वेगसेतुवैभवम् Vega Setu Vaibhavam

The Sadguru said:

Vāgdevī (the Goddess of Speech) and Manodevī (the Goddess of Mind) were the two wives of Brahma. They always worshipped Brahma, who is the very form of the Vedas.

śrīsadgururuvāca

vāgdevī ca manodevī brahmapatnyau babhūvatuḥ

vedasvarūpaṃ brahmāṇaṃ pūjayāmāsatuḥ sadā

वाग्देवी · vāgdevī — Goddess of Speech

च · ca — and

मनोदेवी · manodevī — Goddess of Mind

ब्रह्मपत्न्यौ · brahmapatnyau — two wives of Brahma

बभूवतुः · babhūvatuḥ — became/were

वेदस्वरूपम् · vedasvarūpam — the embodiment of the Vedas

ब्रह्माणम् · brahmāṇam — Brahma

पूजयामासतुः · pūjayāmāsatuḥ — worshipped

सदा · sadā — always

वाग्देवी मनोदेवी च ब्रह्मपत्न्यौ बभूवतुः। ते सदा वेदस्वरूपं ब्रह्माणं पूजयामासतुः।

Goddess of Speech · and · Goddess of Mind · two wives of Brahma · became/were · the embodiment of the Vedas · Brahma · worshipped · always

This verse introduces the central characters and their divine nature, establishing the domestic setting of Brahma's household which serves as the catalyst for the ensuing conflict.

Once, those wives of Brahma, approaching him, asked with love and great respect for him.

kadācitte brahmapatnyau brahmāṇamupasṛtya ca

papracchatuḥ premapūrvaṃ bahumānena cātmāni

कदाचित् · kadācit — once

ते · te — they

ब्रह्मपत्न्यौ · brahmapatnyau — the two wives of Brahma

ब्रह्माणम् · brahmāṇam — Brahma

उपसृत्य · upasṛtya — having approached

च · ca — and

पप्रच्छतुः · papracchatuḥ — asked

प्रेमपूर्वम् · premapūrvam — with love

बहुमानेन · bahumānena — with great respect

आत्मनि · ātmani — in themselves/towards him

कदाचित् ते ब्रह्मपत्न्यौ ब्रह्माणम् उपसृत्य प्रेमपूर्वं बहुमानेन च पप्रच्छतुः।

once · they · the two wives of Brahma · Brahma · having approached · and · asked · with love · with great respect · in themselves/towards him

This verse depicts the transition from daily devotion to a moment of inquiry, setting the stage for the dialogue that triggers Sarasvati's divine play.

The Goddesses said:

O Lord, which of us two, your wives, do you consider superior? You are the creator of all worlds and capable in all deeds.

devyāvūcatuḥ

kāṃ śreṣṭhāmāvayornātha manyase bhāryayostava

kartāsi sarvalokānāṃ samarthaḥ sarvakarmasu

कां · kāṃ — which one

श्रेष्ठाम् · śreṣṭhām — superior

आवयोः · āvayoḥ — of us two

नाथ · nātha — O Lord

मन्यसे · manyase — do you consider

भार्ययोः · bhāryayoḥ — of the wives

तव · tava — your

कर्ता · kartā — creator

असि · asi — you are

सर्वलोकानाम् · sarvalokānām — of all worlds

समर्थः · samarthaḥ — capable

सर्वकर्मसु · sarvakarmasu — in all deeds

हे नाथ, त्वं सर्वलोकानां कर्ता सर्वकर्मसु समर्थः असि। आवयोः भार्ययोः कां श्रेष्ठां मन्यसे?

which one · superior · of us two · O Lord · do you consider · of the wives · your · creator · you are · of all worlds · capable · in all deeds

The goddesses pose a direct question to Brahma, highlighting his role as the creator, which serves to emphasize the weight of his upcoming decision.

Brahma said:

O Vāgdevī, Sarasvatī, you are the elder by position. But Bhāratī, though younger, is superior, for she is the presiding deity of the mind.

brahmovāca

jyeṣṭhā bhavasi vāgdevi sthānena tvaṃ sarasvati

bhāratī tu kaniṣṭhā'pi śreṣṭhā cittādhidevatā

ज्येष्ठा · jyeṣṭhā — elder

भवसि · bhavasi — you are

वाग्देवि · vāgdevi — O Goddess of Speech

स्थानेन · sthānena — by position

त्वम् · tvam — you

सरस्वति · sarasvati — O Sarasvati

भारती · bhāratī — Bharati

तु · tu — however

कनिष्ठा · kaniṣṭhā — younger

अपि · api — though

श्रेष्ठा · śreṣṭhā — superior

चित्ताधिदेवता · cittādhidevatā — presiding deity of the mind

हे वाग्देवि सरस्वति, त्वं स्थानेन ज्येष्ठा भवसि। भारती तु कनिष्ठा अपि चित्ताधिदेवतात्वात् श्रेष्ठा।

elder · you are · O Goddess of Speech · by position · you · O Sarasvati · Bharati · however · younger · though · superior · presiding deity of the mind

Brahma's response prioritizes the mind over speech, establishing the philosophical hierarchy that provokes Sarasvati's indignation.

