Chapter 174 - The Greatness of Gopeśvara (gopa-īśvara-tīrtha)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

1-11. Thereafter, a person should go to the Gopeśvara Tīrtha on the northern bank of Narmadā, where, by means of a single bath, men are liberated from their sins.

One who takes his holy bath there in that Tīrtha and gives up his life shall go to the Palace of Śiva by means of a vehicle drawn by peacocks.

After sporting about there in Śivaloka for a long time, O king, he attains human birth here and becomes a powerful king.

The man shall be endowed richly with elephants, horses and chariots and fully equipped with male and female servants. He shall live for a hundred years, adored even by leading kings.

On the ninth lunar day in the bright half of the month of Kārttika, the devotee should observe fast and remain pure. He should then light lamps there.

After adoring with scents and sweet-smelling flowers he shall keep awake in the night. O king, listen to the benefit indicated for him.

He is honoured in Śivaloka for as many thousands of Yugas as there are lamps. This is the fruit of his merit. Listen to the procedure of Liṅgapūraṇa [Liṅgapurāṇa?].

Listen to the fruit of the merit derived by him who, at that Tīrtha, fills up (that is wraps around) the Liṅga with gingelly seeds, lotus flowers, and boiled rice mixed with curds.

O king, he rejoices for as much time as he desires, for as many years as there are gingelly seeds, rice cakes and lotus flowers.

Whatever is given as religious gift at that Tīrtha, O king, shall have crore-times benefit. It cannot be calculated adequately. Thus the most excellent Tīrtha has been recounted to you fully.