Uttara-khaṇḍa · Chapter 135
Sourceश्रीमहादेव उवाच। साभ्रमत्यास्तु माहात्म्यं वक्ष्ये देवि यथातथम् । कश्यपो वै मुनिश्रेष्ठस्तपो वै तप्तवान्महत् १। अनेकवर्षपर्यंतं तेन तप्तं महत्तपः । अर्बुदे पर्वते रम्ये नानाद्रुमसमाकुले २। तत्र गत्वा तपस्तप्तं ऋषिणा कश्यपेन वै । सरस्वती यत्र रम्या पवित्रा पापनाशिनी ३। एकस्मिन्दिवसे देवि गतोऽसौ नैमिषं प्रति । तदा ते ऋषयः सर्वे कथां चक्रुरनेकशः ४। तदा तैस्तु द्विजैः सम्यक्पृष्टोऽसौ कश्यपो मुनिः । अहो कश्यप नः प्रीत्यै गंगेहानीयतां प्रभो ५। भवन्नाम्ना तु सा गंगा भविष्यति सरिद्वरा । तेषां वाक्यमुपाकर्ण्य नमस्कृत्य द्विजांश्च तान् ६। आगतो ह्यर्बुदारण्ये सरस्वतीतीरसंनिधौ । तत्र तप्तं तदा तेन तपः परमदुष्करम् ७। आराधितो ह्यहं तेन कश्यपेन द्विजेन वै । प्रत्यक्षोऽहं तदा जातस्तस्य द्विजवरस्य च ८। वरं वरय भद्रं ते यत्ते मनसि वर्त्तते ९। कश्यप उवाच। वरं दातुं समर्थोऽसि देवदेव जगत्पते । शिरःस्थिता या गंगेयं पवित्रा पापहारिणी १०। मम देया विशेषेण महादेव नमोस्तुते । तदा देवि मयोक्तं च गृह्णीष्व त्वं द्विजोत्तम ११। जटामेकां परित्यज्य दत्ता गंगा तदा मया । तां गृहीत्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठः स्वस्थानं हर्षतो ययौ १२। केशरन्ध्रं नाम तीर्थं वासो वै कश्यपस्य च । गतस्तत्र तु देवेशि मुनिभिः परिवारितः १३। कश्यपेन समानीता काश्यपी सा सरिद्वरा । यस्या दर्शनमात्रेण ब्रह्महा मुच्यते किल १४। पार्वत्युवाच। स्नानमात्रेण किं पुण्यं तत्र तीर्थे वदस्व मे । विश्वनाथ कृपालुस्त्वं दयां कुरु ममोपरि १५। दर्शने किं भवेत्पुण्यं स्नाने किं वद देवराट् । महिमा कीदृशो ब्रह्मन्सर्वं त्वं वक्तुमर्हसि १६। महादेव उवाच। मया श्रुतान्यनेकानि तीर्थान्यायतनानि च । श्रीविष्णोश्च प्रसादाच्च नद्यः सागरगाः प्रभोः १७। गंगा च यमुना रेवा तापी चैव महानदी । गोदावरी तुंगभद्रा कौशिकी गल्लिका तथा १८। कावेरी वेदिका भद्रा सरयूः पापहारिणी । अन्याश्च विविधा नद्यः सर्वपापहरा भुवि १९। प्रयागस्तीर्थराजश्च काशी पुष्कर एव च । नैमिषारण्यसंज्ञं तु तीर्थं चामरकंटकम् २०। उत्तमं द्वारकाक्षेत्रमर्बुदारण्यमुत्तमम् । एवंविधानि दिव्यानि क्षेत्राणि विविधानि च २१। श्रुतानि तत्र देवेशि माया विष्णोः प्रसादतः । पूर्वं भगीरथेनैव याचितोऽहं तु पार्वति २२। तदा दत्ता इयं गंगा विष्णोर्लोकमभीप्सुना । कश्यपाय पुनर्दत्ता ऋषीणां वचनान्मया २३। इयं वै काश्यपी गंगा रोगदोषहरा सदा । इयं या कथ्यते लोके युगे वै नामपूर्वकम् २४। तदहं कथयिष्यामि शृणु सुंदरि तत्वतः । कृते कृतवती नाम त्रेतायां गिरिकर्णिका २५। द्वापरे चंदना नाम कलौ साभ्रमती स्मृता । दिनेदिने विशेषेण स्नानार्थं तु नराश्च ये २६। सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्ता यांति विष्णोः सनातनम् । प्लक्षावतरणे तीर्थे सरस्वत्यां तथेश्वरि २७। केदारे च कुरुक्षेत्रे यत्फलं स्नानतो भवेत् । तत्फलं तु नृणां नूनं साभ्रमत्या दिने दिने २८। भवतीति न संदेहो व्यासस्य वचनं यथा । नभस्येपरपक्षे तु प्रत्यहं वा सुरेश्वरि २९। अमावास्यादिने सम्यक्श्राद्धदाने च यत्फलम् । नरस्तत्फलमाप्नोति साभ्रमत्यावगाहनात् ३०। कार्तिक्यां कृत्तिकायोगे श्रीस्थले माधवाग्रतः । तत्फलं लभते मर्त्यो साभ्रमत्यावगाहनात् ३१। एषा श्रेष्ठतमा देवि सर्वलोकेषु पावनी । इयं धन्यतमा देवि पवित्रा ह्यघनाशिनी ३२। यस्यां वै साभ्रमत्यां च एते तिष्ठंति नित्यशः । पूर्वं संबंधिनो ये च उत्तरे ये तथा पुनः ३३। पाश्चात्या दाक्षिणात्याश्च सर्वे यांति च नित्यशः । तीर्थयात्रामिषेणैव खेटके ब्रह्मसन्निधौ ३४। आयांति सर्वदा देवि कार्तिक्यां च न संशयः । तत्र श्राद्धं प्रकुर्वंति तथा वै विप्रभोजनम् ३५। नाना धर्मान्प्रकुर्वंति नानायज्ञांश्च नित्यशः । विविधानि च दानानि प्रकुर्वंति जनाः सदा ३६। चतुर्युगेषु सर्वेषु नात्र कार्या विचारणा । यवक्रीतोऽथ रैभ्यश्च काक्षीवानुशिजस्तथा ३७। भृग्वंगिरास्तथा कण्वो मेधावी च पुनर्वसुः । बंदी च गुणसंपन्नः प्राच्यां दिशि उपश्रिताः ३८। उदीच्यां ये महाभागा मधुमत्प्रमुखास्तथा । सुबंधुश्च महाभागो दत्तात्रेयश्च वीर्यवान् ३९। शिखी दीर्घतमाश्चैव गौतमः कश्यपस्तथा । श्वेतकेतुः कहोडश्च पुलहो देवलस्तथा ४०। विश्वामित्र भरद्वाजौ जमदग्निश्च वीर्यवान् । ऋचीकपुत्रो गर्गश्च ऋषिरुद्दालकस्तथा ४१। देवशर्माऽथ धौम्यश्च आस्तीकः कश्यपस्तथा । लोमशो नाभिकेतुश्च लोमहर्षण एव च ४२। ऋषिरुग्रश्रवाश्चैव भार्गवश्च्यवनस्तथा । वालखिल्यादयो ये च