83 - Bhāvatirtha and other Holy Centres

Brahma said: 

1. The holy centre where Bhava himself is present is called Bhāvatirtha. He is the immanent soul of the entire Universe. He is the soul of all living beings. He is of the form of existence and knowledge. 

2-3. In this context, I shall recount a splendid and holy story. Listen. There was a glorious king, the upholder of the burden of Kshatriyas (i.e. chief among them), the cause of the perpetuation of the Solar dynasty. He was called Prāchīnabarhis. He was the master of all holy rites. He ruled over his kingdom for three and a half crores of years. 

4-7 He had taken this vow-"When I cease to be young, when I get separted from my beloved wife, dear sons and other loveable objects, I will abandon my kingdom." This alone is proper on the part of discriminating persons of noble birth. Those who become disinterested in worldly affairs) when riches dwindle down remain somewhere in a lonely place. When he was ruling over his kingdom there was no separation from beloved persons anywhere. There was neither mental anguish nor physical ailment, neither famine, nor mutual quarrel among relatives. While he was ruling over his kingdom no one was separated (from his near and dear ones). 

8. Then, for the sake of a son the highly intelligent king performed a sacrifice. Thereupon the delighted lord granted him boons as he desired. 

9. To the king who was staying on the banks of Gautami lord Maheśhvara granted boons as he desired. The king accompanied by his wife said to Bhava, "Give me a son." 

10-11 Bhava said to the king lovingly, "See my third eye”. When the king looked at the eye of Bhava, O (Nárada), the bestower of honour, a son was born due to the dazzling splendour of the eye. He is well known by the name Mahima (Mahiman). It was by him that the well known sacred prayer Mahimnah (i. e. Sivamahimnah Stotram) was composed. 

12. What is it that cannot be obtained when the destroyer of the three cities (i. e. Śiva) is delighted. Hari, Brahma and other Devas follow him always. 

13-14. The king who had obtained a son requested for an excellent holy centre which by its power could grant fulfilment of cherished desires to men who are distressed on account of different kinds of adversities and who are overwhelmed by great sins, great ailments and vicious indulgence. Bhava (accordingly) imparted superiority to the centre which is called Bhāvatīrtha. 

15-16. By taking holy plunge and offering charitable gifts there one shall obtain all desirable things. It is due to the grace of Bhava that a son (named) Mahiman was born to Práchīnabarhis on the banks of Gautami. It is called Bhavatirtha. There are seventy holy centres there. They are sacred. They bestow everything.