and sacred tirtha on the Sarasvati.  Having given away in that tirtha many milch cows, and vessels of copper and iron, and diverse kinds of other vessels, that tiger of Yadu’s race, Baladeva, having the plough for his weapon, worshipped the Brahmanas and was worshipped by them in return.  He then, O king, proceeded to the Dwaita lake.  Arrived there, Vala saw diverse kinds of ascetics in diverse kinds of attire.  Bathing in its waters, he worshipped the Brahmanas.  Having given away unto the Brahmanas diverse articles of enjoyment in profusion, Baladeva then, O king, proceeded along the southern bank of the Sarasvati.  The mighty-armed and illustrious Rama of virtuous soul and unfading glory then proceeded to the tirtha called Nagadhanwana.  Swarming with numerous snakes, O monarch, it was the abode of Vasuki of great splendour, the king of the snakes.  There 14,000 Rishis also had their permanent home.  The celestials, having come there (in days of yore), had according to due rites, installed the excellent snake Vasuki as king of all the snakes.  There is no fear of snakes in that place, O thou of Kuru’s race!  Duly giving away many valuables there unto the Brahmanas, Baladeva then set out with face towards the east and reached, one after another, hundreds and thousands of famous tirthas that occurred at every step.  Bathing in all those tirthas, and observing fasts and other vows as directed by the Rishis, and giving away wealth in profusion, and saluting all the ascetics who had taken up their residence there, Baladeva once more set out, along the way that those ascetics pointed out to him, for reaching that spot where the Sarasvati turns in an eastward direction, like torrents of rain bent by the action of the wind.  The river took that course for beholding the high-souled Rishis dwelling in the forest of Naimisha.  Always smeared with white sandalpaste, Vala, having the plough for his weapon, beholding that foremost of rivers change her course, became, O king, filled with wonder.”

Janamejaya said, “Why, O Brahmana, did the Sarasvati bend her course there in an easternly direction?  O best of Adharyus, it behoveth thee to tell me everything relating to this!  For what reason was that daughter of the Yadus filled with wonder?  Why, indeed, did that foremost of rivers thus alter her course?”

Vaishampayana said, “Formerly, in the Krita age, O king, the ascetics dwelling in Naimisha were engaged in a grand sacrifice extending for twelve years.  Many were the Rishis, O king, that came to that sacrifice.  Passing their days, according to due rites, in the performance of that sacrifice, those highly blessed ones, after the completion of that twelve years’ sacrifice at Naimisha, set out in large number for visiting the tirthas.  In consequence of the number of the Rishis, O king, the tirthas on the southern banks of the Sarasvati all looked like towns and cities.  Those foremost of Brahmanas, O tiger among men, in consequence of