Алексей Виноградов – Holy waters of the ancestral homeland of mankind (страница 8)

Devibhagavata Purana. 9.8. Sarasvati descended partially upon the holy land of Bharata due to the curse of the Ganges, but she herself remained in the abode of Hari. She is called Bharati because she descended upon the land of Bharata. Brahmi—because she is the beloved of Brahma. And because she is the deity presiding over speech, she is known as Vani. Hari can be seen everywhere in lakes, wells, and streams, and therefore he is called Sarasvan, and she, Sarasvati.

The Matsya Purana lists Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Sadhya, Vishvesa, and Urjasvati. From the list of their descendants, it follows that Kama was the son of Lakshmi. The Sadhyas were the sons of Sadhya. The Vishvadevas were the sons of Vishva. The Maruts were the sons of Marutvati. And Vasu was the descendant of Devi, who could be either Sarasvati or Savitri.

The Matsya Purana confirms the belief that only one goddess is meant, although she is called by several names: "Brahma then created from his own immaculate substance a woman who is celebrated by the names Satarupa, Savitri, Sarasvati, Gayatri, and Brahmani."

Known: Mahasaraswati (Great Saraswati) is the third great demon-fighting manifestation of the goddess Devi.

Nilasaraswati (Dark Blue Saraswati) is the manifest aspect of Tara. Another name is Vidyarajni (Queen of Knowledge).

In the legend from the Skanda Purana, Savitri refers to Saraswati, and Gayatri is a young, beautiful, and smiling milkmaid who became Brahma's second wife and the mother of the Vedas. In the legend, Ishvara (Shiva) addresses Devi (Parvati):

"Listen, O Devi, and I will tell you how Savitri left Brahma, and he subsequently became betrothed to Gayatri. The Vedas speak of the great benefits of sacrifice, which pleases the gods, and therefore they send rain upon the earth... Therefore, to ensure the greenery and vitality of the three worlds, I perform sacrifices. And, imitating me, the gods and humans perform sacrifices." For the same purpose, Brahma and his wife Savitri, the immortals and holy sages, set out for Pushkara. But when all the preparations for the sacrifices had been made, with all the necessary rites and ceremonies, Savitri, busy with household chores, failed to appear. So the priest went to call her.

But she replied, "I haven't finished my attire yet and haven't settled many matters. Lakshmi and Bhavani..."

"And Ganga, Svaha, Indrani, and the wives of the other gods and holy sages haven't arrived yet, so how can I enter the assembly alone?"

The priest returned and addressed Brahma: "Savitri is engaged and will not come. But without a wife, what good are these rites?"

The god, angered by Savitri's behavior, said to Indra, "Hurry and, obeying my command, fetch a wife from wherever you can."

Indra followed his instructions. And, hurrying past, he saw a young, beautiful, and smiling milkmaid carrying a jug of butter. He seized her and brought her to the assembly, whereupon Brahma said, "O gods and holy sages, if you deem it right, I will take this Gayatri in marriage, and she will become the mother of the Vedas and the cause of the purity of these worlds!"

After this, Brahma united with Gayatri, who was led into the bridal pavilion, where she was dressed in silken garments and adorned with the most precious ornaments.

At this time, Savitri, accompanied by the wives of Vishnu, Rudra, and other gods, arrived at the sacrificial site. Seeing the milkmaid in the bridal bed and the priests performing the sacred rites, she turned to Pitamaha in anger: "O Brahma! Have you really conceived such a sinful intention as to reject me, your wife? Are you not ashamed that, succumbing to love, you are committing such a reprehensible act? You are called the great father of gods and holy sages, and yet you publicly act here in a manner that must provoke the ridicule of the three worlds. But how can I now appear in public or, abandoned by my husband, call myself his wife?"

Brahma replied: "The priests have informed me that the time for the sacrifice is drawing to an end, and that it cannot be performed without the presence of my wife... and since Indra has brought Gayatri, Vishnu and Rudra have given her in marriage to me. Therefore, forgive me for this act, and I will never offend you again!”

Hearing these words, Savitri exclaimed, "By the power I have gained through my penance, let Brahma never be worshipped in a temple or sacred place except on one day a year...

And Indra, since you brought this milkmaid to Brahma, you will be chained by your enemies and imprisoned in a foreign land. And your city and your position will be occupied by your enemies."

