Puranic encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani | 1975 | 609,556 words | ISBN-10: 0842608222
This page describes the Story of Sarasvati included the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani that was translated into English in 1975. The Puranas have for centuries profoundly influenced Indian life and Culture and are defined by their characteristic features (panca-lakshana, literally, ‘the five characteristics of a Purana’).
Story of Sarasvatī
River Sarasvatī, flowing through north India is, according to Purāṇic conception, Sarasvatī devī who has assumed the form of a river. (See under Sarasvatī I). The following information about river Sarasvatī famed in the Purāṇas is from the Mahābhārata.
(i) King Matināra once performed a yajña on the banks of river Sarasvatī. At the close of the yajña Sarasvatīdevī appeared and chose the King as her husband, and a son called Taṃsu was born to the couple. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 95, Verse 26).
(ii) River Sarasvatī is one of the seven tributaries of river Gaṅgā and its source is under the Plaksa tree. One who drinks its water will become free from sin. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 16, Verse 19).
(iii) Sarasvatī worships Varuṇa in his court. (Sabhā Parva, Chapter 9, Verse 19).
(iv) The Pāṇḍavas, while travelling in the forest, crossed the river. (Vana Parva, Chapter 5, Verse 2).
(v) Śrī Kṛṣṇa conducted a yajña in the plains of river Sarasvatī. (Vana Parva, Chapter 12, Verse 14).
(vi) Kāmyaka forest is on the banks of Sarasvatī. (Vana Parva, Chapter 36, Verse 41).
(vii) It is a holy river. If one bathes in it and worships one’s ancestors one will attain Sārasvataloka. (Vana Parva, Chapter 84, Verse 66)
(viii) Dadhīca had his āśrama on the banks of the river. (Vana Parva, Chapter 100, Verse 13).
(ix) Muni Lomaśa once extolled the greatness of river Sarasvatī. (Vana Parva, Chapter 129, Verse 20).
(x) The river disappears in Vināśanatīrtha and reappears at Camasodbheda. (Vana Parva, Chapter 130, Verse 3).
(xi) It is the source of Agni. (Vana Parva, Chapter 222, Verse 22).
(xii) There are many holy places on the plains of the river. They are described in Chapters 35-54 of Salya Parva.
(xiii) River Sarasvatī once carried Vasiṣṭha in its flow. (See under Vasiṣṭha).
(xiv) Viśvāmitra cursed Sarasvatī. (See under Vasiṣṭha).
(xv) Sarasvatī returned to Dadhīci maharṣi the son born to her by him and he blessed her. (Śalya Parva, Chapter 51).
(xvi) Balabhadrarāma once extolled the greatness of Sarasvatī. (Śalya Parva, Chapter 54, Verse 33).
(xvii) Arjuna appointed the son of Sātyaki as the master of a particular region on the banks of the river. (Mausala Parva, Chapter 8, Verse 71).
(xviii) Following the death of Śrī Kṛṣṇa his 16008 wives drowned themselves to death in Sarasvatī. (Svargārohaṇa Parva, Chapter 5, Verse 25).