105 - The Benefits of listenings to the Purana

Nārada said: 

1-2. O lord of Suras, O master of the Suras, you say that the holy Ganga has three presiding deities. She had been brought down by a Brahmin and she is a splendid river sanctifying the Universe. On both of her banks at the beginning, middle and end she is pervaded by Vişhnu, Isha (Shiva) and you, O most excellent one among the Suras. Narrate once again succinctly. I have not been fully satisfied. 

Brahma said: 

3-4. At the outset she was stationed in a Kamandalu (waterpot). Then she flowed from the feet of Vişhnu. Thereafter she was stationed within the mess of the matted hair of Maheśhvara. It is bowed to by all. Thanks to the Brahminical power, it was brought to the holy mountain after propitiating Shiva assiduously. Thereafter she proceeded towards the eastern sea. 

5. Proceeding thus the divine river joined the sea. She has all the Tirthas (on her banks) and fulfils all the desires of men. Her power is unique. 

6. I do not think that there is any Tirtha superior to it in all the three worlds. Whatever thing one cherishes in one’s heart can be realized by her own power. 

7-8. Till today her greatness has not been adequately described by anyone. Whatever little is mentioned is out of devotion. This is my opinion that there will not be any Tīrtha greater than this river which is virtually Brahman (Supreme Absolute) itself. There cannot be any propriety in comparing her with another Tīrtha. 

9. Wherefore has the intellcct of everyone not been rendered completely calm even after hearing the eulogy of the Gangā through the nectar-like statements of mine? O sage, this appears to be the most mysterious thing in all the three worlds. 

Narada said: 

10-12. You are fully conversant with piety, wealth, love and salvation and hence competent to advise thereon. The Vedas with their sccrets, the Purāņas and the Smrtis and whatever there is besides—all these are rooted in your utterance. O lord, kindly mention which is the best and foremost among the Tirthas, Dānas, Yajñas, Tapas”, services to the deities and practising of the Mantras. O lord, whatever you say with devotion should necessarily be so and not otherwise. 

13. O Brahman, it behoves you to dispel this doubt of mine. 

On hearing from him what had been lurking within his mind Brahma was surprised and he said:

Brahmā said: 

14. Listen, O Närada. I shall tell you the secret of the excellent Dharma. 

The Tīrthas are of four kinds. The Yugas also are as many. 

15. The Guņas are three, the Puruşhas are three and the eternal deities are three. The Vedas in combination with the Smrutis are enumereted as four. 

16. The aims of human life are four; speech is of four kinds. The Guņas too are four along with Samatva (equilibrium), O Närada. 

17. Dharma (piety, righteousness) is universal everywhere because virtue is eternal. That too is considered to be of various kinds inasmuch as the Sadhya (what is to be attained) and Sadhana (means of attaining) are different. 

18. Its basis always is of two kinds--place and time. Dharma with the time as the basis waxes and wancs for ever. 

19. In accordance with the Yugas it wanes quarter by quarter, O highly intelligentone. Dharma stands in need of Desa (Place) in both respects. 

20. Dharma based on time is ever firmly established in Desa. When the Yugas wane Dharma does not wane in the Deśas. 

21. If it were to be wanting in both Dharma would have been totally non-existent. Hence Dharma based on Deśa has the full complement of the four quarters. 

22. That Dharma abides in the Deśas in the form of Tirthas. In the Kruta Yuga Dharma Jeans on the prop of Deśa and Käla and settles down. 

23. In the Tretă Yuga Dharma is deficient in one Pada but has the full complement of the four quarters in respect to Deśa. In Dväpara the deficiency is half in respect to Time but in Deśa it is fully present. 

24. In the Kaliyuga Dharma moves about unsteadily on one leg (having only a quarter of itself). But it does not wane for one who comprehends Dharma in this way. 

25. The differences in castes are maintained in accordance with the power of the Yugas. Dharma is of diverse nature as it follows Guņas and those who work according to Guņas. 

26. It is in accordance with the Guņas that the Tirthas, Varnas, Vedas, heaven and salvation take their origin or lose their power. 

27. By virtue of such a form and activity Dharma becomes unique. Kāla is said to be Abhivyañjaka (that which makes something manifest) and Deśa is said to be Abhivyangya (that which is manifested). 

28. Whenever Kāla assumes Abhivyakti (manifestation) that itself, O Brahman, is its token. Hence there is no doubt in this respect. 

