Chapter 140 - Greatness of Citrapathā River

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Īśvara said:

1-5. Thereafter, O great goddess, a pilgrim should go to the river Citrapathā situated in the vicinity of Brahmakuṇḍa in the centre of the shrine Citrāditya.

O beloved goddess of Suras, when the highly intelligent Citra was bodily carried off by the messengers of Yama carrying out his behests, his sister who was there came to know of it. She became extremely miserable. O goddess, the sister of that noble-souled one became the river Citrā and entered the great ocean in search of her kinsman (brother). Brāhmaṇas assigned her the name Citrapathā. It was in this manner, O lady of excellent complexion, that the river came to flow there.

6. A man who takes his holy bath there and visits Citrāditya goes to that great region where Lord Divākara (Sun) is present.

7. O goddess, that river has vanished in this Kali Age. She may rarely be seen in rainy season. It is very difficult to see her.

8. Holy ablution and pious gifts offered (there) are specially destructive of sins.

9-10. After taking food or before taking food, at night or by day, on festive occasions or at odd hours, whether one is personally clean or not, O beloved, whenever the river is visible she should be viewed. The viewing is authorized. There is no restriction of time.

11. On seeing the river, O great goddess, the Pitṛs stationed in heaven sing Sāman Mantras, dance and laugh.

12. (They say) ‘If anyone born of our family performs Śrāddha here, he will be causing delight to us as long as the Kalpa lasts.’

13. By realizing this, a man should get a Śrāddha performed there and have his holy bath there for the sake of destroying all sins, and also for the delight of the Pitṛs.

14. Thus, O goddess, it has been narrated as to how the river Citrapathā reached Prabhāsa and settled here as destroyer of sins.