Chapter 85 - Greatness of Sannihitā

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Note: Sannihitī in Mbh (Vana 83) is a lake and not a river. This is an ancient Tīrtha (lake) in Kurudeśa. By bath in it at the time of solar eclipse one derives the fruit of Aśvamedha.

The Devī said:

1-5. O Bull-emblemed One, you have said that there is (the river) Sannihitā. How did that great river come there from Kurukṣetra? Of what special efficacy is she reputed? What is the benefit derived by holy ablution etc.?

Īśvara said:

Listen, O goddess, I shall tell you where the splendid Sannihitā which destroys sins of all creatures through viewing and touching is flowing.

That great goddess, in the form of a great river, is situated within a distance of three Dhanus to the west of Ādinārāyaṇa. O my beloved, I shall succinctly describe its origin. Listen. Due to the fear of Jarāsandha, O goddess, Viṣṇu (Kṛṣṇa) took all the Yādavas including children, old people and merchant folk and his relatives and attendants. Having deserted Mathurā he came to Prabhāsa.

6-7. He requested the Ocean for some space for the sake of residence.

At that festival time Divākara (Sun-god), the Lord of Devas, was swallowed by Rāhu. On seeing this, all the Yādavas experienced great grief.

8-9. They were sorry because they could not reach Sannihitā (-tyā) (at Kurukṣetra). Janārdana spoke to them: “O excellent Yādavas, when I am here you need not experience any grief. May my power be witnessed. In order to boost up piety on the earth, I will bring here the sacred lake of Sannihitā.”

10-11. After saying thus, the Lord got absorbed in deep meditation. While Viṣṇu of immeasurable refulgence was engaged in meditation thus, a splendid stream of water appeared in front of him. It had pierced the surface of the earth and presented itself for the holy ablution of the enemy of Asuras (i.e. Kṛṣṇa).

12. Thereupon, O great goddess, all the Yādavas with Balarāma and Sāṃba as their leaders, performed their holy ablution while the Sun was being swallowed by Rāhu (i.e. Solar eclipse).

13. They obtained the excellent fruit of the pilgrimage to Kurukṣetra, the merit arising from (ablution in) Sannihityā.

14. Thus the holy lake Sannihitā came to be there. While tìhe Sun is in the grasp of Rāhu, O great goddess, one should take one’s holy ablution there. He will get the entire benefit of Agniṣṭoma Yajña.

15. The devotee should feed a Brāhmaṇa with foodstuffs of all six tastes in accordance with the injunctions. Even if one is fed, the person(s) (so feeding) gets the benefit of feeding ten million people.

16. If Homa is performed in the vicinity of Sannihityā, the fruit of ten million Homas is derived at each Āhuti.

17. If Mantras are uttered there, the fruit of ten million Japas is derived from the Japa of every Mantra.

18-19. Gold is to be gifted by those who wish to get the benefit of the pilgrimage. After the holy ablution Janārdana, the primordial Lord, should be worshipped. Thus the perfect benefit derived from Sannihitā has been spoken to you. O my beloved, if it is listened to it destroys the sins of those who have great faith.