Chapter 21 - Greatness of Piṇḍodaka Tīrtha

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Pulastya said:

1. After that, O good king! one has to visit the Piṇḍodaka Tīrtha. Piṇḍodaka, a Brāhmaṇa, had performed religious austerities in this centre of pilgrimage.

2. In ancient times, there was a Brāhmaṇa by name Piṇḍodaka on this great earth. Though taught by a teacher, he turned out to be less intelligent and less meritorious.

3. O king! he could not succeed in study due to his idiocy. Then adopting the path of ultimate renunciation he went inside a cave in a mountain.

4. Just at the same juncture of time, Goddess Sarasvatī entertainingly playing the Vīnā [Vīṇā?] and roaming around arrived there.

5-6. After seeing the Brāhmaṇa quite depressingly engaged in the pursuit of renunciation the great Goddess Sarasvatī got carried with kindness and said, “Why are you so sad and appear to be displeased? You are not smiling from within your mind. What for have you come here? Tell me fast. I am there near you.”

7-9. Piṇḍodaka said: “Due to being condemned by the teacher, I have embraced renunciation. Madam, as one without learning, I am seeking death at the moment. Goddess Sarasvatī, does not dwell at the tip of my tongue. O beautiful-faced one, there is no other reason for my death than this. I have to go to another place, as you have seen me all of a sudden. Death is desirably the best for me rather than living the life of a dumb one.

Sarasvatī said:

10. I am Goddess Sarasvatī who always dwells here in this mountain as the night sets in on the thirteenth day of each month. Hence, you can pray for the desire nurtured in the mind even if that may be very difficult to obtain.

Piṇḍodaka said:

11. O Benevolent one! by your grace let me have the knowledge of all that desired in the mind. O goddess with pure smile! let this place of pilgrimage acquire fame by my name.

Sarasvatī said:

12-14. Starting from today you will be the bearer of all knowledge in this world. As you have wished, this place of pilgrimage will be renowned by your name. One who performs the religious act of having a bath here with the setting in of the night on the thirteenth day of a Lunar month, will be a bearer of all knowledge despite of him lacking in intelligence. O good Brāhmaṇa! my association will always be there with this place of pilgrimage. Hence it is your duty to have a bath here with all earnestness.

15. Having said like this, the Goddess disappeared from sight then and there. Becoming all-knowing, Piṇḍodaka returned to own home. All were surprised to know the impact of drinking the water as well as of taking a resort to this place of pilgrimage.