For only after first thinking with the mind does a man speak with his voice. Therefore, Manodevī is superior; speech is preceded by thought.

matyaiva manasā pūrvaṃ vācā vadati vai naraḥ |

manodevī tataḥ śreṣṭhā vāṇī saṅkalpapūrvikā

मत्यैव · matyaiva — only by the mind

मनसा · manasā — with the mind

पूर्वम् · pūrvam — first

वाचा · vācā — with speech

वदति · vadati — speaks

वै · vai — indeed

नरः · naraḥ — a man

मनोदेवी · manodevī — Goddess of Mind

ततः · tataḥ — therefore

श्रेष्ठा · śreṣṭhā — superior

वाणी · vāṇī — speech

सङ्कल्पपूर्विका · saṅkalpapūrvikā — preceded by intention/thought

नरः पूर्वं मनसा मत्वा एव वाचा वदति। अतः मनोदेवी श्रेष्ठा, वाणी सङ्कल्पपूर्विका भवति।

only by the mind · with the mind · first · with speech · speaks · indeed · a man · Goddess of Mind · therefore · superior · speech · preceded by intention/thought

This verse provides the logical justification for Brahma's preference, grounding the narrative in the Vedic understanding of the priority of thought over expression.

Sarasvati said:

O Lord, of what use is mere thought alone to a mute person? Surely, the purpose of Manodevī in the world extends only so far.

sarasvatyuvāca

mūkasya kiṃ phalaṃ nātha saṅkalpenaiva kevalam

tāvadeva manodevyā nanu loke prayojanam

मूकस्य · mūkasya — of a mute person

किम् · kim — what

फलम् · phalam — result

नाथ · nātha — O Lord

सङ्कल्पेन · saṅkalpena — by thought

एव · eva — only

केवलम् · kevalam — merely

तावदेव · tāvadeva — only that much

मनोदेव्याः · manodevyāḥ — of the Goddess of Mind

ननु · nanu — surely

लोके · loke — in the world

प्रयोजनम् · prayojanam — purpose

हे नाथ, मूकस्य केवलं सङ्कल्पेन किं फलम्? लोके मनोदेव्याः प्रयोजनं तावदेव ननु।

of a mute person · what · result · O Lord · by thought · only · merely · only that much · of the Goddess of Mind · surely · in the world · purpose

Sarasvati counters Brahma's logic by highlighting the practical necessity of speech, initiating the conflict that leads to her transformation into a river.

Without me, Vāgdevī, how is it possible for men in this world to express their thoughts outwardly? Ponder this, O Four-faced one!

svasaṅkalpaṃ bahirvaktuṃ vāgdevyā tu mayā vinā

kathaṃ śakyaṃ narairloke taccintaya caturmukha

स्वसङ्कल्पम् · svasaṅkalpam — one's own thought

बहिः · bahiḥ — outwardly

वक्तुम् · vaktum — to express

वाग्देव्या · vāgdevyā — by the Goddess of Speech

तु · tu — but

मया · mayā — by me

विना · vinā — without

कथम् · katham — how

शक्यम् · śakyam — possible

नरैः · naraiḥ — by men

लोके · loke — in the world

तच्चिन्तय · taccintaya — ponder that

चतुर्मुख · caturmukha — O Four-faced One

हे चतुर्मुख, वाग्देव्या मया विना स्वसङ्कल्पं बहिर्वक्तुं लोके नरैः कथं शक्यम्? तत् चिन्तय।

one's own thought · outwardly · to express · by the Goddess of Speech · but · by me · without · how · possible · by men · in the world · ponder that · O Four-faced One

Sarasvati asserts her own indispensability, challenging Brahma to recognize that without the power of expression, the mind's intentions remain unmanifest.

