Chapter 93 - The Greatness of Kalhoḍī Tīrtha

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

1-10. Thereafter, one should go to the excellent Kalhoḍī Tīrtha which is well-known all over Bharata as destroyer of the sins of (even) Gaṅgā.

It is difficult of access to men, O son of Kuntī, and is situated on the banks of Revā for the sake of destruction of the sins of living beings like the Ūṣara^[1] (arid) Puṣkara. “That is the Tīrṭha. This is meritorious.” These are the words of the Trident-bearing Lord.

Gaṅgā came there in the form of a cow for the purpose of holy ablution. Hence it became well-known as the excellent Kalhoḍī Tīrtha.

Three nights should be spent there around a full-moon day, O Yudhiṣṭhira. If a person eschews Rajas and Tamas Guṇas as well as anger, hypocrisy and jealousy, O son of Kuntī, the benefit of salvation is obtained by him.

The devotee shall bathe the Lord three times a day on all the three days. The milk should be that of a cow and the cow should have its calf alive. The milk is to be kept in a copper vessel. Honey should be mixed therewith.

Uttering “om namaḥ śrīśivāya” (Om, obeisance to Lord Śiva), the deity is to be bathed. He goes to heaven surrounded by celestial damsels.

The person should duly take his holy ablution and offer Dāna on behalf of the departed ones. He should make gift of a white cow to a Brāhmaṇa of great cleanliness who is always devoted to his wife. He should say, “May my grandfathers be pleased.”

The devotee should adopt Sāttvika qualities. The cow shall be accompanied by her calf and should be covered with a cloth and placed on gold. Such a donor shall attain the world of Śaṃbhu.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Ūṣara seems to be a special name of the sacred places, such as Reṇukā Tīrtha (Panjab), Śūkara, Kāśī, Kāliñjara, Mahākāla (Ujjain). According to Padma Purāṇa they are nine in all. (De 102)