Chapter 78 - Greatness of Vaiśvānareśvara (Vaiśvānara-īśvara)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Īśvara said:

1-4. Thereafter, a devotee should go to the shrine of Lord Vaiśvānareśvara, O great goddess. It is stationed within a distance of five Dhanus of the same deity (i.e. Uttaṅkeśvara) in the south-east corner. Through visiting and touching it destroys the sins of all creatures.

O goddess, formerly a parrot had built its nest there. He stayed for a long time in the mansion (of the temple) along with his wife. The couple circumambulated it everyday not at all due to any special devotion but because their nest happened to be there, O goddess. After a long time, they met with their death.

5. It is mentioned that they were born on the earth with the power to remember previous births. They became famous by the names Lopāmudrā and Agastya.

6. There is a couplet (a verse) formerly sung by the noble-souled Agastya who recollected the previous birth with the wonder arising from his own experience.

7. “After circumambulating perfectly if anyone visits Vahnīśa, he shall certainly attain renown thereby like me formerly.”

8. Thus, O goddess, the greatness of the deity of Fire has been stated to you. On being listened to, it dispels the sins of men and bestows all desired benefits.

9. An eminent Brāhmaṇa should bathe the deity with ghee and adore him duly. With perfect faith he should offer gold too.

10. After doing this in accordance with the injunctions one shall attain full benefit of the pilgrimage. He attains Vahniloka and rejoices there for an endless time.