Sanatkumāra said:
1. O Nārada, listen. I shall recount the greatness of the slab of rock, that confers salvation. Devas and the prominent sages sing of the greatness of the slab.
2. That rocky slab situated on the earth, has the forms of Devas. It is highly sanctifying. The wonderful Shilatirtha 1 is well known in the three worlds.
1. Shila Tirtha, the same as Mundaprushtha, as the Shilā was placed on the back of the (shaven)head of Gaya (v.12 below, also TSS, p. 337). It has the combined sanctity of itself and that of the sacred head of Gaya (v.8 below). The area of Shila or the head of Gayasura is 3 Sq. Kms.
Sacred Places Connected with Shilā
Part of the Shila Covered by (Verse Nos.) Other details
Middle (Belly) Mt.Adipala (68)
Middle Region Mt. Nāga (26)
Foot Mt. Prabhasa (13) Its contact with
the Phalgu Rāma
tirtha (17).
Protruding (1) Preta-Shila (15)
Toe (2) Prabhäseśha (14)
Left Leg Preta-Parvata (70)
Left foot Mt. Abhyudyantaka (42)
Right-hand side Mt. Kunda (35-36)
Mt. Bhasma Kūta (56)
Mt. Udyantaka (46)
Left hand Mt. Våditraka (44)
Mt. Grudhrakūta
Mundaprushtha The main base of the slab
Vidyarthi (p.6) in the tabular statement of locational and functional elaboration of the sacred centre at Gayà includes temples of Rama and Shiva, Yama’s sacred centre and the famous tree (of spirits) under Rama-Shila (hill top cluster), and Shiva, Ganesha, Brahma Kunda and Phalgu under Råmashilā (foot-hill cluster) while Pretashilà, Pretabhavani, Vişhnu, Rama kunda, Kaka-bali under Preta Shilā cluster.
3. On touching it, all the people in the worlds went to Hari’s city (Vaikuntha). When the three worlds became void, Yama’s city became empty thereby.
4. Accompanied by Indra and others Yama went to Brahma and reported to him) the wonderful event, “O Pitamaha, take back this staff of office as well as the assignment offered to me as Yama (the controller of the world).”
5. Brahma then said to Yama, “Keep it in your house”. Advised by Brahma, Dharmarāja retained the slab in his house.
6. Yama continued to carry out his duty, viz. the chastisement etc. of the sinners. Thus the weighty slab became well known in the universe.
7. The slab having the forms and features of Devas is on a par with Brahmā, Vişhnu, lord Maheśhvara and Meru, in the whole of the Cosmic Egg.
8. Since it was held (laid) on the head of Gayasura due to its heaviness, the happy combination of two holy things is the bestower of salvation on Pitris.
9. The unborn deity (Brahma) performed Hayamedha (horse sacrifice) on the combination of the two holy things. On seeing Vişhnu etc. who came to receive their due shares in the sacrifice), the slab requested:
10. “All of you take the vow of standing on the slab (forever) to enable Pitris to attain liberation”. Saying “So be it” Vişhnu and other Devas stood on the Shila (the slab of rock).
11. In accordance with their previous promise, Devas stayed on the Shila in embodied and unembodied forms either through their idols of stone or footprints.
12. Since the Shila was stationed on the top of the tonsured head of the Daitya, it was called Mundaprushthädri. It is the bestower of Brahmaloka upon Pitris.
13. The foot of the Shilā is concealed by the mountain Prabhāsa. It is called Prabhāsa because it is illuminated by Bhäskara (the Sun-god).
14. Shilāngushtha (the thumb of the Shilā) has come out of Prabhasa by piercing through it. The lord presiding over Anguşhtha section is glorified as Prabhaseśha.
15. A portion of the Shilangushtha is remembered as Pretashilā (the Rock of the Dead). If Pindas are offered to the dead on this rock, the dead man becomes free from the state of a goblin.
16. A devotee should perform his ablution at the place where the Prabhasa mountain meets the great river. Rāma had his bath here in the company of the gentle lady (i.e. Sītā). Hence this is remembered as “Rāmatīrtha’.
