Sambodhi 2012 Vol 35

Author(s): J B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 77

Vol. XXXV, 2012
On Some Tīrthas in the Vāmanapurāņa
67
had taken up abode there. One who worships Rudra alongwith Dindi after a bath at Kapisthala attains the extraordinary power of making oneself invisible, and repairs to the Sivaloka to live happily there. The merit of visiting the Kedara tīrtha comes to him who drinks three draughts of water, and pays homage to Dindi after offering libations to the manes at this holy place. And a Srāddha performed there on the fourteeth day of the bright fortnight of the Caitra month, dedicated to Lord Siva, leads to the highest position of final beatitude (VP, xxxvi. 14-17). Pệthūdaka
Pșthūdaka, situated on the bank of Sarasvatī, is one of the most significant and sacred tīrthas of the Kuruksetra region.26 The meaningful adjectives like punyatīrtha, mahātīrtha, mahāphalam, bahupunya used for it in the VP are unerringly intended to underscore its high sanctity. The Mahābhārata rates it as tīrthotamam, the most excellent of the tirthas, which no other holy place can match.27 It surpasses in piety even the holy Kuruksetra and Sarasvati rather the whole gamut of the tīrthas combined together.28 Its pre-eminence is emphatically projected in the VP (xii. 45) : tīrtheșu yadvat pravaram prthüdakam. Prthudaka was created in the beginning of the creation by Brahmä alongwith all the beings and the five elements with the result it stands in utmost glory. The waters of all the oceans, rivers, lakes, springs and tirthas created by Brahmā flow to join in the Sarasvatī near Pșthüdaka (VP, xxii.45). A visit to Prthūdaka purges one of sin and fear (pāpabhayāpahaḥ, VP, 50.1). It was surely due to its high sanctity that the gods invariably visited it for the realisation of their missions and ambitions.29 "The very name of Prthūdaka relieves a person of his sins and it is the only place in the Kuruksetra region where śiva resides permanently.” –
पृथूदकसमं तीर्थं नाम्ना पापप्रमोचनम् ।
कुरुक्षेत्रगतं नान्यद्यत्र शंभोः सदास्थितिः ॥३० In view of its unmatched sanctity it was believed that the heaven was nearest to Prthūdaka and one could reach it from there with utmost ease.
गयायां योजने स्वर्गः प्रयागे चार्द्धयोजने ।
क्रोशमेकं हरद्वारे हस्तमात्रं पृथूदके ॥31 Prthūdaka is a land of restraint. One must have one's senses under control before embarking upon a visit to it (niyato niyatāśanaḥ, VP, 39.16).