The Greatness of Haridvāra (Gaṅgādvāra-māhātmya)

Verse 1

अथ गङ्गाद्वारमाहात्म्यं प्रारभ्यते । मोहिन्युवाच । कुरुक्षेत्रस्य माहात्म्यं श्रुतं पापापहं महत् । त्वत्तो द्विजवरश्रेष्ठ सर्वसिद्धिप्रदं नृणाम् ॥ १ ॥

Now the glorification of Gaṅgādvāra is begun. Mohinī said: “From you, O best among the excellent brāhmaṇas, I have heard the great, sin-destroying greatness of Kurukṣetra—a teaching that grants all attainments to people.”

Verse 2

गंगाद्वारेति यत्ख्यातं तीर्थं पुण्यावहं गुरो । तत्समाख्याहि भद्रं ते श्रोतुं वांछास्ति मे हृदि ॥ २ ॥

O Guru, please describe that sacred ford renowned as “Gaṅgādvāra,” the holy place that bestows merit. Blessings to you—within my heart there is a strong desire to hear about it.

Verse 3

वसुरुवाच । श्रृणु भद्रे प्रवक्ष्यामि माहात्म्यं पापनाशनम् । गंगाद्वारस्य ते पुण्यं श्रृण्वतां पठतां शुभम् ॥ ३ ॥

Vasu said: “Listen, O auspicious lady. I shall declare the glory that destroys sins—the sacred merit of Gaṅgādvāra, which is благest for those who hear it and those who recite it.”}]}

Verse 4

यत्र भूमिमनुप्राप्ता भगीरथरथानुगा । श्रीगंगालकनंदाख्या नगान्भित्त्वा सहस्रशः ॥ ४ ॥

There, the auspicious Gaṅgā—also called Lakānandā—followed the track of Bhagīratha’s chariot and, cleaving through mountains by the thousand, reached the earth.

Verse 5

यत्रायजत यज्ञेशं पुरा दक्षः प्रजापतिः । तत्क्षेत्रं पुण्यदं नॄणां सर्वपातकनाशनम् ॥ ५ ॥

That is the sacred kṣetra where, in ancient times, Dakṣa Prajāpati offered sacrifice to Yajñeśa, the Lord of sacrifice; it grants merit to people and destroys all sins.

Verse 6

यस्मिन्यज्ञे समाहूता देवा इंद्रपुरोगमाः । स्वैः स्वैर्गणैः समायाता यज्ञभागजिघृक्षया ॥ ६ ॥

In that sacrifice, the gods—led by Indra—were duly invited; and, arriving each with their own retinues, they came desiring to receive their allotted shares of the sacrificial offering.

Verse 7

तत्र देवर्षयः प्राप्तास्तथा ब्रह्मर्षयोऽमलाः । शिष्यप्रशिष्यैः सहितास्तथा राजर्षयः शुभे ॥ ७ ॥

There, the divine sages arrived, and likewise the stainless Brahma-sages; and also the royal sages came—together with their disciples and grand-disciples, O auspicious one.

Verse 8

सर्वेनिमंत्रितास्तेन ब्रह्मपुत्रेण धीमता । गंधर्वाप्सरसो यक्षाः सिद्धविद्याधरोरगाः ॥ ८ ॥

All of them were invited by that wise son of Brahmā—Gandharvas and Apsarases, Yakṣas, Siddhas, Vidyādharas, and the serpent-beings, the Nāgas.

Verse 9

संप्राप्ता यज्ञसदनमृते शर्वं पिनाकिनम् । ततस्तु गच्छतां तेषां सप्रियाणां विमानिनाम् ॥ ९ ॥

They reached the hall of sacrifice—save Śarva (Śiva), bearer of the Pināka bow. Then, as those who rode the aerial vimānas departed with their beloved companions, the tale moved onward.

Verse 10

दक्षयज्ञोत्सवं प्रीत्यान्योन्यं वर्णयतां सती । श्रुत्वा सोत्का महादेवं प्रार्थयामास भामिनी ॥ १० ॥

As people joyfully described to one another the festive celebration of Dakṣa’s sacrifice, Satī, hearing of it, grew eager; and that ardent lady began to entreat Mahādeva (Śiva).

Verse 11

तच्छत्वा भगवानाह न श्रेयो गमनं ततः । अथ देवमनादृत्य भाविनोऽर्थस्य गौरवात् ॥ ११ ॥

Hearing this, the Blessed Lord said, “Going there is not for your good.” Yet, valuing the promised gain above all, he disregarded the Lord’s word and went on.