17. Here Rāma was requested by the great river, “O Rama, take your bath (in my waters).” Since then it became well known in the three worlds as “Rāmatirtha’.
18. Mantra- “Let all those evil sins committed by me in my hundred and odd former births, become destroyed due to my ablution in Rämatirtha.”
19. A man who takes his bath repeating this Mantra and performs Shraddha and offers Pindas in Rāmatirtha, goes to Vişhnuloka. (When the great river requested him), Rama, the elder brother of Bharata, said, “So be it” and stayed here accompanied by Sitā.
20. If a devotee repeats this Mantra- “O Rāma, O Rama of mighty long arms, the bestower of fearlessness on Devas, I bow unto you, the lord Devas. Let my sin become destroyed”:
21. If the devotee takes his bath repeating this Mantra and performs the Shrāddha along with the offering of Pindas, his Pitris become released from the state of a ghost and attain Pitrutva (the state of Pitrihood).
22. Mantra- “O lord of Devas, you are the waters. You are the lord of the luminaries. O lord, destroy my sins committed mentally, verbally and physically”.
23. After bowing to the lord of Prabhāsa, one should go unto the refulgent Shiva. After making obeisance to Shambhu, one should perform the oblation to Yama.
24-25. When Råma had gone to the forest, Bharata came to this mountain and performed the offerings of Pinda etc. to the Pitris. The lord (Bharata) installed the idols of Rama, Sita, Lakşhmaņa and the sages. In the holy hermitage of Bharata, the foot-print of Matanga is seen by all men. It is always surrounded by highly meritorious men.
26. It is established as a model for people. It contains the essentials of piety. One who performs Shraddha in Matangapāda enables all the Pitris to cross the ocean of existence (samsára)
27. A man who takes bath in Rämatirtha and worships Sità and bows down to Ramešhvara is not reborn as an embodied being.
28. The middle region of the Shila is again covered by a mountain. It was urged by Dharmarāja by saying “Na Gaccha - Do not go”. Hence it is called Naga (mountain).
29. “Yamaraja and Dharmarāja attempted to make (Gayasura) steady. I give Bali (oblation) unto them for the sake of liberation of (my) ancestors.
30. There are two dogs of dark and variegated colour. They are born of the family of Vaivasvata (i.e. of Yama). I am giving Bali unto them. May they refrain from violence.
31. May the crows stationed in east, west, north-west south and south-west accept the balls of rice offered by me (on the ground).
32. O strong one, you are Yama; you are Yama’s messenger. You are a crow. Eating the oblations, destroy the sins committed during the seven births.”
33. When Räma went to the forest, Bharata came to this mountain. After offering the Piņdas etc. to the Pitris, Ramesha was installed by him here.
34. After the bath and the worship of Rāmesha accompanied by Rama and Sitä, one should perform Shrāddha with the offerings of Pindas. Such a pious soul shall go to Vişhnu’s abode along with the Pitris and hundreds of the members of his family.
35-36. On the right-hand side of the Shilā, the Kunda parvata (mountain) is established. Various deities are installed there. Timirāditya, Ishana, Bharga-these are the forms of Maheśhvara. The Vahni, two Varunas and the four Rudras yield liberation unto the Pitris. After going to the hermitage of Bharata, the devotee should bow to them and worship them.
37. He is liberated from all major sins as well as minor ones along with his Pitris. O celestial sage, a man can take bath anywhere in the hermitage of Bharata. If he performs a Shraddha etc. the fruit thereof is not lost even after a Kalpa.
38. Really the Shrāddha performed anywhere in Gaya is never perishing. Still they say that the Japas, Homas and penances and anything offered (as religious gift) at Bharata’s hermitage are of infinite nature.
39. There are four idols of Ravi (the Sun-god) in the forms of the four Yugas. On being seen, touched and worshipped, they bestow salvation on the Pitris.
40. There are two deities, viz. Muktivămana and TarakaBrahman. These deities are the boats for those who are overwhelmed by the ocean of worldly existence. Brahman is Tāraka (that which enables one to cross the ocean of Samsára) of all people dead and alive.
