70 - Anvindratirtha and other Holy Centres

Brahma said: 

1. The excellent holy centre Anvindra is well known as Ātreyatirtha also. I shall recount its efficacy. It is capable of giving back a lost kingdom. 

2. Atreya the lordly saint surrounded by Rutviks and sages began to perform Satras on the northern bank of Gautamī. 

3-5. Agni the carrier of Havyas became his Hotru priest. The Maheśhvari sacrifice dedicated to the supreme lord was thus performed. The brahmin acquired prosperity thereby as well as the ability to move about everywhere. The great brahmin was then able to visit the heavenly world, the beautiful abode of Indra and the nether worlds as he pleased on account of the power of his auspicious penance. 

Once, he went to heaven to the world of Indra. 

6-10. There he saw the thousand-eyed lord, Indra, sur rounded by the splendid Devas. He was being eulogized by the Siddhas and the Sadhyas. He was watching the excellent dance and listening to the sweet music. He was being fanned by the heavenly nymphs. 

He was being worshipped by those leading Devas who sat near him. He was seated on a grand seat. He had kept his son, Jayanta, on his lap and he was accompanied by Sachī. He was the grandest of all and he had the satisfaction of experiencing the highest conjugal pleasure. 

On seeing Mahendra who was worthy of being sought refuge in by the good men and who was the bestower of boons, the noble-souled leading brahmin was fascinated and deluded by the prosperity and glory of Indra. The sage desired for the kingdom of Indra. 

After being duly honoured and worshipped by gods he came back to his hermitage. As contrasted with the extremely beautiful city of Indra that is filled with meritorious qualities and embellished by jewels when he saw his own hermitage that was lacking in gold and devoid of lustre the brahmin experienced great pain. Desirous of getting the kingdom of Devas immediately, the son of the great sage Atri spoke to his beloved wife. 

Atreya said: 

11. When I remember the most sacred nectar and the various types of edibles there, the excellent seats, eulogy, charitable offerings, splendid assembly, miraculous weapons, clothes, city and parks, I am unable to eat the fruits and roots though they are excellent and well-consecrated. 

Brahmä said: 

12-13. Then the noble-souled sage empowered by his penance invoked Tvastr and spoke to him. 

Atreya said: 

O noble-souled one, I should like to possess the state of Indra. Quickly reproduce the region of Indra here. If you refuse to obey me I shall undoubtedly reduce you-to ashes. 

Brahmā said: 

14-18. "At the instance of the son of Atri, the lordly creator of creatures, Viśhvakarman hurriedly built Meru, the city of Devas, Kalpa trees, Kalpa creeper and the divine cow. He made splendid and variegated houses embellished with diamonds. He created a new Sachi who was free from blemish in respect of her limbs and who was as if the chamber of Cupid's sports. O wonderful! he created within a moment the divine assembly chamber Sudharmā. He created the charming heavenly nymphs, (the horse) Ucchaiņśravas and the elephant Airāvata. He made thunderbolt and other weapons. (In fact) he made all Devas. 

Though prevented by his beloved wife the son of Atri made (the new lady) resembling Sachi, his bride. At that time the son of Atri accompanied by the (other sages) beginning with Atri made weapons of the form of thunderbolt etc. He reproduced the dance, music etc. as was seen by him at the city of Indra. On acquiring all these things the great sage became extremely delighted in his mind. 

19. The sensual objects are beautiful only for the nonce. Still, who does not have a desire for them? On hearing about this, the Daityas, Dänavas and Rākşhasas became furious immediately. 

20. They began to ask: "Why had Indra come to the Earth after forsaking heaven? Was it for some secret enjoyment? Hence we shall go there from here in order to fight the slayer of Vștra, whose Satra is not of long duration." 

21. Then those Asuras came there and surrounded the son of Atri. After encircling the city built on the order of son of Atri and called by the name Indrapura, they began to attack Atreya. On being tortured by the great onslaught of weapons he became afraid and spoke to Indra. 

Atreya said: 

22-23. Even as he was born intelligent, Lord Indra embellished at first Devas by means of sacrifices. It is by his prowess that heaven and Earth are lifted aloft by the greatness of the lord protecting men. 

Brahmā said: 

After eulogizing Indra by the hymn the son of Atri spoke to his enemics. 

Atreya said: 

24. I am not Indra. Nor Sachi is mine. This is not Indra's city. Nor does this park belong to Indra. He alone is Indra. He is the slayer of Vrutra. He is the wielder of thunderbolt. He is the thousand-eyed lord. He is the suppressor of mountains. He is the thunderbolt-armed, 

25. I am only a brahmin conversant with the Vedas and surrounded by scholars. I am stationed on the banks of Gautami, Due to the evil fate I have committed an act which is no cause for happiness either today or in the future.

Asuras said: 

26. O Ātreya, withdraw all these imitations of Indra. Happiness will befall you really. There is no necessity for worry. 

Brahmä said: 

27-28. Atreya spoke again: "O highly fortunate ones, I shall definitely do as you say. As a token of truthfulness I shall touch the fire." 

After saying this to the demons he spoke again to Tvaştr. 

Atreya said: 

29-30. O Tvaştr, withdraw again the state of Indra that had been created by you out of love for me. Hasten to protect a brahmin. Give me once more my own state, my hermitage, the (old) animals and birds, trees, water etc., whatever had been here before. I have no us for those divine objects. Nothing that one irregularly acquires can be conducive to one's happiness. 

Brahmä said: 

31-33. Saying "So be it', Tvastr, lord of creatures, with drew (everything). The Daityas went to their own abodes after making the land free from trouble. 

Tvastr too went to his abode laughingly. Surrounded by his disciples and accompanied by his wife, Atreya resorted to the banks of Gautami. He became delighted by performing penance. As a great sacrificc was being performed he became ashamed (on account of his former blunder) and spoke these words: 

Atreya said: 

34-39. Oh the power of delusion! Oh my mind's confusion! Was the position of Mahendra obtained by me? What had been committed by me formerly? 

Brahmā said: 

As Ātrcya was speaking thus out of his shamefulness Devas came to him and said:

 Devas said: 

O mighty-armed one, get rid of your bashfulness. You will have excellent fame. Those living beings who take bath in Ātreyatirtha shall immediately become Indras. Merely by remembering it they shall cnjoy happiness. Wise men say that there are five thousand holy centres there. They are glorified by the names of Anvindra, Atreya and Daiteya. Holy plunge and charitable gifts there yield everlasting merit. 

Brahmā said: 

Aster saying thus Devas went away and the sage became contented.