Chapter 154 - The Greatness of Kalakaleśvara (kalakala-īśvara-tīrtha)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

1-9. On the southern bank of Narmadā is the famous Kalakaleśvara Tīrtha well-known in all the worlds. It was created by the Lord himself.

After killing Andhaka in the battle, Maheśvara, the Lord of Devas, created it in the company of the Devas, Gandharvas, Kinnaras and great Serpents. They sang and played on the musical instruments like trumpet, drums like Mṛdaṅga, Paṇava etc., lutes and flutes. They sang a number of eulogies. They sang Sāman verses, Yajus and other Vedic passages. Others recited Ṛks. Other dignified persons eulogized Maheśvara with many prayers.

There was heard the Kalakala (indistinct but sweet to the ears) sound of Pramathas and bards. Since the Liṅga was installed in the midst of Kalakala sound, it came to be known after it.

A man who takes his holy bath there in that Tīrtha and visits the deity, Kalakaleśvara, obtains a greater merit than that of Vājapeya here on the earth itself.

By that merit, he will become a sanctified soul and on death he will go to heaven seated on an excellent vehicle. He will be sung about by groups of celestial damsels. After enjoying great pleasures, he will be reborn as a noble soul in a pure family after lapse of much time. He will be a Brāhmaṇa of excellent luck and handsome in features. He will be a master of the Vedas and Vedāṅgas. Devoid of ailments and grief, he will live for a hundred years.