Lakshmī Tīrtha (Rāmasetu)

Lakshmī Tīrtha is a sacred tīrtha on the Gandhamādana mountain, in the Setu-kshetra of Rāmasetu. It is known as the best tīrtha for gaining aiśvarya (wealth and prosperity).

Yudhishṭhira bathed here at Kṛshṇa’s word, and afterwards performed the Rājasūya yajña with great wealth. The devas themselves bathed here and gained aiśvarya. Kubera gained nidhi-nāyakatva (lordship over the divine treasures) by bathing here. The tīrtha gives all wishes, destroys great pāpa, and in the end gives moksha.

Location

Lakshmī Tīrtha lies on the Gandhamādana mountain within the Setu-kshetra. It is named for Śrī Lakshmī, and it shows the presence of the devī of prosperity in this tīrtha-kshetra. Kṛshṇa names it “śubhapradam Lakshmītīrtham”, the good Lakshmī-tīrtha that gives aiśvarya.

Kṛshṇa’s instruction to Yudhishṭhira

Yudhishṭhira had been given half the kingdom and was living in Indraprastha. Once he asked Kṛshṇa to stay with him. During this visit Yudhishṭhira asked Kṛshṇa: “By what dharma do people gain great aiśvarya?”

Kṛshṇa answered: “On the Gandhamādana mountain at Rāmasetu there is the Lakshmī Tīrtha. Bathe there. You will gain aiśvarya without fail. The devas themselves bathed there in ancient times and gained all aiśvarya, and they quickly defeated the strong rākshasas in battle. Bhūmi, Lakshmī and Dharma come quickly to those who bathe there. Go and bathe there.”

Yudhishṭhira’s journey and the Rājasūya

Following Kṛshṇa’s words, Yudhishṭhira went quickly to the Gandhamādana mountain. He bathed at Lakshmī Tīrtha with proper niyama (discipline) for one full month, and gave dāna of cows, land, sesame and gold to brāhmaṇas. Then he went back to Indraprastha with his brothers.

Moved by Kṛshṇa, he decided to perform the great Rājasūya yajña. He sent each of his four brothers to win one direction. Bhīma went east, Arjuna went north, Nakula went west, and Sahadeva went south. All of them came back with great wealth from the kings they had won. Kṛshṇa himself gave laksha-koṭi (countless) gold coins. With all this wealth, and by Kṛshṇa’s grace, Yudhishṭhira performed the Rājasūya and gave immeasurable wealth to brāhmaṇas. The text declares that this great prosperity was the direct fruit of Yudhishṭhira’s bathing at Lakshmī Tīrtha.

Other great devotees

The Purāṇa gives two more examples of the power of this tīrtha. Kubera gained nidhi-nāyakatva, lordship over the nine divine treasures (nava-nidhi), by bathing at Lakshmī Tīrtha. The king of Avadha (Avadha-rāja) gained the divine apsarā Rambhā as his wife by bathing here.

Phala

Lakshmī Tīrtha is very powerful for wealth, prosperity, the removal of dāridrya (poverty), and the fulfilment of all wishes. Bathing here increases dhana and dhānya (wealth and grain). It destroys all pāpa and all obstacles (vighna), removes all disease, and in the end gives moksha. The tīrtha removes ṛṇa (debts) and gives suputra (good sons) and sukalatra (a good wife). It also removes duḥsvapna (bad dreams). Those who read or hear the account of this tīrtha are blessed with wealth, and in the end gain moksha after enjoying all the worlds.

Sources

• Skanda Mahā Purāṇa, Brahma Khaṇḍa, Setu Māhātmya, Chapter 21