Verse 12

जगामैकाकिनी भद्रे द्रष्टुं पितृमखोत्सवम् । ततः सा तत्र संप्राप्ता न केनापि सभाजिता ॥ १२ ॥

O gentle lady, she went there all alone to behold the festive rite for the ancestors; yet on arriving, no one at all welcomed her or showed her honor.

Verse 13

प्राणांस्तत्याज तन्वंगी तज्जातं क्षेत्रमुत्तम् । तस्मिंस्तीर्थे तु ये स्नात्वा तर्पयंति सुरान्पितॄन् ॥ १३ ॥

The fair-limbed lady gave up her life; and from that event arose an excellent sacred region. Whoever bathes at that tīrtha and there offers tarpaṇa to the devas and the ancestors attains fullness of merit.

Verse 14

ते स्युर्देव्याः प्रियतमा भोगमोक्षैकभागिनः । येऽन्येऽपि तत्र स्वान्प्राणांस्त्यजंत्यनशनादिभिः ॥ १४ ॥

Those devotees become the Goddess’s most beloved and receive a unique share in both worldly enjoyment and liberation; indeed, even others who, there at that sacred place, relinquish their very lives through fasting and similar austerities attain that same blessed state.

Verse 15

तेऽपि साक्षाच्छिवं प्राप्य नाप्नुवंति पुनर्जनिम् । अथ तन्नारदाच्छ्रुत्वा भगवान्नीललोहितः ॥ १५ ॥

Even they—having directly attained Śiva Himself—do not obtain rebirth again. Then, hearing this from Nārada, the Blessed Lord Nīlalohita (Śiva) …

Verse 16

मरणं स्वप्रियायास्तु वीरभद्रं विनिर्ममे । स सर्वैः प्रमथैर्युक्तस्तं यज्ञं समनाशयत् ॥ १६ ॥

Upon the death of his beloved, he brought forth Vīrabhadra; and, accompanied by all the Pramathas, he completely destroyed that sacrifice (yajña).

Verse 17

पुनर्विधेः प्रार्थनया मीढ्वान्सद्यः प्रसादितः । संदधे च पुनर्यज्ञं विकृतं प्रकृतिस्थितम् ॥ १७ ॥

Once again, by the prayer of Vidhi (Brahmā), the bountiful Lord was immediately pleased; and He re-established the sacrifice, which had become distorted, restoring it to its natural and proper order.

Verse 18

ततस्तत्तीर्थमतुलं सर्वपातकनाशनम् । जातं यत्राप्लुतः सोमो मुक्तो यक्ष्मग्रहादभूत् ॥ १८ ॥

Thereupon that incomparable sacred bathing-place (tīrtha) came into being, the destroyer of all sins—where Soma, after bathing, was released from the seizure of Yakṣmā (consumption).

Verse 19

तत्र यो विधिवत्स्नात्वा यं यं कामं विचिंतयेत् । तं तमाप्नोति विधिजे नात्र कार्या विचारणा ॥ १९ ॥

There, whoever bathes in the prescribed manner and contemplates whatever desire he wishes—O son of Brahmā—attains precisely that; there is no need for doubt or further deliberation.

Verse 20

यत्र यज्ञेश्वरः साक्षाद्भगवान्विष्णुरव्ययः । स्तुतो दक्षेण देवैश्च तत्तीर्थं हरिसंज्ञितम् ॥ २० ॥

That sacred ford where Bhagavān Viṣṇu—imperishable and manifest as the Lord of sacrifice—was directly praised by Dakṣa and by the gods, is known as the Tīrtha called “Hari.”

Verse 21

तत्र यो विधिवन्मर्त्यः स्नायाद्धरिपदे सति । स विष्णोर्वल्लभो भूयाद्भुक्तिमुक्तयकभाजनम् ॥ २१ ॥

Whoever, while that sacred Hari-pada is present there, bathes in due ritual manner—such a mortal becomes dear to Viṣṇu and becomes a singular recipient of both worldly enjoyment and liberation.

Verse 22

अतः पूर्वदिशि क्षेत्रं त्रिगगं नाम विश्रुतम् । यत्र त्रिपथगा साक्षादृश्यते सकलैर्जनैः ॥ २२ ॥

Therefore, to the east there is a sacred region renowned by the name Trigagā, where Tripathagā (the three-pathed Goddess Gaṅgā) is seen directly by all people.

