Chapter 114 - Greatness of Vāmanasvāmī (Vāmanasvāmin)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Īśvara said:

1-3. Thereafter, O great goddess, a pilgrim should go to the shrine of sin-destroying Viṣṇu named Vāmanasvāmin. He is the destroyer of all sins.

It is remembered that the deity is stationed within a distance of twenty Dhanus on the south-western side of Puṣkara.

When, O goddess, Bali was bound by the powerful Viṣṇu, the right foot was placed there by the Viśvarūpin (Omni-formed One). O beloved, the second step was placed on the peak of Meru and the third in the firmament.

4. When he lifted up the foot the Cosmic Egg received a long crack by the tip of the foot (of Viṣṇu) and water gushed forth therefrom.

5. It came up to his knees on the earth. Therefore, it became famous on the earth as Viṣṇupadī Gaṅgā (the Gaṅgā arising from Viṣṇu’s foot).

6. At the outset that great river reached Puṣkara from the sky. The sky is called by the name Puṣkara. Water is also called Puṣkara. Hence the place of the presence of Prajāpati is famous as Puṣkara.

7. After taking holy bath there, the man who views the foot of Hari, attains the greatest region where Hari himself is present.

8. O beautiful lady, by offering balls of rice there to the Pitṛs, they become satisfied for a crore of years. Hari himself has said this.

9. In this context a couplet has been sung by the great sage Vasiṣṭha after viewing Vāmanasvāmin. Listen to it attentively.

10. “After bathing in Puṣkara and viewing Viṣṇu’s foot thereafter, why should there be worry even after committing great sins?”

11. He who makes a gift of a pair of shoes to a Brāhmaṇa and observes Vratas, proceeds to Viṣṇu’s world riding on a vehicle and is also honoured in Viṣṇuloka.