Vidarbhā-saṅgama
Vidarbhā-saṅgama · vidarbhā-saṅgama, “the confluence of the Vidarbhā”
Vidarbhā-saṅgama is the confluence (saṅgama) where the river Vidarbhā joins the Gaṅgā, the Gautamī (the Godāvarī). The river arose at the āśrama of Bharadvāja Maharshi on the southern bank of the Gaṅgā, from the water that the young ṛshi Kaṭha sprinkled with many kinds of darbha grass over Revatī, the sister of Bharadvāja, whom he had married as his guru-dakshiṇā, so that she might gain a holy form. Brahmā tells Nārada its account in the Gautamī Māhātmya of the Brahma Purāṇa, naming it with Revatī-saṅgama as holy, an account known to those who know the Purāṇas. One who bathes at this confluence with full faith gains bhukti and moksha at once.
Bharadvāja and his sister
There was a ṛshi named Bharadvāja who surpassed others in tapas. His sister Revatī was misshapen in form and harsh of voice. Bharadvāja had his splendid āśrama on the southern bank of the Gaṅgā, and there he sat in deep worry: “To whom shall I give my sister? No one will take her, and yet she must be given in marriage.”
As he sat thinking, a ṛshi came to see him: Kaṭha, a calm youth of sixteen with a splendid body, a mine of good qualities, his senses subdued. He bowed to Bharadvāja, who honoured him and asked why he had come. Kaṭha said: “I have come to you as a student seeking learning.” Bharadvāja told him to study whatever he wished, the Purāṇas, the Smṛtis, the Vedas and the many dharma-śāstras, for only through puṇya does one gain a disciple of good family, devoted to dharma and to the service of the guru. Kaṭha said: “Teach me, your disciple. I am free of pāpa, eager to serve you, your bhakta, of good family and truthful.” Bharadvāja said “So be it” and gave him all knowledge.
Source: Brahma Purāṇa, Gautamī Māhātmya, Chapter 51
The guru-dakshiṇā
His learning complete, Kaṭha said: “O guru, I wish to give you your guru-dakshiṇā (the gift owed to the teacher). Tell me what you desire, even if it is very rare. Those who gain learning and out of delusion do not give the guru a fitting fee fall into naraka and stay there as long as the moon and the stars shine.”
Bharadvāja said: “Duly accept this girl. Make my sister your wife and treat her with love. This is the fee I ask.” Kaṭha answered that a disciple is like a younger brother or a son to his guru, and the guru like a father, so how could there be a marriage? Bharadvāja said: “Make my word true. What I command you must give as dakshiṇā. Care for Revatī with your mind set on her.” Kaṭha said “So be it”, and at the bidding of his guru he took Revatī’s hand after she had been duly given to him.
Source: Brahma Purāṇa, Gautamī Māhātmya, Chapter 51
The two rivers
There and then Kaṭha worshipped Śaṅkara, Bhagavān Śiva, master of the devas, for Revatī’s beauty and for his grace. Revatī became beautiful, every limb lovely, beyond compare in beauty. The water of the abhisheka (sacred bath) performed for her flowed down and joined the Gaṅgā, and became the river Revatī, which gives beauty and happiness in married life.
Again, with many kinds of darbha grass, Kaṭha sprinkled consecrated water over her so that she might gain a holy form and features. That water became the river Vidarbhā, and where it joins the Gautamī is the Vidarbhā-saṅgama.
Source: Brahma Purāṇa, Gautamī Māhātmya, Chapter 51
The phala
- A man who bathes with full faith at the confluence of the Vidarbhā and the Gautamī at once attains bhukti (worldly enjoyment) and moksha.
- A man who bathes with great faith at the confluence of the Revatī and the Gaṅgā is freed from all pāpas and is honoured in Vishṇuloka.
- In all there are a hundred tīrthas on the banks of the river. They remove all pāpas and give every siddhi.
Source: Brahma Purāṇa, Gautamī Māhātmya, Chapter 51
Sources
- Brahma Purāṇa, Gautamī Māhātmya, Chapter 51