70 - The Greatness of Prabhasa

Mohini said: 

1. O excellent Brahmana, recount to me the greatness of Prabhasa2. On hearing it I shall be delighted in my mind. May I be blessed thanks to your grace. 

2. Prabhasa, alternately called Somanathapattana, Devapattana, Veravala, is the holy place of Lord Somanatha, the famous Jyotirlinga in Saurashtra. It is here that Lord Krishna gave up his physical body under a Pippala tree. The Mbh. Vana 82.58. 58.20 etc. mention the great sanctity of Prabhasa while the Shiva Purana, Koti-rudra 15. 56-58 waxes eloquent about the mere sight of Somanatha. The NP., however, is interested in the directory of various Tirthas in and about Prabhasa and not so much in Somanatha. Inscriptional evidence e.g. the Nasik inscription of Ushavadata (Bombay, G. XVI p. 669) testifies to the holiness of Prabhasa. Most of the sub-tirthas mentioned in this chapter are described in detail in the SkP. Prabhasa Khanda. 

Vasu said: 

2. O gentle lady, listen. I shall narrate to you the glory of the holy centre named Prabhasa. It yields great merit. It is a Tirtha that dispels all sins of men. It yields worldly pleasures and salvation. 

3-4. O daughter of Brahma, there are innumerable Tirthas therein. Somesha,1 the lord of the universe, the lord of the daughter of the mountain, is present there. By taking a holy bath in the Prabhasa Tirtha, and by worshipping Somanatha, a man obtains liberation. What I have stated to you is the truth.

1. This is the famous Jyotir-linga whose shrine faced destruction and re-construction at least five times during the last thousand years. The last re-construction of the shrine took place after Indian independence, probably due to the interest taken by Sardar Patel, the then Home Minister of India. 

5. The zone of Prabhasa extends to twelve Yojanas. In its centre is the Pithika (the pedestal). It is said to extend to five Yojanas. 

6. In its middle is the Tirtha extending to a Gocarma (about a hundred hands. But it excels even mount Kailasa. Another meritorious and splendid Tirtha is Arkasthala (the holy spot of the sun). 

7-8a. There are thousands of Lingas such as Siddheshvara etc. By performing the holy bath there, and the Tarpana rite for Pitris and Devas with devotion, and by worshipping the Lingas, the devotee attains the same worlds as that of Rudra. 

8b-9a. Another Tirtha, the Agnitirtha,2 is situated on the shore of the sea. O gentle lady, by taking the holy dip there, the man shall attain the world of Vahni. 

2. It is strange but watery places are called by the name Agnitirtha (The sacred ‘pool’ of the Fire god). Here the sea near the town of Prabhasa is called Agni Tirtha.  

9b-10a. By worshipping lord Kapardisha (Shiva) after observing fast, the devotee attains Shiva’s world after enjoying the desired worldly pleasures. 

10b-11a. The devotee shall go to Kedaresha and worship him in accordance with the injunctions. Thereby, he attains heavenly goal. He goes there by means of an aerial chariot. He is worshipped by Devas. 

11b-13. The three deities mentioned before together with the following make fourteen. viz: Bhimesha, Bhairvesha, Candisha, Bhaskareshvara, Angaresha, Gurvisha, Somesha, Bhrugujeshvara, Sanishvara, Rahvishvara and Sikhishvara. These deities must be visited in order. By worshipping with devotion these deities severally, the devotee who knows rules of religious procedure attains the same world as Shiva. He becomes competent to chastise as well as to bless others. 

14. O daughter of Brahma, by worshipping five other Lingas, Siddheshvara etc., the man attains Siddhi of this world as well as of the other world. 

15. By worshipping the fair lady Ajapala, Mangala and Laliteshvari, the man becomes free from sins. 

16. By worshipping Lakshmishvara, Badavesha, Arghyesha and Kamakeshvara with devotion, a man shall attain lordship of the worlds. 

17. By worshipping Gaurisha, Varuneshvara and Usheshvara after reaching the penance grove of Gauri, the man shall attain heavenly goal. 

18-19a. By duly worshipping Ganesha, Kumaresha, Svakakesha, Kuleshvara, Uttankehsha, Vahnisha, Gautama and Daityasudana (the slayer of the Daityas), the man shall never go to hell (or troubles). 