सर्वे गच्छंति तत्र वै ४३। कृतस्नाना निराहाराः सदा विष्णुपरायणाः । शंखचक्रगदाधरास्तटे तिष्ठंति नित्यशः ४४। पितृतीर्थं गयानाम सर्वतीर्थवरं शुभम् । यत्रास्ते देवदेवेशः स्वयमेव पितामहः ४५। गीतायाः पितृभिर्गाथा श्राद्धभागमपीप्सुभिः । एष्टव्या बहवः पुत्रा यद्येकोऽपि गयां व्रजेत् ४६। यजेत वाश्वमेधेन नीलं वा वृषमुत्सृजेत् । तथा वाराणसी पुण्या पितॄणां वल्लभा सदा ४७। या चैव मम सांनिध्याद्भुक्तिमुक्तिफलप्रदा । ममाज्ञया तु देवेशो बिंदुमाधवसंज्ञकः ४८। नित्यं तिष्ठति देवेशि वाराणस्यां विशेषतः । अतो धन्यतमा श्रेष्ठा पुरीयं मम सर्वदा ४९। पितॄणां वल्लभं तीर्थं पुण्यं वै विमलेश्वरम् । पितृतीर्थं प्रयागं च सर्वतीर्थसमन्वितम् 6.135.५०। साभ्रमत्युदके देवि आयांति वचनान्मम । वटेश्वरश्च भगवान्माधवेन समन्वितः ५१। दशाश्वमेधकं पुण्यं गंगाद्वारं तथैव च । मन्नियोगाच्च देवेशि साभ्रमत्यां वसंति हि ५२। नदाथ ललितादेवी तीर्थं यत्सप्तधारकम् । तथा मित्रपदं नाम केदारं शंकरालयम् ५३। गंगासागरमित्याहुः सर्वतीर्थमयं शुभम् । तीर्थं ब्रह्मसरस्तद्वच्छतद्रु सलिले ह्रदे ५४। तीर्थं तु नैमिषं नाम आज्ञया मम सर्वदा । साभ्रमत्युदके देवि निवसंति न संशयः ५५। श्वेता वल्कलिनी पुण्या ततः श्वेता हिरण्मयी । हस्तिमत्यथवार्त्तघ्नी नदी सागरगामिनी ५६। पितॄणां वल्लभा ह्येताः श्राद्धकोटिफलप्रदः । तत्र श्राद्धानि देयानि पुत्रैः पितृहिताय वै ५७। पाटलं वाडवाख्यं च नगरं तत्र सुंदरि । साभ्रमत्यां सदा एताः प्राप्ता नद्यो विशेषतः ५८। तत्र स्नानं च दानं च ये कुर्वंति नरा भुवि । इहलोके सुखं भुक्त्वा यांति विष्णोः सनातनम् ५९। जंबूद्वीपं महापुण्यं यत्र पुण्यं विवर्द्धते । तत्रार्याख्यं महापुण्यं सर्वकामफलप्रदम् ६०। नीलकंठमिति ख्यातं तीर्थं नंदह्रदस्तथा । तथा रुद्रह्रदस्तीर्थं पुण्यं रुद्र महालयम् ६१। मंदाकिनी महापुण्या तथाच्छोदा महानदी । साभ्रमत्यां वहंत्येते स्वात्मना दर्शनीकृते ६२। धूम्रा मित्रपदं तद्वद्वैजनाथं दृषद्वरम् । क्षिप्रा नदी महाकालं तथा कालिंजरो गिरिः ६३। गंगोद्भूतं हरोद्भेदं नर्मदाकारमेव च । गंगापिंडप्रदानेन समान्याहुर्मनीषिणः ६४। एतानि ब्रह्मतीर्थानि साभ्रमत्युत्तरे तटे । गुप्तीकृतानि देवेशि देवैर्ब्रह्मपुरोगमैः ६५। स्मरणादपि लोकानां पापघ्नानि महेश्वरि । किं पुनः श्राद्धदातॄणां मानवानां सुरेश्वरि ६६। ॐकारं पितृतीर्थं च कावेरी कपिलोदकम् । संभेदश्चंडवेगायास्तथैवामरकंटकम् ६७। कुरुक्षेत्राच्छतगुणमस्मिन्स्नानादिकं भवेत् । वार्तघ्नीसंगमे देवि गणेश्वरपुरःसरम् ६८। साभ्रमत्यां पुरा नीतं गणैस्तीर्थकदंकबम् । एष तूद्देशतः प्रोक्तस्तीर्थानां संगमो मया ६९। वागीशापि न शक्नोति तीर्थानां तत्वविस्तरम् । सत्यं तीर्थं दयातीर्थं तीर्थमिंद्रियविग्रहः ७०। तस्यास्तीर्थे प्रयत्नेन स्नानं कुर्यान्न संशयः । प्रातःकालो मुहूर्तांस्त्रीन्संगवस्तावदेव तु ७१। तदा स्नानादिकं तीर्थे देवानां प्रीतिदायकम् । मध्याह्नस्त्रिमुहूर्तः स्यादपराह्णस्ततः परम् ७२। पितॄणां प्रीतिजननं स्नानपिंडादि तर्पणम् । सायाह्नस्त्रिमुहूर्तः स्याच्छ्राद्धं तत्र न कारयेत् ७३। राक्षसी नाम सा वेला गर्हिता सर्वकर्मसु । अह्नो मुहूर्ता विख्याता दशपंच च सर्वदा ७४। तत्राष्टमो मुहूर्तो यः स कालः कुतुपः स्मृतः । मध्याह्ने सर्वदा यस्मान्मंदी भवति भास्करः ७५। तस्मादनंतफलदः पितॄणां पिंडदानतः । मध्याह्नः खङ्गपात्रं च तथा नेपालकंबलः ७६। रूप्यं दर्भास्तथा गावो दौहित्रं कुतपास्तिलाः । पापं कुत्सितमित्याहुस्तस्य संतापकारकाः ७७। अष्टावेते यतस्तस्मात्कुतपा इति विश्रुताः । ऊर्द्ध्वं मुहूर्तात्कुतुपात्यन्मुहूर्त चतुष्टयम् ७८। महूर्तपंचकं चैतच्छ्राद्धकाले समिष्यते । विष्णोर्देहात्समुद्भूताः कुशाः कृष्णतिलाः स्मृताः ७९। श्राद्धस्य रक्षणार्थाय एवमाहुर्दिवौकसः । तिलोदकांजलिर्देयो जलस्थैस्तीर्थवासिभिः ८०। सदर्भहस्तैरेकेन श्राद्धमेवं न हिंस्यते । साभ्रमत्यां नामधेयैरिति तीर्थप्रवेशनम् ८१। कारयित्वा मया देवि दत्ता वै कश्यपाय च । मम भक्तः कश्यपोसौ वल्लभो मम सर्वदा ८२। दत्ता तस्मादियं गंगा पवित्रा पापनाशिनी । साभ्रमत्यां महाभागे तीर्थे वै ब्रह्मचारिके ८३। आत्मानं च प्रतिष्ठाप्य तन्नाम्ना शंकरो ह्यहम् । स्थितो लोकहितार्थाय ब्रह्मचारीश संज्ञकः ८४। साभ्रमत्यामुपकंठे ब्रह्मचारीश संज्ञके । कलौ भक्तो विशेषेण पूजनं कुरुते यदा ८५। इहलोके सुखं भुक्त्वा याति शैवं पदं महत् । महद्भिर्व्याधिभिश्चैव पीडितो यदि गच्छति ८६। यस्याशु नश्यति व्याधिर्दर्शनाच्च