Chapter 120 - The Greatness of Kaṃbukeśvara (kaṃbuka-īśvara-tīrtha)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

1-9. Henceforth I shall recount the excellent Kaṃbukeśvara Tīrtha.

Daitya Hiraṇyakaśipu who was arrogant due to his might, was well-known in all the three worlds as one who could not be killed by anyone. He had a son of great refulgence named Prahlāda. With the favour of Viṣṇu and due to his own devout nature, he was established in the kingdom of Hiraṇyakaśipu.

Virocana was his son and Bali was Virocana’s son. Bāṇa was Bali’s son and Bāṇa’s son was Śaṃbara. In the family of Śaṃbara was born a great Asura Kaṃbu by name. He was aware of the terror originating from Viṣṇu. He thought that there was none else who could cause the destruction of Dānavas.

Kaṃbu of great intellect, left his wife, sons, friends, relatives and kinsmen and performed penance, observing the vow of silence. He took up a rosary of beads in his hand. He had all the paraphernalia of a sage such as a staff, girdle and tonsured head. He wore barks of trees or antelope-skin and his diet was restricted to greens and barley gruel. Everyday he had his regular bath in the waters of Narmadā. With great fortitude, he worshipped Mahādeva for one hundred million years.

Then Maheśvara, the Lord of Devas, became pleased with him and said to the Dānava in a majestic voice resembling thunder:

10-18. “O Kaṃbu, O blessed one, I am pleased with you. Silence is the greatest of all vows. It is the means of achieving everything. It is difficult for both Devas and Dānavas to observe but you observed it. Welfare unto you. Choose a boon, whatever may appeal to your mind.”

Kaṃbu said:

If you are pleased, O Lord of Devas, if a boon has to be granted to me, let me be indestructible and everlasting. May I be free to move about as I please. I shall never have to flee from battles of Dānavas and Devas. There shall be no other source of fear than Lord Gadādhara.

O Śaṅkara, grant this boon unto me, whereby I will not be overwhelmed by him in battle.

Īśvara said:

If you are in my vicinity, O Dānava, there is no fear from Viṣṇu. Stay here free from fever (anxiety). Neither I nor all the Suras and Asuras can be a match in battle unto that over-lord of Devas, the wielder of conch and discus, who holds the Vedas in his womb.

In my opinion there is no doubt that none who cherishes enmity against Hari, the Lord of Lokāloka, can remain happy even for a period of a single wink of the eye. Hence you should be extremely devout and engaged in the welfare of all living beings. Then you will live for a long time.

After saying this the Lord vanished.

19-25. When the Deva vanished, the highly intelligent Dānava installed Śiva, the Lord of Devas, the quiescent one free from ailment, at that Tīrtha.

After installing Mahādeva at that Tīrtha he went to the heavenly world. Ever since then, O son of Kuntī, that became well-known as Kaṃbu Tīrtha. It is reputed in all the worlds as the destroyer of great sins. A man should take his holy bath in Kaṃbu Tīrtha, duly worship Bhāskara and eulogize him with Ṛk, Yajus and Sāma Mantras, O excellent king. His merit has been described by Brāhmaṇas who have mastered the Vedas. Listen to it fully, O king, even as I recount it.

One who knows only the Gāyatrī Mantra attains the benefit obtained when Ṛk, Yajus and Sāma Mantras are recited along with their ancillaries and sub-divisions.

He who takes his holy bath there and propitiates Pitṛs and Devatās and adores Lord Īśāna, attains the benefit of Agniṣṭoma.

One who forsakes the body there in the Tīrtha with or without any desire goes to Rudraloka immediately.