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AUGUST, 1895.) SPECIMENS OF MODERN BRAHMANICAL LEGENDS.
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of Vishnu, fled from the spot, and assuming the forms of wild beasts they entered Bhůtaka, where they began to trouble the Rishis. The Rishis thereupon went in search of Vishnu, who, having assumed the name of Venkatesa, had concealed himself on the hill or mountain of Venkatachala and begged of him to relieve them from the troubles occasioned by the quondam demong (now wild beaste). Sri Venkatesa, in reply, told them that he had come down from Vaikuntha to win Padmavati for his wife, and also to protect his devotees. He further told them to be in readiness to assist him in his matrimonial designs, and in return, should they prove useful to him, he promised to remove the cause of all their griefs and anxieties. Accordingly, Sri-Venkatesa, after he had won Lakshmi, started from the Seshachala Mountain with her, attended by Vishvaksena and other followers, and made a circuit in order to protect his worshippers, and to relieve them of their cares. He pursued and killed all the wild beasts he met with, and in doing this he travelled a considerable distance. He traversed the countries of Chola and Pandys, and bathed in the river Kåvêri. He crossed many rivers, among others the Netravati, so called because it took its rise from the eyes of Varahasvamin, when he was living in the Sahyadris, and the Kumaradhara, both the Tuiga and the Bhadrâ, which begin from Varáhasvamin's jaws, and the Sômad and the Aghnâsind, and thus seeking for a suitable shady and well-watered resting place, he eventually settled down near to a beautiful tank callod Kanka, which is situated to the west of the river Aghanasini."
SAta then asked Vyaan to tell him about the origin of the tank, and how it came by its name, whereupon Vyasa replied:
“Hear, then, O Sata, the (history of the) origin of the blessed tank.
Once upon a time a Rishi called Kanka, (a person) of profound learning and great piety, in the course of his travels, during which he had bathed in many sacred streams and exercised great charity, came at length to the Rishi-Parvata, on a mountain in the Sahyadri Range. Here he found many Rishis living, namely, Bharadvája, Kansika, Já bali, Kaśyapa and others, with several demi-gods, Gandharvas, Apsaras, Kumaras, and Siddhas. He, therefore, resolved to remain in the place for a long time. On one occasion, when he went into the surrounding forest to gather fruits and roots, he saw the birds and beasts gasping in the great heat of the sun, and suffering much from the want of water, which was not obtainable in the forest. Being filled with compassion for these helpless creatures, he created a tank, from which they could get water to drink, and which would likewise be generally useful. He used also to bathe every day in the tank bimself, and commenced practising very severe austerities. Sri-Bhagavat, the husband of Kamala, was much pleased with the piety and devotion of the Rishi, and in consequence, after the lapse of some time, he appeared to him and promised to give him whatever he might desire. The holy man then asked that it might be ordained, that from that day he himself, as well as all others who should bathe in the tank, might receive absolution from all sins and thus obtain salvation. He also asked that the tank might be called after him. Sri-Bhagavat, being pleased at the request, promised to grant it, with the addition that great worldly happiness should likewise be the portion of all believers bathing in the tank, and then, having said this, he disappeared. Since that time the tank has been known by the name of Kanka-hrada (or the tank of Kaoka)."
After bearing the above, 80ta asked Vyåsa to tell him, whether there was any instance of any one having been freed from sin and its consequences, by bathing in the blessed tank, to which Vyåra replied :-"Hear from me, O Sata, this ancient and mysterious history. Once upon a time NArada, on the occasion of a visit to the holy city of Kast, saw a beautiful woman performing her devotions. He asked her who she was, and why she was thus doing penance : .whereon Ganga gave answer thus:-'O Nárada, all persons leave their sins in me, and go
* A river rising from the eyes of Varahasvami; lit., the taker away of virginity (Kaumarabara P]. - The name of a small stream near Gökarpa.
• The Aghanakint or TAdri river, rises near Sirat in North Kanara and falls into the Arabian Sea : known locally under the name of Doniballa also.
