Balarama’s Pilgrimage (Part 7)

Balarama travelled with his group to the hermitage of sage Bakadaalbhya along river Saraswati next. The sage had become famous from an encounter with Dhritarashtra. The sage was living in the hermitage when Balarama visited the place.

Bakadaalbhya

Sage Bakadaalbhya wanted to perform a twelve year long sacrificial ritual (Satra). This was done even before the one that was conducted in the Naimisha forest by Janamejaya. He wanted to get the cows to give away as Dakshina (gift) from Dhritarashtra. It is said that the king offered several dead cattle and said. “If you like, take these away for your ritual!” This was spoken in the open royal assembly in which several eminent guests were seated.

The sage got very angry for the rudeness on the part of the king. He could have refused

to give any. That was a different matter. What he did was an insult. It is said that the sage went back with the dead cattle. He, then, performed a sacrifice with the meat intending the destruction of the kingdom of the Kurus.

Soon, Dhritarashtra found that his kingdom started decaying for no apparent reason. He tried several remedies, but, nothing worked. He, then, consulted some astrologers. They found out about the disastrous ritual that was done by the sage.

Dhritarashtra felt sorry for what he had done. He went to the sage taking with him a large number of excellent cattle and other gifts. The king apologized to the sage profusely and offered all the gifts he had carried with him. Apparently, the sage was pacified. He, then, conducted a different ritual, this time for the well being of the Kauravas. The land of the Kurus prospered from that time onwards.

Balarama took a holy dip in the river, performed charities at that place and went to the holy waters of Saraswati where king Yayati had performed rituals.

(I find it very hard to make meaningful stories from the rest of Balarama’s pilgrimage. Hence, we return to Arshajnanam and continue with the battle between Bhima and Duryodhana).

Balarama’s Pilgrimage (Part 6)

Balarama continued with his journey visiting places of great spiritual heritage along the banks of the river, Saraswati. Where he stopped next had its fame because several great sages had performed deep penances there. One was AarshtisheNa who gave up studying the Vedas finding no end to what remained to be learned. It is said that he went to that spot and meditated deeply for a long period. At the end, it is reported that all the Vedas appeared to him in a vision. The sage felt extremely pleased with his achievement and blessed the place with holiness. He proclaimed. “Those who take a dip in Saraswati here shall earn enough merit as though they have performed a horse sacrifice (ASwamedha)”. Then, he ascended to heaven.

ViSwaamitra

ViSwaamitra was a Vedic seer. He was born in a royal family as the son of king Gaathi. He ascended the throne at the death of his father. The sage appears in the story of RaamaayanNa.

During those days the demons (Raakhshasas) used to terrify the land of ViSwaamitra. The king once went on a hot chase of the demons with a vast army. He soon ended up in a forest. Unwittingly his army had ransacked the very same forest in which the great sage Vasishtha had his hermitage. The sage became very angry with the rude intrusion.

Vasishtha had a divine cow which was capable of fulfilling every wish of the sage (Kaamadhenu). He asked his cow to produce an army and destroy the soldiers of ViSwaaqmitra with its help.

Soon ViSwaamitra found a large number of hunters appearing from nowhere and annihilating his own army in front of his eyes. He also could see the sage standing nearby unarmed and unperturbed, giving cool orders against his men.

It was a great revelation to the king that his powers as the supreme monarch of the land was nothing compared to what the frail looking sage acquired through penance. It was also a challenge to him, to meet his adversary on equal footing.

ViSwaamitra gave up his throne and his entire royal belongings. He went to a forest and started meditating. His sole aim was to match the powers sage Vasishtha. Gradually, the king increased the intensity of his penance, giving up all food and drinks.

Soon, Brahma appeared before him ready to grant boons. What would the monk want? Wealth, powers, good life? ViSwaamitra asked for Brahminhood, nothing less. It is said that the god conferred the status to the king at the end.

It is said that two other sages, Sindhudweepa and Devaapi, born into non-Brahmin communities attained Brahminhood through meditation at the very same place .

There are several stories associated with him, especially, about his quarrel with the sage Vasishtha which is the theme of this story. The latter also happens to play a central role in RaamaayaNa, being the chief priest of Rama’s royal family.

