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.
janamejaya uvāca॥
Janamejaya said:
saptasārasvataṃ kasmātkasca maṅkaṇako muniḥ। kathaṃ siddhaśca bhagavānkaścāsya niyamo'bhavat ॥9-37-1॥
Why are there seven Sarasvatas? Who is the sage Maṅkaṇaka? How did the Lord become perfected, and what was his rule?
kasya vaṃśe samutpannaḥ kiṃ cādhītaṃ dvijottama। etadicchāmyahaṃ śrotuṃ vidhivaddvijasattama ॥9-37-2॥
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.
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaishampayana spoke:
rājansapta sarasvatyo yābhirvyāptamidaṃ jagat। āhūtā balavadbhirhi tatra tatra sarasvatī ॥9-37-3॥
O king, the seven forms of Sarasvati, who pervade this world, are indeed invoked by the powerful in various places.
suprabhā kāñcanākṣī ca viśālā mānasahradā। sarasvatī oghavatī suveṇurvimalodakā ॥9-37-4॥
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.
pitāmahasya mahato vartamāne mahītale। vitate yajñavāṭe vai sameteṣu dvijātiṣu ॥9-37-5॥
On the vast earth belonging to the great grandfather, at the expansive sacrificial ground, the twice-born were indeed assembled.
puṇyāhaghoṣairvimalairvedānāṃ ninadaistathā। deveṣu caiva vyagreṣu tasminyajñavidhau tadā ॥9-37-6॥
At that time, during the sacrificial ceremony, there were auspicious proclamations and pure sounds of the Vedas, and the gods were indeed engaged.
tatra caiva mahārāja dīkṣite prapitāmahe। yajatas tatra satreṇa sarvakāmasamṛddhinā ॥9-37-7॥
There, O great king, the great-grandfather was initiated and performed sacrifices with a sacrificial session, fulfilling all desires.
manasā cintitā hyarthā dharmārthakuśalaistadā। upatiṣṭhanti rājendra dvijātīṃstatra tatra ha ॥9-37-8॥
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.
jaguśca tatra gandharvā nanṛtuścāpsarogaṇāḥ। vāditrāṇi ca divyāni vādayāmāsurañjasā ॥9-37-9॥
The Gandharvas sang there, and the Apsaras danced. They skillfully played divine musical instruments.
tasya yajñasya sampatyā tutuṣurdevatā api। vismayaṃ paramaṃ jagmuḥ kimu mānuṣayonayaḥ ॥9-37-10॥
The success of his sacrifice brought satisfaction even to the gods, who were filled with great wonder, let alone the human beings.
vartamāne tathā yajñe puṣkarasthe pitāmahe। abruvannṛṣayo rājannāyaṃ yajño mahāphalaḥ ॥ na dṛśyate saricchreṣṭhā yasmādiha sarasvatī ॥9-37-11॥
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.
tacchrutvā bhagavānprītaḥ sasmārātha sarasvatīm। pitāmahena yajatā āhūtā puṣkareṣu vai ॥ suprabhā nāma rājendra nāmnā tatra sarasvatī ॥9-37-12॥
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.
tāṃ dṛṣṭvā munayastuṣṭā vegayuktāṃ sarasvatīm। pitāmahaṃ mānayantīṃ kratuṃ te bahu menire ॥9-37-13॥
The sages, upon seeing the swift-flowing Sarasvati honoring the grandfather, were pleased and regarded the sacrifice as highly significant.
evameṣā saricchreṣṭhā puṣkareṣu sarasvatī। pitāmahārthaṃ sambhūtā tuṣṭyarthaṃ ca manīṣiṇām ॥9-37-14॥
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.
naimiṣe munayo rājansamāgamya samāsate। tatra citrāḥ kathā hyāsanvedaṃ prati janeśvara ॥9-37-15॥
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.
tatra te munayo hyāsannānāsvādhyāyavedinaḥ। te samāgamya munayaḥ sasmarurvai sarasvatīm ॥9-37-16॥
There, those sages who were nearby and unfamiliar with the study gathered and remembered Sarasvati.
sā tu dhyātā mahārāja ṛṣibhiḥ satrayājibhiḥ। samāgatānāṃ rājendra sahāyārthaṃ mahātmanām ॥ ājagāma mahābhāgā tatra puṇyā sarasvatī ॥9-37-17॥
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.
