LORD TRYAMBAKESHWAR OF NASIK

THE LEGEND OF GODAVARI

This legend is still more fantastic, and is the longest, perhaps for the characters involved in this are numerous, and time it encircled too is many yugas. It begins with Brahma's striking his axe at prayag to preparing a sacrificial alter in the presence of devas and manavas for performing a sacrifice for Viswasreyas. The axe unearthed a chest. A lady of unparalleled beauty and myraid charms emerged, when it was opened. Her bewitching beauty was so hypnotizing that everyone among the assembled - gods, sages, kings,. warriors wanted to marry her. To averting the disaster, Brahma declared that, he who returned first making a bhupradakshana - going round the earth, would be eligible to marry her. At once, there began a marathon race with every biped participating. Among them there was Sage Gautama. Although he aspired for that unearthly lady, he was no match with the mighty, healthy, weighty men participating. When lagging behind he saw a black cow giving birth to a calf. Going round it thrice, he came back to Brahma, and by quoting the scriptural authority, claimed the lady. Brahma could not brush aside his request; for, it is specifically said that going round a cow during the delivery of a calf tantamounts to going round the earth. So, the wedding was solemnized. Just then the contestants returned and found that the much coveted prize went to Gautama. Bowing to the verdict, they departed. Gautama at the instance of Brahma reached Brahmagiri and lived with Ahalya in an asram built in the vicinity. It is at this time, Mother Parvati met with a problem. Finding her Lord's clandestine liaison with Ganga, she desired to get rid of her. 

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