Svarga-khaṇḍa · Chapter 20
Sourceनारद उवाच- ततस्तु नरकं गच्छेत्स्नानं तत्र समाचरेत् । स्नातमात्रो नरस्तत्र नरकं तत्र पश्यति १। अस्यतीर्थस्य माहात्म्यं शृणु त्वं पांडुनंदन । तस्मिंस्तीर्थे तु राजेंद्र यान्यस्थीनि विनिक्षिपेत् २। विलयं यांति सर्वाणि रूपवान्जायते नरः । गोतीर्थं तु ततो गच्छेद्दृष्ट्वा पापात्प्रमुच्यते ३। ततो गच्छेत राजेंद्र कपिलातीर्थमुत्तमम् । तत्र स्नात्वा नरो राजन्गोसहस्रफलं लभेत् ४। ज्येष्ठमासे तु संप्राप्ते चतुर्दश्यां विशेषतः । तत्रोपोष्य नरो भक्त्या कपिलां यः प्रयच्छति ५। घृतेन दीपं प्रज्वाल्य घृतेन स्नापयेच्छिवम् । सघृतं श्रीफलं दत्वा कृत्वा चांते प्रदक्षिणम् ६। घंटाभरणसंयुक्तां कपिलां यः प्रयच्छति । शिवतुल्यो नरो भूत्वा न चेह जायते पुनः ७। अंगारकदिने प्राप्ते चतुर्थ्यां तु विशेषतः । स्नापयित्वा शिवं भक्त्या ब्राह्मणेभ्यस्तु भोजनम् ८। अंगारकनवम्यां तु अमावस्यां तथैव च । स्नापयेत्तत्र यत्नेन रूपवान्सुभगो भवेत् ९। घृतेन स्नापयेल्लिंगं पूजयेद्भक्तितो द्विजान् । पुष्पकेण विमानेन सहस्रैः परिवारितः १०। शैवं पदमवाप्नोति नात्र चाभिगतं भवेत् । अक्षयं मोदते कालं यथा रुद्रस्तथैव च ११। यदा तु कर्मसंयोगान्मर्त्यलोकमुपागतः । राजा भवति धर्मिष्ठो रूपवान्जायते बली १२। ततो गच्छेत राजेंद्र ऋषितीर्थमनुत्तमम् । तृणबिंदुऋषिर्नाम शापदग्धो व्यवस्थितः १३। तस्यतीर्थप्रभावेण पापमुक्तोऽभवद्द्विजः । ततो गच्छेत राजेंद्र गणेश्वरमनुत्तमम् १४। श्रावणेमासि संप्राप्ते कृष्णपक्षे चतुर्दशीम् । स्नातमात्रो नरस्तत्र रुद्रलोके महीयते १५। पितॄणां तर्पणं कृत्वा मुच्यते च ऋणत्रयात् । गणेश्वरसमीपे तु गंगावदनमुत्तमम् १६। अकामो वा सकामो वा तत्र स्नात्वा तु मानवः । आजन्मजनितैः पापैर्मुच्यते नात्र संशयः १७। सर्वदा पर्वदिवसे स्नानं तत्र समाचरेत् । पितॄणां तर्पणं कृत्वा मुच्यते च ऋणत्रयात् १८। प्रयागे यत्फलं दृष्टं शंकरेण महात्मना । तदेव निखिलं पुण्यं गंगाराह्वर्कसंगमे १९। तस्यैवं पश्चिमे स्थाने समीपेनातिदूरतः । दशाश्वमेधिकं नाम त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम् २०। उपोष्य रजनीमेकां मासि भाद्रपदे तथा । अमावस्यां नरः स्नात्वा व्रजेद्वै यत्र शंकरः २१। सर्वदा पर्वदिवसे स्नानं तत्र समाचरेत् । पितॄणां तर्पणं कृत्वा अश्वमेधफलं लभेत् २२। दशाश्वमेधात्पश्चिमतो भृगुर्ब्राह्मणसत्तमः । दिव्यं वर्षसहस्रं तु ईश्वरं पर्युपासत २३। वल्मीकावस्थितश्चासौ दक्षिणं च निकेतनम् । आश्चर्यं च महज्जातमुमायाः शंकरस्य च २४। गौरी तु पृच्छते देवं कोयमत्र तु संस्थितः । देवो वा दानवो वाथ कथयस्व महेश्वर २५। ईश्वर उवाच-। भृगुर्नाम द्विजश्रेष्ठ ऋषीणां प्रवरो मुनिः । ध्यायते मां समाधिस्थो वरं प्रार्थयते प्रिये २६। तत्र प्रहसिता देवी ईश्वरं प्रत्यभाषत । धूमावर्तशिखा जाता ततोऽद्यापि न तुष्यसि । दुराराध्योऽसि तेन त्वं नात्र कार्या विचारणा २७। देव उवाच-। न ज्ञायसे महादेवि अयं क्रोधेन चेष्टितः । दर्शयामि यथातथ्यं प्रियं ते च करोम्यहम् २८। स्मारितो देवदेवेन धर्मरूपो वृषस्तदा । स्मरणादेव देवस्य वृषः शीघ्रमुपस्थितः २९। प्राहासौ मानुषीं वाचमादेशो दीयतां प्रभो । वल्मीकैश्छादितो विप्र एनं भूमौ निपातय ३०। योगस्थस्तु ततो ध्यायंस्ततस्तेन निपातितः । तत्क्षणात्क्रोधसंतप्तो हस्तमुत्क्षिप्तवान्वृषम् ३१। एवं संभाषमाणस्तु कुत्र गच्छसि भो वृष । अद्य त्वामथ पाप्मानं प्रत्यक्षं हन्म्यहं वृष ३२। धर्षितस्तु तदा विप्रो