Skandapurana 2.1.32

Now begins the incorporeal voice's statement to Agastya regarding the production of the river:

Bharadvāja said:

Once that best of sages, having performed his morning rites,

entered the house of the deity to worship Śiva.

There, the great-souled one heard the voice of the goddess of speech in formless guise,

which was clear with distinct phonemes, and he was filled with wonder.

The voice from the sky spoke to Agastya, the best of those who recite mantras:

"Indeed, though renowned, this region devoid of a river does not shine,

just like a brahmin who has a physical body but is averse to knowledge and spiritual insight,

or an initiation devoid of a sacrificial fee, or a night devoid of moonlight.

O best of brahmins, this earth does not shine without a river.

Bring forth a river out of a desire for the welfare of the worlds,

one that bestows release from the fear arisen from bottomless sins.

This is beneficial to the hosts of gods; this is requested by the best of sages.

This is auspicious for human beings; accomplish this, O you of noble vows!

Bring forth a great river that conveys benefit to the gods, to the foremost of seers,

and to mortals on earth, extinguishing the mire of sin."

Glorious Bharadvāja said:

Having heard those words, the brahmin was engrossed in thought for a moment.

Having concluded the worship of the deity, he sat down upon the outer altar.

Then he summoned the sages residing in that hermitage,

and he told them the words spoken by the divine voice.

Hearing that wonderful matter, the sages, glad at heart,

saluted that best of sages, the son of Mitra and Varuṇa, and said:

Now, the great seers' petition to Agastya for the production of the Suvarṇamukharī.

The sages said:

"The greatest wonder among wonders, and the most auspicious among auspicious things,

is your divine conduct, O treasure of compassion!

By your mere utterance of 'Huṃ', Nahuṣa fell from the sovereignty of the gods

and became a worm; there is nothing more wonderful than that!

That the ocean—which envelops the terrestrial sphere

and strikes the sky with its billows—was made into a sip of water: what indeed can be more wonderful than this?

The Vindhya mountain, which had set out to obstruct the path of the sun,

was brought to tranquility by you; what could be higher than this?

Who on earth could have the capacity to praise your miraculous deeds?

'By the conjunction of our great fortune have you assumed an embodied form!'

We have achieved our purpose in the three worlds, O great sage,

in that we dwell here in the hermitage, protected by you as our lord.

This region far to the south is indeed worthy of praise, O best of brahmins,

yet, though filled with all things, it does not shine without a river.

What is the use of this ruined life if one cannot obtain a ritual ablution in a river?

Not being born at all is better than living in a country without a river.

The ripening of our fortunes has now arrived,

since you have been commanded by the gods: 'Bring forth a great river!'

When this great river has been brought forth in this region by you, O sinless one,

when indeed shall we, having performed our ritual ablutions, attain fulfillment?

What is the use of extensive speculation? Let an effort surely be made

to bring that best of rivers, adored by the world, which affords shelter!"

Glorious Bharadvāja said:

Honoring their pleasing speech, that great brahmin

made the firm resolve: 'I shall bring the river.'

Now, the manner of Agastya's tapas performed for the manifestation of the Suvarṇamukharī.

Permitted by the foremost sages, having worshipped them and the gods,

and having performed a special worship according to the rules for the Enemy of Tripura,

he undertook a severe vow difficult to endure due to manifold hardships,

and with great effort he performed an intense austerity, unattainable by others.

During the dreadful days of the hot season, standing in the midst of four fires,

with his gaze fixed on the sun, he succumbed to no exhaustion.

During the rainy days, though struck by downpours

intolerable due to the violent gusting winds, he experienced no agitation in his heart.

Standing in neck-deep waters during the winter season,

Devoted to recitation and meditation, he underwent no agitation whatsoever. // 29

Then, seeing the delay in the attainment of his desired goal, he

undertook an even firmer steadfastness, terrifying to the worlds. // 2.1.32.30

Restraining mental activity, abstaining from food, with subdued senses,

unaware of external occurrences, he stood then like a stone. // 31

As he was thus performing austerity, from all his limbs a fire,

a flaming, terrifying blaze licking the clouds, issued forth. // 32

Then all the quarters were enveloped by marvelous networks of flames;

distressed by supreme fear, the multitudes of people cried out. // 33

Then, with the world fallen into such frightful turmoil,

the gods bowed to the lotus-born [Brahmā] and informed him. // 34

Now, the arrival of the four-faced [Brahmā] at Agastya's hermitage.

