35 - The Twentyfive Confluences of Various Rivers

Brahmā said: 

1. The holy centre known as Somatirtha is one that increases the pleasure of Manes. Listen attentively to the extremely sacred incident that happened there, O Närada. 

2. Formerly Soma (Moon) full of nectar had been the king of Gandharyas and not of Devas. Then Devas approached me and said: 

Devas said: 

3. Formerly Soma, the bestower of vital airs on Devas, had been taken away by Gandharvas. Not able to meditate on him, sages and Devas became extremely distressed. Let some strategic means be employed so that Soma can be ours. 

Brahmă said: 

4. Våk (Sarasvati) said to Devas: "The Gandharvas are madly passionate over women. O Devas, it behoves you to bring Soma after giving me to them." 

5. The immortal ones replied to Väk: “We are not competent to give you away. It is impossible to live without Soma, nor is it possible to live without you”. 

6-13. Again Vak said to Devas: "I shall come here again. A way should be thought out. Let an excellent sacrifice be performed on the southern bank of Gautami. If Devas are prepared let them come there for sacrifice. Gandharvas are always fond of women, Exchange me for Soma". 

“So be it”, said Devas who firmly agreed to what was said by Sarasvati. Through the messengers they invited Devas, Yakşhas, Gandharvas and Nāgas severally to the sacred mountain. There- after, O sage, the name of that mountain became Devagiri. There came Devas, Gandharvas, Yakşhas, Raksasas, Siddhas, sages and the eight species of inferior gods.¹

1. 'Devayonayah' is demi-gods or inferior gods such as Adityas, Vasus, Viśvedevas etc. 

While the great sacrifice was being performed by the sages on the banks of Gautami, the thousand-eyed lord surrounded by Devas, spoke in the presence of Sarasvati after honouring Gandharvas. 

Indra said: 

Exchange the nectar-souled Soma of yours for Sarasvati. Brahmā said: 

14. At the instance of Indra those Gandharvas, passionate over women, gave Soma to Devas and took Sarasvati. 

15-19. Devas possessed Soma and Gandharvas possessed Sarasvati. While she stayed there she secretly came near Devas everyday saying, "Let it remain a secret". That is how, O Nārada, Soma was bought. While buying Soma one should speak in a low tone. Thereafter Devas possessed both Soma and Sarasvati. The Gandharvas had neither Soma nor Sarasvati. 

For the sake of Soma all the following came to Gautami: Cows, Devas, mountains, Yakşhas, Räkşhasas, Siddhas, Sadhvac sages, Guhyakas, Gandharvas, Maruts, Nāgas, medicinal herbs Mothers¹, Guardians of quarters, Rudras, Adityas, Vasus Asvins and other Devas who deserve a share in the sacrifice. 

1. "Mätarah' is divine mothers or female energies of great gods, c.8. Brahmāni, Maheśvari, Vaişņavi, Aindri etc. 

20-21. Twentyfive rivers, O sage, have joined Gangă. The place where the entire ghee offering was given is called the holy centre of Pūrņā. As mentioned before, the rivers that joined Gautami have holy centres in their names. Now listen to holy centres with their names O Nārada. 

22-27. The holy centres are: Somatirtha, Gandharva. Devatirutha, Pūrņatīrutha, Sala, Sriparņā-Sangama, Ilāsangama, the holy confluence of Kusumā, Puştisangama, the auspicious Karņikā Sangama, Vaiņavi Sangama, Kruśarāsangama, Vasa- visangama, Sivaśarya, Sikhī, Kusumbhikā, Uparathya, Santijā, Devajā, Aja, Vruddha, Sura and Bhadra-all these joined Gautamī. These and many other rivers, the holy rivers in the world, went to the Devaparvata mountain for the sake of Soma. Others also came to the sacrificial pavilion. Those holy rivers joined Ganga in due order. 

28-31. Some of them were in the form of rivers flowing east; some in the form of rivers flowing west, others in the form of lakes and still others in the form of streams. All these holy centres are severally well known. Taking bath in them, or performing Japa, Homa and Pitrustarpana (water libation to the manes) fulfils all cherished desires of men. It gives enjoyment and salvation. The people who read about these or remember them become liberated from all sins and go to lord Vişhnu's regions. Twenty rivers have been mentioned between Purna and Pravarā. Then there are five divine rivers, my daughters. All together twentyfive of them have been described thus.