Chapter 33 - The Story of Sarasvatī

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

The Devī said:

1-2. Everything has been listened to by me with concentration. I have heard everything that was performed earlier by the great sage, whose anger was justifiably aroused by the killing of his father. What the son of Dadhīci, who wanted to take the revenge on Suras, did I have heard. It is now my curiosity to know similarly everything in due order that befell the Suras, which is of equal importance.

Īśvara said:

3-5. When he was thus addressed by that noble-souled one, “Swallow first of all Water because it was created in the world at first and so it is the eldest of all Suras and Asuras”, he said, “O Suras, show me where it is stationed. After drinking it entirely, I shall carry out the task of eating the Suras. If you are able to take me to the place where the water has collected together (do so). I will not be one uttering falsehood. Even if the vital airs depart, I will carry out the behest of the sage”.

6. When this was said, Puṇḍarīkākṣa (Viṣṇu) said to the Vāḍava Aurva, “O Vāḍava, by what vehicle can I take you to the place where the water is present?”

The Vādava said:

7. I am not eager to go there by means of horses and other vehicles. Excepting the contact with the hand of a virgin (no other means of transport is desirable). This is what I think.

Viṣṇu said:

8. This means of transport is easily available to you. I shall bring that girl who is certainly able to take you to the reservoir of water.

Īśvara said:

9. Sarasvatī who was distressed due to the curse of the (celestial) Surabhis and who suffered the result of the (false) step taken earlier, was turned into his (Vāḍava’s) vehicle by Viṣṇu.

10. Then the Lord spoke to Gaṅgā who was present by his side, “O highly esteemed lady, take this fire quickly to the great ocean. O sanctifier of the worlds, except you, no one is competent to take it.”

Gaṅgā said:

11. O Lord, O master of the worlds, I do not have the strength to carry Aurva. He is huge and terrific in form. This Anala (Fire) burns excessively.

12. Thereupon the liberal-minded Lord spoke to Yamunā first, to Sindhu thereafter, and to various rivers severally.

13-15. They were asked by the excellent one among Suras and they proved unable to take (Aurva). Then Janārdana, the Lord of Devas, spoke to Sarasvatī: “O auspicious one, you yourself go over to the west of the briny sea. If this is carried out, all the Suras will be rid of their fear. Otherwise they will be burned by the Vāḍava through its refulgence. So, save Vibudhas (Suras) from this terrible fear. O lady of excellent waist, like a mother ^ou alone can bestow freedom from fear on the Suras.”

16-18. On being told thus by Viṣṇu, the powerful one, she said: “I am not free. My father, the ancient one, is waiting. Being a daughter and having Vratas to be performed, I can only do what he orders. A daughter is never independent in the past, present and future. So learned men say. O Hari, without the specific command of my father, I will not move even a step,. So, may some other means be thought of.”

19-20. Having known her attitude, Vāsudeva approached Pitāmaha (Brahmā) and said: “This is the task of Devas. Carry it out. Excepting this virgin daughter of yours, without any apparent defect, no one else can carry the Vāḍava fire of great prowess.”

21. On hearing the words uttered by Viṣṇu, the Great-grandfather sniffed the head of his virgin daughter and said lovingly:

22. “O fair lady, do go. Save all the Devas caught in the midst of fearful danger. Take this Vāḍava with you and cast it into the salt sea.”

On hearing her father’s words she said:

Sarasvatī said:

23. At your instance, O dear father, I am now setting out undoubtedly. This Vāḍava fire is very horrendous. He will consume my body.

24. It is the advent of the terrible Kali Age now on the earth. O Lord, folks of evil conduct will be coming into contact with me.

25. What can be more painful than contact with sinners!

Brahmā said:

26. If you do not like the earth’s surface fully infested with sinful folks, do take the Vahni (Fire) to the great ocean confining yourself to the Pātālatala (nether worlds).

27. If you find yourself exceedingly over-burdened and weary and get scorched by the Vahni pierce through the ground, O dear daughter, and reveal yourself.

