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Veṅkaṭācala-māhātmya · Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Unit 26 of 221Veṅkaṭācala-māhātmya · Chapter 26Veṅkaṭācala-māhātmya · Chapter 261 source entries

Veṅkaṭācala-māhātmya · Chapter 26

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।। अथ तुम्बुरु(घोण)तीर्थमाहात्म्यम् ।। ।। श्रीसूत उवाच ।। ।। अत्राहं संप्रवक्ष्यामि शौनकाद्या महौजसः ।। घोणतीर्थस्य माहात्म्यं सर्वपातकनाशनम् ।। १ ।। तत्र स्नानं जनानां तु जन्मान्तरतपःफलम् ।। उत्तराफल्गुनीयुक्तशुक्लपक्षीयपर्वणि ।। २ ।। तुम्बोस्तीर्थं मीनसंस्थे रवौ तीर्थानि सर्वशः ।। अपराह्ने समायान्ति गंगादीनि जगत्त्रये ।। ३ ।। ।। ऋषय ऊचुः ।।।। भगवन्सूत सर्वज्ञ सर्वशास्त्रार्थपारग ।। गंगायाः सरितः सर्वा घोणतीर्थेऽतिपावने ।। ४ ।। किमर्थं स्नांति वै तत्र मीनसंस्थे प्रभाकरे ।। ५ ।। ।। ।। श्रीसूत उवाच ।। ।। पापिनो मनुजाः सर्वे ह्यस्मासु स्नान्ति यत्नतः ।। विसृज्य पापजालानि कृतार्था यांति वै जनाः ।। ६ ।। अस्माकं पापजालं तत्कथं नश्यति सर्वतः ।। एवमालोच्य तीर्थानि गंगादीनि प्रयत्नतः ।। ७ ।। संस्मृत्य ब्रह्मपुत्रस्य नारदस्य महात्मनः ।। वाक्यं मनोहरं दिव्यं सर्वपापनिषूदनम् ।। ८ ।। गत्वा श्रीवेंकटं शैलं ब्रह्महत्यादिशोषकम् ।। तत्र स्नात्वा तीर्थवर्ये स्वामिपुष्करिणीजले ।। ९ ।। अनन्तरं ततो विप्रा घोणतीर्थेऽतिपावने ।। उत्तराफल्गुनीयुक्तशुक्त्यपक्षीयपर्वणि ।। 2.1.26.१० ।। स्नांति तीर्थानि सर्वाणि मीनसंस्थे प्रभाकरे ।। तस्य तीर्थस्य माहात्म्यं को वेत्ति भुवनत्रये ।। ११ ।। ।। अथ घोणतीर्थस्नानविमुखानां महादोषवर्णनम् ।। ।। तस्मात्पुण्यतमं तीर्थं घोणतीर्थं द्विजोत्तमाः ।।१२।। आरामोच्छेदकं क्रूरं कन्यातुरगविक्रयम्।। घोणस्नानपरित्यक्तं तमाहुर्ब्रह्मघातुकम् ।। १३ ।। देवद्रव्यापहन्तारं तथा दत्तापहारकम् ।। घोणस्नानपरित्यक्तं तमाहुर्ब्रह्मघातुकम् ।। १४ ।। तटाकसेतुभेत्तारं परस्त्रीसंगलोलुपम् ।। घोणस्नानपरित्यक्तं तमाहुः स्तेयिनं बुधाः ।। १५ ।। ददामीति द्विजायोक्त्वा पश्चाद्यो नास्तिकोऽधमः ।। घोणस्नानपरित्यक्तं सुरापं तं विदुर्बुधाः ।। १६ ।। गुरुविप्रजनद्वेष्यमात्मस्तुतिपरायणम् ।। घोणस्नानपरित्यक्तं तमाहुः स्तेयिनं बुधाः ।। १७ ।। असंस्कृतान्नभोक्तारं पितृशेषान्नभोजिनम्।। घोणस्नानपरित्यक्तं तमाहुः स्तेयिनं द्विजाः ।। १८ ।। पितृशेषान्नदातारं मातापितृविरोधिनम्।। घोणस्नानपरित्यक्तं तमाहुः स्तेयिनं बुधाः ।। १९ ।। परस्त्रीसंगनिरतं भ्रातृभार्यारतिप्रियम् ।। घोणस्नानपरित्यक्तं तमाहुर्गुरुतल्पगम् ।। 2.1.26.२० ।। चण्डालभाषिणं विप्रं सदैवादर्भपाणिकम् ।। घोणस्नानपरित्यक्तं तत्संसर्गं तु पञ्चमम् ।। २१ ।। रजस्वलाश्वचण्डालध्वनि श्रुत्वान्नभोजिनम् ।। घोणस्नानपरित्यक्तं तत्संसर्गं तु पञ्चमम् ।। २२ ।। पुराणोद्वाहमौंज्यादिधर्माणां विघ्नकारकम् ।। घोणस्नानपरित्यक्तं तमाहुः पशुघातुकम्।। २३ ।। शरणागतहन्तारं सर्वतीर्थपराङ्मुखम्।। घोणस्नानपरित्यक्तं तमाहुर्भ्रूणहं बुधाः ।।२४ ।। पितृयज्ञ परित्यक्तं त्यक्तभार्यं कुलाधमम् ।। घोणस्नानपरित्यक्तं तमाहुर्गोविघातुकम् ।। २५ ।। महापापसमानानि क्षुद्रपापानि यानि च ।। घोणस्नानपरित्यक्तमाश्रयन्ति द्विजोत्तमाः ।। २६ ।। ।। अथ घोणस्नानस्यसर्वपापापनोदकत्ववर्णनम् ।। ।। महापापरतं विप्राः श्वपचं वा कुलाधमम् ।। क्रूरं कुलान्तकं कष्टमदत्तं कर्मवर्जितम् ।। २७ ।। पशुघ्नं च परद्रोहमाश्रितं पिशुनं तथा ।। असत्यभाषिणं दम्भपरदाररतं तथा ।। २८ ।। मित्रद्रोहं कृतघ्नं च भ्रूणह चातिपातकम् ।। परदाररतं पापं पराणामर्थसूचकम् ।। २९ ।। अनृतं कृषिकर्माणं स्वामिद्रोहं च वञ्चकम् ।। सलोभं पितृहन्तारं सर्वदेवपराङ्मुखम् ।। 2.1.26.