93 - Sārasvata and other Holy Centres

Brahmä said: 

1. The holy centre named Sarasvata bestows all cherished desires and benefits. It yields worldly pleasures and salvation to men. It destroys all sins. 

2. It subdues all ailments. It bestows all (spiritual) achieve ments. There listen to this narrative in detail, O Nārada. 

3. To the east of Pushpotkata is the mountain well known in all worlds. It is the most excellent mountain named Subhra on the southern bank of Gautamī. 

4. There was a sage excessively disciplined with self-control, well reputed as Sakalya. He performed an excellent penance on the holy mountain Subhra. 

5. All living beings used to bow down to and eulogize that excellent brahmin who performed penance after resorting to the banks of Gautamī. 

6. He was devoted to the service of sacred fire and the study of the Vedas on that mountain resorted to by sages, Gandharvas and Devas, 

7. On that extremely meritorious mountain there was a Räkshasa named Parašhu. He was a terrifier of Devas and brahmins. He was a hater of Yajñas and the slayer of brahmins. 

8-11. He could assume any form he wished. Assuming different forms he used to wander in the forest. In a trice, he would wander in the form of a brahmin. Sometimes he would assume the form of a tiger. Sometimes he would wander in the form of a Deva and sometimes he would assume the form of an animal. Sometimes he would have the form of a young maiden. Sometimes he would wander in the form of a deer. Somctimes he would wander in the form of a boy. Thus he wandered about committing sin after sin, 

Where the scholarly brahmin sage Sakalya stayed, the great sinner Parašhu, the base Rakshasa, used to come everyday. Although Parashu attempted to abduct and kill the brahmin of grcat purity, he could not do it, 

12-13. One day, after scrupulously worshipping Devas, that excellent brahmin came to the dining chamber) desirous of taking food. At that time, O sage, Parashu too came there assume the form of a brahmin. He was enfeebled, grey-haired and weak. There was a certain girl also with him. He spoke to Śákalya.

 Parašhu said: 

14-15. O brahmin, know me and this girl desirous of food. We have come at the proper time when guests should be fcd. O bestower of honour, you can be contented. They alone are blessed from whose houses, guests come out with all their desires fulfilled. Others are dead though they may be physically alive. 

16. After sitting down for taking food, if anyone gives away to the guest what has been prepared for himself it is as though the Earth has been gifted away by him.

 Brahma said: 

17. On hearing these words Sakalya made Parashu sit on a seat taking him to be a brahmin out of ignorance and said. "I shall give" 

18. After duly worshipping him Šakalya served the food. Taking the water for ceremonious gulping down in his hand Parašhu spoke these words: 

Parasu said: 

19. The deities follow the wcary guest from a great distance. If he is satiated they too will be satiated. It will be otherwise if he is dissatisfied. 

20. The guest and the slander-monger—these two are the real kinsmen of the whole universe. The slander-monger dispels sins and the guest bestows heaven. 

21. If anyone looks at a guest weary on his way with disgust, his virtue, fame and prosperity perish immediately. 

22. Hence O excellent brahmin, I, a weary guest, earnestly beg of you. If you grant me what I desire I shall take my food. Not otherwise.

Brahmā said: 

23-25. Sākalya said to the Rakshasa: "It is already given. Take your food". Then he said, "I am Paraśhu the excellent Rakshasa. I am your enemy. I am not an old brahmin, lean and grey-haired. Many years have passed by since I have been observing you. My limbs are becoming dry like a small drop of water in the summer. Hence, O excellent brahmin, I shall take you away along with your followers and shall eat you up." 

Brahma said: 

26-28. On hearing the words of Parashu Säkalya said:

Sakalya said: 

Those who are born of a noble family, those who have understood all the scriptural texts strictly adhere to what is promised by them, never otherwise. O friend, you do as you please. Still listen to me. Excellent words conducive to welfare should be spoken even to those persons who are attempting to kill one. 

29. I am a brahmin of adamantine body. Lord Hari is my all-round protector. Let Vişhnu protect my feet. Let Lord protect my head. 

30. Let Boar protect my arms. Let Dharmarāja protect my back. Let Krishna protect my heart. Let Man-Lion protect my fingers. 

31. Let lord of speech protect my mouth. Let lord who moves about on a bird protect my eyes. Let lord of wealth, Kubera, protect my ears. Let Bhava protect from all round Lord Nārāyana himself is the sole refuge in different adversities. 

Brahmā said: 

32. After saying thus, Säkalya continued —“Take me or devour me happily, O great Räkshasa, Parashu, without any hesitation," 

33. At his words the Rākşhasa got ready to devour him. Certainly there is not the least bit of mercy in the heart of sinners. 

34. With a mouth terrible due to the curved fangs he went near him (but) immediately after looking at the brahmin Parashu said. 

Parashu said: 

35-39. O excellent brahmin, I see you as one who has conch, discus and iron-club in his hands, one who has a thousand feet and heads, one who has a thousand cyes and hands, as a lord who is the sole abode of all living beings, whose form is that of Vedas. O brahmin, I see you today as one identical with the universe. This is not your previous body. Hence, I propitiate you, O brahmin, you alone be the refuge. Grant me knowledge, O brahmin of great intelligence. Tell me the holy centre for the atonement of my sins. O brahmin, visiting great men is never futile even if it be accidental or due to hatred or out of ignorance or by mistake. The contact of a piece of iron with the jewel is conducive to its turning into gold. 

Brahmä said: 

40-42. On hearing these words uttered by the Räkşhasa, Sākalya sympathetically said thus —“O lord of Daityas, ere long Sarasvati will be the bestower of boons unto you. Hence, eulogize Vişhnu. For the attainment of desired benefit there is no other means than the prayer unto Nārāyana. 

There is some other cause too in this world. Listen, Rakshasa. That goddess will be pleased with you due to my request. 

Brahmā said: 

43-45. Saying "So be it", Parashu took bath in Ganga, the sanctifier of three worlds. With purity and well controlled mind he stood facing Ganga. There he saw Sarasvati who had divine form, who had smeared over herself divinc scents and unguents, who is the mother of the universe, who stood by the words of Säkalya, who is tlic dispeller of the sluggishness of the universe, who gave birth to the universe and who is the goddess of the universe. Parašhu who was rid of his sins spoke to her humbly. 

Parashu said: 

46. My preceptor Sakalya said thus to me,"Eulogize the consort of Laksmī, the bird-bannered lord. Let me have that power by your grace. Kindly do so.

 Brahmā said: 

47-48. "Let it be so", said the divine Sarasvati to Paraśhu. Due to the grace of Sarasvati, Parašhu eulogized Vişhnu. Then Vişhnu was pleased. Vişhnu, the ocean of mercy, granted boons to the Rākşhasa,

 Vişhnu said: 

49-51. O Räkshasa, whatever is in your mind, everything that you desire will take place.

 Brahma said: 

Even though he was a great sinner, the Rakshasa Parashu went to heaven by the grace of Såkalya, the grace of Gautamī, the grace of Sarasvati, the grace of Narasimha and the grace of the lord with the Säranga bow, whose lotus-like foot constitutes a holy centre to all. 

52-53. Thenceforth, that holy centre is well known as "Sārasvata". By taking holy dip there and by offering charitable gifts one is honoured in the world of Vişhņu. 

On that Sveta Mountain there are many holy centres born of the grace of Sarasvati, Vishnu, Sakalya and Parashu.