Adhyaya 147
In this adhyāya, Mārkaṇḍeya instructs a king (addressed as mahīpāla/nṛpasattama) to go to the peerless Siddheśvara tīrtha on the southern bank of the Narmadā (Revā), declaring it an exceptionally auspicious and holy place. Bathing there and then worshipping Vṛṣabhadhvaja—Śiva, bearing the bull emblem—is said to destroy all pāpa and bestow merit comparable to that gained by performers of the Aśvamedha. Bathing and diligently performing śrāddha is likewise affirmed to be fully effective in bringing satisfaction to the pitṛs (ancestors). For beings who die at, or in connection with, this tīrtha, the text promises release from the recurrence of garbha-vāsa (confinement in the womb), described as inherently painful. The chapter closes by linking bathing in tīrtha-water with the cessation of punarbhava (rebirth), presenting river-ritual as a means of liberation within a Śaiva devotional frame.
Shlokas
Verse 1
मार्कण्डेय उवाच । ततो गच्छेन्महीपाल सिद्धेश्वरमनुत्तमम् । नर्मदादक्षिणे कूले तीर्थं परमशोभनम्
Mārkaṇḍeya said: Then, O protector of the earth (King), one should go to the unsurpassed Siddheśvara—an exceedingly splendid tīrtha on the southern bank of the Narmadā.
Verse 2
तत्र तीर्थे तु यः स्नात्वा पूजयेद्वृषभध्वजम् । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो गतिं यात्यश्वमेधिनाम्
Whoever bathes at that tīrtha and worships the Bull-bannered Lord (Śiva) is freed from all sins and attains the state promised to performers of the Aśvamedha sacrifice.
Verse 3
तत्र तीर्थे तु यः स्नात्वा श्राद्धं कुर्यात्प्रयत्नतः । पितॄणां प्रीणनार्थाय सर्वं तेन कृतं भवेत्
And whoever, having bathed at that tīrtha, performs Śrāddha with sincere effort for the satisfaction of the ancestors—by him, everything that ought to be done for them is deemed accomplished.
Verse 4
तत्र तीर्थे मृतानां तु जन्तूनां नृपसत्तम । गर्भवासे मतिस्तेषां न जायेत कदाचन
O best of kings, for beings who have died at that tīrtha, the condition of dwelling again in the womb does not arise for them at any time.
Verse 5
गर्भवासो हि दुःखाय न सुखाय कदाचन । तत्तीर्थवारिणा स्नातुर्न पुनर्भवसम्भवः
For dwelling in the womb is for suffering, never for happiness. But for one who bathes in the water of that tīrtha, there is no possibility of rebirth again.
Verse 147
। अध्याय
(Colophon marker) “Chapter.”