महेश्वरि । गत्वा वै तस्य संस्थाने उपवासी जितेंद्रियः ८७। पूजनं कुरुते भक्त्या रात्रौ तिष्ठन्सुनिश्चलः । तदाहं योगिरूपेण दर्शनं तस्य यामि हि ८८। ददामि वांच्छितान्कामान्सत्यं सत्यं वरानने । ममस्थाने विशेषेण समायांति च ये जनाः ८९। तेषां व्याधिप्रशमनं करोमि सुचिरादहम् । चतुरशीतिसंज्ञेयो व्याधिः संकथितो मया ९०। स स व्याधिर्विनश्येत दर्शनादेव सुंदरि । न लिंगं वर्तते तत्र मामकं नगनंदिनि ९१। स्नानमात्रं तु तत्रैव मामकं नात्र संशयः । एकस्मिन्नेव काले तु अस्यां भूमौ महातपाः ९२। राजा वै सूर्यवंशीयो ब्रह्मदत्तस्तु वीर्यवान् । तेन राज्ञा तपस्तप्तं बहुकालं सुरेश्वरि ९३। पंचाग्निसाधनं तेन कृतं च बहुधा ततः । मासोपवासकादीनि तपस्तप्तान्यनेकशः ९४। एवं बहुतरं कालं राज्ञा तप्तं तपो महत् । प्रत्यक्षोऽहं तदा जातो वरार्थं वरवर्णिनि ९५। ब्रह्मदत्त शृणुष्व त्वं महद्वाक्यं नरेश्वर । यं यं वांछयसे नित्यं तं तं दद्मि न संशयः ९६। तेनोक्तं मम देवेश वांच्छितं यदि दीयते । एक एव वरो देव दीयतां मम सर्वदा ९७। मम नाम्ना हि देवेश ईश्वरो भुवि जायताम् । तेन वाक्येन संतुष्टो वरो दत्तो मयाऽनघे ९८। तदाहं तेन वै सार्द्धं निवसामि सुरेश्वरि । अत्र स्थित्वा निराहारो भक्तिं कुर्यादशेषतः ९९। ददामि वांछितान्कामान्यावदिंद्राश्चतुर्दश । अत्रागत्य तु ये विप्रा रुद्रजाप्यादिकं च यत् 6.135.१००। प्रकुर्वंति विशेषेण तेषां दद्मि शृणुष्व तत् । स्त्रीसौख्यं पुत्रसौख्यं च लक्ष्मीवृद्धिकरं पुनः १०१।
śrīmahādeva uvāca| sābhramatyāstu māhātmyaṃ vakṣye devi yathātatham | kaśyapo vai muniśreṣṭhastapo vai taptavānmahat 1| anekavarṣaparyaṃtaṃ tena taptaṃ mahattapaḥ | arbude parvate ramye nānādrumasamākule 2| tatra gatvā tapastaptaṃ ṛṣiṇā kaśyapena vai | sarasvatī yatra ramyā pavitrā pāpanāśinī 3| ekasmindivase devi gato'sau naimiṣaṃ prati | tadā te ṛṣayaḥ sarve kathāṃ cakruranekaśaḥ 4| tadā taistu dvijaiḥ samyakpṛṣṭo'sau kaśyapo muniḥ | aho kaśyapa naḥ prītyai gaṃgehānīyatāṃ prabho 5| bhavannāmnā tu sā gaṃgā bhaviṣyati saridvarā | teṣāṃ vākyamupākarṇya namaskṛtya dvijāṃśca tān 6| āgato hyarbudāraṇye sarasvatītīrasaṃnidhau | tatra taptaṃ tadā tena tapaḥ paramaduṣkaram 7| ārādhito hyahaṃ tena kaśyapena dvijena vai | pratyakṣo'haṃ tadā jātastasya dvijavarasya ca 8| varaṃ varaya bhadraṃ te yatte manasi varttate 9| kaśyapa uvāca| varaṃ dātuṃ samartho'si devadeva jagatpate | śiraḥsthitā yā gaṃgeyaṃ pavitrā pāpahāriṇī 10| mama deyā viśeṣeṇa mahādeva namostute | tadā devi mayoktaṃ ca gṛhṇīṣva tvaṃ dvijottama 11| jaṭāmekāṃ parityajya dattā gaṃgā tadā mayā | tāṃ gṛhītvā dvijaśreṣṭhaḥ svasthānaṃ harṣato yayau 12| keśarandhraṃ nāma tīrthaṃ vāso vai kaśyapasya ca | gatastatra tu deveśi munibhiḥ parivāritaḥ 13| kaśyapena samānītā kāśyapī sā saridvarā | yasyā darśanamātreṇa brahmahā mucyate kila 14| pārvatyuvāca| snānamātreṇa kiṃ puṇyaṃ tatra tīrthe vadasva me | viśvanātha kṛpālustvaṃ dayāṃ kuru mamopari 15| darśane kiṃ bhavetpuṇyaṃ snāne kiṃ vada devarāṭ | mahimā kīdṛśo brahmansarvaṃ tvaṃ vaktumarhasi 16| mahādeva uvāca| mayā śrutānyanekāni tīrthānyāyatanāni ca | śrīviṣṇośca prasādācca nadyaḥ sāgaragāḥ prabhoḥ 17| gaṃgā ca yamunā revā tāpī caiva mahānadī | godāvarī tuṃgabhadrā kauśikī gallikā tathā 18| kāverī vedikā bhadrā sarayūḥ pāpahāriṇī | anyāśca vividhā nadyaḥ sarvapāpaharā bhuvi 19| prayāgastīrtharājaśca kāśī puṣkara eva ca | naimiṣāraṇyasaṃjñaṃ tu tīrthaṃ cāmarakaṃṭakam 20| uttamaṃ dvārakākṣetramarbudāraṇyamuttamam | evaṃvidhāni divyāni kṣetrāṇi vividhāni ca 21| śrutāni tatra deveśi māyā viṣṇoḥ prasādataḥ | pūrvaṃ bhagīrathenaiva yācito'haṃ tu pārvati 22| tadā dattā iyaṃ gaṃgā viṣṇorlokamabhīpsunā | kaśyapāya punardattā ṛṣīṇāṃ vacanānmayā 23| iyaṃ vai kāśyapī gaṃgā rogadoṣaharā sadā | iyaṃ yā kathyate loke yuge vai nāmapūrvakam 24| tadahaṃ kathayiṣyāmi śṛṇu suṃdari tatvataḥ | kṛte kṛtavatī nāma tretāyāṃ girikarṇikā 25| dvāpare caṃdanā nāma kalau sābhramatī smṛtā | dinedine viśeṣeṇa snānārthaṃ tu narāśca ye 26| sarvapāpavinirmuktā yāṃti viṣṇoḥ sanātanam | plakṣāvataraṇe