Gadayuddha Parva — The history of Sapta Sarasvati and Mankanaka

Janamejaya said "Why was that tirtha called Sapta-Sarasvat? Who was the ascetic Mankanaka? How was that worshipful one successful? What were his vows and observances?

In whose family was he born? What books did that great Rishi study? I desire to hear all this, O foremost of Rishis.

Vaishampayana said "O king, the seven Sarasvati cover this Universe. Wherever the Sarasvati was called the energetic Rishis, there she did go.

These are the seven forms of the Sarasvati, viz., Suprabha, Kanchanakshi, Vishala, Manorama, Oghavati, Surenu and Vimalodaka.

Brahma had at one time celebrated a great sacrifice. While that sacrifice was being celebrated on the site selected, many Rishis, crowned with ascetic success, came there.

The spot was filled with the sound of the recitation and the chaunting of the Vedas. Seeing those sacrificial rites, even the very gods lost their temper.

There, O king, while the grandfather was initiated in the sacrifice and was performing the grand ceremony capable of granting prosperity and wished-for objects many great Rishis, conversant with virtue and profit, were present. As soon as they thought of necessary articles, they, O king, immediately came before the Rishis.

The Gandharvas sang and the Apsaras danced. And they played upon many celestial instruments.

The provisions collected in that sacrifice satisfied the very celestials. What shall I say then of men? The very celestials were filled with wonder.

During the progress of that sacrifice at Pushkara and in the presence of Brahma, the Rishis, O king, said-"This sacrifice is not successful, sine that foremost of rivers, viz., Sarasvati, is not to be seen here.” Hearing these words. the divine Brahman meditated on Sarasvati.

Summoned at Pushkara by the grandfather engaged in the celebration of a sacrifice, Sarasvati, O king came there under the name of Suprava.

Seeing Sarasvati pay that regard to the grandfather, the ascetics regarded that sacrifice with great esteem.

Thus that foremost of rivers, viz., Sarasvati, made her appearance at Pushkara for pleasing the grandfather and the ascetics.

On another occasion, O king many Munis assembled at Naimisha. They had many discussions amongst them, O king, on the Vedas.

There those ascetics, conversant with various scriptures, thought of the Sarasvati.

Thus thought of, O king, by those Rishis performing a sacrifice, the highly blessed and sacred Sarasvati, for helping those great Munis, made her appearance at Naimisha and was accordingly called Kanchanakshi.

Worshipped of all, that best of rivers, thus came there, O Bharata. While king Gaya was engaged in the celebration of a great sacrifice at Gaya the foremost of rivers, Sarasvati, summoned at Gaya's sacrifice, came there. The Rishis of rigid vows, that were present there, named her Vishala at Gaya.

That quick-coursing river originates from the side of Himavat. Ouddalaka had also, O Bharata, performed a sacrifice.

A number of ascetics were also assembled there. It was in the sacred north Koshala, O kir that sacrifice of the great Ouddalaka was celebrated.

Before Ouddalaka began his sacrifice, he had thought of the Sarasvati. That foremost of rivers came there for the sake of those Rishis.

Worshipped of all those Munis clad in barks and deer-skins, she passed by the name of Manorama as those Rishis mentally called her.

While, again the great Kuru was engaged in a sacrifice at Kurukshetra, that foremost of rivers, the highly sacred Sarasvati, came there.

Summoned, O king, by the great Vashishtha who assisted Kuru in his sacrifice, the Sarasvati, of celestial water, came to Kurukshetra and passed by the name of Oghavati.

Daksha at one time celebrated a sacrifice at the source of Ganga. The Sarasvati appeared there under the name of the quick-coursing Surenu.

Once again, while Brahınan was engaged in a sacrifice on the sacred forest of the Himavat mountains, the worshipful Sarasvati, summoned by him, came there.

All these seven streams then came and joined together in that tirtha where Baladeva came. And because the seven joined together at that spot, therefore is that tirtha known on earth by the name of Sapta-Sarasvati.

Thus have I described to you the seven Sarasvatis, according to their names. I have also given you an account of the sacred tirtha called Satpa-Sarasvat.

Listen now to a great deed of Mankanaka, who had from his youth led the life of a Brahmacharin. While perforining his abolutions in the river, he saw one day, O Bharata, a damsel of beautiful features and fair brows, bathing in the river with her body uncovered. At this sight, O monarch, the seminal fluid of the Rishi dropped to the Sarasvati.

The great ascetic took it up and kept it within his earthen pot. Deposited within that pot, the fluid was divided into seven parts.

From those seven portions were born seven Rishis, from whom originated the forty nine Maruts. The Rishis named Vayuvega, Vayuhan, Vayumandala, Vayujata, Vayuretas, Vayuchakra. Thus were born those progenitors of the various Maruts.

Hear now of a more wonderful account O king, of a highly marvellous conduct of that great Rishi which is well known in the three worlds.

Formerly, after Mankanaka had become Successful, O king, his hand became pierced seven were with a Kusha blade. Thereupon a vegetable juice came out of the wound and not blood.

Seeing that vegetable juice, the Rishi was filled with joy and danced about there. Beholding him dance, all mobile and immobile creatures, O hero, overpowered by his energy, began to dance.

Then the celestials with Brahma at their head and the Rishis, having asceticism for their wealth, O king, all approached Mahadeva and informed him of the doings of the Rishi (Mankanaka). And they said to him-Thou shouldst, O god, do that which may prevent the Rishi from dancing."

Then Mahadeva, seeing the Rishi filled with great joy and desirous of doing good to the celestials addressed him, saying.

Why, O Brahmana, do you dance in this way, you who know your duties well? What must be the cause of your joy, O sage, that being an ascetic, ( best of Brahmanas and walking in the path of virtue you should behave in this way?

The Rishi said Do you not see that a vegetable juice is flowing from this my wound? Seeing this, O lord, I am dancing in great glee.

Laughing at the Rishi who was overpowered by passion, the god said-"I do not, O Brahmana, at all wonder at this. Behold me!"

Having said this to that best of Rishis, the highly intelligent Mahadeva struck his thumb with the end of one of his fingers.

Thereupon, O king, ashes, white as snow, came out of that wound. Beholding this, the Rishi became ashamed, O monarch and fell at the feet of the God.

He understood the deity to be none else than Mahadeva. Filled with wonder he said-"I do not think that thou art any one save Rudra, the great and Supreme being.

O wielder of the trident, thou art the refuge of this universe consisting of gods and demons. The wise say that this universe has been created by you.

At the universal dissolution, everything once more enters thee. Thou art incapable of being known by the celestials, how then canst thou be known by me?

All creatures of the universe are seen in thee. The gods with Brahma at their head worship thee who dust give boons, O sinless one.

Thou art everything. Thou art the creator of the gods. Through thy grace, the god pass their time joyously and fearlessly." Having lauded Mahadeva in this way, the Rishi bowed to him.

Let not my ridiculous childishness, that I displayed, O god, destroy my ascetic merit. I pray to thee for this. The god cheerfully replied-"Let your asceticism increase a thousand fold, O Brahmana, through my grace, I shall also always live with you in this hermitage."

The man that will adore me in this Pritha, viz., Sapta-sarasvat, will attain everything here or hereafter. Forsooth, such a one shall go to the region called Sarasvat in heaven, after death.

This is the history of Mankanaka. He was begotten by the god of wind upon Sukanya.