ह्यंतरिक्षं गतं वृषम् । आकाशे प्रेक्षते भूय एतदद्भुतमुत्तमम् ३३। ततः प्रहसिते रुद्रे ऋषिरग्रे व्यवस्थितः । तृतीयं लोचनं दृष्ट्वा वैलक्ष्यात्पतितो भुवि ३४। प्रणम्य दंडवद्भूमौ स्तुवते परमेश्वरम् । प्रणिपत्य भूतनाथं भवोद्भवं त्वामहं दिव्यरूपम् । भवभीतो भुवनपते भूतं विज्ञापये किंचित् ३५। त्वद्गुणनिकरान्वक्तुं कः शक्तो भवति मानुषो नाथ । वासुकिरयं हि कदाचिद्वदनसहस्रं भवेद्यस्य ३६। भक्त्या तवापि शंकरभुवनपते त्वत्स्तुतौ तु मुखरस्य । वंद्य क्षमस्व भवन्प्रसीद मे तव चरणपतितस्य ३७। सत्वं रजस्तमस्त्वं स्थित्युत्पत्तौ विनाशने देव । त्वां मुक्त्वा भुवनपते भुवनेश्वर नैव दैवतं किंचित् ३८। यमनियमयज्ञदानैर्वेदाभ्यासावधारणोद्योगात् । त्वद्भक्तेः सर्वमिदं नार्हति कलासहस्रांशेन ३९। उत्कृष्टरसरसायनखड्गांजनपादुकादि सिद्धिर्वा । चिह्नानि भवत्प्रणतानां दृश्यंत इह जन्मनि प्रकटम् ४०। शाठ्येन नमति यद्यपि ददासि त्वं धर्ममिच्छतां देव । भक्तिर्भवच्छेदकरी मोक्षाय विनिर्मिता नाथ ४१। परदारपरस्वरतं परिभवपरिदुःखशोकसंतप्तम् । परवदनवीक्षणपरं परमेश्वर मां परित्राहि ४२। अलीकाभिमानदग्धं क्षणभंगुरविभवविलसितं देव । क्रूरं कुपथाभिमुखं पतितं मां त्राहि देवेश ४३। दीनेंद्रियगणसार्थैर्बंधुजनैरेव पूरिता आशा । तुच्छा तथापि शंकर किं मूढं मां विडंबयसि ४४। तृष्णां हरस्व शीघ्रं लक्ष्मीं मां देहि हृदयवासिनीं नित्याम् । छिंधि मदमोहपाशानुत्तारय मां महादेव ४५। करुणाभ्युदयं नाम स्तोत्रमिदं सिद्धिदं दिव्यम् । यः पठति भक्तियुक्तस्तस्य तु तुष्येद्भृगोर्यथाहि शिवः ४६। ईश्वर उवाच-। अहं तुष्टोस्मि ते विप्र वरं प्रार्थय स्वेप्सितम् । उमया सहितो देवो वरं तस्य हि दापयेत् ४७। भृगुरुवाच-। यदि तुष्टोसि देवेश यदि देयो वरो मम । रुद्रवेदी भवेदेवमेतत्संपादयस्व मे ४८। ईश्वर उवाच-। एवं भवतु विप्रेंद्र क्रोधस्थानं भविष्यति । न पिता पुत्रयोश्चैव एकवाक्यं भविष्यति ४९। तदाप्रभृति ब्रह्माद्याः सर्वे देवाः सकिन्नराः । उपासंतो भृगोस्तीर्थं तुष्टो यत्र महेश्वरः ५०। दर्शनात्तस्य तीर्थस्य सद्यः पापात्प्रमुच्यते । अवशाः स्ववशाश्चापि म्रियंते तत्र जंतवः ५१। गुह्यातिगुह्यस्य गतिस्तेषां निःसंशया भवेत् । एतत्क्षेत्रं सुविपुलं सर्वपापप्रणाशनम् ५२। तत्र स्नात्वा दिवं यांति ये मृतास्तेऽपुनर्भवाः । औपानहं तदा छत्रं देयमन्नं च कांचनम् ५३। भोजनं च यथाशक्त्या अक्षयं तस्य तद्भवेत् । सूर्योपरागे यो दद्याद्दानं चैव यथेच्छया ५४। तीर्थस्नानं तु यद्दानमक्षयं तस्य तद्भवेत् । चंद्रसूर्योपरागेषु वृषोत्सर्गमनुत्तमम् ५५। न जानंति नरा मूढा विष्णुमायाविमोहिताः । नर्मदायां स्थितं दिव्यं वृषतीर्थं नराधिप ५६। भृगुतीर्थस्य माहात्म्यं यः शृणोति नरः सकृत् । विमुक्तः सर्वपापेभ्यो रुद्रलोकं स गच्छति ५७। ततो गच्छेत राजेंद्र गौतमेश्वरमुत्तमम् । तत्र स्नात्वा नरो राजन्नुपवासपरायणः ५८। कांचनेन विमानेन ब्रह्मलोके महीयते । धौतपापं ततो गच्छेद्धौतं यत्र वृषेण तु ५९। नर्मदायां स्थितं राजन्सर्वपातकनाशनम् । तत्र तीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा ब्रह्महत्यां व्यपोहति ६०। तस्मिन्तीर्थे महाराज प्राणत्यागं करोति यः । चतुर्भुजस्त्रिनेत्रस्तु रुद्रतुल्यबलो भवेत् ६१। वसेत्कल्पायुतं साग्रं रुद्रतुल्यपराक्रमः । कालेन महता प्राप्तः पृथिव्यामेकराड्भवेत् ६२। ततो गच्छेत राजेंद्र एरंडीतीर्थमुत्तमम् । प्रयागे यत्फलं दृष्टं मार्कंडेयेन भाषितम् ६३। तत्फलं लभते राजन्स्नातमात्रस्तु