Āditya Tīrtha is a tīrtha on the river Sarasvatī. It is named for the tapas (austerity) that Bhagavān Sūrya, also called Bhāskara and Āditya, did here. Kṛshṇa Dvaipāyana (Vyāsa) and the ṛshi Asita Devala are also linked with this place. Balarāma visited it on his pilgrimage along the Sarasvatī.

Bhagavān Sūrya’s tapas

The Mahābhārata says that Bhāskara (the shining one, a name of Bhagavān Sūrya) is a being made of tejas (shining power). He did tapas at this place to win jyotirgaṇādhipatya (leadership among the host of luminaries) and prabhāva (power over the worlds). The tīrtha takes its name from this tapas.

Those who gathered here

The text records that when Balarāma came to the bank of this tīrtha, Indra was there with all the devas. With him were the Viśvedevas, the maruts, the gandharvas and the apsarases. Dvaipāyana (Vyāsa) was there, and Madhusūdana Kṛshṇa, and also yakshas, rākshasas, piśācas and many other great beings.

Vyāsa and Asita Devala

Vyāsa reached paramayoga (the highest yoga) and paramasiddhi (the highest perfection) by bathing here. The ṛshi Asita Devala, a great tapasvī (one rich in tapas), did yoga at this place and gained yoga-siddhi.

The account of Asita Devala and Jaigīshavya

After Balarāma bathed at Āditya Tīrtha, he also heard the account of Asita Devala and Jaigīshavya. It took place near this tīrtha.

Bhagavān Vishṇu’s bath

The Sarasvatī at this place is called a maṅgalaprada (giver of good fortune) and puṇya tīrtha. Bhagavān Vishṇu bathed here to wash away the pāpa (sin) he had gathered in the battle with Madhu and Kaiṭabha.

Sources

Mahābhārata, Śalya Parva, Chapters 49–50.

Āditya Tīrtha (Sarasvatī)