Verse 23

तत्र स्नात्वाथ संतर्प्य देवर्षिपितृमानवान् । सम्यक्छ्रद्धायुतो मर्त्यो मोदते दिवि देववत् ॥ २३ ॥

Having bathed there, and then duly offering tarpana to the gods, the devarṣis, the ancestors, and human beings, a mortal endowed with proper faith rejoices in heaven like a god.

Verse 24

तत्र यस्त्यजति प्राणान्प्रवाहे पतितः सति । स व्रजेद्वैष्णवं धाम देवैः सम्यक्सभाजितः ॥ २४ ॥

There, whoever relinquishes life after falling into the river’s current—he indeed goes to the Vaiṣṇava abode, duly honored by the gods.

Verse 25

ततः कनखले तीर्थे दक्षिणीं दिशमाश्रिते । त्रिरात्रोपोषितः स्नात्वा मुच्यते सर्वकिल्बिषैः ॥ २५ ॥

Thereafter, at the sacred ford of Kanakhala, situated toward the southern direction, one who fasts for three nights and then bathes is freed from all sins.

Verse 26

अथ यास्तत्रगां दद्याद्बाह्यणे वेदपारगे । स कदाचिन्न पश्येत्तु देवि वैतरणीं यमम् ॥ २६ ॥

Now, O Goddess, whoever donates a cow there to a Brāhmaṇa learned in the Vedas—such a person will never behold the Vaitaraṇī, nor face Yama.

Verse 27

अत्र जप्तं हुतं तप्तं दत्तमानंत्यमश्नुते । अत्रैव जहुतीर्थँ च यत्र वै जह्रुना पुरा ॥ २७ ॥

Here, whatever is recited as japa, offered into fire as homa, practiced as tapas, or given as dāna yields inexhaustible merit. Here itself is the sacred ford called Jahnu-tīrtha, where in ancient times Sage Jahnu performed that deed.

Verse 28

राजर्षिणा निपीताभूद्गंडूषीकृत्य सा नदी । प्रसादितेन सा तेन मुक्ता कर्णाद्विनिर्गता ॥ २८ ॥

That river was drunk by the royal sage, as though taken up in a single mouthful. Then, being appeased by him, she was released and flowed out again from his ear.

Verse 29

तत्र स्नात्वा महाभागे यो नरः श्रद्धयान्वितः । सोपवासः समभ्यर्चेद्बाह्यणं वेदपारगम् ॥ २९ ॥

O noble one, whoever bathes there with faith and, observing a fast (upavāsa), duly honors a Brāhmaṇa fully learned in the Vedas, attains the fruit prescribed for that sacred act.

Verse 30

भोजयेत्परमान्नेन स्वर्गे कल्पं वसेत्स तु । अथ पश्चाद्दिशि गतं कोटितीर्थँ सुमध्यमे ॥ ३० ॥

One who feeds a worthy recipient with the finest food dwells in heaven for a full kalpa. Thereafter, going to the western quarter—O fair-waisted one—one gains the merit of Koṭitīrtha.

Verse 31

यत्र कोटिगुणं पुण्यं भवेत्कोटीशदर्शनात् । ओष्यैकां रजनीं तत्र पुंडरीकमवाप्नुयात् ॥ ३१ ॥

In that place, by the mere sight of Koṭīśa, merit is multiplied ten millionfold. If one stays there for a single night, one attains Puṇḍarīka, the sacred fruit of that holy site.

Verse 32

तथैवोत्तरदिग्भागे सप्तगंगेति विश्रुतम् । तीर्थं परमकं देवि सर्वपातकनाशनम् ॥ ३२ ॥

Likewise, in the northern quarter there is a sacred ford renowned as “Saptagaṅgā” (the Seven Gaṅgās). O Goddess, it is a supreme pilgrimage-place, the destroyer of all sins.

Verse 33

यत्राश्रमाश्च पुण्या वै सप्तर्षीणां महामते । तेषु सर्वेषु तु पृथक् स्नात्वा संतर्प्य देवताः ॥ ३३ ॥

O great-minded one, there are indeed sacred hermitages of the Seven Sages (Saptarṣi) there. Having bathed separately in each of them, one should perform santarpaṇa, duly satisfying the deities.

