तीर्थयात्रा पर्व — सुकन्या की कथा

Lomasha said: Having seen the fearful-faced Mada, coming with open mouth like death himself with the intention of devouring him, the deity Shatakratu (Indra).

Licked the corner of his mouth when his arms were paralyzed. Being afflicted with fear, the celestials king thus spoke, O son of Bhrigu, O Brahmanas, I truly tell you that from this day the two Ashvins will be entitled to receive the Soma juice. Therefore be merciful to me.

O Brahmana Rishi, your attempts can never be futile. Let this be the rule. I know your act can never be in vain.

O son of Bhrigu, these two Ashvins are now entitled to drink the Soma juice as you have made them today. O son of Bhrigu, I have done it to spread the fame of your powers.

My object was to spread the fame of the father of Sukanya all over the world. It has been done by me, so that your fame may spread.

Therefore be merciful to me. Let it be as you desire." Having been thus addressed by Indra, the high-souled son of Bhrigu.

Was soon appeased; and he set free Purandara (Indra). O king, that mighty Rishi distributed Mada and put it piece-meal in drinks, in women, in gambling and in the field of sports. This Mada was formerly created again and again. Having thus thrown away Mada, he adored Indra with Soma.

He then assisted that king (Sharyati) to perform sacrifices to all the celestials together with the Ashvins. That foremost of speakers thus spread his fame all over the world.

O king, he then happily lived with his loving wife Sukanya in the forest. This is, O king, his lake resounding with the voice of the birds.

You must with you brothers offer oblations here to the Pitris and the celestials. O ruler of earth, O descendant of Bharata, having seen it and Sikataksha, you should then go to the Saindhava forest and see many artificial rivers there. O great king, you should touch the waters of all the currents there and then, O descendant of Bharata, uttering the mantras of Sthanu, you will attain to ascetic success. O foremost of men, it is the time of junction between Treta and Dvapara Yugas.

O son of Pritha, by seeing it, one is cleansed of all his sins. Perform your oblations here in this place which is capable of destroying all sins.

Yonder is the Archika hill, inhabited by cultured men. Fruits of all seasons grow here at all times and the streams run forever. It is an excellent place.

O Yudhishthira, there are may caverns here of various forms made by the celestials. This is the Tirtha of the moon and it is surrounded on all sides by the Rishis, who are the Vaisyas, the Valkhilyas, the Pavakas and the Vayuvakhas.

There are three peaks and three sacred springs; you may walk round them all one by one; you can perform your oblations at pleasure.

O king of kings, O ruler of men, Santanu, Sanaka and Nara and Narayana, have obtained eternal regions from this place.

O Yudhishthira, here did the Pitris, the celestials and the great Rishis always lie down. They all performed asceticism on the Archika mountain. Perform sacrifice here.

O king, here did they cook charu (rice with milk) with the Rishis; here is also the Yamuna of everlasting current where Krishna engaged himself in asceticism.

O son of Pandu, O chastiser of foes, the twins, Bhimasena and Krishna (Draupadi) and all of us will accompany you to this spot,

O ruler of men, this is the sacred spring of Indra where Dhata, Vidhata and Varuna rose upwards.

O king, here do they live observing forbearance and practising the greatest virtue. This excellent and auspicious mountain is fit for kind and can did persons.

This is that Yamuna, O king which is frequented by the great Rishis, the scene of many sacrifices, it is holy and it destroys all fear of sin.

son of Kunti, here did the great bow-man, king Mandhata, himself perform sacrifices, so did also Somaka, the son of Sahadeva, that foremost of all boon-givers.