naimiṣe kāñcanākṣī tu munīnāṃ satrayājinām। āgatā saritāṃ śreṣṭhā tatra bhārata pūjitā ॥9-37-18॥
In the region of Naimisha, the revered river Kanchanakshi arrived, esteemed among the sages performing sacrifices, and was worshipped there, O Bharata.
gayasya yajamānasya gayeṣveva mahākratum। āhūtā saritāṃ śreṣṭhā gayayajñe sarasvatī ॥9-37-19॥
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.
viśālāṃ tu gayeṣvāhurr̥ṣayaḥ saṃśitavratāḥ। saritsā himavatpārśvātpprasūtā śīghragāminī ॥9-37-20॥
The sages, known for their firm vows, declare that the vast river, originating from the side of the Himalayas, flows swiftly through Gaya.
auddālakestathā yajñe yajatatatra bhārata। samete sarvataḥ sphīte munīnāṃ maṇḍale tadā ॥9-37-21॥
O Bhārata, during the sacrifice performed by Uddālaka, when the circle of sages was abundantly assembled from all sides, then.
uttare kosalābhāge puṇye rājanmahātmanaḥ। auddālakena yajata pūrvaṃ dhyātā sarasvatī ॥9-37-22॥
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.
ājagāma saricchreṣṭhā taṃ deśamṛṣikāraṇāt। pūjyamānā munigaṇairvalkalājina saṃvṛtaiḥ ॥ manahradeti vikhyātā sā hi tairmanasā hṛtā ॥9-37-23॥
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.
suveṇurṛṣabhadvīpe puṇye rājarṣisevite। kurośca yajamānasya kurukṣetre mahātmanaḥ ॥ ājagāma mahābhāgā saricchreṣṭhā sarasvatī ॥9-37-24॥
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.
oghavatyapi rājendra vasiṣṭhena mahātmanā। samāhūtā kurukṣetre divyatoyā sarasvatī ॥9-37-25॥
In Oghavati, O King, the great sage Vasiṣṭha invited the divine river Sarasvatī to Kurukṣetra, known for its sacred waters.
dakṣeṇa yajata cāpi gaṅgādvāre sarasvatī। vimalodā bhagavatī brahmaṇā yajata punaḥ ॥ samāhūtā yayau tatra puṇye haimavate girau ॥9-37-26॥
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.
ekībhūtāstatastāstu tasmiṁstīrthe samāgatāḥ। saptasārasvataṁ tīrthaṁ tatastatprathitaṁ bhuvi ॥9-37-27॥
The group united and gathered at the sacred site known as Saptasarasvata, which then became renowned across the world.
iti sapta sarasvatyo nāmataḥ parikīrtitāḥ। saptasārasvataṃ caiva tīrthaṃ puṇyaṃ tathā smṛtam ॥9-37-28॥
Thus, the seven rivers named Saraswati are mentioned. The Saptasarasvata is considered a sacred pilgrimage site and is remembered as such.
śṛṇu maṅkaṇakasyāpi kaumārabrahmacāriṇaḥ। āpagāmavagāḍhasya rājanprakrīḍitaṃ mahat ॥9-37-29॥
Listen, O king, to the tale of Maṅkaṇaka, the youthful celibate, who engaged in great play while immersed in the river.
dṛṣṭvā yadṛcchayā tatra striyam ambhasi bhārata। snāyantīṃ rucirāpāṅgīṃ digvāsasamaninditām ॥ sarasvatyāṃ mahārāja caskande vīryam ambhasi ॥9-37-30॥
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.
tadretaḥ sa tu jagrāha kalaśe vai mahātapāḥ। saptadhā pravibhāgaṃ tu kalaśasthaṃ jagāma ha ॥ tatrarṣayaḥ sapta jātā jajñire marutāṃ gaṇāḥ ॥9-37-31॥
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.
vāyuvego vāyubalo vāyuhā vāyumaṇḍalaḥ। vāyujvālo vāyuretā vāyucakraśca vīryavān ॥ evamete samutpannā marutāṃ janayiṣṇavaḥ ॥9-37-32॥
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.
idam anyac ca rājendra śṛṇvāścaryataraṃ bhuvi। maharṣeś caritaṃ yādṛk triṣu lokeṣu viśrutam ॥9-37-33॥
O King, listen to another wondrous story on earth, the tale of the great sage, as it is renowned across the three worlds.
purā maṅkaṇakaḥ siddhaḥ kuśāgreṇeti naḥ śrutam। kṣataḥ kila kare rājaṃstasya śākaraso'sravat ॥ sa vi śākarasaṃ dṛṣṭvā harṣāviṣṭaḥ pranṛttavān ॥9-37-34॥
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.