Before we continue with the pilgrimage of Balarama let us return briefly to the main story of Mahabharatam. Henceforth, we may follow that pattern of making a little head way with the war along with the stories of pilgrimage of the great Yadava prince.

Balarama’s Pilgrimage ( Part 5 )

Sukra Teertham (The sacred waters of Sukra)

Balarama’s next halt was at the holy place of sage Sukra. He is considered to be the chief priest of the demons (Asuras). There is a celebrated treatise on moral codes attributed to the sage (Sukra Neeti) which is said to have been compiled at that place. There is a story of sage Mahodara (one with a big belly) who got a big relief from serious trouble there. As requested by Janamejaya, sage VaiSampaayana narrates the story.

The skull that was stuck

He story is linked to the RamayaNa epic. Rama was staying in the “danDaka” forests killing ferocious demons (Raakshasas) to protect the rituals of sages. When sage Mahodara passed through the forest the skull of one of the demons got stuck on his foot. The skull penetrated into the sage’s foot and created a deep wound. The sage tried all sorts of remedies. Nothing worked. He tried meditation. He also visited all the famous pilgrimage centres as advised by other sages. The skull remained stuck on his foot.

Finally, sage Mahodara reached the holy place of Sukra. As soon as his foot touched the sacred waters there the skull came off. The wound also healed within no time. The sage was greatly relieved. Because of this the place became famous under the name of Kapaala mocanam (relief from the skull).

Balarama paid homage to the sages there, honoured the Brahmins who had assembled and proceeded further.

Rushangu Teertham

The next visit of the Yadava chief was to the hermitage of sage Rushangu. The sage in old age was looking for a suitable place to end his life. That was an accepted custom those days to take voluntary death (Swacchanda Mrutyu). He asked his sons to take him to a place where there was plenty of water. His sons brought him to the shores of river Saraswati. The sage found the place so holy that he embraced death there. Before dying he told his sons. “Those who end their lives here shall not have to take re-births any more”.

Balarama performed the ritual bath and made the people assembled there happy with food and gifts and proceeded to the holy place where sage Viswamitra attained Brahminhood.

Balarama’s Pilgrimage (Part 4)

The pilgrims lead by Balarama reached the place called “the seven Saraswatis” (sapta saaraswata teertham)”. Janamejaya wanted to hear the story behind the seven Saraswati rivers and of sage MankaNaka who was associated with them. VaiSampaya, accordingly, started describing the origin of the rivers.

The sage recounted the name of the seven rivers as Suprabha, Kaancanaakshi, ViSaala, Manorama, Oghavati, SureNu and Vimalodaya. All of them made their appearance at the call of celebrities.

1. Suprabha

The first was associated with the Yajna of Brahma, himself, at a place called Pushkara. It was a long ritual, called Satra, lasting several years. All the gods and a large number of famous sages were present at that time. The Gandharvas sang and the Apsaras danced in the assembly of the guests. It was a wonderful ceremony in all respects.

Yet, the Brahmins commented. “The sacrifice is not that great. We do not find river Saraswati”. When Brahma came to know of the remarks from the learned he meditated and the holy river appeared at the place immediately. It was named Suprabha, the one with an excellent glow of light.

2. Kaancanaakshi

A large number of celebrated sages assembled once in the place called Naimisha on another occasion. They also had started a Satra as done by Brahma. They spent their leisure time discussing Vedic matters and narrating various moral stories. There the sages meditated on Saraswati and immediately the sacred river appeared bearing the name Kaancanaakshi (one with golden eyes).

3. ViSaala

The famous king, Gaya, conducted a Yajna in the land, also named after him, where he prayed to the river to make her divine presence. Saraswati answered the prayer and made her appearance with the name ViSaala (one with a wide span).

4. Manorama

Uddaalaka was another celebrated sage. He held a great sacrificial rite at Kosala. When he worshipped the river in his mind the river appeared at that place which later became famous as Manorama (pleasing to the mind)

5. Oghavati

King Puru of Mahabharata fame conducted a Yajna in which sage Vasishtha was the main priest. Saraswati made her appearance there as desired by the sage. She, later, came to be known as Oghavati (one that creates floods).

