The saintly Dhoumya once discoursed upon the sacred journey ordained by the Gods and sages to sanctify the hearts of men and restore balance to the world. The celestial assembly deemed it essential that each soul be cleansed of inner impurities before undertaking the greater charge of universal harmony. As divine fortune entered the realm of men, radiant with the glow of austerities, the venerable sage Romasa descended upon the hermitage of Dharmaja. The king and his companions received him with reverence, washing his feet, offering fruits and honey, and seating him with devotion.
With folded hands, Dharmaja spoke humbly, “O exalted one, from where do you come?” Romasa replied, “O son of Dharma, in my journey across the worlds, I visited the abode of Indra. There I beheld your brother Arjuna, worshipped even by the immortals. The lord of Heaven and the assembled Gods, vying with one another, have bestowed upon him celestial weapons of immense might. Lord Shiva himself has granted him the Pasupatha, born of divine nectar, while Yama, Varuna, and Kubera blessed him with their celestial missiles. Indra too gave him his own weapons and seats him beside his throne, honouring him as his equal. Arjuna is no ordinary mortal; he is divine by nature and destined to fulfill a task appointed by the Gods. When it is done, he shall return to earth. Indra commanded me to convey this to you and to urge you towards a sacred pilgrimage, for he said that those who undertake such a journey with devotion shall find peace and attain every desire through righteousness.”
The sage continued, “Your pilgrimage through holy rivers, temples, and sacred ponds will bring purification to all beings. Charity, penance, and austerity shall cleanse those who cannot achieve greatness by other means. I have twice traversed every holy place upon this earth, and now, at Indra’s command, I shall accompany you once more.”
Dharmaja, filled with gratitude, replied, “O light of wisdom, to have a sage of your stature sent by Indra himself is the fulfilment of my life. By your grace, we shall perform the holy rites, bathe in sacred waters, and attain purification. The tidings of Arjuna’s triumph gladden my heart and free me from all anxiety.”
Romasa then instructed that the Brahmins who live solely by alms, as well as the ascetics and mendicants, be sent back, for such persons cannot bear the rigours of pilgrimage without violating their sacred discipline. With a select few scholars and the Pandavas, accompanied by Draupadi and guided by Romasa, Dhoumya fasted for three days in Kamyakavana. At the close of Margasirsha, they began their great journey of purification.
The Brahmin scholars spoke to Dharmaja, saying, “Your brothers are skilled in arms and fearless in spirit. When such heroes protect us and a sage like Romasa leads us in penance, we are truly blessed. The forests are infested with beasts and spirits; alone, we could not endure this trial. Permit us, therefore, to travel in your company.” Dharmaja consented, and the sacred procession began. Soon after, the venerable sons of penance—Vyasa, Parvata, Narada, and others—came to bless them. They declared, “The physical observance is human, but the purity of mind and devotion is divine. Such conduct is the essence of the spiritual path. The great monarchs of old—Mahabhisha, Nabhaga, Bharata, Bhagiratha, Muchukunda, Mandhata, Sagara, Sarvabhauma, Astaka, and Romapada—attained perfection through sacred travel and righteous conduct. To recall their names is to kindle spiritual strength.”
When they departed, Dharmaja asked Romasa, “O sage, why do the unrighteous prosper while the virtuous suffer? And how do lifeless rivers and mountains acquire divine sanctity to purify mankind?” Romasa replied, “The wealth of the wicked is short-lived; pride is the seed of their ruin. Many demons, by penance and divine favour, rose high but perished in arrogance. The Gods shine eternally through virtue alone, for their glory is untainted by self-interest. The sons of Dhritarashtra too, prospering through unrighteous means, are hastening toward their own destruction, and none shall save them. Pride breeds false honour, which begets anger and drives away modesty; without restraint or endurance, wealth departs, leaving ruin behind. But you, O son of Dharma, are born for righteousness. In the great war to come, you shall triumph over evil and uphold the world’s balance.”
He continued, “Holy places are sanctified by the penance of great souls. Pilgrimage, austerity, and the blessings of learned Brahmins cleanse all sins and grant fulfilment.” Thus inspired, the Pandavas journeyed through Naimisha, Aswatiirtha, Gangaghosha, Kanyateertha, Gomathi, Bahuda, Mahanadi, and sacred Prayaga, where Ganga and Yamuna unite. They bathed, performed rites, and conversed with learned scholars upon the deeper truths of the Veda. They visited Gaya, the sources of holy rivers, and sacred lakes like Ramasara and Brahmasara, dwelling in Gaya for four months and performing ancestral rites beneath the Akshyavata.
There, the sage Samata came and said, “O king, in ancient times the righteous Gaya, son of Adhuta, performed grand sacrifices at Brahmasara. The remnants of the sacrificial food became twenty-five hills, and his charities were countless as the stars. This land, named after him, grants fulfilment to all ancestral offerings.”
After hearing this, they travelled to the hermitage of Agastya. Dharmaja then inquired of Romasa, “How was the demon Vatapi slain by the great Agastya?” Romasa recounted, “In the land of Manimathipura lived the demon brothers Ilwala and Vatapi. Ilwala once sought a Brahmin’s blessing for his selfish desires, but being refused, he turned his malice upon the priest. Transforming his brother into a goat, he served his flesh as food and later called him forth again, tearing through the Brahmin’s body and killing him. Thus they slew many sages by this deceit.
When Agastya, engaged in penance, beheld his ancestors hanging upon fragile leaves, they said, ‘O son, because you live as a celibate, we remain without rest. Take a wife, beget offspring, and deliver us.’ The sage vowed to fulfil their wish. At that time, the king of Vidarbha had a daughter, Lopamudra, pure as a lotus upon clear water, modest as Lakshmi, and radiant with learning. The king hesitated to give her to Agastya, fearing that the austerities of the sage’s life would bring her hardship. Yet the maiden, wise beyond her years, said to her parents, ‘Why do you doubt? Give me to the great sage.’ The king, rejoicing in her resolve, gave her in marriage to Agastya. Thus was unfolded the sacred mystery of marriage—its duties, its righteousness, and the divine fulfilment born of union rightly guided.”