३० ।। आत्मप्रशंसां कुर्वाणं धर्मविघ्नकरं शठम् ।। अपात्रव्ययकर्तारं सानुकूल्यविभेदकम् ।। ३१ ।। सुपल्लवफलोपेतवृक्षविच्छेदकारकम्।। विश्वासघातुकं चैव वीरहत्यापरायणम् ।। ३२ ।। अनग्निकमपुत्रं च विषकर्मप्रयोगिणम् ।। गुरुद्वेषकरं पापं दम्पत्योर्विरसावहम् ।। ३३ ।। ग्रामाधिपत्यं कुर्वाणं तथा देवालयस्य च ।। भृतकख्यापकं विप्रं कूरकर्मपरायणम् ।। ३४ ।। प्रकृतीकृत पापौघं गुह्याघौघपरायणम् ।। अज्ञानादघकर्तारं ज्ञानाद्दुष्कर्मकारकम् ।। ३५ ।। एतान्सर्वांश्च विप्रेंद्रा घोणतीर्थं मनोहरम्।। पुनाति स्नानपानाद्यैरहो तीर्थस्य वैभवम् ।। ३६ ।। ।। अथ तुम्बुर्वाख्यगंधर्वचरितम् ।। ।। श्रीसूत उवाच ।। ।। अत्रेतिहासं वक्ष्यामि पुराणं पापनाशनम् ।। सर्वपापप्रशमनमपवर्गफलप्रदम् ।। ३७ ।। पुरा गार्ग्यो महातेजाः सर्वविद्याविशारदः ।। सर्वज्ञो नीतिमान्विप्रः प्राह चेत्थं जितेन्द्रियः ।। ३८ ।। देवलं च महात्मानं नमस्कृत्य प्रसन्नधीः ।। कथयस्व महाभाग मयि कारुणिको भव ।। घोणतीर्थस्य माहात्म्यं सर्वपापहरं शुभम् ।।।। ३९ ।। ।। देवल उवाच ।। ।। तुम्बुरुर्नाम गन्धर्वो भार्यां शप्त्वा पतिव्रताम् ।। अत्र स्नात्वा समभ्यर्च्य वेंकटेशं दयानिधिम् ।। 2.1.26.४० ।। प्राप्तवान्विष्णुलोकं वै पुनरावृत्तिवर्जितम्।। ४१ ।। ।। गार्ग्य उवाच ।। ।। किमर्थं देवल ऋषे भार्यां रूपवतीं स्त्रियम् ।। तुम्बुरुर्नाम गन्धर्वः सर्वविद्याविशारदः ।।४२ ।। शप्तवान्केन दोषेण भार्यां सर्वगुणान्विताम् ।। तद्वदस्व महाभाग श्रोतुं कौतूहलं हि मे ।। ४३ ।। ।। अथ स्वभार्यायै तुम्बुरूपदिष्टमाघस्नानविधिप्रकारः ।। ।। तुम्बुरुर्नाम गन्धर्वो भार्यां प्रीत्या ह्युवाच ह ।। माघत्रये मया साकं स्नानं कुरु मलापहम् ।। ।। ४४ ।। माघमास्युदिते सूर्ये सर्वकल्मषनाशने ।। तीरेऽस्मिन्विष्णुपूजार्थं गोमयालेपनं कुरु ।। ४५ ।। रंगवल्ल्यादिभिः शुभ्रपद्मस्वस्तिक धातुभिः ।। शुश्रूषां कुरु मे विष्णोर्मासेऽस्मिन्मंगलप्रदे ।। ४६ ।। माघेऽस्मिन्माधवस्यास्य कुरु त्वं दीपवर्तिकाम् ।। सधूपं पावकं भक्त्या समर्पय हरेः पुरः ।। ४७ ।। कुरु पाकं शुचिर्भूत्वा माधवाय महात्मने ।। प्रदक्षिणानमस्कारैर्भक्त्या माघे मया सह ।। ४८ ।। कुरुष्व देवदेवस्य सपर्यां विष्णवेऽन्वहम् ।। पुराणश्रवणं विष्णोः कुरु नित्यमतंद्रिता ।। ४९ ।। नित्यं स्नात्वा प्रयत्नेन पिब पादोदकं हरेः ।। कृष्ण विष्णो मुकुन्देति नारायण जनार्दन ।। 2.1.26.५० ।। अच्युतानन्त विश्वात्मन्निति कीर्तय सन्ततम् ।। क्रोधमात्सर्यलोभादींस्त्यक्त्वा त्वं व्रतमाचर ।। ५१ ।। तेन ते जायते मुक्तिर्विष्णुलोकश्च शाश्वतः ।। ।। अथ भार्यां प्रति तुम्बुरुदत्तशापतद्विमुक्तिप्रकारौ ।। ।। इत्थं सा भर्तृगदितं श्रुत्वा गंधर्ववल्लभा ।। भर्तारमब्रवीत्कोपादसह्यं दुर्गतिप्रदम् ।। ५२ ।। माघे चोद्भूतशीते तु प्रातर्मन्दोदिते रवौ ।। कथं निमज्जयेदस्मिन्माघे शीतार्तिकेऽनघ ।। ५३ ।। यत्त्वयोक्तानि कर्माणि न शक्यानि मयाऽसकृत्।। न करोमि पते स्नानं प्रातःकाले त्वया सह ।। ५४ ।। मृतौ शीतातिपातेन न च मे रक्षको भवान् ।। इत्येवमुदितं श्रुत्वा पतिर्गन्धर्ववल्लभः ।। ५५ ।। सशान्तोऽपि शशापाथ भार्यां चाप्रियवादिनीम् ।। पुत्रं च धर्मविमुखं भार्यां चाप्रियभाषिणीम् ।।५६।। अब्रह्मण्यं च राजानं सद्यः शापेन दण्डयेत् ।। इति न्यायं विचिंत्यासौ शशापेत्थं सतीं तदा ।। ५७ ।। वेंकटाद्रौ महापुण्ये सर्वपातकनाशने ।। घोणतीर्थसमीपे च पिप्पलद्रुमकोटरे ।। ५८ ।। तत्राम्बुरहिते मूढे मण्डूका भव केवलम् ।। इत्येवं भर्तृवाक्यं तच्छ्रुत्वा गंधर्ववल्लभा ।। ५९ ।। पतित्वा पादयोस्तस्य तुम्बरुं प्रार्थयत्सती ।। विशापमवदत्पश्चाद्भर्ता वै तुम्बुरुस्तदा ।। 2.1.26.६० ।। अगस्त्यो वै महाभागस्तपस्वी विजितेन्द्रियः ।। घोणतीर्थवरे स्नात्वा पौर्णमास्यां महातिथौ ।। ६१ ।। शिष्येभ्यो वै यदा तस्मिन्नश्वत्थद्रुमसंनिधौ ।। घोणतीर्थस्य माहात्म्यं वक्ति वै ब्राह्मणोत्तमः ।। ६२ ।। तदा पिप्पलवृक्षस्य कोटरे त्वं समाहिता ।। श्रुत्वा वै घोणतीर्थस्य माहात्म्यं मोक्षदायकम् ।। ६३ ।। विधूय सर्वपापानि मया साकं रमिष्यसि ।। इत्युक्ता विररामाथ धर्मपत्नी पतिव्रता ।। ६४ ।। भर्तृशापान्महाघोरां मंडूकतनुमाश्रिता ।। शेषाद्रिशिखरे तस्मिन्घोणतीर्थस्य दक्षिणे ।। ।। ६५ ।। शनैःशनैर्गता नारी पिप्पलद्रुमकोटरम् ।। अब्दायुतं गतं तस्या अश्वत्थद्रुमकोटरे ।। ६६ ।। ततः कालांतरेऽगस्त्यो वेंकटाद्रिं मनोहरम् ।। गत्वा श्रीस्वामितीर्थे च स्नात्वा नियमपूर्वकम् ।। ६७ ।। वराहस्वामिनं देवं नत्वा तीर्थस्य दक्षिणे ।। वेंकटेशालयं गत्वा श्रीनिवासं कृपानिधिम्।। ६८ ।। वेदवेद्यं विशालाक्षं देवदेवं सनातनम् ।। नत्वाऽगस्त्यो महाभागो घोणतीर्थं ततो ययौ ।। ६९ ।। तत्र स्नात्वा तीर्थवर्ये स्वशिष्यै योगिनां वरः ।। पिप्पलद्रुमच्छायायां शिष्येभ्यो भक्तिपूर्वकम् ।। 