45 - Seșatirtha and other Holy Centres

Brahmā said: 

1. The holy centre known as Sesatirtha grants all cherished desires. I shall describe its features which have already been stated by me. 

2. The great Näga (serpent) named Sesa was the lord of nether worlds. Surrounded by all Någas he went to Rasätala. 

3. This lord of Någas was ousted (from Rasätala) by Rākşhasas, Daityas and Danujas who entered Rasätala. He there fore became agitated and spoke to me. 

Seşha said: 

4. Rasätala had been given by you to Räkşhasas as well as to me. They do not give me room. Hence, I am seeking refuge in you. 

5. Then I said to him. "Go to Gautami, O Nāga. By culogizing Mahādeva there you will get everything you desire. 

6. There is no other holy centre in the three worlds which can accord what you desire". 

Induced by my suggestion the Näga took his holy plunge in Gangā carcfully. With palms joined in reverence, he eulogized the lord of Devas.

Seșha said: 

7-9. Obeisance to the lord of three worlds, the destroyer of Daksha's sacrifice. Obeisance to you, the primordial Maker. Obeisance to the lord identical with the three worlds. 

Obeisance to the thousand-headed one. Obeisance to the lord carrying out the duty of annihilation. Obeisance to you having the form of Kala. Save me, O Sankara, Lord of everything, save me, o lord of Moon, o lord accompanied by Uma, O omnipresent one. O lord of the universe, obeisance to you; Give me whatever I desire in my mind.

Brahma said: 

10-14. Then the delighted Maheśvara granted boons desired by the Nāga. For the destruction of enemies of Devas-Daityas, Dänavas and Rakshasas, he gave Sesa a trident. Then he was advised by Shiva, "Kill the leading enemies by means of this". 

Along with the other Nāgas he returned to Rasatala and killed his enemies in battle. 

After killing Daityas, Dänavas and Rākşhasas with his trident he returned to the place where Lord Hara, Seşeśvara was present. 

A crevasse appeared in the path whereby the king of Nāgas came from Rasatala to the place where the lord was present, in order to see the lord. 

The holy water of Ganga flowed through that crevasse. It is the bestower of great merit. 

15-16. That water flowed to Ganga. Beyond that is the conflu- 

ence of Ganga. There is a big sacrificial pit in front of the lord. At the place where the Näga performed Homa a fire remained present always. The water became hot. It is here that we have the confluence of Ganga. 

17. After propitiating the lord of Devas the delighted Näga of great fame attained what he desired from Shiva and went to Rasātala. 

18. Thereafter that holy centre is called Nāgatirtha. It is holy. It fulfils all desires. It destroys sickness and poverty. 

19-20. It is conducive to longevity. It is holy and bestower of fortune. Through holy dips and distribution of gifts it yields salvation. He who listens and reads this with devotion, he who remembers this attains salvation. The place where Shiva handed over the trident to Seșha is the holy centre Seșeśvara. 

There are altogether, O eminent sage, two thousand one hundred holy centres on the banks (of the river). They bestow all riches.