Story of Saraswati River and Kavashan

There are numerous stories in Hindu tradition that clearly states that birth (caste) is not the criteria to judge or decide what role of a person should take in society. Legend has it Sage Bhrigu and Sage Angrisas decided to perform a yajna on the banks of Saraswati River. Kavashan, a low caste man, came to participate in the Yajna. He demonstrated his qualification to participate in the yajna by suggesting mantras and chanting many. But out of ignorance, Sage Bhrigu and Sage Angrisas, did not like a person of low caste participating in the yajna.

The sages then tied him up and threw him in a spot where there was no water. They thought he will die without drinking water.

Lying there Kavashan started chanting the mantras of Yajna.

After sometime, the spot where Kavashan was lying was filled with water. Onlookers saw Saraswati River flowing towards Kavashan.

Sage Bhrigu and Sage Angrisas who witnessed this divine event at once realized their folly. They untied Kavashan and asked for his forgiveness.

The sages then successfully conducted the yajna with the mantras suggested by Kavashan.

The story clearly demonstrates that it is not birth but knowledge that decides what role a person should take in society