28. O lady of wide eyes and excellent waistline, turn your face eastwards. Thereupon, the (other) Tīrthas will approach you in that weary state of yours, O lady of charming smiles.

29. O lady of excellent countenance, they will come to you for help. At my bidding thirty-three crores of them will render you help.

30. Do proceed ahead, dear daughter. Do not be worried at any cost. Let your path be free from misfortune and loss. May there be no antagonists.

Īśvara said:

31. On being told thus by Brahmā, Sarasvatī got rid of her nervousness and trepidation. Delighted in her mind, she got ready to go ahead.

32. At the time of her departure, the whole world was filled with the sounds of conch-shells and Dundubhi drums as well as similar auspicious sounds.

33-36. The divine lady had white garments. She had smeared herself with white sandal-paste. She resembled the autumnal cloud; she was adorned with pearl necklaces. Her face was like the full moon. Her eyes were large like the petals of a lotus. Like the renown of Mahendra, she filled all the ten quarters. Shining with her own refulgence, she illuminated the entire universe. O lady of excellent complexion (Gaurī), Gaṅgā, following her was addressed by her: “Dear friend, where shall I see you staying again?” On being asked thus by her, Gaṅgā spoke in affectionate words:

37-43. “As soon as you come to the east and espy me, O lady of excellent holy rites, I shall appear before you surrounded by all the Suras there. O lady of splendid smiles, cast off your grief.” She then took leave of Gaṅgā saying, “May there be a meeting later on, O fair lady, go to your abode. O sinless one, I should be remembered by you.”

Similarly Yamunā, the highly charming Gāyatrī and all friends including Sāvitrī were sent back by her.

After sending them away, the goddess became the river Sarasvatī and reached the mountain Himavān. There she came out of the Plakṣa tree and descended on the surface of the earth. There she (the river) abounded in fish, turtles, crocodiles, Ḍiṇḍīras (cuttlefish), whales and groups of alligators. The great goddess (river) appeared to smile as she flowed with foams all round.

The splendid divine river with sacred waters, was eulogized by twice-born ones. Holding the Vāḍava fire, she flowed on gallopping like a horse trotting swiftly.

44. With the rapidity of her current, she pierced the ground and came to the surface of the Earth. Whenever she (the river) became weary and got scorched by the Vāḍava fire, the river became visible in the mortal world^[1].

45-46. Thereupon, Prācī (Eastern quarter) became scorched by the Vāḍava. Thereat all the Tīrthas glorified by the ancient seers, O beautiful woman, the Tīrthas of heaven, intermediate space and the earth asserted their presence there. On being consoled by them, the river Sarasvatī went over to the nether worlds and passed over to the ocean, the abode of sharks and crocodiles.

47. O beautiful woman among the Suras, she (river) reached Khadirāmoda and there saw the ocean. Afterwards she took up the Vahni and began to proceed onwards.

48. She thought of the fact that it was at the behest of the Lord that she had herself taken up the burden and was therefore delighted. With a clear conscience, she went ahead facing the South.

49. In the meantime, O great goddess, four sages who had mastered the Vedas reached the holy spot Prabhāsa Kṣetra.

50. They were Hariṇa, Vajra, Nyaṅku and Kapila. After stationing themselves there, they began to perform penance, with their minds engrossed in the self-study (of the Vedas).

51. Sarasvatī was severally summoned by them for the sake of holy bath. Suddenly the Ocean appeared before her face-to-face.

52. Thereupon, she began to reflect, ‘How can I attain some merit!’ Further the chaste lady (river) was afraid of the curse (of the sages). She then turned herself into one of five channels.

53. O lady of excellent complexion (Gauri), she propitiated each of the sages. Then, she had five different names on the earth.

