Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.2011

c8.2011

PARNAŚĀLĀ. A Village situated in the valley of the mountain Yāmuna. This mountain stands between the rivers Gaṅgā and Yamunā. During the period of Mahābhārata this village was the abode of a great number of eminent scholars. Once there lived in that village a brahmin of Agastyagotra, well-learned, named Śarmi. One day the messengers of Kāla (god of death) came to that village and by mistake took Śarmi to Yamaloka. It was only when they reached there that they understood their folly and Kāla then asked his men to carry him back to earth. Then Śarmi said he would spend the balance of life due to him in Yamaloka itself. But Yama did not allow that. Kāla then told Śarmi the greatness in giving as gifts Til and Vastra (Gingelly and clothes) and sent him back to earth. (Chapter 68, Anuśāsana Parva).