6. SureNu

River Saraswati came to know as SureNu (one with good sand) where she appeared at the great sacrifice of Daksha at the foot of the Himalayas. The river came in response to the prayer of the sage.

7. Vimaloda

Saraswati appeared as Vimaloda (one with clear water) where Brahma, himself, conducted a Yajna near the Himalaya valley.

Sage MankaNaka

MankaNaka was a sage of great penance. Once, he saw an Apsara woman bathing naked in the river Saraswati. The sage lost his self control. The result was the birth of the seven great sages (“saptarshi”), said to be in the waters of the same river.

There is another story told about the same sage MankaNaka. His finger was once cut by the KuSa grass which is used extensively in rituals. But, instead of blood, what flowed from his fingers was something like water, as if a piece of vegetable was cut. The sage thought that it was because of his power from penance and was highly excited. He was beyond himself with happiness that started dancing.

The gods reported the matter to Lord Siva who appeared before the sage. The Lord asked the sage what the matter was. When he reported his experience Siva cut his own finger. Ashes appeared on his finger in place of blood. The sage felt humbled. He prayed to the Lord for forgiveness for his haughtiness. Siva was pleased. He left saying that the waters of the seven Saraswatis was so sacred that any one praying to him at the place shall reach salvation.

Balarama stayed one night at the holy place, keeping a fast. He prayed to the sage MankaNaka there and made various gifts Brahmins and left the following morning to his next destination.

(There is confusion whether the seven rivers is at the same or different places. The narration suggests differently at different times. This is being pursued for future clarification)

Balarama’s Pilgrimage (Part 3)

In this part we get a brief description of a few other holy places along the river Saraswati visited by Balarama. There is no story relating to any of these holy places as retold in Mahabharatam.

VinaSanam

The first was called VinaSanam (destruction). It got the name because the river just disappeared, may be underground, at that point. It is heard that the reason was the river’s anger to some tribes of people who must have misbehaved with the river. There is no more detail available about the disappearance. Balarama touched the water of the river before it disappears at that point.

Subhhomikam

The next holy place the Yadava prince visited was called Subhoomikam (good earth). It is said that Apasara women enjoy themselves in the water discarding all their modesty. Balabhadra found a large number of Gandharva and Apsara women assembled there. The Yadava chief took his bath and offered valuable gifts to Brahmins there.

Gandharvateertham

He next went to the pilgrimage centre called Gandharva Teertham (the holy place of Gandharvas). Balarama found several Gandharvas, both men and women, singing and dancing there. Visvaavasu, the great Gandharava sage, was with them. Balarama offered cows and other gifts o Brahmins there before proceeding ahead.

Gargateertham

Then, he reached the Teertha of Garga. Garga was a sage of great learning, especially in astronomy. He observed the movement of celestial objects at the bank of river Sarasvati there. Hence, the place got that name. Balarama gave valuable gifts to the sages assembled and food to Brahmins there.

Sankhateertham

The place Balarama went next was called Sankhateertham. There was a tall mountain in the shape of a white conch shell at the bank of river Sarasvati near there. There was also a sacred fruit bearing tree next to that. Yaksha, Vidyaadhara, PiSaacas and Raakshasaas meditated there, eating only the fruit of the tree for days together. (All are celestial beings below the rank of the gods. The first two are of benign nature and the other two are demons). It is said that they all attained salvation as a result. Even to this day, pilgrims, including celestial beings, visit the place and observe fast eating only the fruit of that tree.

Saaraswatateertham, Dwaitavanam

The Yadava pilgrimage reached Saaraswatateertham next and then to Dwaitavam (the forest called Dwaitam). Balarama performed various austerities at those places.

Naagadhanvateertham

The next holy place along the route was called Naagadhanvateertham at a great distance from there. It is said that the serpent, Vaasuki, lives there. The gods went there and made him the king of serpents with appropriate installation ceremonies. It is said that fourteen thousand sages live there at all times. There were a few other holy places along the route that Balarama visited as advised by the sages in his group.

Saraswati turns eastward

After a few days Balarama reached a place where the river turns eastwards. The story behind it is as follows. In the first epoch, called Krita, sages performed a great sacrificial ceremony called Satra that lasted twelve years in that place. Pilgrims arrived for the Satra in hundreds and thousands. Among them were celebrated sages known by the name of Baalakhilya, ASmakutta, Dantolookhali and Samprataakhya. Some among them fasted eating only leaves. Others stayed merely by drinking the river water. Yet others sustained themselves on air alone.