Forsaking me, Sarasvatī, who am elder in both position and power, you praise Bhāratī in vain. For this, I am indeed angry.

jyeṣṭhāṃ sthānena śaktyā ca māṃ tyaktvā'dya sarasvatīm |

bhāratīṃ ślāghase vyarthaṃ tenāhaṃ kupitāsmi hi

ज्येष्ठाम् · jyeṣṭhām — elder

स्थानेन · sthānena — by position

शक्त्या · śaktyā — by power

च · ca — and

माम् · mām — me

त्यक्त्वा · tyaktvā — having forsaken

अद्य · adya — today

सरस्वतीम् · sarasvatīm — Sarasvati

भारतीम् · bhāratīm — Bharati

श्लाघसे · ślāghase — you praise

व्यर्थम् · vyartham — in vain

तेन · tena — therefore

अहम् · aham — I

कुपिता · kupitā — angry

अस्मि · asmi — am

हि · hi — indeed

स्थानेन शक्त्या च ज्येष्ठां मां सरस्वतीं त्यक्त्वा अद्य भारतीं व्यर्थं श्लाघसे। तेन अहं कुपिता अस्मि हि।

elder · by position · by power · and · me · having forsaken · today · Sarasvati · Bharati · you praise · in vain · therefore · I · angry · am · indeed

Sarasvati expresses her deep hurt and anger, marking the climax of the domestic dispute that will soon manifest as the river Vegavati.

From this day forth, I shall not praise you with my voice, which is my very form. Whoever praises you, not knowing this, will surely become poor.

adyaprabhṛti na staumi vācā tvāṃ matsvarūpataḥ

ajānannapi yaḥ stauti sa daridro bhavennanu

अद्यप्रभृति · adyaprabhṛti — from today onwards

न · na — not

स्तौमि · staumi — I praise

वाचा · vācā — with voice

त्वाम् · tvām — you

मत्स्वरूपतः · matsvarūpataḥ — which is my essence

अजानन् · ajānan — not knowing

अपि · api — even

यः · yaḥ — who

स्तौति · stauti — praises

सः · saḥ — he

दरिद्रः · daridraḥ — poor

भवेत् · bhavet — becomes

ननु · nanu — surely

अद्यप्रभृति मत्स्वरूपतः वाचा त्वां न स्तौमि। यः अजानन् अपि त्वां स्तौति, सः दरिद्रः भवेत् ननु।

from today onwards · not · I praise · with voice · you · which is my essence · not knowing · even · who · praises · he · poor · becomes · surely

Sarasvati imposes a curse, linking the act of praising Brahma without acknowledging her to the consequence of poverty, emphasizing her essential role in all divine communication.

Manodevī is dear to you in rituals like Homa and others. The worship is prescribed as, "One should meditate on Brahma with the mind."

manodevī taveṣṭā hi havanādiṣu karmasu

brahmāṇaṃ manasā dhyāyediti pūjā vidhīyate

मनोदेवी · manodevī — Goddess of Mind

तव · tava — your

इष्टा · iṣṭā — dear

हि · hi — indeed

हवनादिषु · havanādiṣu — in rituals like Homa

कर्मसु · karmasu — in deeds

ब्रह्माणम् · brahmāṇam — Brahma

मनसा · manasā — with the mind

ध्यायेत् · dhyāyet — should meditate

इति · iti — thus

पूजा · pūjā — worship

विधीयते · vidhīyate — is prescribed

हवनादिषु कर्मसु मनोदेवी तव इष्टा हि। 'ब्रह्माणं मनसा ध्यायेत्' इति पूजा विधीयते।

Goddess of Mind · your · dear · indeed · in rituals like Homa · in deeds · Brahma · with the mind · should meditate · thus · worship · is prescribed

Sarasvati points out the irony of Brahma's ritual preferences, highlighting that even in his own prescribed worship, he relies on the mind, further justifying her anger.

I, your elder wife, have been neglected by you, O Four-faced one. I shall become a great river, desiring to bestow grace upon the world.

upekṣitā tvayaivāhaṃ jyeṣṭhapatnī caturmukha

mahānadī bhaviṣyāmi lokānugrahakāṅkṣayā

उपेक्षिता · upekṣitā — neglected

त्वया · tvayā — by you

एव · eva — indeed

अहम् · aham — I

ज्येष्ठपत्नी · jyeṣṭhapatnī — elder wife

चतुर्मुख · caturmukha — O four-faced one

महानदी · mahānadī — a great river

भविष्यामि · bhaviṣyāmi — I shall become

लोकानुग्रह · lokānugraha — grace upon the world

काङ्क्षया · kāṅkṣayā — with the desire for

हे चतुर्मुख, त्वया उपेक्षिता अहम् ज्येष्ठपत्नी अस्मि। लोकानुग्रहकाङ्क्षया अहं महानदी भविष्यामि।

neglected · by you · indeed · I · elder wife · O four-faced one · a great river · I shall become · grace upon the world · with the desire for

Sarasvati expresses her deep hurt at being sidelined by Brahma, which serves as the emotional catalyst for her transformation into a river. This verse establishes the divine motivation behind the formation of the Vegavati river.

