Chapter 70 - Greatness of Varuṇeśvara (Varuṇa-īśvara)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Īśvara said:

1. Thereafter, O great goddess, a pilgrim should go to the excellent shrine of Varuṇeśvara. It is situated within a distance of twenty Dhanus to the south-east of Gaurī’s penance-grove. The Liṅga that was installed by Varuṇa possesses great power.

2-3. Formerly, O goddess, when the ocean was quaffed off by Agasti (the Pot-born One), Varuṇa, the Lord of rivers, became furious.

After realizing that the Prābhāsika Kṣetra is a bestower of desires, O goddess, he performed a severely difficult penance.

4. He installed a great Liṅga and worshipped it devoutly. The Bull-emblemed Lord was worshipped for more than ten thousand years.

5. Pleased thereby, O goddess of Devas, the Lord filled the empty ocean, the lord of aquatic animals, with the waters of his own Gaṅgā.

6. He gratified him by means of diverse kinds of boons granted through the Liṅga. Ever since then all the oceans became full.

7. Ever since then, that Liṅga came to be known by the name Varuṇeśvara.

8. O beautiful lady of Suras, what is the use of visiting many Liṅgas, when one obtains the merit of all the Tīrthas on visiting Varuṇeśa.

9. That Brāhmaṇa who bathes that Liṅga with curds on the eighth and fourteenth lunar days, becomes a master of all the four Vedas. There is no doubt about this.

10-11. O lady of excellent countenance, all the Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, Śūdras and others, dumb, blind and deaf people, children, women and even eunuchs go to heaven after visiting the deity. O goddess, they shall be abiding by piety.

If holy ablution, Japa, oblation, adoration, eulogy and dance are performed there, all those activities shall give everlasting benefits.

12. A man who keenly desires for the benefit of a perfect pilgrimage and also for the heavenly pleasures should make there gift of golden lotus, pearls etc.