09.037
Library: Story of seven branches of Sarasvati, probably depicting the migration from west to east, as Sarasvati dried up in the west, new water sources towards the east were discovered. Story of the sage Maṅkaṇaka and why the region of Sarasvatas is sacred.
जनमेजय उवाच॥
Janamejaya said:
सप्तसारस्वतं कस्मात्कश्च मङ्कणको मुनिः। कथं सिद्धश्च भगवान्कश्चास्य नियमोऽभवत् ॥९-३७-१॥
Why are there seven Sarasvatas? Who is the sage Maṅkaṇaka? How did the Lord become perfected, and what was his rule?
कस्य वंशे समुत्पन्नः किं चाधीतं द्विजोत्तम। एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं विधिवद्द्विजसत्तम ॥९-३७-२॥
O best of the twice-born, I wish to know in whose lineage he was born and what he studied. Please tell me this properly, O excellent among the twice-born.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaishampayana spoke:
राजन्सप्त सरस्वत्यो याभिर्व्याप्तमिदं जगत्। आहूता बलवद्भिर्हि तत्र तत्र सरस्वती ॥९-३७-३॥
O king, the seven forms of Sarasvati, who pervade this world, are indeed invoked by the powerful in various places.
सुप्रभा काञ्चनाक्षी च विशाला मानसह्रदा। सरस्वती ओघवती सुवेणुर्विमलोदका ॥९-३७-४॥
Saraswati, who is beautifully radiant and golden-eyed, vast with a mind like a lake, full of streams, adorned with beautiful bamboo and pure water.
पितामहस्य महतो वर्तमाने महीतले। वितते यज्ञवाटे वै समेतेषु द्विजातिषु ॥९-३७-५॥
On the vast earth belonging to the great grandfather, at the expansive sacrificial ground, the twice-born were indeed assembled.
पुण्याहघोषैर्विमलैर्वेदानां निनदैस्तथा। देवेषु चैव व्यग्रेषु तस्मिन्यज्ञविधौ तदा ॥९-३७-६॥
At that time, during the sacrificial ceremony, there were auspicious proclamations and pure sounds of the Vedas, and the gods were indeed engaged.
तत्र चैव महाराज दीक्षिते प्रपितामहे। यजतस्तत्र सत्रेण सर्वकामसमृद्धिना ॥९-३७-७॥
There, O great king, the great-grandfather was initiated and performed sacrifices with a sacrificial session, fulfilling all desires.
मनसा चिन्तिता ह्यर्था धर्मार्थकुशलैस्तदा। उपतिष्ठन्ति राजेन्द्र द्विजातींस्तत्र तत्र ह ॥९-३७-८॥
O King of kings, the purposes that are contemplated by the mind indeed, by those skilled in righteousness and wealth, then approach the twice-born there, indeed.
जगुश्च तत्र गन्धर्वा ननृतुश्चाप्सरोगणाः। वादित्राणि च दिव्यानि वादयामासुरञ्जसा ॥९-३७-९॥
The Gandharvas sang there, and the Apsaras danced. They skillfully played divine musical instruments.
तस्य यज्ञस्य सम्पत्त्या तुतुषुर्देवता अपि। विस्मयं परमं जग्मुः किमु मानुषयोनयः ॥९-३७-१०॥
The success of his sacrifice brought satisfaction even to the gods, who were filled with great wonder, let alone the human beings.
वर्तमाने तथा यज्ञे पुष्करस्थे पितामहे। अब्रुवन्नृषयो राजन्नायं यज्ञो महाफलः ॥ न दृश्यते सरिच्छ्रेष्ठा यस्मादिह सरस्वती ॥९-३७-११॥
During the ongoing sacrifice at Puṣkara, the sages addressed the grandfather, saying, "O king, this sacrifice yields great rewards." However, the revered river Sarasvatī is not visible here.
तच्छ्रुत्वा भगवान्प्रीतः सस्माराथ सरस्वतीम्। पितामहेन यजता आहूता पुष्करेषु वै ॥ सुप्रभा नाम राजेन्द्र नाम्ना तत्र सरस्वती ॥९-३७-१२॥
Upon hearing that, the pleased Lord remembered Sarasvati. She was invoked by the grandsire who performs sacrifices in Pushkara, and there, O king, Sarasvati was known by the name Suprabha.
तां दृष्ट्वा मुनयस्तुष्टा वेगयुक्तां सरस्वतीम्। पितामहं मानयन्तीं क्रतुं ते बहु मेनिरे ॥९-३७-१३॥
The sages, upon seeing the swift-flowing Sarasvati honoring the grandfather, were pleased and regarded the sacrifice as highly significant.