41. He who sees Trivikrama, Puruşhottama and Brahma becomes a pious soul and attains the greatest goal along with the Pitris.
42. At the left foot of the Shila there is the mountain Abhyudyantaka established. A devotee who offers Pindas there, leads his Pitris to Brahmapura.
43. Brahma performed his sacrifice along with Suras near the Naimisha forest. That Tirtha is called Mukhyatirtha (the chief of holy waters). Devas are stationed at its feet.
44. O Nārada, the excellent among the sages, whatever inauspicious deeds there may be, perish in the three Padas (spots) in those holy centres.
45. The Naimisha forest is holy and resorted to by meritorious persons such as Vyása, Shuka, Paila, Kaņva, Vedhas, Shiva, Hari.
46. By their mere sight, a man is liberated from all sins. On the right-hand side of the Shila, there is the Udyantaka mountain.
Some variants (Pāthāntara Verses) -additional verses after verse 46.
1-2. This mountain is established. One who offers Pindas there leads Pitris to the city of god Brahma. Kunda and Udyantaka were created by him by means of his penance. Brahmä stayed there along with Savitri and Kumāra (i.e. Sanatkumāra).
3. Haha and Hūhū and the others made the sound of music. The mountains Kunda and Udyantaka were full of songs and the sound of musical instruments.
4. It is here that the holy sage Agastya performed an austere penance. From Brahmā, he received the boon of greatness rarely achieved on the earth. He secured Lopamudrā as his wife and the great goal (Mokşha) to his Pitris.
5. At midday the devotees should take their bath and worship Såvitri. The Brāhmaṇa will become a master of the Vedas and very rich for a crore of births (?)
6. By taking ablution in the Agastya Pada and by offering Pindas there, one becomes a pious soul and attains Brahmaloka along with the Pitris. He is worshipped even by the heaven dwellers.
7. A man who enters Brahmayoni and comes out attains the greatest Brahman. He is liberated from the miseries of wombs (i.e. rebirth).
8. man who bows to Gayākumāra attains Brahmanahood One who performs ablution in Somakunda leads the Pitris Somaloka (Lunar world).
The oblation to the crows at the Kakashila (the slab of conducive to freedom from indebtedness. After to Svargadvåreśhvara, one attains Brahmapura through heaven.
10 One who offers Pindas at Vyomaganga becomes free impurities and leads the Pitris to heaven. There is a heap of Bhasma at the right-hand side of the Shila. О Närada, the Devotee should take bath with this Bhasma from the mountain called Bhasmakūtādri.
11. Prapitämaha (Brahma) is stationed on the Vața as Vateśhvara (Lord of the holy banyan tree). One who offers Pindas at the holy Matangapada leads the Pitris to heaven.
12-13. Ahead of it is Rukmiņi Kunda and to the west is the river Kapilā. Kapileśha is on the banks of the river. On the new moon day, one should take bath in Kapilā and worship Kapilesha. If he performs Shrāddha in Māheshikunda, he shall attain heaven.
14-15. Gaurī, under the name of Mangala there, grants all types of prosperity and glory. Janārdana is near the Bhasmakūta. One who offers Piņdas in his hand, with mantras, if for oneself and without gingelly seeds, in the left hand, if for others and mixed with curds for those who are alive-all these attain Vişhnu loka.
16. Mantra— “O Janārdana, this Pinda is offered by me in your hand; give it unto him who dies in Gayaśhīrşha”.
17. Mantra— “This Pinda has been given, O Janārdana, in your hand. At Gayaśhīrsha this must be given to me when I am dead”.
18-19. O Janardana, obeisance unto you. Hail to you of the form of the Pitris. O Lord of Pitris, obeisance to you. Bow to you, O cause of salvation, O Janardana, O lord of Lakşhmi, you assume the form of the Pitris at Gayā yourself. Obeisance be to you, O bestower of salvation on the Pitris.
2o. After meditating on Pundarīkāksha (Vishnu) one becomes released from the three forms of indebtedness. Certainly people attain heaven after worshipping Pundarikākşha.
