Rāma Tīrtha (Sarasvatī)

The Rāma Tīrtha is a tīrtha (holy bathing place) on the Sarasvatī river. It is a great place of puṇya (merit), visited by devas, brahmarshis and ṛshis. It takes its name from Paraśurāma, the son of Jamadagni, who is called the foremost of the Bhṛgu line (Bhṛgu-vaṃśa-śreshṭha).

How the tīrtha became holy

Paraśurāma made twenty-one campaigns against the kshatriya kings and brought the earth under his rule. He then took the ṛshi Kaśyapa as his ācārya (teacher and guide). With Kaśyapa he performed 100 Vājapeya yajñas and 100 Aśvamedha yajñas.

After this he gave the whole earth, ringed by the oceans, to Kaśyapa as dakshiṇā (the priest’s gift). He gave many more gifts as well: jewels, cows, elephants, chariots, servants (dāsas), goats and sheep in many forms. When he had given everything away, he went to live in the forest.

At this tīrtha, which devas and brahmarshis often visit, Paraśurāma performed his famous tapas (austerity) in his retirement.

Balarāma at the tīrtha

Balarāma came here after he had bathed at the Indra Tīrtha. He bowed (praṇāma) to the ṛshis who had gathered at the Rāma Tīrtha. Then he went on to the Yamunā Tīrtha.

Sources

• Mahābhārata, Śalya Parva, Chapter 49