2.1.26.७० ।। घोणतीर्थस्य माहात्म्यं ब्रह्महत्याविनाशकम् ।। सर्वमंगलदं पुण्यं सर्वसम्पत्प्रदायकम्।। ७१ ।। उक्तवान्योगिनां श्रेष्ठो ह्यगस्त्यो भगवानृषिः ।। ७२ ।। ।। अथ घोणतीर्थे अगस्त्यदर्शनेन तुम्बुरुपत्न्या वर्षाभूत्व निवृत्तिः ।। ।। तदा श्रुत्वा तु वर्षाभूः पादयोस्तस्य योगिनः ।। पतित्वा ज्ञानदीपेन विदित्वा वैभवं मुनेः ।। ७३ ।। पूर्वरूपं समासाद्य नारी रूपं मनोहरम् ।। अगस्त्य योगिनां श्रेष्ठ रक्षरक्ष दयानिधे ।। ७४ ।। मां रक्ष दयया ब्रह्मन्पतिवाक्यविरोधिनीम् ।। इत्युक्त्वा तं विक्षालाक्षी विरराम ततः परम् ।। ७५ ।। ।। अगस्त्य उवाच ।। ।। का त्वं सुश्रोणि भद्रं ते भेकजन्मप्रदायकम् ।। पापं पूर्वभवे चासीत्तद्वदस्व च मा चिरम् ।।७६।। ।। ।। नार्युवाच ।। ।। तुम्बुरुर्नाम गन्धर्वः सर्वविद्याविशारदः ।। तस्य भार्यास्म्यहं विप्र ह्यगस्त्य मुनिसेवित ।। ७७ ।। भर्ता मे सर्वधर्मज्ञस्तुम्बुरुर्मुनिसत्तमः ।। सर्वधर्मान्मनोज्ञा त्वं कुरु नित्यं मया सह ।। ७८ ।। पतिवाक्यं तदा श्रुत्वा परलोकोपकारकम् ।। असह्यं वाक्यमत्युग्रं दुर्गतिप्रदमेव हि ।। ७९ ।। मया चोक्तं हि दुर्बुद्ध्या हे तात मुनिसत्तम ।। 2.1.26.८० ।। ।। अथागस्त्यकथितपतिव्रताधर्माः ।। ।। अगस्त्य उवाच ।। ।। कुशाग्रबुद्धिस्ते भर्ता शशाप त्वां रुषान्वितः ।। एवं शापो युक्त एव पतिवाक्यविरोधिनीम् ।। ८१ ।। पतिवाक्यमनादृत्य स्वेच्छया वर्तते तु या ।। सा नारी निरये घोरे पतत्याचन्द्रतारकम् ।। ८२ ।। न स्वातन्त्र्यं तु नारीणां नोल्लंघ्यं पतिभाषणम् ।। पातिव्रत्येन पुण्येन पतिशुश्रूषणेन च ।। ८३ ।। स्त्रियो विष्णुपदं यान्ति न चान्यैरपि सुव्रतैः ।। पतिर्माता पतिर्विष्णुः पतिर्ब्रह्मा पतिः शिवः ।। ८४ ।। पतिर्गुरुः पतिस्तीर्थमिति स्त्रीणां विदुर्बुधाः ।। पतिवाक्यमपाकृत्य या नारी सुकृतैः परैः ।। ८५ ।। सदैव युज्यते सापि नैव शुद्धा भवेत्सकृत् ।। पतिहीना तु या नारी गुरुभिर्धर्मवित्तमैः ।। ८६ ।। सा कृतज्ञा विदध्यात्तु व्रतं धर्मफलप्रदम् ।। पतिना प्रेरिता सैव पतिबुद्धिपरायणा ।। ८७ ।। पतिपादाब्जतीर्थेन या स्नाता सा हरिप्रिया ।। सा स्नाता सर्वतीर्थेषु गङ्गादिषु न संशयः ।। ८८ ।। तस्मात्त्वत्कृतदोषस्तु त्वामायातीति तत्फलम् ।। भुञ्जन्त्यास्तेऽत्र शृण्वन्त्या घोणतीर्थस्य वैभवम् ।। ८९ ।। मुक्तिरासीच्छुभांगं तन्नारीरूपं पुनर्यथा ।। ।। तस्माद्घोणस्य तीर्थस्य तुम्बुतीर्थमितीह वै ।। 2.1.26.९० ।। लोके प्रसिद्धिरभवदहो तीर्थस्य वैभवम् ।। ९१ ।। ।। अथ घोणतीर्थस्नातॄणां नानाविधफलप्राप्तिः ।। ।। श्रीसूत उवाच ।। ।। घोणतीर्थे महापुण्ये सर्वपापविनाशिनि ।। स्नान्ति ये पौर्णमास्यां वै शौनकाद्या महौजसः ।। ९२ ।। तेषां क्रतुफलं पुण्यं तीर्थायुतफलं भवेत् ।। कपिलागोसहस्रं तु यो ददाति दिनेदिने ।। ९३ ।। तत्फलं समवाप्नोति स्नानात्तुम्बुरुतीर्थके ।। रत्नकोटिसहस्राणि यो ददाति दिनेदिने ।। ९४ ।। मत्तेभानां सहस्राणि तथैवाश्वायुतान्यपि ।। तत्फलं समवाप्नोति घोणतीर्थावगाहनात् ।। ९५ ।। कन्याकोटिप्रदानेन यत्फलं चर्षिभिः स्मृतम् ।। तत्फलं समवाप्नोति घोणतीर्थाच्च पावनात् ।। ९६ ।। हेमांबरसहस्रं यः कुरुक्षेत्रे प्रयच्छति ।। तत्फलं समवाप्नोति घोणतीर्थस्य वैभवात् ।। ९७ ।। गुर्वर्थे ब्राह्मणार्थे च स्वाम्यर्थे यस्त्यजेत्तनुम् ।। तत्फलं समवाप्नोति घोणतीर्थस्य वैभवात् ।। ९८ ।। आपन्नार्तिहराणां च तीर्थसेवापरात्मनाम् ।। सत्यव्रतानां यत्पुण्यं घोणतीर्थाच्च तद्भवेत् ।। ९९ ।। यत्फलं श्राद्धकर्तॄणां पितृणामिन्दुसंक्षये ।। तत्फलं समवाप्नोति घोणतीर्थाद्धि पावनात् ।। 2.1.26.१०० ।। गङ्गायां नर्मदायां च सरयूचन्द्रभागयोः ।। सर्वेषु पुण्यतीर्थेषु यः स्नानं कुरुते नरः ।। तत्फलं समवाप्नोति घोणतीर्थाद्धि पावनात् ।। १०१ ।। तस्मात्पुण्यतमं तीर्थं घोणतीर्थं विदुर्बुधाः ।। १०२ ।। य इमं शृणुतेऽध्यायं सर्वपापनिबर्हणम् ।। वाजपेयफलं तस्य विष्णुलोकश्च शाश्वतः ।। १०३ ।। इति श्रीस्कान्दे महापुराण एकाशीतिसाहस्र्यां सहितायां द्वितीये वैष्णवखंडे श्रीवेङ्कटाचलमाहात्म्ये तुम्बुरुतीर्थमाहात्म्यवर्णनंनाम षड्विंशोऽध्यायः ।। ।। २६ ।। ।।

