Adhyaya 94
This chapter, spoken by Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya to Yudhiṣṭhira, lays down the proper sequence of pilgrimage to Nanditīrtha on the bank of the Narmadā. The tīrtha is praised as auspicious and universally sin-destroying, its sanctity traced to an earlier establishment by Nandin, the attendant of Śiva. The teaching enjoins a full night-and-day stay (ahorātra-ūṣita) at Nandinātha, presenting time-bound residence as a means of intensifying ritual merit. Devotion is to be performed through pañcopacāra-pūjā to Nandikeśvara, and dāna is recommended—especially the gifting of gems to brāhmaṇas—so that pilgrimage is joined with righteous giving. The promised fruit is exalted: attainment of the supreme abode where Pinākin (Śiva) dwells, together with complete well-being and heavenly enjoyment in the company of apsarases, blending Purāṇic liberation-language with paradisal reward.
Shlokas
Verse 1
श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच । तस्यैवानन्तरं राजन्नन्दितीर्थं व्रजेच्छुभम् । सर्वपापहरं पुंसां नन्दिना निर्मितं पुरा
Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said: Thereafter, O King, one should go to the auspicious Nanditīrtha, remover of all sins for men, established long ago by Nandin.
Verse 2
पापौघहतजन्तूनां मोक्षदं नर्मदातटे । अहोरात्रोषितो भूत्वा नन्दिनाथे युधिष्ठिर
On the bank of the Narmadā it grants liberation to beings crushed beneath heaps of sin. O Yudhiṣṭhira, having stayed there at Nandinātha for a full day and night—
Verse 3
पञ्चोपचारपूजायामर्चयेन्नन्दिकेश्वरम् । रत्नानि चैव विप्रेभ्यो यो दद्याद्धर्मनन्दन
He should worship Nandikeśvara with the pūjā of five offerings; and he who gives jewels to the Brāhmaṇas, O delight of Dharma—
Verse 4
स याति परमं स्थानं यत्र वासः पिनाकिनः । सर्वसौख्यसमायुक्तोऽप्सरोभिः सह मोदते
He attains the supreme abode where Pinākin dwells; and, endowed with every delight, he rejoices there in the company of the Apsarās.
Verse 94
। अध्याय
“Chapter” (a chapter marker in a manuscript/edition).