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THE GIRNAR MAHATMYA.
AUGUST, 1875.]
the mouth of some god, Śiva being generally chosen for this purpose,-evidently with a view to bestow on their account that respect which it would otherwise want; and the author of the Prabhasa Khanda has, in the Girnar Máhatmya, conformed to the rule of his brethren. Throughout the whole of it one cannot but notice the attempt made to exalt Šiva above all other gods, even above Vishnu.
Though the stories are related by Siva, their subjects are often incidents in his own past life and that of Pârvatî his wife, who is his hearer; and we find Śiva sometimes quoting dialogues held previously between gods or sages.
According to the Girnar Máhátmya, Prabhasa Kshetra is the holiest of all places of Hindu sanctity, and it is curious enough to note that Girnar, or Vastrapatha, as it is called, is said to be holier than Prabhasa by as much as a barleycorn. Many of the chief Hindu gods and heroes have their names connected with the numerous places of sanctity in Vastrapatha. The gods have consented to reside here permanently, and the heroes have performed pilgrimages to Girnar.
The priests who are to officiate in the ceremonies of pilgrimages are the Girnår Brahmans. Their ministry is strictly enjoined on the pilgrim. The number of this class of Brahmans in Kathiawad is considerable, and a peculiar sanctity attaches to them. It appears from the Prabhasa Khanda that they did not originally dwell in Kathiawâd. Their first abode, as stated in the Girnar Mahatmya, was at the foot of the Himalayas.
The general name for the holy places about Girnar is Vastrapatha. It is not now in general use, but the following story relates how it came to have this name:
One day Siva and Pârvatî were sitting together in Kailasa, when the latter inquired of Śiva, My lord, will you kindly tell me by what kind of devotion, by what kind of charity by what charms, what adventures and what works you are propitiated by men? Siva said, 'I am pleased with those who are kind to all creatures, who always tell the truth, never commit adultery, and always stand in the front in a field of battle. The discourse had arrived at this stage when Brahma and other gods came to Kailasa; Vishnu was also among them. Vishnu said to Siva, 'You always give boons to Daityas,
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which greatly interferes with the proper performance of my duty of protecting. By the boons granted by you the Daityas are enabled to harass mankind. Moreover you are propitiated with a trifling service. Such being the case, who will undertake to perform my duties?' Śiva said in reply, It is my natural habit to be pleased at once, and it shall never be abandoned. However, if you do not like it, I walk away.' So saying, Siva left Kailasa and instantly disappeared. Parvati said she could not live without Śiva: thereupon all the gods, together with Pârvâti, set out in search of him. Siva having arrived at the Vastrapatha Kshetra cast off his garments, and divesting himself of his bodily form became invisible and dwelt there. The gods and Parvati also arrived soon after at the Vastra
patha, pursuing their search after Śiva. Vishnu sent away his vehicle (Garuda) and took a seat on the mountain of Raivat. Pârvati took a seat on the top of the Ujiyanta (Girnâr). The king of serpents also came thither by a subterranean path. The Ganga and other rivers also came by the same way. The gods, choosing different spots, seated themselves there. Pârvatî then from the top of Girnår began to sing the praises of Siva, who was therewith greatly delighted, and graciously showed his form to Pârvati and the gods. Pleased at seeing him, all the gods requested Mahadeva to return to Kailasa, and Mahadeva consented to do so on condition that Pârvatî, the gods, and the Ganga and other rivers agreed to remain in Vastrapatha. They all did so, whereupon Mahadeva, leaving a part of his essence there, went to Kailasa. Pârvati also did the same. Vishnu from that time has continued to reside on the Raivatak mountain, and Pârvati or Ambâ has dwelt on the top of the Ujiyanta.'
This extract shows how the Kshetra received the name of Vastrapatha from the circumstance of Siva's casting off his vastra or garments when he repaired thither, incensed at the offence given by Vishnu. We also see the supreme importance attached to Siva. We make the following extract, which also tends to exalt the position of that deity :
'Once upon a time in ages gone by, Brahma's night came on, and the three gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Śiva were re-united in one being or person, and the whole world came to an end. Afterwards, Brahma's day again began, and the
