Chapter 190 - The Greatness of Candrahāsa Tīrtha

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

1-7. Thereafter, O king, a person should go to the excellent Somatīrtha which is well known as Candrahāsa and adored by all deities. It is there that the kingly Soma, the most excellent Sura, attained the greatest Siddhi.

Yudhiṣṭhira said:

How did the kingly Soma, the Lord of the universe, attain Siddhi? I wish to listen to everything. O sinless one, do tell me.

Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said:

O descendant of Bharata, it is said that he was cursed by Dakṣa, the learned sage:

“Since you do not stay (as a husband) with all the (other) wives impartially, you will be a victim of the wasting disease.”

O excellent one among men, listen to the ultimate fate of those who do not resort to their wedded wives (like a husband). By properly courting women (wives after their monthly course) a son is born. It is the exhortation of the Śruti that Svarga and salvation can be obtained through a son.

Those men who do not court her through activities befitting the occasion incur the sin of Brāhmaṇa-slaughter. There is no doubt about it.

8-17. Enveloped by that sin, he (i.e. such a man) will fall into Raurava. (Other) sinners drink his blood for a period of time they like.

In due course of time, he comes down and is born in different types of wombs. In all those wombs that evil-souled one becomes unlucky.

The lust of women is always stronger. Particularly at the time of monthly course, a woman is pierced by the darts of the god of Love.

Slighted by her husband, a woman thinks of other men as her husband. A son born to her roams about and makes the excellent family swerve (from the correct path). The moment he (such a son) is born, his Pitṛs who were in Svarga before slip down. Hence he is called Kulaṭa.

The Moon became a victim of the consumptive disease as a result of his Karma. Leaving off the world of leading Suras, he came down to the mortal world. After wandering over many holy spots and shrines, he came to Narmadā, the destroyer of all sins. For twelve years, he observed fasts, performed holy rites, observed restraints and made gifts. Thereupon, he was rid of the sins.

He installed Mahādeva, the destroyer of all sins. Becoming fully endowed with his original lustre, he went to the excellent Somaloka.

By adorning the Lord installed, a devotee enjoys his world for as many thousand Yugas as the number of years he worships the Lord.

18-26. Hence men instal deities on the earth in accordance with the injunctions whereby the benefit becomes everlasting and unmutilated.

A man who takes his holy bath in Somatīrtha and worships Lord Īśvara becomes pleasing like the Moon to look at, and beautiful when reborn.

One who goes to Candraprabhāsa and duly takes his holy plunge, shall never be assailed by any sickness. If one is afflicted with the consumptive disease he should take his bath in Candrahāsya on the twelfth day.

On the fourteenth day, he should observe fast and perform Homa with milk Caru. He should adore the Three-eyed īśana with five Mantras. After taking in the remnant of Havis offering, he should visit Candrahāsyeśa.

By this procedure Lord Maheśvara becomes pleased. He is rid of the consumptive disease through this association with the Tīrtha. A devotee who takes the holy bath on seven (consecutive) Mondays and worships Śiva is rid of afflictions in the ears.

So also, O king, an ailment of the eyes is removed. A devotee who goes to Candrahāsya at the time of a lunar or solar eclipse and devoutly takes the holy dip, is rid of all sins.

O excellent king, everything performed in Candrahāsya, the holy bath, Dana, nay all types of auspicious and inauspicious activities, yields everlasting benefit.

27-33. Men who take their bath in Candrahāsya and view the eclipse are blessed noble souls. Their life is excellent. Merely by taking the holy bath there in that Tīrtha, O great king, the verbal, mental and physical sins incurred earlier become dissolved.

Many persons afflicted with great delusions do not know it like the supreme Ātman immanent in the body of everyone.

Undoubtedly one obtains in Candrahāsya the entire benefit of those who go to the Somatīrtha in the western ocean.

A man who bathes in Candrahāsya during Saṃkrānti (transit of the Sun), Vyatīpāta, Viṣuva and Ayana becomes rid of all sins.

Those who do not know Candrahāsya situated on Narmadā are deluded and wicked in conduct. Their life is aimless.

If anyone adopts the life of a recluse in Candrahāsya, his departure to Somaloka is never followed by a return.