09.034
Library: Up on Janamejaya's enquiry, Vaishampayana narrates the pilgrimage. How the moon was cursed and how Prabhasa became the foremost of holy places.
Janamejaya said:
Previously, when Rama was present at the battle, he addressed Krishna and then the lord departed with the Vrishnis.
O Keshava, I will not assist Dhritarashtra's son, nor will I return to the sons of Pandu as I came.
Having said this, Rama, the destroyer of enemies, departed. O Brahman, you should narrate his return again.
Please tell me in detail how Rama arrived and how you witnessed the battle, as you are indeed skilled, O noble one.
Vaishampayana said:
In Upaplavya, where the Pandavas, the great souls, were settled, Madhusudana was sent to Dhritarashtra to negotiate peace, O mighty-armed one, for the welfare of all living beings.
He went to Hastinapura, met Dhritarashtra, and spoke true and beneficial words, especially. However, the king did not act as was previously told to you.
Krishna, the best among men, unable to find peace there, came to Upaplavya, O mighty-armed ruler of men.
Then Krishna, having been dismissed by Dhritarashtra, returned to the Pandavas, who were in a state of inactivity, and addressed them as the tigers among men.
The Kurus, driven by the force of time, ignore my words. O sons of Pandu, leave with Pushya and me.
Then, as the armies were being divided, the great-minded Balarama, the son of Rohini and the best among the strong, spoke to his brother Krishna.
O mighty-armed one, O slayer of Madhu, please assist them as well. However, Krishna did not act upon his words at that time.
Then, Balarama, the descendant of Yadu, filled with anger, embarked on a pilgrimage to the Sarasvati River, accompanied by all the Yadavas, under the Maitra constellation.
Bhoja, known for subduing enemies, aligned himself with Duryodhana, while Vasudeva, along with Yuyudhana, sided with the Pandavas.
Krishna, the heroic son of Rohini, set out under the Pushya constellation, leading the Pandavas towards the Kauravas.
Rama, while standing on the path, instructed his messengers to bring all the necessary materials and equipment for the pilgrimage, including the sacred fires and priests from Dvaraka.
"Bring quickly all the gold, silver, cows, garments, horses, elephants, chariots, donkeys, camels, and vehicles."
"Proceed against the current of the Sarasvati swiftly. Indeed, bring hundreds of priests and the best of the twice-born."
Thus, after instructing his messengers, the mighty Balarama embarked on a pilgrimage during the Kurus' calamity, O king. At that time, he approached the river Sarasvati, moving against its current from the ocean.
O best of the Bharatas, you are surrounded by priests, friends, the best of the twice-born, chariots, elephants, horses, servants, cows, donkeys, camels, and many vehicles.
The vehicles awaited in the countries were for the tired and weary-bodied children who have long lives, O Bharata. Food was prepared everywhere for the hungry.
O king, whenever and wherever a Brahmin desires to fulfill a wish, then and there, it is brought to him.
There, O king, the men standing by the command of Rauhiṇeya make heaps of food and drink all around.
Garments and very costly beds and coverings were arranged there for the comfort of the brahmanas who desired to perform worship.
O Bharata, wherever a Brahmin or Kshatriya sleeps, all his arrangements are visible there.
When everyone is at ease, they either stay or leave as they wish. For those who wish to travel, there are vehicles, and for the thirsty, there are drinks.
O best of the Bharatas, the people there brought delicious food, clothes, and ornaments for the hungry person.
That path shone brightly, O king, bringing happiness to everyone. It was like heaven for the brave men who traveled there.
The place is always cheerful, filled with delicious food and auspiciousness, surrounded by hundreds of people with market goods, adorned with various trees and decorated with jewels.
Then the great soul, who was self-disciplined, distributed wealth in holy places to the brahmins as sacrificial gifts, O king. The hero of the Yadus, known for wielding the plough, was renowned.
Thousands of milking cows and cows, well-dressed with golden-bound horns, horses from various countries, vehicles, and maidservants were given to the brahmins.
Rama generously distributed various precious items such as gems, pearls, corals, rubies, gold, silver, and pure vessels made of iron and copper to the esteemed Brahmins.
Thus, the great soul generously distributed wealth at the sacred sites of Sarasvati. With unmatched influence, he gradually proceeded to Kurukshetra, known for his noble character.
Janamejaya said:
Please tell me about the origin of virtues of the Sarasvatas and the holy places, as well as the results and the best completion of actions of humans.
O revered one, please describe to me in order the holy places sequentially, as my curiosity is great, O Brahman, best among the knowers of Brahman.
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
O King, listen to the complete description of the sacred places and the origin of virtues, as narrated by me. It is entirely auspicious, O King of Kings.
Once, O great king, the valiant hero of the Yadu dynasty, accompanied by priests, friends, and groups of brāhmaṇas, went to the holy place of Prabhāsa, where the moon was suffering from consumption.
