viands to them that were hungry, as also robes and ornaments, O bull of Bharata’s race, to many!  The road, O king, along which the party proceeded, looked resplendent, O hero, and was highly comfortable for all, and resembled heaven itself.  There were rejoicings everywhere upon it, and savoury viands were procurable everywhere.  There were shops and stalls and diverse objects exposed for sale.  The whole way was, besides, crowded with human beings.  And it was adorned with various kinds of trees and creatures, and various kinds of gems.  The high-souled Valadeva, observant of rigid vows, gave away unto the Brahmanas much wealth and plentiful sacrificial presents, O king, in diverse sacred spots.  That chief of Yadu’s race also gave away thousands of milch kine covered with excellent cloths and having their horns cased in gold, many steeds belonging to different countries, many vehicles, and many beautiful slaves.  Even thus did the high-souled Rama give away wealth in diverse excellent tirthas on the Sarasvati.  In course of his wanderings, that hero of unrivalled power and magnanimous conduct at last came to Kurukshetra.”

Janamejaya said, “Tell me, O foremost of men, the features, the origin, and the merits of the several tirthas on the Sarasvati and the ordinances to be observed while sojourning there!  Tell me these, in their order, O illustrious one!  My curiosity is irrepressible, O foremost of all persons acquainted with Brahma!”

Vaishampayana said, “The subject of the features and origin of all these tirthas, O king, is very large.  I shall, however, describe them to thee.  Listen to that sacred account in its entirety, O king!  Accompanied by his priests and friends, Valadeva first proceeded to the tirtha called Prabhasa.  There, the Lord of the constellations (Soma), who had been affected with phthisis, became freed from his curse.  Regaining energy there, O king, he now illuminates the universe.  And because that foremost of tirthas on earth had formerly contributed to invest Soma with splendour (after he had lost it), it is, therefore, called Prabhasa.”

Janamejaya said, “For what reason was the adorable Soma afflicted with phthisis?  How also did he bathe in that tirtha?  How did he, having bathed in that sacred water, regain his energy?  Tell me all this in detail, O great Muni!”

Vaishampayana said, “Daksha had seven and twenty daughters, O king!  These he bestowed (in marriage) upon Soma.  Connected with the several constellations, those wives, O king, of Soma of auspicious deeds, served to help men in calculating time.  Possessed of large eyes, all of them were unrivalled in beauty in the world.  In wealth of beauty, however, Rohini was the foremost of them all.  The adorable Soma took great delight in her.  She became very agreeable to him, and therefore, he enjoyed the pleasures of her company (exclusively).  In those days of yore, O monarch, Soma lived long with Rohini (exclusively).