Kurukshetra lies between two of the holiest rivers. Saraswatee and Yamunaa rivers as its northern and eastern boundaries. King Kuru selected this land on the bank of sacred River Saraswatee for spiritual culture and cultivation of eight-fold virtues. King came here on his golden chariot and utilized its gold for making a plough for cultivation. He took the bull of Shiv and buffalo of Yam Raaj on loan and started plowing the land. Indra, the King of Heaven, came and asked Kuru as to what he was doing? King replied that he was preparing the land for growing eight-fold virtues of religious austerity (Tap), truth, forgiveness, kindness, purity, charity, Yog and continence (Brahmcharya). Indra asked him to where he would get the seed of these virtues. King replied that the seed was in his possession. At this Indra laughed and went away.
After king had cultivated land for several days, Vishnu appeared before him and asked as to what he was doing? King replied in the same manner as he had replied when questioned by Indra. Vishnu asked Kuru to give Him the seed and that He would sow it for him. At this Kuru put forward his right arm and the same was cut into 1000 pieces with the Chakra of Vishnu and sown in the field. In the same way king Kuru's left arm, his 2 legs and then his head were offered by him to Vishnu for sowing the seed of virtues.
This act of Kuru pleased Vishnu very much and He blessed him. Indra also appeared at this stage and told that he was also very much pleased with his sacrifice and told him to ask for any boon from him. Kuru there upon was given two boons - one, that this land would forever remain a holy land named after himself, and the other, that anyone dying here would get relieved of the birth and death cycle irrespective of his sins or virtues.
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