in
the _Amara-hrada_ and worshipping with devotion the chief of the
celestials, one becometh adored in heaven and courseth, seated on an
excellent car, in the company of the immortals. O best of great men,
bathing next with due rites in the _tirtha_ called _Salisurya_, of
_Salihotra_, one obtaineth the merit of the gift of a thousand kine. O
best of the Bharatas, there is a tirtha called _Sreekunja_ in the
Saraswati. Bathing there, O best of men, one obtaineth the merit of the
_Agnishtoma_ sacrifice. O son of the Kuru race, one should next repair
to _Naimishakunja_. O king, the Rishis engaged in ascetic austerities in
the woods of _Naimisha_ had, in days of old, taking the vow of
pilgrimage, gone to Kurukshetra. There, on the banks of the Saraswati, O
chief of the Bharatas, a grove was made, which might serve for a resting
spot for themselves, and which was highly gratifying to them. Bathing in
the _Saraswati_ there, one obtaineth the merit of the _Agnishtoma_
sacrifice. One should next proceed, O virtuous one, to the excellent
_tirtha_ called _Kanya_. Bathing there one obtaineth the merit of the
gift of a thousand kine. One should next proceed to the excellent
_tirtha_ of _Brahma_. Bathing there, a person, of the (three) inferior
orders, obtaineth the status of a Brahmana, and if one be a Brahmana,
his soul being purified from every sin, he attaineth to the highest
state. One should then, O best of men, proceed to the excellent _tirtha_
called _Soma_. Bathing there, O king, one obtaineth the region of
_Soma_. One should next proceed, O king, to the _tirtha_ called
_Saptasaraswata_, where the celebrated Rishi, Mankanaka, had obtained
ascetic success. O king, it hath been heard by us that in days of old
Mankanaka having cut his hand with the pointed blade of the Kusa grass,
there flowed from his wound vegetable juice (instead of blood). And
beholding vegetable juice flow from his wound, the Rishi began to dance
with wonder-expanded eyes. And as the Rishi danced, all the mobile and
immobile creatures also, overwhelmed with his prowess, began to dance
with him. Then, O king, the gods with Brahma at their head and Rishis
endued with the wealth of asceticism moved by the act of Mankanaka,
represented the matter to Mahadeva, saying, 'It behoveth thee, O god, to
act in such a way that this Rishi may not dance.' Thus addressed,
Mahadeva, with heart filled with joy, approached the dancing Rishi, and
moved by the desire of doing g