एवमेषा सरिच्छ्रेष्ठा पुष्करेषु सरस्वती। पितामहार्थं सम्भूता तुष्ट्यर्थं च मनीषिणाम् ॥९-३७-१४॥
Thus, the revered river Sarasvati, considered the best among rivers, appeared in the sacred places to fulfill the purpose of the grandsire and to satisfy the wise sages.
नैमिषे मुनयो राजन्समागम्य समासते। तत्र चित्राः कथा ह्यासन्वेदं प्रति जनेश्वर ॥९-३७-१५॥
In the forest of Naimisha, O king, the sages gathered and sat together. There, they discussed various stories related to the Veda, O lord of people.
तत्र ते मुनयो ह्यासन्नानास्वाध्यायवेदिनः। ते समागम्य मुनयः सस्मरुर्वै सरस्वतीम् ॥९-३७-१६॥
There, those sages who were nearby and unfamiliar with the study gathered and remembered Sarasvati.
सा तु ध्याता महाराज ऋषिभिः सत्रयाजिभिः। समागतानां राजेन्द्र सहायार्थं महात्मनाम् ॥ आजगाम महाभागा तत्र पुण्या सरस्वती ॥९-३७-१७॥
But she, O great king, was meditated upon by sages and those who perform sacrifices. For the purpose of assisting the assembled great souls, the fortunate and sacred Sarasvati arrived there.
नैमिषे काञ्चनाक्षी तु मुनीनां सत्रयाजिनाम्। आगता सरितां श्रेष्ठा तत्र भारत पूजिता ॥९-३७-१८॥
In the region of Naimisha, the revered river Kanchanakshi arrived, esteemed among the sages performing sacrifices, and was worshipped there, O Bharata.
गयस्य यजमानस्य गयेष्वेव महाक्रतुम्। आहूता सरितां श्रेष्ठा गययज्ञे सरस्वती ॥९-३७-१९॥
In the regions of Gaya, the performer of the sacrifice conducted a great ritual. The best of rivers, Sarasvati, was invited to the sacrifice of Gaya.
विशालां तु गयेष्वाहुरृषयः संशितव्रताः। सरित्सा हिमवत्पार्श्वात्प्रसूता शीघ्रगामिनी ॥९-३७-२०॥
The sages, known for their firm vows, declare that the vast river, originating from the side of the Himalayas, flows swiftly through Gaya.
औद्दालकेस्तथा यज्ञे यजतस्तत्र भारत। समेते सर्वतः स्फीते मुनीनां मण्डले तदा ॥९-३७-२१॥
O Bhārata, during the sacrifice performed by Uddālaka, when the circle of sages was abundantly assembled from all sides, then.
उत्तरे कोसलाभागे पुण्ये राजन्महात्मनः। औद्दालकेन यजता पूर्वं ध्याता सरस्वती ॥९-३७-२२॥
In the northern part of Kosala, O king, the sacred Sarasvati River, once meditated upon by the great sage Uddālaka who performed sacrifices, was located.
आजगाम सरिच्छ्रेष्ठा तं देशमृषिकारणात्। पूज्यमाना मुनिगणैर्वल्कलाजिनसंवृतैः ॥ मनोह्रदेति विख्याता सा हि तैर्मनसा हृता ॥९-३७-२३॥
The revered river, known as Manahrada, arrived in that region for the sake of the sages. She was worshipped by groups of sages clad in bark and deer skin and was indeed captured by them in their minds.
सुवेणुरृषभद्वीपे पुण्ये राजर्षिसेविते। कुरोश्च यजमानस्य कुरुक्षेत्रे महात्मनः ॥ आजगाम महाभागा सरिच्छ्रेष्ठा सरस्वती ॥९-३७-२४॥
In the sacred island of Rishabha, known as Suvenu, which is served by royal sages, in the holy land of Kurukshetra belonging to the great soul Kuru, the highly revered river Sarasvati arrived.
ओघवत्यपि राजेन्द्र वसिष्ठेन महात्मना। समाहूता कुरुक्षेत्रे दिव्यतोया सरस्वती ॥९-३७-२५॥
In Oghavati, O King, the great sage Vasiṣṭha invited the divine river Sarasvatī to Kurukṣetra, known for its sacred waters.