मानवः । मासि भाद्रपदे चैव शुक्लपक्षस्य चाष्टमीम् ६४। उपोष्य रजनीमेकां तत्र स्नानं समाचरेत् । यमदूतैर्न बाध्येत इंद्रलोकं स गच्छति ६५। ततो गच्छेत राजेंद्र सिद्धो यत्र जनार्दनः । हिरण्यद्वीपविख्यातं सर्वपापप्रणाशनम् ६६। तत्र स्नात्वा नरो राजन्धनवान्रूपवान्भवेत् । ततो गच्छेत राजेंद्र तीर्थं कनखलं महत् ६७। गरुडेन तपस्तप्तं तस्मिंस्तीर्थे नराधिप । विख्यातं सर्वलोकेषु योगिनी तत्र तिष्ठति ६८। क्रीडते योगिभिः सार्धं शिवेन सह नृत्यति । तत्र स्नात्वा नरो राजन्रुद्रलोके महीयते ६९। ततो गच्छेत राजेंद्र ईशतीर्थमनुत्तमम् । ईशस्तत्र विनिर्मुक्तो गत ऊर्ध्वं न संशयः ७०। ततो गच्छेत राजेंद्र सिद्धो यत्र जनार्दनः । वाराहं रूपमास्थाय अचिंत्यः परमेश्वरः ७१। वराहतीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा द्वादश्यां तु विशेषतः । विष्णुलोकमवाप्नोति नरकं तु न गच्छति ७२। ततो गच्छेत राजेंद्र सोमतीर्थमनुत्तमम् । पौर्णिमास्यां विशेषेण तत्र स्नानं समाचरेत् ७३। प्रणिपत्य च ईशानं बलिस्तस्य प्रसीदति । हरिश्चन्द्रपुरं दिव्यमंतरिक्षे तु दृश्यते ७४। चक्रध्वजे समावृत्ते सुप्ते नागारिकेतने । नर्मदातोयवेगेन रुरुकच्छोपसेवितम् ७५। तस्मिन्स्थाने निवासं च विष्णुः शंकरमब्रवीत् । द्वीपेश्वरे नरः स्नात्वा लभेद्बहुसुवर्णकम् ७६। ततो गच्छेत राजेंद्र रुद्रकन्यां तु संगमे । स्नातमात्रो नरस्तत्र देव्याः स्थानमवाप्नुयात् ७७। देवतीर्थं ततो गच्छेत्सर्वदेवनमस्कृतम् । तत्र स्नात्वा तु राजेंद्र दैवतैः सह मोदते ७८। ततो गच्छेत राजेंद्र शिखितीर्थमनुत्तमम् । तत्र वै दीयते दानं सर्वं कोटिगुणं भवेत् ७९। अपरपक्षे अमावास्यां स्नानं तत्र समाचरेत् । ब्राह्मणं भोजयेदेकं कोटिर्भवति भोजिता ८०। भृगुतीर्थे तु राजेंद्र तीर्थकोटिर्व्यवस्थिता । अकामो वा सकामो वा तत्र स्नायीत मानवः ८१। अश्वमेधमवाप्नोति दैवतैः सह मोदते । तत्र सिद्धमवाप्नोति भृगुस्तु मुनिपुंगवः । अवतारः कृतस्तेन शंकरेण महात्मना ८२। इति श्रीपाद्मे महापुराणे स्वर्गखंडे विंशतितमोऽध्यायः २०
nārada uvāca- tatastu narakaṃ gacchetsnānaṃ tatra samācaret | snātamātro narastatra narakaṃ tatra paśyati 1| asyatīrthasya māhātmyaṃ śṛṇu tvaṃ pāṃḍunaṃdana | tasmiṃstīrthe tu rājeṃdra yānyasthīni vinikṣipet 2| vilayaṃ yāṃti sarvāṇi rūpavānjāyate naraḥ | gotīrthaṃ tu tato gaccheddṛṣṭvā pāpātpramucyate 3| tato gaccheta rājeṃdra kapilātīrthamuttamam | tatra snātvā naro rājangosahasraphalaṃ labhet 4| jyeṣṭhamāse tu saṃprāpte caturdaśyāṃ viśeṣataḥ | tatropoṣya naro bhaktyā kapilāṃ yaḥ prayacchati 5| ghṛtena dīpaṃ prajvālya ghṛtena snāpayecchivam | saghṛtaṃ śrīphalaṃ datvā kṛtvā cāṃte pradakṣiṇam 6| ghaṃṭābharaṇasaṃyuktāṃ kapilāṃ yaḥ prayacchati | śivatulyo naro bhūtvā na ceha jāyate punaḥ 7| aṃgārakadine prāpte caturthyāṃ tu viśeṣataḥ | snāpayitvā śivaṃ bhaktyā brāhmaṇebhyastu bhojanam 8| aṃgārakanavamyāṃ tu amāvasyāṃ tathaiva ca | snāpayettatra yatnena rūpavānsubhago bhavet 9| ghṛtena snāpayelliṃgaṃ pūjayedbhaktito dvijān | puṣpakeṇa vimānena sahasraiḥ parivāritaḥ 10| śaivaṃ padamavāpnoti nātra cābhigataṃ bhavet | akṣayaṃ modate kālaṃ yathā rudrastathaiva ca 11| yadā tu karmasaṃyogānmartyalokamupāgataḥ | rājā bhavati dharmiṣṭho rūpavānjāyate balī 12| tato gaccheta