143 - Greatness of Mandãra

Varãha said:

1. O fair goddess, I shall tell you now about another place which is important to my devotees. Please listen.

2. This is known as Mandära and is situated on the right side of river Gañgä, on a plateau in Vindhya.

3. In Tretäyuga will be born the brilliant Räma and he will Consecrate me there.

4. Hearing these words from the mouth of Lord Näräyana, Earth desirous of dharma, spoke to him in sweet tone.

Earth said:

5. O great Lord, you were pleased to tell me about the holy place called Mandära.

6. What rites do people perform there and to what worlds do they go?

7. What are the secrets about Mandära? I am eager to know all this. Please tell me.

Varäha said:

8. I shall tell you all that you ask, the rites in Mandära and the secrets.

9. I was playing there when the Mandära tree was in flower and I placed one of its beautiful flowers on my chest.

10. Then in the place where the Mandära was standing in the mountain, eleven ponds appeared.

11. I remained in that place beneath the Mandära for the sake of devotees.

12. It is an attractive spot with a beautiful slab where I stood beside that tree.

13. You may know the wonder of this Mandära. It flowers only on the Dvädašhi and Chaturdašhi days.

14. And this occurs during the noon. No flower can be seen in it on any other day.

15.The man who bathes in the   attains supreme bliss.

16. He who dies there after performing austerities, goes to my world.

17. On its northern side is the hill called Präpana where three torrents fall on the southern side.

18. This is known as the Snänaktunda in that place and here the water that falls on the south flows northwards.

19. He who bathes there after fasting for a night delights himself on the southern peak of Mount Meru.

20. And he who dies there giving up all attachments, reaches my world.

21. On its north-eastern side is the spot Vaikunthakärana where a torrent falls green in colour.

22. He who bathes there after fasting for a night, reaches heaven and enjoys with the gods.

23. And he who gives up his life there after full gratification, liberates his whole family and reaches my world.

24. On its south-eastern side on the peaks of the Vindhya is an even fall of water entering into a deep pond beneath.

25. He who bathes there after fasting for a night, delights himself on the eastern side of Mount Meru.

26. And he who gives up his life there with mind set in me, cuts off all connections with worldly life and reaches my world.

27. On the eastern side of Mandära is a Kotara where a torrent falls in the shape of a mace.

28. He who bathes there after foregoing five meals, delights himself on the eastern side of Mount Meru.

29. And he who gives up life there after performing austerities, crosses the peak of Meru and reaches my world.

30. On its southern side is Vindhyavinissruta where five torrents fall in the shape of maces. 

31. He who bathes there after fasting for one day and night, delights himself on the southern peak of Mount Meru.

32. And he who gives up life there after performing austerities, crosses the peak of Meru and reaches my world.

33. In the south-western side of Mandâra falls a torrent shining like the sun.

34. He who bathes there after fasting for a day and night delights himself on the Western side where (the star) Dhruva shines.

35. And he who gives up life there remaining in my devotion, gets freed from all sins and delights himself in my world.

36. On its western side is the deep lake called Chakrävarta.

37. He who bathes there giving up five meals, delights himself freely in the peaks of Meru.

38. And he who gives up life there, crosses all peaks of Meru and delights himself in my presence.

39. On the north-western side of this rocky place in the Vindhya, there are three torrents, also shaped like maces.

40. He who bathes there with mind set on me, delights himself in all peaks (of Meru).

41. And he who gives up life there giving up all attachments, reaches my world.

42. At a short distance from it on the southern side is the deep lake called Gabhiraka. 

43. He who bathes there after fasting for eight nights, enjoys himself freely in all islands.

44. And he who gives up life there remaining in devotion to me, leaves all these islands and reaches my world.

45. On its western side is the great Parama where seven torrents fall into a deep lake.

46. He who bathes there after fasting for a day and night, delights himself freely in the world of Indra.

47. And he who give up life there remaining constant in my service, gets free from all attachments and reaches my world.

48. Now listen. to this namely that Syamantapañchaka is in this mount Mandära.

49. I remain in the heap of rocks in Mandära at the top of the mountain Vindhya.

50. The chakra (disc) is on the right, gadä (Club) is on the left, šhamkha (conch), läñgala (plough) and musala (mace) stand in front. 

51. I have told all this to you and for the sake of devotees.

52, Being deluded’ by my Mäyä, people do not know this, except the pure devotees and those who resort to this Varäha.