est of Rishis, Vasishtha, borne away, the
vindictive Vishvamitra, filled with wrath, addressed Sarasvati, saying,
'Since, O foremost of rivers, thou hast gone away, having deceived me,
let thy current be changed into blood that is acceptable to Rakshasas.'
Then, cursed by the intelligent Vishvamitra, Sarasvati flowed for a whole
year, bearing blood mixed with water. The gods, the Gandharvas, and the
Apsaras, beholding the Sarasvati reduced to that plight, became filled
with great sorrow. For this reason, O king, the tirtha came to be called
Vasishthapravaha on earth. The foremost of rivers, however, once more got
back her own proper condition."

43

Vaishampayana said, "Cursed by the intelligent Vishvamitra in anger,
Sarasvati, in that auspicious and best of tirthas, flowed, bearing blood
in her current. Then, O king, many Rakshasas came, O Bharata, and lived
happily there, drinking the blood that flowed. Exceedingly gratified with
that blood, cheerfully and without anxiety of any kind, they danced and
laughed there like persons that have (by merit) attained to heaven. After
some time had passed away, some Rishis, possessed of wealth of
asceticism, came to the Sarasvati, O king, on a sojourn to her tirthas.
Those foremost of Munis, having bathed in all the tirthas and obtained
great happiness, became desirous of acquiring more merit. Those learned
persons at last came, O king, to that tirtha where the Sarasvati ran a
bloody current. Those highly blessed ones, arriving at that frightful
tirtha, saw the water of the Sarasvati mixed with blood and that
innumerable Rakshasas, O monarch, were drinking it. Beholding those
Rakshasas, O king, those ascetics of rigid vows made great endeavours for
rescuing the Sarasvati from that plight. Those blessed ones of high vows,
arrived there, invoked that foremost of rivers and said these words unto
her, 'Tell us the reason, O auspicious lady, why this lake in thee hath
been afflicted with such distress. Hearing it, we shall endeavour (to
restore it to its proper condition).' Thus questioned, Sarasvati,
trembling as she spoke, informed them of everything that had occurred.
Seeing her afflicted with woe, those ascetics said, 'We have heard the
reason. We have heard of thy curse, O sinless lady! All of us shall exert
ourselves!' Having said these words unto that foremost of rivers, they
then consulted with one another thus, 'All of us shall emancipate
Sarasvati from her curse.' Then