47 - Almatirtha 

Brahmā said: 

1. The holy centre known as Atmatirtha yields worldly pleasures and salvation to men. I shall describe the efficacy of that holy centre where Shiva is called Jñanesvara. 

2. There was a son of Atri known as Datta. He was a favourite of Hara. He was the beloved brother of Durvāsas. He was an expert in all sciences and learning. He went to his father, bowed to him humbly and said. 

Datta said: 

3-6. How can I realize the Brahman? Whom shall I ask? Where shall I go?

Brahmā said: 

On having the words of his son, Atri meditated and said.

Atri said: 

Dear son, go to Gautami and eulogize Maheśvara there. When he becomes delighted you will acquire knowledge from him.

Brahma said: 

Saying "So be it" the son of Atri went to Gangā. He had purity and self-control. With his palms joined in reverence he eulogized Shankara with devotion. 

Datta said: 

7. O overlord of Devas! As ill luck would have it, I have fallen into the well of worldly existence. I am sunk in the mire of misery by delusion. I am enveloped by the darkness of ignorance. I am not able to realize the supreme soul.

8. I am pierced by the powerful trident of sins. I am torn asunder by the razor of worries and anxieties. I am scorched by the terrible heat of five sense-organs. I am wearied. Redeem me, O Somanātha. 

9. I have been bound by the fetters of proverty. I have been damned by the scorching flames of fire of sickness. I have heen attacked by the serpent of Death. I am frightened much. What shall I do, o Sambhu? 

10. I have been extremely distressed by births and deaths, thirst and hunger, Rajas and Tamas. I have been overwhelmed by old age. O lord, see the condition in which I am placed today and be merciful. 

11. I have been landed in difficulty severally by lust, anger, jealousy, arrogance, vanity and other faults. I have been pierced by them. O lord, like a true leader ward off these enemies of mine. 

12. This is true that somebody will dispel the misery of some fallen fellow. Except from you, O Somanātha, I do not have even a sympathetic word anywhere. 

13. It is only as long as I do not utter the words "Obeisance to Shiva" that I have to suffer from these, viz., anger, fear, delusion, misery, ignorance, poverty, sickness, lust and other similar vices and even death. 

14. I am not virtuous. I am not devout. I am not discreet. I am not merciful. You are a donor. Hence, O lord, worthy of being sought refuge in, place the word 'Soma' in my mind. 

15. I do not earnestly beg for the overlordship of Devas, O Somanātha. I request humbly for the presence of lotus-like feet of Srisomanātha in the middle of my lotus-like heart. 

16. Even as I have been known to you as a sinner, listen to my submission. Let me be present always where the word "Shiva" is heard. 

17. O consort of Gaurī, O Sankara, O Somanātha, O lord of the universe, O storehouse of sympathy, O soul of all, where eulogies are offered thus, there some happy and successful person is sure to dwell.

Brahma said: 

18. On hearing the eulogy of Dattatreya, Lord Hara was pleased. Bhava, the creator of the universe, said to that Yogin, “I am the bestower of boons".

Atreya said: 

19. This is the boon I seek, o lord, worshipped by Devas, viz. the knowledge of the soul, liberation, vast devotion¹ to you and the greatness of this holy centre.

1. The printed word Bhukti (enjoyment of pleasures) does not fit in the context. Bhakti (devotiou) scems to be the right word. (Ed.) 

Brahmā said: 

20. "Let it be so", saying this Shiva vanished there itself Thenceforth wise men know that holy centre as Atmatirtha. O Närada, one shall attain salvation by taking holy dip there and by distributing monetary gifts.