34 - Twenty-two Thousand Holy Centres 

Brahmā said: 

1-2. Listen to the names of some holy centres I am going to recount now. They are Viśvāmitra, Harischandra, Sunahsepa, Rohita, Väruna, Brāhma, Āgneya, Aindra, Aindava, Aiśvara, Maitra, Vaisnava, Yāmya, Asvina and Auśana. 

3. There was a king born in the family of Ikşvāku, named Harischandra. The sages Närada and Parvata came to his abode. After receiving them with great hospitality Harischandra said to the two sages:

Harishchandra said: 

4. The whole world undergoes sufferings for the sake of a son. What is it that one gets from a sol? A son may be wise or foolish, excellent or middling. 

Brahma said: 

5-9. Parvata and Närada spoke to Harischandra: 

Nārada and Parvata said: 

The reply can be one, hundred or thousand. O king, all the replies are good. Still this is being mentioned. O excellent king, to a person without a son the other world does not exist. (He cannot expect to go there.) To that person of ill luck this world too does not exist (i.e. he cannot be happy here too). O ruler of men, a person who takes bath at the birth of his son shall derive the benefit of holy bath at the end of ten horse sacrifices. By obtaining a son one attains prestige. (One may become the most excellent among the immortal beings. (What) the Devas get through nectar, the brahmins and other castes get through a son. A son releases his father and grandfathers from the three debts.¹ 

1. The three well known debts are: (1) Rşi-rna or debt to the sages, which one discharges by the study of Veda; (2) Deva-rņa or debt to the gods, which is discharged by performing worship and sacrifice; and (3) Pitp-rņa or debt to the manes, which is discharged by procreation of a son. Evidently these great debts or obligations aim respectively at acquisition, dissemination and advancement of knowledge, preservation of religious and moral values, and perpetuation of the human race. 

10. Of what avail is (the vow of taking in only) roots and water? Of what avail is the practice of growing beard and moustache? Of what avail is penance without a son? O great king, a son is said as one leading to heaven and salvation. 

11. Son alone is the other world, virtue, love and wealth. Son is liberation, the great light. He is the person who takes all embodied beings (across the ocean of worldly existence). 

12. Without a son, O leading king, heaven and salvation are very difficult to achieve. In the world, it is the son who is the most conducive to the achievement of virtue, love and wealth. 

13-15. A charitable gift given or a sacrifice performed without a son is fruitless. It appears to me that life itself, without a son is fruitless. One gets relief from debts to the manes through a son by whom people are redeemed from sins. If a father sees the face of a live son born to him he gets pleasure. By seeing a son, a father obtains all those enjoyments and pleasures that can be had in the mortal world or in heaven. Hence there is nothing else in the three worlds as desirable as a son", 

On hearing these words the king was extremely surprised and he spoke again to the two sages.

Harischandra said: 

16. Tell me how I can obtain a son. I am willing to go anywhere and perform any rite, whatever be the means thereof. By manly endeavour, repetition of Mantras, performance of sacrifices or distribution of charitable gifts a son should be got by me. 

Brahma said: 

17-19. They said to the excellent king Harischandra who was seeking a son, after meditating deeply for a short while "O bestower of honour, go to Gautami. 'There the lord of wat fulfils whatever excellent wish one has in mind. Varuna has been glorified by sages as the bestower of everything. On being delighted he will grant you a son at the proper time, sooner or later.” 

On hearing this, the excellent king carried out the suggestions of the sages. 

20. Resorting to the banks of Gautami he propitiated Varuņa. Varuņa who was pleased said to Harischandra: 

Varuņa said: 

21. O king, I shall grant you a son. Being issueless you have performed holy rites; certainly a son will be born to you if you are prepared to offer him in sacrifice. 

Brahmā said: 

22-23. Harischandra said to Varuņa, "I shall sacrifice. him". 

Harischandra then prepared the holy offering pertaining to Varuna. The king then gave it to his wife. Thereafter a son was born to the king. When the son was born, the lord of waters, the most excellent among the eloquent ones, spoke. 

Varuna said: 

24-28. The son should be sacrificed today itself. Do you remember your former promise? 

Brahma said: 

Harischandra said this to Varuna who approached him duly: Harischandra said: 

A sacrificial animal becomes fit for sacrifice after it passes ten days. Thereafter I shall perform the sacrifice. 

