He then, O king, proceeded to the Dwaita
lake. Arrived there, Vala saw diverse kinds of ascetics in diverse kinds
of attire. Bathing in its waters, he worshipped the Brahmanas. Having
given away unto the Brahmanas diverse articles of enjoyment in profusion,
Baladeva then, O king, proceeded along the southern bank of the
Sarasvati. The mighty-armed and illustrious Rama of virtuous soul and
unfading glory then proceeded to the tirtha called Nagadhanwana. Swarming
with numerous snakes, O monarch, it was the abode of Vasuki of great
splendour, the king of the snakes. There 14,000 Rishis also had their
permanent home. The celestials, having come there (in days of yore), had
according to due rites, installed the excellent snake Vasuki as king of
all the snakes. There is no fear of snakes in that place, O thou of
Kuru's race! Duly giving away many valuables there unto the Brahmanas,
Baladeva then set out with face towards the east and reached, one after
another, hundreds and thousands of famous tirthas that occurred at every
step. Bathing in all those tirthas, and observing fasts and other vows as
directed by the Rishis, and giving away wealth in profusion, and saluting
all the ascetics who had taken up their residence there, Baladeva once
more set out, along the way that those ascetics pointed out to him, for
reaching that spot where the Sarasvati turns in an eastward direction,
like torrents of rain bent by the action of the wind. The river took that
course for beholding the high-souled Rishis dwelling in the forest of
Naimisha.
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