Gadayuddha Parva — The history of the Tirtha Vasishthapavaha

Janamejaya said "Why is the current of the tirtha known as Vashishthapavaha so rapid? For why did the foremost of rivers carry away Vashishtha?

What, O lord, was the cause of the quarrel between Vashishtha and Vishvamitra? Asked by me, O you of great wisdom, tell me all this. I am never satiated with hearing your account.”

Vaishampayana said A great enemity arose between Vishvamitra and Vashishtha, O Bharata, on account of their rivalry regarding ascetic penances.

The hermitage of Vashishtha was in the tirtha called Sthanu on the eastern bank of the Sarasvati. On the opposite bank was the hermitage of the intelligent Vishvamitra.

There, in that tirtha, O king, Mahadeva had practised the hardest penances. Sages still speak of those penances.

Having performed a sacrifice there and adored the river Sarasvati, Sthanu established that tirtha there. Therefore it is known by the name Sthanu-tirtha, O lord.

In that tirtha, the celestials had, formerly, ) king, appointed Skanda, that destroyer of the enemies of the celestials, as the generalissimo of their army.

The great Rishi Vishvamitra, by the help of his austere penances, brought Vashishtha, to that tirtha of the Sarasvati, listen to that account.

The two ascetics Vishvamitra and Vashishtha, O Bharata, competed keenly with each other in respect of superiority of their penances.

Being jealous of the power of Vashishtha, the great Muni Vishvamitra began to think seriously.

Thought devoted to the performance of his duties, O Bharata, he formed the resolution, viz., This Sarasvati shall speedily bring, by force of her current, that foremost of ascetics, viz., Vashishtha, to my presence. After he shall have been brought hither, I shall forsooth kill that greatest of ascetics.

Having formed this resolution, the illustrious and great Rishi Vishvamitra, with eyes red in ire, thought of that foremost of rivers.

Thus remembered by the ascetic, she became exceedingly agitated. The fair lady, repaired to that energetic and wrathful Rishi.

Pale and trembling, Sarasvati, with clasped hands, appeared before that best of sages.

Indeed, the lady was greatly afflicted with sorrow, even like a woman who has lost her powerful husband. And she said to that best of sages-"Tell me what I can do for you.'

Filled with ire, the ascetic said her-Bring here Vashishtha without delay, so that I my kill him.' Hearing these words, the river became agitated.

With clasped hands the lotus-eyed lady began to tremble in fear, like a creeper shaken by the wind.

Beholding the great river in that condition, the ascetic said to her-"Bring Vashishtha before me without any scruple.'

Hearing these words of his and knowing the evil he meant and acquainted also with the matchless power of Vashishtha she went to Vashishtha and informed him of what the intelligent Vishvamitra had said to her.

Fearing the course of both, she trembled again and again. Indeed, she stood in fear of both.

Seeing her pale and anxious, the righteous Vashishtha, that foremost of men, O king, said to her.

Vashishtha said O foremost of rivers, save yourself, O you of rapid current, bear me away, otherwise Vishvamitra will curse you! Do not feel the least scruple.'

Hearing these words of that compassionate Rishi, the river began to think, O Kuru-chief, as to what she should do.

The thought Vashishtha shows great mercy for me. It is proper for me that I should serve him.'

Seeing then that best of Rishis, viz., Vashishtha engaged in silent recitation of Mantras on her bank and seeing Kushika's son Vishvamitra also engaged in homa, Sarasvati thought, this is my opportunity.' Then that foremost of rivers, by her current, washed away one of her banks.

In washing away that bank, she carried away Vashishtha. While being borne away. ) king, Vashishtha lauded the river saying: "From Brahma's Manasa-lake you have originated, O Sarasvati! The entire carth is filled with thy pure waters!

Passing through the sky, O Goddess, thou impartest thy waters to the clouds! All the waters are thee! Through thee we exercise our thinking faculties!

Thou art Pushti and Dyuti, Kiriti and Siddhi and Uma! Thou art Speech and thou art Svaha! This entire universe depends on thee. Thou dwellest in all creatures, in four forms."

Thus lauded by that great Rishi, Sarasvati, O king, speedily bore that Brahmana towards the hermitage of Vishvamitra and repeatedly announced to the latter the arrival of the former.

Seeing Vashishtha thus brought before him by Sarasvati, Vishvamitra, worked up with ire, began to look for a weapon where with to kill that Brahmana.

Seeing him wrathful, the river, fearing to behold a Brahmana's slaughter, quickly bore Vashishtha away to her eastern bank once more. She thus had obeyed the words of both, although she deceived Vishvamitra by her act.

Seeing that best of Rishis, viz., Vashishtha, borne away, the vindictive Vishvamitra becoming enraged addressed Sarasvati, saying

Since, O best of rivers, thou hast gone away and deceived me, let thy current be changed into blood liked of Rakshasas!'

Thus cursed by the intelligent Vishvamitra, Sarasvati flowed for a whole year, bearing blood mixed with water.

Beholding the Sarasvati in that plights the gods, the Gandharvas and the Apsaras became filled with great sorrow.

For this reason, O king, the tirtha passed by the name of Vashishthapavaha on Earth. The best of rivers, however, once more regained her own proper condition.