tīrthe sarasvatyāṃ tatheśvari 27| kedāre ca kurukṣetre yatphalaṃ snānato bhavet | tatphalaṃ tu nṛṇāṃ nūnaṃ sābhramatyā dine dine 28| bhavatīti na saṃdeho vyāsasya vacanaṃ yathā | nabhasyeparapakṣe tu pratyahaṃ vā sureśvari 29| amāvāsyādine samyakśrāddhadāne ca yatphalam | narastatphalamāpnoti sābhramatyāvagāhanāt 30| kārtikyāṃ kṛttikāyoge śrīsthale mādhavāgrataḥ | tatphalaṃ labhate martyo sābhramatyāvagāhanāt 31| eṣā śreṣṭhatamā devi sarvalokeṣu pāvanī | iyaṃ dhanyatamā devi pavitrā hyaghanāśinī 32| yasyāṃ vai sābhramatyāṃ ca ete tiṣṭhaṃti nityaśaḥ | pūrvaṃ saṃbaṃdhino ye ca uttare ye tathā punaḥ 33| pāścātyā dākṣiṇātyāśca sarve yāṃti ca nityaśaḥ | tīrthayātrāmiṣeṇaiva kheṭake brahmasannidhau 34| āyāṃti sarvadā devi kārtikyāṃ ca na saṃśayaḥ | tatra śrāddhaṃ prakurvaṃti tathā vai viprabhojanam 35| nānā dharmānprakurvaṃti nānāyajñāṃśca nityaśaḥ | vividhāni ca dānāni prakurvaṃti janāḥ sadā 36| caturyugeṣu sarveṣu nātra kāryā vicāraṇā | yavakrīto'tha raibhyaśca kākṣīvānuśijastathā 37| bhṛgvaṃgirāstathā kaṇvo medhāvī ca punarvasuḥ | baṃdī ca guṇasaṃpannaḥ prācyāṃ diśi upaśritāḥ 38| udīcyāṃ ye mahābhāgā madhumatpramukhāstathā | subaṃdhuśca mahābhāgo dattātreyaśca vīryavān 39| śikhī dīrghatamāścaiva gautamaḥ kaśyapastathā | śvetaketuḥ kahoḍaśca pulaho devalastathā 40| viśvāmitra bharadvājau jamadagniśca vīryavān | ṛcīkaputro gargaśca ṛṣiruddālakastathā 41| devaśarmā'tha dhaumyaśca āstīkaḥ kaśyapastathā | lomaśo nābhiketuśca lomaharṣaṇa eva ca 42| ṛṣirugraśravāścaiva bhārgavaścyavanastathā | vālakhilyādayo ye ca sarve gacchaṃti tatra vai 43| kṛtasnānā nirāhārāḥ sadā viṣṇuparāyaṇāḥ | śaṃkhacakragadādharāstaṭe tiṣṭhaṃti nityaśaḥ 44| pitṛtīrthaṃ gayānāma sarvatīrthavaraṃ śubham | yatrāste devadeveśaḥ svayameva pitāmahaḥ 45| gītāyāḥ pitṛbhirgāthā śrāddhabhāgamapīpsubhiḥ | eṣṭavyā bahavaḥ putrā yadyeko'pi gayāṃ vrajet 46| yajeta vāśvamedhena nīlaṃ vā vṛṣamutsṛjet | tathā vārāṇasī puṇyā pitṝṇāṃ vallabhā sadā 47| yā caiva mama sāṃnidhyādbhuktimuktiphalapradā | mamājñayā tu deveśo biṃdumādhavasaṃjñakaḥ 48| nityaṃ tiṣṭhati deveśi vārāṇasyāṃ viśeṣataḥ | ato dhanyatamā śreṣṭhā purīyaṃ mama sarvadā 49| pitṝṇāṃ vallabhaṃ tīrthaṃ puṇyaṃ vai vimaleśvaram | pitṛtīrthaṃ prayāgaṃ ca sarvatīrthasamanvitam 6.135.50| sābhramatyudake devi āyāṃti vacanānmama | vaṭeśvaraśca bhagavānmādhavena samanvitaḥ 51| daśāśvamedhakaṃ puṇyaṃ gaṃgādvāraṃ tathaiva ca | manniyogācca deveśi sābhramatyāṃ vasaṃti hi 52| nadātha lalitādevī tīrthaṃ yatsaptadhārakam | tathā mitrapadaṃ nāma kedāraṃ śaṃkarālayam 53| gaṃgāsāgaramityāhuḥ sarvatīrthamayaṃ śubham | tīrthaṃ brahmasarastadvacchatadru salile hrade 54| tīrthaṃ tu naimiṣaṃ nāma ājñayā mama sarvadā | sābhramatyudake devi nivasaṃti na saṃśayaḥ 55| śvetā valkalinī puṇyā tataḥ śvetā hiraṇmayī | hastimatyathavārttaghnī nadī sāgaragāminī 56| pitṝṇāṃ vallabhā hyetāḥ śrāddhakoṭiphalapradaḥ | tatra śrāddhāni deyāni putraiḥ pitṛhitāya vai 57| pāṭalaṃ vāḍavākhyaṃ ca nagaraṃ tatra suṃdari | sābhramatyāṃ sadā etāḥ prāptā nadyo viśeṣataḥ 58| tatra snānaṃ ca dānaṃ ca ye kurvaṃti narā bhuvi | ihaloke sukhaṃ bhuktvā yāṃti viṣṇoḥ sanātanam 59| jaṃbūdvīpaṃ mahāpuṇyaṃ yatra puṇyaṃ vivarddhate | tatrāryākhyaṃ mahāpuṇyaṃ sarvakāmaphalapradam 60| nīlakaṃṭhamiti khyātaṃ tīrthaṃ naṃdahradastathā | tathā rudrahradastīrthaṃ puṇyaṃ rudra mahālayam 61| maṃdākinī mahāpuṇyā tathācchodā mahānadī | sābhramatyāṃ vahaṃtyete svātmanā darśanīkṛte 62| dhūmrā mitrapadaṃ tadvadvaijanāthaṃ dṛṣadvaram | kṣiprā nadī mahākālaṃ tathā kāliṃjaro giriḥ 63| gaṃgodbhūtaṃ harodbhedaṃ narmadākārameva ca | gaṃgāpiṃḍapradānena samānyāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ 64| etāni brahmatīrthāni sābhramatyuttare taṭe | guptīkṛtāni deveśi devairbrahmapurogamaiḥ 65| smaraṇādapi lokānāṃ pāpaghnāni maheśvari | kiṃ punaḥ śrāddhadātṝṇāṃ mānavānāṃ sureśvari 66| oṃkāraṃ pitṛtīrthaṃ ca kāverī kapilodakam | saṃbhedaścaṃḍavegāyāstathaivāmarakaṃṭakam 67| kurukṣetrācchataguṇamasminsnānādikaṃ bhavet | vārtaghnīsaṃgame devi gaṇeśvarapuraḥsaram 68| sābhramatyāṃ purā nītaṃ gaṇaistīrthakadaṃkabam | eṣa tūddeśataḥ proktastīrthānāṃ saṃgamo mayā 69| vāgīśāpi na śaknoti tīrthānāṃ tatvavistaram | satyaṃ tīrthaṃ dayātīrthaṃ tīrthamiṃdriyavigrahaḥ 70| tasyāstīrthe prayatnena snānaṃ kuryānna saṃśayaḥ | prātaḥkālo muhūrtāṃstrīnsaṃgavastāvadeva tu 71| tadā snānādikaṃ tīrthe devānāṃ prītidāyakam | madhyāhnastrimuhūrtaḥ syādaparāhṇastataḥ param 72| pitṝṇāṃ prītijananaṃ snānapiṃḍādi tarpaṇam | sāyāhnastrimuhūrtaḥ syācchrāddhaṃ tatra na kārayet 73| rākṣasī nāma sā velā garhitā sarvakarmasu | ahno muhūrtā vikhyātā daśapaṃca ca sarvadā 74| tatrāṣṭamo muhūrto yaḥ sa kālaḥ kutupaḥ smṛtaḥ | madhyāhne sarvadā yasmānmaṃdī bhavati bhāskaraḥ 75| tasmādanaṃtaphaladaḥ pitṝṇāṃ piṃḍadānataḥ | madhyāhnaḥ khaṅgapātraṃ ca tathā nepālakaṃbalaḥ 76| rūpyaṃ darbhāstathā gāvo dauhitraṃ kutapāstilāḥ | pāpaṃ kutsitamityāhustasya saṃtāpakārakāḥ 77| aṣṭāvete yatastasmātkutapā iti viśrutāḥ | ūrddhvaṃ muhūrtātkutupātyanmuhūrta catuṣṭayam 78| mahūrtapaṃcakaṃ caitacchrāddhakāle samiṣyate | viṣṇordehātsamudbhūtāḥ kuśāḥ kṛṣṇatilāḥ smṛtāḥ 79| śrāddhasya rakṣaṇārthāya evamāhurdivaukasaḥ | tilodakāṃjalirdeyo jalasthaistīrthavāsibhiḥ 80| sadarbhahastairekena śrāddhamevaṃ na hiṃsyate | sābhramatyāṃ nāmadheyairiti tīrthapraveśanam 81| kārayitvā mayā devi dattā vai kaśyapāya ca | mama bhaktaḥ kaśyaposau vallabho mama sarvadā 82| dattā tasmādiyaṃ gaṃgā pavitrā pāpanāśinī | sābhramatyāṃ mahābhāge tīrthe vai brahmacārike 83| ātmānaṃ ca pratiṣṭhāpya tannāmnā śaṃkaro hyaham | sthito lokahitārthāya brahmacārīśa saṃjñakaḥ 84| sābhramatyāmupakaṃṭhe brahmacārīśa saṃjñake | kalau bhakto viśeṣeṇa pūjanaṃ kurute yadā 85| ihaloke sukhaṃ bhuktvā yāti śaivaṃ padaṃ mahat | mahadbhirvyādhibhiścaiva pīḍito yadi gacchati 86| yasyāśu naśyati vyādhirdarśanācca maheśvari | gatvā vai tasya saṃsthāne upavāsī jiteṃdriyaḥ 87| pūjanaṃ kurute bhaktyā rātrau tiṣṭhansuniścalaḥ | tadāhaṃ yogirūpeṇa darśanaṃ tasya yāmi hi 88| dadāmi vāṃcchitānkāmānsatyaṃ satyaṃ varānane | mamasthāne viśeṣeṇa samāyāṃti ca ye janāḥ 89| teṣāṃ vyādhipraśamanaṃ karomi sucirādaham | caturaśītisaṃjñeyo vyādhiḥ saṃkathito mayā 90| sa sa vyādhirvinaśyeta darśanādeva suṃdari | na liṃgaṃ vartate tatra māmakaṃ naganaṃdini 91| snānamātraṃ tu tatraiva māmakaṃ nātra saṃśayaḥ | ekasminneva kāle tu asyāṃ bhūmau mahātapāḥ 92| rājā vai sūryavaṃśīyo brahmadattastu vīryavān | tena rājñā tapastaptaṃ bahukālaṃ sureśvari 93| paṃcāgnisādhanaṃ tena kṛtaṃ ca bahudhā tataḥ | māsopavāsakādīni tapastaptānyanekaśaḥ 94| evaṃ bahutaraṃ kālaṃ rājñā taptaṃ tapo mahat | pratyakṣo'haṃ tadā jāto varārthaṃ varavarṇini 95| brahmadatta śṛṇuṣva tvaṃ mahadvākyaṃ nareśvara | yaṃ yaṃ vāṃchayase nityaṃ taṃ taṃ dadmi na saṃśayaḥ 96| tenoktaṃ mama deveśa vāṃcchitaṃ yadi dīyate | eka eva varo deva dīyatāṃ mama sarvadā 97| mama nāmnā hi deveśa īśvaro bhuvi jāyatām | tena vākyena saṃtuṣṭo varo datto mayā'naghe 98| tadāhaṃ tena vai sārddhaṃ nivasāmi sureśvari | atra sthitvā nirāhāro bhaktiṃ kuryādaśeṣataḥ 99| dadāmi vāṃchitānkāmānyāvadiṃdrāścaturdaśa | atrāgatya tu ye viprā rudrajāpyādikaṃ ca yat 6.135.100| prakurvaṃti viśeṣeṇa teṣāṃ dadmi śṛṇuṣva tat | strīsaukhyaṃ putrasaukhyaṃ ca lakṣmīvṛddhikaraṃ punaḥ 101|
English translation
Śrī Mahādeva said :
