86 - Greatness of Gaya

Brahma said: 

1-2. The spot famous as Pretashila has three sections in Prabhasa, Pretakunda and Gayasurashiras. This rocky promontory is held aloft by Dharma and is called Pretashila because it is conducive to the prosperity and uplift of those men, their friends or kinsmen who become ghosts. It is presided over by all devas. 

3. Hence, here sages, kings and queens perform Shraddha on that rock. They have attained Brahmaloka too. 

4. The rock at the place where the skull of the demon Gayasura fell is known as Mundaprushtha. It is also presided over by all devas. 

5. At the foot of the mountain Mundaprushtha there are ponds Brahmasaras etc. overgrown and partially hidden by Aravinda forest. 

6. The hill in Aravinda forest marked by the feet of a Krauncha bird (akin to heron) is called Kraunchapada which enables the pilgrim to attain Brahmaloka. 

7. The primordial deities Gadadhara and others are latent in the stone idols. Hence, the rock is saturated with divine presence. 

8-9. The idol of Gadadhara buried under its heavy weight the head of the demon Gaya and gradually the beginningless and endless lord Hari in the company of Maharudra and other devas became manifest in it for the preservation of virtue and destruction of evil. 

10-11. The Lord Vishnu took the incarnations of Matsya (fish), Kurma (tortoise), Varaha (boar), Narahari (Man-lion), Vamana (Dwarf) the powerful Parashurama, Rama son of Dasharatha Krishna, Buddha and Kalki for the destruction of demons and ogres. In the same way the manifest and unmanifest form of the primordial Gadadhara. 

12. The deity Gadadhara is called Adi (primordial) because he had been worshipped by lords Brahma and others with Padya, fragrant flowers in the beginning. 

13-18. He who, after visiting the shrine of the primordial Gadadhara along with the other gods, makes an offering of Arghya, Padya, fragrant flowers, incense, lamp, Naivedya (food offerings) of the highest sort, different sorts of garlands, clothes, crown, bell, chowries, mirrors, ornaments, Pinda and various foodstuffs, is sure to get wealth, grains, longevity, health, blessings of sons and children, all kinds of riches, learning, all desires, good wife, enjoyment in heaven and after the return from heaven a flourishing kingdom, nobility of birth, Sattvika qualities, defeat of enemies in the battle, freedom from murder and bondage and finally will attain liberation. Those who perform Shraddha and offer Pinda will go to Brahmaloka along with their ancestors. 

19. Those who worship Balabhadra and Subhadra shall acquire strength, welfare, knowledge, wealth and children and attain Purushottama. 

20. Offering of Pinda to the manes in front of Purushottamaraja, the Sun and Ganesha yields Brahmaloka to the ancestors. 

21. By bowing down to Kapardin (Shiva), and Vighnesha (Ganesha) one is freed from all obstacles. By worshipping Karttikeya he shall attain Brahmaloka. 

22. By worshipping twelve suns one is freed from all sickness. By worshipping Vaishvanara one gets an excellent brilliance. 

23. By adoring Revanta the pilgrim obtains excellent horses; by worshipping Indra--great riches and by worshipping Gauri--good fortune. 

24. By worshipping learning, Sarasvati, Lakshmi, Shri and Garuda one is extricated from numerous obstacles. 

25. By worshipping Kshetrapala one is freed from evil planets and by worshipping Mundaprushtha one shall obtain all desires. 

26.. By worshipping the eight serpents one will not be affected by serpent bite; by worshipping Brahma one shall attain Brahmaloka. 

27. By worshipping Balabhadra one shall get strength and health: by worshipping Subhadra one gets good luck.

267 28. By worshipping Purushottama one obtains all desires. By worshipping Narayana, one becomes lord of men. 

29. By touching the idol of Narasimha and worshipping it one becomes victorious in battle. By worshipping Varaha (the divine Boar) one acquires suzerainty over the whole Earth. 

30. By touching idols of two Vidyadharas whoever one may be, becomes a Vidyadhara. By worshipping the primordial Gadadhara one attains all desires. 

31. By worshipping Somanatha one obtains Shivaloka. By bowing Rudreshvara one is honoured in Rudraloka. 

32. By bowing to Rameshvara a man becomes delightful to others like Lord Rama. By worshipping Brahmeshvara and reciting prayers one becomes competent to be in Brahmaloka. 

33. By worshipping Kaleshvara a man conquers the god of death; by worshipping Kedara one is honoured in Shivaloka. By worshipping Siddheshvara one shall become a Siddha and go to Brahmapura. 

34. By visiting the Primordial Gadadhara along with the primordial Rudra and others a man is able to uplift a hundred generations and lead them to Brahmapura. 

35-36. By worshipping the primordial Gadadhara a man desirous of Dharma (virtue) shall acquire it; a man desirous of wealth shall acquire wealth; a passionate man shall acquire love; a man desirous of salvation shall acquire salvation; a man desirous of a kingdom shall acquire a realm and a man desirous of tranquillity shall acquire it. 

37. By approaching and worshipping the primordial Gadadhara a woman desirous of sons shall get sons; a woman desirous of blissful married life shall acquire it and a woman desirous of a flourishing family shall attain it. 

38. By worshipping the primordial Gadadhara one obtains the Brahmaloka even as by Shraddha, Pindadana, gift of food and gift of cool water. 

39-40. Just as Gayapuri is the most excellent of all Tirthas in the world so also Gadadhara is the most excellent of all sacred idols. Since Gadadhara is the entire world if Gadadhara is seen the entire sacred spot and all idols are virtually seen.