Chapter 2 - Summary of the Sucindrasthalamahatmya

The Rsis of Naimisaranya requested sage Suta to tell them the stories of hermitage of Atri which will quell all their sins. Then the Suta after invoking the blessings of Sage Vyasa, began to explain the sanctity of the hermitage of sage Atri as it is narrated by Vyasa in the Stanavaibhavakhanda of Skandapuranna. In Atryasramakshetra which is situated in the south cost, there are, holy water tank and the seats of sages. This place, which liberates from sins is famous in all the three worlds. By invoking Lord sambhu situated in the shapes of Asvatha and linga, emancipation could be attained. Chapter II Atrimuni born as a part of Brahma, began severe penance along with his wife Anasuya in a Himalayan cave in order to get liberation from worldly sorrows. His penance to please Visnu lasted for several years. In the end Visnu appeared before him and sought to ask the boon he needed. Then Atri requested that he and his wife should attain Visnupada (union with the divine feet of Visnu). On hearing this the lord directed Atri to live on earth itself and advised him to continue his life as a householder by worshipping Trimurtis at the place called Santhanakanana (Sucindra) [sucindram]. Visnu then disappeared blessing them with salvation after the trimurtis will born as their sons. 49

Chapter III Obeying the words of Visnu Sage Atri entered jnanaranya along with Anasuya. He lived in that beautiful place, submerged in yajnatirtha and performing his daily rites systematically. Along with his wife he performed rituals to the manes and gods. At that time Brahma thought of performing a sacrifice at Sathyaloka. He then enquired the Maharsi's better qualified to perform sacrifices. Then Lord Visnu informed him that Atri was the suitable person to perform sacrifice. On hearing the words of Visnu Brahma was pleased and thought of summoning Atri. At that time the great sage was performing Brahmapuja in his abode. The sage who understood the mind of Brahma, smiled happily. To his wife and disciples who had enquired the reason for his pleasing smile, he told about the yajna of Brahmadeva. The muni then handed over the responsibility of the Asrama to his wife, Anasuya. Anasuya was such a chaste woman used to wash his feet of Atri, and ate whatever that remained of his food. Atri of Yogic powers reached the abode of Brahma where he was received with all honours. In the Asrama of Atri, there was much prosperity because of the power of chastity of Anasuya. Chapter IV Atrimaharsi began his Sacrifice at abode of Brahma. Lord Siva and Visnu doubted as to how Anasuya will live alone in the hermitage. Naradamuni informed them that there were prosperity all around in the hermitage of Atri because of the power of the chastity of Anasuya. There was timely rain and crops were grown without cultivation. On hearing this Siva and Visnu decided to test the chastity of Anasuya. They decided to conduct their test when Atrimuni goes to the sacrifice of Indra. Brahma 50

also agreed to this. When Sage Atri went to the sacrifice of Indra the three lords came to this world. They forbade Varuna from giving rain. As there was no rain for twelve years, there was scarcity throughout the world. Anasuya become much concerned about the sorrow of the world. She then meditated upon the padodakam (holy water collected after washing the feet) of her husband telling "If I am a women of chastity, the world will become prosperous by sumptuous rain" within seconds it began to rain and cultivation improved and there was happiness throughout the world. When Anasuya became victorious at the end of the first test the trimurtis, thought of conducting a second test. They approached Anasuya disguised as three tired old sages. They demanded alms from Anasuya. She then offered them rise and water. Then they told her that she should offer them alms without wearing clothes. On hearing this the wife of Atri with much devotion sprinkled on the sages the Padodakam of Atrimuni. Lo ! the world ! the sages became children. Then Anasuya without clothes gave the crying children rice and water like a naked mother. The three children lived happily in the hermitage of Atri. Chapter V Knowing that the children are Brahma, Visnu and Mahesvara, Anasuya nursed them. By the time Goddesses Vani, Laksmi and Gauri were much worried in the absence of their husbands. Then after they understood from sage Narada how their husbands had undergone transformation. They along with their servants and saptamatas (seven divine mothers) proceeded towards jnanarnya avoiding the ganas, (servants) Laksmi, Sarasvati and Parvati entered the Atryasrama disguised as virgins and enquired the where about of their husbands. Anasuya said 51

