Brahma Purana

33 - Sami and other Holy Centres

Brahmā said:

1. The holy centre well known as Samitirtha subdues all sins. I shall narrate it. Listen to it attentively, O Nārada.

2. There was a Kshatriya named Priyavrata. He was the most excellent of all conquerors. He was initiated for a horse sacrifice by his preceptor on the southern bank of Gautami.

3-6. Vasiştha was the priest of that king of powerful arms.

When that horsc-sacrifice wherein the sages were the Rutviks (officiating priests), began, a Dänava named Hiranyäksa came to that sacificial chamber. Devas with Indra as their leader became frightened on seeing that demon. Some of them went to heaven. Havyavăț (Fire-god) entered the Sami tree. Vişhnu went to the Asvattha (the holy fig tree), Bhānu (Sun-god) went to the Aruka plant. Siva went to the Vata (Banyan) tree. Soma Moon) went to the Palāśa tree. Havyavāhana (Fire-god) went to the waters of Ganga. The Asvins (Twin gods) took the sacrificial horse (and fled). Yama turned himself into a crow.

7. In the meantime, the holy sage Vasistha took up a Yașți (thick stick) and commanded demons to stop.

8. Then the sacrifice began to function again. The Daitya who had his own intrinsic strength went away. Thereafter these holy centres became auspicious. They bestow the benefits of ten horse-sacrifices.

9. The first holy centre is Samitirtha. The second holy centre is Vaisnava. The other holy centres, viz. Aruka (belonging to Sun-god), Saiva (belonging to Siva), Saumya (belonging to Moon-god) and Väsiştha (belonging to Vasiştha) are the bestowers of all cherished things.

10-12. When the elaborate horse sacrifice had been completed Devas and sages became pleased. They spoke to Vasiştha, Priyavrata the sponsor of the sacrifice, those trees and Ganga with great joy: "These have gone here and there for the fulfilment of horse-sacrifice. The holy centres bestow the benefit of horse sacrifice." Devas said thus. Therefore, by taking holy dip and distributing charitable gifts in these holy centres, one surely attains the benefit of a horse sacrifice.

Summary of chapter 33 of the Brahma Purana is as follows:

The sacred Śamī tree (Prosopis spicigera), associated with Viṣṇu and used in fire rituals, has its own tīrtha on Gautamī's banks. A cluster of adjacent holy sites is described, each sanctified by specific divine associations, and the cumulative merit of visiting this entire cluster is praised.