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| Kotitirathama Mahatmya |
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“When a person takes bath in Dhenu Tiratha, when he performs the rite of Shrada (an act of reverential homage to a deceased performed by relatives ) in the great holy place of Dhenupada and when he touches the water of Vitasta, he attains the same merit as results by performing Chandrayana, fast regulated by moon - the intake of food being diminished every day by mouthful for the dark fortnight and increased in like manner during the moon lit fortnight ). There is no doubt about it.
“Any other sacred place similar to the Dhenu Tiratha which has the power to destroy all the evils of the age of Kali has never existed, nor shall ever be in Heaven, on earth or in the sky or the void of space.
“O great Goddess! the sacred place starting from the Dhenu Tiratha up to the Urva Tiratha is Vitasta which destroys the sins of men committed even in previous births. Beyond this is said to be the ordinary Vitasta. In this pious region Varha - mulka it is
(Vitasta) the annihilator of all sins. O Goddess by taking bath in it, offering charity, by prayers and propitiation, it grants great virtues”. |
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“From the head portion of the Boar up to Ushkarana separated from Uras ( the middle part ) up to Dhenu Tiratha is the border of Varaha region which like the merit and sins, of both banks, one obtains imperishable reward old or recent of good or bad deeds. Vitasta destroys sins at near the Auna Ashrama. By a mere plunge in the Vitasta all sins such as that of Brahma Hatya (the killing of a Brahman) and others are destroyed. Who so ever O Goddess, listens about the reward that accrues from bathing in the Vitasta, is released of all sins, evil deeds and attains union with the eternal Brahman. This is a secret protective cover which relinquishes all the great sins in this age of Kali. It is the bestower of all pleasures as well as emancipation, when heard, read meditated upon or contemplated.” |
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Goddess Lakshmi said, “O Visnu, my dear ! please tell me about the success of journey, power to impart prosperity, the gains from charity and the worship of Koti Tiratha? The Lord replied,“ First of all one should do an act of special worship, there, with recitation, perform ceremony in which oblations are offered to the Fire God and others. O dear! one should do veneration of Koti Tiratha by offering clothes and ornaments, gold and silver ornaments dipped in milk, chanting Vedic incantations and mystical verses (of Tantras) in various ways.
“Placing grains of food in a vessel made of bronze, one should propitiate the Goddess with the offerings of libation (water mixed with rice, Durva - grass, flowers and honey) flowers, incense, lighting lamp, light , sandal wood and respectful salutations.
“Now I shall speak to you regarding charity by giving which one attains immortality. A plunge in a sacred place without charity is regarded as the lowest dip. Fish also take bath in the water but they are not entitled to liberation. One should get the replica of Koti Tiratha made of barley flour”. |
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“One should fill first the awl of the Trident ( the weapon of Siva ) with the pieces of gold, the middle one with copper and in the last awl of the Trident one should put silver. Having covered it with cloth, one should request a Brahman with all humility‘ you are verily the Brahma, Visnu and Siva yourself endowed with Iccha ( the desire ), Gyana (the knowledge) and Kriya ( the activity ). This is my donation to the Trident. Please accept it for my benefit’ Offered with this incantation, O Goddess, this is the best charity pertaining to Trident. This one should submit to the readers for the sake of successful pilgrimage. Thus O, Goddess I have explained to you the best percept of worship. This is the pro-creator of all fortunes, capable of conferring the giver with all perfection. Here ends the glorification of Koti Tiratha in Kashmir range as depicted through a dialogue between Visnu and Lakshmi in Bhrngisha Sanhita.” |
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