that the three lords would remain children till the arrival of Atrimuni and till that time they might also live there. She also advised them to live near prajnatirtha doing penance along with the saptamatas. She also wished them an early union with their husbands. On hearing the words of Anasuya, they performed penance at the Yajnatirtha; Vani in Sarasvatitirtha, Laksmi in Kalindi and Parvati in Ganga. At the south west of this is the yamunatirtha, and at the north west is the Ganga and in the middle there is prajnatirtha. Like a point in the middle of a triangle, the prajnatirtha is seen as the centre of the tirthas. Chapter VI Sage Narada came to the hermitage of Atri. Anasuya welcomed the great sage with all formalities. Sage Narada informed Anasuya that her husband Atrimuni after the sacrifice of Brahmadeva went to the heaven for performing another sacrifice. Then Narada asked her how she had became the mother of the three children when her husband was away. In reply to that question she requested sage Narada to use his divine sight to know the facts. Realising what had happened, Narada went to prajnatirtha to see the three Goddesses told them the story of the origin of the trimurtis. Siva in the form of Nirguna, performed penance. Them by he power of Ardra (the Maya) Nirgunasiva became saguna. The very same Ardra made the trimurtis, with triguna's and found them each a suitable wife and allotted a role for each. Brahma with Sarasvati for creation (srsti), Visnu with Laksmi for sthiti (sustenance) and Siva with Parvati for samhara (destruction). Narada then informed the three Goddesses that if they performed the due pujas to Ardra, they would reunite with their husbands. In that month of margasirsa they should 52

immerse seven times in prajnatirtha and then recite saptaksaramantra (a mantra with seven letters) using seven Vyanjanas and seven oblations, they should perform pujas to the Mahasakti. Narada advised them that if they performed pujas to the goddess offering Mallika, punnaga, Karaviraka, Chempaka and blossomed Lotus, the goddess would be pleased with them. Thus they would reunite with their husbands. The three goddesses began to do this famous Ardravratam. Naradamuni then went to heaven and informed Atri what had happened and with the permission of Indra and other gods returned to his hermitage were he was received by Anasuya. Seeing the three boys there Atri asked Anasuya who they were. Anasuya then told him the story of their birth. Then Atri told her that he had known every thing from sage Narada and asked his wife to transform them the boys to their original form. Anasuya then sprinkled the Padodakam on the children and lo! they were transformed to Brahma, Visnu and Mahesvara. Then they blessed Atri and Anasuya telling that they would be born to them as sons Candra, Atreya, and Durvasas. Chapter VII From the eyes, mind and hands of Atri, Candra, Atreya, and Durvasas were born respectively. Naradamuni came to Atri's asrama and told him to proceed to jnanaranya along with the noble Brahmins and have darsana of the trimurtis, Brahma, Visnu and Mahesvara along with their wives. Sarsvati, Laksmi and parvati were very happy at being reunited with their husbands. Atrimuni then requested the trimurtis that he should be able to have presence of the trimurtis always in jnanaranya. The trimurtis disappeared after telling Atri that they would stay in the jnananaranya in the shape of linga in side the holy tree. Immediately a 53

great sound was heard from the earth and Bindhu and jvalarupa came out. Atri and his sons prayed to the splendour that emanated from the earth. The tree came into being from that splendour. In the form of parabrahmapranava, a linga came into existence in the west. The Gods and Brahmins prayed in happiness. Gods sprinkled nectar and flowers. The Gandharvas played their musical instruments. Caranas (Devagayakas) and Magadhas (Rajagayakas) sang devotional songs. Chapter VIII Sages like Saunaka and others then asked Suta to tell them who worshipped, the linga in the form of pranava. There upon the Suta told them that the sons of Atri, Candra, Atreya and Durvasas performed pujas to the trimurtilinga. Candra, born of as a part of Brahma prayed to Brahma, Atreya, the part of Visnu prayed to Visnu, Durvasas, the part of Siva prayed to Siva. The trimurtis asked them to perform pujas to the Asvattha tree. They performed linga puja with devotion as they had done to Asvattha tree. They saw Brahma at the bottom of the linga, Visnu in the middle part and Paramesvara on the top. It is known as linga because all things will dissolve at the end of the world and gain birth at the creation of the world in it. The resplendent linga, is omkaratma and jyotisvarupa. Those who saw face to face the Nirvikalpa form of linga, which is everlasting and which is unseen to the ordinary eyes, gains extreme bliss. The seven sages who saw the bhava of pujaka and puja gained salvation. Asking Atri to perform puja to the tejolinga the trimurtis disappeared. Atri with devotion performed pujas on the linga in the form of trimurtis. He prayed with single minded devotion to the Stanu with three forms in the method of pranavatmakadyana after having performed 54