rājeṃdra ṛṣitīrthamanuttamam | tṛṇabiṃduṛṣirnāma śāpadagdho vyavasthitaḥ 13| tasyatīrthaprabhāveṇa pāpamukto'bhavaddvijaḥ | tato gaccheta rājeṃdra gaṇeśvaramanuttamam 14| śrāvaṇemāsi saṃprāpte kṛṣṇapakṣe caturdaśīm | snātamātro narastatra rudraloke mahīyate 15| pitṝṇāṃ tarpaṇaṃ kṛtvā mucyate ca ṛṇatrayāt | gaṇeśvarasamīpe tu gaṃgāvadanamuttamam 16| akāmo vā sakāmo vā tatra snātvā tu mānavaḥ | ājanmajanitaiḥ pāpairmucyate nātra saṃśayaḥ 17| sarvadā parvadivase snānaṃ tatra samācaret | pitṝṇāṃ tarpaṇaṃ kṛtvā mucyate ca ṛṇatrayāt 18| prayāge yatphalaṃ dṛṣṭaṃ śaṃkareṇa mahātmanā | tadeva nikhilaṃ puṇyaṃ gaṃgārāhvarkasaṃgame 19| tasyaivaṃ paścime sthāne samīpenātidūrataḥ | daśāśvamedhikaṃ nāma triṣu lokeṣu viśrutam 20| upoṣya rajanīmekāṃ māsi bhādrapade tathā | amāvasyāṃ naraḥ snātvā vrajedvai yatra śaṃkaraḥ 21| sarvadā parvadivase snānaṃ tatra samācaret | pitṝṇāṃ tarpaṇaṃ kṛtvā aśvamedhaphalaṃ labhet 22| daśāśvamedhātpaścimato bhṛgurbrāhmaṇasattamaḥ | divyaṃ varṣasahasraṃ tu īśvaraṃ paryupāsata 23| valmīkāvasthitaścāsau dakṣiṇaṃ ca niketanam | āścaryaṃ ca mahajjātamumāyāḥ śaṃkarasya ca 24| gaurī tu pṛcchate devaṃ koyamatra tu saṃsthitaḥ | devo vā dānavo vātha kathayasva maheśvara 25| īśvara uvāca-| bhṛgurnāma dvijaśreṣṭha ṛṣīṇāṃ pravaro muniḥ | dhyāyate māṃ samādhistho varaṃ prārthayate priye 26| tatra prahasitā devī īśvaraṃ pratyabhāṣata | dhūmāvartaśikhā jātā tato'dyāpi na tuṣyasi | durārādhyo'si tena tvaṃ nātra kāryā vicāraṇā 27| deva uvāca-| na jñāyase mahādevi ayaṃ krodhena ceṣṭitaḥ | darśayāmi yathātathyaṃ priyaṃ te ca karomyaham 28| smārito devadevena dharmarūpo vṛṣastadā | smaraṇādeva devasya vṛṣaḥ śīghramupasthitaḥ 29| prāhāsau mānuṣīṃ vācamādeśo dīyatāṃ prabho | valmīkaiśchādito vipra enaṃ bhūmau nipātaya 30| yogasthastu tato dhyāyaṃstatastena nipātitaḥ | tatkṣaṇātkrodhasaṃtapto hastamutkṣiptavānvṛṣam 31| evaṃ saṃbhāṣamāṇastu kutra gacchasi bho vṛṣa | adya tvāmatha pāpmānaṃ pratyakṣaṃ hanmyahaṃ vṛṣa 32| dharṣitastu tadā vipro hyaṃtarikṣaṃ gataṃ vṛṣam | ākāśe prekṣate bhūya etadadbhutamuttamam 33| tataḥ prahasite rudre ṛṣiragre vyavasthitaḥ | tṛtīyaṃ locanaṃ dṛṣṭvā vailakṣyātpatito bhuvi 34| praṇamya daṃḍavadbhūmau stuvate parameśvaram | praṇipatya bhūtanāthaṃ bhavodbhavaṃ tvāmahaṃ divyarūpam | bhavabhīto bhuvanapate bhūtaṃ vijñāpaye kiṃcit 35| tvadguṇanikarānvaktuṃ kaḥ śakto bhavati mānuṣo nātha | vāsukirayaṃ hi kadācidvadanasahasraṃ bhavedyasya 36| bhaktyā tavāpi śaṃkarabhuvanapate tvatstutau tu mukharasya | vaṃdya kṣamasva bhavanprasīda me tava caraṇapatitasya 37| satvaṃ rajastamastvaṃ sthityutpattau vināśane deva | tvāṃ muktvā bhuvanapate bhuvaneśvara naiva daivataṃ kiṃcit 38| yamaniyamayajñadānairvedābhyāsāvadhāraṇodyogāt | tvadbhakteḥ sarvamidaṃ nārhati kalāsahasrāṃśena 39| utkṛṣṭarasarasāyanakhaḍgāṃjanapādukādi siddhirvā | cihnāni bhavatpraṇatānāṃ dṛśyaṃta iha janmani prakaṭam 40| śāṭhyena namati yadyapi dadāsi tvaṃ dharmamicchatāṃ deva | bhaktirbhavacchedakarī mokṣāya vinirmitā nātha 41| paradāraparasvarataṃ paribhavapariduḥkhaśokasaṃtaptam | paravadanavīkṣaṇaparaṃ parameśvara māṃ paritrāhi 42| alīkābhimānadagdhaṃ kṣaṇabhaṃguravibhavavilasitaṃ deva | krūraṃ kupathābhimukhaṃ patitaṃ māṃ trāhi deveśa 43| dīneṃdriyagaṇasārthairbaṃdhujanaireva pūritā āśā | tucchā tathāpi śaṃkara kiṃ mūḍhaṃ māṃ viḍaṃbayasi 44| tṛṣṇāṃ harasva śīghraṃ lakṣmīṃ māṃ dehi hṛdayavāsinīṃ nityām | chiṃdhi madamohapāśānuttāraya māṃ mahādeva 45| karuṇābhyudayaṃ nāma stotramidaṃ siddhidaṃ divyam | yaḥ paṭhati bhaktiyuktastasya tu tuṣyedbhṛgoryathāhi śivaḥ 46| īśvara uvāca-| ahaṃ tuṣṭosmi te vipra varaṃ prārthaya svepsitam | umayā sahito devo varaṃ tasya hi dāpayet 47| bhṛguruvāca-| yadi tuṣṭosi deveśa yadi deyo varo mama | rudravedī bhavedevametatsaṃpādayasva me 48| īśvara uvāca-| evaṃ bhavatu vipreṃdra krodhasthānaṃ bhaviṣyati | na pitā putrayoścaiva ekavākyaṃ bhaviṣyati 49| tadāprabhṛti brahmādyāḥ sarve devāḥ sakinnarāḥ | upāsaṃto bhṛgostīrthaṃ tuṣṭo yatra maheśvaraḥ 50| darśanāttasya tīrthasya sadyaḥ pāpātpramucyate | avaśāḥ svavaśāścāpi mriyaṃte tatra jaṃtavaḥ 51| guhyātiguhyasya gatisteṣāṃ niḥsaṃśayā bhavet | etatkṣetraṃ suvipulaṃ sarvapāpapraṇāśanam 52| tatra snātvā divaṃ yāṃti ye mṛtāste'punarbhavāḥ | aupānahaṃ tadā chatraṃ deyamannaṃ ca kāṃcanam 53| bhojanaṃ ca yathāśaktyā akṣayaṃ tasya tadbhavet | sūryoparāge yo dadyāddānaṃ caiva yathecchayā 54| tīrthasnānaṃ tu yaddānamakṣayaṃ tasya tadbhavet | caṃdrasūryoparāgeṣu vṛṣotsargamanuttamam 55| na jānaṃti narā mūḍhā viṣṇumāyāvimohitāḥ | narmadāyāṃ sthitaṃ divyaṃ vṛṣatīrthaṃ narādhipa 56| bhṛgutīrthasya māhātmyaṃ yaḥ śṛṇoti naraḥ sakṛt | vimuktaḥ sarvapāpebhyo rudralokaṃ sa gacchati 57| tato gaccheta rājeṃdra gautameśvaramuttamam | tatra snātvā naro rājannupavāsaparāyaṇaḥ 58| kāṃcanena vimānena brahmaloke mahīyate | dhautapāpaṃ tato gaccheddhautaṃ yatra vṛṣeṇa tu 59| narmadāyāṃ sthitaṃ rājansarvapātakanāśanam | tatra tīrthe naraḥ snātvā brahmahatyāṃ vyapohati 60| tasmintīrthe mahārāja prāṇatyāgaṃ karoti yaḥ | caturbhujastrinetrastu rudratulyabalo bhavet 61| vasetkalpāyutaṃ sāgraṃ rudratulyaparākramaḥ | kālena mahatā prāptaḥ pṛthivyāmekarāḍbhavet 62| tato gaccheta rājeṃdra eraṃḍītīrthamuttamam | prayāge yatphalaṃ dṛṣṭaṃ mārkaṃḍeyena bhāṣitam 63| tatphalaṃ labhate rājansnātamātrastu mānavaḥ | māsi bhādrapade caiva śuklapakṣasya cāṣṭamīm 64| upoṣya rajanīmekāṃ tatra snānaṃ samācaret | yamadūtairna bādhyeta iṃdralokaṃ sa gacchati 65| tato gaccheta rājeṃdra siddho yatra janārdanaḥ | hiraṇyadvīpavikhyātaṃ sarvapāpapraṇāśanam 66| tatra snātvā naro rājandhanavānrūpavānbhavet | tato gaccheta rājeṃdra tīrthaṃ kanakhalaṃ mahat 67| garuḍena tapastaptaṃ tasmiṃstīrthe narādhipa | vikhyātaṃ sarvalokeṣu yoginī tatra tiṣṭhati 68| krīḍate yogibhiḥ sārdhaṃ śivena saha nṛtyati | tatra snātvā naro rājanrudraloke mahīyate 69| tato gaccheta rājeṃdra īśatīrthamanuttamam | īśastatra