Indra Tīrtha (Sarasvatī)
Indra Tīrtha is a tīrtha (holy bathing place) on the river Sarasvatī. It is the place where Indra, the king of the devas, performed one hundred great yajñas (fire rituals). It is called ancient and eternal, auspicious and meritorious, and it destroys all pāpa (sin).
Origin of the name
The tīrtha takes its name from the great act that Indra did here. The Mahābhārata records that at this tīrtha the king of the devas performed 100 great yajñas, with the right rites, with many kinds of dakshiṇā (fees paid to the priests), and under the guidance of the best veda-pāragas (masters of the Veda). He gave great wealth to Bṛhaspati.
When he had finished 100 yajñas at this place, Indra won the famous name Śatakratu, “he who has performed a hundred yajñas”. After that the tīrtha bore the name of Indra. It is called śiva (auspicious), puṇya (meritorious) and sanātana (eternal), and it destroys all pāpa.
The nearby Badara Pācana Tīrtha
Close by is the Badara Pācana Tīrtha. It is tied to the narrative of Śrutāvatī and the account within it of Arundhatī. Both involved tapas (austerity) at the place where jujube fruits (badara) are cooked. Indra Tīrtha and Badara Pācana Tīrtha lie together on this part of the Sarasvatī pilgrimage.
Balarāma at Indra Tīrtha
Balarāma bathed here. He honoured the brāhmaṇas and gave them clothes and food. Then he went on to the next tīrtha, Rāma Tīrtha.
Sources
- Mahābhārata, Śalya Parva, Chapter 49