19b-20a. The devotee should thereafter go to Chakra Tirtha, take a holy bath in accordance with the injunctions and worship goddess Gauri; thereby the man shall obtain the desired benefits. 

20b-21a. O fair-faced lady, after reaching the Tirtha called ‘Sannihatya’, the devotee shall take a holy dip and perform the rite of Tarpana to Devas and others. Thereby, he shall attain the benefit accruing from that Sannihatya Tirtha. 

21b-22a. He who worships the eleven Lingas, Bhutesha and others, attains excellent pleasures and in the end shall attain the region of Rudra. 

22b-23a. O gentle lady, by worshipping lord Adinarayana, the excellent man shall attain salvation. No doubt need be entertained in this respect. 

23b-24a. He who goes near Chakradhara and worships him in accordance with the injunctions shall conquer his enemies and attain worldly pleasures high and low. 

24b-25a. The devotee who goes to the Tirtha Sambaditya and takes a holy bath with due observances of restraints shall be free from ailments. The man shall be endowed with wealth and food-grains on the earth. 

25b-26a. Then the man should go to the goddess Kantakashodhini who slew Mahisha. By worshipping her, the man becomes fearless. 

26b-27a. By worshipping Kapalisha and Kotisha, the excellent man shall become extremely fortunate. Thus, the middle pilgrimage shall be completed. 

27b-28a. O queen of men, by going to the Tirtha Balabrahma thereafter, the man becomes a master of worldly pleasures and salvation. He will be honoured and worshipped by all Devas. 

28b-29a. By worshipping Narakesha, Samvartesha, Nidhishvara, one shall be having worldly pleasures and liberation. 

29b. By resorting to Gangaganapati and worshipping him in accordance with the injunctions, the devotee derives desired benefits in this world as well as in the other world. 

30-31a. Thereafter, the man should go to the river Jambavati. By taking the holy dip with devotion and concentration and by worshipping the deity, the man shall have his objects accomplished. 

31b-32a. Thereafter, he shall take a holy dip in the well Pandukupa and worship Pandaveshvara. That man goes to heaven and sports about in Nandana and other parks. 

32b-33a. By worshipping the three Lingas, Shatamedha, Lakshamedha and Kotimedha in the proper order, the devotee rejoices in the heaven like a Deva. 

33b-34a. By visiting Durvasadityaka and by worshipping him in accordance with the injunctions, the devotee shall undoubtedly attain the benefit of horse-sacrifice. 

34b-35a. By resorting to Yadavasthali1 and by worshipping Varshesha, the man attains his coveted Siddhi. He is greeted and honoured by the king of Devas.

1. This is traditionally regarded as the site of the last mutually annihilating fight among Yadavas. It is on the bank of the Hiranya river (Kalyana 31. I. P. 419). 

35b-36. After taking a holy dip in the confluence of the Hiranya, the devotee shall make a gift of a golden chariot to a Brahmana looking upon hiin as Shiva. He who does so with devotion shall obtain everlasting worlds. By worshipping Nagararka thereafter, this devotee shall attain the world of the sun. 

37. By visiting and duly worshipping Bala, Krishna and Subhadra near Nagaraditya, one shall attain the sayujya (identity) with Krishna. 

38. Thereafter, the devotee shall go to Kumarika Tirtha and worship the deity in accordance with the injunctions. There is no doubt about this that he attains cherished desires and conquers even Indra. 

39a. By worshipping Kshetrapala thereafter, he shall attain all desired benefits. 

39b-40a. By worshipping Brahmeshvara installed on the banks of Sarasvati2 the devotee shall be freed from all sins. He is honoured in the world of Brahmi.

2. This is different from the Vedic Sarasvati of Kurukshetra. This is also called Prabhasa Sarasvati, Pratyak (west-ward flowing) Sarasvati. Near Prabhasa, the small rivers, the Kapila, Sarasvati and Hiranya join each other near the sea and fall into. It is also called ‘Triveni’ confluence, though actually the Kapila joins the Sarasvati which flows into the Hiranya which ultimately falls into the sea.  

40b-41a. He should then go to the river Pingala and take a holy dip there. By performing Shraddha, the man is not born here again. By worshipping Sangamesha, the man wards off misfortune or hell. 

41b-42. By worshipping Shankaraditya, and Ghantesha, the great lord, a man shall attain all cherished desires. There is no doubt about this. 