54-56. They are: Hariṇī, Vajriṇī, Nyaṅku, Kapilā, and Sarasvatī. The river Sarasvatī flowing in five channels shall dispel all the five sins of men if they plunge into it or drink the waters. The sins are those of Brāhmaṇa-slaughter, imbibing liquor, committing theft and ravishing the wife of the preceptor. The fifth sin accrues from contact with these sinners. Sarasvatī (flowing in five channels) accompanied by her friends dispels these sins.

57. Sarasvatī flowing backwards dispels the terrible sin of Brāhmaṇa-slaughter entirely, through drinking her water and bathing in it.

58. The river Kapilā flows dispelling the sin of imbibing liquor committed by the twice-born, if they had drunk it inadvertently.

59. If the twice-born perform Japa and Homa, if they observe fast and if they take their holy bath in and drink her water, the river dispels the sin in seven days. Whatever they perform, shall be performed with fervour and devotion in the mind.

60. By resorting to the river Nyaṅku, the devotees get rid of the great sin committed by them if they perform everything as mentioned.

61. By observing fast, taking the holy bath and drinking the holy waters Vajriṇī redeems a sinner who has violated the sanctity of the preceptor’s bed. She annihilates the entire sin of men despite its massiveness and terrible nature.

62. The river Hariṇī dispels the sin resulting from having contact with other sinners. The river has sacred and meritorious waters. By taking the holy plunge in her for seven days, the sin is removed. Hence the river is remembered as Hariṇī (the remover).

63. Thus, O beautiful goddess, the river Sarasvatī with five channels dispels all the sins. It is the truth.

64. Then, further ahead, the fair lady (river) saw a beautiful mountain standing in her path near the ocean, as if to obstruct her way.

65. ‘So, here is this excellent mountain. It is the measuring rod for the whole Cosmic Egg. It has now come as an obstacle before me even as I was going ahead on the errand of Suras.’ (Thought Sarasvatī.)

66. The river Sarasvatī looked at the great lofty mountain. The chaste lady (river) became surprised, when the mountain held up the speed of her current.

67. Even as she was contemplating on this miracle in her mind, Kṛtasmara, the mountain, woke up (became aware of it) through the auspicious sound.

68-69a. She (the river) saw a being walking over a pair of peaks of the mountain. The mountain said to her (the river), the divine lady: “O lady of excellent holy rites, there is no way here. O fair lady, go somewhere else where you please”.

69b. When this was said the divine lady (river) spoke to the being stationed on the top of the mountain:

70. “O Mountain, I have come here at the behest of the Lord. I should not be hindered by you.” When this was spoken, the Mountain said to that charming divine lady (river):

71-72. “O fair one, haven’t you come to know that I am the Mountain Kṛtasmara. O sinless one, there is no fault in touching you because you are a virgin. So, O lady of excellent holy rites, I woo you. Become my wife.”

Sarasvatī said:

73. Since my father is alive and active I cannot be a Svayaṃvarā (a girl choosing her own groom) and become your wife. Leave the path free unto me now.

74. On being told thus the Mountain said: “O fair one, I will forcibly marry you, though you do not wish it. Who can come to help you now?”

75-76. With her divine eyes, she came to consider him overwhelmed by Manobhava (Passion, Lord of love) and said: “There is no one to save me. I seek refuge in you. O highly powerful one, if I am to be certainly married thus, O Lord, do not marry me before I take my bath. Permit me to take my bath.”

77. Then, the Mountain in the fullness of his pride of his rich assets said: “O fortunate one, O beautiful lady (river), you can find all pleasing amenities in me.

78. Yonder where pairs of Kinnaras sing in an enchanting manner, another highly pleasing note of the musical instrument, the lute, is heard.

79. There the charming trees laden with fruits and flowers are seen—Tālas, Tamālas, Pippalas and Panasas.

80. All round, the Mountain shines well with Kuṭajas, Kovidāras, Kadambas and Kurabas. All of them are reverberating with the humming sounds of the swarms of inebriated bees.

81. In some places, with the buds of Kuṭaja it appears as though the unguent of Hara (i.e. the holy ash) has been smeared. In some places it appears to have the lustre resembling that of the robes of Viṣṇu, on account of the Karṇikāras.

