The Five Ponds

Lord Parashurama created four ponds, or tanks, in Sri Pajaka Kshetra. Each one is named after the particular weapon he used to create the pond. Parashutirtha was created with his ax; Dhanustirtha was created with his bow; Baanatirtha with his arrow; and Gadhaatirtha with his mace. Each of the four ponds reflects a cornerstone of dharma: tapassu (austerity); daye (mercy); shuchi (purity); and Satya (truth). Bathing in these ponds helps a devotee to attain salvation.

As was the tradition in those days, people (including Vasudeva's own parents) collected water from each of the four ponds every day, for ablution and other rituals. The way to the ponds was treacherous, and the distance was too much for many people to traverse. In response to the concern his mother expressed about the difficulty in visiting the ponds, Vasudeva created a fifth pond right in the backyard of his parent's house and demonstrated that the new pond contains water from all four of Parashurama's ponds. This fifth pond, called Vasudevatirtha, still exists. Bathing in these holy waters gives one the utmost kind of salvation.

( Pic: Vasudevatirtha Tank )