Chapter 109 - The Greatness of Cakra Tīrtha

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

1-6. Thereafter, O king, one should go to the excellent Cakra Tīrtha well-known as Senāpura. It is conducive to the destruction of all sins.

The Discus-bearing Lord of Devas duly propitiated leading Brāhmaṇas with the gift of lands and brought Mahāsena (Kārttikeya) for ceremonially crowning him as the commander-in-chief (of the army of Devas) for slaying Dānavas in order to bring about victory of the Heaven-dwellers.

Mahāsena was brought there along with the Devas accompanied by Indra as their leader, to the accompaniment of the sounds of conch-shells, Bherī and Paṭaha drums, the notes of flutes, lutes, Mṛdaṅgas and auspicious Jhallarīs (cymbals).

Thereupon the Dānava named Ruru who was proud on account of his strength gave out a terrible roaring shout and came there to create obstacles at the coronation ceremony.

His army consisting of elephants, horses, chariots and foot-soldiers filled all the ten quarters and a great battle ensued.

7-17. The various weapons used by him were Śakti, Ṛṣṭi, Pāśa, Musala, Khaḍga (sword), Tomara (iron rod), Taṅkana (axe), Bhalla (spear), Karṇika, Nārāca etc. Everywhere headless bodies were scattered on the battlefield.

Within a moment Lord Viṣṇu, the destroyer of hosts of enemies, annihilated the army of enemies with arrows discharged from the bow. The elephants, horses and chariots were destroyed and the noble-souled Lord took up his discus.

Discharged from the hand of the Slayer of Madhu, the terrible, blazing, sharp, discus Sudarśana, easily discernible by the Suras and Asuras in the battlefield, cut off the head of the Daitya.

On perceiving this sudden obstacle to his coronation, the Six-faced Lord abandoned the place and performed an elaborate penance.

The discus discharged by Hari, the sustainer of the worlds, for destruction of the Dānava, split him into two and fell down in the pure waters.

Ever since then that Tīrtha is well-known as Cakratīrtha created by the omni-formed Lord for the purpose of destroying all the sins.

A man who takes his holy bath in Cakratīrtha and adores Acyuta, the Lord, obtains the merit of a Puṇḍarīka Yajña.

He who takes his holy bath in the Tīrtha there and honours splendid Brāhmaṇas having control over the mind, sense-organs and angry temperament, attains the benefit of a crore of meritorious deeds.

He who devoutly casts off his body into the Tīrtha there, goes to Viṣṇuloka after death, to the accompaniment of auspicious shouts of victory etc.

After sporting about as he pleases and duly honoured by Devas and Gandharvas, he returns here once again and is reborn in a large family.

Thus a meritorious ancedote [anecdote?] that is conducive to wealth and destructive of sins and miseries has been recounted to you, O blessed one. Listen further from me.