Apadacudanamaskara (foot to head salutations) to Asvattha, which had urdhamula (root at the top) and adhasakha (branches at foot). Like him Anasuya prayed to the Asvattha and that chaste woman performed pancopacararpana with pancamantras, pancabhutas and pancadravyas with five senses. When trimurtis appeared again, the saptarsis bowed to them and requested thus "we know that the gods who are to be worshipped are yourselves. We have great desire to do puja. Bless us to perform continuous worship". Then the trimurtis disappeared after telling them that they should perform pujas on linga which is in the shape of Agni, when Asvattha tree became Tulasi. Chapter IX When Krtayuga was over the earth was submerged in water due to deluge. Sages and siddhas performed pranayama staying on the top of the water in jnanaranya. Then there was a holy fire on the Asvattha and the tree was transformed in to a Tulasi plant. The seven sages began devotional prayers to sivalinga, which gives eternal bliss. They performed worship on trimurtis by chanting the Vedamantras for one lakh twenty five thousand years starving for so long. A splendour shining in all quarters appeared before them. The saptarsis jointly worshipped the trimurtis in several ways. While they were chanding their devotional prayers a voice was heard from the sky said thus: "What is your desire ? " As requested by them their prayer was granted to the effect that they were permitted to do daily worship to the linga of trimurtis. Then lord siva appeared before them and asked them to do puja as house holders at Srinivasa, to which is situated in the north west. On hearing this the sages became very sad. They said that they have no interest in worldly 55

life that will lead them to the ocean of births and rebirths. They asked the supreme Lord Siva how they could get mukti (emancipation). On the direction of Siva they began to worship Srinivasa in somatirtha. Chapter X The great tree which was powerful enough to destroy sins became Bilva, on Dvaparayuga. The sages Vasista, Vyasa, Vamadeva, etc. went to Himacala to see the original source of Ganga. Brahma, Visnu and Mahesvara then gave them view. Then the sages asked Lord Siva that the trimurtis gave them view as a single entity. Siva told them it is possible if they go to Santanakanana. The hermits who went down to the valley of Himalaya requested Siva to show them the way. Siva told them that Nandikesvara would show them the way. The sages with Nandikesvara went to the Holy Bilva forest. Nandikesvara showed them a beautiful sivalinga in the holy forest which was the dwelling of the divine rsis and other sages. Sage Vasista had prayed, to Brahma, sage Vyasa to visnu and sage Vamadeva to Siva. Nandikesvara prayed to Siva who was dwelling in his own mind. They used to take bath in the tirthas and performed penance for thirty six years. One day from the bottom the middle and top of sivalinga, trimurtis came out. The sages then told Siva that they desired to serve the linga every day. Sankara instructed sage Vasista to live at the holy hermitage of Atri meditating on Brahma, Vyasa to live at Paksindrapura meditating on Visnu and Vamadeva to live at jnanaranya meditating on Siva. The sages got salvation when they followed the instructions of lord Siva. 56

