Although the Sarasvati seems to be lost there, yet persons
crowned with ascetic success, in consequence of their obtaining great
merits and great blessedness at that spot, and owing also to the coolness
of the herbs and of the land there, know that the river has an invisible
current, O monarch, through the bowels of the earth there."
36
Vaishampayana said, "Baladeva (as already said), proceeded next to the
tirtha called Udapana in the Sarasvati, that had formerly been the
residence, O king, of the illustrious (ascetic) Trita. Having given away
much wealth and worshipped the Brahmanas, the hero having the plough for
his weapon bathed there and became filled with joy. Devoted to
righteousness, the great ascetic Trita had lived there. While in a hole,
that high-souled one had drunk the Soma juice. His two brothers, dashing
him down into that pit, had returned to their home. That foremost of
Brahmanas, Trita, had thereupon cursed them both."
Janamejaya said, "What is the origin of Udapana? How did the great
ascetic (Trita) fall into a pit, there? Why was that foremost of
Brahmanas thrown into that pit by his brothers? How did his brothers,
after throwing him into that hole, return home? How did Trita perform his
sacrifice and how did he drink Soma? Tell me all this, O Brahmana, if
thou thinkest that I may listen to it without impropriety!"
Vaishampayana continued, "In a former Yuga, O king, there were three
brothers that were ascetics.
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