Critical Edition
वैशंपायन उवाच ततो विनशनं राजन्नाजगाम हलायुधः शूद्राभीरान्प्रति द्वेषाद्यत्र नष्टा सरस्वती
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said "Then Baladeva, O king, went to Vinashana where the Sarasvati has disappeared out of view in consequence of her hatred for Shudras and Abhiras.
यस्मात्सा भरतश्रेष्ठ द्वेषान्नष्टा सरस्वती तस्मात्तदृषयो नित्यं प्राहुर्विनशनेति ह
AI Translation: Because, O best of the Bharatas, Sarasvati was destroyed by hatred, therefore the sages always call it the destroyer.
तच्चाप्युपस्पृश्य बलः सरस्वत्यां महाबलः सुभूमिकं ततोऽगच्छत्सरस्वत्यास्तटे वरे
M. N. Dutt: Having bathed in that tirtha of the Sarasvati, the powerful Baladeva then went to Subhumika situate on the excellent bank of the same river.
तत्र चाप्सरसः शुभ्रा नित्यकालमतन्द्रिताः क्रीडाभिर्विमलाभिश्च क्रीडन्ति विमलाननाः
M. N. Dutt: There many fair-complexioned and beautiful-faced. Apsaras are always engaged in innocent pastimes.
तत्र देवाः सगन्धर्वा मासि मासि जनेश्वर अभिगच्छन्ति तत्तीर्थं पुण्यं ब्राह्मणसेवितम्
M. N. Dutt: The celestials and the Gandharvas, every month, O king, go to that sacred shrine which is the resort of Brahman himself.
तत्रादृश्यन्त गन्धर्वास्तथैवाप्सरसां गणाः समेत्य सहिता राजन्यथाप्राप्तं यथासुखम्
M. N. Dutt: The Gandharvas and various clans of Apsaras are to be seen there, O king, passing their days happily.
तत्र मोदन्ति देवाश्च पितरश्च सवीरुधः पुण्यैः पुष्पैः सदा दिव्यैः कीर्यमाणाः पुनः पुनः
M. N. Dutt: There the celestials and departed manes in the midst of the showers of sacred and auspicious flowers sport in joy.
आक्रीडभूमिः सा राजंस्तासामप्सरसां शुभा सुभूमिकेति विख्याता सरस्वत्यास्तटे वरे
M. N. Dutt: There all the creepers are covered with flowers. And because, O king, that spot is the beautiful sporting ground of those Apsaras, therefore is that shrine on the charming bank of the Sarasvati is called Subhumika.
तत्र स्नात्वा च दत्त्वा च वसु विप्रेषु माधवः श्रुत्वा गीतं च तद्दिव्यं वादित्राणां च निःस्वनम्
M. N. Dutt: Baladeva of Madhu's race, having bathed in that tirtha and distributed immense riches amongst the Brahmanas, heard the sound of those celestial songs and musical instruments.
छायाश्च विपुला दृष्ट्वा देवगन्धर्वरक्षसाम् गन्धर्वाणां ततस्तीर्थमागच्छद्रोहिणीसुतः
M. N. Dutt: He also saw there many shadows of gods, Gandharvas and Rakshasas. The son of Rohini then proceeded to the tirtha of the Gandharvas.
विश्वावसुमुखास्तत्र गन्धर्वास्तपसान्विताः नृत्तवादित्रगीतं च कुर्वन्ति सुमनोरमम्
M. N. Dutt: There many Gandharvas, headed by Vishvavasu and possessed of ascetic merit, pass their time in dance and singing many sweet songs.
तत्र दत्त्वा हलधरो विप्रेभ्यो विविधं वसु अजाविकं गोखरोष्ट्रं सुवर्णं रजतं तथा
M. N. Dutt: Giving away various kinds of riches to the Brahmanas, as also goat and sheep and kine and mules and camels and gold and silver.
