69 - Khadgatirtha and other Holy Centres

Brahmā said: 

1. The holy centre Khadgatirtha is on the northern bank of Gautami. By taking holy plunge there and offering charitable gifts a man attains salvation. 

2. I shall tell you what happend there. Listen attentively, O Nārada. There was a brahmin well known as Pailūşha. He was the son of Kavaşha. 

3. On account of the burden of maintaining a large family he began to run about here and there seeking wealth. But he did not get anything. Then he became detached from the world and lost interest in worldly affairs. 

4. When the fate is extremely adverse and manly endeavour becomes futile nothing else lends support to a learned man except Vairágya (freedom from passionate attachement to worldly things). 

5-9. Thereupon, he began to sigh frequently and think thus: "I do not possess any hereditary wealth. I have many dependents to maintain. But the soul is proud. It cannot bear any stress and strain. Fie upon the doings of the evil fate!" 

Once he got some job. In that job he did not get adequate amount. Then he became dejected and detached (and said): “Service is prohibited. If at all there is anything (not prohibited) it is inaccessible (to me). Penance is very difficult to perform. Greed drags me forcibly towards evil activities. O Truşhna, it is out of ignorance that you have acted against me. Hence, obeisance be to you." 

After thinking thus and after considering what he should do to sever all bondages the highly intelligent Pailūşha spoke to his father.

 Pailūşha said: 

10. O saintly lord, O dear father, tell me that means where by I can allay anger and greed as well as cross (the ocean of) worldly existence that cannot be crossed, by the sword of perfect knowlcdge. 

Kavaşha said: 

11. One shall seek perfect knowledge from Ishvara-so says the Vedic text. Hence, propitiate him. You shall obtain perfect knowledge from Ishvara. 

Brahmä said: 

12. Saving "So be it", Pailūsha worshipped Iśhvara for the sake of knowledge. Thereupon, lord Isäna who was delighted granted him perfect knowledge. That (brahmin) of superior intelligence spoke these wise things, that bestow salvation upon the seeker. 

Pailūsha said: 

13-17. The first enemy is Krodha (Anger). Even if it is ineffective (for others) it burns one's own body. By appeasing it by means of perfect knowledge one shall obtain supreme bliss. 

Greediness is of different types. It is deceptive. It is binding. It causes sins. By killing it by the sword of perfect knowledge a man becomes happy. 

Contact (with sensual objects) is a great evil even to Devas and others. So says the Vedic text. This contact is a great enemy of the soul though it is free from contact. 

By destroying this by the sword of perfect knowledge one shall attain identity with Siva. Doubt is highly destructive. It causes the destruction of virtue and wealth. 

By destroying it one shall obtain the greatest of one's cherished desires. Hope possesses one like a female vampire. It burns all happiness. By destroying it, one shall attain the state of liberatcd soul.

 Brahmā said: 

18-20. Then, after acquiring perfect knowledge he resorted to the banks of Ganga. He got rid of delusion by perfect knowledge. Then he attained release. 

Thenceforth that holy centre is remembered as Khadgatīrtha, (It is also known as) Jñanatirtha, Kavaşha and Pailūsha. It bestows all cherished desires. 

Great sages have mentioned about this and six thousand other holy centres. They dispel all sins and depressing agonies entirely and bestow what is desired.