Skandapurana 2.4.4.4.5

2.4.4.4.5

Hearing this speech of the Gaṅgā, the supreme Lord replied: / Rudra said: / In the beginning, for the eradication of sin, you emerged / from the lotus-foot of Padmanābha, O goddess! Why are you distressed? / Sovereignty over the destruction of sin was ordained for you by Viṣṇu. / Even so, I shall tell you the means for the eradication of sin. / The daughter of Kavi, the divine Kāverī, is the best of rivers; / and she is the most supreme of all through the force of Hari’s power. / In her lies the capacity for the destruction of all sins. / The man who performs ritual ablution in the Kāverī during the month of Kārtika / is freed from sin and goes to the supreme abode of Viṣṇu. / Therefore, go to her, O goddess; then you will be liberated from sin. / Thus addressed, she then went to the Kāverī, which removes sins. / By the mere touch of its water in Kārtika, she who was born from Viṣṇu’s foot, / her sins cleansed, the Gaṅgā went to her own abode. / Every year in Kārtika, with devotion the Gaṅgā comes to the Kāverī, / the purifier of the three worlds, which removes sin, in order to bathe. / By the mere touch of its water in Kārtika, she who was born from Viṣṇu’s foot, / her sins cleansed, the Gaṅgā went to her own abode. / Therefore, the Tulā ablution in the Kāverī is recommended and praised by the wise. / The one who performs the Tulā ablution in the Kāverī with devotion, O sage, / is immediately released from wickedness and then goes to the supreme state. / Therefore, bathing in the Kāverī in the month of Kārtika is praised. / Having heard this ancient tale, one devoted to the vow of Kārtika / obtains the fruit of bathing in the Kāverī and the supreme state. / Ablution at the close of night is supreme, pleasing to Viṣṇu; / at sunrise it is intermediate; as long as Kṛttikā has not set, / just so long is the ablution valid; otherwise, it is not of Kārtika. / Ablution must be performed by women having received the permission of their husband; / a religious act done without asking one’s husband leads to loss.