94 - Chinchikātirtha and other Holy Centres 

Brahmā said: 

1. The holy centre called Chinchikātīrtha destroys all ailments. It dispels all worries of men and it is conducive to universal peace. 

2-3. I shall recount its characterisic features. On that excellent white mountain on the northern bank of Gangā, where the deity Lord Gadădhara dwells there was the lord of birds of the species called Bherunda (named) Chinchika. He used to live there on the white mountain eating meat. 

4. The mountain was full of trees laden with different flowers and fruits, flowers blossoming in every season. It was frequented by chiefs among brahmins. It was embellished by Gautamī. 

5-8. It was tumultuously occupied by Siddhas, Chārañas, Gandharvas, Kinnaras and Devas. Near it was another mountain wherein thc bipeds and quadrupeds never suffered from ailments, hunger, thirst, anxieties and death. On the mountain endowed with qualities like these and surrounded by different sages there was a certain king of castern land known as Pavamāna. He was prosperous. He was devotedly engaged in duties of a Kshatriya. He was the protector of Devas and brahmins. (Once) accompanied by a great army and his own priest he went to the forest. There he sported with enchanting women indulging in pleasures of dance and musical instruments. 

9-11. He had the bow in his hand. He was surrounded by habitual hunters, Wandering thus once he became weary and came to a tree growing on the banks of Gautami and occupied by different kinds of birds. It was like a householder conversant with virtue and resorted to by the people of all stages of life. The excellent king Pavamana resorted to that excellent tree and took rest. Surrounded by the people he looked at the excellent tree. 

12. There he saw a stout bird of two beaks splendid in shape and features. He was tired and appeared worried by thoughts. The excellent king asked him. 

The king said: 

13. Who are you, Sir? You, a bird with two bcaks, appear to be worried by thoughts. Here no one is distressed. Whence has misery befallen you?

Brahmā said: 

14. Thereupon the bird Chiñchika who was consoled in his mind frequently sighed and said to king Pavamāna slowly:

 Chiñchika said: 

15-16. Others have no fear from me nor do I have any fear from others. This mountain is full of trees laden with flowers and fruits. It is resorted to by sages. Yet I see it as a void. Hence I bewail myself. I do not get happiness. I am never satisfied. I do not get any sleep anywhere. I have no rest. I have no peace.

Brahmā said: 

17-20. On hearing the utterance of the bird with two beaks the king was too surprised. 

The king said: 

Who are you, Sir? What is the sin commited by you? Wherefore is the mountain a void? On the excellent mountain the living beings are satisfied with one mouth. Why then are you not satisfied even with two beaks? What is your sin? Is it acquired in this birth or in the former ones? Mention all these truthfully to me. I shall save you from your fear.

 Brahmā said: 

21-24. The bird Chiñchika said sighingly to the king. Chiñchika said: 

I shall recount what has happened before, O Pavamāna, listen to it. 

I was an excellent brahmin who had mastered the Vedas and Vedangas. I was of noble birth and known well as an intelligent man. But I was fond of quarrels. I was always opposed to others' interests. I used to speak one thing before and another after. I always felt miserable at the prosperity of others. I used to cheat the whole world by fraudulent means. I was ungrateful. I was devoid of truth. I was cxpert in speaking ill of others. 

25. I was treacherous to friends, masters and preceptors. I was a hypocrite in my conduct. I was extremely ruthless. I used to give distress and pain to many people by my thoughts, acts, and speech 

26-27. Infliction of violent injuries on others was my pastime. Without thinking I used to commit sins of separating couples, annihilating groups and transgressing bounds of good behaviour. I was uninterested in serving scholars. In the three worlds there was no sinner like me. 

28. Therefore I was born with two beaks. Since I used to make others distressed, I am miserable now. This mountain is a void to me. 

29. Listen to what I say further, O king. My words are endowed with wisdom about virtue and wealth. (Sometimes) sins cqual to brahmin-slaughter are incurred without actual slaughter. 

30-31. If during battle or out of it a Kşhatriya were to kill a fleeing adversary, one who has put down weapons, one who has turned his face away, one who is seated without being aware (of enemies) and one who says "I am afraid”-If a Kshatriya were to kill any of these he shall be considered) a brahmin-slayer. 

32. He who forgets the Vedic text that he has learnt, he who addresses superior persons disrespectfully by "theeing and thouing" them and he who insults elderly persons and preceptors they call these "a Brahmaghātəka" (brahmin-slayer). 

33-34. He who speaks pleasing words in the presence of someone but harsh words in his absence, he who always thinks something, speaks something else and does something else, he who swears by his preceptors, he who hates them, he who censures brahmins, he who pretends to be humble, he who is evil minded-all these shall be brahmin-slayers. 

35. He who out of hatred censures Devas, Vedas, spiritual learning and the assemblage of virtuous brahmins shall be a brahmin-slayer. 

.36-37. Although, O king, I was like this, I behaved like a man of good conduct for the sake of false prestige and arrogance and due to shyness. Hence, O king I became a bird. 

Although I was like this I might have done some good deed somewhere. On account of that, O king, I myself remember what has been done before.

 Brahmā said: 

38. On hearing these words of Chiñçhika, Pavamāna became extremely surprised. Then the king said to the bird "By what holy rite can you be liberated?” 

39-42. On hearing these words of the king, the lord of birds said to him. 

Chinchika said: 

There is a holy centre named Gadadhara on this very same excellent mountain, on the northern bank of Gautami. It is destroyer of all sins. Indeed that holy centre is extremely meritorious. O king of holy rites, take me there. That it bestows all cherished desires has been heard from great sages. There is none other than Gautami and Vişhnu, which destroys pain. It is my opinion that I should see that holy Tirtha with mind full of noble fcelings. 

43. This is never possible by an effort solely put forth by me. How can men of evil actions attain desired objects? 

44. Although I had attempted I could not see that unattainable deity. Hence, I should see Gadādhara by your grace. 

45-46. He (Gadadhara) is well aware of my misery though it has not been intimated to him. He is the ocean of mercy. If he is seen, pains of worldly existence are never observed again by men. O king of holy rites, I shall definitely go to heaven after seeing him by your grace.

Brahmā said: 

47-48, On being requested thus by Chinchika, the bird, the king showed that lord and that holy Gangā to the bird. There upon Chiñchika said to Gangā, the sanctifier of the three worlds: Chiñchika said: 

49. O Gangā, O Gautami, a person who is a sinner is called so only as long as he does not see you the sanctifier of the three worlds. 

50. Hence, O excellent river, uplift me although I have committed all sins. Excepting you, O river born of the lotus-like feet of Vişhnu, there is no other goal anywhere unto the embodied beings in this world.

Brahma said: 

51. Thus that bird whose soul was purificd on account of steadfast faith, and whose sole refuge was Gangă performed the rite of holy bath in it praying silently "O Gangă save me". 

52. Thereafter, he bowed down to Gadadhara. Even as the other dwellers on the mountain were watching, he went to heaven immediately after being permitted by Pavamāna. 

53-54. Thereafter, Pavamăna went to his city accompanied by his followers. Thenceforth, those who are conversant with the Vedas know that holy centre as Pavamāna, Chiñchika, Gadadhara and Koțitirtha. Holy rite performed there by men shall have crores and crores of times the usual benefit in return.