भोजयित्वा द्विजान्कामैः संतर्प्य च महाधनैः प्रययौ सहितो विप्रैः स्तूयमानश्च माधवः
M. N. Dutt: And feeding many Brahmanas and satisfying them with many rich gifts as desired by them, Baladeva, of Madhu's race, left that place accompanied by many Brahmanas and praised by them.
तस्माद्गन्धर्वतीर्थाच्च महाबाहुररिंदमः गर्गस्रोतो महातीर्थमाजगामैककुण्डली
M. N. Dutt: Leaving that tirtha the favourite haunt of the Gandharvas, that mighty-armed chastiser of foes, having but one ear-ring, then went to the famous tirtha called Gargashrota.
यत्र गर्गेण वृद्धेन तपसा भावितात्मना कालज्ञानगतिश्चैव ज्योतिषां च व्यतिक्रमः
AI Translation: Where the aged Garga, whose soul was purified by asceticism, The knowledge of time and the passing of the constellations,
उत्पाता दारुणाश्चैव शुभाश्च जनमेजय सरस्वत्याः शुभे तीर्थे विहिता वै महात्मना तस्य नाम्ना च तत्तीर्थं गर्गस्रोत इति स्मृतम्
AI Translation: O Janamejaya, the terrible omens and auspicious ones were created by the great-souled one at the auspicious tirtha of Sarasvati. That tirtha is known by his name as
तत्र गर्गं महाभागमृषयः सुव्रता नृप उपासां चक्रिरे नित्यं कालज्ञानं प्रति प्रभो
M. N. Dutt: That tirtha was called after his name Gargashrota. There, ( king, highly blessed Rishis of firm vows always waited upon Garga, O lord, for acquiring a knowledge of time.
तत्र गत्वा महाराज बलः श्वेतानुलेपनः विधिवद्धि धनं दत्त्वा मुनीनां भावितात्मनाम्
M. N. Dutt: Besmeared with white sandal-paste O king, Baladeva, going to that tirtha, duly distributed wealth amongst many ascetics of pure souls.
उच्चावचांस्तथा भक्ष्यान्द्विजेभ्यो विप्रदाय सः नीलवासास्ततोऽगच्छच्छङ्खतीर्थं महायशाः
M. N. Dutt: Having distributed also many sorts of rich food amongst the Brahmanas, that illustrious one, clad in blue robes, then went to the tirtha called Shankha.
तत्रापश्यन्महाशङ्खं महामेरुमिवोच्छ्रितम् श्वेतपर्वतसंकाशमृषिसंघैर्निषेवितम् सरस्वत्यास्तटे जातं नगं तालध्वजो बली
M. N. Dutt: There, on the bank of the Sarasvati that powerful palmyra-emblemed hero beheld a gigantic tree called Mahashankha, tall as Meru, looking like the white-mountain and resorted to by many Rishis.
यक्षा विद्याधराश्चैव राक्षसाश्चामितौजसः पिशाचाश्चामितबला यत्र सिद्धाः सहस्रशः
M. N. Dutt: There dwell Yakshas and Vidyadharas and Rakshasas of great energy and Pishachas of incomparable might and Siddhas, in thousands.
ते सर्वे ह्यशनं त्यक्त्वा फलं तस्य वनस्पतेः व्रतैश्च नियमैश्चैव काले काले स्म भुञ्जते
AI Translation: All of them, having given up food, eat the fruit of that tree from time to time, by means of vows and restraints.
प्राप्तैश्च नियमैस्तैस्तैर्विचरन्तः पृथक्पृथक् अदृश्यमाना मनुजैर्व्यचरन्पुरुषर्षभ
AI Translation: And, O Bull among Men, they roamed about, invisible to men, each in his own way, having attained to those various restraints.