Freed from the curse, the king regains his splendor and illuminates the entire world. Thus, the foremost pilgrimage site on earth is known as Prabhāsa, originating from Prabhāsa.
Janamejaya said:
"For what reason was the revered Soma afflicted by disease? And how did the moon submerge in that most sacred of places?"
"How did the moon, having plunged into that, become nourished again? Please tell me everything in detail, O great sage."
Vaishampayana said:
The daughters of Daksha appeared, O lord of the people. Daksha gave those twenty-seven daughters to Soma.
O Bharata, the wives of Soma, who are engaged in the conjunction of stars for counting, are indeed auspicious, O king.
All of them were large-eyed and incomparable in beauty on earth, but Rohini surpassed them all with her beauty.
Then the blessed moon made affection in her. She became pleasing to him, and therefore he always enjoyed her.
Once upon a time, Soma, the moon god, resided in the constellation Rohiṇī for a long period. Then, the stars associated with him became angry, O great king.
They went to their father, Prajapati, and said with diligence, "Soma does not stay with us; he is always with Rohini."
We all, united, will stay near you, O lord of creatures, with a regulated diet and dedicated to practicing austerities.
Upon hearing their words, Daksha advised Soma to treat all his wives equally to avoid falling into great unrighteousness.
Daksha instructed all the daughters to go near Soma, stating that by his command, the moon would spend equal time with each of them.
Released, they went to the abode of the moon. However, Soma, the divine, continues to reside with Rohini lovingly, time and again, O king.
Then they all together again addressed their father, saying: "We are engaged in your service and shall indeed reside in your hermitage. Soma does not live among us and did not convey your message."
Upon hearing their words, Daksha addressed Soma: "Treat all your wives equally, or else I shall curse you, Virocana."
Disregarding Daksha's words, the moon god lived with Rohini, which made them angry once more.
After going to their father and bowing their heads, they said, "Soma is not among us, so please be our refuge."
O Lord, the Moon always resides in Rohini. Therefore, protect us all so that Soma may enter our lives.
Upon hearing that, the Lord, in his anger, created a disease for Soma and entered the moon, O king.
The moon, overpowered by disease, was waning day by day. Efforts were made, O king, for liberation from that disease.
O great king, despite performing various sacrifices, the moon was not freed from the curse and inevitably faced decay.
As the Soma waned, the herbs failed to sprout. They became tasteless and lost their potency entirely.
When the herbs were destroyed, the living beings also faced destruction. All creatures became emaciated as the moon was waning.
Then the gods gathered and said to Soma, "O king, why does your form not appear as it should?"
Please tell us the reason for this great fear you have. Once we hear your words, we will make the necessary arrangements.
Thus addressed, the one with rabbit marks replied to all of them, explaining the curse, the reason, the disease, and also about himself.
The gods, upon hearing his words, approached Daksha and requested, "O Lord, please be gracious. May the curse on Soma be lifted."
The moon is indeed waning and only slightly remains visible. Due to this decline, O lord of the gods, the creatures too have met their decline.
O teacher of the world, we seek your grace for the various herbs, medicinal plants, and seeds.
Prajapati, after contemplating, said: "It is impossible to change my words. However, O fortunate one, she will desist for some reason."
"May the moon always shine equally upon all wives. In the sacred place of Sarasvati, marked by the hare, the gods will rise again. This is truly my promise."
The moon will always wane for half a month and wax for the other half. This is my true statement.
Then, by the command of the sage, Soma went to the river Sarasvatī. He indeed proceeded to Prabhāsa, the supreme pilgrimage site associated with Sarasvatī.
On the new moon night, a being of great radiance emerged there, illuminating the worlds and attaining the state of moonlight.
O King, all the gods, having reached Prabhasa, joined with Soma, became prominent in the presence of Daksha.
Then Prajapati released all the gods. Pleased, the blessed one spoke to Soma once more.
"Son, never disrespect women or brahmins. Always remain engaged and follow my command."
The great king, having been released, returned to his own palace. The subjects rejoiced and celebrated with feasting as they did in the past.
This has all been explained to you: how the moon was cursed and how Prabhasa became the foremost of holy places.
On the new moon day, O great king, the moon, having bathed, indeed becomes invigorated at the best holy place of Prabhasa.
Therefore, O king, this place is known as Prabhasa. It is said that the moon, upon emerging there, acquired supreme brilliance.
Then, however, Acyuta went to Camasodbhēda, whom people indeed refer to as Camasodbhēda.
There, Halayudha gave excellent gifts and spent one night there; then, he bathed properly.
The elder brother of Keshava hurriedly came to the water-well and performed the first auspicious ritual there, achieving a significant result.
O Janamejaya, due to the smoothness of the herbs and the earth, the perfected ones, O king of kings, are able to know even the lost Sarasvati.