|| atha tumburu(ghoṇa)tīrthamāhātmyam || || śrīsūta uvāca || || atrāhaṃ saṃpravakṣyāmi śaunakādyā mahaujasaḥ || ghoṇatīrthasya māhātmyaṃ sarvapātakanāśanam || 1 || tatra snānaṃ janānāṃ tu janmāntaratapaḥphalam || uttarāphalgunīyuktaśuklapakṣīyaparvaṇi || 2 || tumbostīrthaṃ mīnasaṃsthe ravau tīrthāni sarvaśaḥ || aparāhne samāyānti gaṃgādīni jagattraye || 3 || || ṛṣaya ūcuḥ |||| bhagavansūta sarvajña sarvaśāstrārthapāraga || gaṃgāyāḥ saritaḥ sarvā ghoṇatīrthe'tipāvane || 4 || kimarthaṃ snāṃti vai tatra mīnasaṃsthe prabhākare || 5 || || || śrīsūta uvāca || || pāpino manujāḥ sarve hyasmāsu snānti yatnataḥ || visṛjya pāpajālāni kṛtārthā yāṃti vai janāḥ || 6 || asmākaṃ pāpajālaṃ tatkathaṃ naśyati sarvataḥ || evamālocya tīrthāni gaṃgādīni prayatnataḥ || 7 || saṃsmṛtya brahmaputrasya nāradasya mahātmanaḥ || vākyaṃ manoharaṃ divyaṃ sarvapāpaniṣūdanam || 8 || gatvā śrīveṃkaṭaṃ śailaṃ brahmahatyādiśoṣakam || tatra snātvā tīrthavarye svāmipuṣkariṇījale || 9 || anantaraṃ tato viprā ghoṇatīrthe'tipāvane || uttarāphalgunīyuktaśuktyapakṣīyaparvaṇi || 2.1.26.10 || snāṃti tīrthāni sarvāṇi mīnasaṃsthe prabhākare || tasya tīrthasya māhātmyaṃ ko vetti bhuvanatraye || 11 || || atha ghoṇatīrthasnānavimukhānāṃ mahādoṣavarṇanam || || tasmātpuṇyatamaṃ tīrthaṃ ghoṇatīrthaṃ dvijottamāḥ ||12|| ārāmocchedakaṃ krūraṃ kanyāturagavikrayam|| ghoṇasnānaparityaktaṃ tamāhurbrahmaghātukam || 13 || devadravyāpahantāraṃ tathā dattāpahārakam || ghoṇasnānaparityaktaṃ tamāhurbrahmaghātukam || 14 || taṭākasetubhettāraṃ parastrīsaṃgalolupam || ghoṇasnānaparityaktaṃ tamāhuḥ steyinaṃ budhāḥ || 15 || dadāmīti dvijāyoktvā paścādyo nāstiko'dhamaḥ || ghoṇasnānaparityaktaṃ surāpaṃ taṃ vidurbudhāḥ || 16 || guruviprajanadveṣyamātmastutiparāyaṇam || ghoṇasnānaparityaktaṃ tamāhuḥ steyinaṃ budhāḥ || 17 || asaṃskṛtānnabhoktāraṃ pitṛśeṣānnabhojinam|| ghoṇasnānaparityaktaṃ tamāhuḥ steyinaṃ dvijāḥ || 18 || pitṛśeṣānnadātāraṃ mātāpitṛvirodhinam|| ghoṇasnānaparityaktaṃ tamāhuḥ steyinaṃ budhāḥ || 19 || parastrīsaṃganirataṃ bhrātṛbhāryāratipriyam || ghoṇasnānaparityaktaṃ tamāhurgurutalpagam || 2.1.26.20 || caṇḍālabhāṣiṇaṃ vipraṃ sadaivādarbhapāṇikam || ghoṇasnānaparityaktaṃ tatsaṃsargaṃ tu pañcamam || 21 || rajasvalāśvacaṇḍāladhvani śrutvānnabhojinam || ghoṇasnānaparityaktaṃ tatsaṃsargaṃ tu pañcamam || 22 || purāṇodvāhamauṃjyādidharmāṇāṃ vighnakārakam || ghoṇasnānaparityaktaṃ tamāhuḥ paśughātukam|| 23 || śaraṇāgatahantāraṃ sarvatīrthaparāṅmukham|| ghoṇasnānaparityaktaṃ tamāhurbhrūṇahaṃ budhāḥ ||24 || pitṛyajña parityaktaṃ tyaktabhāryaṃ kulādhamam || ghoṇasnānaparityaktaṃ tamāhurgovighātukam || 25 || mahāpāpasamānāni kṣudrapāpāni yāni ca || ghoṇasnānaparityaktamāśrayanti dvijottamāḥ || 26 || || atha ghoṇasnānasyasarvapāpāpanodakatvavarṇanam || || mahāpāparataṃ viprāḥ śvapacaṃ vā kulādhamam || krūraṃ kulāntakaṃ kaṣṭamadattaṃ karmavarjitam || 27 || paśughnaṃ ca paradrohamāśritaṃ piśunaṃ tathā || asatyabhāṣiṇaṃ dambhaparadārarataṃ tathā || 28 || mitradrohaṃ kṛtaghnaṃ ca bhrūṇaha cātipātakam || paradārarataṃ pāpaṃ parāṇāmarthasūcakam || 29 || anṛtaṃ kṛṣikarmāṇaṃ svāmidrohaṃ ca vañcakam || salobhaṃ pitṛhantāraṃ sarvadevaparāṅmukham || 2.1.26.30 || ātmapraśaṃsāṃ kurvāṇaṃ dharmavighnakaraṃ śaṭham || apātravyayakartāraṃ sānukūlyavibhedakam || 31 || supallavaphalopetavṛkṣavicchedakārakam|| viśvāsaghātukaṃ caiva vīrahatyāparāyaṇam || 32 || anagnikamaputraṃ ca viṣakarmaprayogiṇam || gurudveṣakaraṃ pāpaṃ dampatyorvirasāvaham || 33 || grāmādhipatyaṃ kurvāṇaṃ tathā devālayasya ca || bhṛtakakhyāpakaṃ vipraṃ kūrakarmaparāyaṇam || 34 || prakṛtīkṛta pāpaughaṃ guhyāghaughaparāyaṇam || ajñānādaghakartāraṃ jñānādduṣkarmakārakam || 35 || etānsarvāṃśca vipreṃdrā ghoṇatīrthaṃ manoharam|| punāti snānapānādyairaho tīrthasya vaibhavam || 36 || || atha tumburvākhyagaṃdharvacaritam || || śrīsūta uvāca || || atretihāsaṃ vakṣyāmi purāṇaṃ pāpanāśanam || sarvapāpapraśamanamapavargaphalapradam || 37 || purā gārgyo mahātejāḥ sarvavidyāviśāradaḥ || sarvajño nītimānvipraḥ prāha cetthaṃ jitendriyaḥ || 38 || devalaṃ ca mahātmānaṃ namaskṛtya prasannadhīḥ || kathayasva mahābhāga mayi kāruṇiko bhava || ghoṇatīrthasya māhātmyaṃ sarvapāpaharaṃ śubham |||| 39 || || devala uvāca || || tumbururnāma gandharvo bhāryāṃ śaptvā pativratām || atra snātvā samabhyarcya veṃkaṭeśaṃ dayānidhim || 2.1.26.40 || prāptavānviṣṇulokaṃ vai punarāvṛttivarjitam|| 41 || || gārgya uvāca || || kimarthaṃ devala ṛṣe bhāryāṃ rūpavatīṃ striyam || tumbururnāma gandharvaḥ sarvavidyāviśāradaḥ ||42 || śaptavānkena doṣeṇa bhāryāṃ sarvaguṇānvitām || tadvadasva mahābhāga śrotuṃ kautūhalaṃ hi me || 43 || || atha svabhāryāyai tumburūpadiṣṭamāghasnānavidhiprakāraḥ || || tumbururnāma gandharvo bhāryāṃ prītyā hyuvāca ha || māghatraye mayā sākaṃ snānaṃ kuru malāpaham || || 44 || māghamāsyudite sūrye sarvakalmaṣanāśane || tīre'sminviṣṇupūjārthaṃ gomayālepanaṃ kuru || 45 || raṃgavallyādibhiḥ śubhrapadmasvastika dhātubhiḥ || śuśrūṣāṃ kuru me viṣṇormāse'sminmaṃgalaprade || 46 || māghe'sminmādhavasyāsya kuru tvaṃ dīpavartikām || sadhūpaṃ pāvakaṃ bhaktyā samarpaya hareḥ puraḥ || 47 || kuru pākaṃ śucirbhūtvā mādhavāya mahātmane || pradakṣiṇānamaskārairbhaktyā māghe mayā saha || 48 || kuruṣva devadevasya saparyāṃ viṣṇave'nvaham || purāṇaśravaṇaṃ viṣṇoḥ kuru nityamataṃdritā || 49 || nityaṃ snātvā prayatnena piba pādodakaṃ hareḥ || kṛṣṇa viṣṇo mukundeti nārāyaṇa janārdana || 2.1.26.50 || acyutānanta viśvātmanniti kīrtaya santatam || krodhamātsaryalobhādīṃstyaktvā tvaṃ vratamācara || 51 || tena te jāyate muktirviṣṇulokaśca śāśvataḥ || || atha bhāryāṃ prati tumburudattaśāpatadvimuktiprakārau || || itthaṃ sā bhartṛgaditaṃ śrutvā