एवं ख्यातो नरपते लोकेऽस्मिन्स वनस्पतिः तत्र तीर्थं सरस्वत्याः पावनं लोकविश्रुतम्
AI Translation: Thus is this tree known in the world, O king, There is a sacred place of Sarasvati, renowned in the world,
तस्मिंश्च यदुशार्दूलो दत्त्वा तीर्थे यशस्विनाम् ताम्रायसानि भाण्डानि वस्त्राणि विविधानि च
AI Translation: And in that place, the tiger among the Yadus, the glorious one, gave copper and iron vessels, and various kinds of clothes.
पूजयित्वा द्विजांश्चैव पूजितश्च तपोधनैः पुण्यं द्वैतवनं राजन्नाजगाम हलायुधः
AI Translation: Having worshipped the Brahmins and being worshipped by the ascetics, The axe-bearing Rama, O king, went to the holy Dvaitavana.
तत्र गत्वा मुनीन्दृष्ट्वा नानावेषधरान्बलः आप्लुत्य सलिले चापि पूजयामास वै द्विजान्
AI Translation: Having gone there, Bala saw the sages wearing various garments, and having plunged into the water, he worshipped the Brahmins.
तथैव दत्त्वा विप्रेभ्यः परिभोगान्सुपुष्कलान् ततः प्रायाद्बलो राजन्दक्षिणेन सरस्वतीम्
M. N. Dutt: Having distributed profusely amongst the Brahmanas various articles of enjoyment Baladeva then, O king, went on along the southern bank of the Sarasvati.
गत्वा चैव महाबाहुर्नातिदूरं महायशाः धर्मात्मा नागधन्वानं तीर्थमागमदच्युतः
M. N. Dutt: The mighty-armed and illustrious Rama, of pure soul and unmitigated glory, then proceeded to the tirtha called Nagadhanvana.
यत्र पन्नगराजस्य वासुकेः संनिवेशनम् महाद्युतेर्महाराज बहुभिः पन्नगैर्वृतम् यत्रासन्नृषयः सिद्धाः सहस्राणि चतुर्दश
M. N. Dutt: Abounding with snakes, O king, it was the abode of the highly effulgent Vasuki, the king of serpents. There four and then ten thousand Rishis also lived permanently.
यत्र देवाः समागम्य वासुकिं पन्नगोत्तमम् सर्वपन्नगराजानमभ्यषिञ्चन्यथाविधि पन्नगेभ्यो भयं तत्र विद्यते न स्म कौरव
M. N. Dutt: Having come there in days of yore the celestials had, according to due rites, installed the great snake Vasuki as king of all the snakes. There is no fear of snakes in that place Oyou of Kuru's race.
तत्रापि विधिवद्दत्त्वा विप्रेभ्यो रत्नसंचयान् प्रायात्प्राचीं दिशं राजन्दीप्यमानः स्वतेजसा
AI Translation: Having given to the Brahmins there also, in accordance with the rules, heaps of jewels, the king, shining with his own brilliance, went to the eastern direction.
Supplementary Passages:
9.36.32 After 32, D2 ins., followed by line 2 of 224*: *223 तस्यां दिशि विचित्राणि तीर्थानि परमाणि च
आप्लुत्य बहुशो हृष्टस्तेषु तीर्थेषु लाङ्गली दत्त्वा वसु द्विजातिभ्यो जगामाति तपस्विनः
AI Translation: The plough-bearer, having bathed many times in those holy places, and having given wealth to the twice-born, went to the very ascetic.
तत्रस्थानृषिसंघांस्तानभिवाद्य हलायुधः ततो रामोऽगमत्तीर्थमृषिभिः सेवितं महत्
AI Translation: Having saluted the hosts of sages there, Hala-yudha Then Rama went to a great holy place frequented by sages.
यत्र भूयो निववृते प्राङ्मुखा वै सरस्वती ऋषीणां नैमिषेयाणामवेक्षार्थं महात्मनाम्
AI Translation: Where the great-souled Rishis of Naimisha, looking at the great river, the river Sarasvati, turned back again, facing east.
