Shloka 13
Avanti–Narmadā–Puṣkara Tīrtha-Kathana (धौम्यकथितं तीर्थवर्णनम्)
बहुमूलफला चापि कौशिकी भरतर्षभ । विश्वामित्रो5 ध्यगाद् यत्र ब्राह्मणत्वं तपोधन:,'प्रभो! वहाँ पितरोंके लिये दिया हुआ अन्न अक्षय होता है। भरतश्रेष्ठ! वहीं फल्गु नामवाली पुण्यसलिला महानदी है और वहीं बहुत-से फल-मूलोंवाली कौशिकी नदी प्रवाहित होती है जहाँ तपोधन विश्वामित्र ब्राह्मणत्वको प्राप्त हुए थे
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: bahu-mūla-phalā cāpi Kauśikī bharatarṣabha | Viśvāmitro 'dhyagād yatra brāhmaṇatvaṃ tapodhanaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: O bull among the Bharatas, the river Kauśikī too flows there, rich in many roots and fruits—at that very place where the ascetic treasure Viśvāmitra attained the status of a brāhmaṇa. The passage points to a sacred landscape whose natural abundance and remembered austerity make it a fitting ground for rites and moral aspiration.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Austerity and disciplined striving (tapas) can transform one’s spiritual standing; sacred places are remembered not only for natural beauty but for exemplary moral and ascetic achievements associated with them.
Vaiśampāyana is describing a holy region during the tirtha-context of Vana Parva, identifying the river Kauśikī and marking it as the place where the sage Viśvāmitra—renowned for intense tapas—attained brāhmaṇa status.