Chapter 126 - Greatness of Satyasandheśvara (Satyasandha-īśvara)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Sūta said:

1. O excellent Brāhmaṇas, while he was engaged in penance along with his daughter (Karṇotpalā) all the Brāhmaṇas hailing from Camatkārapura came there.

The Brāhmaṇas said:

2. Loss (of justice) and confusion has arisen due to the absence of a leading king who could take decision in all doubtful cases, particularly in disputes.

3. Then the king who had renounced was requested by the excellent Brāhmaṇas for the protection of their kingdom. On another day, he stood with palms joined in reverence and asked:

The king said:

4. O excellent Brāhmaṇas, I am not competent to remove your doubts. I am particularly incapable of according protection as I have set aside all weapons now.

The Brāhmaṇas said:

5-6. O great king, since all of us are considered to be superior to king, since we have resorted to our place with selfishness and arrogance, no one has any doubt at any time in regard to the duty regarding rites to be performed at the holy spot and also sustenance.

7. Formerly, innumerable means of sustenance were assigned to us by the noble-souled one. Then increase was done in it by the later excellent kings.

8-9. Especially this has been said by you: “As long as King Bṛhadbala continues to be in Ānarta land and later whoever happens to be the king, he will assiduously offer sustenance to the householders.” Now what can we say before you? For you know everything.

10. You know how sustenance was offered earlier and how it was maintained by you. Hence, O leading king, think about the spot and also the means of sustenance whereby there shall be happiness and comfort. Everything shall be within bounds.

11. Thereupon, he thought for a long time and summoned those masters of the Vedas born of the family of Upamanyu, hailing from Gartātīrtha.

12-16. After making obeisance he respectfully told: “All the duties should be carried out humbly like servants, in regard to all the people residing in my holy spot particularly the Brāhmaṇas. Protection should always be accorded (to them).

They will strictly observe the bounds and limits of decorum in cases of doubts and especially in cases of all disputes (But the following is to be noted).

In administrative matters and other cases also these people will ultimately decide after listening to your words, good or bad.

These should be protected with favour. They should be nourished in accordance with your capacity. Jealousy should be eschewed. Everything should be done for the prosperity of my holy spot.”

17. On being told by them, “So it shall be” the king once again respectfully said to the Brāhmaṇas hailing from Camatkārapura:

18-20. “For your sustenance in regard to all matters for ever, these Brāhmaṇas hailing from Gartātīrtha have been appointed by me. Everything concerning you shall be at the instance of these. The establishment of everything shall duly result as indicated by the four Vedas. Not otherwise, O excellent Brāhmaṇas, whether little or much is expressed by others hailing from your city numbering one hundred thousand."

Sūta said:

21. Thereupon, those Brāhmaṇas joyously took those excellent Brāhmaṇas and did everything forever in accordance with their advice.

22. Thereupon, there arose bounds of morality (Dharma) causing the increase of virtue in that city. In every affair everyone in the city flourished.

23. With their favour those Brāhmaṇas hailing from Gartātīrtha attained great riches and rejoiced happily.

24. Once thereafter that king arrived at the city and spoke respectfully to all those Brāhmaṇas:

25-27. “With your favour, a severe penance has been performed by me in the holy spot here. O excellent Brāhmaṇas, I shall now go to Svarga.

Now there is no king belonging to our family, O excellent Brāhmaṇas, to whom I can show this Liṅga, who could have used this for the purpose of adoration, livelihood or for enjoyment of pleasures. Hence this worship should be assiduously carried out by you alone. Taking pity on me, do these things and particularly the Rathayātrā (religious procession with the deity in a chariot).”

The Brāhmaṇas said:

28. Already twenty-seven Liṅgas are dear to the sons of Camatkārapura and are always worshipped by them.

29. Similarly your Liṅga shall be the twenty-eighth one. We shall worship it always. O king, be free from any anxiety (about it).

30. We shall perform the Yātrā always in the month of Kārttika and offer oblations, presents, adorations, songs and instrumental music within our capacity.

31. On being told thus, he became delighted. After going to the hermitage, he bathed the Liṅga and performed the worship with great devotion.

Sūta said:

32. Thus, the Liṅga of Hara was dedicated to all those leading Brāhmaṇas, O Brāhmaṇas, when the extinction of the family was about to happen.

33. A man who is endowed with perfect faith and who bathes and worships it during the whole of the month of Kārttika shall certainly attain salvation.

34. A devotee should wait patiently for a year and on a Monday the worship should be performed after duly bathing it. He also will attain salvation. I have heard this from my father.