Supplementary Passages:
9.36.35 For 32d-35b, B Dn D1.6-10 subst.: *224 तथा तीर्थान्यनेकशः सहस्रशतसंख्यानि प्रथितानि पदे पदे आप्लुत्य तेषु तीर्थेषु यथोक्तं तत्र चर्षिभिः कृत्वोपवासनियमं दत्त्वा दानानि भूरिशः अभिवाद्य मुनींस्तांस्तु तत्र तीर्थनिवासिनः उद्दिष्टमार्गः प्रययौ यत्र भूयः सरस्वती प्राङ्मुखं वै निववृते वृष्टिर्वातहता यथा
निवृत्तां तां सरिच्छ्रेष्ठां तत्र दृष्ट्वा तु लाङ्गली बभूव विस्मितो राजन्बलः श्वेतानुलेपनः
M. N. Dutt: Always smeared with white sandal-paste, Vala, having the plough for his weapon, seeing that great river change her course, was O king, filled with wonder.
जनमेजय उवाच कस्मात्सरस्वती ब्रह्मन्निवृत्ता प्राङ्मुखी ततः व्याख्यातुमेतदिच्छामि सर्वमध्वर्युसत्तम
M. N. Dutt: Janamejaya said "Why O Brahmana, did the Sarasvati bend her course there towards the east. O best of Adhvaryus, you should tell me everything regarding this.
कस्मिंश्च कारणे तत्र विस्मितो यदुनन्दनः विनिवृत्ता सरिच्छ्रेष्ठा कथमेतद्द्विजोत्तम
M. N. Dutt: Why was that delighter of the Yadus filled with wonder? Why, indeed did that best of rivers thus change her course."
वैशंपायन उवाच पूर्वं कृतयुगे राजन्नैमिषेयास्तपस्विनः वर्तमाने सुबहुले सत्रे द्वादशवार्षिके ऋषयो बहवो राजंस्तत्र संप्रतिपेदिरे
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said "Formerly, in the Satya Yuga, O king, the ascetics living in Naimisha were engaged in a great sacrifice extending for twelve years.
Supplementary Passages:
9.36.39 After 39b, K4 ins.: *225 द्वादशं वार्षिकं सत्रं समुपासन्यतव्रताः while D2 ins.: *226 सायंप्रातर्व्रतपरा नक्तसंभोजनाः परे पञ्चाग्नितपसो ग्रीष्मे वर्षास्वाकाशशायिनः तृणाशिनस्तथा चान्ये मार्गशायिन एव च कण्टकप्रवरे घोरे स्वप्तारो भूमिशायिनः
उषित्वा च महाभागास्तस्मिन्सत्रे यथाविधि निवृत्ते नैमिषेये वै सत्रे द्वादशवार्षिके आजग्मुरृषयस्तत्र बहवस्तीर्थकारणात्
M. N. Dutt: Many Rishis, O king, came to that sacrifice. Passing their time according to proper rites, in the celebration of that sacrifice, those great Rishis, after the termination of that twelve year's sacrifice at Naimisha, set out in large numbers for seeing the various sacred shrines.
ऋषीणां बहुलत्वात्तु सरस्वत्या विशां पते तीर्थानि नगरायन्ते कूले वै दक्षिणे तदा
M. N. Dutt: On account of the number of the Rishis, O king, the tirthas on the southern banks of the Sarasvati all looked like towns and cities.
समन्तपञ्चकं यावत्तावत्ते द्विजसत्तमाः तीर्थलोभान्नरव्याघ्र नद्यास्तीरं समाश्रिताः
M. N. Dutt: Those foremost of Brahmanas, O foremost of men, being anxious to enjoy the merits of tirthas, took up thcir abodes on the bank of the river up to Samantapanchaka.
