Chapter 56 - Greatness of Sāṃbāditya

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Note: The name of the deity (i.e., Sāṃbāditya) is later explained in verse 13. This has no relation to Kṛṣṇa’ son Sāmba, a devotee of the Sun-god.

1-2. By seeing the Lord of Suras named Sāṃbāditya who is not far from the previous shrine, a man obtains all the desires cherished in his heart.

A man who devoutly visits the deity on the seventh lunar day in the bright half of Māgha and on a Sunday, will never see hells.

3. Formerly there was a Brāhmaṇa named Gālava. That great sage was always engaged in the self-study of the Vedas. He was a master of the Vedas and Vedāṅgas.

4. He was devoted to excellent holy vows. He was quiescent. He was engaged in serving gods and Brāhmaṇas. He was well-behaved and grateful. He was an adept in the sacrificial rites.

5. Thus he continued till he attained very old age. It was then, O excellent Brāhmaṇas, that he fuly experienced the misery of being without a son.

6. Therefore, he left all domestic activities, and in this very holy spot he devoutly propitiated the Sun-god with mental concentration and purity.

7. Equipped with great ardour and faith, he installed the image of the Sun-god at the foot of a banyan tree as mentioned in the Pañcarātrika scriptures.

8. He abstained from taking food and kept his sense-organs under his control. During rainy season he stood under the open sky. During winter he remained in water and during summer he practised penance standing in the midst of five fires.

9. When the fifteenth year approached the Sun-god appeared on the banyan tree and spoke to him as he stood nearby.

Śrī Sūrya said:

10. Welfare unto you, O Gālava. Today I shall bestow boons on you. Do request for a boon. Even if it be very difficult to get, I shall undoubtedly grant it to you.

Gālava said:

11. O excellent one among the Suras, I am without a son and I have reached old age. Hence bestow on me a son who will make the family flourish (and continue it).

Śrī Sūtya said:

12. O Brāhmaṇa, your son will make the family flourish. He shall be brilliant, renowned, well-versed in scriptural texts and a master of the Vedas.

15. The image made by you in the vicinity of the Sun-god along with the goddess (Sa-ambā) shall become well-known on the earth by the name Sāmbasūrya.

14-15. A person who is endowed with ardent faith and abstains from food and devoutly worships the deity for twelve Saptamīs (seventh lunar days) coinciding with Sundays, O excellent Brāhmaṇa, shall undoubtedly obtain a son furthering the prosperity of the family.

16. After saying thus the Seven-horsed Lord, Sun, stopped. Delighted in his mind Gālava went to his abode.

17. Not long thereafter a son marked with all characteristic features, as mentioned by the Lord, was born to him.

18. Since the son had been granted by the delighted Sun-god appearing on the banyan tree, the father himself gave the name Vaṭeśvara to the son.

19. O excellent Brāhmaṇas, Gālava saw the sons of Vaṭeśvara, his grandsons, performed very elaborate penance and attained identity with the Sun-god.

20. After realizing that the Sun-god was installed by his father, Vaṭeśvara erected a charming mansion for him.

21. Ever since then, that deity named Vaṭāditya became well-known all over the three worlds as the bestower of sons on those without them.

22. A person engaged in observing fasts, who worships the deity faithfully for twelve Saptamīs coinciding with Sundays (or/ and twelve Sundays) in the proper order shall obtain an excellent son making his family prosper and flourish (in progeny).

23. A man who has no desire and who adores the deity devoutly, shall certainly obtain salvation rarely obtained by even gods.

24. Then there is a couple of verses sung by Nārada, the celestial sage, after visiting Vaṭāditya, the Lord of Suras and bestower of sons:

25. “Even if a woman is hundred years old, barren or widow, she will quickly conceive with the favour of Sāṃbasūrya.

26. Of what avail is Dāna, Vrata, Japa and fast for the sake of sons when Sāṃbasūrya, the Lord of Suras, is present?

27. A man who makes it convenient to stay in the holy spot for a year and devoutly visits the deity on Sundays, shall easily obtain an excellent son”.

28. Hence, O Brāhmaṇas, for the sake of one’s own weal and for prosperity and growth of one’s own family, a devotee should assiduously visit the Lord.