27 - Visit to places of pilgrimage

Lord Krişhņa said: 

1. Desirous of taking bath the maid went to the Nanda river1 that wards off sins. She asked the Brahmana preceptor there. 

1.    This river is separate from Nanda or Aparanandå of the North. The maid was visiting the sacred places in the south. The identification of Nanda in the text with Nanda or Aparanandå of the North does not suit the context.

2-3. Revered preceptor, what is the name of this river. What rite shall I perform here. Thus addressed, Jaigishavya, the Brahmana preceptor, spoke to her in reply.

Jaigishavya said: 

O good one, listen. I shall tell you the glory of this river the glory which destroys sins altogether. 

4. O fortunate one, this river is the destroyer of sins. Multitudes of sins, including the Brahmin-slaughter are destroyed by taking bath in this river. Those who take bath here can perceive its glory directly. 

5. The sinners, when they plunge into the river perceive the waters as dark. They should continue taking bath so long as the waters do not look bright to them. 

6. Until the waters become bright, the sins are not wiped off. When the waters become bright, one should know for certain that their sins are wiped off. 

7. O wide-eyed one, such-like glory of this river is perceptible on this earth even in this Kali age. 

One should take bath in this river and bestow valuable gifts on the deserving. One attains knowledge thereby and goes to the world of Vishnu. 

8-9. By taking bath in this river, the moon1 was released from the sin of copulating with his preceptor's wife, Indra2 was released from the sin of incest with Ahalya, Shukra from the sin of drinking wine, Bali from the sin of stealing gold, Rudra from the sin of Bråhmaņa-slaughter,3 Nāga from the sin of taking back what was given in charity, Balarama from the sin of slaying Shūta.4 

1. Tara was the wife of Bruhaspati. She doted on Chandramas (the moon) with whom she eloped secretly. Budha was born to Chandra by Tara. After some time, Devas intervened and Tara was restored to Bruhaspati. 

2. Once Indra entered the Ashrama of Sage Gautma in the guise of the sage when the latter was out for bathing. Indra took bed with Ahalya, the wife of Gautama. But before he could get out Gautama came to the Ashrama. Enraged at what he saw he cursed them both, Ahalya was turned into stone and Indra lost his testicles. 

3. Brahma-hatya is one of the five major sins which entail severe penance for expiation (See Manu). There cannot be an easier way for the atonement of this sin than what is advocated here. 

4. Suta was beheaded at Kurukshetra by Balabhadra when he was reciting the Puranas to the sages in the Naimisha forest. 

"At the forest of Naimisha, Balabhadra saw Suta telling Puranic stories to the sages assembled there before him. Suta did not rise up when he saw Balarama and the latter moved to anger very soon cut off the head of the Suta. Later, to remedy the sin of killing Suta Balarama visited all the sacred places in Bharata". P.E. p. 774.

10. There has not been nor shall ever be a place of pilgrimage equal to it in merit. O blessed one, by taking bath herein make your life fruitful. 

11-18. Together with the sage Jaigishavya and her father, the maid took bath in the river in the prescribed manner and emerged out of waters. She repeated the sacred mantra5 of Vyankațesha and the Purusha hymn6 as long as she remained in the waters. She propitiated the Brahmins, with gifts of cloth, money and ornaments. Then she proceeded to Kumari' Tirtha1 and took bath. She dressed up herself and stepped on forward journey. She came across the Viraja river2 and asked the preceptor Jaigishavya. O best of brahmins, what is the name of this sacred river. What rite shall I perform here.

5. Mantra of Vyankatesha: 

Om Vyankateshaya namah

Salutations to the lord of Vyankata. 

6. RV.X.90.

1. Kumari tirtha-a place of pilgrimage. Mbh (Bhishma Parva, Ch. 9. V. 36) speaks of Kumari river in ancient India. 

2. Viraja (a river) - not identifiable.

Thus asked, Jaigishavya, who felt compassion for her said: “O maid, this river, called Ganga, flows under the earth. Hence, the sages declare her as antaraganga. O maid, the water of this river is pleasing to Shrinivasa. One who takes bath here attains the highest place”. On hearing the glory of the sacred river, the girl took bath in the most purifying waters. 

19-20. She offered gifts to the Brahmanas and repeated the sacred mantra. She returned to Shrinivasa the lord of Venkata and circumambulated him with devotion. She propitiated the Brahmanas with fragrance, ornaments and cloth. 

21. Next morning, she went to Svamipushkarini and took bath there. She then went to the river Tumburu3 and asked the preceptor again. "Sir, please tell mc what is the name of this river.”

3. Tumburu (here a river, not identifiable, not the sage).

Jaigishavya said: 

22-23. This charming river is called Tumburu. Once upon a time, the sages Narada4 and Tumburu5 practised penance here, when lord Vishnu appeared and showered blessings on them.

4. Narada, a sage expert in music. Puranas record accounts of his various births. For details, see P.E., pp. 526 ff. 

5. Tumburu--son of Kashyapa and Pradha he was the best musician among the Gandharvas. Of the sons of Kashyapa, the four Gandharva sons -Tumburu, Babu, Haha and Huhu were noted for their sweet and pleasant conversation.

24. He who takes bath in this river attains the highest place. But it is not open to all to have a bath here.

25-27. A few privileged persons who have performed hard penance can have a plunge into this holy river. She took bath, drank waters, offered gifts and returned to Shrinivasa. She worshipped the god, propitiated the Brahmanas and lighted the earthen lamps on the banks of the Svami lake. She placed the earthen lamps in a row on the steps of the lake. Thus, she propitiated the great lord Śhrinivasa, the preceptor of the universe. 

28. Next day she reached the holy place of pilgrimage, sacred to Indra on the peak of the mountain Kapila1

1. Kapila (a mountain)-not identifiable.

29. She took bath in the pool and bathed the holy idol of lord Shrinivasa with the sacred waters of the lake Vishvaksena which is purifying and which destroys all sins. 

30. She mounted the summit and saw the holy places of pañchayudhas and bathed there. 

31-33. There, at the place, difficult to ascend she saw a fire-pit. High upon a place, she saw Brahma-tirtha which releases one from the sin of Brahma-hatya (slaughter of a Brahmana). Higher still, she reached the holy place of seven sages. These sacred places impart ten per cent additional gain in merit in their serial order. Who can describe the glory of these sacred places? 

34-36. The maid practised penance at these holy places. She continued the practice till I descended on earth. She gave up her body by way of yoga and was born in the house of Jambavat.2 She was called Jambavati. Her father Jambavat gave her in marriage to me. I married her and gave her a rank next to Rukmini. Who else than myself can describe the glory of Mount Venkata?

2. Jambavat--a forest king gave his daughter Jambavati in marriage to Shrikrishna. As a result of their union their first son Shamba was born.

37. Lakshmi offers Naivedya to the lord of Venkata. Brahma performs worship regularly every day. This is what Shastras have declared. 

38. One should not mock at the people who are given to the eating of Naivedya. For one's own welfare, one shall partake of Naivedya. One shall not hesitate in accepting Naivedya. Otherwise, one falls in hell. 

39. There has been no god higher than Shrinivasa nor there shall ever be. One should cook one's food in ghee, offer a portion to Shrinivasa and partake of the rest himself. 

40. This secret of secrets I have declared to you, O lord of birds. This should not be divulged to any, since it is very confidential. O lord, now I shall tell you the rest of the story in continuation.