43. The devotee should then go to the Rushi Tirtha and take a holy bath with full control of the mind. By worshipping the sages there, he shall attain the benefits of all the Tirthas. 

44. By worshipping Nandaditya thereafter, he is liberated from all ailments. By resorting to Tritakupa and by taking the holy dip therein, he goes to the heaven. 

45. O Mohini, by taking a holy dip in ‘Shashopana’ the man sees Devas and attains all desired benefits. Truth: It is the truth that has been stated by me. 

46-47. By visiting Parnaditya, the man becomes free from ailments and enjoys worldly pleasures. By resorting to Nyankumati, by taking the holy dip there in accordance with the injunctions and by worshipping Siddheshvara, the devotee shall attain Anima (minuteness) and other Siddhis. By visiting Varahasvamin, one is liberated from the ocean of mundane existence. 

48. By worshipping Chayalinga one is liberated from all sins. By visiting Gulpha and worshipping him one shall attain the benefit of observance of the Chandrayana vow. 

49. O chaste lady, by worshipping goddess Kanakananda, the devotee attains all cherished desires. On death he attains heavenly goal. 

50-51a. By worshipping Kuntishvara, one is liberated from all sins. The man who takes a plunge in the Ganga and worships Gangeshvara is liberated from the three types of sins. 

51b-52a. He who takes a holy dip in Chamasodbhedaka and offers balls of rice, obtains a merit a crore of times more than at Gaya. There is no doubt about this. 

52b-53. Thereafter, O daughter of Brahma, the devotee should go to the excellent Vidurashrama and worship Triga, the lord of the three worlds. Thereby, he shall be happy. By worshipping Mankaneshvara, the man attains good goal (i.e. heaven). 

54-55. By worshipping Traipura and Trilinga, one is liberated from sins. Thereafter, the man shall resort to Shanda-tirtha, take a holy dip there and make a gift of gold. There after, he shall be purified of all sins. He shall attain the region of śhiva. By taking a holy dip in Süryaprāchī, the man shall be devoid of sins and enjoy worldly pleasures. 

56-57. By taking a holy dip in the Tīrtha, Trilochana, the man attains Rudraloka. By worshipping Umānātha in the Devikå river the excellent man attains desired benefits. On death he shall attain heavenly benefit. By worshipping Bhūdvāra the devotee shall attain the cherished desire. 

58-59. By making obeisance to Vālmiki in śhūlasthāna, the devotee shall become a poet. By worshipping Chyavanārka one shall be richly endowed with all desired benefits. Through the worship of Chyavanesha, the man shall become the attendant of Shiva. By worshipping Prajāpāleśha, the devotee shall be endowed with wealth and foodgrains. 

60. A man who worships Bālårka shall be endowed with learning and wealth. By taking a holy dip in Kuberasthana the devotee shall certainly obtain a treasure-trove. 

61. By resorting to the river Ruşhitoyā, by taking holy bath there, and by giving gold to a Brāhmaṇa as gift, the man becomes pure and is liberated from sins. 

62. By worshipping Śhrugåleśhvara, the devotee is honoured in the Rudraloka. By worshipping Näradaditya the devotee shall become endowed with the perfect knowledge of the three units of time. 

63-64. By worshipping Nārāyaṇa the man shall attain liberation. After taking a holy dip in the waters of Taptakuņda, the devotee should worship Mūlachandiśha. The man shall be absolved of all sins. He shall attain the desired object. By worshipping the fourfaced deity Vinayaka, the devotee attains the desired benefit. 

65. By worshipping Kambala, the devotee is endowed with flourishing wealth and food-grains. Through the worship of Gopālasvāmin, the devotee will possess cows and wealth. He will become a poet or a wise man. 

66. The worship of Bakulasvåmin is the bestower of heavenly goal unto the man. By worshipping the goddess of Maruts, one shall attain the desired benefits. 

67. Through the worship of Kśhemāditya, the man shall attain welfare and truthfully partake of all relished objects. By worshipping Vighnarāja Unnata, the devotee is not impeded by obstacles. 

68. The two deities Jalasvamin and Kålamegha, when worshipped, bestow all Siddhis. When the goddess Rukmiņi is worshipped, she bestows the desired objects on men. 

69. By worshipping Durvāseśha and Pingeśha, the devotee is liberated from sins. By taking the holy dip in the confluence of Bhadrā, the man sees auspicious things. 

70. By taking the holy dip in Shankhåvarta, the man shall become the master of all Siddhis. By taking the holy bath in the Mokśha Tirtha, the man shall be liberated from the ocean of worldly existence. 

71. Merely by means of ablution in the Goshpada (the pit made by the hoofs of cows), one shall attain all happiness. After going to the abode of Nārāyaṇa, a man does not grieve again. 

72. Through the worship of Jaleśhvara, a man shall realise all desired Siddhis. One who takes a holy dip in the well Humkārakūpa shall never attain a residence in the womb there after. 

73. By worshipping Chandiśha one shall attain the benefit of all Tīrthas. By worshipping Vighnesha stationed in Āshāpura, one shall never be harassed by obstacles. 

74. A man taking the holy plunge in the Kalákunda shall undoubtedly attain salvation. By worshipping Kapileśha one shall attain a herd of Kapilās (tawny-coloured cows). 

75. By worshipping Jaradgaveśhvara the devotee is never overwhelmed by old age. The worshipper of Naleśhvara is an enjoyer of pleasures. The worshipper of Karkoțeśha is a wealthy man. 

76. Through the worship of Hāțakeśhvara all the desires are fulfilled. The worshipper of Nāradeśha shall obtain devotion to Vishņu and Shankara. 

77. By worshipping goddess Mantravibhūṣhaṇā, the devotee becomes one who deserves heaven. By worshipping Ganapati and Durgakūță, one shall be ever happy. 

78. A person who worships Kauraveśhvari shall become one endowed with wealth and food-grains. By worshipping Suparņeśhã and Bhairavi, one shall be blessed with happiness. 

79. By taking a holy dip in Bhala Tirtha. 1 the man is absolved of all sins. By taking a holy bath in Kardamāla, one is relieved of sins. 

1. This is probably the Bhälaka Tirtha of today near Bhalupura (Kalyana 31. I P. 419). 

80. By visiting Guptasomeśhvara (the hidden Someśhvara) one ceases to grieve further. By visiting Bahusvarṇeśhvara one shall attain heavenly goal. 

81. The man who worships Srungeśhvara is not attacked by miseries. By taking a holy dip in the Tirtha Nārāyaṇa, the man obtains liberation. 

82. By worshipping Mārkaņdeśhvara, the man becomes longlived. By taking the holy dip in the Koțihrada and by worshipping Koțīśhvara one becomes happy. 

83. By performing ablution in Siddhasthana and by worshipping numerous Lingas thereof, the man shall become a Siddha on the earth. 

84-85a. By visiting Damodaragruha one attains excellent happiness. O auspicious lady, the holy centre Vastrapatha is situated in the navel region of Prabhåsa. By worshipping god Bhava (śhiva) there, one shall directly become equal to śhiva. 

85b-86. The Svarnarekhă (the line of gold) is in Dämodara. Brahmakunda (holy pool of Brahma) is in Raivata. Kuntiśha and the highly refulgent Bhīmesha are in Ujjayanta (mount Girnar). And Mrugikuņda and Sharvasva-all these are remembered to be at the holy spot called Vastrāpatha. 

87. By taking the holy bath in these, in the order, by worshipping Devas assiduously and by performing Tarpaņa rite with water, one shall attain the benefit of all Tirthas. 

88. By taking the holy dip in Dunnábila and enjoying the pleasures one shall go to the heaven. By worshipping Gangeśhvara thereafter, one shall attain the benefit of the holy bath in Gangā. 

89-90. O gentle lady, there are many Tirthas on the mountain Raivataka (or Girnar). By taking a holy dip in them and by worshipping with devotion, Brahmā, Vişhnu, Maheśhvara, Indra and other guardians of the worlds, the man obtains worldly pleasures and liberation. O beautiful lady, these Tīrthas have been narrated to you in brief. 

91. In their midst there are infinite numbers of them. It is not possible to recount them all. There are detailed stories for each and everyone of these Tīrthas. 

92-93a. Hence, the merit accruing from Prabhāsa has been succinctly mentioned by me. O Mohini, there is no other Tīrtha in all the three worlds, equal to Prabhāsa. O auspicious lady, a man who takes a holy bath there competes with heaven dwellers. 

93b-95. If the greatness of Prabhåsa is written and kept in the house, there can be no danger or fear from goblins, thieves, serpents and enemies. He who devoutly listens to this and he who narrates this with concentration shall attain the goal of the good.