Addressing Vishnu, she said, "Because you gave her in marriage to Brahma, then by Bhrigu's curse you will be born among men and suffer the torment of your enemy taking your wife from you. And for a long time you will wander, a humble herder of cattle!"

To Rudra she said, "By the curse of the holy sages, you will be deprived of your manhood!"

To Agni she said, "May you be a devourer of all that is pure and impure!"

She said to the priests and brahmins: "From now on, you will perform sacrifices solely out of a desire for ordinary gifts. And out of greed, you will visit temples and holy places. You will be content only with the food of others, and dissatisfied with the food of your own homes. And in pursuit of wealth, you will perform sacred rites and ceremonies to excess!"

Having uttered these curses, Savitri left the assembly and walked a short distance, accompanied by Lakshmi and the other goddesses, who all declared their intention to return.

Hearing this, Savitri became enraged and addressed them thus: "Since you are now leaving me, O Lakshmi! May you never remain in one place. And may you always dwell with the vile, fickle, contemptible, sinful, cruel, foolish, and barbaric! And, Indrani, when Indra commits Brahmin murder by killing Tvastri's son, then Nahusha will receive his kingdom and, desiring to have you, will exclaim: "Am I not Indra? Why then does not the young and beautiful Indrani serve me? If I do not have her, I will kill all the gods." Upon learning of his desires, you will remain in your home, immersed in grief and oppressed by the weight of my curse!"

Then Savitri pronounced this curse on the wives of the gods: "May you all remain barren, never having children!"

Vishnu then tried in vain to appease her. After Savitri angrily left the assembly, Gayatri modified her curses. She promised all manner of blessings, including final absorption by him, to all the worshipers of Brahma. Though Indra would be bound, his son would free him. Though Vishnu would lose his wife, he would regain her. Though Rudra would be deprived of his manhood, the lingam, as his representative, would be universally revered. Though men would bring gifts to the Brahmins, it would be because they revered them as gods. And though the goddesses would be unable to bear children of their own, this would not cause them regret.

In the Padma Purana, this story ends happier. Vishnu and Lakshmi, at Brahma's request, followed Savitri as she left the assembly and persuaded her to return. Upon returning, Brahma asked what she wanted him to do with Gayatri. Savitri was too shy to speak. Then Gayatri threw herself at her feet. Savitri lifted her up and, embracing her, said, "A wife must obey her husband's wishes and commands. For a wife who reproaches her husband, who complains and quarrels, and instead of being his life, deprives him of long life with her behavior, will surely go to hell after death. Given this, a virtuous wife will do nothing to displease her husband. Therefore, let us both be attached to Brahma." "So be it," said Gayatri. "I will always obey your commands and value your friendship as my life." "I am your daughter, oh goddess! Please protect me!"

2.

The Atharva Veda (the Veda of the Fire Priests) states:

5.27. O divine Hotaras, praise with the tongue of Agni our rite, directed upward. Praise for the sake of a successful sacrifice! Let the three goddesses sit upon this sacrificial straw: Ida, Sarasvati, the great Bharati, the sung one!

7.1. Thy breast, inexhaustible, sustaining, benevolent, easily invoked, beautifully bestowing, whereby thou bestowest the best boons in abundance—O Sarasvati, let me cling to it here!

The Rig Veda mentions the goddess Sarasvati numerous times:

1.13.9. Ida, Sarasvati, and Mahi—the three goddesses who bring joy—may they sit on the sacrificial straw, undefeated!

1.89.3. To them we turn with the usual invocation. To Bhaga, Mitra, Aditi, the unerring Daksha, Aryaman, Varuna, Soma, and the Ashvins. May Sarasvati, the auspicious one, create happiness for us!

1.142.9. Pure one, placed among the Hotra gods, Bharati among the Maruts—may Ida, Sarasvati, and Mahi sit on the sacrificial straw, worthy of sacrifice!

1.164.49. Your inexhaustible, sustaining breasts, with which you bestow in abundance all the best boons. She who brings treasures, who finds good, who gives beautifully—O Sarasvati, let me cling to her here!

1.188. 8. O Bharati, Ida, Sarasvati, all of you, to whom I appeal, encourage us to beauty!