Badara Pācana is a tīrtha (holy bathing place) on the river Sarasvatī. Its name means “the cooking of jujubes”. Badara is the jujube berry, also called ber. The tīrtha is named after the tapas (austerity) of Śrutāvatī, the daughter of the ṛshi Bharadvāja.

Origin of the name

The name comes directly from the act that made the place holy. Śrutāvatī placed her own legs in the fire and cooked badara berries over this fire of her own making. She bore the heat without flinching. Her mind was not disturbed and no pain showed on her face. She was held steady by one desire only, to win Indra as her husband.

Indra’s blessing

Indra was moved by this feat. He appeared before her and granted her the vara (boon) she wanted. Before he left, he blessed the tīrtha. He said:

“This place shall be known as Badara Pācana Tīrtha. All brāhmaṇa ṛshis shall bathe here. Those who stay here for a single night, keeping śauca (purity) and offering tarpaṇa (water offerings) to the devas, shall gain the fruit of 58 years of brahmacarya (celibate discipline).”

This phalaśruti (the promise of the fruit of a visit) was given by Indra himself, so the tīrtha carries a clear promise from a deva.

Balarāma at Badara Pācana

Balarāma bathed at this tīrtha and gave great dāna (gifts) to the brāhmaṇas who had gathered there.

Sources

Mahābhārata, Śalya Parva, Chapter 48