82. Covered with the Tamāla leaves in some places it has the lustre of Vaivasvata (Yama). In some places, its parts are smeared with minerals. So the mountain appears to have the body like that of Gaṇādhyakṣa (Vighneśvara).

83. In some places, with Harìtāla (Yellow, Orpiment) over its body, it appears like the Four-faced Lord. In some places, with the Saptacchadas, the mountain appears to have the body of Viṣṇu.

84. In some places abounding in Priyaṅgu, it resembles the refulgence of Kātyāyanī. In some places, with the trees having flower filaments it resembles Anala (Fire).

85. In some places is shine with Bilvaka fruits that look like the breasts of women, circular (globular), glossy and horripilant. They are inaccessible to those who are deficient in merit.

86-87. In some places, it shines with lions, tigers, deer, elephants, boars and monkeys coming into contact with one another and rendering the sky pierced and covered with roasted meat sticking to pikes.”

When this was said, Śāradā (i.e. Sarasvatī) replied to the excellent Mountain:

88. “I am alone and isolated. I lament. Still if you are inclined to marry me, hold this Vāḍava in your hands while I take my holy bath.”

89. When this was said, Kṛtasmara, the excellent Mountain, seized the Vāḍava handed over by Sarasvatī. Due to its contact, Kṛtasmara was reduced to (a heap of) ash instantly.

90. Ever since then all the rocks therein became soft. They are being taken by the artisans for use in (building) houses and temples.^[2]

91. After burning Kṛtasmara and holding the Vāḍava once again, the divine lady (river) came near the sea and stood there with hairs standing on end due to delight.

92. Stationed there, the great goddess (river) spoke to the Vāḍava fire: “O Vāḍava, see the roaring sea standing before you.”

93. He saw the roaring sea lashing with its waves. He spoke to her, “What is this, O fair lady? The briny sea is afraid of me.”

94. The girl (river) laughed and said: “O Fire, who is not afraid of you? O highly powerful one, it has been assigned to you by the Devas as your food.”

95. On hearing her words the Fire was highly delighted. He said: “O fair one, I shall grant you a boon. Make a request as you please.”

96. On being told thus by that Vāḍava fire, the divine lady (river) remembered the lotus-eyed Viṣṇu, the soul that is the cause (of all).

97. Immediately on being remembered by her, by Sarasvatī, Lord Janārdana, the great Lord of the three worlds, was seen by her as stationed in her own heart.

98. Looking at Acyuta stationed within, by means of her mind’s eye, she said, “The Vāḍava wishes to give a boon. What shall I ask him?”

99. Sarasvatī, the goddess, was addressed by the Lord stationed in the heart, “O fair one, Sūcīvaktratva (state of having a mouth like a needle) should be respectfully requested for.”

100. Then (the Fire) was addressed by the goddess, “O highly powerful one, if you wish to grant a boon, then become Sūcīmukha (one with the mouth like a needle) and drink the waters.”

101-103. On being told thus, the mouth was rendered like a needle by him. It was like the minute hole in the Ghaṭikā^[3]. That mouth drank the water. Thus the Vāḍava fire that attempted to devour Suras was deceived by Viṣṇu. He then proceeded (to the holy spot) assiduously taking care of his intellect. He who listens to this holy Sarga (chapter) as it is being read attains Viṣṇuloka and rejoices with him.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

This is to explain why Sarasvatī had no continuous flow but appeared intermitently [intermittently?] (at the time of this Purāṇa). Obviously the author has confused the Vedic Sarasvatī with Prācī Sarasvatī which joins Arabian Sea at Prabhāsa.

[2]:

Mythological explanation for the softness of local rocks thereof.

[3]:

Ghaṭikā: As the editor explains: For calculating the period of one Ghaṭikā (24 minutes) a copper pot with a small hole is kept in water. Water coming in from that small aperture fills the pot which indicates the period of one Ghaṭikā.