The Sadguru said:

Thus, quarreling out of a lover's anger in ancient times, Sarasvatī became a river and now shines in various places.

śrīsadgururuvāca

iti praṇayakopena kurvantī kalahaṃ purā

sarasvatī nadī bhūtvā tatra tatra virājate

इति · iti — thus

प्रणयकोपेन · praṇayakopena — out of lover's anger

कुर्वन्ती · kurvantī — doing/creating

कलहम् · kalaham — a quarrel

पुरा · purā — in ancient times

सरस्वती · sarasvatī — Goddess Sarasvati

नदी · nadī — river

भूत्वा · bhūtvā — having become

तत्र तत्र · tatra tatra — in various places

विराजते · virājate — shines

पुरा इति प्रणयकोपेन कलहं कुर्वन्ती सरस्वती नदी भूत्वा तत्र तत्र विराजते।

thus · out of lover's anger · doing/creating · a quarrel · in ancient times · Goddess Sarasvati · river · having become · in various places · shines

This verse bridges the mythological past with the present, explaining the origin of the sacred river Sarasvati. It sets the stage for the specific conflict at the sacrifice in Kanchi.

In the meantime, Vedagarbha (Brahma), wishing to perform a horse sacrifice, summoned his elder wife. But she, being angry, did not come.

atrāntare vedagarbho hayamedhacikīrṣayā |

jyeṣṭhapatnīmājuhāva nāyayau kupitā hi sā

अत्रान्तरे · atrāntare — in the meantime

वेदगर्भः · vedagarbhaḥ — Brahma

हयमेध · hayamedha — horse sacrifice

चिकीर्षया · cikīrṣayā — with a desire to perform

ज्येष्ठपत्नीम् · jyeṣṭhapatnīm — elder wife

आजुहाव · ājuhāva — summoned

न · na — not

आययौ · āyayau — came

कुपिता · kupitā — angry

हि · hi — indeed

सा · sā — she

अत्रान्तरे वेदगर्भः हयमेधचिकीर्षया ज्येष्ठपत्नीम् आजुहाव। सा कुपिता हि न आययौ।

in the meantime · Brahma · horse sacrifice · with a desire to perform · elder wife · summoned · not · came · angry · indeed · she

This verse introduces the immediate cause of the tension: Brahma's ritual necessity and Sarasvati's refusal to participate. It highlights the escalation of the divine drama.

The great sages, having pacified the tranquil-formed Sarasvatī, sent her to Kāñcī, where the sacrifice was taking place.

sarasvatīṃ śāntarūpāṃ samādhāya maharṣayaḥ

kāñcīṃ saṃpreṣayāmāsuryatra yajñaḥ pravartate

सरस्वतीम् · sarasvatīm — Sarasvati

शान्तरूपाम् · śāntarūpām — tranquil-formed

समाधाय · samādhāya — having pacified

महर्षयः · maharṣayaḥ — great sages

काञ्चीम् · kāñcīm — to Kanchi

संप्रेषयामासुः · saṃpreṣayāmāsuḥ — sent

यत्र · yatra — where

यज्ञः · yajñaḥ — sacrifice

प्रवर्तते · pravartate — is taking place

महर्षयः शान्तरूपां सरस्वतीं समाधाय यत्र यज्ञः प्रवर्तते तां काञ्चीं संप्रेषयामासुः।

Sarasvati · tranquil-formed · having pacified · great sages · to Kanchi · sent · where · sacrifice · is taking place

The intervention of the sages shows the importance of the sacrifice and the respect commanded by Sarasvati. It prepares the reader for her arrival at the sacrificial site.