Chapter XI To give renovate to the vedic religion, in Kaliyuga, Paramasiva was born in Kerala, in the name of Sankaracarya. In childhood itself he learned vedas and sastras, sixty four arts, two Itihasas and eighteen Puranas. Sankara became a devotee to Siva leaving worldly affairs. One day Lord Siva appeared before Sanskaracarya in the form of an aged saint and told him thus: "your deeds are worthy. You are lord Paramesvara who is the teacher of all worlds. Then why do you think on him? Please tell what is your desire?" Then Siva appeared in his own form. Srisankara prostrated before Siva. On seeing Siva his life became fruitful, so said Sankara. Lifting Srisankara from the ground Siva asked him to follow him to the Bilva forest. Taking the hand of Sankara on his Siva walked to that place. When they reached there Siva showed him his own form. The time was the beginning of Kaliyuga and the Bilva tree was transformed into Asvattha. Sriparamesvara gave Sankara divine vision and divine instructions standing under that tree. That great teacher, who has became an ardent devotee saw Brahma, Visnu and Mahesvara in stanulinga became happy. He praised them standing like this. namostuvagisahari raya narendracapaya nadidharaya | namnasucindresa iti stutaya jnanaravisaya namah sivaya | | 57 SST

Pleased by his prayer Siva blessed him to become Jagadguru and travel all over the world as a sanyasi. The Lord then asked him to go to purnajyoti sabha and see the divine dance of Nataraja. Through his divine vision he saw the dance of Nataraja that was going on in the jyotisabha at the south side of stanulinga, and become extremely happy. This place is holy because Sankaracarya attained the title of sarvajna (all knowing). Lord Siva in the form of stanu in this place extends emancipation to one who praise it. This place was called Sucindram because Indra was purified of his sins here. Chapter XII Once upon a time there was a dispute between Sukracarya, the teacher of asuras, Bhrhaspati, the teacher of gods, about their disciples. Bhrhaspati mocking at Sukracarya said of thus. "The stories of your followers are very nice. The most important among your followers, Indra, seduced Ahalya and got curses from her husband Gautama. As a result, he is living as a fair person with vaginas all over the body." Hearing this Bhrhaspati was much ashamed. He then told Indra to perform a sacrifice inviting Brahma, Visnu and Mahesvara. By doing such a sacrifice, Indra could gain purity. Hearing this Indra went to the abode of Brahma and invited Brahma. He then told Indra if Visnu came along with his wife, he would also come. Indra then went to Vaikunda and informed him at what Brahma told. Visnu then told him that he would come if paramasiva came. Hearing this Indra went to Kailasa and requested paramasiva to take part in his sacrifice. Paramasiva then told that he could not come because devi was meditating on him. But, he said soon Indra's difficulties 58

would be over. As Indra could not perform the sacrifice, he reached Brhaspati again. Brhaspati consoled Indra telling that there is no matter to be worried. "There is the purnajyotiksetra at the jnanakanana on the earth. There the trimurtis live together. There is no place more holy than this. If you go there and pray the trimurtilinga all your desires will be fulfilled". Thus saying Brhaspati blessed Indra. Immediately Indra got on to his divyaratha and went to jnaanaranya. Indra was prevented by Nandikasa at the northern part of jnanaranya on the orders of Siva. Indra was unfit to perform penance at that holy place. So he went to gorakshadri to perform penance there; thus advised by Nandi. The place were Indra's radha was stopped, known as radhapuri. Indra performed penance at Goraksadri on the orders of Siva. Devas and Brhaspati came to Goreksadri to see Indra performing penance. On the orders of Indra Airavatam with his tusks dug a river originating from the peaks of malayadri and passing near sivalaya and through jnanaranya and near Gorksadri and reaching the sea. This was for taking bath by gods and Brhaspati. Gods gave this river the name Dantanadi. After performing penance for six months at Gorksadri Devendra came to jnanaranya along with the gods. On the instructions of Brhaspati, Devandra brought Devadaru tree there and worshipped the gods with its flowers. Thus Indra also lived there praying sucindranatha to get redeemed of his sins. Chapter XIII Offering flowers of kalpaka and pouring amrta, Indra performed pujas daily on sucindranatha. Siva pleased with the rituals of Indra appeared before him. Falling at the feet of Siva, Indra prayed that all his sins may be absolved. Hearing this siva asked Indra to bring there 59

