48 - Asvattha and other Tirthas

1. There are some other holy centres, viz. Aśvattha, Pippala and Mandatirtha in the North. Listen to their excellence. 

2. Formerly, the saintly lord Agastya of the southern quarter was induced by Devas to make a request to Vindhya mountain. 

3-5. Surrounded by one thousand sages he approached Vindhya mountain abounding in trees of various kinds. With enumerable peaks Vindhya was trying hard to excel in height mountain Meru and the Sun. He had risen to a great height. Sage Agastya, the strong-willed husband of Lopamudrā, was received with great acclaim along with other brahmins. The sage praised the mountain and spoke with the accomplishment of the object of Devas in mind.

Agastya said: 

6. I am going on a pilgrimage, O excellent Mountain, along with these sages, the seers of truth. I am going in the southern direction. 

7. O lord of mountains, give me the way, I beg of you. Accord me a hospitable welcome. Till I return you should stay thus. 

8. It should not be otherwise. "So be it”, said the excellent mountain surrounded by sages. Sage Agastya went in the southern direction. 

9. Slowly and slowly he went to Gautami and got initiated for the sacrifice. Surrounded by sages he performed the sacrifice for a year. 

10. There were two sinful sons of Kaitabha. They were Räkshasas, the source of vexation to the virtuous. They were known in the abode of Devas as Asvattha and Pippala. 

11. Asvattha disguised himself as the holy fig tree and Pippala assumed the form of a brahmin. Both of them were anxious to destroy the sacrifice. 

12. The evil-minded Dänavas assumed the desired forms Asvattha the form of a tree and Pippala the form of a brahmin. 

13. Both of them harassed brahmnins daily, O saint. Whoever touched Aśvattha was devoured by that tree. 

14. Pippala, the younger Räkshasa posed, as a chanter of Såmans and devoured his disciples. That is why even today the chanters of Sāmans among the brahmins are devoid of com passion. 

15-16. On seeing the brahinins dwindling in number the sages rcalized that they were being devoured by the Rakshasa. The intelligent sages approached Sanaiscara (Saturn), son of the Sun-god, who was performing penance on the southern bank of Gautami and observing the holy rites. They reported to him the (mischievous) activities of the two Räkşhasas. 

17. The son of the Sun-god said to the sages: "I shall kill those Rakshasas, brahmins, when I complete my penance. With the penance (as yet) incomplete I am powerless to kill them.” 

18. Again, the sages said: "We shall give you the benefit of our penance". 

On being told thus by the brahmins the son of Sun-god said to them, "It is done". 

19. Saturn, the son of the Sun-god, approached the Rakshasa in the form of a holy fig. Saturn was in the guise of a brahmin. As a brahmin he circumambulated the Rakshasa. 

20. As he circumambulated the Rākşhasa the sinful demon thought that he was an ordinary brahmin. He therefore ate him up by his power of Māyā. 

21-23. After entering his body, Saturn looked at histestines. On being looked at by Saturn the sinful Rakshasa was reduced to ashes like a mountain struck down by thunderbolt. 

After reducing Aśvattha to ashes he went to the other Rakshasa who was equally the abode of sin and who had assumed the form of a brahmin. He approached the Räkshasa with humility as a disciple would approach his preceptor. 

24. As usual Pippala devoured Saturn, the son of Sun-god. When Saturn-entered his body he looked at the intestines in the belly of the Rakshasa. 

25-27. The moment he was looked at by Saturn the Räkshasa was reduced to ashes. After killing both of them Saturn said: "What remains to be done now? Let all sages tell me". 

Then the sages with Agastya as their head became pleased. They granted boons to Saturn, the slow moving son of the Sungod. 

Being pleased, the powerful Saturn spoke to the brahmins:

Saturn said: 

28. The tasks of the people will be accomplished when they touch the holy fig tree on my day after observing all holy rites. They will not have any trouble arising from me. 

29. There is another boon: The tasks of the people will be accomplished when they take a holy plunge in the holy centre Aśvattha. 

30-33. (The following Mantra is to be recited) "O holy fig tree, subdue immediately the throbbing of my eyes, the throbbing of my arms, the effects of bad dreams, vicious thoughts and suppress my enemies too." 

On Saturdays men should get up early in the morning, O divine sage. They should meditatc on Shiva. Repeating the above Mantra they should touch the holy fig tree. Thus the evil effects due to adverse planets will be dispelled.

Brahmă said: 

Thercafter, they know this holy centre as Asvattha and Pippala. There are other holy centres known as Saturn, Agastya, Sätrika, Yājāika and Samaga. Sixteen thousand and eight holy centres originated in this manner. A holy plunge therein and distribution of holy gifts yield the benefit of all sacrifices.