gaṃdharvavallabhā || bhartāramabravītkopādasahyaṃ durgatipradam || 52 || māghe codbhūtaśīte tu prātarmandodite ravau || kathaṃ nimajjayedasminmāghe śītārtike'nagha || 53 || yattvayoktāni karmāṇi na śakyāni mayā'sakṛt|| na karomi pate snānaṃ prātaḥkāle tvayā saha || 54 || mṛtau śītātipātena na ca me rakṣako bhavān || ityevamuditaṃ śrutvā patirgandharvavallabhaḥ || 55 || saśānto'pi śaśāpātha bhāryāṃ cāpriyavādinīm || putraṃ ca dharmavimukhaṃ bhāryāṃ cāpriyabhāṣiṇīm ||56|| abrahmaṇyaṃ ca rājānaṃ sadyaḥ śāpena daṇḍayet || iti nyāyaṃ viciṃtyāsau śaśāpetthaṃ satīṃ tadā || 57 || veṃkaṭādrau mahāpuṇye sarvapātakanāśane || ghoṇatīrthasamīpe ca pippaladrumakoṭare || 58 || tatrāmburahite mūḍhe maṇḍūkā bhava kevalam || ityevaṃ bhartṛvākyaṃ tacchrutvā gaṃdharvavallabhā || 59 || patitvā pādayostasya tumbaruṃ prārthayatsatī || viśāpamavadatpaścādbhartā vai tumburustadā || 2.1.26.60 || agastyo vai mahābhāgastapasvī vijitendriyaḥ || ghoṇatīrthavare snātvā paurṇamāsyāṃ mahātithau || 61 || śiṣyebhyo vai yadā tasminnaśvatthadrumasaṃnidhau || ghoṇatīrthasya māhātmyaṃ vakti vai brāhmaṇottamaḥ || 62 || tadā pippalavṛkṣasya koṭare tvaṃ samāhitā || śrutvā vai ghoṇatīrthasya māhātmyaṃ mokṣadāyakam || 63 || vidhūya sarvapāpāni mayā sākaṃ ramiṣyasi || ityuktā virarāmātha dharmapatnī pativratā || 64 || bhartṛśāpānmahāghorāṃ maṃḍūkatanumāśritā || śeṣādriśikhare tasminghoṇatīrthasya dakṣiṇe || || 65 || śanaiḥśanairgatā nārī pippaladrumakoṭaram || abdāyutaṃ gataṃ tasyā aśvatthadrumakoṭare || 66 || tataḥ kālāṃtare'gastyo veṃkaṭādriṃ manoharam || gatvā śrīsvāmitīrthe ca snātvā niyamapūrvakam || 67 || varāhasvāminaṃ devaṃ natvā tīrthasya dakṣiṇe || veṃkaṭeśālayaṃ gatvā śrīnivāsaṃ kṛpānidhim|| 68 || vedavedyaṃ viśālākṣaṃ devadevaṃ sanātanam || natvā'gastyo mahābhāgo ghoṇatīrthaṃ tato yayau || 69 || tatra snātvā tīrthavarye svaśiṣyai yogināṃ varaḥ || pippaladrumacchāyāyāṃ śiṣyebhyo bhaktipūrvakam || 2.1.26.70 || ghoṇatīrthasya māhātmyaṃ brahmahatyāvināśakam || sarvamaṃgaladaṃ puṇyaṃ sarvasampatpradāyakam|| 71 || uktavānyogināṃ śreṣṭho hyagastyo bhagavānṛṣiḥ || 72 || || atha ghoṇatīrthe agastyadarśanena tumburupatnyā varṣābhūtva nivṛttiḥ || || tadā śrutvā tu varṣābhūḥ pādayostasya yoginaḥ || patitvā jñānadīpena viditvā vaibhavaṃ muneḥ || 73 || pūrvarūpaṃ samāsādya nārī rūpaṃ manoharam || agastya yogināṃ śreṣṭha rakṣarakṣa dayānidhe || 74 || māṃ rakṣa dayayā brahmanpativākyavirodhinīm || ityuktvā taṃ vikṣālākṣī virarāma tataḥ param || 75 || || agastya uvāca || || kā tvaṃ suśroṇi bhadraṃ te bhekajanmapradāyakam || pāpaṃ pūrvabhave cāsīttadvadasva ca mā ciram ||76|| || || nāryuvāca || || tumbururnāma gandharvaḥ sarvavidyāviśāradaḥ || tasya bhāryāsmyahaṃ vipra hyagastya munisevita || 77 || bhartā me sarvadharmajñastumbururmunisattamaḥ || sarvadharmānmanojñā tvaṃ kuru nityaṃ mayā saha || 78 || pativākyaṃ tadā śrutvā paralokopakārakam || asahyaṃ vākyamatyugraṃ durgatipradameva hi || 79 || mayā coktaṃ hi durbuddhyā he tāta munisattama || 2.1.26.80 || || athāgastyakathitapativratādharmāḥ || || agastya uvāca || || kuśāgrabuddhiste bhartā śaśāpa tvāṃ ruṣānvitaḥ || evaṃ śāpo yukta eva pativākyavirodhinīm || 81 || pativākyamanādṛtya svecchayā vartate tu yā || sā nārī niraye ghore patatyācandratārakam || 82 || na svātantryaṃ tu nārīṇāṃ nollaṃghyaṃ patibhāṣaṇam || pātivratyena puṇyena patiśuśrūṣaṇena ca || 83 || striyo viṣṇupadaṃ yānti na cānyairapi suvrataiḥ || patirmātā patirviṣṇuḥ patirbrahmā patiḥ śivaḥ || 84 || patirguruḥ patistīrthamiti strīṇāṃ vidurbudhāḥ || pativākyamapākṛtya yā nārī sukṛtaiḥ paraiḥ || 85 || sadaiva yujyate sāpi naiva śuddhā bhavetsakṛt || patihīnā tu yā nārī gurubhirdharmavittamaiḥ || 86 || sā kṛtajñā vidadhyāttu vrataṃ dharmaphalapradam || patinā preritā saiva patibuddhiparāyaṇā || 87 || patipādābjatīrthena yā snātā sā haripriyā || sā snātā sarvatīrtheṣu gaṅgādiṣu na saṃśayaḥ || 88 || tasmāttvatkṛtadoṣastu tvāmāyātīti tatphalam || bhuñjantyāste'tra śṛṇvantyā ghoṇatīrthasya vaibhavam || 89 || muktirāsīcchubhāṃgaṃ tannārīrūpaṃ punaryathā || || tasmādghoṇasya tīrthasya tumbutīrthamitīha vai || 2.1.26.90 || loke prasiddhirabhavadaho tīrthasya vaibhavam || 91 || || atha ghoṇatīrthasnātṝṇāṃ nānāvidhaphalaprāptiḥ || || śrīsūta uvāca || || ghoṇatīrthe mahāpuṇye sarvapāpavināśini || snānti ye paurṇamāsyāṃ vai śaunakādyā mahaujasaḥ || 92 || teṣāṃ kratuphalaṃ puṇyaṃ tīrthāyutaphalaṃ bhavet || kapilāgosahasraṃ tu yo dadāti dinedine || 93 || tatphalaṃ samavāpnoti snānāttumburutīrthake || ratnakoṭisahasrāṇi yo dadāti dinedine || 94 || mattebhānāṃ sahasrāṇi tathaivāśvāyutānyapi || tatphalaṃ samavāpnoti ghoṇatīrthāvagāhanāt || 95 || kanyākoṭipradānena yatphalaṃ carṣibhiḥ smṛtam || tatphalaṃ samavāpnoti ghoṇatīrthācca pāvanāt || 96 || hemāṃbarasahasraṃ yaḥ kurukṣetre prayacchati || tatphalaṃ samavāpnoti ghoṇatīrthasya vaibhavāt || 97 || gurvarthe brāhmaṇārthe ca svāmyarthe yastyajettanum || tatphalaṃ samavāpnoti ghoṇatīrthasya vaibhavāt || 98 || āpannārtiharāṇāṃ ca tīrthasevāparātmanām || satyavratānāṃ yatpuṇyaṃ ghoṇatīrthācca tadbhavet || 99 || yatphalaṃ śrāddhakartṝṇāṃ pitṛṇāmindusaṃkṣaye || tatphalaṃ samavāpnoti ghoṇatīrthāddhi pāvanāt || 2.1.26.100 || gaṅgāyāṃ narmadāyāṃ ca sarayūcandrabhāgayoḥ || sarveṣu puṇyatīrtheṣu yaḥ snānaṃ kurute naraḥ || tatphalaṃ samavāpnoti ghoṇatīrthāddhi pāvanāt || 101 || tasmātpuṇyatamaṃ tīrthaṃ ghoṇatīrthaṃ vidurbudhāḥ || 102 || ya imaṃ śṛṇute'dhyāyaṃ sarvapāpanibarhaṇam || vājapeyaphalaṃ tasya viṣṇulokaśca śāśvataḥ || 103 || iti śrīskānde mahāpurāṇa ekāśītisāhasryāṃ sahitāyāṃ dvitīye vaiṣṇavakhaṃḍe śrīveṅkaṭācalamāhātmye tumburutīrthamāhātmyavarṇanaṃnāma ṣaḍviṃśo'dhyāyaḥ || || 26 || ||