Brahmä said: 

On hearing the words of the king, Varuna agreed and re- turned home. When the boy passed the tenth day he approached the king once again and said, "Perform the sacrifice". 

The King said to Varuņa: 

O lord of waters, the sacrificial animal without teeth is useless. Go now and come when the boy cuts his teeth. 

29-31. On hearing those words of the king the lord of waters went again. When the teeth were cut, О Närada, and the boy was aged seven years, Varuņa said to the king again, "Perform the sacrifice". The king said to Varuna, "O lord of waters, these teeth will fall off. Other teeth will come up. Then I shall perform the scrifice. Please go away now." Varuņa went away, When the new set of teeth grew up, O Naradā, he said to the king, "Perform the sacrifice". The king said to the lord of waters.

The king said: 

32. If a Kshatriya happens to be the sacrificial animal, the same will be the most excellent one, if he knows the science of archery. 

Brahmā said: 

33-35. On hearing those words of the king, Varuna went to his own abode. When Rohita became efficient in the use of miraculous weapons, when that suppressor of enemies became conversant with the Vedas and scriptures, when the sixteen year old Prince Rohita was crowned as heir-apparent, the delighted Varuņa went to the place where the king and Rohita were present. Varuņa said to the king, "Sacrifice your son". 

36. The king said, "yes". After saying so, the king said to the Rutviks and his eldest son Rohita, within the hearing of Varuna:

Harishchandra said: 

37-38. Come on my great hero, come on my son, I shall sacrifice you unto Varuņa.

Brahmā said: 

Then Rohita asked his father, "What is this?" The father explained everything in detail in the manner it had happened. Even as Varuna was listening, Rohita said to his father:

Rohita said: 

39. I am pure. I am in a hurry. At the very outset, O great king, I shall perform the sacrifice unto Vişhnu, the lord, of the worlds, along with the Rutviks and the priest, Varuņa being the sacrificial animal. It behoves you to grant permission for the same. 

Brahmä said: 

40-43. On hearing those words of Rohita the lord of waters was overwhelmed by great anger. 

Taking up his divine bow and seated in his chariot without any discomfort Rohita went to the forest on the banks of Ganga where Harischandra, the lord of men, had propitiated Varuna and obtained a son. In the meantime the infuriated Varuna made king Harischandra suffer from dropsy. Five years elapsed and as the sixth year was running, the prince heard about the ailment of the king. 

44-46. He then thought thus: “Though I was born to my father I had been the cause of distress unto him. What benefit did he derive from me? Now what shall be my duty?" 

On the banks of Gangā the prince saw holy sages. He saw the most excellent sage known as Ajīgarta. He was wandering on the banks of Gangă accompanied by his three sons and wife, He had no means of subsistence. On seeing him the prince bowed to him and spoke: 

Rohita said: 

47-49. How is it that you appear to be gloomy, lean and lacking in sustenance? 

Brahmā said: 

Ajīgarta said to prince Rohita:

Ajigarta said: 

I have no means for supporting my family. I have many dependents to be fed. We will die without food. Tell me. What shall we do? 

Brahmā said: 

50-53. On hearing it the prince spoke to the sage: 

Rohita said: 

What is it that you have in mind? Tell me, O most excellent one among the eloquent ones. 

Ajigarta said: 

I do not have gold, silver, cows, grains, garments etc., O great king. Therefore, I do not have any means of subsistence. I have three sons and a wife. I am the fifth one. There is no one to buy anyone of us in exchange for food.

Rohita said: 

54. O Ajigarta of great intelligence, what will you take from me? Tell me truthfully. You need not say anything else. Indeed, brahmins are truthful in speech.

Ajigarta said: 

55. Take one of the three sons, or me, or take this (woman) my wife. We shall keep alive by this sale.

Rohita said: 

56. Of what avail is your wife? O intelligent one, of what avail are you, an old man? Give me a youthful son of yours, whomsoever you may wish to give.

Ajigarta said: 

57. O Rohita, I will not sell my eldest son Sunahpuccha. The mother will not sell the youngest one. Hence I shall sell Sunaḥśepa, the one between these two. Tell me the amount (you wish to give) for him.

Rohita said: 

58. A sacrificial animal has to be kept ready for Varuņa. (He must be) a man of superior qualities. If you are willing to take a price in exchange, tell me truthfully, O great sage.