1-9. O goddess, I shall aptly describe the greatness of Sābhramatī. The best sage Kaśyapa practised severe penance. For many years he practised severe penance on the charming Arbuda mountain full of various trees. Having gone there where the charming, sin-destroying Sarasvatī flows, the sage Kaśyapa practised penance. O goddess, one day he went to the Naimiṣa (forest where) all the sages were narrating stories in many ways. Then the sages properly asked that sage Kaśyapa: “O Kaśyapa, for our pleasure, bring Gaṅgā here, O lord. That best river will pass by your name.” Having heard their words, and having saluted those brāhmaṇas , he came to the Arbuda forest, near the bank of Sarasvatī. He practised there very severe penance. That brāhmaṇa Kaśyapa propitiated me. I then appeared in person in front of that excellent brāhmaṇa. “Well-being to you; ask for a boon that is in your mind.”
Kaśyapa said :
10-14. O lord of the world, you are capable of granting a boon. Give me specially that Gaṅgā which is on your head and which is pure and destroys sins. O great god, I salute you.
Then, O goddess, I said: “O best brāhmaṇa, take (her).” Then taking off a hair from my matted hair, I gave him the Gaṅgā. Taking her, the best brāhmaṇa gladly went to his place. The holy place named Keśarandhra is the abode of Kaśyapa. Surrounded by sages, O chief goddess, he went there. That excellent river Kāśyapī was brought by Kaśyapa, on merely seeing which, (even) a killer of a brāhmaṇa was freed.
Pārvatī said :
15-16. Tell me about the religious merit acquired by just a bath, O lord of the world. You are kind. Show compassion to me. What would be the religious merit due to seeing her, and what due to the bath? Tell me (that), O lord of gods. O Brahman , please tell me what kind of greatness (she has).
Mahādeva said :
17-35. I have heard about many holy places and sanctuaries. Due to the grace of lord Viṣṇu many rivers flowing into the ocean (like) Gaṅgā, Yamunā , Revā , Tāpī , so also Mahānadī , Godāvarī , Tuṅgabhadrā , Kauśikī , so also Gallikā, (and) Kāverī , Vedikā , Bhadrā , Śarayū , Pāpahāriṇī (destroyer of sins), so also other various rivers, all instant sin-destroyers (are heard about by me). The king of holy places— Prayāga , Kāśī , and Puṣkara , so also the one called Naimiṣāraṇya , so also the holy place Amarakaṇṭaka , the excellent holy place of Dvārakā , the excellent Arbudāraṇya—such divine and other various holy places, I have heard about due to Viṣṇu’s grace. Formerly, Bhagīratha , desiring (to go to) Viṣṇu’s heaven, had solicited me. Then, O Pārvatī , I gave him this Gaṅgā. On the words of the sages I again gave her to Kaśyapa. This Kāśyapī Gaṅgā always removes diseases and blemishes. O beautiful lady, I shall tell you. Listen, what she is called in each age. In Kṛta (age) she was called Kṛtavatī and Girikarṇikā in Tretā . She is named Candanā in Dvāpara , and she is known as Sābhramatī in Kali (age). Those men who everyday (go to her for bathing) are freed from all sins and go to Viṣṇu’s (eternal position). O goddess, that fruit which men get by bathing at the holy place Plakṣa , and in Sarasvatī, is got by a daily bath in Sābhramatī everyday. There is no doubt about it, since Vyāsa ’s statement is to that effect. A man gets that fruit by bathing in Sābhramatī which he gets by bathing in the later half of Śrāvaṇa or everyday, or by properly offering a śrāddha on the new-moon day. A man gets that fruit by bathing in Sābhramatī which he gets in Kārtika when (the Sun) is joined with the Kṛttikā (constellation) at Śrīsthala in front of (the image of) Mādhava . O goddess, this is the greatest (river). It is purifying in all worlds. She is most blessed, is pure, and destroys sins, O goddess. On (the bank of) Sābhramatī always live those connected with the east (i.e. the Easterners), the Northerners. The Westerners and the Southerners all go to Kheṭaka everyday near Brahmā , under the pretext of a pilgrimage only. O goddess, there is no doubt that they come there on the full-moon day of Kārtika. There they offer a śrāddha and feed brāhmaṇas.
