24 - Sveta and other Tirthas

Brahmā said: 

1. The holy centre known as Sveta Tirtha in the three worlds is very auspicious. On being simply remembered it rids people of all sins. 

2. Formerly, there was a brahmin Sveta who was the dearest friend of Gautama. He stayed on the bank of Gautami river and was engaged in the worship of guests. 

3-5. He was devoutly attached to Shiva in thought, words and deeds. That excellent brahmin continued to meditate on and worship Shiva till the last days of his life. When his days were over, the messengers of lord Yama came there to take away that excellent brahmin devoted to Siva, but, O Nārada, they were not able even to enter his abode. When the time passed away Chitraka spoke to the god of) Death.

Chitraka said: 

6. O Mrutyu, why does not Sveta come yet? His span of life has come to an end. Nor have the messengers of Mrutyu too come yet. Why? This pazzles me.

Brahmā said: 

7. The infuriated Mrutyu thereupon went himself to the abode of Sveta. Seeing his messengers highly frightened and standing mum, Mrutyu said, "What is the matter, O messengers?” 

The messengers then said to Mrutyu.

The Messengers said: 

8. We are not able even to look at Sveta who is protected by Siva. What terror can there be to those with whom Shiva is pleased! 

Brahmā said: 

9-11. Then Mrutyu with the noose in his hand entered the place where that brahmin was worshipping Siva. The brahmin was not at all aware of either Yama's servants or Mrutyu himself. 

On seeing Mrutyu holding the noose and standing near Sveta who was worshipping Shiva with devotion the surprised Nandin said:

Nandin said: 

O Mrutyu, what do you see here? 

Mrutyu spoke to Nandin.

Mrutyu said: 

12-15. I came here to take away Sveta. Hence I am looking for the excellent brahmin.

Nandin said: 

Go out, go out.

Brahma said: 

Then Mrutyu threw up the noose against Sveta. O great sages, Nandin then became angry. Nandin hit Mrutyu with the baton given by Siva. Mrutyu fell on the ground. Then the messengers saw that Mrutyu was struck down. They intimated the incident to Yama. 

16-20. Then Dharma whose vehicle is buffalo and who controls all addressed his attendants and associates, viz. Chitra gupta, Kāla, Yamadanda, buffalo, ghosts and vampires, Ādhis, Vyadhis, ailments of eyes, belly and ears, the three types of fever, sins, and hells severally. "Hurry up, hurry up", said Yama to them and himself proceeded ahead, surrounded by these and others, to the place where Sveta the excellent brahmin was worshipping Siva. On seeing Yama approaching, Nandin who was wielding his weapons said to Vinayaka, Skanda and Bhūtanātha (Chief of Gliosts) who was whirling a baton (to be ready). Then a fight ensued which terrified the worlds. 

21. Karuttikeya pierced the servants of Yama by means of his javelin. He killed Yama, the powerful ruler of the southern quarter. 

22-24. The followers of Yama who survived intimated this to Aditya. On hearing about that extremely wonderful event Aditya approached me accompanied by Devas and followed by the guardians of quarters. 

Lord Vişhnu, Indra, Agni, Varuna, moon, sun, Aśvins, Maruts and I-all of us went to Yama. 

25-26. The powerful lord of the southern quarter was lying dade on the bank of Ganga. Seas, serpents, rivers and living beings came there in order to see Yama the lord of Devas and son of the god Sun. On seeing Yama with all his armies killed Devas became frightened. With palms joined in reverence they said to Sambhu. 

Devas said: 

27-30. You always possess the quality of being fond of your devotees and that of slaying the wicked. O primordial Maker, obeisance to you. O blue-throated lord, obeisance to you. O lord, fond of Brahmă, obeisance to you. O lord, fond of Devas, obeisance to you. 

Yama and his attendants were unable to take away the brahmin Sveta whose span of life has come to an end, (because) he is your devotee. On seeing the great lord they remain contented. O lord, truly you possess the quality of being fond of your devotees. 

Even Yama, the annihilator is not able to look at those per- sons who have sought refuge in you, the merciful lord. After realising this, O lord, they worship you with devotion. 

You alone are the lord of worlds; you alone are the leader of worlds; without you none is competent? Excepting you who will be competent to make this arrangement?

Brahmā said: 

31. Even as they were eulogizing him lord Shiva appeared in front of them. He asked them pleasantly: "What shall I give you?" Devas said: 

32-34. This is Dharma, the son of Vivasvat and the Controller of all embodied beings. He has been established in the arrange- ment of Dharma and Adharma. He is the guardian of southern quarter. 

He does not deserve death. He is not an offender. He is not a sinner. Without him no work of the creator of Universe can take place. 

Hence, O Lord of Devas, revive Yama along with his army and vehicles. O lord, a request can never be fruitless in regard to great men. It is certainly fruitful. 

Brahma said: 

35. Then the lord said, "Certainly I shall revive him: undoubtedly I shall make Yama come back to life, if Devas agree to my suggestion now." 

36. Then Devas said: "We shall do as you bid - you in whose control the entire Universe along with Hari, Brahma and others function." 

37-38. Then the lord said to Devas who gathered there: "Let not my devotee undergo death." 

"No", said Devas, "In that case, O lord, the people including the mobile and immobile will become immortal. O lord, idential with the universe, then there will not be any difference between mortals and immortals." 

39-42. Shiva said to them again:"You listen to my speech. We are the perpetual masters of our devotees, and the devotees of Vişhnu who resort to Gautami. Mrutyu does not deserve that lordship and mastery. Yama should never discuss them nor talk to them. They should never be attacked by worries and physical ailments, etc. Those who seek refuge in Shiva are liberated at the very moment. They are worthy of being bowed to by Yama along with his followers." Then Devas said to lord Siva, "Let it be so". 

43-46. Then the holy lord spoke to Nandin, his vehicle.

Shiva said: 

Sprinkle the dead Yama with the waters of Gautamī.

Brahma said: 

Then Yama and his attendants were sprinkled by Nandin. They woke up alive and went to their abode. 

Vişhnu and Devas stayed on the northern bank of Gautami worshipping Maheśvara, lord of Devas. 

47-50. On the northern bank the following numbers of holy centres were established: (a)eighty thousand, (b) fourteen thousand, (c) six thousand and (d) six thousand. Thus there were one hundred and six thousand holy centres on the northern bank. On the southern bank there came to be (a) six thousand, (b) thirty thousand holy centres. Thus there are thirty six thousand holy centres on the southern bank. O Nārada, the recounting of Svetatirtha is meritorious. The place where Mrutyu fell down is called Mrutyu Tirtha. By merely remembering it one lives upto a thousand years. The holy dip and the offering of charitable gifts there destroys sins. If it is listened to read or remembered it removes impurities. It yields worldly pleasures and salvation to the people.