Śrāddha too should be performed on the fourth and eighth days of both the fortnights, the dark and the bright. There should not be any hesitation in spending money. Thereby the departed souls become well-pleased, O king, for a period of one Yuga. In every birth the man becomes blessed with sons, O excellent king.

By the power of the Tīrtha, the devotee shall be handsome in every limb, O king. There shall be well-being in the family. There can never be any evil thing anywhere. The sin of the devotee who glorifies the Lord everyday is destroyed.