21. Bhima knelt on his left knee and bowed to Janardana. After performing Shraddha along with the offerings of Pinda, he attained Vişhnuloka along with his brothers.
22-24. On the right foot of the Shilā, the mountain Pretakūta 1 is held by Dharmaraja with both of his feet. He kicked it off with his feet on account of the weight of sins. In the forest of Kara-grahaņa, many have stayed behind (unliberated) in the form of departed souls (ghosts). They are the cause of obstacles. The Tirtha confers salvation on the Pitris through the performance of Shraddha etc.
1. Pretakūta, Grudhrakūta, Bhasmakūta etc. are the tops of hillocks near Gaya.
25. Pretakuta attained sacredness due to the contact of the Shila. Devas are stationed in the form of footprints on Pretakūta: After performing Shraddha etc. there, one should get the Pitris released from ghost-hood.
26. O Brāhmaṇa, those who have the terrible forms of a ghost near the Shila wander over the earth and in Yama’s world.
27. On the holy head of Gayāsura which is devoid of ghosts etc., Brahma and other Devas are stationed and he attains sacredness.
28. Among Kikatas (southern Magadha) Gayā is the holiest. Rājavana and Rājagruha are holy. The hermitage of Chyavana is holy. The river is many times holy (than the rest).
29. Hemadanda and the mountain Hemakūta are in Vaikuntha. One who performs Shraddha and offers Pindas etc. there leads the Pitris to Brahmapura.
30. On the right foot of the Shilā, the mountain Grudhrakūta is held by Dharmarāja in order to stabilise (Gaya). It is very holy.
31-32. Sages performed their penance there in the form of Grudhras (vultures) and attained liberation. Hence this is called Grudhraküta. Grudhreśhvara is stationed there. A man who sees Grudhreśhvara attains Shambhu’s region. After bowing down to Grudhravata one shall achieve one’s desire and attain heaven.
33. He who offers Pindas in the Grudhraguha (vulture-cave) attains Shivaloka. There is the Mäheśhvarī Dhāra (the current of Maheśhvara). He who offers Piņdas there, leads the Pitris to heaven.
34. There is a lake called Mülakşhetra. He who offers Pindas there, attains Brahmaloka. After visiting Shiva, he attains freedom from indebtedness and salvation from sins. He attains Shiva himself after visualizing Shiva.
35. The middle of the Shila (the belly portion) is over lapped (covered) by the mountain Adipala. It is here that Vighnesha, the destroyer of obstacles, stands in the form of an elephant. He who offers Piņdas at the umbilical region (of the god) leads his Pitris to Brahmapura.
36. On the hips (i.e. ridges) of the mountain Mundapruşhtha, there was a big forest of Devadaru trees. One shall destroy one’s sins by seeing the mountain Aravinda on Mundapruşhtha.
37. A certain sage performed penance here in the form of a Krauñcha (heron). The mountain was marked by his feet. Hence it is called Krauñchapāda.
38. One who takes bath there in the water reservoir, leads three generations to heaven. Lakşhmišha (Vişhņu) is stationed on the Shilă in the manifest and upmanifest forms along with Devas. Hence the Shila is full of Devas.
[End of Addl. Verses]
47. That mountain was brought by the noble-souled Agastya. Brahma and Hara performed a fierce penance there.
48. There is the excellent Kunda (Pool) of Agastya which is of a very rare excellence in the three worlds. It was here that the eight sages achieved Siddhi after performing penance. They attained final beatitude. After bowing to the eight sages in the Kunda, the pilgrim will be able to lead the Pitris to Brahma’s city.
49. O celestial sage, an auspicious prominent mountain was established on the left hand of the Shila. It is always resounding with the sounds of musical instruments and divine symphony. It is called mountain Väditraka.
50. Even today Vidyadharas, accompanied by hosts of Gandharvas and Apsaras-s sing divine songs in chorus.
51. Mohana, Sunitha, Shailūja, Mohanottama, Parvata, Nárada, Dhyani, Sangiti, Puşhpadantaka, Hāhā, Hūhū and others perform musical concert.
