Janamejaya said On the eye the great battle (between the Kurus and the Pandus) Rama, with Keshava's permission, had left Dwaraka accompanied by many of the Vrishnis.

He had said to Keshava-"I will help neither the son of Dhritarashtra nor the sons of Pandu, but will go wherever I like."

Having said so, Rama that subduer of enemies, had gone away. O Brahmana, tell me everything about his return.

Tell me in full how Rama came there and how he witnessed the battle. Indeed you are a skillful narrator.

Vaishampayana said After the great Pandavas had taken up their post at Upaplavya, they sent Krishna to Dhritarashtra for the object of peace, O mighty-armed one and for the behoof of all creatures.

Having gone to Hastinapura and met Dhritarashtra, Keshava spoke whole-some and sincere words.

The king, however, as I have told you before did not pay heed to his advice. Unable to secure peace, the mighty-armed Krishna, The foremost of men, returned, O king, to Upaplavya.

Dismissed by Dhritarashtra's son Krishna came back and upon the failure of his mission, O foremost of kings, said to the Pandavas.

Urged by fate, the Kauravas have disregarded my words. Come, O sons of Pandu, with me, under the constellation Pushya.

After this, while the troops of both parties were being collected and arrayed, the great son of Rohini, that foremost of all powerful persons, said to his brother Krishna.

"O mighty-armed one, O slayer of Madhu, let us help the Kurus.” Krishna, however, did not pay heed to those words of his.

Enraged at this, that illustrious son of Yadu's race, viz., the wielder of the plough, then started on a pilgrimage of the Sarasvati.

Accompanied by all the Yadavas, he set out under the conjunction of the asterism called Maitra. The Bhoja chief (Kritavarman), however, took the side O Duryodhana. Accompanied by Yuyudhana, Vasudeva took that of the Pandavas.

After the heroic son of Rohini had started under the constellation Pushya, the slayer of Madhu, placing the Pandavas in his van, went against the Kurus.

While proceeding, Rama ordered his servants on the way, saying-"Bring all the necessary articles of use for a pilgrimage. Bring the sacred fire that is at Dwaraka and our priests.

Bring gold, silver, kine, robes, horses, elephants, cars, mules, camels and other beasts of burden.

Being all these necessaries for a sojourn to the sacred waters and proceed quickly towards the Sarasvati.

Bring also some priests for the performance of a special rite and hundreds and hundreds of best Brahmanas.” Having given these orders to the servants, powerful Baladeva started on a pilgrimage at that time of great danger to the Kurus. Setting out towards the Sarasvati, he visited all the sacred shrines along her course, accompanied by priests, friends and many leading Brahmanas, as also with cars and elephants and horses and servants, O best of Bharata's race and with many vehicles drawn by kine and mules and camels.

Various sorts of necessaries of life were distributed profusely in various countries amongst the weary and worn, children and the old, in response, O king, to their prayers.

Everywhere, O king, Brahmanas were sumptuously fed with whatever they wanted. At the command of Rohini's son, men, at different stages of the journey, stocked sufficient food and drink.

Costly garments and bedsteads and coverlets were distributed amongst the Brahmanas desirous of ease and comfort. Whatever a Brahmana or Kshatriya wanted, it was given to him.

The party thus proceeded with great happiness and lived happily. Balarama's suite gave away vehicles to persons desirous of making journeys, drinks to them that were thirsty and rich food to them that were hungry, as also raiments and ornaments, O best of Bharata's race, to many.

The road, O king, along which the party proceeded, looked resplendent, was comfortable for all and resembled heaven itself.

There were rejoicings everywhere and rich food was procurable everywhere. There were shops and stalls and various objects were kept there for sale. The entire way was thronged with human beings. And it was decorated with various kinds of trees and creatures and various kinds of gems.

The great Baladeva, observing rigid vows, distributed amongst the Brahmanas profuse wealth and plentiful sacrificial presents, O king, at various sacred spots.

That chief of Yadu's race also distributed thousands of milch kine covered with excellent cloths and having their horns coated with gold, many horses born in different countries, many vehicles and many beautiful slaves.

Balarama also distributed to the foremost of the Brahmanas, the gems, garlands, diamonds, pure gold and silver and utensil made of iron copper.

Thus did the great Rama distribute wealth in various sacred shrines on the Sarasvati. In course of his travels, that noble hero of matchless power at last came to Kurukshetra.

Janamejaya said Describe to me, O foremost of men, the characteristics, the origin and the merits of the several Tirthas on the Sarasvati and the rites to be performed while going there.

Tell me these, in their order, O illustrious man. My curiosity is not to be satisfied, O foremost of all persons conversant with the knowledge of Brahman.

Vaishampayana said The account of the characteristics and origin of all these Tirthas, O king, is very lengthy. I shall, however, describe them to you. Listen to that sacred account, O king.

Accompanied by his priests and friends, Baladeva first went to the Tirthas called Prabhasa. There, the Lord of the asterism (viz., Soma), who had been suffering from phthisis, was freed from his disease. Regaining energy there, O king, be now lights up the universe. And because that foremost of Tirthas on Earth had formerly invested Soma again with effulgence, it is, therefore, called Prabhasa.

Janamejaya said "For what was the worshipful Soma afflicted with phthisis? How also did he bathe in that tirtha? How did he, having bathed in that sacred water, regain his lost power? Describe it to me fully, O great Muni.

