90 - The Holy Centre Devāgamatirtha

Brahmā said: 

1. The holy centre Devagama is auspicious and it fulfils all cherished desires. It yields worldly pleasures and liberation to all men. It causes gratification of the manes. 

2. I shall describe in detail what happened there, to you, O Narada. Once there was great rivalry between Devas and Asuras for the sake of wealth. 

3-4. Heaven belonged to Devas and the Earth to Asuras. Having support of the Karmabhūmi (the Earth where one can perform holy rites and enjoy their fruits) the Asuras scattered themselves everywhere. Then the Asuras began to kill those who offered shares in Yajñas to Devas. Thereupon the groups of Devas were deprived of their shares in Yajñas. 

5-6. They were distressed. They came to me and said, “What should be done?” Devas were advised by me thus: “Defeat Asuras with your might. You will reach Earth and receive holy rites and great renown." 

Saying "So be it' Devas who had decided upon a war went to Earth. 

7. Daityas, Dānavas, Rakshasas proud of their strength joined together and marched. They also wanted to be victorious and sought war. 

8. There were the great warriors on the side of Asuras Ahi, Vrutra, Bali, son of Tvaştr (i.e. Trisiras), Namuchi, Sambara, Maya and many other warriors proud of their strength. 

9. (The leaders of Devas were) Agni, Indra, Varuna, Tvastr, Pūşan, Asvins, Maruts and the guardians of quarters. All of them were experts in different martial strategies. 

10. All those demons made great efforts in fighting in the southern quarter. They stationed themselves in the southern ocean. 

11. Formerly the excellent mountain Trikuta belonged to Rakshasas. All of them went to the southern ocean through the forests therein along with those (Dänavas etc.). 

12. All of them assembled on the mountain Malaya. This Malaya region also belonged to the enemies of Devas, 

13. The assembly of Devas took place on the banks of Gautamī because lord Siva is present there. 

14. Seated in their respective chariots Devas of pure thoughts came to the banks of Gautami, the mother of rivers. 

15. She was pleased with all. She was the bestower of cherished desires of the Pitrus. After eulogizing lord Maheśhvara Devas mutually discussed as to how to attain freedom from fear, Devas said: 

16. What shall be our means, should we be defeated by the enemies? Only one of these two shall be conducive to our welfare, victory or death, Fie upon the life of those who are overcome by the enemies (especially if) they are intelligent and noble-minded! Brahma said: 

17-19. In the meantime, O son, an unembodied voice spoke: The Ethereal Voice said: 

Enough of your stress and strain, O Devas. Hasten to Gautami. There propitiate lords Hari and Hara devoutly. What is impossible to do if Godavari and those two lords were to favour you. Brahmă said: 

20-22. From Hari and Isha who were pleased the heaven dwellers obtained the desired victory. They went all round protecting the lands. 

The place where Devas arrived andi gathered together became well known as Devāgama. Sages, the knowers of truth. praise Devāgama. 

There are eighty thousand Sivalingas there, O Närada. 

The mountain Devagama is also called Priya. Thenceforth that holy centre is known as Devapriya.