vinirmukto gata ūrdhvaṃ na saṃśayaḥ 70| tato gaccheta rājeṃdra siddho yatra janārdanaḥ | vārāhaṃ rūpamāsthāya aciṃtyaḥ parameśvaraḥ 71| varāhatīrthe naraḥ snātvā dvādaśyāṃ tu viśeṣataḥ | viṣṇulokamavāpnoti narakaṃ tu na gacchati 72| tato gaccheta rājeṃdra somatīrthamanuttamam | paurṇimāsyāṃ viśeṣeṇa tatra snānaṃ samācaret 73| praṇipatya ca īśānaṃ balistasya prasīdati | hariścandrapuraṃ divyamaṃtarikṣe tu dṛśyate 74| cakradhvaje samāvṛtte supte nāgāriketane | narmadātoyavegena rurukacchopasevitam 75| tasminsthāne nivāsaṃ ca viṣṇuḥ śaṃkaramabravīt | dvīpeśvare naraḥ snātvā labhedbahusuvarṇakam 76| tato gaccheta rājeṃdra rudrakanyāṃ tu saṃgame | snātamātro narastatra devyāḥ sthānamavāpnuyāt 77| devatīrthaṃ tato gacchetsarvadevanamaskṛtam | tatra snātvā tu rājeṃdra daivataiḥ saha modate 78| tato gaccheta rājeṃdra śikhitīrthamanuttamam | tatra vai dīyate dānaṃ sarvaṃ koṭiguṇaṃ bhavet 79| aparapakṣe amāvāsyāṃ snānaṃ tatra samācaret | brāhmaṇaṃ bhojayedekaṃ koṭirbhavati bhojitā 80| bhṛgutīrthe tu rājeṃdra tīrthakoṭirvyavasthitā | akāmo vā sakāmo vā tatra snāyīta mānavaḥ 81| aśvamedhamavāpnoti daivataiḥ saha modate | tatra siddhamavāpnoti bhṛgustu munipuṃgavaḥ | avatāraḥ kṛtastena śaṃkareṇa mahātmanā 82| iti śrīpādme mahāpurāṇe svargakhaṃḍe viṃśatitamo'dhyāyaḥ 20
English translation
Nārada said :
1-12. Then he should go to (the holy place called) Naraka . He should bathe there. Merely by bathing there a man does not see (i.e. go to) hell. O you son of Pāṇḍu , listen to the greatness of this holy place. O lord of kings, all the bones which he would drop there, are dissolved, and the man becomes handsome. O lord of kings, thence a man should go to the excellent (holy place called) Kapilātīrtha . O king, having bathed there, he would obtain the fruit of (having given away) a thousand cows. The man, who, when the month of Jyeṣṭha has come and especially on the fourteenth day, observes a fast devoutly, gives a tawny cow, and burning a lamp with ghee , bathes Śiva with ghee, and offers a coconut along with ghee, and in the end goes round, and gives a tawny cow with a bell and (other) ornaments (to a brāhmaṇa ), becomes like Śiva, and is not born again. When Tuesday has come, especially on the fourth day (falling on Tuesday), a man should devoutly bathe (the image of) Śiva and give food to brāhmaṇas . When the ninth or the new moon day falls on a Tuesday, he should carefully bathe (the image of) Śiva. (Thereby) he would be handsome and fortunate. He should bathe the Phallus with ghee and devoutly honour brāhmaṇas. Surrounded by thousands, he (going in) Puṣpaka aeroplane, obtains the position of Śiva. He would not come here (i.e. to this world) again. He rejoices for an eternal time, and he becomes like Rudra . When the most righteous one comes to the mortal world due to his contact with (the fruits of) his deeds, he becomes a king, and becomes handsome and strong.
