“In that tirtha, Brihaspati also, of great intelligence, for the destruction of the Asuras and the prosperity of the denizens of heaven, poured libations on the sacrificial fire, with the aid of flesh.  Upon this, the Asuras began to waste away and were destroyed by the gods, inspired by desire of victory in battle.  Having with due rites given unto the Brahmanas steeds and elephants and vehicles with mules yoked unto them and jewels of great value and much wealth, and much corn, the illustrious and mighty-armed Rama then proceeded, O king, to the tirtha called Yayata.  There, O monarch, at the sacrifice of the high-souled Yayati, the son of Nahusha, the Sarasvati produced milk and clarified butter.  That tiger among men, king Yayati, having performed a sacrifice there, went cheerfully to heaven and obtained many regions of blessedness.  Once again, O lord, king Yayati performed a sacrifice there.  Beholding his great magnanimity of soul and his immutable devotion to herself, the river Sarasvati gave unto the Brahamanas (invited to that sacrifice) everything for which each of them cherished only a wish in his heart.  That foremost of rivers gave unto each where he was, amongst those that were invited to the sacrifice, houses and beds and food of the six different kinds of taste, and diverse other kinds of things.  The Brahmanas regarded those valuable gifts as made to them by the king.  Cheerfully they praised the monarch and bestowed their auspicious blessings upon him.  The gods and the Gandharvas were all pleased with the profusion of articles in that sacrifice.  As regards human beings, they were filled with wonder at sight of that profusion.  The illustrious Baladeva, of soul subdued and restrained and cleansed, having the palmyra on his banner, distinguished by great righteousness, and ever giving away the most valuable things, then proceeded to that tirtha of fierce current called Vasishthapavaha.”

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Janamejaya said, “Why is the current of (the tirtha known by the name of) Vasishthapavaha so rapid?  For what reason did the foremost of rivers bear away Vasishtha?  What, O lord, was the cause of the dispute between Vasishtha and Vishvamitra?  Questioned by me, O thou of great wisdom, tell me all this!  I am never satiated with hearing thee!”

Vaishampayana said, “A great enmity arose between Vishvamitra and Vasishtha, O Bharata, due to their rivalry in respect of ascetic austerities.  The high abode of Vasishtha was in the tirtha called Sthanu on the eastern bank of the Sarasvati.  On the opposite bank was the asylum of the intelligent Vishvamitra.  There, in that tirtha, O monarch, Sthanu (Mahadeva) had practised the austerest penances.  Sages still speak of those fierce feats.  Having performed a sacrifice there and worshipped the river Sarasvati, Sthanu established that tirtha there.  Hence it is known by the name Sthanu-tirtha, O lord.  In that tirtha, the celestials had, in days of yore, O king, installed Skanda, that slayer of the enemies