52. Similarly the Gandharva named Chitraratha surrounded by all the Gandharvas, sings sweet songs of great festivities on the mountain.
53. Hence that mountain is resorted to by Devas for ever even today. Hara, the lord of Devas, is desirous of applying Bhasma all over the body like an unguent.
54. Rudra accompanied by Parvati rejoices on that mountain resonant with music. He is worshipped as he is the greatest goal of the Pitris. He should be meditated upon.
55. The greatest Atman (Deity) in Gayà is either the lord of the cows or Gadadhara (the wielder of the mace). O sage, thanks to the worship of Rudra, the Māyā pertaining to Vişhnu becomes quelled.
56. On the right-hand side of the Shilā, the mountain Bhasmakūta is held by Dharmaraja. Agastya stays there with his wife.
57-58. One who takes bath at the spot of Agastya and offers Pindas, goes to Brahmaloka. It was from Brahmã that he secured the excellent boon of greatness in the world, Lopamudra as wife and the highest goal (liberation) to his forefathers. There, on seeing Agastyeśhvara, one is absolved of the sin of Brāhmaṇa-slaughter.
59. On seeing Agastya along with his wife, one leads the Pitris to Brahmapura. Dandin performed a penance on the mountain south of Sitadri.
60-61. There is a Vata (banyan tree) called Vateśhvara. Prapitāmaha (god Brahma) is stationed there. Beyond that is Rukmiņikunda. To the west of it is the river Kapila. Kapilesha is on the banks of the river. When the New Moon and Monday coincide with each other, a devout man must take bath in Kapilā and worship the lord of Kapilā. If after that, Shrāddha is performed and Pindas are offered the Pitris shall attain salvation,
62. There is a current of fire coming from the excellent mountain. There is the pool called Sarasvata Kunda. It has been created by Sarasvati.
63. Lord Shukra stayed there with his sons Shaņda, Amarka and others. O excellent sage, a man who performs Shraddha and offers Pinda etc. in the various spots at the feet of the eminent sages, enables the Pitris to cross the ocean of worldly existence).
64. On the left-hand side of the Shilā there stands the mountain Grudhrakūta. The great sages assuming the form of cranes performed penance there and became Siddhas.
65. Hence the mountain is called Grudhrakūţa. The deity Grudhreśhvara is stationed there. A man who visits and bows to Grudhreśhvara shall achieve the region of Shambhu.
66. He who offers Pindas on Grudhrakūta and in the cave, attains Shivaloka. One who bows to the Vata (the banyan tree) on Grudhrakūta attains all his desires and goes to heaven.
67. On seeing Shiva, one attains freedom from indebtedness, release from sins, and goes unto Shiva. There is a Shūlakşhetra (shrine of the trident) there. One who offers Pindas there, leads the Pitris to heaven.
68. The centre of the Shilā is overlapped by the mountain Adipāla. Vighnesha, the destroyer of obstacles, stays there is the form of an elephant. On visiting him a devotee is freed from obstacles. He leads the Pitris to Brahmapura.
69. There was a forest of Devadaru trees on the ridge of the mountain Mundapruşhtha. After visiting the mountains Mundapruşhtha and Aravindadri, one quells all sins. He who offers Pindas in the umbilical region of Gayā called Suşhumnā (like the nerve Suşhumna in human body) leads his Pitris to heaven.
70. On the left leg of the Shilā, the mountain Pretaparvata was established by Dharmarāja. The mountain is called Pretashilā because of its impurity due to sins.
71. The mountain was kicked off to a great distance. Pretakūta was freed from sins and attained sanctity due to the contact with the Shilä,
72. There is a pool called Pretakunda there. Devas are stationed at its foot. Performing Shraddha etc. in the Kunda, one shall relieve the Pitris of goblinhood.
73. There are many of the ghosts staying separately and causing obstacles to those men who perform Shraddha etc. for the sake of the liberation of Pitris. The ghosts assume the form of archers and catch hold of the hands (of the pilgrims).
74. There is a rock on Muņdaprushtha where Mahadeva stays. On seeing it all people become relieved of heinous and lesser sins.