13-14a. Then, O lord of kings, he should go to the excellent Ṛṣitīrtha . There the sage Tṛṇabindu , burnt my curse, resided. By the efficacy of that holy place a brāhmaṇa becomes free from sins.
14b-16a. O lord of kings, thence a man should go to the excellent Gaṇeśvara . Merely by bathing there on the fourteenth day when the month of Śrāvaṇa has come (i.e. on the fourteenth day of Śrāvaṇa) a man is honoured in Rudra’s heaven. By offering oblations to the manes he becomes free from the three debts (to sages, gods and the manes).
16b-25. Near Gaṇeśvara there is the excellent (holy place called) Gaṅgāvadana. A man who would bathe there with some desire or without any desire would undoubtedly be free from sins committed from birth. He should always bathe there on a parvan day. Having offered oblations to the manes he becomes free from the three debts. That entire merit is had at Gaṅgārāhvarka confluence, which was seen at Prayāga by the magnanimous Śiva. To a place in its west, near it, not far away there is (the holy place) called Daśāśvamedhika , well-known in the three worlds. A man having fasted for a night on the new moon day in the month of Bhādrapada , and having bathed, would go to the place where Śiva (dwells). He should always bathe there on a parvan day. Having offered oblations to the manes he would obtain the fruit of a horse sacrifice. To the west of Daśāśvamedha , Bhṛgu , the best brāhmaṇa, worshipped the lord for a thousand divine years. He remained under an anthill; and to the right was the abode (of the lord). Umā and Śiva were amazed. Gaurī (i.e. Pārvatī ) asked the lord: “O great lord, who is dwelling here? Tell me whether he is a god or a demon.”
The lord said :
26. O dear one, the best brāhmaṇa named Bhṛgu, and best among the sages, remains in deep meditation and reflects upon me; he desires a boon.
27. On hearing this the goddess laughed and said to the lord: “The tuft of his hair has become like whirling smoke. Still you are not pleased. Therefore you are difficult to be propitiated. There is no doubt it.”
God said :
28. O great goddess, you do not know; he behaves wrathfully. I shall show you the fact, and shall do what is dear to you.
29. Then the lord of gods brought to his mind his bull (i.e. Nandi ). Immediately on being remembered, the god’s bull came there.
30. He spoke in a human voice: “O lord, order me.” (The lord said:) “The brāhmaṇa is covered with anthill; knock him down on the ground.”
31-32. He who was engrossed in abstract meditation, and who was reflecting (upon the lord) was knocked down by him. Then getting hot with anger in a moment, he raised his hand and said to the bull, “O bull, where will you talking like this go (now)? I shall today actually kill you—a wicked one.”
33-45. Then the brāhmaṇa challenged the bull gone into the air. He saw him in the sky; O king, this was a very great wonder. Then, when Rudra laughed, the sage stood before him. Seeing his third eye, he fell on the ground through shame. Saluting the highest lord (by prostrating himself before him) like a staff, he extolled him. Having saluted the lord of beings and the origin of the mundane existence (he praised him:) “Afraid of the worldly life, O lord of the world, I beg of you of a divine form, a little welfare. O lord, which man is able to describe the multitudes of your qualities? Perhaps Vāsuki , who has a thousand mouths may be able (to do so). O Śaṅkara , O lord of the earth, O revered one, forgive me; be gracious to me who am devoutly garrulous in your praise, and who have fallen at your feet. You are sattva , rajas and tamas . You (are the cause of) the maintenance, creation and destruction (of the world). O lord of the world, O master of the world, excepting you, there is no (other) deity. All this—self-control, vows, sacrifices, gifts, Vedic studies, efforts like determination—does not deserve (is not equal to) even the sixteen thousandth part of your devotion. The signs like the sword of the excellent elixir of life or going on foot by people, are clearly seen in the case of people who have bowed down to you in this existence. Even if a man salutes you fraudulently, you give Dharma to him, O you god of those who long for you. O lord, devotion has been produced to cut off the worldly existence and for liberation. O great lord, protect me who am taking delight in another’s wife or wealth, who am tormented by insult and great grief, and who am scorched by false pride, who sported with the grandeur lasting for a moment, who am prone to cruel ways and who am fallen. Though the direction is full of the groups of the helpless sense organs, like relatives, yet it is worthless. O Śaṅkara, why do you mock at me—a fool? O Mahādeva , remove my thirst (i.e. desire) quickly, give me wealth that would always remain in my heart; cut off the nooses of pride and delusion; liberate me.”
