Chapter 9 - Eminence of Lake Rukmiṇī

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Prahlāda said:

1. Then O the foremost Brāhmaṇas! go to that place having seven basins together, i.e. saptakuṇḍa which has been well-heard of. This not only redeems all sins but also enhances one’s intelligence.

2. (Hari) the Lord of the world along with Lakṣmī had appeared there when the sages worshipped him by reciting hymns in his honour.

3. Then they got up, formed a circle amongst themselves, for coronation of Padmā (an epithet of Lakṣmī) seated on the left of the God and worshipped her with the water of the divine river Gaṅgā.

4. Then, O Brāhmaṇas! the sons of Brahmā like Sanaka et. al. and the seven sages stated to be created from mind began to worship separately with requisite offerings and sprinkling of water onto the Goddess. When they thus made sprinkling of water an ocean came up there.

5-6. Then so named after the Goddess, this pool of water was spoken as Lakṣmī lake. As the dvāpara yuga came to an end, the same lake with the support of Rukmiṇī retained its reputation as Rukmiṇī lake in the Kaliyuga. Also happened to be served by Bhṛgu, it is remembered as Bhṛgutīrtha.

7. Hence, the great fortunate souls, after going there, better wash the dust off your feet and then bearing the sacred kuśa grass in hand, sip water as a matter of the religious ritualistic practice facing the east which has been upheld to be sanctifying.

8-9. Then after making full arrangement with regard to fruits, flowers, the unbroken whole grains required for making offerings as a part of worship, raise a silver onto your head and then recite the mantra saying, “I am making offering of all these for worship in the lake named after Rukmiṇī so that I shall earn the pleasure of Rukmiṇī and all my sins shall wither away.”

10. Then continuing to hold the silver on the crown of head, the Brāhmaṇas, take your bath. Then offer libation of water to the gods, human beings and your forefathers in particular.

11. Then perform śrāddha there after inviting Brāhmaṇas with all faith. Also make offering of your religious fee to them in silver and gold.

12. Then O the best of Brāhmaṇas! give them juicy fruits in particular. Besides feed sweet food to married couples.

13. Worship wives of the Brāhmaṇas as well as other women also. Give them bodices and red clothes to earn the pleasure of Rukmiṇī.

14. O the foremost Brāhmaṇas! human beings can consider themselves to be fortunate enough by doing so. By doing so, all desires of one get fulfilled and he succeeds in going to the abode of Viṣṇu.

15. Lakṣmī is stated to reside in his house without any doubt. He becomes free from diseases and with a contented mind, anxieties hardly affect him.

16. His forefathers get inexhaustible satisfaction and his children get to enjoy a settled life. Feeling of meanness never gets onto him and man gets blessed with long life.

17. One who takes a bath in the Lakṣmī lake becomes rich/wealthy from all sides. Neither Lakṣmī deserts him nor the fear of losing wealth ever haunts him.

18. One who takes a bath in the Lakṣmī lake will neither have any enemy nor does he have to get embroiled in any battle. He gets free from the repeated cycle of coming in and going out, (i.e. making exits) from worldly life.

19. One who takes a bath in the Rukmiṇī lake does not have to worry about sorrows and bereavement. Getting free from all sins, he gets purged of all fears.

20. Getting all his desires fulfilled/accomplished, he goes to the abode of Viṣṇu.