Brahma, Visnu, Deversis, Dikpalakas and the Dingnagas. If they were brought, all his sins would be absolved. Hearing the impossible thing demanded by him, Indra looked at Brhaspati in sadness. Brhaspati then requested Siva that he should be kind enough to Indra and remove his sorrow. Hearing this Siva asked Indra to go to kailasa and bring his mudra. On the orders of Sambhu, Indra went to kailasa and brought the mudra and handed over to Siva. Siva for the purification of Indra made immediately a beautiful mandapam by his power on the middle of trimurtilinga and Devadaru. In addition to Siva and Parvati, Visnu, Brahma and six hundred Devas were witnesses to Indra's purification (sucikarma). Gandarvas, sages and Sidhas appeared in the Sky. Brahama, in the form of earth gave vessel and Visnu in the form of a cow gave Ajya. Siva himself filled the vessel with Ajya and then put in it his mudra. Fire inflamed because of the power of Siva. Mahesa on Vrsabha asked Indra to take the mudra plunged in the vessel boiling with ghee. Praising Siva, Indra did so. Witnessing this the sun stood at the middle of the sky. All stood with fixed eyes. By the blessing of Siva the sins of Indra melted away on the boiling ghee. He became more bright than before. Then Brahma, visnu and Mahesvara appeared there along with their wives. Then there was rain of flowers. Apsaras danced. Kinnaras sang. Purified Indra bowed at the feet of Siva and submitted sivamudra. Indra worshipped Siva praising his various forms: "Oh lord you are candracuda, madanantaka, dayanidhi, samkatanasana, Nilakanta, Virupaksa, Visasana, Kalakala and Kalikalmasanasana. And begged him to accept him as the servant of his feet. 60

Chapter XIV Siva said in the presence of gods and his courtiers that the sin of Indra was absolved. This place from this day onwards would become famous in the name of sucindra because Indra was purified here. There would be no tirtha on this Earth as pure as this. This tirtha would destroy the ignorance and give wisdom to the people. Those who took bath in this tirtha once and saw the Rajavrksa he would be liberated from the worldly ties and reach the abode of Siva. From this day onwards the saptrsis, yogis like sanaka, gods and gandarvas, Kinnaras and all other movable and immovable beings in hidden forms would be present in this tirtha. Those who hear the endless history of this holy site or read about it or tell some body about it or make it in to a book or give as a present the book containing the story such a person will reach the heaven permanently. Hearing these words of Paramesvara, Indra requested him to tell the story of stanukshetra. Siva disappeared after telling Indra to request sage Vamadeva to narrate the story of stanuksetra. Devas and the Indra requested Vamadeva to tell the story and he did so. Indra soon brought visvakarma there and constructed a very beautiful temple there. Visvakarma made the prajnatirttha and a garden which is equal to that of Nandana in heaven; Indra brought Kalpaka, heavenly tree and made a place equal to Amaravati. Indra performed worships for lord siva by introducing festivals like car festival (ratholsavam). Siva The pleased on this and appeared on his bull along with Brahma and Visnu. Indra and other gods sang in praise of the lords. 61

Chapter XV On hearing the prayers of Indra and other Gods, Mahesvara was pleased. He asked Indra what he desired. Then Indra requested him that that he should be given permission to stay permanently at that place and do worship on the temple. Siva advised Indra to stay at heaven with his wife till the end of dvaparayuga. in kaliyuga the holy Ganga would be divided into three. One would at heaven, other at rasatala and the third at ocean. Among the three, one from heaven would be send to stanuksetra. It reaches to the root of sivalinga at the temple through an unknown passage. These root is used by Gods to worship the lords. Siva advices to reach the temple and worship at night by that passage. Lord also advises Indra to visit the temple of a virgin, who is performing penance to get Siva as her husband, on the banks of Daksinasagara. He instructed that Indra and other Gods should go there and pray to that virgin and return to heaven. The noble courtiers (Sabha pujas) then told Siva that they would like to stay at Sucindra by praying the isa. They asked him who would protect them on the Kaliyuga. Siva informed them about Halamrta, who belongs to sudra caste, the son of ga. He lived in the Mahendra mountain situated at north-east of sucindram, performing worship of Lord siva. He would become a king in Kaliyuga, and He would protect them. They approached him and informed about the words of Lord Siva. Halamrta prayed Visnu and siva. They appeared before him. Siva gave him a divine sword and Visnu an armour. He had visited the Suchindram temple and took charge of the king. Airavata, the elephant of Indra, once prayed to the lord of suculndram for the fulfilment of his desire. Siva advised him to pray to 62