36-50. (There) men perform various religious rites daily, so also various sacrifices. They make various gifts everyday in all the four ages. No doubt should be entertained in this matter. Yavakrīta , and Raibhya , Kakṣīvat , so also Uśija , Bhṛgu , Aṅgiras , so also Kaṇva , and the intelligent Punarvasu , Bandin, endowed with virtues, (all) have resorted to the Eastern direction. So also the magnanimous ones (living) in the north—like Madhumat, so also the noble Subandhu , and the powerful Dattātreya , similarly Śikhin , Dīrghatamas , so also Gautama and Kaśyapa, in the same way Śvetaketu , Kahoḍa , Pulaha and Devala , and Viśvāmitra and Bharadvāja , and powerful Jamadagni , Ṛcīca’s son Garga , so also the sage Uddālaka , and Devaśarman , Dhaumya , Āstika , so also Kaśyapa, and Lomaśa , Nābhiketu, and. Lomaharṣaṇa , so also the sage Ugraśravas , Bhārgava Cyavana , Vālakhilya and others, all go there. Bathing (there), fasting and very highly devoted to Viṣṇu holding conches, discs and maces, they always stay on the bank. Pitṛtīrtha , named Gayā , is auspicious and best among all holy places. There the grandsire, the lord of the gods, himself lives. The dead ancestors, desiring a portion (of the offerings) of a śrāddha, have sung a verse: Many sons should be desired; even one of them would go to Gaya , or would perform a horse-sacrifice, or would let loose a black bull. In the same way Vārāṇasī is auspicious, and is always dear to the dead ancestors, which due to my proximity, gives enjoyments and salvation. By my order the lord of gods called Bindumādhava , always especially dwells at Vārāṇasī, O chief goddess. Therefore, this my city is always the most blessed and the greatest. Vimaleśvara is auspicious, and is a holy place dear to the dead ancestors. Pitṛtīrtha—Prayāga—is endowed with all holy places.
51-60. They come into the water of Sābhramatī on my words. The noble Vateśvara is endowed with Viṣṇu. O chief goddess, Daśāśvamedha and the auspicious Gaṅgādvāra always live in Sābhramatī by my order. Nandā , Lalitādevī and the holy place with seven streams; so also the (holy place) called Mitrapada and Śaṅkara ’s abode Kedāra ; and Gaṅgāsāgara as they call it; all this, being full of holy places, is auspicious. Like this there is the holy place called Brahmasaras in the pool of Śatadru . So also the holy place called Naimiṣa. All these, O goddess, undoubtedly live in the water of Sābhramatī. The auspicious river Śvetavalkalinī, (the river) Śvetahiraṇmayī, (the river) Hastimatī, or Arthaghnī, flowing towards the ocean—all these are dear to the dead ancestors, and give the fruit of a crore of śrāddhas . Śrāddhas should be offered there by sons for the good of their dead ancestors. There is a city named Pāṭala or Vāḍava , O beautiful lady. All these rivers have always especially reached (i.e. flowed into) Sābhramatī. Those men on the earth who bathe there and offer gifts, enjoy happiness in this world and go to the eternal (place) of Viṣṇu. Jambūdvīpa is very meritorious, where religious merit grows. There is a very meritorious (region), called Ārya , fulfilling all desires.
61-81a. (Then) there is a holy place called Nīlakaṇṭha ; (then there is) Nandahrada; so also the holy place Rudrahrada, and the auspicious Rudra - mahālaya . Presenting themselves, the very auspicious Mandākinī , so also the great river Acchodā —these two flow into Sābhramatī. Due to offering piṇḍas (i.e. oblations to dead ancestors) into Gaṅgā, the wise say that these— Dhūmrā , Mitrapada, similarly Vaijanātha, Dṛśadvara, river Kṣiprā , Mahākāla , so also the mountain Kāliñjara , Gaṅgodbhūta, Harodbheda, Narmadākāra—are equal (in religious merit). O chief goddess, these places sacred to Brahma are on the northern bank of Sābhramatī, are protected by gods led by Brahma. O great goddess, they destroy people’s sins merely by their being remembered. Then what to say of those men offering śrāddhas, O chief goddess? Oṃkāra , a holy place of the dead ancestors, the water of Kāverī, Kapilā , the union of Caṇḍavegā .—bathing in this would be a hundredfold more meritorious than (at) Kurukṣetra . O goddess, formerly ( Śiva ’s) attendants took the holy place Kadamba , along with the chief of the attendants, to the confluence of Vātaghnī . This congregation of the holy places is narrated by me by way of illustration. Even the lord of speech cannot correctly (describe) the expanse of the holy places. Truth, pity and control of senses are holy places. One should certainly bathe in her holy place with effort. The morning is of the three muhūrtas (i.e. periods) up to saṅgava [1] —a bath at this time is dear to the gods. Mid-day consists of three muhūrtas (i.e. period); after that is afternoon. Bathing, offering piṇḍas causes delight to the dead ancestors. Evening has three muhūrtas. One should not perform a śrāddha etc. at that time. That time is called demonish, and is censured for all (religious) acts. Always the fifteen muhūrtas of the day are well-known. Among them the eighth one is said to be kutapa . Since at mid-day the sun becomes dull (in lustre), therefore, it gives infinite fruit by offering piṇḍas to the dead ancestors. Mid-day, a vessel made of buffalo’s horns, so also a Nepāla -blanket, silver, darbhas , so also cows, daughter’s son, and sesamum-seeds are kutapa . Sin is said to be mean. Since all these eight cause remorse for it, they are known as kutapa . That group of four muhūrtas subsequent to kutapa , and the group of five is desired as the time for a śrāddha. Darbhas and sesamum-seeds are said to have sprung from the body of Viṣṇu for the protection of śrāddha. Thus the residents of heaven say. Those living at the holy places should offer water with sesamum-seeds to the dead by standing in water and with darbhas in their hands. Thus the śrāddha is not harmed.