29. The form of the Devas and the Vedas shall be in accordance with the Yugas. Those of Karmans (rites), Tīrthas, castes and stages of life too are in accordance with the Yugas). 

30. A Tirtha having three presiding deities is adored in all the worlds in the Satyayuga; in the other Yuga (i.e. Tretā) that with two presiding deities; and in the Dväpara Yuga one with a single presiding deity. 

31. It should be known that there is no such thing in Kaliyuga. Now listen to another thing. In the Krutayuga a Tīrtha is Daiva (of divine significance). They know that the same in Tretă is Āsura (of Asura significance). 

32. It is said to be Ārsa (of the saintly significance) in Dvåpara and Mănușha (of human significance) in Kaliyuga. I shall henceforth mention another reason. Listen, O Nārada. 

33-35. What you have asked in respect to Gautami, I shall explain to you in detail. O great sage, ever since the Ganga came to the matted hair of Hara’s head she had become the great favourite of Sambhu. Umā, the goddess of the three worlds, the mother and benefactress of the universe, well known as the quiescent Sruti, the bestower of enjoyment of pleasures and salvation, knew this mental proclivity of the lord and said so to the elephant-faced one (Gajānana). 

Brahmā said: 

36. On hearing those words of his mother the elephant faced one spoke:

Gajavaktra said: 

37. What is to be done? Tell me my mother. Undoubtedly I shall do so. 

Brahmā said: 

38. Umà said this to her son, “Ganga is stationed in the matted hair of Maheśhvara and as such has truly become the favourite of Isha. Just make her come down. 

39. Further this is surprising that Isha occupies that place always, O son. Where Shiva stays, the Suras and the eternal Vedas too stay. 

40. The sages too stay there itself, so also all the men and the Manes. Hence make Ishäna, Maheśhvara the lord of the Devas, leave the place. 

41. When the lord is turned away from Ganga, they too are turned away. Listen to these words of mine. Turn Shankara away from her in every respect.”

Brahmā said: 

42. On hearing those words of his mother, Ganesvara said once again: 

43-46. “Lord Shiva cannot be turned away from her by me. In case Shiva is not turned away from her the Devas too cannot be turned away, O mother of the Universe. There is another reason too. Formerly Gangā was made to come down by Gautama, the noble-hearted sage, worthy of being worshipped by the entire world and the benefactor of all the three worlds. It was through the means suggested by me and adopted at your instance that the venerable Brahminical splendour propitiated the lord of the Devas, Bhava by means of austerities and prayers. At that time, that Gautama was told thus by the delighted Shankara.” 

Shankara said: 

47. O highly intelligent one, choose as boons all good and pleasing things that you cherish in your heart. I shall grant you everything that you may desire.

Brahmā said: 

48. When Gautama was told thus by Shiva, he said thus, even as I was listening: “O Shankara, to me who beg of you give the meritorious Gangā enmeshed in the matted hair. Of what avail to me is another boon?” 

Brahmā said: 

49. Sambhu, the benefactor of all the worlds, said to him once again:

Sambhu said: 

50. Something that is to your own benefit has not been mentioned. Hence request for something very difficult.

Brahmā said: 

51. With palms joined in reverence Gautama said to Bhava with his spirit undepressed: 

Gautama said: 

52. This itself is the most difficult thing that I have been able to see you. O Shankara, by your grace, that has been achieved by me today. 

53. Noble-minded persons become blessed and contented merely by remembering thy feet. What to speak when, Thou, the great Lord, have been seen directly? 

Brahmā said: 

54-56. When this was spoken by Gautama, Bhava said to the Brahmin with great delight: “Request has been made by you for helping the three worlds. O highly intelligent one, not for yourself. (Now) ask something for your own self”. 

On being told thus the Bralımin thought it over and begged Shiva with great humility and devotion with undepressed spirit. He made the request once again for rendering help unto all the worlds. Even as the guardians of the quarters were listening Gautama said thus: 

Gautama said: 

57. Inasmuch as the divine river extending up to the ocean has been released from Brahmă’s mountain, O bull-bannered one, it is incumbent upon thee to stay thereon everywhere and always, 

58. O lord of the worlds, thou alone art the giver of the fruit unto those who desire benefits. O lord of the Devas, other Tirthas are auspicious only in certain places. 

59. They know that place alone to be the yielder of auspiciousness where thy presence is constant. It is the place where Gangā stationed in the crown of thy matted hair has been handed ever. O Shankara, thou being present everywhere there are Tirthas (everywhere).