Meanwhile, Brahma, along with his younger wife Bhāratī, was initiated and began the sacrifice with all the sages.

tāvadbrahmā tu bhāratyā sārdhaṃ patnyā kaniṣṭhayā

dīkṣito yajñamārebhe sarvaiśca munibhiḥ saha

तावत् · tāvat — meanwhile

ब्रह्मा · brahmā — Brahma

तु · tu — however

भारत्या · bhāratyā — with Bharati

सार्धम् · sārdham — together with

पत्न्या · patnyā — wife

कनिष्ठया · kaniṣṭhayā — younger

दीक्षितः · dīkṣitaḥ — initiated

यज्ञम् · yajñam — sacrifice

आरेभे · ārebhe — began

सर्वैः · sarvaiḥ — with all

मुनिभिः · munibhiḥ — sages

सह · saha — together

तावत् ब्रह्मा तु कनिष्ठया पत्न्या भारत्या सार्धं दीक्षितः सन् सर्वैः मुनिभिः सह यज्ञम् आरेभे।

meanwhile · Brahma · however · with Bharati · together with · wife · younger · initiated · sacrifice · began · with all · sages · together

This verse depicts the irony of the situation: the sacrifice proceeds without the elder wife, which is the final trigger for Sarasvati's wrath.

Sarasvatī, seeing that, filled with great anger, manifested as the swift-flowing river (Vegavatī) to submerge the sacrificial hall.

sarasvatī tu tad dṛṣṭvā kopena mahatā yutā

yajñaśālāṃ majjayituṃ nadī vegavatī babhau

सरस्वती · sarasvatī — Sarasvati

तु · tu — then

तत् · tat — that

दृष्ट्वा · dṛṣṭvā — seeing

कोपेन · kopena — with anger

महता · mahatā — great

युता · yutā — filled with

यज्ञशालाम् · yajñaśālām — sacrificial hall

मज्जयितुम् · majjayitum — to submerge

नदी · nadī — river

वेगवती · vegavatī — Vegavati

बभौ · babhau — manifested/shone

सरस्वती तु तत् दृष्ट्वा महता कोपेन युता यज्ञशालां मज्जयितुं वेगवती नदी बभौ।

Sarasvati · then · that · seeing · with anger · great · filled with · sacrificial hall · to submerge · river · Vegavati · manifested/shone

The manifestation of Sarasvati as the river Vegavati is the climax of the conflict. This verse marks the transition from divine domestic dispute to cosmic environmental threat.

The great river came with tremendous speed, with swiftly churning waves and a clamorous, roaring sound.

mahāvegena saṃyuktāmāgacchantīṃ mahānadīm

kṣipramālolakallolāṃ kolāhalakalasvanām

महावेगेन · mahāvegena — with great speed

संयुक्ताम् · saṃyuktām — endowed with

आगच्छन्तीम् · āgacchantīm — coming

महानदीम् · mahānadīm — the great river

क्षिप्रम् · kṣipram — swiftly

आलोलकल्लोलाम् · ālolakallolām — with churning waves

कोलाहल · kolāhala — clamorous

कलस्वनाम् · kalasvanām — roaring sound

महावेगेन संयुक्तां क्षिप्रम् आलोलकल्लोलां कोलाहलकलस्वनां महानदीम् आगच्छन्तीम् (अपश्यन्)।

with great speed · endowed with · coming · the great river · swiftly · with churning waves · clamorous · roaring sound

This verse provides a vivid description of the river's destructive power, emphasizing its speed and intensity as it approaches the sacrificial site.

Flowing here and there with reddish-tawny waters, she felled great trees and entered houses.

aruṇāruṇatoyāḍhyāṃ pravahantīmitastataḥ

mahāvṛkṣānpātayantīṃ praviśantīṃ gṛhāṇi ca

अरुणारुण · aruṇāruṇa — reddish-tawny

तोयाढ्याम् · toyāḍhyām — filled with waters

प्रवहन्तीम् · pravahantīm — flowing

इतस्ततः · itastataḥ — here and there

महावृक्षान् · mahāvṛkṣān — great trees

पातयन्तीम् · pātayantīm — felling

प्रविशन्तीम् · praviśantīm — entering

गृहाणि · gṛhāṇi — houses

च · ca — and

सा अरुणारुणतोयाढ्यां इतस्ततः प्रवहन्तीं, महावृक्षान् पातयन्तीं गृहाणि च प्रविशन्ती (आसीत्)।

reddish-tawny · filled with waters · flowing · here and there · great trees · felling · entering · houses · and

The description of the river's path illustrates the chaos caused by Sarasvati's anger, showing the physical impact of her divine fury on the landscape.