English translation

Śrī Sūta said :

1-3. Here I shall recount the greatness of Ghoṇatīrtha that is destructive of all sins, O Śaunaka and other (sages) of great prowess.

It is the fruit of a penance of previous birth that people get the opportunity of taking bath therein. On the Full-Moon day in conjunction with the Constellation Uttarāphālgunī , when the Sun is in the Zodiac Pisces, Gaṅgā and all other Tīrthas in the three worlds come there in the afternoon. [1]

The sages asked :

4-5. O holy lord Sūta , O omniscient one, O master of all the contents of all scriptures, why do all the rivers Gaṅgā etc. take bath in the exceedingly sacred Ghoṇatīrtha when the Sun is in the Zodiac Pisces?

Śrī Sūta replied :

6-11. The Tīrthas Gaṅgā etc. think like this: ‘All men who have committed sins, scrupulously take their holy bath in us. Those people cast off their sins in us and go away with their object achieved. How is this mass of sins accumulating in us to be destroyed?’

After thinking thus they remembered the divine, fascinating words of the noble-souled son of Brahmā , Nārada (for) absolving all sins. They go to Śrī Veṅkaṭa , the mountain that dispels the sins of Brahmin-slaughter etc. They take their holy bath in the waters of Svāmipuṣkariṇī, the excellent Tīrtha . Thereafter, O Brāhmaṇas , all those Tīrthas take their bath (i.e. flow into) in the exceedingly sacred Ghoṇatīrtha on the Full-Moon day in conjunction with the Constellation Uttarāphālgunī when the Sun is in the Zodiac Pisces. Who is capable of knowing (completely) the greatness of that Tīrtha in the entire universe consisting of the three worlds?

[ A Description of the Great Sins of those who are Averse to the Holy Bath in Ghoṇatīrtha ]:—

12. Hence, O excellent Brāhmaṇas, Ghoṇatīrtha is the most meritorious Tīrtha.

13. They call a person who has abandoned Ghoṇasnāna (‘holy bath in Ghoṇatīrtha’) one who cruelly destroys parks and gardens (i.e. he incurs the sins of such acts), one who sells horses and virgins, one who slays Brāhmaṇas.

14. They call one who has discarded Ghoṇasnāna, a destroyer of the property of deities, a person who takes back what is gifted away, a person who is a Brāhmaṇa -slayer.

15. Learned men call one who has avoided Ghoṇasnāna, a destroyer of lakes, bridges and dams, one who ardently longs for sexual union with other men’s wives, one who steals.

16. Learned men know the person who has abstained from Ghoṇasnāna as a base non-believer who promises a Brāhmaṇa “I shall give” and afterwards (does not give it), as a person who habitually drinks liquor.

