Adhyaya 165
Mārkaṇḍeya describes a famed tīrtha called Siddheśvara on the southern bank of the Narmadā, extolling it as supremely purifying among sacred fords. He prescribes the proper sequence of rites: bathing at the tīrtha, offering tarpaṇa (water-libations) to the pitṛs and the deities, and performing śrāddha for one’s ancestors. A specific fruit is declared—śrāddha done there grants ancestral satisfaction for twelve years. The chapter then sets forth a Śaiva devotional observance: bathe with faith, worship Śiva, keep nocturnal vigil (jāgaraṇa), recite or hear purāṇic narration, and bathe again at the pure dawn according to rule. Its culmination is salvific: the devotee “beholds” Girijā-kānta (Śiva, consort of Pārvatī) and attains an exalted state. Finally, the tīrtha’s sanctity is affirmed by recalling ancient siddhas and sages such as Kapila—yogic adepts said to have attained supreme siddhi through the sacred potency of the Narmadā.
Shlokas
Verse 1
श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच । नर्मदादक्षिणे कूले सिद्धेश्वरमिति श्रुतम् । तीर्थं परं महाराज सिद्धैः कृतमिति प्रभो
Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said: On the southern bank of the Narmadā, there is heard of a place called Siddheśvara—a supreme tīrtha, O great king, established by the Siddhas, O lord.
Verse 2
तत्र तीर्थं महापुण्यं सर्वतीर्थेषु पावनम् । नर्मदाया महाराज दक्षिणं कूलमाश्रितम्
There is a tīrtha of great merit there, purifying among all tīrthas, O great king—situated on the southern bank of the Narmadā.
Verse 3
तत्र तीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा तर्पयेत्पितृदेवताः । श्राद्धं तत्रैव यो दद्यात्पित्ःनुद्दिश्य भारत
O Bhārata, at that tīrtha, after bathing, a man should offer tarpaṇa to the Pitṛ-deities. Whoever, right there, performs śrāddha dedicated to the ancestors attains its special fruit.
Verse 4
तृप्यन्ति पितरस्तस्य द्वादशाब्दान्न संशयः । तत्र तीर्थे तु यो भक्त्या स्नात्वा पूजयते शिवम्
His ancestors remain satisfied for twelve years—of this there is no doubt. And whoever, at that tīrtha, bathes with devotion and worships Śiva obtains that assured merit.
Verse 5
रात्रौ जागरणं कृत्वा पठेत्पौराणिकीं कथाम् । ततः प्रभाते विमले स्नानं कुर्याद्यथाविधि
Keeping vigil through the night, one should recite a sacred Purāṇic narrative. Then, in the spotless dawn, one should perform the prescribed bath according to rule.
Verse 6
वीक्षते गिरिजाकान्तं स गच्छेत्परमां गतिम् । पुरा सिद्धा महाभागाः कपिलाद्या महर्षयः
Beholding Girijākānta—Śiva, beloved of the Daughter of the Mountain—he attains the supreme state. In ancient times, the accomplished and most fortunate great seers, beginning with Kapila, were renowned in this very way.
Verse 7
जपन्तश्च परं ब्रह्म योगसिद्धा महाव्रताः । सिद्धिं ते परमां प्राप्ता नर्मदायाः प्रभावतः
Chanting the Supreme Brahman, perfected in yoga and steadfast in great vows, those sages attained the highest siddhi through the very power of the Narmadā.
Verse 165
। अध्याय
Chapter—colophon marking the end of the section.