She playfully dragged away villages, along with cattle, birds, and men, and repeatedly submerged sages and gods in her whirlpools.

karṣantī līlayā grāmān paśupakṣinarāṃstathā

majjayantīṃ munīn devān āvarteṣu punaḥ punaḥ

कर्षन्तीम् · karṣantīm — dragging away

लीलया · līlayā — playfully

ग्रामान् · grāmān — villages

पशुपक्षिनरान् · paśupakṣinarān — cattle, birds, and men

तथा · tathā — also

मज्जयन्तीम् · majjayantīm — submerging

मुनीन् · munīn — sages

देवान् · devān — gods

आवर्तेषु · āvarteṣu — in whirlpools

पुनः पुनः · punaḥ punaḥ — again and again

सा लीलया ग्रामान् पशुपक्षिनरांस्तथा कर्षन्ती, मुनीन् देवान् आवर्तेषु पुनः पुनः मज्जयन्ती (आसीत्)।

dragging away · playfully · villages · cattle, birds, and men · also · submerging · sages · gods · in whirlpools · again and again

This verse highlights the indiscriminate nature of the river's destruction, underscoring the severity of the divine conflict and its effect on all beings.

Seeing Sarasvatī, adorned with tortoises, crocodiles, fish, and circles of foam, Brahma became fraught with anxiety.

kacchapairmakarairmīnairmaṇḍitāṃ phenamaṇḍalaiḥ

sarasvatīṃ vilokyātha brahmā cintākulo'bhavat

कच्छपैः · kacchapaiḥ — with tortoises

मकरैः · makaraiḥ — with crocodiles

मीनैः · mīnaiḥ — with fish

मण्डिताम् · maṇḍitām — adorned

फेनमण्डलैः · phenamaṇḍalaiḥ — with circles of foam

सरस्वतीम् · sarasvatīm — Sarasvati

विलोक्य · vilokya — having seen

अथ · atha — then

ब्रह्मा · brahmā — Brahma

चिन्ताकुलः · cintākulaḥ — fraught with anxiety

अभवत् · abhavat — became

कच्छपैः मकरैः मीनैः फेनमण्डलैः मण्डितां सरस्वतीं विलोक्य अथ ब्रह्मा चिन्ताकुलः अभवत्।

with tortoises · with crocodiles · with fish · adorned · with circles of foam · Sarasvati · having seen · then · Brahma · fraught with anxiety · became

Brahma's anxiety serves as the turning point, leading to the divine intervention of Vishnu. It emphasizes the gravity of the situation that only the Lord can resolve.

Seeing her obstructing the sacrifice, the four-faced one, being of a pure nature, prayed to Vishnu, the protector of the sacrifice.

yajñavighnakarīṃ dṛṣṭvā cintayā caturānanaḥ

yajñasaṃrakṣakaṃ viṣṇuṃ prārthayāmāsa sātvikaḥ

यज्ञविघ्नकरीम् · yajñavighnakarīm — the one causing obstruction to the sacrifice

दृष्ट्वा · dṛṣṭvā — having seen

चिन्तया · cintayā — with anxiety

चतुराननः · caturānanaḥ — the four-faced one (Brahma)

यज्ञसंरक्षकम् · yajñasaṃrakṣakaṃ — the protector of the sacrifice

विष्णुम् · viṣṇum — Lord Vishnu

प्रार्थयामास · prārthayāmāsa — prayed to

सात्विकः · sātvikaḥ — the pure-hearted one

सात्विकः चतुराननः यज्ञविघ्नकरीं दृष्ट्वा चिन्तया यज्ञसंरक्षकं विष्णुं प्रार्थयामास।

the one causing obstruction to the sacrifice · having seen · with anxiety · the four-faced one (Brahma) · the protector of the sacrifice · Lord Vishnu · prayed to · the pure-hearted one

This verse marks the turning point where Brahma, realizing the gravity of the situation, turns to the Supreme Protector to save his sacrifice from the wrath of Sarasvati.

Then, in the middle of her path, the Lord Vishnu, resting on the couch of Śeṣa, was seen there in a great form, like a dam.

madhyemārgaṃ tadā viṣṇuḥ śeṣaparyaṅkamāśritaḥ

rūpeṇa mahatā tatra dadṛśe setuvat prabhuḥ

मध्येमार्गम् · madhyemārgaṃ — in the middle of the path

तदा · tadā — then

विष्णुः · viṣṇuḥ — Lord Vishnu

शेषपर्यङ्कम् · śeṣaparyaṅkam — the couch of Sesha

आश्रितः · āśritaḥ — having resorted to/reclining on

रूपेण · rūpeṇa — with a form

महता · mahatā — great/colossal

तत्र · tatra — there

ददृशे · dadṛśe — was seen

सेतुवत् · setuvat — like a dam

प्रभुः · prabhuḥ — the Lord

तदा प्रभुः विष्णुः शेषपर्यङ्कम् आश्रितः महता रूपेण मध्येमार्गं तत्र सेतुवत् ददृशे।

in the middle of the path · then · Lord Vishnu · the couch of Sesha · having resorted to/reclining on · with a form · great/colossal · there · was seen · like a dam · the Lord

This verse describes the divine intervention where Vishnu assumes the form of a dam, physically manifesting to halt the destructive flow of the river.

