Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.1299

c8.1299

6) Fight with Prahlāda. Once Cyavana the son of Bhṛgu went to Nākuleśvara tīrtha (Bath) to take his bath in the river Narmadā. As soon as he got into the water the serpent called Kekaralohita caught hold of him. Cyavana meditated on Viṣṇu. So the poison of the serpent did not affect him. The huge serpent dragged Cyavana to Pātāla (the Nether world). But as his poison did not affect the hermit the serpent left the prey and went away. The Nāga damsels welcomed him and showed hospitality. Being greeted by the Nāga damsels he travelled through Pātāla and reached the great city of Dānavas. The asura chiefs greeted him with respect. Prahlāda met Cyavana, and received him with pleasure. The hermit said to Prahlāda. "I came to bathe in the Mahātīrtha and worship Nākuleśvara. When I got into the river a serpent caught hold of me and brought me to Pātāla, and made it possible for me to meet you." Hearing these words of Cyavana the King of the asuras said: "Oh good Lord! which are the holy baths in the earth, the sky and the Pātāla? Would you be pleased to tell us?" Cyavana replied: "Oh! powerful and mighty King! The holy baths are Naimiṣa on the earth, Puṣkara on the sky and Cakra tīrtha in Pātāla; these are the most important ones."