64 - Chakratirtha and other Holy Centres

Brahmā said: 

1. The holy centre well known as Chakratirtha destroys sins by mere remembrance. I shall recount its greatness. Listen attentively, O Nārada. 

2. Seven sages with Vasiştha as their leader are well-known, Osage. They resorted to the banks of Gautamī and began to perform Satrayajña. 

3. When a terrible obstacle was started by the Rākşhasas there, the sages approached me and intimated to me the activities of the demons. 

4-5. Then, O Nārada, I created the form of a young maiden, by means of Maya. Saying, "By the mere sight of this (woman) the Räkşhasas shall perish", I gave that young maiden to the sages, O sage. At my instance, the sages went back taking Maya with them. 

6-8. That Maya exists in physical form even today well known by the name of Muktakesī (one whose tresses are loose). She is Ajā (unborn) and Ekā (single) and has black and red forms. She can assume any form as she pleases. She inflicts delusion in all the three world. On account of her power the excellent sages had peace of mind. They went to Gautami, the excellent river, and got themselves initiated for the Yajñas once again. Again the Rakshasas came there to destroy that sacrifice. 

9. On sceing Mayā near the sacrificial ground the leading Rakshasas began to dance, sing, laugh and cry. 

10-11. The great Mäyă of Maheśvara was excessively proud on account of her power. Among them there was the lord of Daityas named Sambara. He was valorous and he devoured the young woman of the form of Mayā, O Nārada. It was extremely surprising to those persons who had seen the power of Māyā. 

12. When the sacrifice was being destroyed they sought refuge in Vişhnu. Then Vişhņu gave his discus for the protection of sages. 

13. That discus chopped off the Daityas, Danujas and Rākşhasas in the battle. The leading Rakshasas died on account of their fear of it. 

14. That great Satra was completed by the sages. Sudarsana, the discus of Vişhnu, was washed by the waters of Ganga. 

15-16. Thenceforth that holy centre is cited as Chakratīrtha. By taking holy bath and offering charitable gifts there one shall obtain the fruit of Satra sacrifice. 

There are five hundred holy centres that dispel sins. Taking holy dip and the offering of charitable gifts in each of them yields liberation.