जुह्वतां तत्र तेषां तु मुनीनां भावितात्मनाम् स्वाध्यायेनापि महता बभूवुः पूरिता दिशः
M. N. Dutt: The whole region was as if filled with loud Vedic recitations of those Rishis of pure souls, all engaged in pouring libations of sacrificial fires.
अग्निहोत्रैस्ततस्तेषां हूयमानैर्महात्मनाम् अशोभत सरिच्छ्रेष्ठा दीप्यमानैः समन्ततः
M. N. Dutt: That best of rivers shone highly beautiful with those burning homa fires all around, over which those great ascetics poured libations of clarified butter.
वालखिल्या महाराज अश्मकुट्टाश्च तापसाः दन्तोलूखलिनश्चान्ये संप्रक्षालास्तथापरे
AI Translation: The Valakhilyas, the great king, the Ashmakuttas, and the ascetics, And others with teeth as their mortar, and others with water as their mortar,
वायुभक्षा जलाहाराः पर्णभक्षाश्च तापसाः नानानियमयुक्ताश्च तथा स्थण्डिलशायिनः
AI Translation: Those ascetics who eat air, drink water, or eat leaves, and those who are engaged in various observances, and those who sleep on bare ground,
Supplementary Passages:
9.36.46 After 46b, D2 ins.: *227 कणधूमभुजश्चान्ये तथा मासोपवासिनः सर्वतिथ्युपवासाश्च तथा ह्यन्ये सहस्रशः भूमिपात्रभुजश्चान्ये तथा भूमिभुजोऽपि हि आवसथ्याग्निनिरतास्त्रेताग्निनिरतास्तथा विघसाभ्याशिनस्तीव्रास्तथान्ये मितभोजनाः
आसन्वै मुनयस्तत्र सरस्वत्याः समीपतः शोभयन्तः सरिच्छ्रेष्ठां गङ्गामिव दिवौकसः
AI Translation: The sages, along with their wives, were there near the Sarasvati, adorning the best of rivers like the gods adorn the Ganges.
ततः पश्चात्समापेतुरृषयः सत्रयाजिनः तेऽवकाशं न ददृशुः कुरुक्षेत्रे महाव्रताः
M. N. Dutt: Hundreds of Rishis, all given to the observance of sacrifices, came there. Those observers of great vows could not find sufficient accommodation on the banks of the Sarasvati.
ततो यज्ञोपवीतैस्ते तत्तीर्थं निर्मिमाय वै जुहुवुश्चाग्निहोत्राणि चक्रुश्च विविधाः क्रियाः
M. N. Dutt: Measuring small plots of land with their sacred threads, they celebrated Agnihotras and other rites.
ततस्तमृषिसंघातं निराशं चिन्तयान्वितम् दर्शयामास राजेन्द्र तेषामर्थे सरस्वती
M. N. Dutt: The river Sarasvati saw, O king, those Rishis filled with despair and anxiety for want of a commodious tirtha wherein to perform their rites.
ततः कुञ्जान्बहून्कृत्वा संनिवृत्ता सरिद्वरा ऋषीणां पुण्यतपसां कारुण्याज्जनमेजय
M. N. Dutt: Accordingly that best of streams came there, having made sufficient accommodation on her bank for those Rishis, out of compassion for them, O Janamejaya.
ततो निवृत्य राजेन्द्र तेषामर्थे सरस्वती भूयः प्रतीच्यभिमुखी सुस्राव सरितां वरा
AI Translation: Then, O lord of kings, for their sake, Sarasvati turned back and again flowed towards the west, the best of rivers.
अमोघा गमनं कृत्वा तेषां भूयो व्रजाम्यहम् इत्यद्भुतं महच्चक्रे ततो राजन्महानदी
AI Translation: Having gone to the place of the gods, I shall again go to them. Thus the great river performed a wonderful and great deed, O king.