Verse 34

पितॄंश्च लभते मर्त्य ऋषिलोकं सनातनम् । भगीरथेन वै राज्ञा यदानीता सुरापगा ॥ ३४ ॥

A mortal too attains his forefathers and reaches the eternal realm of the sages, by resorting to the sacred river Surāpaga (Gaṅgā), which King Bhagīratha truly brought down.

Verse 35

तदा सा प्रीतये तेषां सप्तधारागताभवत् । सप्तगंगं ततस्तीर्थं भुवि विख्यातिमागतम् ॥ ३५ ॥

Then, to delight them, she flowed forth in seven streams. Hence that sacred ford on earth became known as Saptagaṅgā, famed far and wide.

Verse 36

स आवर्तं ततः प्राप्य संतर्प्यामरपूर्वकान् । स्रात्वा देवेंद्रभवने मोदते युगमेव च ॥ ३६ ॥

Then, having reached that sacred whirlpool (āvarta), he first satisfies the gods and other celestial beings with offerings; and after bathing there, he rejoices in Indra’s heavenly abode for a full yuga.

Verse 37

ततो भद्रे समासाद्य कपिलाह्रदमुत्तमम् । धेनुं दत्त्वा द्विजाग्र्याय गोसहस्रफलं लभेत् ॥ ३७ ॥

Then, O auspicious lady, upon reaching the excellent Kapilā Lake, one who gives a milch-cow to an eminent Brāhmaṇa obtains merit equal to donating a thousand cows.

Verse 38

अत्रैव नागराजस्य तीर्थं परमपावनम् । अत्राभिषेकं यः कुर्यात्सोऽभयं सर्पतो लभेत् ॥ ३८ ॥

Here itself is the supremely purifying sacred ford of the King of Nāgas. Whoever performs abhiṣeka here attains freedom from fear of serpents.

Verse 39

ततो ललितकं प्राप्य शंतनोस्तीर्थमुत्तमम् । स्नात्वा संतर्प्य विधिवत्सुरादील्लँभते गतिम् ॥ ३९ ॥

Then, having reached Lalitaka and the excellent sacred ford known as Śaṃtanu’s Tīrtha, one who bathes there and duly performs tarpaṇa attains the blessed state of the devas and other higher beings.

Verse 40

यत्र शंतनुनां लब्धा गंगा मानुष्यमागता । तत्रैव तत्यजे देहं वसून्सूत्वानुवत्सरम् ॥ ४० ॥

At the very place where Gaṅgā—obtained by Śaṃtanu—entered human life, there itself she abandoned her body, after giving birth to the Vasus year after year.

Verse 41

तद्देहो न्यपतत्तत्र तत्राभूद्दक्षजन्म च । तत्र यः स्नाति मनुजो भक्षयेदोषधीं च ताम् ॥ ४१ ॥

His body fell there, and there too Dakṣa took birth. Whoever bathes there and also partakes of that medicinal herb is purified by the power of that sacred place.

Verse 42

स न दुर्गतिमाप्नोति गंगादेवीप्रसादतः । भीमस्थलं ततः प्राप्य यः स्नायात्सुकृती नरः ॥ ४२ ॥

By the grace of Goddess Gaṅgā, he does not fall into an evil destiny. Then the virtuous man who reaches Bhīmasthala and bathes there attains that auspicious protection.

Verse 43

भोगान्भुक्त्वेह देहांते स्वर्गतिं समवाप्नुयात् । एतान्युद्देशतो देवि तीर्थानि गदितानि ते ॥ ४३ ॥

Having enjoyed worldly pleasures here, at the end of the body one may attain the path to heaven. O Goddess, thus these sacred tīrthas have been told to you briefly, by way of enumeration.

Verse 44

अन्यानि वै महाभागे संति तत्रल सहस्रशः । योऽस्मिन्क्षेत्रे नरः स्नायात्कुंभगेज्येऽजगे रवौ ॥ ४४ ॥

O greatly fortunate one, there are indeed thousands of other sacred merits and observances there. Yet whoever bathes in this holy kṣetra when the Sun is in Kumbha, at the auspicious Makara–Kumbha transition, attains an exceptional sacred fruit.

Verse 45

स तु स्याद्वाक्पतिः साक्षात्प्रभाकर इवापरः । अथ याते प्रयागादिपुण्यतीर्थे पृथूके ॥ ४५ ॥

He would indeed become, manifestly, a lord of speech—like another Prabhākara himself. Then, when Pṛthūka went to the sacred tīrthas of pilgrimage beginning with Prayāga, these results followed.