Lord Visnu who was at the banks of cakratirtha, which is situated on the eastern part of Sucindra [sucindram]. If Airavata took bath in the holy cakratirtha, his desires would be fulfilled. The eleven Rudras who were the forms of Siva, living there. So the place is holy. Airavata worshipped lord Visnu there and all of his desires were satisfied. Indra's horse Uccaisravas also prayed to the Lord of sucindram for forty-one days residing at the foot of the holy tree. Siva appeared before him and asked him to pray sacanana, who lived in the nearby mountain sobhana. Uccaisravas asked Siva how he could perform worship, as he was an animal. Lord Siva advised him to seek the help of Sunanda, a pious brahmin. There after the horse reached the mountain sobhana with Sunanda and worshipped sanmukha with the help of him. So the sobhana mountain also got the name Vajipura. Chapter XVI In olden times, Brahma conducted a sacrifice for the sake of creation. He offered thousand petals of lotus one by one in the holy fire chanting hymns. From that holy fire one thousand sons were born. Because Goddess Vani gave them her breast-milk, they came to be known as vaniks. Brahma taught them vedas and sastras and the sixty four arts. When they became youths, Kubera gave his daughters in marriage to them. As they were residing in abode of Brahma along with their wives, pray the trimurtis. The Brahma advised them to go to suchindrasa and vaniks came to purnajyotiksetra ie., sucindram and performed due worships of the sacred linga of trimurtis and the holy tree there. Brahma, Visnu and Mahesvara were pleased with them and appeared before of them and blessed them. Brahma gave them balance and 63

weights and Visnu gave them seven diamonds (navaratnas). Lord siva gave them pancaksaramantra (Om namah sivaya) and rudraksa and blessed them to live near sucindram by buying and selling things. In the deluge, the waters of seven seas rose all over the world and sucindram was submerged in the water. Sucindranatha in his rage made fire from his jata. That fire swallowed the entire seas. Not knowing the reason for the untimely scarcity of water, Varuna, the god of ocean, approached the sun god. The sun god told him that this was due to the anger of god of sucindram. On the instruction of the sun god Varuna and seas, in the form of aged Brahmins went to Bilvakanana and made a lake there and took bath in it and prayed the sucindranatha for a long time residing there. Siva pleased with their penance appeared before them, and told them that as a compensation to the scarcity of water, he would give his divine tirtha. Chapter XVII Siva told Varuna and his followers that if they went to Kanyakumary and reach the stanutirtha made by visvakarma they would be given the holy tirta of him. If they returned to Sucindra [sucindram] from Kanyakumari on Ardra day and prayed there, desires of them would be fulfilled. Saying this Siva disappeared. Varuna and his followers did so and because of the blessings of Siva all the oceans were filled fully with water. Because of this Sucindram got the name of Saptarnavapuram Parvati, in order to get Siva as her husband performed penance for a long time as a maiden assuming the name "puspahasa". Once Siva appeared before her and asked what her desire was. Parvati expressed her desire as to get Siva as her husband. Siva told her to do penance holding wedding 64