17. Learned men call the person who has abandoned Ghoṇasnāna, a person who is worthy of being hated by preceptors, Brāhmaṇas and (other) people, one who is given to self-praise, who steals.

18. Brāhmaṇas call the person who has discarded Ghoṇasnāna, a consumer of food that has not been consecrated, a consumer of the remnants of food offered to the Manes and a thief.

19. Learned men call the person who has abandoned Ghoṇasnāna, a person who offers (to others) the remnants of food offered to the Manes, a person who is antagonistic to his mother and father, and is a thief.

20. They say that the person who has abandoned Ghoṇasnāna is one who is habitually engaged in sexual union with other men’s wives, who is fond of sexual dalliance with his brother’s wife and is a defiler of the preceptor’s bed.

21. They say that the person who has abstained from Ghoṇasnāna is one who talks to a Cāṇḍāla , who is a Brāhmaṇa always bereft of Darbha grass in his hand and is a sinner of the fifth class (i.e. one who associates with sinners who have committed the four types of major sins).

22. They say that the person who has abandoned Ghoṇasnāna is one who takes his food after hearing the voice of a woman in her menses, of a Cāṇḍāla or of a horse, and who is a sinner of the fifth class with their association.

23. They call the person who has abandoned Ghoṇasnāna, a person who causes obstacles in the holy rites of expounding the Purāṇas , celebrating marriage, investiture with the sacred thread and other rites and who kills animals.

24. Learned men say that the person who has avoided Ghoṇasnāna is a slayer of one who has sought refuge, who is averse to all the Tīrthas and who causes abortion.

25. They call the person who has abandoned Ghoṇasnāna, a person who has abandoned Pitṛyajña (i.e. performance of śrāddha ), who has deserted his wife, is the meanest in the family and who kills cows.

26. O excellent Brāhmaṇas, sins on a par with the major sins and minor sins resort to the person who has abandoned Ghoṇasnāna.

[ The Power of Bath in Ghoṇa to Dispel All Sins ]:—

27-36. O eminent Brāhmaṇas, the fascinating Ghoṇatīrtha sanctifies all these sinners through the holy bath, drinking (its) water etc. Wonderful indeed is the greatness of the Tīrtha!

The following are the sinners sanctified: [2] One who is engaged in committing major sins, one who cooks dog’s meat, the meanest in the family, the cruel, destroyer of the family, the mischievous one, one who has not gifted anything, one who has stopped performance of holy rites, a killer of animals, a tormentor of others, one who has resorted to a backbiter, one who habitually speaks lies, a hypocrite, one who is attached to the wives of others, one who is treacherous to friends, an ungrateful one, a destroyer of foetus, a heinous sinner, a sinner cohabiting with other men’s wives, an informant about the assets of other men, an untruthful person, one who is engaged in agricultural activities, a traitor to the master, a fraudulent one, a covetous one, a patricide, one who is averse to all gods, one who praises himself, a rogue who causes obstacles to pious activities, one who wastes money over undeserving persons, one who causes split among persons who receive favour and concession, one who cuts off or uproots trees laden with excellent fruits, one guilty of breach of faith, one who is bent on massacring warriors, one who does not maintain the sacred fire, one without a son, one who administers poison, a sinner who makes the preceptor hate him, one who causes estrangement between husband and wife, one who acts as a tyrant in administering a village or a temple trust, one who teaches ( Vedas ) for salary, a Brāhmaṇa absorbed in cruel activities, one who has made committing of sins his second nature, one who is solely devoted to commit multitudes of sins secretly, one who commits sins due to ignorance, one who commits vicious deeds knowingly and all other persons of a similar nature-.

[ Story of a Gandharva Called Tuṃburu ]:—

Śrī Sūta said :

37. In this connection I shall relate an ancient legend that is destructive of sins, that absolves one from sins, that yields the benefit of salvation.

38. Formerly Gārgya , an omniscient Brāhmaṇa of great refulgence, expert in all lores, who was just and master (subduer) of his sense-organs said as follows:

39. He bowed down to the noble-souled Devala and requested him with delighted mind:

“O (sage) of exalted magnificence, be merciful unto me. Recount to me the greatness of Ghoṇatīrtha that is auspicious and destructive of all sins.”

Devala said :

40-41. A Gandharva named Tuṃburu cursed his chaste wife. He took his bath here and worshipped Veṅkaṭeśa , the storehouse of mercy. Thereby he attained Viṣṇu ’s world from which no one can return (to Saṃsāra ).

Gārgya asked :

42-43. O Sage Devala, why did the Gandharva named Tuṃburu, an expert in all lores, curse his beautiful wife? What was the fault of his wife endowed with all good qualities? O (sage) of exalted magnificence, tell me the same. I am eager to hear.

[ Tuṃburu Instructs His Wife about the Procedure in Taking Holy Bath in the Month of Māgha ]:—

44-45. The Gandharva named Tuṃburu told his wife lovingly: “For a period of three Māghas take the bath along with me. It dispels all impurities and sins. In the month of Māgha, when the Sun has risen, smear with cow-dung the bank that dispels all sins, for the sake of the worship of Viṣṇu.

46. In this month of Viṣṇu that bestows auspiciousness render service unto me through Raṅgavallī etc. (? colourful designs as a mark of auspiciousness), designs of white lotus, Svastika etc. drawn by means of minerals.

47. In this Māgha offer Dīpavartikā (i.e. a lamp and a wick) to Mādhava . In front of Hari offer devoutly fire with incense.

48. Cook food unto the noble-souled Mādhava, remaining pure (in mind as well as in body). In the month of Māgha perform circumambulation and obeisances along with me with great devotion.

49. Perform the religious rites and services to Viṣṇu, the Lord of Devas , everyday. Listen to the Purāṇa of Viṣṇu everyday without any lethargy.

50-51a. Take bath scrupulously everyday and drink Hari’s Pādodaka (i.e. the water with which Hari’s feet are washed). Repeat continuously (his names such as) O Kṛṣṇa , O Viṣṇu, O Mukuṇḍa , O Nārāyaṇa , O Janārdana , O Acyuta , O Ananta and O Viśvātman.

51b-52a. Abandon anger, rivalry, jealousy, greediness etc. and observe a vow. Thereby you will attain liberation and permanent residence in Viṣṇu’s world.”

[ Tuṃburu Curses His Wife: The Means of Redemption Therefrom ]:—

52b. On hearing what was spoken thus by her husband, the beloved wife of the Gandharva angrily spoke to her husband (words) that were unbearable and leading to hell (or misfortune):

53. “O sinless one, when the chillness increases in the morning, when the sun rises very slowly, how can one bathe in the month of Māgha that gives agony due to chillness?

54. The rites mentioned by you cannot be performed by me constantly. O husband, I will not take bath in the morning along with you.

55-56a. If my death takes place due to excessive cold, you will not come to my rescue.”

On hearing the words spoken thus, in spite of his being calm and quiet, the Gandharva, the loving husband, cursed his wife who spoke unpleasantly and offensively.

56b-60. He thought thus: ‘One shall immediately punish by means of curses a son who is averse to virtue and piety, a wife who speaks unpleasantly and a king unfavourable to Brāhmaṇas.’ Prompted by this maxim he cursed his chaste wife then: “Become a mere (ordinary) frog, O foolish woman, in a dry place without water, in the hollow of a holy fig tree near Ghoṇatīrtha on Veṅkaṭa mountain of great merit and destructive of all sins.”

