Chapter 300 - Greatness of Saṅgāleśvara (Saṅgāla-īśvara)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Īśvara said:

1-6. On the northern side thereof, rather slightly on the north-west, is the Liṅga named Saṅgāleśvara. It is destructive of all sins.

O my beloved, Brahmā and Viṣṇu were inclined to propitiate the Liṅga there. The highly splendid Lord Śakra worshipped the Liṅga.

So also did Varuṇa, Dhanada (Kubera), Dharmarāja and Pāvaka (Fire-god).

The great Liṅga was propitiated by Ādityas, Vasus, the Guardians of the Quarters all round. After worshipping it, all of them witnessed the excellent greatness of the Liṅga named Saṅgāleśvara.

O fair lady, suddenly they exclaimed in their highest glee: “Since the groups of Devas gathered here and installed this Liṅga, it will become known all over the earth by the name Saṅgāleśvara.

None in the family of the men who adore the deity named Saṅgāleśvara, shall ever be poor and deprived of wealth.”

7. By visiting Saṅgāleśvara, one attains that merit which one gets by gifting a thousand cows at Kurukṣetra.

8. A devotee should go there on a New-Moon day and perform the holy ablution in accordance with the injunctions. Without a vestige of anger, he should perform the Śrāddha unto the Pitṛs. Thereby the Pitṛs are pleased till the time of Pralaya when all living beings get dissolved.

9. That holy spot extends all round to half a Krośa. It fulfils all desired objectives and destroys all sins.

10. O great goddess, all living beings of high and middle order, who die here when the time comes, attain the greatest goal.

11. O great goddess, those men who observe fast (unto death) and give up their lives shall certainly merge in the Supreme Lord.

12-14. All these shall certainly attain salvation: Those who are killed by a bull (or cow), or a bird, those who are killed by fanged animals (reptiles) or those who kill themselves, those who die on being bitten by serpents, those who die (naturally) in their beds. Even those devoid of elementary cleanliness—if they die in this holy spot of great merit, granting the cessation of rebirth—get salvation.

If they perform sixteen Śrāddhas, if the rite of Vṛṣotsarga (letting loose a bull) is performed, if Brāhmaṇas are duly fed, they attain salvation.

15-16. After saying thus all the Suras went to heaven. The greatness of Saṅgāleśvara has been succinctly mentioned to you. If it is listened to it dispels sins, miseries and griefs.