chain in her hand near the southern sea. Devi performed penance for a long time. On account of this the place got the name Kanyakumari. In the beginning of Kaliyuga, sage Agastya leveled the entire earth with his feet. As his feet did not touch Sucindra [sucindram], he felt wonder and prayed Stanunatha. Siva appeared before him and asked the sage what his desire was. The sage told Siva that he should permit him to install a Sivalinga in his name. Immediately after the disappearance of Siva Agastya consecrated a sivalinga and dug a pond attached to the temple. The city came to be known after his name Agastisvaram The siddhas daily worshipped the god there after crossing the mountain purnasaila with out any obstacle in their way to the place due to the beneficence of lord Siva. Chapter XVIII On the direction of Siva the Siddhas took the holy medicine and lived on purnasaila performing worship on lord Siva. Because of this that mountain is known as Siddhabhudharam. When war between Rama and Ravana was going on, the monkies fainted by arrows. In order to get relief from the efficacy, Hanuman took in his Land the ausadhasaila with plenty of herbs. He then flew to Lanka by air. Siddhas prayed to Varuna to get the herbs of that mountain to them. Varuna then created a very heavy rain. Hanuman drenched in rain and shook his body, the herbs fell on purnasaila from his hand. So this mountain got the name ausadhadhidhara. Once a Sudra by name Vakra performed penance on Siva and got liberation. So this mountain was also known as Vakrasikhara. 65

Chapter XVIII Sages expressed their desire to hear the story of Mahavisnu residing at Vainateyapura (Paksindrapura). Suta narrated the story from the time of deluge. In deluge the fourteen worlds were submerged in water, from water in fire and from fire in Air. Air on the sky and sky in the sound, sound in Kala and Kala in Bindu, Bindu in Nada and Nada in Pranava. Pranava went in splendour. Splendour submerged in Visnumaya Then Visnu created his maya. Beginning from pranava up to water was created. Visnu lied down as a child in the ocean floating on a leaf of the banyan tree, in Anadanidra for 80 crore caturyugas. Then the god felt inclined to create the world. A lotus was born in his navel and on it Brahma was seated.. Brahma who was terrified at the sight of the splendour of Visnu was pacified and directed to create the world. Then Visnu told Brahma, that he would extend his divine appearance at Paksindrapura at the northern side of the southern sea. Then Rudra came out of the forehead of brahma. Mahavisnu then disappeared directing Rudra to destroy everything in deluge and meditate on him at Paksidrapura. Chapter XX Brahma created movable and immovable things as per the instruction of i. After that he stayed at Mahameru meditating on Visnu. Then Visnu appeared and told Brahma that Garuda would take him to Paksindrapura. Garuda then appeared and Bhrama along with him reached Paksindrapura. He lived there for 18 thousand years doing penance to Visnu. One day Visnu appeared before him along with his wives, Laksmi and Bhumi. Brahma informed Visnu his desire to worship him for a long time. Then Visnu accepted his desire and told him that 67

his desire would be fulfilled. He told him that Bhumidevi would become a holy pond, Visnu its water and Lakshmidevi the lotus in it. Brahma would get Visnu's blessings by bathing in the holy pond and then doing worships on him with the petals of lotus. After sometime Visnu appeared before Brahma. Then Brahma requested him that he should dwell there permanently in order to give blessings to the people. Visnu accepted that request and along with his wife gave Brahma his padatirtha. Once, Vedavyasa prayed Visnu for a long time. Pleased with his penance Visnu appeared and asked him what boon he wanted. Sage Sage Vyasa then submitted that he should be able to see the Visvarupa of the lord and also the Svarupa of Adisesa, the divine bed of Visnu. Visnu disappeared telling Vyasa that he would appear before him in the form of punnaga tree. Then lord Visnu appeared in the form of Punnaga and that place is known as punnagapura. Chapter XXI Long ago sage Kasyapa lived happily with his wives Vinata and Kadru and with his sons. Aruna and Garuda, the sons of Vinata were in trouble because of the trouble made by Nagas, the sons of Kadru. They complained about the Nagas to Vinata, their mother. She advised them to seek the help of their father. They approached Kasyapa and informed their difficulties and requested Kasyapa to destroy the anger they had towards the Nagas. He told Aruna to pray Sun god, who had given poison to the Nagas and Garuda to go to Punnagapura and pray lord Visnu. Aruna prayed Surya and got his blessings and became his charioteer. Garuda went to Punnagapura and prayed Visnu. As Visnu appeared before him. Garuda requested him that he should be free from 68

