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 said:
Why are there seven Sarasvatas? Who is the sage Maṅkaṇaka? How did the Lord become perfected, and what was his rule?
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.
Vaishampayana spoke:
O king, the seven forms of Sarasvati, who pervade this world, are indeed invoked by the powerful in various places.
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.
On the vast earth belonging to the great grandfather, at the expansive sacrificial ground, the twice-born were indeed assembled.
At that time, during the sacrificial ceremony, there were auspicious proclamations and pure sounds of the Vedas, and the gods were indeed engaged.
There, O great king, the great-grandfather was initiated and performed sacrifices with a sacrificial session, fulfilling all desires.
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.
The Gandharvas sang there, and the Apsaras danced. They skillfully played divine musical instruments.
The success of his sacrifice brought satisfaction even to the gods, who were filled with great wonder, let alone the human beings.
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.
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.
The sages, upon seeing the swift-flowing Sarasvati honoring the grandfather, were pleased and regarded the sacrifice as highly significant.
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.
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.
There, those sages who were nearby and unfamiliar with the study gathered and remembered Sarasvati.
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.
In the region of Naimisha, the revered river Kanchanakshi arrived, esteemed among the sages performing sacrifices, and was worshipped there, O Bharata.
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.
The sages, known for their firm vows, declare that the vast river, originating from the side of the Himalayas, flows swiftly through Gaya.
O Bhārata, during the sacrifice performed by Uddālaka, when the circle of sages was abundantly assembled from all sides, then.
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.
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.
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.
In Oghavati, O King, the great sage Vasiṣṭha invited the divine river Sarasvatī to Kurukṣetra, known for its sacred waters.
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.
The group united and gathered at the sacred site known as Saptasarasvata, which then became renowned across the world.
Thus, the seven rivers named Saraswati are mentioned. The Saptasarasvata is considered a sacred pilgrimage site and is remembered as such.
Listen, O king, to the tale of Maṅkaṇaka, the youthful celibate, who engaged in great play while immersed in the river.
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.
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.
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.
O King, listen to another wondrous story on earth, the tale of the great sage, as it is renowned across the three worlds.
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.
Then, during that dance, both the immovable and movable entities were enchanted by his brilliance, O hero.
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.
Then Mahadeva, filled with immense joy upon seeing the sage, spoke for the welfare of the gods.
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.
The sage spoke:
"O Brahman, can't you see the vegetable juice spilled from my hand? Seeing it, I danced with immense joy, O Lord."
The god, with a smile, addressed the sage who was deluded by passion, saying, "O sage, I am not surprised; behold me."
After speaking thus, the wise Mahadeva, with the tip of his finger, struck his own thumb, O best of sages and king of kings.
Then, O king, snow-like ash emerged from the wound. Seeing this, the sage, feeling ashamed, went to the feet.
The sage spoke:
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.
The wise declare that you are the creator of this universe, and at the end of the age, everything merges back into you.
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.
You are the creator and instigator of all the gods. By your grace, all the gods rejoice here without fear.
After praising the great god, the sage bowed and said, "O Lord, may my penance not diminish by your grace."
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."
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.
This is the story of the illustrious Maṅkaṇaka, who was born to Sajanya by Mātariśvan.