Having consoled them, Brahmā, attended by siddhas and gandharvas,

manifested in front of the pot-born [Agastya] who was performing austerity. // 35

Seeing that supreme Brahmā arrived, the twice-born,

having bowed, pleased him with various hymns of praise, his mind fixed on him. // 36

Then, seeing that Agastya bowed with modesty, the lotus-born [Brahmā],

his face bright with grace, uttered pure speech: // 37

Brahmā said:

I am well-pleased by your austerity, O sinless one, which is difficult to perform.

Choose whatever you desire; I will grant it all, O you of noble vows! // 38

Agastya said:

By your grace everything is attained for me, O Lord.

If you grant a wish, I ask with an unhesitating mind. // 39

Seeing this region devoid of a river, my mind is grieved,

much like the recitation of the Vedic scriptures devoid of comprehension of meaning. // 2.1.32.40

A great river capable of purifying the earth and protecting it—

bestow this favor, O Lord of the gods! This alone is my wish. // 41

Now, the four-faced [Brahmā's] urging of the Gaṅgā upon Agastya's request.

The venerable Bharadvāja said:

Hearing Agastya's words, saying "So be it!"

Brahmā recollected in his mind the river dwelling in the celestial path. // 42

Then, approaching the presence of Parameṣṭhin, the heavenly Gaṅgā

stood, radiant with hands folded in praise placed upon her diadem. // 43

To her who had arrived by his command, her head bowed in humility,

to that maintainer of all the worlds, he spoke these words: // 44

Brahmā said:

O Gaṅgā, you are to be commanded by me in a task beneficial to the world;

your abiding purpose, like mine, is constantly in the protection of the world. // 45

In this region devoid of rivers, in order to set flowing a stream

for the benefit of all worlds, the pot-born [Agastya] desires. // 46

Therefore, descending to the earth with a single portion of yourself, purify

the inhabitants of the earth! Go to the earth along the path shown by him! // 47

When your current has started in the mortal realm, those desiring perfection,

the foremost gods and the best of sages, will resort to you continuously. // 48

Attain supremacy among rivers! Protect the people who take refuge in you!

Do what pleases Agastya! Go happily, O auspicious one! // 49

Bharadvāja said:

Having spoken thus, Brahmā vanished, greeted

by that river and by him with special bows, worship, and praises. // 2.1.32.50

Now, the Gaṅgā's agreement in Agastya's presence to generate a river as a portion of herself.

Then the Gaṅgā, having manifested before the lord of sages an image

consisting of divine light, born of her own portion, uttered these words: // 51

The Gaṅgā said:

Having reached the earth, O beloved of sages, this portion of mine,

assuming the form of a river, will fulfill your desire. // 52

Bharadvāja said:

Having spoken thus, when the river of the siddhas departed, [the portion] sent forth by her

asked, "By which path must I go?"; and the sage spoke to her. // 53

Agastya said:

"Going ahead, O auspicious lady, I shall show [you]

the path fit for your passage; follow after me."

Addressed thus by that sage, she was overjoyed, O sinless one,

and the auspicious lady replied: "I shall do whatever is desired [by you]."

Then the sage, having brought her down from the lord of mountains—her who had assumed the form of a river—from the peak touching the clouds,

went ahead with an exceedingly delighted mind, showing her the desired path.

Thus ends the thirty-second chapter, entitled 'Description of the Manifestation of the Suvarṇamukharī' in the Praise of the Greatness of the Suvarṇamukharī, in the Greatness of the Sacred Veṅkaṭācala, in the second, Vaiṣṇava section of the glorious Skanda Mahāpurāṇa consisting of eighty-one thousand verses.