दक्षेण यजता चापि गङ्गाद्वारे सरस्वती। विमलोदा भगवती ब्रह्मणा यजता पुनः ॥ समाहूता ययौ तत्र पुण्ये हैमवते गिरौ ॥९-३७-२६॥
Sarasvati, the divine river of pure waters, was invited by Daksha and also by Brahma, the performer of sacrifices, to the sacred Himalayan mountain at the gate of the Ganges, and she went there.
एकीभूतास्ततस्तास्तु तस्मिंस्तीर्थे समागताः। सप्तसारस्वतं तीर्थं ततस्तत्प्रथितं भुवि ॥९-३७-२७॥
The group united and gathered at the sacred site known as Saptasarasvata, which then became renowned across the world.
इति सप्त सरस्वत्यो नामतः परिकीर्तिताः। सप्तसारस्वतं चैव तीर्थं पुण्यं तथा स्मृतम् ॥९-३७-२८॥
Thus, the seven rivers named Saraswati are mentioned. The Saptasarasvata is considered a sacred pilgrimage site and is remembered as such.
शृणु मङ्कणकस्यापि कौमारब्रह्मचारिणः। आपगामवगाढस्य राजन्प्रक्रीडितं महत् ॥९-३७-२९॥
Listen, O king, to the tale of Maṅkaṇaka, the youthful celibate, who engaged in great play while immersed in the river.
दृष्ट्वा यदृच्छया तत्र स्त्रियमम्भसि भारत। स्नायन्तीं रुचिरापाङ्गीं दिग्वाससमनिन्दिताम् ॥ सरस्वत्यां महाराज चस्कन्दे वीर्यमम्भसि ॥९-३७-३०॥
O Bhārata, upon seeing by chance a blameless woman with beautiful eyes bathing naked in the Sarasvati, O great king, he discharged his semen into the water.
तद्रेतः स तु जग्राह कलशे वै महातपाः। सप्तधा प्रविभागं तु कलशस्थं जगाम ह ॥ तत्रर्षयः सप्त जाता जज्ञिरे मरुतां गणाः ॥९-३७-३१॥
The great ascetic took that semen in a pot. It was divided into seven parts, and from it, seven sages were born, who became the groups of the Maruts.
वायुवेगो वायुबलो वायुहा वायुमण्डलः। वायुज्वालो वायुरेता वायुचक्रश्च वीर्यवान् ॥ एवमेते समुत्पन्ना मरुतां जनयिष्णवः ॥९-३७-३२॥
The winds, with their speed, strength, and destructive power, form circles, flames, seeds, and wheels, embodying great power. Thus, these have arisen as the progenitors of the Maruts.
इदमन्यच्च राजेन्द्र शृण्वाश्चर्यतरं भुवि। महर्षेश्चरितं यादृक्त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम् ॥९-३७-३३॥
O King, listen to another wondrous story on earth, the tale of the great sage, as it is renowned across the three worlds.
पुरा मङ्कणकः सिद्धः कुशाग्रेणेति नः श्रुतम्। क्षतः किल करे राजंस्तस्य शाकरसोऽस्रवत् ॥ स वि शाकरसं दृष्ट्वा हर्षाविष्टः प्रनृत्तवान् ॥९-३७-३४॥
It is said that once the sage Maṅkaṇaka, who had attained perfection, pricked his hand with the tip of a blade of grass. Astonishingly, instead of blood, vegetable juice flowed from the wound. Seeing this, he was filled with joy and began to dance.
ततस्तस्मिन्प्रनृत्ते वै स्थावरं जङ्गमं च यत्। प्रनृत्तमुभयं वीर तेजसा तस्य मोहितम् ॥९-३७-३५॥
Then, during that dance, both the immovable and movable entities were enchanted by his brilliance, O hero.
ब्रह्मादिभिः सुरै राजन्नृषिभिश्च तपोधनैः। विज्ञप्तो वै महादेव ऋषेरर्थे नराधिप ॥ नायं नृत्येद्यथा देव तथा त्वं कर्तुमर्हसि ॥९-३७-३६॥
O King, requested by Brahma, the gods, sages, and ascetics, indeed, O great god, for the sake of the sage, O lord of men, you should not dance as the god does, so you ought to act accordingly.
ततो देवो मुनिं दृष्ट्वा हर्षाविष्टमतीव ह। सुराणां हितकामार्थं महादेवोऽभ्यभाषत ॥९-३७-३७॥
Then Mahadeva, filled with immense joy upon seeing the sage, spoke for the welfare of the gods.
