Chapter 118 - The Greatness of Indra Tīrtha

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

1-9. Thereafter, O great king, a person should go to a highly resplendent Tīrtha on the southern bank of Narmadā. It is well-known as Indra Tīrtha.

Yudhiṣṭhira said:

Why is the Indra Tīrtha on the southern bank of Narmadā? I wish to hear, O eminent Brāhmaṇa, with full details from the beginning, through the middle to the end.

On hearing these words of the intelligent Dharmaputra, he narrated the old legend and the details of the episodes happening there.

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

Though Vṛtra was an enemy to Dharma (righteousness) that highly powerful one was defeated (killed) treacherously by the Consort of Śacī. As he left the place and was going along the path, the irrepressible Sin of Brāhmaṇa-slaugh ter followed him tirelessly without resting. He went all over the three worlds.

Wherever the sinner of Brāhmaṇa-murder went in his grand vehicle along with the Suras, whichever quarter he passed through, the Sin of slaughter did not leave him alone.

Words of reproach were heard by him such as: “Ways of redemption from grave sins of Brāhmaṇa-slaughter, imbibing of liquor, theft and violation of the chastity of the preceptor’s wife etc. are available but not for those guilty of perfidy.” “A man or woman engaged in sinful activities gets purified by means of holy bath and Dāna but not one guilty of betrayal of trust.” The king of Devas heard these and other similar words uttered by different sorts of people and became excessively sad.

10-2la. He abandoned the kingdom along with the Suras and took to the practice of excellent penance. Sons, wives, house, kingdom, different kinds of riches etc., are the fruits of practice of Dharma and they add to the splendour of a king. Even as people watch him, a man must taste the bitter fruits of sin himself, whereas friends, relatives and kinsmen enjoy the good fruits of Dharma.

Indra eschewed all happiness and got his body emaciated through austerities. The king of Devas visited various Tīrthas and shrines. He took holy baths separately in various Tīrthas, in Gaṅgā, Yamunā and Sarasvatī, in all the oceans, rivers, natural lakes and ponds. But the Sin did not leave him despite his association with Devas.

He went on bathing in the Tīrthas on either side of Narmadā and worshipped Mahādeva. Ultimately he reached Skanda Tīrtha.

Halting there he observed fasts and performed the vows of Kṛcchra, Cāndrāyaṇa etc. He made his body lean and emaciated but did not find pleasure anywhere.

During summers he performed penance in the midst of five fires. During rainy season he lay down on bare ground. During winter he performed severe penance wearing wet clothes. Thus Indra spent ten thousand years, O descendant of Bharata, performing penance and trying to know the Ātman.

When the eleventh thousand-year-period arrived, O excellent king, Lord Parameśvara became pleased. Then all the Suras with Brahmā and Viṣṇu as their leaders and also the Brāhmaṇa-sages, Siddhas etc came to the place where Śatakratu (Indra) was present.

21b-28. On seeing that all the Devas and the sages had arrived the highly intelligent preceptor of all the Devas bowed down to them and said: “It is already known to all of you, O Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara, that Vṛtra was slain formerly at your behest and concurrence. Still considering him as a Brāhmaṇa-slayer, perpetrator of a crime, though he may have visited all the Tīrthas, the Brahmahatyā Sin does not leave him alone.

All the three worlds including mobile and immobile creatures, are not happy, like the sky bereft of the Moon and the Sun or a kingdom without a leader (i.e. king).

Hence, O ye all excellent Suras, I have something to submit to you now. May all the great sages declare Śakra free from faults.”

On hearing those words of auspicious nature that issued forth from the mouth of Bṛhaspati, Lord Brahmā, the grandfather of the worlds, said, “This Sin arising from the slaughter of a Brāhmaṇa is extremely terrible. I am now dividing it into four parts and casting it off to the Devas and the Bhūtas (elements).”^[1]

After saying this, that highly intelligent one hurled (the first part of) the Sin over the water.

29-41. Therefore, waters have to be drunk by sensible persons after plunging into them and not otherwise.

The Lotus-born Lord hurled the second part over the earth. Therefore, for all times the earth became unfit to be eaten. The next day, O Yudhiṣṭhira, the Lord deposited the next part within women (on the second day of their menstruation period) and said, “Women in their monthly course are not to be associated with by sensible persons during the four days on account of the enormity of the sin.” Then the Lord deposited the fourth part in a Brāhmaṇa who serves Śūdras through cultivation, cattle breeding and business practice.

Thereafter, all the Devas and the great sages honoured Devendra who was stationed in the waters of Narmadā. They honoured him through pleasing words (of consolation). Then Maheśvara who was pleased gave him the opportunity of choosing a boon as he pleased: “O Lord of Devas, I shall grant you a boon. Choose whatever you desire.”

Indra said:

O Lord of Devas, if you are pleased, if a boon has to be granted to me, then be pleased to be present here always. I shall install you here.

Saying “Let it be so” to him Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara went away entering through the sky and they were eulogized by the great sages.

After all the Lords of Devas had gone, Śatakratu, the Lord of Devas, installed Mahādeva and went to heaven.

He who takes his holy bath in the Indratīrtha and propitiates Pitṛs and Devatās will be liberated from all sins even if they are major ones. He who takes his holy ablution in the Indratīrtha and adores Parameśvara, enjoys the full benefit of Aśvamedha Yajña.

Thus the entire excellent greatness of the Tīrtha has been recounted to you. On merely hearing it, men are rid of all sins.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Compare Mbh, Udyoga, 13.19