Death of the Brahmani and Nandikeshvara

Suta said

Nilakantha Maheshvara is always present as a lingam on the divine mountain Kalanjara, always giving devotees bliss. His divine greatness is told in the shrutis and smritis. The holy place there has the same name, and bathing there destroys sins. Ones excellent in vows, along the banks of the Reva there are countless Shiva lingams that give every kind of happiness. Seeing the river, which is Rudra's own form, destroys sins. Its pebbles and stones are Shiva's forms. Lords among sages, I will tell you of other major Shiva lingams that give pleasure and liberation. There is the one with the excellent name Arteshvara, which destroys sins. Parameshvara is famous and Simheshvara is mentioned. Sharmesha, Kumareshvara, Pundarikeshvara and Mandapeshvara are famous. As soon as one sees the one called Tikshnesha, sins are destroyed. Dhundhureshvara on the Narmada's banks destroys sins. Shuleshvara is famous and Kumbheshvara is named. There is Kubereshvara, and Someshvara is cited. Nilakantha Mangalesha is a store of great auspiciousness. The god Mahakapishvara was set up by Hanuman. The god Nandika counters the sin of killing a crore people and is said to give everything desired and liberation. One who joyfully worships Nandikesha always gains all the siddhis, doubtless. Supreme sages, bathing on the Reva's banks realizes all desires and destroys all sins.

The rishis asked

Very intelligent one, what is the greatness of Nandikesha? Show us your compassion and tell us now.

Suta answered

You have asked well, and I will tell you what I have heard. Shounaka and the other sages, listen lovingly. Long ago the excellent rishi was asked this by Yudhishthira, and out of affection I will tell you his answer. On the western bank of the Reva was the city of Karniki, radiant, beautiful and excellent, full of the four varnas. There lived an excellent brahmana born in the line of Utta. Leaving the care of his two sons to his wife, he went to Kashi. The brahmana died there. Hearing of it, the two sons did the funeral rites. Wishing her sons well, his wife raised them. At last she divided her wealth between the two sons and took leave of them. She kept a little wealth for her funeral expenses. After some time the brahmana's wife was about to die, so she did many good deeds. Brahmanas, but destiny was such that she did not actually die. The sons saw that by destiny their mother's breath did not leave her though she was suffering. They said to her: "Mother, why do you suffer this great misery? Tell us. We will lovingly do what needs to be done." She answered, "There is indeed much to do. If you do it, I will die happily." The elder son said, "Tell us. I will do what you say." She said: "Son, listen lovingly. I wished to go to Kashi but did not, and now I am dying here. Son, take my bones and carefully throw them into the Ganga there. Doubtless this will bring you welfare." The mother, excellent in her vows, was about to die. Addressed so, the elder son, devoted to his mother, answered: "Mother, doubtless you may give up your life happily. I will do your task first and my own tasks afterward." Saying this, the son poured a little water into her hand and went home. Meanwhile, devoutly remembering Hara, she died.

He performed all the funeral rites and the rites at a month's end, and made ready to leave. The elder of the two was named Suvada. He collected the bones and set out, wanting to visit a holy place, taking a servant. Wishing to do what would please his mother, he comforted his wife and sons. He did the ancestral rite and, by excellent norms, fed people and gave gifts. Remembering auspicious blessings, the brahmana left his house. He travelled one yojana that day. When the sun set, he stayed in a brahmana's house in the auspicious village of Vimshati. By the norms the brahmana did the virtuous sandhya rites and chanted hymns to Shambhu, wonderful in his deeds. He had his servant with him. When two muhurtas of the night had passed, an extraordinary event happened there. Sages, listen attentively; I will tell it.