Gautami Mahatmya
by G. P. Bhatt | 1955 | 127,137 words
This is the English translation of the Gautami-Mahatmya, which forms the fourth part of the Brahma-purana. The Gautamimahatmya narrates the legends and merits of the various holy places (tirthas) situated around the bank of the Godavari river in 105 chapters. It can be seen as distinct work by itself, and was declared as a 鈥渉ighly meritorious puran...
Brahm膩 said:
1. The holy centre known as 艢别峁t墨rtha grants all cherished desires. I shall describe its features which have already been stated by me.
2. The great 狈腻驳补 (serpent) named 艢别峁 was the lord of nether worlds. Surrounded by all 狈腻驳补s he went to 搁补蝉腻迟补濒补.
3. This lord of 狈腻驳补s was ousted (from 搁补蝉腻迟补濒补) by 搁腻办峁蝉补蝉, Daityas and Danujas who entered 搁补蝉腻迟补濒补. He therefore became agitated and spoke to me.
艢别峁 said:
4. 搁补蝉腻迟补濒补 had been given by you to 搁腻办峁蝉补蝉 as well as to me. They do not give me room. Hence, I am seeking refuge in you.
5. Then I said to him. 鈥淕o to 骋补耻迟补尘墨, O 狈腻驳补. By eulogizing 惭补丑腻诲别惫补 there you will get everything you desire.
6. There is no other holy centre in the three worlds which can accord what you desire鈥�.
Induced by my suggestion the 狈腻驳补 took his holy plunge in 骋补峁単腻 carefully. With palms joined in reverence, he eulogized the lord of Devas.
艢别峁 said:
7-9. Obeisance to the lord of three worlds, the destroyer of 顿补办峁鈥檚 sacrifice. Obeisance to you, the primordial Maker. Obeisance to the lord identical with the three worlds.
Obeisance to the thousand-headed one. Obeisance to the lord carrying out the duty of annihilation. Obeisance to you having the form of 碍腻濒补. Save me, O 艢补峁卥补谤补, Lord of everything, save me, O lord of Moon, O lord accompanied by Um膩, O omnipresent one. O lord of the universe, obeisance to you; Give me whatever I desire in my mind.
Brahm膩 said:
10-14. Then the delighted 惭补丑别艣惫补谤补 granted boons desired by the 狈腻驳补. For the destruction of enemies of Devas鈥擠aityas, 顿腻苍补惫补蝉 and 搁腻办峁蝉补蝉, he gave 艢别峁 a trident. Then he was advised by 艢颈惫补, 鈥淜ill the leading enemies by means of this鈥�.
Along with the other 狈腻驳补s he returned to 搁补蝉腻迟补濒补 and killed his enemies in battle.
After killing Daityas, 顿腻苍补惫补蝉 and 搁腻办峁蝉补蝉 with his trident he returned to the place where Lord Hara, 艢e峁艣vara was present.
A crevasse appeared in the path whereby the king of 狈腻驳补s came from 搁补蝉腻迟补濒补 to the place where the lord was present, in order to see the lord.
The holy water of 骋补峁単腻 flowed through that crevasse. It is the bestower of great merit.
15-16. That water flowed to 骋补峁単腻. Beyond that is the confluence of 骋补峁単腻. There is a big sacrificial pit in front of the lord. At the place where the 狈腻驳补 performed Homa a fire remained present always. The water became hot. It is here that we have the confluence of 骋补峁単腻.
17. After propitiating the lord of Devas the delighted 狈腻驳补 of great fame attained what he desired from 艢颈惫补 and went to 搁补蝉腻迟补濒补.
18. Thereafter that holy centre is called 狈腻驳补t墨rtha. It is holy. It fulfils all desires. It destroys sickness and poverty.
19-20. It is conducive to longevity. It is holy and bestower of fortune. Through holy dips and distribution of gifts it yields salvation. He who listens and reads this with devotion, he who remembers this attains salvation. The place where 艢颈惫补 handed over the trident to 艢别峁 is the holy centre 艢e峁艣vara.
There are altogether, O eminent sage, two thousand one hundred holy centres on the banks (of the river). They bestow all riches.