49 - Somatirtha

Brahmā said: 

1. The holy centre Somatirtha has also been mentioned by noble men. By taking a holy plunge and by distributing charitable gifts there, the benefit of drinking Soma juice can be had. 

2. Formerly, the medicinal herbs were the mothers of worlds. They are honoured by all living beings. They are also my divine mothers. They are prior to all prior ones. 

3. Virtue is rooted in them. So also the study of Vedas and sacrificial rites. All the three worlds, and their mobile and immobile beings are sustained by these. 

4. All the ailments are undoubtedly cured by them. Food comes from them and all lives are saved by them. These medicinal herbs are worthy of being honoured by the worlds but being free from egoism they spoke to me. 

Medicinal herbs said: 

5-8. O most excellent Deva, give us a king. Give us our husband. 

Brahmā said: 

On hearing their words the medicinal herbs were told by me: "All of you will obtain a husband, a king, who will heighten your pleasure". 

On hearing the word "king" they said to me again, O sage: “Where shall we go?” 

They were told by me, "May the mothers go to Gautami. If she is satisfied you will have a king worshipped by the world." 

O excellent sage, they went to the river Gautami and eulogized her. 

Medicinal herbs said: 

9. O Gautami, of meritorious waters, Obeloved of Sambhů if you had not come down to the Earth, could the people with miseries arising from their contact with different sins, have found it possible io live? 

10. Who knows the fate of persons on the Earth, O qucen of rivers? O mother Gangă, you are the destroyer of their sins. You arc casily accessible to them for ever. 

11. O Gangā, worthy of being honoured by the three worlds, O mother of the worlds, docs anyone understand your real greatess? Although his body is closely embraced by Gaurī, lord Shiva holds you on his head. 

12. Obcisance to you, O mother, bestower of all desired objects! Obcisance to you, O destroyer of sins, O goddess identical with Brahmān! Obeisance to you, O river, rising from the lotus-like feet of Vişhnu! Obeisance to you, O river rising from the matted hair of Shambhu ! 

Brahmā said: 

13-16. Even as they were eulogizing thus the goddess said: "What shall I give you?"

Medicinal herbs said: 

O mother of the universe, give us a husband, a king of cxcessive splendour.

Brahmā said: 

Then the river Gangă spoke these words to the medicinal herbs. 

Ganga said: 

I am of the nature of Nectar, the medicinal herbs are mothers of nectarous nature. I shall give you Soma (Moon) as your husband as he has nectar within, 

Brahmā said: 

17-20. Devas, sages, Moon and medicinal herbs accepted that proposal. Thereafter, they went to their respective abodes. Where the great medicinal herbs obtained the king of nectarous soul, thc Moon, the dispeller of all distresses and sins, that boly centre is known as Somatirtha. It bestows the benefit of drinking the Soma juice. If a person takes a holy plunge there and distributes monetary (and other) gifts his deceased ancestors will attain hcavenly abode. 

He who listens to this daily, or reads, or remembers it devoutly obtains a long life. He shall have sons. He shall be rich.