Those who came late started camping further and further to the east finding no place near the river bank. It is said that the river took pity on them and took a diversion eastwards passing through the places they encamped. Later, the river returned westwards and continued with its northward journey.

Balarama gave food and various gifts to all who were assembled there. He, then, proceeded to the holy place called Sapta Saaraswata Teertham (centre of the seven Saraswati rivers) which we shall cover in the next part.

Balarama’s Pilgrimage (Part 2)

Trita’s well

Balarama’s pilgrimage took him next to a holy well along the banks of the river Saraswati. VaiSampaayana narrated the story behind the place as requested by Janamejaya. These stories are worth reading as they tell us a great deal about the rich cultural traditions of the land.

Sage Trita

Sage Goutama was a seer of Rigvedic period. He had three sons (besides others). They were called Ekata, Dwita and Trita. All the three had performed long years of hard penance and thus attained great fame. Sage Goutama, highly pleased with their achievements, went to heaven in due course.

The kings who used to worship sage Goutama for his austerities now turned to his noble sons for guidance. Trita was the best among the three, both in his Vedic knowledge and in its application to rituals.

The Brahmins, generally, remained poor without any worldly possessions. They made a living through the rewards they received for performing various rituals. One day the three brothers decided to perform a Yajna ritual. They approached kings and other rich people who used to patronize sage Gautama . A great ceremony was held at the end of which the three received generous gifts of cattle and other wealth.

Trita and his two brothers were on their way back after the successful completion of the ceremony. They had to pass through a dense forest on their way home. In the midst of the thick forest a wolf chased them. Trita ran for his life and fell down in a deep well. Both Ekta and Dwita were lucky to escape. Trita cried out loudly for help. His brothers heard him. But, they thought. “Let Trita look after himself. Without him, we can enjoy his share of the gifts. If he escapes, he is capable of earning gifts like with his knowledge of Vedas.

A Yajna from the bottom of well

Meanwhile, Trita was left to his fate in the deep well. Only the gods would help him. The sage wanted to pray in his special way, performing a Yajna. But, he was in the bottom of a well. The Yajna needed the special “soma” creeper. The juice extracted from it, considered to be a divine wine, was the essential offering to the gods. He also needed ghee to be offered into fire .What to do?

Trita thought of a plan. He found a wild creeper hanging down into the well. He imagined that to be “soma”. He crushed the creeper on the boulders in the well and extracted “soma”. The water in the well was his special ghee. He created fire in his imagination. Then, he started chanting the relevant Vedic texts and performing his imaginary Yajna. Only his extreme devotion was real.

The gods appear

Such Yajnas have the share of the offerings earmarked for the important gods. The gods appear personally and receive them. That is the custom and that determines the success of the Yajna. If correctly done, the gods get the message by the ripple it creates in heaven. If the gods delay, both heaven and earth are heated by the mantras chanted at the Yajna. The participants consume what is left over of the “soma” and earn enough merit to go to heaven.

Soon, the gods in heaven sensed Trita’s Yajna. They said. “Trita is performing his Yajna in his special way. We better go and partake of our share of the offerings. Else, he may even create new gods to replace us and make the offerings to them. He is so powerful.

So, the gods came down and accepted the “soma”. They said. “We are very pleased with your Yajna. What boons can we offer you?”

Trita said. “First, I want to get out of this well first. Then, let the water of this well turn sacred. Those who drink this water should get the same effect as drinking the “soma”.

The gods blessed him accordingly. Suddenly, river Saraswati gushed from underneath the well and carried the sage up the well in the thrust of its current. The sage looked around. His brothers had disappeared with the gifts. So, he uttered a curse on his brothers. “You have been greedy like a wolf. May you two and your children turn into wolves”.

It is said that the curse of the sage took immediate effect. The progeny of the two sages has been roaming the surface of earth as wolves from that day.

The water of the well turned sacred. Pilgrims have been visiting the well and drinking its water ever since. Balarama drank the well water and offered various gifts to Brahmins and to the poor. He, then, proceeded ahead with his entourage.

