Chapter 99 - The Greatness of Nāgeśvara (nāga-īśvara-tīrtha)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

1-5. Thereafter, O great king, a person should go to the Vāsukīśa Tīrtha that destroys all the clusters of sins and that was established on the southern bank of Narmaḍā.

Yudhiṣṭhira said:

O dear one, for what reason was the deity Vāsukīśa installed on the southern bank of Narmadā? O my preceptor, do narrate it in detail.

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

After creating and stabilising [estabilising?] all these (visible) worldly objects, Śaṃbhu began to dance. Due to excess of activity sweat issued forth mixed with the waters of Gaṅgā coming out of the head (matted hairs). As it fell down, a serpent began to lick it.

Thereupon, O descendant of Bharata, Mandākinī became angry with the serpent and cursed: “O serpent, O insignificant creature, you will become a python.”

Vāsuki said:

6-11. O divine river duly honoured by Hara, I am a sinner guilty of misdemeanour but worthy of being blessed by you. You are the meritorious, splendid river sanctifying the three worlds. You are the deliverer from mundane existence and the destroyer of the distress of the distressed ones. You are stationed at the threshold of heaven (Svarga), O goddess, take pity on me.

Gaṅgā said:

Perform an elaborate penance on Vindhya with Śaṅkara in view. Thereafter you will regain your original position and the state of a serpent at my behest.

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

Then the serpent hastened to the splendid mountain Vindhya and engaged in the propitiation of Śaṅkara. He began to perform the penance.

Everyday he meditated upon the three-eyed Mahādeva engaged in playing the Ḍamaruka (hand-drum). When a hundred years were completed, the preceptor of the universe was moved (with pity) and approaching him spoke these soft, loving words, “O dear serpent, with due deference, choose your boon from me.”

Vāsuki said:

12-21. O Lord, if you are pleased with me, O Śaṅkara if you grant me a boon, O Lord of Devas, let there be redemption from sin unto me. Do mention any Tīrtha that is destructive of all sins.

Īśvara said:

O serpent of great might, do go to Revā, the bestower of welfare. Take your holy ablution in accordance with the relevant injunctions on its meritorious southern bank.

After saying so, the Lord vanished. Vāsuki in great haste entered the waters of Narmadā in his python form.

The excellent current of Jāhnavī flowed along with his path; he became a serpent again redeemed of all his sins in the waters of Narmadā.

Śaṅkara was installed there in Narmadā, O Yudhiṣṭhira. Thereafter, the Nāgeśvara Liṅga became famous as the destroyer of sins.

A devotee should bathe Śiva with honey on the eighth or fourteenth day. Undoubtedly he will become rid of sins immediately.

O son of Kuntī, those men without sons who take their holy bath at the confluence will get an excellent and splendid son comparable to Kārtavīrya.

One who observes fast and performs Śrāddha there itself, O Prince, shall release the departed ones from hell.

Neither in the family nor among his kinsmen shall there be fear from serpents. With the favour of Nāgas his family shall be free from defects and hence rejoice.

Thus, O excellent king, everything has been recounted to you due to my affection for you.