104 - The Confluence of Gangā with Sea

Brahmā said: 

1-5. That Gangā who is worthy of being respected and honoured even by the gods joined the eastern sea, followed by all the Devas and eulogized by the sages and Maruts and Vasiştha, Jābāli, Yajñavalkya, Kratu, Angiras, Dakşha, Marichi, Vaishnavas (devotees of Vişhnu). 

Satatapa, Saunaka, Devarāta, Bhrugu, Agniveśya, Atri, Marichi, Daksa, Manu, Gautama and others along with Kaushika, Tumbaru, Parvata and so on had their sins destroyed completely. 

Agastya, Mārkanda etc. devoted to yogic practices, along with Gálava, Pippala and others, including Vamadeva, descendants of Angiras and Bhrugu who were proficient in Smrutis and agreeable due to their knowledge of the Vedas went to the divine river Gautami. All of them were fully conversant with the subjects treated of in the Purāņas. Indeed they knew many things. They began to pray by reciting Mantras and many Vedic passages of lovely nature. They were contented and pleased in their minds. 

On seeing the river in confluence Shiva and Hari revealed themselves to the sages. 

6. The immortal ones began the eulogy of the two lords, the dispellers of the distress of everyone, while they were being (respectfully) watched by the Manes. 

7. The Adityas, Vasus, Rudras, Maruts, the Guardians of the Quarters-all these joined their palms in reverence and prayed to Hari and Shankara. 

8. ONärada, these two lords are ever established in the seven well known confluences as well as the meeting place of the ocean and the Gangā. 

9. It is the place where lord Maheśhvara is called Gautameśvara. There Madhava is ever present along with Ramă (Lakşmi). 

10. Shiva well known by the name Brahmeśvara has been installed by me for helping all people and for my own reasons. 

11. The lord well known as Chakrapāņi was eulogized by me in the company of the Devas. Vişhnu is present there along with the Devas and the groups of Maruts. 

12-13. A certain Tirtha is well known as Aindratirtha. The Tirtha is otherwise called Hayamūrdhaka. Vishnu is (installed) there as Hayamūrdhan (Horse-headed). The Devas too are on the top thereof. There is (another) Tīrtha well known as Somatirtha, where Shiva is called Someśhvara. For the sake of Indra whose renown was on a par with that of Soma, Soma (Soma juice, Moon) was formerly prayed to by the Devas and the sages with the Ruk Mantras ending with Indrāyendo Parisrava (O Indu--Soma juice, moon-flow out everywhere for the sake of Indra). 

14. (3rd Mantra, 114th Sūkta of the IX Mandala) (Tr. According to Sayana) “O Soma, protect us with all these, viz. the seven Diks (quarters) (excluding that of which Soma is the lord, i.e. north) presided over by different suns, the seven Hotras (Vaşhațkartrus), the seven Rutviks, the seven dazzling sons of Aditi (excepting Mārtānda who was thrown up, according to RV X. 72-8). O Indu, flow out everywhere for the sake of Indra.” 

15. (4th Mantra, 114th Sukta, IX Mandala) “O Rajan (Lord as the person making them work) Soma, protect us by means of the Havis cooked for your sake. Let not the inimical assailant kill us nor destroy anything (wealth etc.) belonging to us. O Indu, flow out everywhere for the sake of Indra.” 

16. (2nd Mantra, IX-114) “O Sage (self-address by the seer of the Mantra) Kaśhyapa, adore the king Soma making your eulogies come up flourishing, thanks to the Sūktas of the seers of the Mantras. That Soma has become the lord, protector of the creepers. O Soma, Indu, flow out everywhere for the sake of Indra.” 

17. (3rd Mantra, IX-112) “I am the composer of the Sūktas. Hence I am the father and son. I am the physician, Brahmå of the Yajña. This lady who makes the groats, gruel etc. is the mother or daughter. All of us of diverse mental predilections and activities are desirous of wealth and like cows we serve the world. O Indu, flow out everywhere for the sake of Indra.” 

18. By saying thus (i.e. by eulogizing Soma thus) the Soma was obtained for the Vajra-wielding Indra. By giving (the same Soma) to them Indra got his hundred sacrifices complete. 

19-21. Hence that Tirtha is called Somatirtha. Agneyatirtha is in front. Agni perforined great Yajñas and having pleased me thereby obtained what he desired by my favour. I am stationed there for ever for the sake of helping the world. Similarly Vişhnu and Shiva too are stationed there. Hence the Tirtha is called Agneya. Beyond that is the Aditya Tirtha where the Sun full of the Vedic Mantras, comes everyday for adoration. 

22. He comes in some other guise at midday in order to see me, Shankara and Hari. There, at midday, all people should be bowed to always. 

23. That is because it is not certain in what guise Savitri (Sun) comes there. Hence it is called Aditya Tirtha. Thereafter comes the Bärhaspatya Tirtha. 

24. It is said that Bruhaspati was worshipped by the gods in that Tīrtha. He also performed different Yajñas there. Hence they know this Tirtha as Bärhaspatya. 

25. Merely by remembering that Tirtha, propitiation of (malignant) planets can be achieved. Another Tirtha is on the excellent mountain Indragopa. 

26. For some reason the great Linga was installed there by Himalaya. Hence it is called Adritīriha. 

27-28. Ablution therein and offering gifts yield auspicious results fulfilling cherished desires. 

Thus that Gautami Gangā originated from Brahmädri and proceeds towards the ocean. A few of the Tirthas there have been mentioned by me. These are auspicious and holy secrets. 

29. O Nārada, who has the power to narrate in full that highly powerful Gautami that is famous in the Vedas and Purăņas and revered by the sages and all the people. 

30. There can be no offence if the description by one prompted by devotion is inadequate. There is no doubt about it. For the sake of the benefit of the world certain features of that river have been indicated with very great difficulty. 

31-33. Who is competent to describe Gautami’s power in every Tīrtha? Perhaps Vişhnu, lord of Laksmi, and Shiva Someshvara may be. Only in due course of time, do some Tīrthas somewhere become meritorious, 0 highly intelligent one. But Gautami is always so unto men. It is meritorious everywhere and always. Who can fully narrate her good qualities? Hence it is but proper to offer obeisance to her.