Chapter 21 - Glory of Bālasakhya Tīrtha

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

The Brāhmaṇas said:

1. When was Prapitāmaha installed by Mārkaṇḍa there? Tell us where the sage built his hermitage.

Sūta said:

2-8. There was an excellent Brāhmaṇa named Mṛkaṇḍa. He was the greatest among the masters of Vedic knowledge. He was in the Vānaprastha stage of life and lived very near Camatkārapura. He was quiescent and fully observed the restraints. He performed a great penance. Even as he was continuing in the Vānaprastha stage, a splendid son was born to him in that advanced age. He was fully characterized with all the auspicious features. He resembled the full moon in his lustre. The boy was named Mārkaṇḍa by the father himself. In that excellent hermitage, the boy grew up excellently like the moon in the sky in the bright half of a month. Five years passed thus and the boy continued to be interested in child-like plays and games on the lap of his father. After some time a certain scholar came there. He was fully conversant with the Science of Sāmudrika (Physiognomy). He looked at the child from the tip of his nail to the hair on top of the head. With his eyes beaming with wonder, he smiled slightly.

9-17. On seeing the learned man with beaming smile on his face, Mṛkaṇḍa joyously but politely said:

Mṛkaṇḍa said:

How is it, O tiger among Brāhmaṇas, that you were observing my son for a long time; first you appeared to be surprised, then you were smiling. Why?

Sūta said:

On being askeḍ thus by him many times, the excellent Brāhmaṇa disclosed the reason for his smile.

The Brāhmaṇa said:

O excellent sage, on the limbs of this child certain sighs are visible which show that the man shall be devoid of old age and death. But, this child will die within six months from this day. There is no doubt about it. The truth has been spoken by me.

After learning this, O excellent Brāhmaṇa, do everything possible for his welfare in this world as well as in the other world, at the bidding of mine in regard to this boy.

After saying this, that leading Brāhmaṇa went away in the direction he wished. Though it was premature, Mṛkaṇḍa thought of something in his mind and performed the rite of Mauñjīnibandhana (the rite of tying the girdle of Muñja grass as a part of the sacred thread ceremony) for his son. The sage who knew the reason said to his son the reason thereof: “O son, whomsoever you see, a wandering excellent Brāhmaṇa to be sure, you should politely pay obeisance to him.”

18-28. Accordingly the boy continued his Vrata and regularly made obeisance to eminent Brāhmaṇas. There remained only three days to complete the stipulated period of six months. In the meantime the seven sages eagerly desirous of visiting Agni Tīrtha came to the place where Mārkaṇḍa with the Muñja girdle was present. On seeing the sages, the son of the sage bowed down to them. They also severally blessed him saying “Be long-lived”. Urged by the fancy for the child-like simplicity of the religious student, the eminent sage Vasiṣṭha said these words: “This child had been (sincerely blessed) by all ‘Be long-lived’. But on the third day from to-day he will undoubtedly cast off his life. In that case, O Brāhmaṇas, our statement would be improper. Hence do something whereby he shall really be long-lived.” They had mutual consultations. Then the eminent sages said: “Except resorting to Pitāmaha there can be no way longevity. Hence let this boy whose life is nearly extinct be taken there so that he can be long-lived by his (Lord’s)words.” They took the Brahmacārī immediately to Brahmaloka without depending on the efficacy of the Tīrtha. They then bowed down to the Lord, O Brāhmaṇas, reciting the Vedic hymns. After eulogizing, they sat in his vicinity. After them the boy too bowed down to Pitāmaha. Then boy was told by the Self-born Lord, “Be long-lived”.

29-35. Thereafter when all the sages had their rest the Lotus-born Lord asked them: “Whence have you come now? What for? What should be done unto you now, may be mentioned. You have come to my house. Who is this boy of excellent holy rites?”

The sages said:

In the course of our pilgrimage, we went to the earth, O Pitāmaha, and came to a place near Camatkārapura. O Lord, we were duly bowed down to by this boy there and he was blessed by all one by one, “Be long-lived.” But only three days of his life remain. O excellent one among Devas, we became ashamed thereby. Thereafter, we have now come to you, taking the boy with us. The boy was blessed by you too, “Be long-lived”. Hence, O Lotus-born Lord, do that whereby we can become truthful along with you. So we have come here.

Sūta said:

36-41. On hearing the words of those sages the Lotus-born Lord took (to him) the boy and said laughingly: ‘This boy shall be free from old age and death by my blessings. He will undoubtedly become efficient in the Vedic lore. Hence, at the outset, O excellent sages, go to the earth. Take this boy to his abode itself. O excellent Brāhmaṇas, go there before his aged father yearning to see his son, meets with his death along with his virtuous wife.” Then all the excellent sages came to the earth and left the boy in Agni Tīrtha in the vicinity of his hermitage. After speaking to him they hastened to the other places for pilgrimage.

42-47. In the meantime the Brāhmaṇa Mṛkaṇḍa, fond of his son, failed to see his son. He became extremely sad and lamented: “Where is my dear son? How is it that he cannot be seen now? Has he fallen into a well? Has he been swallowed by pythons? My little son has made me and his mother distressed by this long journey that he has undertaken. Fate has become adverse in its action. See, O Brāhmaṇa lady, I have committed sins. I am a sinner. I could not see the face of my son who has set off to the abode of Yama. Earlier the learned, noble-souled man had already Warned me, ‘This son of yours will give up his life in six months.’ Now, grief-stricken for the loss of my son, we shall get together in the funeral pyre lest, O lady of excellent countenance, the fire of grief should bum my body.”