Vaishampayana said Daksha had twenty seven daughters, O king. There he gave away (in marriage) unto Soma.

Connected with the several constellations, those wives, O king, of Soma of glorious deeds, served to help men in calculating time.

Endued with large eyes, all of them were peerless in beauty in the world. In beauty however, Rohini excelled them all.

The worshipful Soma took great fancy for her. She was very much liked by him and therefore, he enjoyed the pleasures of her company alone.

Formerly, O king, Soma lived long with Rohini exclusively. For this, those other wives of his, the constellations, became displeased with that high-souled one.

Going to their father Daksha, that Lord of creation, they said to him-"Soma does not live with us. He always lives with Rohini only.

All of us, therefore, O Lord of creatures, shall live in your house practising austere penances."

Hearing those words of theirs, Daksha saw Soma and said to him, ""Treat all your wives equally. Do not commit a great sin."

And Daksha then said to those daughters of his-"Go, all of you, to Shashin. At my command, he, surnamed Chandramas, will treat you all equally,"

Dismissed by him, they then proceeded to the house of him having cool rays. Still the worshipful Soma, O king, behaved as before, for pleased with Rohini alone, he always lived in her company.

His other wives then once more came to the abode of their father and said to him-"Serving you, we will live under your protection. Soma does not live with us and does not obey your commands."

Hearing those words of theirs, Daksha once more said to Soma-"Treat all your wives equally. Let me not, O Virochana, curse you."

Disregarding, however, the behest of Daksha, the worshipful Soma continued to live with Rohini alone. At this, his other wives became once more angry.

Going to their father, they bowed to him by lowering their heads and said-"Soma does not live with us. Give us shelter.

The worshipful Chandramas always lives with Rohini exclusively. He does not value your words and does not wish to love us. Therefore, save us so that Soma may accept us all.

Hearing those words, the worshipful Daksha, O king, became angry and imprecated the curse of phthisis upon Some. Thus did that disease affect the king of stars.

Afflicted with phthisis, the moon began to waste away day by day. He tried much to get rid of that disease by celebrating various sacrifices, O king. The Moon, however, could not free hiinself from that curse. On the other hand, hi daily grew lean and emaciated.

On account, of the wasting of Soma the deciduous herbs failed to grow, Their juices dried up they became tasteless and all of them lost their virtues.

And on account of the absence of the deciduous herbs, living creatures also began to die. Indeed, owing to the wasting of Soma, all creatures grew emaciated.

Then all the celestials, approaching Soma, O king, asked him, saying-"Why is it that your form is not so beautiful and resplendent as before? Tell us whence has originated this great calamity.

Hearing your answer, we shall do what is needed for removing your fear.” Thus addressed the god, having the hare for his mark, replied to them and informed them of the cause of the curse and of the phthisis with which he was attacked.

Having heard those words the celestials repaired to Daksha and said-"Be pleased O worship one, with Soma. Withdrew your this curse.

The Moon is very emaciated. Only a small portion of his body is seen. On account of his wasting, O Lord of the celestials, all creatures also are wasting. Creepers and herbs of various sorts are also wasting.

By their waste we ourselves also are suffering emaciation. Without us, what will this some universe be. Knowing this, O lord of the universe, it behoves you to be pleased with Soma."

Thus addressed, Daksha, that Lord of creatures, said:-"It is impossible to make my words prove otherwise.

By contrivance, however, O celestials, by words may be withdrawn. Let the moon treat his wives equally.

Having bathed also in that foremost of tirthas on the Sarasvati, the hare-embalmed god shall regain his strength. These words of mine are true.

For half the month Soma shall decrease every day and for half the month following he will increase daily. These words of mine are true.

Proceeding to the western ocean at the spot where the Sarasvati joins the ocean that vast repository of waters, let him worship that God of gods Mahadeva there. He will then regain his from and beauty."

Thus commanded by the Rishi Daksha, Soma then proceeded to the Sarasvati. He reached the greatest of tirthas called Prabhasa belonging to the Sarasvati.

Bathing there on the day of the new moon, that god of great energy and great effulgence women regained his cool rays and began again to lleum the universe.

All the creatures also, O king, having gone to Prabhasa, returned with Soma amongst them to where Daksha was.

Receiving them properly that Lord of creatures then sent them away. Plcased with Soma, the worshipful Daksha once more addressed him, saying-"Do not, O son, disregard and never disregard Brahmanas. Go and obey my commands."

Dismissed by him, Soma returned to his own abode. All creatures began to live joyously as before.

I have thus told you everything about how the Moon had been cursed and how also Prabhasa became the best of all tirthas.

On everyday of the new moon, O king, the god, having the hare for his mark, bathes in the excellent tirtha of Prabhasa and regains his form and beauty.

O lord of Earth, that tirtha is known by the name of Prabhasa, because bathing there the moon regained his great (Prabha) effulgence.

After this, the mighty and illustrious Baladeva proceeded to Chamasodbheda, that is to that tirtha which is called by that name.

Distributing many precious presents at that place, the hero, having the plough for his weapon, passed one night there and performed his absolutions duly.

The elder brother of Keshava then speedily repaired to Udapana. Although the Sarasvati is not visible there, yet persons endued with ascetic success, no account of their obtaining great merits and sanctity of that spot and also of the coolness of the herbs and of the land there, know that the river has an invisible current, O king, underneath the earth there.