Adhyaya 75
Mārkaṇḍeya describes a greatly revered tīrtha on the southern bank of the Narmadā, known as Śaṅkhacūḍa. The chapter affirms that Śaṅkhacūḍa abides there, seeking safety from the fear of Vainateya (Garuḍa). A ritual discipline is then prescribed: the devotee should approach in purity and focused mind, bathe/perform abhiṣeka for Śaṅkhacūḍa with auspicious substances in order—milk, honey, and ghee—and keep nocturnal vigil (jāgaraṇa) before the deity. Worship is completed by honoring brāhmaṇas of praised vows with offerings such as dadhibhakta (rice with curd), and it culminates in go-dāna, the gift of a cow, extolled as a purifier that destroys all sins. The discourse closes with a specific merit: one who, at this tīrtha, comforts or satisfies a person afflicted by snakebite is said to attain the supreme realm, in accordance with Śaṅkara’s utterance—thus joining sacred place, compassion, and salvific fruit.
Shlokas
Verse 1
श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच । नर्मदादक्षिणे कूले तीर्थं परमशोभनम् । शङ्खचूडस्य नाम्ना वै प्रसिद्धं भूमिमण्डले
Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said: “On the southern bank of the Narmadā there is a supremely beautiful sacred ford, renowned throughout the world by the name ‘Śaṅkhacūḍa’.”
Verse 2
शङ्खचूडः स्वयं तत्र संस्थितः पाण्डुनन्दन । वैनतेयभयात्पार्थ सुखदनर्मदातटे
O son of Pāṇḍu—O Pārtha—Śaṅkhacūḍa himself dwelt there, on that joy-giving bank of the Narmadā, out of fear of Vainateya (Garuḍa).
Verse 3
तत्र तीर्थे तु यो भक्त्या शुचिर्भूत्वा समाहितः । स्नापयेच्छङ्खचूडं तु क्षीरक्षौद्रेण सर्पिषा
At that tīrtha, whoever, with devotion, becomes pure and composed in mind should bathe Śaṅkhacūḍa with milk, honey, and ghee.
Verse 4
रात्रौ जागरणं कुर्याद्देवस्याग्रे नराधिप । दधिभक्तेन सम्पूज्य ब्राह्मणाञ्छंसितव्रतान् । गोप्रदाने द्विजेन्द्रोऽयं सर्वपापक्षयंकरः
O king, one should keep a night-vigil before the deity. Having duly honored Brahmins of praised vows with curd-rice (dahi-bhakta), and by gifting a cow, this rite becomes a foremost purifier, destroying all sins.
Verse 5
तस्मिंस्तीर्थे तु यः पार्थ सर्पदष्टं प्रतर्पयेत् । स याति परमं लोकं शङ्करस्य वचो यथा
O Pārtha, whoever at that tīrtha satisfies and tends one who has been bitten by a serpent attains the highest world—according to Śaṅkara’s word.