75. Gayāśhiras is holy and devoid of all sins. It is devoid of ghosts etc. Hence it is highly sanctifying and excellent.
76. In the Kikata land (i.e. the territories comprising southern Bihar) Gayā is the holiest centre. The Rājagruha forest is also holy. The hermitage of Chyavana is another holy spot. The river Punahpuna (?) is also holy.
77. There are other holy spots, viz. Vaikuntha, Lohadanda, Grudhrakūta and Sonaka. By performing Shräddha etc. here, a pilgrim leads all the Pitris to Brahmapura.
78. Assuming the form of a heron, a sage performed penance on the ridge of Mundaprushtha. Since the mountain is marked by the foot-prints of the heron, it is remembered as Krauñchapada.
79. One who takes bath in the water reservoir there, shall lead the entire family to heaven. An oblation offered to crows on the rock Kakashila, is conducive to relief from indebtedness.
80. The two sages Lomasha and Lomaharshana performed a great penance on the ridge of Mundapruşhtha. Both of them attained Siddhi of the highest magnitude.
81-85. Many excellent rivers had been invoked by Lomasha 1, viz. Mahanadi, Sharavatī, Vetravati, Chandrabhāgā, Sarasvati, Kāverī, Sindhuvirā, the excellent river Chandana, Väsişhthi, Sarayū, Gangā, Yamunā, Gandaki, Indira, Mahavaitaraṇī, Niksharā that originates from heaven, Alakananda, the northern river called Kanaka, Kaushiki, Brahmadā, all these are the absolvers of everyone’s sin. The two rivers Krişhnavalvā and Charmavati are the bestowers of salvation. They were called the most excellent of all rivers by Lomaharsha daringly. O excellent sage, by means of the power of his penance, Narmada also was invoked by him. He who takes bath in any of these rivers and offers Pindas leads his Pitris to heaven.
1. Like other Sthala-purānas, this text claims all important rivers in India to be present at Gaya. Small streams and streamlets are supposed to represent big rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Kaveri etc.
86. A man who enters the holy spot Brahmayoni and comes out of it, attains the greatest Brahman freed from the distress of wombs (i.e. re-birth).
87. A man who bathes in the Puşhkariņi (holy pond) Niksharā and performs Shrāddha etc. on the divine Krauñchapada regularly for three days, leads his Pitris even if they were Panchapāpins (those guilty of the five heinous sins) to heaven.
88. Janārdana stays in Bhasmakūța. He who offers Pindas in his hands whether for himself or for others-if it is for one’s own self it must be without gingelly seeds (and be offered) with the sacred thread in the Savya (hanging from the left shoulder) position, and if for those who are alive, it must be mixed with curds-all these go to Vişhnuloka (Vaikuntha).
89. Mantra: “O Janārdana, the Pinda that I offer in your hand, may please be given by you to that person for whom I have given it to thee now. It be given to him after he is dead, O lord.”
90. Mantra: “O Janārdana, this Pinda is given into your hand by me. When I reach the end of my time (when I am dead) this must be given to me at Gayāśhiras. 1
1. Cf. NP. II.47.63b-65.
91. O Janardana, obeisance to you. Bow to you, granter of liberation to the Pitris. O lord of Pitris, obeisance to you. Hail to you in the form of Pitris.”
92. In Gaya, Janardana assumed the form of Pitris himself. On visiting that Pundarīkākṣha (lotus-eyed god Vişhnu) one is released from three-fold indebtedness.
93. “O Pundarīkākşha, obeisance to you, O releaser from the three-fold indebtedness. O Lakşhmikänta (Lord of Lakşhmi), obeisance to you, be the granter of liberation to the Pitris.”
94. Kneeling on his left knee, Bhīma bowed to Janārdana. After performing the Shräddha along with the offerings of Pindas, he attained Brahmaloka in the company of his brothers. He became a pious soul and uplifted a hundred forefathers in his family.
95. On the Shilā, the lord of Lakşhmi stays both in the manifest form as well as in the unmanifest form, along with Devas. Hence the Shilā is Devamayi (full of Devas).