Gadayuddha Parva — The history of Indra's curse and expiation

Vaishampayana said "Cursed by the intelligent Vishvamitra in anger, Sarasvati, in that sacred and best of tirthas, flowed in bloody current.

Then, O king, many Rakshasas come and lived happily there, drinking the blood that flowed.

Highly pleased with that blood, cheerfully and without anxiety of any kind, they danced and laughed there like persons that have (by virtue) attained to heaven.

After some time had passed away, some Rishis, having asceticism for their wealth, came to the Sarasvati, O king, on pilgrimage.

Those foremost of ascetics, having bathed in all the tirthas and obtained great delight, became desirous of acquiring more merit. Those learned sages at last came. O king, to that tirtha where the Sarasvati flowed in a bloody current. Those highly blessed Rishis, arriving at that frightful tirtha.

Beheld the water of the Sarasvati mixed with blood and numberless Rakshasas, O king, drinking it.

Seeing those Rakshasas, O king, those ascetics of rigid vows tried much for rescuing the Sarasvati from that condition.

Arriving there, those Rishis invoked that foremost of rivers and said to her-"Tell us the reason, O auspicious lady, why this lake in you has been distressed with such a plight. Hearing it, we shall use our efforts to restore its pristine condition.

Thus accosted, Sarasvati, trembling as she spoke, informed them of everything that had taken place. Seeing her thus woe-begone, those ascetics told her-

"We have heard of your curse, O sinless lady! All of us shall try."

Having said so to that foremost of rivers, they then consulted with one another-"All of us shall release Sarasvati from her curse."

O king, adoring Mahadeva, that Lord of the universe and protector of all creatures, with penances, vows, fasts, abstinences and painful observances, all those Brahmanas emancipated that foremost of rivers, viz., the divine Sarasvati.

Beholding the water of Sarasvati purified by those ascetics, the Rakshasas (that lived there), stricken with hunger, sought the protection of those ascetics themselves.

Stricken with hunger, the Rakshasas, with clasped hands, repeatedly said to those ascetics filled with compassion viz.-"All of us are hungry? We have deviated from the path of virtue! That we are sinful is not of our own free will!'

Through the want of your grace and our own evil deeds, as also for the sexual sins of our women, our sins multiply and we have become Brahma-Rakshasas! So amongst Vaishyas and Shudras and Kshatriyas, those that hate and injure Brahmanas became Rakshasas.'

O best of Brahmanas, arrange then for our relief. You are capable of saving all the worlds!'

Hearing these words of theirs, those ascetics lauded the great river. For the rescue of those Rakshasas, with contracted minds those ascetics said-"The food over which one will sneeze, that in which there are worms and insects, that which may be mixed with refuges of food, that which is mixed with hair, that which is trampled. That which is mixed with tears shall make up the food of these Rakshasas!'

Knowing all this, the learned man shall carefully avoid these kinds of food. He that shall take such food shall be considered as partaking of the food of Rakshasas.'

Having thus purified the tirtha, those ascetics thus prayed to that river for the relief of those Rakshasas.

Understanding the wishes of those great Rishis, that best of rivers caused her body, O foremost of men, to assume a new forn called Arjuna.

Bathing in that new river the Rakshasas renounced their bodies and went to heaven.

Ascertaining all this, the king of the celestials, viz., Indra, of a hundred sacrifices, bathed in that best of tirthas and was freed of a grievous sin."

Janamejaya said "Why was Indra affected with the sin of Brahmanicide! How also did he become freed by bathing in that tirtha?''

Vaishampayana said "Listen to that history, O king, listen to those events as they took place. Hear how Indra formerly broke his treaty with Namuchi.

The Asura Namuchi, from fear of Vasava, had entered into a ray of the Sun. Indra then made friends with Namuchi and made a contract with him, saying-"O king, of Asuras, I shall not kill you, O friend, with anything that is wet or dry. I shall not kill you in the night or in the day! Forsooth I swear this to you.'

Having made this understanding, the lord Indra one day behold a fog. He then, O king, sundered Namuchi's head, using the foam of water as his weapon.

The severed head of Namuchi thereupon pursued Indra from behind, saying repeatedly from a near place-"O killer of a friend, O wretch!'

Thus addressed repeatedly by that head; Indra went to grandfather and informed him, sorrowfully of what had taken place.

The supreme lord of the universe said to him-"Performing a sacrifice, bathe duly, O king of gods, in Aruna, the tirtha which saves all from the fear of sin!

The water of that river, O Shakra, has been sanctified by the ascetics! Formerly the river lay there concealed.

The divine Sarasvati, repaired to the Aruna and overflowed it with her waters. This confluence of Sarasvati and Aruna is highly sacred!

There, O king of gods, perform a sacrifice. Distribute enough of presents. Performing thy ablutions there, you shall be freed off of your sin.'

Thus Addressed, Indra, at these words of Brahman, O Janamejaya, performed in that abode of Sarasvati various sacrifices. Distributing many presents and bathing in that tirtha, he of a hundred sacrifices, the destroyer of Vala, duly performed certain sacrifices and then bathed in the Aruna. He became freed from the sin caused by Brahmanicide. The king of the celestial region, then returned to heaven with a joyful heart.

The head of Namuchi also dropped into that stream O Bharata and Asura gained many blessed regions, O best of kings, that granted ever wish.”

Vaishampayana said "The great Baladeva, having bathed in that tirtha and given away many kinds of gifts, acquired great virtue. Of righteous deeds, he then proceeded to the great tirtha of Soma.

There, formerly Soma himself, O emperor, had celebrated the Rajasuya sacrifice. The great Atri, that foremost of Brahmanas, endued with great intelligence, became the sacrificial priest in that grand sacrifice. Upon the termination of that sacrifice, a great battle took place between the gods and the Danavas, the Daityas and the Rakshasas. That fierce battle known after the name of the Asura Taraka. In that battle Skanda killed Taraka.

There, on the occasion, Mahasena, that destroyer of Daityas, became the generalissimo of the celestial forces. In that tirtha is a huge Ashvattha tree. Under its shade, Kartikeya, otherwise called Kumara, always lives in person."