Chapter 28 - The Greatness of Holy Spots

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Vyāsa said:

(Unnumbered verse) In the south-west of Govatsa, a Lohayaṣṭikā (iron column) is seen. Rudra himself is standing there in the form of a self-born Liṅga.

Mārkaṇḍeya said:

1 -5. In the dark half of the lunar month Nabhasya (i.e. Bhādrapada) monetary gifts should be given to Brāhmaṇas after worshipping them duly.

By making water libations here, men obtain the same merit as is obtained at Gayā by offering balls of rice twenty-one times devoutly.

If Śrāddha is performed at Lohayaṣṭi in the dark half of Nabhasya (Bhādrapada), the Pitṛs begin to sport about in heaven freed from the state of being ghosts.

(They yearn) ‘Won’t someone be born in our family who is ready to offer libations with gingelly seeds, or balls of rice or mere water in the Pretapakṣa (the dark fortnight in Bhādrapada) at the time of moonrise!’

Sages state that if the Manes are dear to them, people should perform Śrāddha at Lohayaṣṭi on the new-moon day.

6. If a person takes bath in the waters of Sarasvatī and propitiates the Pitṛs by means of milk and white gingelly seeds, the Pitṛs certainly become satiated.

7. Those who wish for the salvation of the Pitṛs, should perform Śrāddha with Saktu (flour of fried barley) and milk on the new-moon day.

8. He who desires for salvation should offer a cow adorned with clothes etc. at Rudratīrtha. He should offer gold in Viṣṇu Tīrtha.

9. Janārdana himself is present at Gayā in the form of the Pitṛs. Meditating on the Lotus-eyed Lord, one is rid of the three debts.

10-12. After going there, the person should pray to Janārdana, the Lord of Devas: “O lord, I have come to Gayā with a desire to offer balls of rice to the Pitṛs. O Janārdana, this ball of rice is placed in your hand. You alone shall be the giver unto those who have gone to the other worlds.” With this Mantra alone, the same should be placed in the hand of Hari. When the moon is waning, on the fourteenth day in the month of Nabhasya, the ball of rice shall be offered. There is no doubt about this that the Pitṛs will have never-ending satisfaction.

13-15. By performing Pitṛ Tarpaṇa at Lohayaṣṭi with devotion, one obtains that merit which one gets by offering balls of rice at Gayā twenty-one times. A person who offers water, obtains satisfaction and never-ending happiness here itself. One who offers fruits gets devoted sons and one who offers freedom from fear gets good health.

Money legitimately earned when offered, even if it be very little, shall yield great merit. By taking the holy bath alone in that holy pool, one shall become a follower of Rudra.