Śiva-kuṇḍa (Avantī)

Śiva-kuṇḍa · śiva-kuṇḍa, “the pool of Śiva”

The Śiva-kuṇḍa is the holy pool at Avantī, the city also called Ujjayinī in the country of Mālava, where one bathes before the pūjā of Bhagavān Śiva as Mahākāla. The Brahma Purāṇa says that a bath in it removes pāpa (sin), and that one who bathes there, offers tarpaṇa (water offerings) and then worships Mahākāla gains the fruit of an aśvamedha yajña, goes to Śiva-loka in a divine vimāna, and at last reaches mukti through the Pāśupata yogas.

Where it is

Brahmā tells the munis of Avantī as he begins the account of King Indradyumna, who ruled there in the Kṛta-yuga. In the country of Mālava stands the city of Avantī, the crown jewel of the earth, as though it were the hump of the bull that is the circle of the earth. There Bhagavān Śiva, the enemy of Tripura, dwells under the name Mahākāla and grants every desire. The bath in the Śiva-kuṇḍa is the first step of his pūjā.

Source: Brahma Purāṇa, Chapter 43

The rite and its phala

Brahmā gives the rite in order. One bathes in the Śiva-kuṇḍa, which removes pāpa; offers tarpaṇa to the devas, the ṛshis and the pitṛs; goes to the temple of Bhagavān Śiva; walks around it in pradakshiṇa (keeping it to the right); and worships the Svāmī with the upacāras (offerings of service), beginning with dhyāna (meditation) and āvāhana (invocation).

One who does this:

  • gains the fruit of an aśvamedha yāga;
  • goes in a divine vimāna to Śiva-loka;
  • there, with a divine form, divine garments and ornaments, enjoys great bhogas;
  • returns to this world and is born a brāhmaṇa, who learns the four Vedas and all the śāstras;
  • attains the Pāśupata yogas and reaches mukti.

Source: Brahma Purāṇa, Chapter 43

The other holy places of Avantī

After the rite of Mahākāla, Brahmā names the other holy places of the city. The river Śiprā flows there; one who bathes in it and offers tarpaṇa goes to svarga in a vimāna. Bhagavān Vishṇu dwells there as Govinda-svāmī, and also as Vikrama-svāmī; Indra and the other devatās and the Mātṛkās are there too, and they also grant what is desired.

Source: Brahma Purāṇa, Chapter 43

Sources

  • Brahma Purāṇa, Chapter 43