tatastasminpranṛtte vai sthāvaraṃ jaṅgamaṃ ca yat। pranṛttamubhayaṃ vīra tejasā tasya mohitam ॥9-37-35॥
Then, during that dance, both the immovable and movable entities were enchanted by his brilliance, O hero.
brahmādibhiḥ surai rājannṛṣibhiśca tapodhanaiḥ। vijñapto vai mahādeva ṛṣerarthe narādhipa ॥ nāyaṃ nṛtyedyathā deva tathā tvaṃ kartumarhasi ॥9-37-36॥
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.
tato devo muniṁ dṛṣṭvā harṣāviṣṭamatīva ha। surāṇāṁ hitakāmārthaṁ mahādevo'bhyabhāṣata ॥9-37-37॥
Then Mahadeva, filled with immense joy upon seeing the sage, spoke for the welfare of the gods.
bho bho brāhmaṇa dharmajña kimarthaṁ narinartsi vai। harṣasthānaṁ kimarthaṁ vai tavedaṁ munisattama ॥ tapasvino dharmapathe sthitasya dvijasattama ॥9-37-38॥
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.
ṛṣiruvāca॥
The sage spoke:
kiṁ na paśyasi me brahmankarācchākarasaṁ srutam। yaṁ dṛṣṭvā vai pranṛtto'haṁ harṣeṇa mahatā vibho ॥9-37-39॥
"O Brahman, can't you see the vegetable juice spilled from my hand? Seeing it, I danced with immense joy, O Lord."
taṁ prahasyābravīddevo muniṁ rāgeṇa mohitam। ahaṁ na vismayaṁ vipra gacchāmīti prapaśya mām ॥9-37-40॥
The god, with a smile, addressed the sage who was deluded by passion, saying, "O sage, I am not surprised; behold me."
evamuktvā muniśreṣṭhaṃ mahādevena dhīmatā। aṅgulyagreṇa rājendra svāṅguṣṭhastāḍito'bhavat ॥9-37-41॥
After speaking thus, the wise Mahadeva, with the tip of his finger, struck his own thumb, O best of sages and king of kings.
tato bhasma kṣatādrājannirgataṃ himasaṃnibham। taddṛṣṭvā vrīḍito rājansa muniḥ pādayorgataḥ ॥9-37-42॥
Then, O king, snow-like ash emerged from the wound. Seeing this, the sage, feeling ashamed, went to the feet.
ṛṣiruvāca॥
The sage spoke:
nānyaṃ devādahaṃ manye rudrātparataraṃ mahat। surāsurasya jagato gatistvamasi śūladhṛk ॥9-37-43॥
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.
tvayā sṛṣṭamidaṃ viśvaṃ vadantīha manīṣiṇaḥ। tvāmeva sarvaṃ viśati punareva yugakṣaye ॥9-37-44॥
The wise declare that you are the creator of this universe, and at the end of the age, everything merges back into you.
devairapi na śakyastvaṃ parijñātuṃ kuto mayā। tvayi sarve sma dṛśyante surā brahmādayo'nagha ॥9-37-45॥
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.
sarvastvamasi devānāṃ kartā kārayitā ca ha। tvatprasādātsurāḥ sarve modantīhākutobhayāḥ ॥9-37-46॥
You are the creator and instigator of all the gods. By your grace, all the gods rejoice here without fear.
evaṃ stutvā mahādevaṃ sa ṛṣiḥ praṇato'bravīt। bhagavaṃstvatprasādādvai tapo me na kṣarediti ॥9-37-47॥
After praising the great god, the sage bowed and said, "O Lord, may my penance not diminish by your grace."
tato devaḥ prītamanāstamṛṣiṃ punarabravīt। tapaste vardhatāṃ vipra matprasādātsahasradhā ॥ āśrame ceha vatsyāmi tvayā sārdhamahaṃ sadā ॥9-37-48॥
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."
saptasārasvate cāsminyo mām arciṣyate naraḥ। na tasya durlabhaṃ kiñcid bhaviteha paratra ca ॥ sārasvataṃ ca lokaṃ te gamiṣyanti na saṃśayaḥ ॥9-37-49॥
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.
etanmaṅkaṇakasyāpi caritaṃ bhūritejasaḥ। sa hi putraḥ sajanyāyāmutpanno mātariśvanā ॥9-37-50॥
This is the story of the illustrious Maṅkaṇaka, who was born to Sajanya by Mātariśvan.
