Chapter 184 - The Greatness of Dhautapāpa Tīrtha

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

1-5. Thereafter, a person should go to Dhautapāpa Tīrtha. It is in the vicinity of Bhṛgutīrtha. It was there that Bhṛgu was shaken (thrown in the Tīrtha) frequently by the bull (Nandin).

Hence it became well known in all the worlds by the name Dhautapāpa. For the sake of the pleasure of the excellent Bhṛgu, Mahādeva stationed himself there.

O king, even if one takes his holy bath roguishly at that place, he is rid of all sins. No doubt need be felt in this connection.

One who duly takes his holy bath there in accordance with the injunctions and worships Śiva, Devas and Pitṛs are rid of all sins.

The Sin of Brāhmaṇa-slaughter and cow-slaughter, O Yudhiṣṭhira, is always afraid (of the Tīrtha) and hence it does not enter there. Even if it enters, it is duly destroyed.

Yudhiṣṭhira said:

6-15. O excellent Brāhmaṇa, do explain this, that appears to be very wonderful in this world, that the Sin of Brāhmaṇa-slaughter cannot have access to the Dhautapāpa Tīrtha. There will not be a sin like that of the slaughter of a Brāhmaṇa. O Brāhmaṇa, how does it perish on entering Dhautapāpa? Do tell me in detail. I eagerly ask.

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

In the course of the earlier first creation, on seeing the distorted fifth face resembling that of a horse, of the all-powerful Brahmā, Śaṃbhu clipped it off with his thumb in conjunction with one of the fingers. As soon as the head was severed, he incurred the sin of Brāhmaṇa-slaughter.

Possessing the sin of Brāhmaṇa-slaughter, he remained on the northern bank of Narmadā. There the bull in the form of piety shook off everything and installed the goddess as Dhauteśvarī venerated by all the deities. Lord Śaṃbhu visited Goddess Durgā, Dhauteśvarī, the destroyer of the Sin of Brāhmaṇa-slaughter. After the visit Śāṅkara, the slayer of Tripura, rested there.

He considered himself rid of Brahmahatyā by the power of the Tīrtha. Seeing the Brahmahatyā far away from the Tīrtha, the distinguished Lord of Devas was surprised.

He thought thus: ‘The Hatyā is afraid of the goddess. Thanks to the power of her piety, the Hatyā will not enter Vidhautapāpa Tīrtha that is very much honoured. Brahmahatyā is like a dark-complexioned woman wearing red garments and red garlands and attracted by red garland-strings. She is desirous of catching hold of my shoulders secretly but remains far off due to the power of the excellent Tīrtha.’ Thinking thus mentally, the Enemy of Smara decided to stay there in the Tīrtha.

16-24. After reflecting upon it many time:s, he remained there himself. He has become famous as Vidhautapāpa on the earth. He became a permanent resident of the place in the vicinity of Vidhautapāpa.

Ever since then, O great king, that Tīrtha Vidhautapāpa became established on Narmada as a Tīrtha destructive of Brahmahatyā.

The ninth lunar day in the bright half of the month of Aśvayuja is of special significance there at that Tīrtha. In fact the three days beginning with the seventh day are important, O great king.

There is no doubt about it that he who observes fast and recites the Vedas called Ṛgveda, Yajurveda and Sāmaveda along with their ancillaries, during day and night, shall be rid of the sin of Brahmahatyā.

One who is guilty of cohabiting with a Vṛṣalī or wife of preceptor, becomes rid of the sin by taking bath in the excellent Brahmasaras with a potful of water.

A barren woman, a woman who gives birth only to girls, a woman having only one progeny and a woman whose child is dead, should take bath with potfuls of water. She will have living children and sons as well.

An illiterate: Brāhmaṇa should observe fast and utter a single Mantra from Ṛk, Yajus or Sāman in the course of a Parva day. He should observe fast and repeat Gāyatrī, the mother of the Vedas, without repeating any other Ṛk Mantra. The great Brāhmaṇa should repeat the Mantra on the ninth day. He shall be rid of a group (series) of sins. Thus, O dear one, it is mentioned in the Purāṇas by great sages.

25-31. That Dhautapāpa is extremely meritorious, has been told to me by Śiva. One who casts off one’s life in water or on the ground by means of fire, shall have the lustre of Fire-god and Sun. He shall be served by groups of Apsarās even as he rides an aerial chariot fitted with swans and peacocks and goes to the great place of Śiva inaccessible even to Suras. He sports about there as he pleases as long as the moon, the sun and the stars shine.

A woman who gives up her life in Dhautapāpa, O son of Kuntī, will attain manhood at the same moment.

Of what avail is too much of talk? Whether auspicious or inauspicious, whatever is done in Dhautapāpa has everlasting benefit, O king.

One can invariably give up food and sensual pleasures and (eating) fruit, roots etc., but one should not give up water.

One who does so, goes to Rudraloka, O son of Kuntī. After enjoying all pleasures there, he is reborn on the earth as a king.

Other Purana Concepts:

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Apsaras, Mahadeva, Gayatrimantra, Gayatri, Brahmasara, Bhrigutirtha, Rudraloka, Brahmahatya, Lord Shambhu, Holy bath, Sin of Brahmana-slaughter, Vedic recitation, Third lunar day, Goddess Durga, Everlasting benefit, Northern bank of Narmada, Ninth lunar day, Fire and water, Illiterate Brahmana, Parva day.