Chapter 73 - The Greatness of Gopāreśvara (gopa-īśvara-tīrtha)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

1-5. O son of Kuntī, there is an extremely splendid Tīrtha on the southern bank of Narmadā. The excellent Gopāreśvara is destructive of all sins. A meritorious Liṅga issued forth from the body of a cow on the surface of the earth there, O king.

Yudhiṣṭhira said:

How did it come to happen that a Liṅga that causes destruction of sins issued forth from the body of a cow on the southern bank of Narmadā very near Maṇināga? O Brāhmaṇa, may the origin of the Gopāreśvara Liṅga be narrated succinctly.

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

Formerly, O son of Kuntī, Kāmadhenu performed a penance there. She meditated on Maheśvara, the Lord of Devas, with great devotion.

Maheśvara, the Lord of the worlds, became pleased with the tawny-coloured cow. From within her body Parameśvara, the indivisible Lord, came out.

Maheśvara said:

O tawny-coloured one, O Parameśvarī, O mother of the universe, I am pleased with you. O one of fair countenance, say quickly why the propitiation was carried on.

Surabhi said:

6-15. I have been created by Parameṣṭhin for the sake of helping the worlds. It is with my favour that all the affairs of the world come to fulfilment. O Śaṅkara, if people will proceed towards heaven, it is due to my favour. O Śaṃbhu, do stay in my Tīrtha with a desire for the welfare of the worlds.

Saying “So it shall be”, the Lord stayed there joyously. Ever since then, that Tīrtha became well known all over the earth. By means of a single bath, O great king, one dispels a great mass of sins. The gift of a cow at Gopāreśvara should be made with great devotion. A suitable cow should be given to a deserving excellent Brāhmaṇa along with gold and calf.

The cow should be young, white in colour and yield profuse milk. It shall be given along with cloths also.

The gift should generally be made on the eighth or fourteenth lunar day in the dark half of a month.

Of all the months, the month of Kārttika is of special significance. The gift should be made over to a Brāhmaṇa eager to continue the self-study of the Vedas.

The gift is to be made with great devotion. One who makes the gift duly, he who accepts it gracefully and duly—both of them are meritorious. One who witnesses this also earns merit.

One should offer balls of rice to the departed ones with due reverence and devotion. Thus, O great king; the departed ones attain the great goal (heaven).

The sins of those who make devoutly obeisance everyday to Rudra become dissolved like water in a broken pot.

One who releases a bull ritualistically in that Tīrtha is honoured in Śivaloka. The Pitṛs are redeemed by him.

Yudhiṣṭhira said:

16-23. O excellent Brāhmaṇa, quickly explain assiduously the benefit that accrues to men when Vṛṣotsarga (ceremonial and ritualistic releasing of a bull) is done.

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

Listen, O son of Dharma. I shall explain fully the benefit that is attained when a bull fully endowed with all excellent characteristics, O king, is let loose on the full-moon day in the months of Kārttika and Vaiśākha. A person should take his holy bath and remain clean with all the sense-organs controlled. He should make the Vṛṣotsarga in the presence of Rudra uttering, “May Hara be pleased”. Dear son, he should keep nearby four excellent female calves. After offering these possessing all essential features to a leading Brāhmaṇa, he shall say: “May Mahādeva be pleased. May Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara be pleased.”

He will be honoured in Śivaloka, O king, for as many years as there are hairs on all the limbs. After staying in Śivaloka, when he is reborn in the mortal world, it shall be in a great family richly endowed with wealth and food-grains. He shall be endowed with handsome features and excellent learning. He shall be clean and truthful. He shall be devoid of ailments.

O Yudhiṣṭhira, the greatness of Gopāreśvara has been narrated by me. The Liṅga had issued forth from the body of the cow on the southern bank of Narmadā.