Chapter 233 - Benefits of Bath in Gaṅgā

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

The sages said:

1-2. O Sūta, O highly esteemed one, we desire to hear from you in detail the efficacy of the Cāturmāsya Vratas. Do describe this after showing favour to us. By imbibing the nectar of your words, our faith increases further.

Sūta said:

3-4. Listen ye all, O sages, to the efficacy of Cāturmāsyavrata. I shall explain the greatness thereof in front of you. Formerly, Nārada listened to the explanation of different kinds of procedure of the Vratas from Brahmā. Thereafter, he respectfully asked Brahmā:

Nārada said:

5. O highly esteemed Lord of Devas, O Brahmā, many Vratas have been listened to by me from you. But my mind is not fully satisfied.

6. Now I wish to hear about the splendid Vrata of Cāturmāsya.

Brahmā said:

7. O celestial sage, listen from me to the splendid Cāturmāsya Vrata. On listening to this, salvation of men in Bhārata Khaṇḍa is not difficult to attain.

8. This Lord is the bestower of salvation. He is the cause of redemption from worldly existence. Merely by remembering him, one is rid of all sins.

9. Human birth is extremely rare in the world. Nobility of birth therein is still rarer. There too kind-heartedness and auspicious association with good people therein is rare.

10. Where association with saintly people is not available, devotion to Viṣṇu and performance of Vratas especially during Cāturmāsya is very auspicious. It causes delight to Viṣṇu.

11-13. If anyone does not perform Vratas during Cāturmāsya, his Puṇya (merit) is meaningless. When the Cāturmāsya arrives, all the Tīrthas, Dānas, meritorious shrines etc. resort to Viṣṇu.

His life is splendid with well-nourished body if a sensible man bows down to Hari at the advent of Cāturmāsya. Devas are contented with him and they bestow boons on him as long as he lives.

14. If after attaining human birth, any one is averse to the observance of Cāturmāsya, they say that a hundred sins cling to his body. There is no doubt about it.

15. Birth in human kind is rare in the world. The devotion to Hari is also rare, especially in the four months when Lord Janārdana is asleep.

16. During these four months, a man shall take his holy ablution early in the morning. He will get the full benefit of all Kratus and rejoice in heaven like Devas.

17-18. He who takes his holy bath in the Cāturmāsya shall attain Siddhi. If one bathes in a stream, lake or well, thousands of his sins get dissolved instantly. If one bathes in Puṣkara, Prayāga or in any reservoir anywhere during the four months, there is no limit to his merit.

19. One who bathes at least one day during the four months in Revā, in the holy spot of Bhāskara in Prācī Sarasvatī where she joins the sea, cannot be affected by any sin (defect).

20. If one bathes for three days with great concentration in Narmadā when Lord Jagannātha is asleep, his sin is split into a thousand pieces.

21. He who takes his bath at sunrise in Godāvarī for a fortnight pierces through his body originating from Karmas and goes to the same world as that of Viṣṇu.

22. He who bathes in water mixed with gingelly seeds, Āmalaka (Indian gooseberry) water and the water mixed with Bilva leaves during Cāturmāsya is not affected by any defect.

23. A man should go near any watery expanse and remember Gaṅgā. That water becomes Gaṅgā water. One should take the holy ablution therein.

24. Gaṅgā flows from the toe of the Lord of Devas. It is said to be the destroyer of sins always, especially during the four months.

25. Since Lord Viṣṇu, on being remembered, destroys thousands of sins, the water from his feet held on the head becomes auspicious,

26. Lord Nārāyaṇa occupies water during the four months. A bath in contact with a part of Viṣṇu’s splendour excels the bath in all the Tīrthas.

27. Ten types of holy ablution should be performed. It has the great benefit of Vīṣṇu’s [Viṣṇu’s?] names, especially when the Lord is asleep. The man attains divinity.

28. O Brāhmaṇa, if an auspicious and meritorious rite is performed without taking bath, it is fruitless. Rākṣasas accept the same.

29. One attains the truthful one through holy ablution. Bath is an eternal Dharma (sacred rite). After getting the benefit of salvation through Dharma (piety) one never becomes weary and disconsolate.

30. In the case of those conversant with spiritual matters, the meritorious ones who have mastered the Vedas and Vedāṅgas and those who make all kinds of gifts, they attain purity through ablution.

31. Hari resorts to the body of one who has taken his bath and stands by it. He shall be the bestower of the full benefit in regard to all holy rites.

32. It is conducive to the destruction of all sins. For propitiating deities, it is necessary that one should take the holy ablution in water during the four months. It is destructive of all sins.

33. One should not take the holy bath at night nor in the Sandhyā (twilight) period. No bath (is allowed) with hot water at night. Purity is never attained thereby.

34. In all holy rites, it is laid down that purity is gained by viewing the Sun. During Cāturmāsya in particular, purity comes (is gained) from water.

35. If the body is not strong enough, one can purify oneself through Bhasma-snāna (applying ash over the body), Mantra-snāna or the water of Gaṅgā, O leading Brāhmaṇa.

36. He who takes the holly bath before Nārāyaṇa in the holy spots, Tīrthas and rivers, especially in Cāturmāsya becomes a purified soul.