Tarkshya Questions Sarasvati About Dharma

The wise sage Tarkshya came to Sarasvati with questions. He asked her lovingly, desiring to learn: "O fortunate one! What is the best thing for a man here? What should he do so that he does not deviate from his own dharma? O one who is beautiful in all her limbs — instruct me. Instructed by you, I will not stray from my own dharma. How should one offer oblations into the fire? How should one worship and when? How does one ensure dharma is not destroyed? O fortunate one! Tell me all this, so that I can roam in this world, free from passion." Sarasvati spoke to the brahmana Tarkshya words that were full of dharma, words that bring welfare. She said: "He who knows the brahman in every region, who is always devoted to studying, who is pure and calm — he goes to the foremost among the cities of the gods and finds bliss with the immortals. There are many beautiful and large lakes there, bereft of sorrow. They are extremely sacred and full of flowers. They are without mud and full of fish. Golden lotuses bloom there. These are excellent tirthas (sacred waters). The performers of sacred deeds find glory and happiness on those banks, served by apsaras (celestial dancers) who wear fragrant scents and are adorned with ornaments, their complexions like that of gold. "Those who donate cattle attain the supreme world. By donating bulls, one roams in the world of the sun. By giving garments, one goes to the world of the moon. By giving gold, one attains the immortals. If one gives away a good cow that is easily milked and gives birth to fine calves, one that does not stray — one lives for as many years in heaven as there are countable body hairs on his person. One who donates a strong, young and skilled bull that has infinite strength, and is capable of carrying burdens and drawing a plough, obtains the world that is obtained by donating ten cows. "O Tarkshya! One who offers oblations into the fire for seven years, who is good in vows and righteous in conduct, through one's deeds purifies seven generations of forefathers and descendants." Tarkshya asked further: "O beautiful one! I am asking you. Please tell me. What is the ancient vow of agnihotra (the fire sacrifice)? Instructed by you, I will learn about the ancient vow of agnihotra." Sarasvati replied: "One who is impure, one whose hands have not been washed, one who does not know about the brahman and one who is not wise — such a one cannot make such offerings. Even when hungry, the gods desire purity. They do not accept offerings from those who lack devotion. One who is not a shrotriya (a learned Brahmin versed in the Vedas) should not be employed to render oblations to the gods. Such others will be like throwing the oblations away. O Tarkshya! I maintain that no one other than a shrotriya is entitled to offer agnihotra. Those who devotedly offer oblations into the fire, true in their vows, partaking only of leftover food — they attain the pure and fragrant world of cows. They see the supreme and true god." Tarkshya then asked: "O beautiful one! O goddess! You are wisdom. You are extremely fortunate. You are immersed in intelligence. You are the fruits of deeds. You are born in the body, but you are divine in feelings. I am asking you — who are you?" Sarasvati replied: "I have arisen from the agnihotra, to remove doubts in the minds of the brahmana rishis (sages). I felt happy at having met you. Therefore, I have explained these things to you exactly and accurately." Tarkshya said: "There is no one who is your equal. You shine as radiantly as Shri (the goddess of fortune). Your divine form is extremely beautiful. O fortunate one! You are the goddess of divine wisdom." Sarasvati replied: "O foremost among bipeds! I thrive on the best of sacrificial offerings that the learned ones offer. I prosper on those oblations. O brahmana! That is how I become beautiful. O learned one! Whatever objects are rendered in offerings — made of wood or iron or originating in the earth — know that they help attain celestial beauty and wisdom." Tarkshya said: "This ensures supreme welfare. That is the reason resolute sages resort to this. Tell me about the supreme bliss that comes from supreme salvation, into which the wise ones enter." Sarasvati replied: "Those who are supremely learned in the Vedas achieve that. It is the supreme and ancient soul. Through studying, donations, vows and sacred yoga, those who are rich in austerities are freed, devoid of sorrow. In the midst, there is a cane, holy and fragrant. It has a thousand pure and radiant branches. The rivers stream forth from its roots, with waters that are extremely sacred and honeyed. The great rivers flow from branch to branch like grains of sand, with grain, cakes, meat and herbs, with the mud of payasa (sweet rice pudding). The fire is the mouth and the gods, together with Indra and the Maruts (storm deities), come to the sacrifice and are worshipped. O sage! That is the supreme spot."