Oṇ hearing this imprecation of her husband the beloved wife of the Gandharva, the chaste woman, fell at his feet and requested Tuṃburu. Afterwards Tuṃburu, the husband, indicated the redemption too from the curse:

61-64. “ Agastya of exalted magnificence, the ascetic who has conquered his sense-organs, will take his holy bath in the excellent Ghoṇatīrtha on the great day of Full Moon. The excellent Brāhmaṇa will then relate the greatness of Ghoṇatīrtha to his disciples near the Aśvattha tree. At that time you shall be within the hollow of the holy fig tree. Listen to the greatness of Ghoṇatīrtha that bestows liberation with great attention. You shall then get rid of all your sins and sport with me.”

On being told thus the chaste and pious wife ceased (to speak).

65-69. On account of the curse of her husband she took up the terrible and hideous body of a frog. The woman slowly went to the hollow of the holy fig tree on the peak of Śeṣādri to the south of Ghoṇatīrtha. She stayed in the hollow of the holy fig tree for a period of ten thousand years.

Then after a lapse of time (on one occasion) Agastya went to the fascinating Veṅkaṭādri . With all due holy observances he took his bath in Svāmitīrtha . He bowed down to Varāha , the deity to the south of the Tīrtha. He then went to the abode of Veṅkaṭeśa and bowed down to Śrīnivāsa , the storehouse of mercy, the Lord of Devas who can be known only through the Vedas, the eternal Lord of large eyes. Thereafter, Agastya of exalted magnificence went to Ghoṇatīrtha.

70-72. The most excellent one among Yogins took his bath in the excellent Tīrtha along with his disciples. With great devotion Agastya, the most excellent one among Yogins, the holy lord and sage, described to his disciples under the shade of the holy fig tree the greatness of Ghoṇatīrtha that is destructive of the sin of Brahmin-slaughter, that is meritorious, bestower of all auspiciousness and that grants all prosperity.

[ On Seeing Agastya in Ghoṇatīrtha the Wife of Tiṃburu is Liberated from the Form of a Frog ]:—

73-75. On hearing it the frog fell at the feet of that Yogin after knowing the greatness of the sage through the light of knowledge. She regained her original form, the charming form of a woman. She spoke to him thus:

“O Agastya, the most excellent one among Yogins, save me, save me, O storehouse of mercy. O Brāhmaṇa, kindly protect me though I opposed the words of my husband.”

Saying thus the lady of large eyes ceased (to speak) thereafter.

Agastya asked :

76. Who are you, O lady of ample, fine buttocks? Welfare unto you. There was committed a sin in the previous birth that gave you the birth of a frog. What is that? Tell me. Do not delay.

The woman said :

77. There is a Gandharva named Tuṃburu. He is an expert in all lores. O Brāhmaṇa, O Agastya served by sages, I am his wife.

78. O excellent sage, my husband Tuṃburu who is conversant with all Dharmas said to me: “You are a charming (lady). Always perform all holy rites along with me.”

79-80. On hearing the words of my husband, which would help in the other world, I uttered unbearable and very harsh words that would lead to hell. O dear one, O excellent sage, those words were uttered by me on account of my vicious intellect.

[ The Duties of a Chaste Woman as Described by Agastya ]:—

Agastya said :

81. Your husband of keen intellect cursed you angrily. Such a curse is proper in regard to a woman who acts contrary to the words of her husband.

82. A woman who dishonours the utterance of her husband and does as she pleases, falls into a terrible hell (where she remains) as long as the moon and the stars shine.

83-84a. Women have no freedom; husband’s words or directives should not be transgressed. Women go to the region of Viṣṇu due to chastity and the merit of serving their husbands and not through other holy rites.

84b-86a. Learned men know (and assert) that husband is everything unto women, viz. mother, Viṣṇu, Brahmā, Śiva , preceptor and the holy Tīrtha. If a woman disobeys the directive of her husband, even if she is always engaged in the performance of all other holy rites, she shall never be pure even once.

86b-87a. A woman without husband (i.e. a widow) shall perform holy rites that bestow virtuous benefits on being bidden (and permitted) by preceptors conversant with Dharma .

87b. If a woman is directed by her husband, she should devotedly engage herself in obeying the order of her husband.

88. She who takes bath in the Tīrtha of (i.e. holy water flowing from) the lotus-Iike feet of her husband is a favourite of Han. Undoubtedly, it is as good as a bath in all the Tīrthas, Gaṅgā etc.

89-91. Hence the sin committed by you yields the fruit thereof. While you were reaping the fruit of your own action, you heard the greatness of Ghoṇatīrtha. You were liberated. You regained the auspicious form of that lady. Hence this Ghoṇatīrtha has become famous as Tumbutīrtha in the world. What a (wonderful) greatness of the Tīrtha!

[ Those who take Their Holy Bath in Ghoṇatīrtha Attain Different Kinds of Benefits ]:—

Śrī Sūta said :

92-98. O (sages) of great prowess, O Śaunaka and others, if people take their bath on the Full-Moon day in Ghoṇatīrtha of great merit and destructive of all sins, they will attain the meritorious benefit of sacrifices. They will have the benefit of ten thousand Tīrthas.

By taking the holy bath in Tuṃburutīrtha one shall attain that benefit which is obtained by one who makes a gift of a thousand Kapilā (tawny) cows everyday.

By taking a plunge in Ghoṇatīrtha one attains that benefit which is obtained by one who makes a gift of thousands and crores of precious stones everyday or thousands of elephants in rut or ten thousand horses.

From the sacred Ghoṇatīrtha one attains that benefit which is said by sages to be the fruit of a gift of a crore of virgins.

By the greatness and power of Ghoṇatīrtha one attains that benefit which is obtained by one who makes a gift of a thousand golden robes in Kurukṣetra .

By the great power of Ghoṇatīrtha one attains that benefit which is obtained by one who casts off his body for the sake of the preceptor, or a Brāhmaṇa or his own master.

99. From the Ghoṇatīrtha that merit accrues that is obtained by those who dispel the agony of persons in extreme distress or those who are eagerly devoted to the visits of holy Tīrthas or those who forever adhere to truthfulness.

100. From the holy Ghoṇatīrtha one attains that benefit which is obtained by those who perform Śrāddhas to Pitṛs on the New-Moon day.

101. From the holy Ghoṇatīrtha one attains that benefit which is obtained by a man who takes his holy bath in all the Tīrthas, in Gaṅgā, in Narmadā , in Sarayū , in Candrabhāgā and others.

102. Hence learned men know that Ghoṇatīrtha is the most meritorious of all the Tīrthas.

103. If a person listens to this chapter which dispels all sins, he will have the benefit of Vājapeya and a permanent stay in the world of Viṣṇu.

[1]: [1] : The special day of this Tīrtha is the Full-Moon day in Phālguna when the Sun is in the Zodiac Pisces.

[2]: [2] : This list of ‘sins’ includes all unsocial acts detested at the time of this Purāṇa.

Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 16783, revision 71027 (2016-06-09T21:05:43Z). English is G. V. Tagare’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-skanda-purana/d/doc370705.html and the archival publication witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.