Chapter 223 - The Greatness of Vāsaveśvara (vāsava-īśvara-tīrtha)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

1-11. Within a Krośa therefrom, O son of Kuntī, is the excellent Vāsava Tīrtha. There the Vasus stayed for twelve years and installed the deity.

The eight Vasus are: Dhara, Dhruva, Soma, Āpa, Anila, Anala, Pratyūṣa and Prabhāsa.

Formerly, O descendant of Bharata, they were distressed due to the curse of Pitṛ (father, ancestor) that condemned them to stay within womb. They came to the Tīrtha on Narmadā and performed penance with the sense-organs fully controlled.

They propitiated the great immutable Lord of Bhavānī for twelve years. O great king, Maheśvara was delighted thereby.

He became visible to them and granted them excellent desired boons. Thereupon the Vasus installed Maheśvara called after their own name. Śaṅkara being (then) pleased, they went away passing through the firmament.

Ever since then that Tīrtha became well-known after the name of Vasus. O great king, a devotee should worship Śiva with easily available offerings. Lights should be offered assiduously on the eighth day in the bright half of a month. The devotee should offer the same everyday as per his capacity. He should stay in the vicinity of Śiva for eight thousand years. Then he enters Śiva’s abode. He never resides in a womb.

A devotee who worships Lord Īśāna with flowers, tender sprouts, fruits and food-grain shall never meet with wretchedness. Freed from all griefs, he is honoured in Svargaloka.

O son of Kuntī, one who is able to stay at least one day in the Vāsaveśvara Tīrtha shall shake off heaps of sins and rejoice in heaven like the Sun. He should devoutly feed Brāhmaṇas and give clothes and monetary gifts.