09.041
Library: Sarasvati, Sage Vasishtha and Sage Vishwamitra
Janamejaya said:
How did the removal of Vasiṣṭha, who was of terrible speed, occur? And why did the best of rivers bring that sage back?
O wise one, please tell me by whom and why he became an enemy, and what was the reason, O lord. I am not satisfied with what has been told.
Vaiśampāyana said:
O Bhārata, there was intense enmity between Viśvāmitra and the sage Vasiṣṭha, O king, caused by their great competition in austerity.
There was a great hermitage of Vasiṣṭha at Sthāṇutīrtha. To the east and west was the wise Viśvāmitra's domain.
O great king, it is the place where Sthanu performed great penance, and the wise speak of his terrible deed.
In the place where the blessed lord Sthanu worshipped and honored Sarasvati, he established that sacred site as Sthanutirtha, O lord.
There, all the gods anointed Skanda as the great commander to destroy the enemies of the gods, O king.
In the holy place of Sarasvati, the great sage Vishvamitra disturbed Vasishtha with his intense penance; listen to this story.
Viśvāmitra and Vasiṣṭha, those two sages, engaged in intense competition of austerity day by day, O Bhārata.
Upon witnessing the splendor of Vasiṣṭha, the great sage Viśvāmitra was filled with excessive sorrow. His thoughts were indeed focused on the ever-righteous, O Bhārata.
Saraswati will swiftly bring the sage Vasistha to me, the best among the chanters. Once he arrives here, I will certainly kill the best of the twice-born, without any doubt.
Having made up his mind, the revered sage Viśvāmitra, filled with anger, recalled the best of the rivers, his eyes turning red with rage.
The sage's meditation caused her to become agitated. The radiant lady was born with immense heroism and anger.
Then, trembling and pale, Sarasvatī, with folded hands, approached the great sage Viśvāmitra.
The woman, having lost her heroes, was deeply saddened and asked the best of sages, "What should I do?"
The angry sage instructed her to quickly bring Vasiṣṭha, threatening to kill him today. Hearing this, the river became distressed.
With folded hands, she, whose eyes resembled lotuses, was agitated like a well-grown creeper stirred by the wind.
Upon seeing her arrive trembling with joined palms, Viśvāmitra, in anger, commanded to bring Vasiṣṭha quickly.
Then, O Bharata, the best of rivers, being fearful of both curses, wondered how this situation would unfold.
She approached Vasiṣṭha and conveyed the matter that was spoken by the wise Viśvāmitra, the best among rivers.
She, fearful of both curses and trembling repeatedly, thought deeply about the great curse and was greatly terrified by the sage.
Upon seeing her thin and pale, and filled with anxiety, the righteous King Vasishtha, the best among bipeds, spoke.
"Protect yourself, O best of rivers, and carry me swiftly. Viśvāmitra might curse you, so do not hesitate."
Upon hearing his words, the compassionate river pondered, "O descendant of Kuru, what virtuous act could have been accomplished?"
Her worry arose because Vasiṣṭha had great compassion for me. Indeed, I always performed his beneficial work.
Then, on his own bank, O king, seeing the great sage Kaushika chanting and offering oblations, Saraswati contemplated.
At this interval, the best of rivers caused bank erosion with her own speed.
By the removal of the riverbank, Maitrāvaruṇi was swept away. As he was being carried, he praised the goddess Sarasvati, O king.
O Sarasvati, you have emerged from the lake of the grandsire. Your excellent waters have indeed pervaded the entire world.
O goddess, you are the one who releases water in the clouds, and all waters come from you. This is what we understand.
You embody nourishment, splendor, fame, success, growth, and Uma. You are indeed the speech and Svaha. The world depends on you. You dwell in all beings here in fourfold ways.
Thus, O king, the river Sarasvati, praised by the great sage, swiftly carried the sage towards Viśvāmitra's hermitage and repeatedly presented him to Viśvāmitra.
Upon seeing what was brought by Sarasvati, he was filled with anger and then sought the weapon that would destroy Vasistha.
The river, fearing the sin of killing a Brahmin, carried the angry Vasiṣṭha eastward effortlessly, while deceiving the son of Gādhi by fulfilling the words of both.
Then, seeing the revered sage Vasiṣṭha removed, the intolerant Viśvāmitra spoke in anger.
"Because you, O best of rivers, have deceived and returned, carry the blood, O auspicious one, as approved by the chief of the demons."
Then, the wise Vishvamitra cursed Sarasvati, and she carried away the water mixed with blood for a year.
Then the sages, gods, celestial musicians, and nymphs saw Sarasvati and were deeply saddened.
Thus, O ruler of people, the stream of Vasishtha, renowned in the world, returned to its original course, truly the best among rivers.
