Holy River Sarasvati
In the holy land of Brahmaavartha, there was a holy river named Sarasvati. That river was the water form of Goddess Sarasvati. She had a strong desire to become the greatest of all rivers including Ganga.
Once Pulastya, one of the Manasa Putras of Brahma (The sons born from Brahma) reached the banks of the Sarasvati River to do penance. She has been in her deep penance to become the greatest of all rivers in the universe but did not correctly receive the sage Pulastya.
He got angry with her and cursed her to have her desires unfulfilled. He said that as the River Ganga is the best and the holiest of all rivers Sarasvati can never become greater than Ganga.
When the sage cursed she also reacted more angrily and cursed him to become the father of demons. On hearing the curse given by her he requested her to withdraw the curse.
Then she said to him, “Of course, my curse cannot be reverted. So you have to get two demon sons who will be very frightening to all the regions of the universe. But your son though is born in your race as a demon he will be very humble and honest. He will become beloved to Lord Vishnu.” She favored him with such an alteration in her curse. She continued her penance.
Swami Pushkarini – Greatest of all Tirthas
Lord Vishnu was pleased with her devotion and appeared before her. She explained to him how she was cursed by Pulastya. Lord Vishnu assured her saying that she need not worry about the curse of the sage. Though she cannot become the greatest of all rivers according to the curse of the sage she can become the greatest of all Tirthas in the universe and becomes the dearest one to Lord Vishnu.
Accordingly, she settled on the Venkatadri as Pushkarini on Dvadasi Tithi of the Bright Fortnight of Dhanurmasa. On the southern bank of Swami Pushkarini, Lord Vishnu settled on this hill as Lord Srinivasa.
Because of the settlement of Srinivasa, this Pushkarini has become the holiest and the greatest of all Tirthas in the Universe. Ever since She, in the form of Pushkarini, has been called Swami Pushkarini.
On Dwadasi
Lord Vishnu further bestowed her with another boon that on this auspicious day of Dvadasi Tithi of Bright Fortnight of Danurmasa, all the holy Tirthas on the Earth will enter into this Pushkarini and celebrate this as your coronation day as the Lord of all Tirthas and call you ‘Swami Pushkarini’.
As said by Lord Vishnu all the Tirthas together declared this as Swami Pushkarini.
Vamana Purana adds another interesting episode related to Swami Pushkarini
Once the sage Markandeya observed a peerless penance in praise of Brahma and when he appeared before him submitted his request to give him enough energy to take a holy dip in all the holy Tirthas in the Universe or to give him the Punya of taking a bath in all of them.
Then Brahma told him to go to Venkatadri and to take a holy dip in Swami Pushkarini. He further said that it is equal to the Punya that one can attain by taking a holy dip in all the Tirthas in the Universe.
Having been advised by Brahma the sage had been to Swami Pushkarini and took a dip in it with great faith and attained the Punya that is equal to taking a bath in all the Tirthas in the Universe.
Thus there are many stories connected to the greatness of this Swami Pushkarini.
*Data Source – Saptagiri Magazine