The river Vegavatī, seeing Janārdana there in the form of a dam, became calm and stood still, like the water in a lake.

nadī vegavatī tatra setubhūtaṃ janārdanam

vilokya śāntā tasthau sā taṭākasthaṃ jalaṃ yathā

नदी · nadī — the river

वेगवती · vegavatī — Vegavati

तत्र · tatra — there

सेतुभूतम् · setubhūtaṃ — who had become the dam

जनार्दनम् · janārdanam — Lord Janardana

विलोक्य · vilokya — having seen

शान्ता · śāntā — calm

तस्थौ · tasthau — stood

सा · sā — she

तटाकस्थम् · taṭākasthaṃ — situated in a lake

जलम् · jalam — water

यथा · yathā — like

तत्र वेगवती नदी सेतुभूतं जनार्दनं विलोक्य तटाकस्थं जलं यथा शान्ता तस्थौ।

the river · Vegavati · there · who had become the dam · Lord Janardana · having seen · calm · stood · she · situated in a lake · water · like

The immediate pacification of the river upon seeing the Lord illustrates the power of the Divine presence to quell even the most turbulent forces of nature.

Unable to cross over Vishnu, who was reclining on the coils of Śeṣa, she stood right there, humbled with devotion, her hands folded in reverence.

atikrāntumaśaktā sā viṣṇuṃ śeṣāṅkaśāyinam

tasthau tatraiva bhaktyaiva vinītā vihitāñjaliḥ

अतिक्रान्तुम् · atikrāntum — to cross over

अशक्ता · aśaktā — unable

सा · sā — she

विष्णुम् · viṣṇum — Lord Vishnu

शेषाङ्कशायिनम् · śeṣāṅkaśāyinam — reclining on the coils of Sesha

तस्थौ · tasthau — stood

तत्रैव · tatraiva — right there

भक्त्यैव · bhaktyaiva — by devotion alone

विनीता · vinītā — humbled

विहिताञ्जलिः · vihitāñjaliḥ — with folded hands

शेषाङ्कशायिनं विष्णुम् अतिक्रान्तुम् अशक्ता सा विनीता विहिताञ्जलिः भक्त्यैव तत्रैव तस्थौ।

to cross over · unable · she · Lord Vishnu · reclining on the coils of Sesha · stood · right there · by devotion alone · humbled · with folded hands

This verse highlights the transition from destructive anger to humble devotion, showing that the Divine form acts as a boundary for both physical flow and ego.

Thus one should behold the God Janārdana, the dam on the Vegavatī, for the destruction of all sins and for the bestowal of all prosperity.

evaṃ vegavatīsetuṃ paśyeddevaṃ janārdanam

sarvapāpavināśāya sarvasaṃpadvidhāyakam

एवम् · evaṃ — thus

वेगवतीसेतुम् · vegavatīsetuṃ — the dam on the Vegavati

पश्येत् · paśyet — one should behold

देवम् · devam — the Lord

जनार्दनम् · janārdanam — Janardana

सर्वपापविनाशाय · sarvapāpavināśāya — for the destruction of all sins

सर्वसंपद्विधायकम् · sarvasaṃpadvidhāyakam — bestower of all prosperity

एवं सर्वपापविनाशाय सर्वसंपद्विधायकं वेगवतीसेतुं देवं जनार्दनं पश्येत्।

thus · the dam on the Vegavati · one should behold · the Lord · Janardana · for the destruction of all sins · bestower of all prosperity

The author shifts from the narrative to the spiritual benefit, instructing the devotee on the efficacy of meditating upon the Vegasetu form of the Lord.

