73 - Siddhatirtha and other Holy Centres 

Brahma said: 

1. The holy centre well known as Siddhatīrtha is conducive to the achievement of all spiritual powers by men. The lord there is Hara (called) Siddheśhvara. I shall describe its efficacy. 

2. Ravana who was born in the family of Pulastya and who made the world cry aloud conquered all the quarters and then went to the world of Soma. 

3. As the ten-headed demon was about to fight with Soma I spoke to him. "O ten-headed one, desist from the fight with Soma. I shall grant you a Mantra." 

4. After saying this, o Närada, I granted to the great Rākşhasa the Mantra comprising one hundred and eight names of Siva. I granted that Mantra for the purpose of peace. 

5. In this world Siva alone is the refuge of men who are devoid of splendour, who are subjected to adversity and who experience different kinds of stress and strain. No one else can be so. 

6. Thereafter, he desisted (from the fight). The demon attained victory in the world of Soma. Accompanied by his ministers, the proud ten-headed demon hurriedly went through all the worlds seated in his (aerial chariot) Puşhpaka. 

7. Visiting heaven, firmament, earth, serpents, elephants and brahmins he espied the great mountain Kailasa that was the abode of lord Siva. 

8-9. On seeing these, the courageous Ravana whose mind had become pride-puffed approached them and said. 

Rāvana said: 

Who is that noble soul who dwells on this mountain? I shall uproot this from the ground and take this mountain (to Lankā). After reaching Lankä this mountain will become really splendid. Lankā too shall attain glory,

Brahma said: 

10-11. On hearing these words and having understood the feelings of the lord of Rakshasas the ministers of the demon said, 

“This is not proper". The great demon did not agree to the suggestion. Stopping the aerial chariot Pushpaka, the demon leapt on to the root of the mountain Kailasa. The ten-headed one shook the mountain. 

12-17. Since he had defeated the lords of thc quarters the ten-headed demon Rāvana had become proud. He began to shake thc Kailasa to and fro. Therefore the lord pressed it with his thumb (big toe). As a result of that the ten-headed one was pressed down into the nether worlds. His body was bruised. He lamented loudly. On hearing it the lord laughed along with the goddess. What Rāvaņa desired for was granted. Although he was infuriated, Sambhu became pleased with him. There is no doubt about this that Sambhu bestows boons even on the undeserving people. 

After obtaining excellent boons the heroic (Rāvana) went away happily by the grace of Bhava. On his way to Lanka he went to Gargă born of Sambhu's matted hair, for the purpose of worshipping the lord. 

After worshipping Sambhu by the waters of Ganga and repeating various kinds of Mantras, Rāvana whose inherent strength was not of an inferior quality obtained a sword from Siva whose crest jewel is the crescent moon. He obtained Siddhis (miraculous powers) and all types of desired prosperity. 

I had granted him a Mantra for the pupose of saving the Moon. He worshipped Bhava and practised that Mantra. When the (efficacy of the) Mantra was achieved, the lord of the demons went to Lanka again, contented. 

Thenceforth this holy centre is extremely efficacious. It bestows great Siddhis and cherished desires. It destroys all sins. It is frequented by all Siddhas.