The Oshadhis and Soma (Somatīrtha)
Somatīrtha · soma-tīrtha, “the tīrtha of Soma”
Āgneyatīrtha has other meanings too: see all meanings of Āgneyatīrtha. Someśvara has other meanings too: see all meanings of Someśvara.
The oshadhis and Soma is the account of Somatīrtha on the Gautamī, where a bath and gifts give the fruit of drinking the soma. The Brahma Purāṇa tells it in Chapter 49 of the Gautamī Māhātmya. The oshadhis, the healing plants, mothers of the worlds and of Brahmā himself, asked Brahmā for a king and husband. He sent them to the Gautamī; they praised her, and the Gaṅgā, who is of the nature of amṛta, gave them Soma, who holds amṛta within him, as their husband and king. The place where they received him became Somatīrtha.
The oshadhis ask for a king
Brahmā tells Nārada: “The tīrtha Somatīrtha has been spoken of by the noble; by bathing and giving gifts there, the fruit of soma-pāna is gained.” Long ago the oshadhis were the mothers of the worlds, honoured by every living being. “They are my own divine mothers too,” Brahmā says, “the most ancient of all.” Dharma is rooted in them, and so are the study of the Vedas and the rites of yajña; the three worlds with all that moves and does not move are sustained by them. Every ailment is cured by them; food comes from them, and all lives are saved by them.
Though the worlds honour them, the oshadhis, free of pride, said to Brahmā: “O best of devas, give us a king; give us a husband.” Brahmā said: “All of you will have a husband and king who will increase your joy.” Hearing the word “king”, they asked: “Where shall we go?” Brahmā said: “Let the mothers go to the Gautamī. If she is pleased, you will have a king honoured by the world.”
Source: Brahma Purāṇa, Gautamī Māhātmya, Chapter 49
The oshadhis’ stotra to the Gautamī
They went to the river Gautamī and praised her:
- “O Gautamī of holy waters, beloved of Śambhu: had you not come down to the earth, could people suffering from the touch of many pāpas have lived?”
- “Who knows the fate of beings on earth, O queen of rivers? Mother Gaṅgā, you destroy their pāpas, and you are ever easy for them to reach.”
- “O Gaṅgā, honoured by the three worlds, mother of the worlds, does anyone know your true greatness? Though Gaurī holds his body close, Bhagavān Śiva bears you on his head.”
- “Namaskāra to you, Mother, giver of every desire! Namaskāra to you, destroyer of pāpas, devī one with Brahman! Namaskāra to you, risen from the lotus feet of Vishṇu! Namaskāra to you, risen from the jaṭā of Śambhu!”
Source: Brahma Purāṇa, Gautamī Māhātmya, Chapter 49
Soma given as husband
As they praised her, the devī said: “What shall I give you?” The oshadhis said: “Mother of the universe, give us a husband, a king of great splendour.” The Gaṅgā said: “I am of the nature of amṛta, and the oshadhis are mothers of the nature of amṛta. I shall give you Soma as your husband, for he holds amṛta within him.” The devas, the ṛshis, Soma and the oshadhis accepted it and went to their own abodes. The place where the great oshadhis gained their king, Soma of the nature of amṛta, who removes all distress and pāpa, is known as Somatīrtha.
Source: Brahma Purāṇa, Gautamī Māhātmya, Chapter 49
The phala
- Somatīrtha gives the fruit of drinking the soma.
- If one bathes there and gives gifts, his pitṛs reach svarga.
- One who daily hears this, reads it or remembers it with bhakti gains long life, sons and wealth.
Source: Brahma Purāṇa, Gautamī Māhātmya, Chapter 49
Sources
- Brahma Purāṇa, Gautamī Māhātmya, Chapter 49