Swami Pushkarini - Sumati getting relieved of his sin

(Skanda Purana - Venkatachala Mahatmya - 14)

Sr Venkateswara

• About Sumati: In Maharashtra, there was an orthodox brahmana named Yajnadeva who was well-versed in the Vedas. He was compassionate, hospitable and worshipped Lord Shiva and Narayana. He had a son named Sumati.

• Due to evil association Sumati straying in the wrong path: Due to association with some lecherous persons Sumati strayed in the wrong path. He left his father and chaste wife. He went to Utkala and mixed with a Kirata woman for sensual pleasures. He stole things from others and gave it to that woman. He took food in her house and drank liquor with her.

• Sumati killing a brahmana and becoming possessed by Brahmahatya: Once Sumati went to steal in the house of a brahmana along with other Kiratas. Displaying a ferocious behaviour he killed the brahmana and took away his wealth. The terrible Brahmahatya (evil spirit of the sin of killing a brahmana) then possessed him. Sumati ran hither and thither but could not get rid of that evil spirit.

• Sumati taking refuge of his father: Finally Sumati returned to his own house and sought refuge of his father Yajnadeva. Brahmahatya threatened his father that his whole family will be destroyed if he tried to save Sumati. But out of love for his son, Yajnadeva could not back off.

• Yajnadeva taking refuge of sage Durvasas: Fortunately at that time sage Durvasas came there. The sage was a part of Shankara. Yajnadeva lamented and described their predicament to the sage. Yajnadeva mentioned that Sumati was his only son and without him there will be no one to offer rice-balls to the manes. Durvasas took pity on that virtuous brahmana and meditated for a long time. Then he said that Sumati had committed grave sins which cannot be expiated even with ten thousand methods of expiation.

• Sage Durvasas suggesting to bathe Sumati in Swami Pushkarini: When Yajnadeva implored for a remedy, sage Durvasas suggested Yajnadeva to take his son to Venkatadri and bathe him in Swami Pushkarini which is the dispeller of all sins.

• Sumati taking bath in Swami Pushkarini and getting relieved of his sins: Following the advice of sage Durvasas, Yajnadeva took his son to Swami Pushkarini. He made his son bathe in that holy water. Sumati was relieved of his sins and the evil spirit of Brahmahatya left him. An ethereal voice told Yajnadeva that his son has become purified by the holy bath on that Teertha, the Teertha which is like an axe to the tree of sins.

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