A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.2097

c5.2097

VIPĀS, VIPĀSĀ. The river Byās, the Hyphasis or Bibasis of the classical writers. A legend relates that it obtained its name through the sage Vasistha, who, wishing to commit suicide, bound his limbs with cords and threw himself into the water. The river, declining to drown him, cast him unbound (*vipāsa*) on its bank.