Mankanaka Dances Upon Seeing Vegetable Juice

The sage Mankanaka was famous among the great rishis. He had attained success through his austerities in the region of Saptasarasvata, on the banks of the Sarasvati river. One day, as he went about his work, he cut his hand with the tip of a blade of kusha grass. From the wound, no blood emerged. Instead, the juices of vegetables flowed out — green sap, the essence of the plants he had lived on. When Mankanaka saw this, he was filled with delight. His eyes widened in wonder. And he began to dance. The dance was not a small thing. As Mankanaka danced, his energy and valour spread outward. All mobile and immobile objects in the world were benumbed by it and began to dance too. Trees swayed. Animals moved in rhythm. The earth itself seemed to tremble. The gods saw what was happening. With Brahma at their head, and the great ascetics beside them, they went to Mahadeva — Shiva — and told him about the rishi. "O God," they said, "you should act so that he stops dancing." Desiring the welfare of the gods, Mahadeva went to the place where Mankanaka was dancing, having lost his senses in delight. He asked him, "O great rishi, learned in dharma, why are you dancing? O bull among sages, why are you so delighted today?" Mankanaka replied, "O God, can you not see? Vegetable juices are flowing from my hand instead of blood. Seeing this, I am greatly delighted, and so I dance."