Brahma said: 

59. Saying "So be it” Ajīgarta fixed a thousand cows, (measures) of grains, gold coins and clothes as the price of his son. "O Prince”, he said, "give the excellent things (to me), I shall give my son to you". 

Brahmā said: 

60. Saying "So be it” Rohita too gave him money and clothes. After giving it, Rohita went to his father along with the son of the sage. He informed his father about the son of the sage bought for a price. 

Rohita said: 

61-67. Perform the sacrifice unto Varuņa with (this) animal. You be free from your ailments.

Brahma said: 

Then after the words of his son Harischandra said: 

Harishchandra said: 

The Vedas say that Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaisyas should be protected by the king. Indeed, excellent brahmins are especially the leaders of all castes. They are persons worthy of being worshipped even by Vişhnu. Where are persons like me? By sli- ghting and dishonouring them, kings will be faced with the des- truction of their family. Brahmins are identical with the holy centres. They are identical with Devas. They are the saviours of persons about to fall into hell. After making them sacrificial animals how can I pretend to protect miserable persons. It is not proper that I should make a brahmin the sacrificial animal. It is better to die of ailments. I will not make a brahmin the sacrificial animal at all. Hence, dear son, go happily along with the brahmin boy. 

Brahmā said: 

68-70. In the meantime, an etherial voice spoke thus:

The Ethereal Voice said: 

O great king, go to Gautami along with your Rutviks and priests as well as this brahmin's son who is the sacrificial animal and Rohita, your son. The sacrifice has to be performed by you without killing Sunahsepa. The sacrifice shall of course be complete there. Hence, go, O king of great intellect.

Brahma said: 

71-74. On hearing that voice the excellent king hastened to Gangă along with sage Viśvāmitra, his priest Vasiştha, sage Vāma as well as other sages. After reaching Gautami Ganga he got himself initiated for the human sacrifice. He prepared the altar, pavilion, sacred pit etc. and erected the Post for the sacrificial animal and other things as well. After everything was ready and the sacrifice began Sunaḥsepa, the sacrificial animal, was tied to the Yūpa (post) along with the chanting of Mantras. On seeing him sprinkled with water Viśvāmitra said this:

Vishvāmitra said: 

75-79. Visvämitra said to Devas, sages, to Harischandra and particularly to Rohita: "May all of you free this Sunahsepa the excellent brahmin boy. O Devas, to whom the offering is to be given in the sacrifice, let not this sacrificial animal, Sunahśepa, the excellent brahmin boy, be offered to you, in the sacrificial fire along with fats, hairs, skins and the flesh consecrated by the chanting of Mantras. Let the leading brahmins be sprinkled over with water. Let them go to Gautami and take their bath there. Let them eulogize Devas severally by chanting Man tras and hymns. Engaged in auspicious things let them rejoice. Let sages and Devas, partakers of offerings, protect this boy." 

Brahmä said: 

80-81. The sages said, "So be it". The excellent king agreed. Sunahsepa went to Gangā, the sanctifier of the three worlds. After taking bath, he eulogized those Devas, the partakers of offerings. Even as Viśvāmitra stood listening, the delighted Devas said to Sunaḥsepa, 

Devas said: 

82-84. Let Sunaḥsepa. this, sacrifice be complete without killing Sunahsepa.

Brahmă said: 

Varuņa specifically spoke (so) to the excellent king. 

Then the human sacrifice of the king, known in all the worlds, was completed. Thus by the grace of Devas, the sages of holy centre, the sacrifice of the king was completed. 

85-92. Viśvāmitra honoured Sunaḥśepa in the midst of assembly. After honouring him in the presence of Devas he made him the eldest of his sons. Tie sons of the intelligent Viśvāmitra who did not accept the status of Sunahścpa as the eldest son were cursed by Viśvāmitra. He honoured those sons who accepted his status as the eldest son and granted them boons Thus this narrative has been recounted by me. All these incidents happened on the southern bank of Gautami. At that place many well known sacred holy centres praised by Devas and others cropped up. Listen to their names from me, O sage of excellent intellect. 

They are Harischandra, Sunahsepa, Visvāmitra, Rohita and others. They are twentytwo thousand holy centres. Having a dip therein and distribution of charitable offerings bestow the benefit of a human sacrifice. O excellent sage, the greatness of this holy centre has been described. He who reads this or causes this to be read or listens to this with devotion shall get a son if he has no son. He gets other things too pleasing to his mind.