Agastya Tīrtha (Rāmasetu)
Agastya Tīrtha is one of the main sacred tīrthas (holy bathing places) in the Setu-kshetra, the sacred region of Rāmasetu. It lies on the Gandhamādana mountain and is linked with the great ṛshi Agastya Muni. Its māhātmya (glory) is shown in the account of Kakshīvanta, son of Dīrghatamas. He bathed here, a four-tusked white elephant rose from the water, and it carried him to the court of King Svanayana, where he married the princess Manoramā.
Location and significance
Agastya Tīrtha is in the Setu-kshetra on the Gandhamādana mountain, near Rāmasetu. The Setu Māhātmya names the ṛshi Agastya as one who set up his āśrama (hermitage) and his sacred presence in this kshetra. Among the twenty-four Setu tīrthas, this one gives wealth and children. Its deeper glory, the fulfilment of all desires, is shown through the account of Kakshīvanta (Chapter 16).
Kakshīvanta and the white elephant
The ṛshi Kakshīvanta, son of Dīrghatamas, went to Agastya Tīrtha in the Setu-kshetra. When he bathed in this tīrtha, a wonder took place. A huge white elephant with four tusks rose from the waters of the tīrtha. An elephant of this kind, white and shining with four tusks, is a sign of a divine presence, and is linked with Indra’s Airāvata and with divine beings in general. The elephant stood before Kakshīvanta as if it were waiting for him (Chapter 16).
The marriage to Manoramā
Kakshīvanta climbed on the divine elephant. It carried him through the air to the court of King Svanayana. There the king’s daughter Manoramā, a woman of rare qualities, was waiting for a worthy husband at her svayaṃvara (the ceremony at which a princess chooses her husband). Manoramā chose Kakshīvanta and placed the garland round his neck.
The ṛshi Udaṅka performed the marriage. He set up the sacred fire and carried out all the rites. Dīrghatamas was also present. King Svanayana gave his daughter great wealth as strīdhana (a bride’s own property):
- a lakh of gold coins
- a thousand cows
- a thousand maidservants
- five hundred villages
- ten thousand divine garments
- many more gifts
After the wedding, Kakshīvanta and Manoramā went back with Dīrghatamas to his āśrama in the Vedāraṇya. Then they bathed together in Agastya Tīrtha, which completed the pilgrimage that had begun the whole account (Chapters 16 and 17).
Merit of bathing here
Wealth and sons are the main phalas (fruits) of Agastya Tīrtha. The account of Kakshīvanta shows that even what seems impossible, such as winning a bride through divine help, can come about by the grace of this tīrtha. Bathing here fulfils all desired aims (ishṭa) and removes pāpa (sin). The tīrtha is also called pāpanāśaka (destroyer of pāpa). Those who bathe here together with their families are said to have their wishes fulfilled (Chapters 16 and 17).
Sources
- Skanda Mahāpurāṇa, Brahma Khaṇḍa, Setu Māhātmya, Chapters 16 and 17