51 - Vidarbhāsangama and other Holy Centres.

Brahmă said: 

1. Vidarbhā-Sangama (the confluence of Vidarbha and Ganga) is holy. So also is Revati-Sangama. What happened there I shall narrate. It is what those conversant with the Puranas knew. 

2. There was a sage known as Bharadvāja. He was superior to others in penance. His sister Revati was ugly in form. Her voice was disgusting. 

3-6. On seeing her deformed and loathsome her brother, the valorous Bharadvāja was extremely worried. He had his splendid hermitage on the southern bank of Gangā where he sat pondering thus: "To whom shall I give this girl, my sister of terrible features. No one will take her, but my sister has to be given away. Oh! no one should have a girl who is the sole cause of misery, a veritable death at every step even to a living being!" 

Even as he was pondering thus, an excellent sage came there to see Bharadvāja, a regular observer of vows. 

7. He was a quiet young man of sixteen years with a splendid body. He was a mine of good qualities with subdued sense-organs. He was known by the name of Katha. He bowed down to Bharadvaja. 

8. Bharadvaja duly honoured that brahmin Katha. Standing in front of him he asked Katha the purpose of his visit. 

9. Katha said to Bharadvāja: "I have come to you as a student seeking learning and as a person desirous of seeing you. What is proper (in this situation) may be done." 

10. Bharadvāja spoke to Katha: “Study whatever you desire, such as Purāņa, Smrutis, Vedas and the various treatises on Dharma (virtue). 

11. I know everything, O highly intelligent one. Speak something sweet. Do not delay. It is only through merits that one gets a disciple who is of noble birth, who is engaged in piety, who is devoted to the service of his preceptors, who is proud (of his heritage) and who grasps what is heard."

Katha said: 

12. O brahmin, teach me, your disciple. I am devoid of sins. I am eager to serve you. I am your devotee. I am of noble birth and a speaker of truth.

Brahmā said: 

13. Saying "So be it", Bharadvaja imparted to him all knowledge. After acquiring knowledge, Katha was delighted and he spoke to Bharadvaja:

Katha said: 

14. O preceptor, I would like to give you your fee. Tell me what is thought desirable by you, even if it be a very rare thing. Obeisance be to you. 

15. Even after acquiring learning if there are persons who, out of delusion, do not give a suitable present to the preceptor, they fall into hell and remain there as long as the Moon and stars shine. 

Bharadvāja said: 

16. Duly accept this girl. Make my sister your wife; you must treat her lovingly, I ask for this as my fee.

Katha said: 

17. A disciple should always be like a younger brother or son to his preceptor. A preceptor should be like a father. How can then there be an alliance here?

Bharadvāja said: 

18. You make my statement true. What I command you should be offered as Dakşhiņa by you. Remembering everything, O Katha, support and maintain Revati with your mind directed to her.

Brahmā said: 

19-22. Saying "So be it'' Katha grasped the hand of Revati at the instance of his preceptor after she had been duly offered. 

On seeing her Katha worshipped Shankara, lord of Devas there itself for the sake of Revati's beauty as well as Siva's favour. (As a result of that) Revati became beautiful with all her limbs very fascinating. In beauty she became incomparable. The water of ablution persormed by Ravati flowed down and joined Ganga. That turned out to be a river named after her. It is reputed as Revati. It betows beauty and conjugal bliss. 

23-26. Again with various kinds of Darbha grass he per- formed consecration by sprinkling water for attaining holy form and features. That water became the river Vidarbha. 

By taking a holy dip in the confluence of Revati and Ganga with great faith a man is freed from all sins and he is honoured in the world of Vişhnu. 

In the same manner, O sage, if a man takes a holy bath in the confluence of Vidarbha and Gautami, with full faith, he instantaneously attains worldly pleasures and salvation. 

There are altogether a hundred holy centres on the banks of the river. They dispel all sins. They bestow all spiritual achicvements.