the fear of the Nagas and also permit him to be his Vehicle. Visnu granted him his request. Due to the penance of Garuda, the king of birds at this place, it became famous as Paksindrapura. Bhumidevi went to Paksindrapura and prayed Visnu being unable to bear the weight of the creations of Brahma. The kind Lord in the form of Kurma and Adisesa supported the weight. As Bhumidevi was given this boon, the place is known as Gandakanana. There was a Brahmin boy by name Yajna who was performing the six duties (sadkarma). Because of the blessing of Visnu at Paksindrapura, he got Kalavati, a princess, as his wife. Chapter XXII Kalavati and Yanja went to Punnagavana and saw sage Vyasa in penance. They told him of their sorrow of having no issues. Vyasa told them that if they prayed Murari, who lived in Nakralaya, they would get liberation from their sorrow. Vyasa described the story of Nakralayapura to them. Long ago an elephant did penance to Visnu with lotus flowers. Due to the failure of rain lotuses were not available; so he wandered here and there for some days. Then he saw a big lake. He went into it and began to pluck lotus. Then a big crocodile caught hold of the leg of the elephant. There was a test of might between the crocodile and elephant. Elephant wept calling on Visnu to save him. Visnu felt pity on hearing the prayers and struck the crocodile with his sudarsana and saved the elephant. By the touch of sudarsana the crocodile released from his curse. It requested Visnu to suggest a place for him on earth to live always doing penance. Visnu told him to live at the place known as Vedasaravana on 69

the shore of the Daksinasamudra doing penance. So the place is known as Nakralaya. Once Laskmi did severe penance to get the constant touch of Visnu's chest. So this place also got the name of padmalaya. Sage Vyasa directed Yajna and Kalavati to do penance at Nakralaya, the holy place by which they will be getting issues. Chapter XXIII Once the great sages Sanaka and Sanadna approached Daksinamurthi and requested him to instruct yoga. Daksinamoorthi told them to worship stanunatha at sucindram. They worshipped the linga in the form of trimurtis and asvattha tree. Daksinamoorthi appeared before them and instructed the lessons of yoga. In tretayuga sage Gautama lived with his wife Ahalya. Knowing that his wife was interested in Indra he cursed her and made her a stone. Though she got free liberation from the curse because of the touch of foot of Srirama, Gautama refused to accept her as his wife fearing of complaints from people. Ahalya approached Srirama and told her sorrow. Then a heavenly voice was heard. "Ahalya is free from her sins." Though Gods asked Gautama to accept Ahalya, he insisted that he would accept her only after making purification by fire in public. The Gods asked her to enter into Agni at sucindram, at which place Indra was purified. Ahalya after undergoing fire ordeal at Sucindra [sucindram] was accepted by Gautama. So sucindram became famous by the name Gautamasrama also. 70

Chapter XXIV The sages requested Suta to tell the story of sage yajnavalkya. Suta narrated another story glorifying sucindram. A river with full of water flow to Daksinasagara by the name Ghrtamala. Sages lived on the banks of this river. Among them one sage who prayed Siva daily got a fruit of krsnadhatri. The sage kept that fruit in his hand and he became a great scholar. He got the name of Hastamalaka. That sage got a son by the blessings of Siva when he lived on the banks of river Ghrtamala along with his wife, praying the foot of Lord Siva. After teaching the ultimate knowledge of Brahman and training in Vedas, that son was given the name yajnavalkya. One day Lord of jnanatavi, in the form of a yogi appeared before yajnavalkya, who was not interested in worldly life and he followed the yogi to Sucindra [sucindram]. Hastamalaka and other sages tried to prevent them. With great sorrow the father and mother followed their son. To their dismay they saw their son along with the yogi reaching Suchindram temple. They disappeared going to the Garbhagrha of the temple. Though the sages reached there, they saw no body there. Siva appeared before Hastamalaka and informed him that his son has got communion with him and there is no need to be sad. The Lord freed Hastamalaka from bondage. Sages of Naimisaranya became very happy hearing the stories of Suta. They respected Suta by offering gold, fruits, deer's skin and soft bark of tree. Those who read or hear the story with devotion to Siva, they would get their desires fulfilled and reach the abode of Siva soon. 71