Chapter 165 - Origin of Aśva Tīrtha

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Note: (vv. 7-8ff) The story of the curse of Sarasvatī is taken from Mahābhārata, Śalya. 42. 38-39. But it was not Prācī Sarasvatī but Sarasvatī in Kurukṣetra area which was cursed.

Sūta said:

1-5. Ever since then on the splendid and auspicious banks of Sarasvatī, a great holy spot of persons outside Nāgaras took shape, O excellent Brāhmaṇas.

They flourished with sons, daughters and grandsons ahead of Camatkārapura and it became well-known through learning and riches.

Once upon a time Sarasvatī was angrily cursed by the intelligent Viśvāmitra and was made to flow with blood.

Thenceforth, it is resorted to by delighted Rākṣasas day and night, and also by Bhūtas, Pretas and Piśācas engaged in singing and dancing.

The sages said:

6. Why was Sarasvatī cursed by the intelligent Viśvāmitra? What offence was committed against him by the great river?

Sūta said:

7-8. Formerly, there arose a great enmity between Viśvāmitra and Vasiṣṭha for the sake of Brāhmaṇahood, O Brāhmaṇas. The great enmity was deadly.

Viśvāmitra, the great sage, was called a Brāhmaṇa by all though he was a Kṣatriya. This they did keeping Pitāmaha, the Lord of Devas, at the head. Vasiṣṭha alone did not do so. Hence this enmity grew up.

The sages said:

9-10. O highly intelligent one, how was Viśvāmitra a Bṛāhmaṇa, though he was really a Kṣatriya? How was it that he was not (called so by Vasiṣṭha, though he was called so by Brahmā himself?) Narrate this entirely to us. We have great curiosity.

Sūta said:

11. Formerly, there was a great sage named Ṛcīka. He was son of Bhṛgu. He was a regular observer of holy vows and engaged in regular study of the Vedas. He was highly renowned as an excellent ascetic.

12. By way of pilgrimage that leading sage once reached the holy spot named Bhojakaṭa.^[1] It was in the dominion of King Gādhi. It was there that the river named Kauśikī flowed. It is well known in all the three worlds.

13. The excellent Brāhmaṇa took his holy bath there. He offered oblations to the Pitṛs and Devatās. Then he stationed himself on its banks performing Japa and meditating.

14. By that time the splendid princess came there. She was fully endowed with all characteristic features and all good qualities.

15. Hardly had he espied that girl, splendid in every limb, when he was fully overwhelmed by the arrows of Kāma. He was at a loss to know what he should do.

16-17. Regaining his balance of mind with very great difficulty, he asked the people: “Whose daughter is this excellent maiden? Why has she come here? Where will this exquisite girl go? Let everything be told to me, O people.”

The people said:

18. This is the daughter of Gādhi, well-known by the name Trailokyasundarī.{GL_NOTE::} Desirous of performing the worship of Gaurī, she has come here from the palace.

19. She covets an excellent husband having the full complement of all good qualities. Yonder you see a very huge palace situated on the banks of the river.

20. Umā is present here and is adored by all the Suras. This maiden has bathed the image of the goddess and has concluded the adoration duly.

21. After making different kinds of food offerings she will amuse herself of playing on the lute delighting the ears (of the listeners).

22. Thereafter, she will go back to the palace when the sun becomes less bright.

Ṛcīka was moved much on hearing the words of the people.

23. He was afflicted by the arrows of Kāma and so hastened to the abode of Gādhi. On noticing that Ṛcīka, the most excellent one among the descendants of Bhṛgu, had come all of a sudden, Gādhi, the most excellent one among kings, hurried to him to receive him directly.

24. After paying him obeisance in accordance with the injunctions laid down in the Gṛhya Sūtras, he stood with palms joined in reverence and spoke these words:

25. “O Brāhmaṇa, it is certain that you are free from desires. What may be the purpose of your visit? Do tell me entirely so that I shall give you everything.”

Ṛcīka said:

26. O eminent king, haven't you a daughter of excellent complexion, befitting a good bridegroom? O king, do give her to me in accordance with the Brahma mode of marriage.

27. It is for this purpose that I have come to your abode. I am tormented by Smara (god of Love). O king, I have already seen her when she came out for the sake of the adoration of Gaurī.

Sūta said:

28. On hearing those words, the excellent king hesitated in view of his belonging to a different caste. Besides he was very old and poor. In openly refusing him he was afraid of being cursed by him and so spoke thus trying to make an excuse.

29. “O excellent Brāhmaṇa, among us there is the practice of offering a fee when asking for a girl in marriage. If you are able to offer the requisite fee I shall undoubtedly give her to you.”

Ṛcīka said:

30. O tiger among kings, tell me quickly what you intend to have, by way of the requisite dowry so that I can readily offer it to you even if it happens to be very rare.

Gādhi said:

31-32. O eminent Brāhmaṇa, I demand seven hundred horses having the speed of wind. They shall be white in colour but the ears on one side shall be black. Whoever brings them and gives them to me, I shall give the daughter unto him.

Sūta said:

33. The excellent sage Ṛcīka promised, “It shall be so". He went to Kānyakubja and settled on the banks of Gaṅgā.

34. Thereafter he performed the Japa of the Sūkta among the famous sixty-four Sūktas beginning with aśvo voḍha (RV IX.112.4) proclaiming the Chandas, the names of the deities and the sages.

35. The application was for the sake of horses as demanded by Gādhi. Thereupon, O Brāhmaṇas, those horses rose up from the water.

36. They were completely white. They had great speed. One of the ears was black. There were seven hundred of them with as many men incharge of them.

37. Ever since then it became well-known all over the world as Aśvatīrtha. It is on the sacred and splendid banks of Gaṅgā, very near Kānyakubja. A man who takes his holy bath there shall obtain the benefit of a horse-sacrifice.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The author seems confused. Bhojakata [Bhojakaṭa] is in Vidarbha while Kosī (Kauśikī) is not in Vidarbha. Gādhi was the king of Kānyakubja (Kanauj), Uttar Pradesh.

[2]:

Satyavatī according to Mahābhārata, Śānti 49.7.