Supplementary Passages:
9.36.53 After 53, Ś1 K ins.: D3 after 53b: *228 तत्रैव कुञ्जमध्ये तु सा जगाम सरस्वती while D2.3.11 ins.: *229 यथागतं पुण्यजला कुरुक्षेत्रं प्रविश्य ह
एवं स कुञ्जो राजेन्द्र नैमिषेय इति स्मृतः कुरुक्षेत्रे कुरुश्रेष्ठ कुरुष्व महतीः क्रियाः
AI Translation: Thus, O lord of kings, that grove is known as Naimisha. O best of the Kurus, perform great rites in Kurukshetra.
तत्र कुञ्जान्बहून्दृष्ट्वा संनिवृत्तां च तां नदीम् बभूव विस्मयस्तत्र रामस्याथ महात्मनः
AI Translation: Seeing many caves and the river turning back, the great-souled Rama was amazed.
उपस्पृश्य तु तत्रापि विधिवद्यदुनन्दनः दत्त्वा दायान्द्विजातिभ्यो भाण्डानि विविधानि च भक्ष्यं पेयं च विविधं ब्राह्मणान्प्रत्यपादयत्
AI Translation: Having bathed there also, the descendant of Yadu, according to the prescribed manner, gave to the twice-born various utensils and articles, and offered various food and drink to the Brahmanas.
ततः प्रायाद्बलो राजन्पूज्यमानो द्विजातिभिः सरस्वतीतीर्थवरं नानाद्विजगणायुतम्
AI Translation: Then, O king, Bālo went, being worshipped by the twice-born, to the excellent Sarāsvati Tīrtha, full of thousands of various groups of birds.
Supplementary Passages:
9.36.57 After 57, M ins.: *230 हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णं चक्रवाकोपशोभितम्
बदरेङ्गुदकाश्मर्यप्लक्षाश्वत्थविभीतकैः पनसैश्च पलाशैश्च करीरैः पीलुभिस्तथा
AI Translation: Badara, inguda, kasmarya, plaksha, ashvattha, vibhitaka, Panasa, palasha, karira, and pilu.
Supplementary Passages:
9.36.58 M2-4 ins. after 58: M1 cont. after 230*: *231 सालैस्तालैस्तमालैश्च ककुभैश्च सकेतकैः
सरस्वतीतीररुहैर्बन्धनैः स्यन्दनैस्तथा परूषकवनैश्चैव बिल्वैराम्रातकैस्तथा
AI Translation: With bonds of trees on the banks of the Sarasvati, with chariots, With Parushaka forests, with bilva trees, with mango trees,
अतिमुक्तकषण्डैश्च पारिजातैश्च शोभितम् कदलीवनभूयिष्ठमिष्टं कान्तं मनोरमम्
AI Translation: Adorned with groves of Atimuktaka and Parijata trees, Abounding in groves of plantain trees, desired, beloved, delightful,
वाय्वम्बुफलपर्णादैर्दन्तोलूखलिकैरपि तथाश्मकुट्टैर्वानेयैर्मुनिभिर्बहुभिर्वृतम्
AI Translation: Surrounded by many ascetics, such as those who subsist on wind, water, fruits, leaves, and so on, those who grind with their teeth, and those who pound with stones.
स्वाध्यायघोषसंघुष्टं मृगयूथशताकुलम् अहिंस्रैर्धर्मपरमैर्नृभिरत्यन्तसेवितम्
AI Translation: Filled with the sound of the recitation of the Veda, crowded with hundreds of herds of deer, Served by men who are harmless, devoted to the Dharma, and utterly devoted,
सप्तसारस्वतं तीर्थमाजगाम हलायुधः यत्र मङ्कणकः सिद्धस्तपस्तेपे महामुनिः
M. N. Dutt: And it was the favourite abode of men shorn of malice and devoted to righteousness. Baladeva, having the plough for his weapon, arrived at that tirtha, called the Sapta-Sarasvat, where the great ascetic Mankanaka had his penances successfully practised.