[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c9.1966 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.1966 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c9.1966 - **Language:** English ### [c9.1966](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.1966) 6) Incidents. (i) How Śiva got the name Jimūtaketu. (See under Jimūtaketu). (ii) He became Kapālī. (See under Kapālī). (iii) Sin of Brahmahatyā on Śiva. As he plucked off the head of Brahmā Śiva became subject to the sin of Brahmahatyā. Blue in colour and with grey hair, terrible Brahmahatyā approached Śiva who asked her who she was and why she came. She answered that she was Brahmahatyā and asked Śiva to take her into him. She entered his body so that he felt a burning sensation all over him. In this condition Śiva went to Bādaryāśrama. But, the great Ṛṣis, Naranārāyaṇas were not there in the āśrama. Sad at heart Śiva went to the river Yamunā to take a bath. But the river dried up. Then he went to Plakṣa island to bathe; but the island disappeared. Then he went to Puṣkarāraṇya, Māgadhāraṇya, Saindhavāraṇya, Naimiṣāraṇya, Dharmāraṇya etc. all to no purpose. He got worn out but could not have a bath. The terrible Brahmahatyā did not leave him. Though he visited sacred rivers, āśramas and temples and practised Yoga, Śiva did not get redemption from sin. At last, in great disappointment he went to Kurukṣetra, where he saw Viṣṇu. With folded hands Śiva praised Viṣṇu who advised him the following means for absolution from sin. "A Bhagavān born from my aspect under the name Yogaśāyī is living at Prayāga. The great river Varuṇā which has started from the right leg of Yogaśāyī and which redeems all sins as also the sublime river Asī, which has started from his left leg are both worshipped by the whole world. The temple of Yogaśāyī is at the centre of these rivers, and that is a sacred place most important in the three worlds and annihilative of all sins. That city is the great Vārāṇasī. Even materialistic or worldly people get salvation there. It is my (Viṣṇu) āśrama. There dwells Sūrya called Lola destroying all sins. The place where Keśava my aspect lives, is Daśāśvamedha. If you go there you will get redemption from sin." Thus directed by Viṣṇu Śiva went to Vārāṇasī and achieved absolution from the sin of Brahmahatyā by bathing in the holy tīrthas there. (Vāmana Purāṇa, Chapter 3). - [Previous: c9.1965](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.1965) - [Next: c9.1967](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.1967) - [Up: c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9) ## Cites (1) - [Vāmanapurāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.vamana.3) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.1966](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c9.1966) · Pramāṇa