Gadayuddha Parva — The story of Dalvya-Valla. The history of the Tirtha Yayata

Vaishampayana said "That delighter of the Yadus then proceeded to the hermitage (of Vaka) resonant with the chaunting of the Vedas. There the great ascetic, O king, named Dalvya-vaka, poured the kingdom of Dhritarashtra, the son of Vichitravirya, as a libation (on the sacrificial fire). By practising hard penances he emaciated his own body. The greatly energetic and virtuous Rishi did it being worked up with great wrath.

Formerly the Rishis, living in the Naimisha forest, had celebrated a sacrifice extending over twelve years. In the course of that sacrifice, after a particular one called Vishvajit had been completed, the Rishis started for the country of the Panchalas.

Going there, they requested the king to give them twenty one strong and healthy calves to be given away as Dakshina in the sacrifice they had finished.

Dalvya-vaka, then said to those Rishis-"Do you divide those animals among ye! Giving away these (to ye), I shall beg a great king (for some more).'

Saying it the greatly energetic Vaka, that best of Brahmanas, then went to the palace of Dhritarashtra.

Going before Dhritarashtra, Dalvya begged some animals of him. Finding that some of his kine had died without any cause, the king angrily said to him-"Wretch of a Brahmana, take, if you wish, these (dead) kine.'

Hearing these words, the dutiful Rishi thught-Alas, he has spoken cruel words to me in the assembly.'

Having thought thus, thus, that best of Brahmanas, filled with rage, made up his mind for destroying king Dhritarashtra.

Cutting the flesh from the dead animals, that best of Rishis, having lighted a sacrificial fire on the tirtha of the Sarasvati, poured those pieces as libations for the destruction of king Dhritarashtra's kingdom. The great ascetic Dalvya-vaka, O king poured Dhritarashtra's kingdom as a libation on the fire.

Upon the commencement of that dreadful sacrifice with proper rites, the kingdom of Dhritarashtra, O king, began to dwindle.

Indeed, O lord, the kingdom of that monarch began to dwindle as a large forest gradually disappears when men cut it down with the axe. Overtaken by dangers, the kingdom began to lose its prosperity and vitality.

Seeing his kingdom thus afflicted the power king became very depressed and anxious.

Consulting with the Brahmanas, he began to make mighty endeavours for releasing his kingdom (from affliction). No good, however, came of his endeavours, for the kingdom continued to dwindle.

The king became very much depressed. The Brahmanas also, O sinless one, became filled with grief. When at last the king failed to save his kingdom, he consulted the ministers, O Janamejaya, (about the remedy). The minister reminded him of the evil he had done regarding the dead kine.

And they said-"The ascetic Vaka is pouring your kingdom as a libation on the fire with the help of the flesh (of those animals). Therefore is this dwindling away of your kingdom.

This is the fruit of ascetic rites. Thence is this great calamity! Go, O king and propitiate that Rishi who is living on the bank of the Sarasvati.'

Going to the bank of Sarasvati, the king fell at his feet, touched them with his head, joined his hands and said-"I propitiate you, O worshipful one, forgive me for my crime.

I am an insensate fool, a wretch filled with avarice. You are my refuge and protector, you should extend to me your favour.'

Seeing him thus laden with grief and indulging in lamentations like these, Vaka felt compassion for him and freed his kingdom.

The Rishi became pleased with him and cast off his anger. For freeing his kingdom, the sage again poured libations on the fire.

Having freed the kingdom from calamities and taken many kine as a gift he became pleased at heart and once more proceeded to the Naimisha forest.

The liberal and righteous king Dhrutarashtra, with a cheerful heart, returned to his own prosperous capital.

In that tirtha, for the destruction of the Asuras and the prosperity of the celestials Brihaspati also poured libations on the sacrificial fire, with the aid of flesh. Upon this, the Asuras began to waste away and were killed by the celestials, filled with desire of victory, in battle.

Having with due rites given to the Brahmanas horses and elephants and vehicles with mules yoked to them and precious jewels and immense wealth and profuse corn, the illustrious and mighty-armed Rama then proceeded, O king, to the tirtha called Yayata.

There, O king, at the sacrifice of the highsouled Yayati, the son of Nahusha, the Sarasvati produced milk and clarified butter.

That foremost of men, king Yayati, having performed a sacrifice there, went to heaven and secured many blissful regions.

Once again, O lord, king Yayati, performed a sacrifice there. Beholding his great magnanimity of soul and his fixed devotion to herself, the river Sarasvati gave to the Brahmanas present there everything they desired to have.

That foremost of rivers gave each of them that were invited to the sacrifice, here he was, houses and beds and food of the six different tastes and various other things.

The Brahmanas regarded those valuable gifts as presented by the king. Gladly they lauded the king and conferred their sacred blessing upon him.

The gods and the Gandharvas were all pleased with the numberless articles in that sacrifice. As regards men they were filled with wonder on seeing those articles.

The illustrious and righteous Baladeva, of cleansed soul, having the palmyra on his banner and ever giving away the most valuable things, then proceeded to that tirtha of fierce current called Vashishthapavaha.