81b-94. Giving the holy places these names and putting them into Sābhramatī, O goddess, I gave (the river) to Kaśyapa. This Kaśyapa is my devotee, and he is always dear to me. Therefore, I gave (him) this pure Gaṅgā destroying sins. O noble one, having placed myself—I am having Śaṅkara as my name there—at the holy place, viz. Brahmacārika, I, called Īśa, remain there for the good of the world, and am named Brahmacārīśa. When in the vicinity of Sābhramatī, one devoutly worships especially Brahmacārīśa in the Kali-age, one enjoys pleasure in this world and goes to the great position of Śiva. Even if a man suffering from severe diseases goes there, his disease quickly vanishes on merely seeing the deity, O great goddess. When the man with his senses controlled, and fasting, and being very steady, devoutly worships (the lord), then I appear before him in the form of a meditating sage. I give him the desired objects. O you beautiful lady, I am telling the truth and the truth only. I quickly remove the disease of those persons who especially come to my place. I have described diseases to be of eighty-four names. Each one of the diseases would perish merely on seeing (the image). O daughter of the ( Himalaya ) Mountain, my phallus would not be there. My place is only there. There is no doubt about it. On one occasion the powerful king Brahmadatta of the solar race, of a severe penance, once practised penance there for a long time, O chief goddess. There he practised in many ways the (vow called) Pañcāgnisādhana. [2] He practised many austerities like fasting for a month etc.
95-113. In this way the king practised a severe penance for a long time. Then I appeared before him in person for (granting him) a boon, O beautiful lady. “O Brahmadatta, listen to (these) great (i.e. important) words. I shall undoubtedly grant you everyday whatever you desire.” He said: “O lord of gods, if whatever I desire is (to be) given, then always grant me one boon. May the lord be born by my name on the earth, O lord of gods.” O sinless one, being pleased with those words, I granted him the boon. (Since) then, O chief goddess, I stay with him. (To him) who remaining here, fasts and is fully devoted, I grant the desired objects as long as the fourteen Indras rule. Listen to what I give to the brāhmaṇas who, having come here, especially mutter the Rudra hymn etc. A man obtains quickly all that is desired in the Kali-age, like pleasure from his wife, pleasure from his son; it increases wealth. It gives glory and affluence, and destroys diseases etc. O Pārvatī, my devotees on the earth come here and perform rites like bathing, giving gifts in this terrible Kali-age. O chief goddess, I give the desired objects. This is the truth and the truth only. The king, having posted there another celibate named Gaṅgādhara , and having lived there for five days, then went to his own kingdom. The very great Brahmadatta, famous in the world, who knew piety, ruled for five myriad years. Then the king, having enjoyed the kingdom for some time, went to āiva’s world, (and) to the excellent position called Brahmā. The two gods having my name stay there—one is Brahmācāriśa, and the other one is said to be Gaṅgādhara. To those men who worship especially at my place, I certainly give everything wanted by them in the world. The place itself is always the Phallus. Men should always go there. That wise man who offers there flowers, incense, eatables of various kinds, certainly obtains everything. I give all to them who worship at my place with bilva -leaves, flowers and sandal etc. He who everyday listens to the account of Brahmacārin , obtains happiness in this world, and goes to the vicinity of Śiva, where god Gaṅgādhara, Bhūtida (i.e. giver of happiness) always dwells.
114-135. The other one called Brahmacārīśa always lives (there). From them one certainly obtains the position of Śiva by means of meditation. A disease perishes on seeing him. By worshipping (him) a man would obtain (long) life. O chief goddess, there is no doubt that by bathing there a man would enjoy salvation. O beautiful lady, listen. I shall describe a very wonderful holy place, known as Rājakhaḍga, especially on the Sābhramatī. King Vaikartana , born in the solar race, was of a bad conduct, sinful, and censured brāhmaṇas. He bore malice against his preceptors; was always angry; censured all (religious) acts; he was always interested in others’ wives; and he always harmed Viṣṇu. He always harassed his subjects in many ways. Such a wicked one, as he was, lived on the earth always. O beautiful lady, listen properly. When some time passed, leprosy was produced in (i.e. overcame) him due to his sin (and) his (ill) luck. Observing his body, and thinking repeatedly as to what to do, he was full of anxiety. Once, by chance, he went into a forest for sport. Having reached the bank of Sābhramatī there, he remained there. He bathed there, and drank excellent water. Due to the bath there, his body instantly was seen to be divine. His figure was seen to be of good gold, O daughter of the ( Himālaya ) Mountain. Just then the king certainly became (like that). Having got the divine form, the king enjoyed the kingdom there for some time, and then went to the highest position of Śiva, O chief goddess. Then this holy place, called Rājakhaḍga, came up. He who bathes here and gives gifts, enjoys happiness in this world, and goes to the eternal (place) of Viṣṇu. They have no disease and never have grief. A man who everyday bathes in this (holy place) called Rājakhaḍga, would obtain heaven, and is honoured by Brahmā and others. O daughter of the (Himālaya) Mountain, he was called Satyeśvara in the Kṛta age, Bhuvaneśvara in the Tretā age, and Rājeśvara in the Dvāpara age. In this Kali age, the lord of the universe has vanished. Therefore this holy place, called Rājakhaḍga, has come up. Those men who devoutly offer oblations to their dead ancestors here, are declared to be of religious acts on the earth. The killers of brāhmaṇas or of children, who bathe here, get free from blemishes, and go to the vicinty of Śiva. The dead ancestors of them who offer a dark (cow) on (the bank of) Sābhramatī, are pleased till the deluge. O goddess, there is no fear for those men who listen to this divine account called Rājakhaḍga. In the same way diseases and blemishes vanish by listening to and reciting it.
[1]: [1] : Saṅgava—Name of a particular part of day, said to be three muhūrtas after Prātastana or early dawn and to form the second of the five divisions of day.
[2]: [2] : Pañcāgnisādhana—A kind of penance in which one has to bear five-fires: one in front, one at the back, one on the left, and one on the right, and the fifth fire is the sun.
Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 24479, revision 334390 (2022-04-02T23:41:24Z). English is N. A. Deshpande’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-padma-purana/d/doc365714.html and the ten-volume archival witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.