Brahma said: 

60. On hearing those words of Gautama, Shiva said again with delight:

Shiva said: 

61-64. A devotee may give away anything anywhere but that should be given with excessive devotion. He may offer libation unto the (departed) ancestors, he may listen to sacred stories, he may recite or remember them, O Gautama. Whatever the man does on the Gadávarī with due observances of vows bears ample fruit. Merely by remembering Gautami one acquires that piety and virtue that one obtains by gifting away the entire beautiful earth adorned with Dharma and consisting of mountains, forests and parks and decorated with gems and handed over with all medicinal herbs and the oceans too. O brahmin, the earth near the river Godavari is mentioned to be of this sort. 

65-67. O excellent brahmin, by performing holy ablution, Däna etc. devotedly in the great river Gautami, worthy of the veneration of the entire universe, a man obtains more merit than what is acquired by a wise devotee when he observes all the vows in my presence at the time of the solar of lunar eclipse and gifts away beautiful cows adorned with everything unto Vişhnu or a king along with their calves at a confluence famous all over the world. 

68. Hence the Ganga Godavarī led by you shall become the destroyer of all sins and the bestower of everything desired. 

Ganesvara said: 

69. O mother, this has been heard by me directly from Shiva who was speaking to Gautama. For this reason, Sambhu is invariably present in the Gangă. 

70-72. O mother, who can make that ocean of mercy leave the place? Still, Mother, this can be done. Fettered by the nooses of hindrances (i.e. due to unexpected obstructions,) men may not go to the Godāvarī though it is nearby. They may not bow down to Shiva nor remember the lord and eulogize him. However, Mother, I will do something for your satisfaction, for there is distress in disobeying what you say. Forgive me. 

Brahmā said: 

73-74. Ever since then, Vighnesha creates some obstacles in regard to men. He who devoutly goes to Gautami ignoring the obstacles gets his purpose fulfilled. No further duty remains for him. 

75. To the base man many obstacles do occur even as he desires to set off from his house. If he goes to the Ganga after setting his foot firmly over it does he not obtain any benefit from it? 

76. Who can describe its power (completely) should he be even Sadāśhiva himself? Everything has been succinctly narrated by me closely following the tradition and mythology. 

77. In the extensive mythological legends there is everything conducive to the attainment of piety, wealth, love and liberation in the entire world consisting of mobile and immobile beings. 

78. The Purana has been narrated for the benefit of all the worlds. It consists of many pious rites. If perused carefully it contributes to the good of the worlds. It contains everything mentioned in the Vedas. It consists of all the secret doctrines of the Shrutis. The very name (Purāņa) indicates that it is the cause of everything excellent. 

79. If anyone devoutly listens to or recites one verse or one word out of this or utters “Ganga”, “Ganga”, he shall obtain the spiritual benefit thereby. 

80. The word Gangā uttered or the water of the Gangā imbibed becomes excellent. It is cabable of destroying the stigma of Kali age. It is auspicious. It gives splendour and all Siddhis (super-natural powers). It is worthy of veneration in the world. It grants desired things. 

81. Well done, O Gautama! Welfare unto you. Who else is equal to you? It is you who eagerly brought this Gangā to the Dandaka forest. 

82. He who utters “Ganga Ganga” even from hundreds of Yojanas away becomes rid of all sins: He goes to the world of Vişhnu. 

83. In all the three worlds there are thirtyfive millions of Tirthas. When Jupiter is in the sign of Leo, all these Tirthas come to the Ganga for a bath. 

84. Holy ablution in the Bhagirathi for sixty-thousand years is equal to a single bath in the Godavari when Bruhaspati (Jupiter) is in Simha (Leo). 

85. O son, this Gautami grants salvation unto all men who bathe therein anywhere at any time. That is due to Shiva’s bidding. 

86. Merely by listening to it one gets that benefit which is obtained by performing thousands of Aśhvamedhas (Horse-sacrifices) or hundred of Vajapeya sacrifices. 

87. O Nārada, if this Purāņa narrated by Brahma is kept in the house by anyone he need not be afraid of the Kali age. 

88-90. This excellent Purāņa should not be narrated to anyone and everyone. This should be recited only to a noble hearted devotee of Vişhņu who is calm and has great faith. This accords worldly pleasures and salvation. It destroys sins. Merely by listening to it a man becomes contented and his desires are fulfilled. If one copies this and gives the book to a Brahmin, he gets rid of all sins. He never enters a womb thereafter.