03.109
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then Kunti’s son proceeded in order, O best of the Bharatas, to the two rivers Nandā and Aparanandā, which remove sin and fear. (03-109-1)
The king, having reached the Hemakūṭa mountain, which is free from affliction, saw very many inconceivable and wonderful forms. (03-109-2)
Where words became as clouds and stones by the thousands, the despondent-minded people were not able to ascend that. (03-109-3)
Where the wind constantly blows and the god (Indra) continually sends rain, and in the evening and morning the revered Agni is visible. (03-109-4)
Having thus seen many kinds of wondrous phenomena, the Pāṇḍava again asked Lomaśa about that wonder. (03-109-5)
Lomaśa said.
O king, as this was formerly heard by us, O tormentor of foes, listen with a concentrated mind to my narration. (03-109-6)
On this Nṛṣabhakūṭa (mountain), there lived an ascetic named Ṛṣabha, who lived for many hundreds of years, was devoted to austerities, and was extremely irascible. (03-109-7)
He, being addressed by others, angrily spoke to the mountain: "Whoever here speaks, let someone throw stones at him then." (03-109-8)
The ascetic called upon the wind and said, 'Do not make any sound.' Meanwhile, as the man speaks, he is held back by the cloud. (03-109-9)
Thus, O king, these actions were performed by that great sage—some were done out of anger, and some were forbidden. (03-109-10)
O king, there was a report in former times that men who had beheld the gods and delighted in approaching them suddenly followed (them). (03-109-11)
The gods, with Indra at their head, not wishing to be seen, made this place inaccessible, shaping it as a mountain barrier. (03-109-12)
From that time onward, O son of Kunti, men have never been able to look closely at this mountain; how then could they possibly climb it? (03-109-13)
O son of Kunti, this great mountain cannot be seen or ascended by one whose austerities are unperformed; therefore, keep your speech under control. (03-109-14)
Here, O Bhārata, the gods always obtained all the excellent sacrifices. The signs of them are seen even today. (03-109-15)
O lord of men, this earth is like a mat of kuśa grass, like it has been spread with dūrvā; these many trees are like posts for altars. (03-109-16)
O Bhārata, even today gods and sages dwell (here); for them the carrier of offerings, Agni, is seen both in the evening and in the morning. (03-109-17)
O son of Kunti, those who bathe here have their sins instantly destroyed. Therefore, indeed, perform the bath of the best of Kurus here together with your brother. (03-109-18)
Then, with your body filled with bliss, you will proceed to Kauśikī, where Viśvāmitra performed his terrible and unsurpassed austerity. (03-109-19)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then, having thoroughly bathed his limbs there with his retinue, the king went to the holy, beautiful, and auspicious Kauśikī river. (03-109-20)