भो भो ब्राह्मण धर्मज्ञ किमर्थं नरिनर्त्सि वै। हर्षस्थानं किमर्थं वै तवेदं मुनिसत्तम ॥ तपस्विनो धर्मपथे स्थितस्य द्विजसत्तम ॥९-३७-३८॥
O O brāhmaṇa, knower of dharma, why do you dance indeed? Why is this place of joy yours, O best of sages? O best of the twice-born, who is situated on the path of dharma, of the ascetic.
ऋषिरुवाच॥
The sage spoke:
किं न पश्यसि मे ब्रह्मन्कराच्छाकरसं स्रुतम्। यं दृष्ट्वा वै प्रनृत्तोऽहं हर्षेण महता विभो ॥९-३७-३९॥
"O Brahman, can't you see the vegetable juice spilled from my hand? Seeing it, I danced with immense joy, O Lord."
तं प्रहस्याब्रवीद्देवो मुनिं रागेण मोहितम्। अहं न विस्मयं विप्र गच्छामीति प्रपश्य माम् ॥९-३७-४०॥
The god, with a smile, addressed the sage who was deluded by passion, saying, "O sage, I am not surprised; behold me."
एवमुक्त्वा मुनिश्रेष्ठं महादेवेन धीमता। अङ्गुल्यग्रेण राजेन्द्र स्वाङ्गुष्ठस्ताडितोऽभवत् ॥९-३७-४१॥
After speaking thus, the wise Mahadeva, with the tip of his finger, struck his own thumb, O best of sages and king of kings.
ततो भस्म क्षताद्राजन्निर्गतं हिमसंनिभम्। तद्दृष्ट्वा व्रीडितो राजन्स मुनिः पादयोर्गतः ॥९-३७-४२॥
Then, O king, snow-like ash emerged from the wound. Seeing this, the sage, feeling ashamed, went to the feet.
ऋषिरुवाच॥
The sage spoke:
नान्यं देवादहं मन्ये रुद्रात्परतरं महत्। सुरासुरस्य जगतो गतिस्त्वमसि शूलधृक् ॥९-३७-४३॥
I believe there is no deity greater than Rudra. You are the protector of both gods and demons in the universe, O wielder of the trident.
त्वया सृष्टमिदं विश्वं वदन्तीह मनीषिणः। त्वामेव सर्वं विशति पुनरेव युगक्षये ॥९-३७-४४॥
The wise declare that you are the creator of this universe, and at the end of the age, everything merges back into you.
देवैरपि न शक्यस्त्वं परिज्ञातुं कुतो मया। त्वयि सर्वे स्म दृश्यन्ते सुरा ब्रह्मादयोऽनघ ॥९-३७-४५॥
Even the gods cannot fully comprehend you, so how can I? Within you, all the gods, including Brahma and others, are perceived, O sinless one.
सर्वस्त्वमसि देवानां कर्ता कारयिता च ह। त्वत्प्रसादात्सुराः सर्वे मोदन्तीहाकुतोभयाः ॥९-३७-४६॥
You are the creator and instigator of all the gods. By your grace, all the gods rejoice here without fear.
एवं स्तुत्वा महादेवं स ऋषिः प्रणतोऽब्रवीत्। भगवंस्त्वत्प्रसादाद्वै तपो मे न क्षरेदिति ॥९-३७-४७॥
After praising the great god, the sage bowed and said, "O Lord, may my penance not diminish by your grace."
ततो देवः प्रीतमनास्तमृषिं पुनरब्रवीत्। तपस्ते वर्धतां विप्र मत्प्रसादात्सहस्रधा ॥ आश्रमे चेह वत्स्यामि त्वया सार्धमहं सदा ॥९-३७-४८॥
Then the god, pleased with the sage, spoke again: "O sage, by my grace, your penance will increase a thousandfold. I will always stay here in the hermitage with you."
सप्तसारस्वते चास्मिन्यो मामर्चिष्यते नरः। न तस्य दुर्लभं किञ्चिद्भवितेह परत्र च ॥ सारस्वतं च लोकं ते गमिष्यन्ति न संशयः ॥९-३७-४९॥
In the seven regions of Sarasvati, whoever worships me will find nothing difficult to obtain, either in this world or the next. They will surely reach the world of Sarasvati, without any doubt.
एतन्मङ्कणकस्यापि चरितं भूरितेजसः। स हि पुत्रः सजन्यायामुत्पन्नो मातरिश्वना ॥९-३७-५०॥
This is the story of the illustrious Maṅkaṇaka, who was born to Sajanya by Mātariśvan.
