Adhyaya 101
Chapter 101, spoken by the sage Mārkaṇḍeya to a royal listener, points to a supremely auspicious tīrtha on the northern bank of the Narmadā, situated at the very center of the sacrificial enclosure (yajñavāṭa). This place is called Saṅkarṣaṇa and is praised as a destroyer of sin and wrongdoing. Its holiness is said to arise from Balabhadra’s former ascetic practice (tapas) and from the abiding divine presence there: Śambhu (Śiva) with Umā, Keśava (Viṣṇu), and the host of gods are described as dwelling at that spot. For the welfare of living beings, Balabhadra established Śaṅkara there with supreme devotion, thereby confirming it as a ritual and worshipful center. The chapter then gives observances: one who bathes there, having conquered anger and restrained the senses, should worship Śiva on the bright fortnight’s Ekādaśī by performing abhiṣeka with honey. It also permits śrāddha offerings to the ancestors at this tīrtha, promising attainment of the highest state in accordance with Balabhadra’s declaration.
Shlokas
Verse 1
श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच । ततो गच्छेत्तु राजेन्द्र तीर्थं परमशोभनम् । उत्तरे नर्मदाकूले यज्ञवाटस्य मध्यतः
Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said: Then, O best of kings, one should go to a supremely beautiful tīrtha—on the northern bank of the Narmadā, in the very midst of the Yajñavāṭa, the sacrificial enclosure.
Verse 2
संकर्षणमिति ख्यातं पृथिव्यां पापनाशनम् । तपश्चीर्णं पुरा राजन्बलभद्रेण तत्र वै
O King, that sacred place is renowned on earth as “Saṃkarṣaṇa,” a destroyer of sins. There, long ago, Balabhadra indeed performed austerities (tapas).
Verse 3
गीर्वाणा अपि तत्रैव संनिधौ नृपनन्दन । उमया सहितः शम्भुः स्थितस्तत्रैव केशवः
O delight of kings, even the gods dwell there in attendance. Śambhu stands there together with Umā, and Keśava also abides there.
Verse 4
बलभद्रेण राजेन्द्र प्राणिनामुपकारतः । स्थापितः परया भक्त्या शङ्करः पापनाशनः
O lord of kings, for the welfare of living beings Balabhadra, with supreme devotion, established Śaṅkara there—Śaṅkara who destroys sin.
Verse 5
यस्तत्र स्नाति वै भक्त्या जितक्रोधो जितेन्द्रियः । एकादश्यां सिते पक्षे मधुना स्नापयेच्छिवम्
Whoever bathes there with devotion—having conquered anger and restrained the senses—should, on the bright fortnight’s Ekādaśī, bathe Lord Śiva with honey.
Verse 6
श्राद्धं तत्रैव यो भक्त्या पित्ःणामथ दापयेत् । स याति परमं स्थानं बलभद्रवचो यथा
Whoever, with devotion, causes Śrāddha to be offered there for the Pitṛs—he attains the supreme abode, according to the word of Balabhadra.
Verse 101
। अध्याय
Chapter (Adhyāya): a chapter marker.