Chapter 102 - The Glory of Manmatheśvara (manmatha-īśvara-tīrtha)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

1-7. Thereafter, a person should go to Manmatheśa Tīrtha bowed down to by all the Devas. Merely by taking holy bath, O king, the man will not see the world of Yama.

A woman having no child, who takes her holy bath there, O son of Pāṇḍu, obtains a son truthful and steadfast in his Vratas.

A man who takes the holy bath there, remains clean and mentally controlled and observes fast for a night, O king, obtains the benefit of (gifting) a thousand cows.

A king of Tīrthas fulfilling all desires like it will never be. One who observes fast for three nights, O king, shall obtain the benefit of (the Dāna of) a hundred thousand cows.

The devotee should make arrangements for dance. Parameśvara is pleased with the sounds of vocal and instrumental music and keeping awake at night.

Mahādeva called Manmatheśvara was seen by me at Eraṇḍī. Even if Yama be angry, he is not capable of doing anything. A good man sees everything good.

Śaṃbhu was installed by Kāma. Hence, O king, he is the bestower of cherished desires. Manmatheśvara is a flight of stairs extending from the earth to the heavenly path.

8-12. The speciality here, O son of Bharata, is in the performance of Śrāddha at dusk. By the gift of cooked food, O great king, an excellent benefit has been proclaimed.

Thus everything has been recounted to you due to your devotion, O descendant of Bharata. Manmatheśvara is well-known all over the ocean-bound earth. O excellent one among the sons of Pāṇḍu, (devotees) should make a gift of cows on the thirteenth lunar day in the bright half of the month of Caitra.

A devotee goes there with the sense-organs well-controlled, keeps awake at night before the deity, O excellent king, and devoutly offers light before the deity with ghee. The benefit thereof is the same whether the devotee is a woman or a man.