The Brāhmaṇa lady said:

48-49. Indeed my opinion too is this alone that has been uttered by you. Then, O holy Sir, why do you delay. Fetch the wood so that I can enter the pyre along with you. For us grief-stricken due to the loss of the son that is the only way for quelling the misery.

Sūta said:

50-53. Even as the couple were discussing thus, O excellent Brāhmaṇas, the delighted boy came near them. On seeing him, the Brāhmaṇa and the Brāhmaṇa lady were equally pleased. With tears of joy welling in his eyes he rushed at the child. Embracing him repeatedly the Brāhmaṇa and the lady asked him: “O dear child, where had you gone from the hermitage? Why have you come after such a great delay? Hereafter, O dear son, do not cast us, an old man and his wife, into the ocean of distress. Do not do such a thing again.”

Mārkaṇḍeya said:

54-56. O dear father, to-day some sages had come here. Remembering your advice, I made obeisance to them by turns. On seeing me but a child yet one who has undertaken Vratas they were surprised. I was blessed, “Be long-lived” by those surprised, excellent Brāhmaṇas. Thereafter Vasiṣṭha, the sage in their midst, spoke to all those sages laughingly about me.

Vasiṣṭha said:

57-64. O leading sages, this boy who has been told (blessed) by you, “Be long-lived” will meet with his death on the third day.

Thereupon the sages became afraid of being untruthful. Instantly they took me to the place where Brahmā was present.

I was blessed, “Be long-lived” by that Lotus-born Lord to whom I bowed down. I was also asked, “From where have you come here?” Then all details were mentioned to him by the sages. They told him (about their predicament) arising from the benediction and said: “Therefore we have come here. O Lord Pitāmaha, it behoves you to do something so that this boy becomes really long-lived with your favour.” Then, dear father, I was made free from old age and death by Brahmā and despatched home immediately along with them. Those sages have left me here in the vicinity of the hermitage and have gone to the splendid whirlpool for having their holy plunge.

On hearing his words, Mṛkaṇḍa became joyous and he hurried to the place where the sages were present.

65-68. He bowed down to all those sages and stood there with palms joined in deference:

He said:

With your favour, my family has flourished. O excellent-sages, certain preceptors have resorted to good people well-known in all the three worlds and have made this excellent statement: “A sight of good people is meritorious. Good people are like Tīrthas; but a Tīrtha yields its benefit in due course, though contact with good people yields fruits immediately.” Hence you all come to my house as my guests. O excellent Brāhmaṇas, may this be mentioned: In what way shall I offer hospitality?

The sages said:

69. O sage, this alone is a crorefold hospitality unto us that your son who was destined to be short-lived has become free from death.

Mṛkaṇḍa said:

70-72. O lords of sages, by saving our son from the dutches of the god of Death the entire family has been saved and redeemed by you all. Expiation has been laid down by great men in the case of a Brāhmaṇa-slayer, imbiber of liquor, thief and violator of vows, but there is no atonement for an ungrateful one. Hence, O leading sages, whatever you all do should be such as averts the sin of ingratitude on my part. There is no doubt about it.

The sages said:

73-80. O excellent Brāhmaṇa, if you agree to do some good thing in return, then, at our instance, make a shrine unto Lord Parameṣṭhin by whom your son has been made free from the eventuality of death. Hence install Lord Prapitāmaha by the side of the Tīrtha.

Later you along with your son will propitiate him day and night. We too shall worship Lord Pitāmaha along with you. So also shall worship other excellent Brāhmaṇas. Since there had been a Sakhya (companionship) with your son here this Tīrtha will become famous by the name Bālasakhya. The Tīrtha glorified by others thus shall be conducive to the welfare of children who may be distressed due to ailments or fear at our instance. If people bathe a child distressed due to illness or fear or one afflicted by Planets etc., in this Tīrtha, he will be rid of all defects, O Brāhmaṇa, at our instance and with the favour of Pitāmaha.

O Brāhmaṇa, those men who are endowed with faith and are free from desire and take their holy bath here, will attain the greatest goal.

81-83. After saying this, all those sages of esteemed Vratas took leave of the sage and hurriedly went to another Tīrtha. In the month of Jyeṣṭha when the Moon was in the constellation Jyeṣṭhā, Mṛkaṇḍa and his brilliant son established joyously (an image of) Lord Pitāmaha at that spot. Along with his son endowed with great faith, he propitiated the Lord without lethargy day and night. He thereby attained the greatest goal.

Sūta said:

84-86. Ever since then that Tīrtha, remembered as Bālasakhya, sanctified all creatures and destroyed the ailments of children. O Brāhmaṇas, a boy who takes his holy bath there on the Jyeṣṭhā constellation day in the month of Jyeṣṭha never becomes afflicted for the whole year. He becomes immune from the attacks of malefic Planets, spirits, ghosts and particularly Śākinīs. So also from other evil agents.