Verse 46

अथ यो वारुणे योगे महावारुणके तथा । महामहावारुणे च स्नायात्तत्र विधानतः ॥ ४६ ॥

Now, whoever bathes there during the Varuṇa-yoga, likewise in the Mahā-Vāruṇaka, and also in the Mahāmahā-Vāruṇa conjunctions, according to the prescribed rite, obtains the intended sacred result.

Verse 47

संपूज्य ब्राह्मणान् भक्त्या स लभेद्ब्रह्मणः पदम् । संक्रान्तौ वाप्यमायां वा व्यतीपाते युगादिके ॥ ४७ ॥

Having duly honored the brāhmaṇas with devotion (bhakti), one attains the supreme state of Brahman—especially when such worship is performed at saṅkrānti, on amāvāsyā, during vyatīpāta, or at great epochal junctions such as the beginning of a yuga.

Verse 48

पुण्येऽहनि तथान्यद्वै यत्किंचिद्दानमाचरेत् । तत्तु कोटिगुणं भूयात्सत्यमेतन्मयोदितम् ॥ ४८ ॥

Indeed, on an auspicious day, whatever gift one may give—any charity at all—becomes a millionfold in its fruit. This is the truth as declared by me.

Verse 49

गंगाद्वारं स्मरेद्यो वै दूरसंस्थोऽपि मानवः । सद्गतिं स समाप्नोति स्मरन्नंते यथा हरिम् ॥ ४९ ॥

Even if a person dwells far away, one who truly remembers Gaṅgādvāra (Haridvāra) attains a blessed destiny, just as one who remembers Hari at the time of death does.

Verse 50

यं यं देवं हरिद्वारे पूजयेत्प्रयतो नरः । स स देवः सुप्रसन्नः पूरयेत्तन्मनोरथान् ॥ ५० ॥

At Haridvāra, whatever deity a disciplined person worships with sincere care, that very deity—fully pleased—fulfills the worshipper’s heartfelt aims.

Verse 51

एतदेव तपःस्थानमेतदेव जपस्थलम् । एतदेव हुतस्थानं यत्र गंगा भुवं गता ॥ ५१ ॥

That very place is the seat of austerity; that very place is the ground for japa; that very place is the proper site for fire-offerings—where the Gaṅgā has come down to the earth.

Verse 52

यस्तत्र नियतो मर्त्यो गंगानामसहस्रकम् । त्रिकालं पठति स्नात्वा सोऽक्षयां संततिं लभेत् ॥ ५२ ॥

Whoever, disciplined in that place, recites the “Thousand Names of the Gaṅgā” three times a day after bathing, attains an imperishable lineage—unfailing progeny and continuity.

Verse 53

गंगाद्वारे पुराणं तु श्रृणुयाद्यश्च भक्तितः । नियमेन महाभागे स याति पदमव्ययम् ॥ ५३ ॥

But whoever, with devotion, listens to the Purāṇa at Gaṅgādvāra while observing the prescribed disciplines, O greatly fortunate one, attains the imperishable abode.

Verse 54

हरिद्वारस्य माहात्म्यं यः श्रृणोति नरोत्तमः । पठेद्वा भक्तिसंयुक्तः सोऽपि स्नानफलं लभेत् ॥ ५४ ॥

O best among men, whoever hears the greatness of Haridvāra—or recites it with devotion (bhakti)—also attains the merit of bathing there.

Verse 55

देवि तिष्ठति यद्गेहे माहात्म्यं लिखितं त्विदम् । तद्गृहे सर्पचौराग्निग्रहराजभयं नहि ॥ ५५ ॥

O Goddess, in whatever house this written sacred māhātmya is kept, in that house there is no fear of serpents, thieves, fire, nor of planetary afflictions or royal power.

Verse 56

वर्द्धतेसंपदः सर्वा विष्णुदेवप्रसादतः ॥ ५६ ॥

All prosperity and well-being increase through the gracious favor of Lord Viṣṇu.

Verse 57

इति श्रीबृहन्नारदीयपुराणे बृहदुपाख्याने उत्तरभागे वसुमोहिनीसंवादे हरिद्वारमाहात्म्यं नाम षट्षष्टितमोऽध्यायः ॥ ६६ ॥

Thus ends the sixty-sixth chapter, entitled “The Greatness of Haridvāra,” in the Uttara-bhāga of the Śrī Bṛhannāradīya Purāṇa, within the Bṛhad-upākhyāna, in the dialogue between Vasu and Mohinī.