This was merely a divine play (līlā) of Sarasvatī; there was no anger in her nature. She flows in the form of a river only for the welfare of the world.

līlaivaiṣā sarasvatyā na hi kopaḥ svabhāvataḥ

nadīrūpā pravahati sā tu lokahitaiṣiṇī

लीलैवैषा · līlaivaiṣā — this is merely a divine play

सरस्वत्याः · sarasvatyā — of Sarasvati

न · na — not

हि · hi — indeed

कोपः · kopaḥ — anger

स्वभावतः · svabhāvataḥ — by nature

नदीरूपा · nadīrūpā — in the form of a river

प्रवहति · pravahati — she flows

सा · sā — she

तु · tu — indeed

लोकहितैषिणी · lokahitaiṣiṇī — desiring the welfare of the world

एषा सरस्वत्याः लीलैव, स्वभावतः कोपः न हि। सा तु लोकहितैषिणी नदीरूपा प्रवहति।

this is merely a divine play · of Sarasvati · not · indeed · anger · by nature · in the form of a river · she flows · she · indeed · desiring the welfare of the world

This verse clarifies the theological nature of Sarasvati's actions, emphasizing that the divine play is always rooted in compassion, not malice.

Both hidden and manifest, the sin-destroying Sarasvatī shines in lands such as Kurukṣetra and other places.

pracchannā ca prakāśā ca kurukṣetrādibhūmiṣu

virājate kalmaṣaghnī tatra tatra sarasvatī

प्रच्छन्ना · pracchannā — hidden

च · ca — and

प्रकाशा · prakāśā — manifest

कुरुक्षेत्रादिभूमिषु · kurukṣetrādibhūmiṣu — in lands like Kurukshetra

विराजते · virājate — shines

कल्मषघ्नी · kalmaṣaghnī — destroyer of sins

तत्र तत्र · tatra tatra — here and there

सरस्वती · sarasvatī — Sarasvati

कल्मषघ्नी सरस्वती तत्र तत्र कुरुक्षेत्रादिभूमिषु प्रच्छन्ना प्रकाशा च विराजते।

hidden · and · manifest · in lands like Kurukshetra · shines · destroyer of sins · here and there · Sarasvati

This verse connects the local manifestation in Kanchi to the universal presence of Sarasvati, reinforcing her omnipresence as a purifier.

In the same way, in the golden city (Kāñcī), Sarasvatī shines in a hidden form with the name Vegavatī, the destroyer of sins by her very remembrance.

evaṃ hi kāñcanagare channarūpā sarasvatī

bhāti vegavatī nāmnā smaraṇātpāpanāśinī

एवम् · evaṃ — in this way

हि · hi — indeed

काञ्चनगरे · kāñcanagare — in the golden city (Kanchi)

छन्नरूपा · channarūpā — in a hidden form

सरस्वती · sarasvatī — Sarasvati

भाति · bhāti — shines

वेगवती · vegavatī — Vegavati

नाम्ना · nāmnā — by the name

स्मरणात् · smaraṇāt — by remembrance

पापनाशिनी · pāpanāśinī — destroyer of sins

एवं हि काञ्चनगरे छन्नरूपा सरस्वती वेगवती नाम्ना भाति, सा स्मरणात् पापनाशिनी।

in this way · indeed · in the golden city (Kanchi) · in a hidden form · Sarasvati · shines · Vegavati · by the name · by remembrance · destroyer of sins

Focusing back on the specific location of Kanchi, the verse establishes the name 'Vegavati' as a sacred identifier for the hidden Sarasvati.

By seeing Vegavatīsetu, Janārdana who is knowable through the Vedas, and by bathing in the holy waters of the Vegavatī, all sin is destroyed.

Here ends the third chapter, named "The Glory of Vegasetu," in the Second Part of the Divyadeśavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.

dṛṣṭvā vegavatīsetuṃ vedavedyaṃ janārdanam

snātvā vegavatītīrthe sarvaṃ pāpaṃ vinaśyati

दृष्ट्वा · dṛṣṭvā — having seen

वेगवतीसेतुम् · vegavatīsetuṃ — the dam on the Vegavati

वेदवेद्यम् · vedavedyam — knowable through the Vedas

जनार्दनम् · janārdanam — Janardana

स्नात्वा · snātvā — having bathed

वेगवतीतीर्थे · vegavatītīrthe — in the holy waters of Vegavati

सर्वम् · sarvaṃ — all

पापम् · pāpaṃ — sin

विनश्यति · vinaśyati — is destroyed

वेगवतीसेतुं वेदवेद्यं जनार्दनं दृष्ट्वा वेगवतीतीर्थे स्नात्वा सर्वं पापं विनश्यति।

having seen · the dam on the Vegavati · knowable through the Vedas · Janardana · having bathed · in the holy waters of Vegavati · all · sin · is destroyed

The concluding verse summarizes the spiritual practices associated with the site, promising complete purification through the triad of seeing, knowing, and bathing.