Balarama’s pilgrimage (Part 1)

The Indian Calendar

The story below has a connotation to Indian astrology. 27 constellations, which are considered to be relatively fixed in the sky because of their great distance from earth, were of great significance in Indians right from ancient days. They are called stars for convenience and are named “aSwini”, “bharaNi” and so on. The earth, in its rotation around the sun, passes past each of them in turn. The moon, going round the earth at the same time, also passes by the same stars. During this journey the moon waxes and wanes. Indian astrology crucially bases its calculations on the relative position of the sun, moon and earth with respect to these stars. This astrological phenomenon is poetically told in the story below.

Astrologers consider that the moon is strongest in its effect when it is near the star, “rohiNi” which is also hinted in the poetic imagery in the story.

Incidentally, the ancient Indian lunar calendar is based on this path taken by the earth and the moon. The time taken for a full cycle (that is one year), is divided into 12 equal parts and are taken to be the months. Thus, 2 and 1/4 of the stars are covered in a month. The month is given the name of that star (constellation) near which the moon becomes full. For example, in the first group the full moon appears when the earth passes past the star, “aSwini”. Hence, the month is called “aaSwina” and so on.

The Prabhaasa Teertham

The word Theertham means a pilgrimage centre, where generally, there is a holy river or lake for bathing. Prabhaasa is a holy place along the river Saraswati in the present day Gujarat, near to Krishna’s abode, Dwaaraka.

Balaraama

Balaraama was the son of Vasudeva (Krishna’s real father) born of Rohini. He was upset with the impending war between the two of his allies, Kauravas and Pandavas. So, he decided to go on a pilgrimage to avoid the war that was, according to him, immoral.

He ordered for elaborate preparations for his pilgrimage. A large caravan of animals and men was made ready as ordered by the Yadava chief. The group included Brahmins of great learning to perform rituals at the pilgrimage centres. A large number of milch cows with their horns covered in gold or silver was included in the group. They were meant to be gifts to deserving Brahmins. Food in abundance was also carried to offer to the poor all along the way.

Balaraama started northwards along the bank of the river, Saraswati. His first visit was to Prabhaasa along the holy river. Janamejaya, at that point, wanted to hear the importance of the holy place. Accordingly, sage VaiSampaayana narrated the story of Daksha Prajaapati (the latter word meaning the father of the human race). It was the time of the first Creation. Daksha was one of the first to be created by Brahma, the God of Creation. He was then given the task of procreating other living beings in the world. He produced 27 daughters (besides others) who were named “aSwini”, “bharaNi”, etc. He married them off to “soma” (the Moon).

All the daughters of Daksha were wide eyed and beautiful. But, prettiest of them was “rohiNi”. Hence, Soma was attracted more towards her. He spent all his time with this daughter of Daksha which made the other daughters angry and jealous. They went and complained to their father about it. Daksha called his son-in-law and asked him not to be partial to any. Soma agreed. But, he could not change his old ways.

Again the girls complained about it and again Daksha ordered his son-in-law to behave. This happened three times. Each time Soma agreed to change his ways, but, failed to do so once he was with his darling “rohiNi”. After the third offence Daksha uttered a curse on Soma. “May you suffer from the debilitating consumption!” The curse of the powerful Prajapati took immediate effect. Soma started getting pale day by day. He tried all sorts of cures including special prayers and rituals. Nothing worked. The gods went on a delegation to Daksha to save Soma from his malady. Daksha called Soma aside and said. “My words have to take effect. You must start spending time with your wives equally. For atonement, take a holy dip in the sacred river Saraswati. Then, you shall recover your health. But, as a reminder, you shall be inflicted with the malady half the time in each month. Henceforth, young man, do not humiliate women!”.

Soma, accordingly, took a dip in the holy river at Prabhaasa and started getting better day by day until he recovered fully and became his old self. But then, the curse of Daksha had to take effect. So, he started getting paler day by day for the next fifteen days. It is said that this, his holy dip, getting better and then the curse taking effect for the next fifteen days, has been going on ever since then. It is also said that Soma has been spending equal time with all of his wives ever since.

Balaraama and his entourage spent one night at Prabhaasa and continued northwards next morning.