Adhyaya 149
Īśvara speaks to Devī and directs the pilgrim-seeker to Bhairaveśvara, an eminent manifestation abiding in the Īśāna (northeast) quarter of Brahmakuṇḍa. He is praised as the destroyer of sin and the guardian of the tīrtha, appearing as four-faced (caturvaktra), signifying protective presence and ritual authority within the sacred terrain. The chapter lays down a simple pilgrimage rite: bathe in the great kuṇḍa, then worship with devotion through the fivefold upacāra, restraining the senses. A strong phalaśruti follows: the worshipper is said to “deliver” (tārayet) past and future lineages, and is assured that no loss or destruction will befall the devotee. The reward is cast in celestial imagery—radiant vimānas, ceaseless movement in sun-like brilliance, and divine enjoyment—culminating in the claim that even the mere sight of this four-faced liṅga frees one from all sins.
Shlokas
Verse 1
ईश्वर उवाच । ततो गच्छेन्महादेवि भैरवेश्वरमुत्तमम् । ब्रह्मकुण्डस्य ईशाने स्थितं पापप्रणाशनम् । चतुर्वक्त्रं महादेवं संस्थितं तीर्थरक्षणे
Īśvara said: Then, O Great Goddess, one should go to the excellent Bhairaveśvara—situated to the northeast of Brahmakuṇḍa—destroyer of sins: the four-faced Mahādeva established there to guard the sacred ford.
Verse 2
तत्र स्नात्वा महाकुण्डे यस्तं पूजयते नरः । पंचोपचारविधिना भक्तियुक्तो यतेन्द्रियः
Having bathed there in the great kuṇḍa, the person who worships Him with the rite of five offerings—devout and self-restrained—attains the promised merit.
Verse 3
कुलानि यान्यतीतानि भविष्याणि च यानि वै । तारयेत्स नरो देवि नात्र कार्या विचारणा
O Goddess, that person delivers the families that have passed away and those yet to come—of this there is no need for doubt or further deliberation.
Verse 4
न चात्र संभवस्तस्य विनाशो नैव जायते । विमानैश्चरते नित्यं दिवाकरसमप्रभैः
For him, no ruin arises there; he does not come to destruction. He continually moves about in celestial chariots radiant like the sun.
Verse 5
स्त्रीसहस्रैर्वृतो नित्यं क्रीडते देवव द्दिवि
Ever surrounded by a thousand celestial maidens, he sports in heaven like a god.
Verse 6
एतल्लिंगं महादेवि चतुर्वक्त्रं महाप्रभम् । दृष्ट्वापि तद्विमुच्येत सर्वपापैस्तु मानवः
O Great Goddess, this illustrious four-faced liṅga is of mighty radiance; merely by beholding it, a person is freed from all sins.