46. This hymn named ‘ Karuṇābhyudaya ’ is divine and gives perfection. Śiva is pleased with him, as with Bhṛgu, who recites it devoutly.
The lord said :
47. O brāhmaṇa, I am pleased with you; ask for the boon desired by you.
The god along with Umā would give him a boon.
Bhṛgu said :
48. O lord of gods, if you are pleased with me, if a boon is to be given to me, then let there be Rudravedi (here). (Please) bring this about for me.
The lord said :
49-52a. O best of brāhmaṇas, there will be Krodhasthāna (i.e. place of anger). There will be no agreement between father and son.
Since then all gods like Brahmā , along with kinnaras , worship Bhṛgutīrtha , where Śiva was pleased. By seeing (i.e. visiting) that holy place a man is instantly free from sin. The creatures, helpless or independent, who die there, would undoubtedly go along the course of the very secret one (i.e. Brahman ).
52b-57. This holy place is very extensive, and destroys all sins. Having bathed there men go to heaven; and those who die there, are not reborn. He should give sandals, an umbrella, food and gold and meal according to his capacity. It would be eternal. One should give according to his desire gifts on the day of the solar eclipse, and, also bathe at the holy place—all this gives inexhaustible merit. Giving a bull on a lunar eclipse day or solar eclipse day is excellent. O king, foolish men, deluded by Viṣṇu ’s illusion do not know the divine Vṛṣatīrtha situated on (the bank of) Narmadā . A man, who (even) once listens to the greatness of Bhṛgutīrtha, is free from all sins, and he goes to Rudra’s world.
58-59a. Thence, O lord of kings, he should go to the excellent (holy place) Gautameśvara . Having bathed there, O king, and absorbed in observing a fast, he is honoured in Brahmā’s world (after going there) in a golden aeroplane.
59b-62. He would then go to Dhautapāpa, where the bull washed (his sins). O king, it is situated on (the bank of) Narmadā, and destroys all sins. A man, having bathed at that holy place, is absolved of (the sin of) killing a brāhmaṇa. O great king, he who casts his life at that holy place, gets four hands and three eyes and becomes as powerful as Rudra. Valourous like Rudra, he would stay for a complete myriad of years (in Rudra’s heaven). Having come to the earth after a long time, he would be a sovereign emperor.
63-67a. From there he should go to the excellent (holy place called) Eraṇḍitīrtha. O king, the man who just bathes there gets the same fruit as Mārkaṇḍeya told about Prayāga. In the month of Bhādrapada, and on the eighth of the bright half, a man should observe a fast for a night and should bathe there. He would not be troubled by the messengers of Yama , and he goes to Indra ’s heaven. Thence, O lord of kings, he should go to that holy place where Viṣṇu dwells. It is known as Hiraṇyadvīpa and destroys all sins. O king, having bathed there, a man becomes rich and handsome.
67b-69. Thence, O lord of kings, he should go to the great (holy place called) Kanakhala . O king, at that holy place Garuḍa practised penance. It is well known in all the worlds. Yoginī (i.e. Durgā ) dwells there. She plays with the meditating saints and dances with Śiva. O king, one who bathes there, is honoured in Rudra’s world.
70. Then, O lord of kings, he should go to the excellent (holy place called) Īśatīrtha. There is no doubt that Īśa became free there and went up.
71-72. Thence, O lord of kings, he should go to that holy place where Viṣṇu, the inconceivable lord, having resorted to the form of a boar, dwells. A man having bathed at Varāhatīrtha , especially on the twelfth, obtains Viṣṇu’s heaven, and does not go to hell.
73-76. Then O lord of kings, he should go to the excellent (holy place called) Somatīrtha . He should bathe there especially on the full moon day. Bali having saluted the lord, is pleased with him. In the atmosphere is seen the celestial city of Hariścandra . When Cakradhvaja (wheel-bannered one) returned, and Garuḍa-bannered one was asleep, the force of Narmadā’s water resorted to Rurukaccha. Viṣṇu told Śaṅkara to stay there. Having bathed at Dvīpeśvara, a man would get great happiness.
77-82. Then, O lord of kings, he should go to (the holy place called) Rudrakanyā on the confluence. Merely by bathing there, a man would obtain the position of the goddess. Then he should go to Devatīrtha saluted by all gods. O lord of kings, having bathed there, he rejoices with deities. Thence, O lord of kings, he should go to (the excellent holy place called) Śikhitīrtha . A gift given there becomes a crore times meritorious. On the new moon day in the dark half of the month he should bathe there. He should feed a brāhmaṇa. Thereby a crore (of brāhmaṇas) is fed. O lord of kings, at Bhṛgutīrtha a crore of holy places are settled. A man having no desire, or having a desire, should bathe there. He obtains (the fruit of) a horse sacrifice and rejoices with deities. The best sage Bhṛgu obtained perfection there. The magnanimous Śaṅkara descended there.
Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 43170, revision 401293 (2024-03-27T04:21:37Z). English is N. A. Deshpande’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-padma-purana/d/doc365239.html and the ten-volume archival witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.