Chapter 221 - Greatness of Ṛṇamocana

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Īśvara said:

1-3. Thereafter, O great goddess, a pilgrim should go to the shrine of the deity named Ṛṇamocana. If the deity is visited, there shall no longer remain the indebtedness to mothers and fathers.

Formerly all the Pitṛs gathered together at Prabhāsa and stayed there for many years engaged in penance.

The Pitṛs called Agniṣvāttas, Barhiṣads, Somapas and Ājyapas installed the Liṅga and all of them worshipped it devoutly.

4. After a great deal of time, Maheśvara became pleased with them. Appearing before them, he spoke these words:

5. “Welfare unto ye all. I am pleased. Speak out what is mentally desired and cherished.”

The Pitṛs said:

6. In this universe created by yourself let maintenance be granted to us on the earth, on behalf of the Devas, sages and human beings.

7-8. Let them be free from sins and be released from the indebtedness to ancestors. O Lotus-born One, you alone are the greatest among all in the world. Let all the people of the four castes endowed with faith, come here and be released from the indebtedness to the Pitṛs. O most excellent one among Suras, let them whose Pitṛs have attained the status of spirits be free from the same (state).

, 9-11. Let the greatest goal be attained by all those to whom libation has been offered here viz., those Pitāmahas who were killed by serpents, fire or poison, those for whom the sixteen Ekoddiṣṭa Śrāddha rites were not performed due to want of Sapiṇḍīkaraṇa whether they have sons or not, those on whose behalf the Vṛṣotsarga (release of a bull) was not performed, those who were killed by cows or base-born ones, and others who are dead but purificatory rites were not performed.

Śrī Bhagavān said:

12-13. Men with great devotion to the Pitṛs should take their bath in the holy waters and offer libation. I shall be the bestower of boons to them. I shall at that very moment redeem all of them even if they are defiled by hundreds of sins. There is no doubt.

14-15. A man who takes his holy bath in this holy Tīrtha and worships the Liṅga installed by you all, shall be relieved of indebtedness to the Pitṛs. It has been named Ṛṇamocana by me because by paying a visit to this Liṅga people are relieved of indebtedness.

16. A devotee should place gold on his head and take his holy bath in the Ṛṇamocana Tīrtha. Thereby he shall get his own self redeemed. It will be as though a hundred cows are given off (as religious gift).

17. After saying this the Lord vanished there itself. Hence, one shall perform Śrāddha there assiduously. O great goddess, he shall worship that Pitṛliṅga which the Pitṛs like.