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Devi Bhagavatam (Devi
Puranam)
THE SEVENTH BOOK
Chapter I
On the Solar and Lunar Kings
1-5. Sûta said :-- Glad to hear the excellent divine stories of the Solar
and Lunar races, the virtuous King Janamejaya, the son of Parîksit, again
asked :-- “O Lord! I am now very eager to hear the increase of the two lines
of Kings. O Sinless One! You know everything. So kindly describe, in detail,
the pure histories, capable to destroy sins, of the kings and their
characters. The kings of the Lunar and the Solar races were great Bhaktas of
the Highest S'akti, S'rî Bhagavatî Devî; this I have heard. O Muni! Who
wants not to hear further on the glorious anecdotes of the Bhaktas of the
S'rî Devî?” When the Râjarsi asked thus, the Muni Krisna Dvaipâyan, the son
of Satyavatî began to narrate gladly the several deeds of the Kings.
6-13. O King! I am now narrating to you in detail the origin, etc., of the
Lunar and the Solar dynasties as well as of other kings in their connection.
Hear attentively. The four-faced Brahmâ sprang from the navel of Visnu;
engaged in practising Tapasyâ, he began to worship the Mahâ Devî Durgâ,
extremely hard to conceive. Mahâ Devî, pleased at his worship, granted boon
to Brahmâ; Brahmâ, the Grandsire of all the Lokas on thus getting the boon,
became ready to create the world; but he could not create all on a sudden
the human beings. Though the creation was eternally fashioned by the
Pramâtmâ Bhagavatî, the four-faced Brahmâ thinking over in his mind
variously, could not quickly spread it out and accomplish it as a veritable
fact. Therefore He, the Prajâpati, first created mentally the seven
mind-born sons. These were known by the names of Marîchi, Atri, Angirâ,
Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu and Vais'istha. Next sprang Rudra from the anger of
Prajâpati, Nârada from his lap; Daksa from his right thumb. Thus Sanaka and
the other Risis were also his mind-born sons. O King! The wife of Daksa was
born from the left thumb of Prajâpati; this all-beautiful daughter is well
known in all the Purânas by the name of Vîrinî and Asiknî. Nârada, the chief
of the Devarsis, was born, on some other occasion in her womb.
14-17. Janamejaya said :-- “O Brâhmân! A great doubt arises in me to hear
that the great ascetic Nârada was born of Daksa in the womb of Vîrinî. The
Muni Nârada indeed, was the son of Brahmâ; moreover be was the foremost of
the ascetics and especially endowed with the knowledge of Dharma; how, then,
can he be born of the womb of the Daksha's wife Vîrinî. Well, if that be so,
then describe, in detail, that wonderful story of the birth of Nârada in the
womb of Vîrinî.
18-31. O Muni! Under whose curse, the high-souled Nârada though very wise,
had to leave his first body and be born again.” Vyâsa said :-- O King,
Brahmâ, the Self-born, with a view to create offspring, ordered first Daksa
:-- “Go and multiply innumerable children for the increase of the world.”
Thus ordered by his father the Prajâpati Daksa produced five thousand
powerful and heroic sons in the womb of Vîrinî. Seeing all the sons of Daksa,
desirous to multiply, the Devarsi Nârada urged on, as it were, by Fate,
began to laugh at them. How do you desire to multiply when you know not the
dimensions and capacity of earth; so you will, no doubt, be put to ridicule
and laughter. Rather, if you proceed on work, knowing beforehand the earth's
capacity, your efforts will be fruitful. Otherwise, your attempt will no
doubt, end in failures. Alas! You are awfully illiterate! Not knowing the
dimensions of the world, you are ready to multiply your progeny; how, then,
can you meet with success! Vyâsa said :-- O King! Hearing, all on a sudden,
these words, Haryas'va and other sons began to speak with each other, “What
this Muni has told, is very true. Let us then ascertain the earth's
dimensions; we can easily multiply afterwards.” Thus saying, they all went
out to reconnoitre the earth. Thus excited at Nârada's words, some went
eastward, some southwards, some towards the north and some went to west all
simultaneously and, as they liked, to make a survey of the earth. When the
sons went away, Daksa became exceedingly sorry on their absence. Bent again
on multiplying, he begat other sons; those sons again wanted to procreate.
Seeing them, Nârada again laughed and said :--Alas! What fools are you! Not
knowing the dimensions of the earth, why are you ready to procreate? They
were deluded by Nârada's words, took them as true, and went out as their
elder brothers did. Not being able to see those sons, Prajâpati Daksa became
very sorrowful for them and cursed Nârada in rage.
32-38. Daksa said :-- “O Evil-minded One! You have destroyed my sons; so be
yourself destroyed; you will have to be born in the womb for your sin in
causing the death of my sons; you have caused my sons to go abroad; so you
must be born as my son.” Thus cursed by Daksa, Nârada had to take his birth
in the womb of Vîrinî. I heard also that the Prajâpati Daksa begat
afterwards sixty daughters in her womb. O King! Daksa, the great knower of
Dharma, then gave up the sorrows for his sons and married his thirteen
daughters to the high-souled Kas'yapa, ten daughters to Dharma, twenty-seven
daughters to the Moon, two to Bhrigu, four to Aristanemi, two to Kris'âs'va
and the remaining two to Angirâ. Their sons and grandsons, the Devas and
Dânavas, became powerful but antagonistic towards each other. All of them
were heroes and very Mâyâvis; so, deluded by their greed and jealousy, they
quarrelled amongst each other.
Here ends the First Chapter in the Seventh Book on the beginning of the
narrative of the Solar and the Lunar lines of kings in the Mahâ Purânam S'rî
Mad Devî Bhâgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharsi Veda Vyâsa.
Chapter II
On the piercing of the eyes of Chyavana Muni
1. Janamejaya said :-- “O Highly Fortunate One! Kindly narrate in detail the
spread of the families of those kings in the Solar line who were born and
who were especially endowed with the knowledge of Dharma.”
2-8. Vyâsa said :-- O Bharata! I now speak to you exactly what I heard of
yore, from Nârada, the best of the Risis, how the Solar race spread. Once,
on an occasion, the Muni S'rîmân Nârada, on his tour, came at his will to my
holy hermitage on the beautiful banks of the Sarasvatî river. On seeing him
I bowed down at his feet and then remained standing before him. I then gave
him a seat and worshipped him with great esteem. I then said to him :-- “O
Best of Munis! You are worshipped by the whole universe; my retreat is
sanctified by your coming. O All-knowing One! Kindly narrate the histories
of the Kings that were famous in the family of the seventh Manu; they were
unequalled as far as their origin was concerned and their diameters as well
were wonderful. Therefore I am very eager to know, in detail, the history of
the Solar race. O Muni! Describe shortly or in detail as the circumstances
may require.” O King! When I made this question, Nârada, the knower of the
Highest Reality, gladly smiled, and, addressing me, began to describe the
history of the Solar race.
9-26. Nârada said :-- O son of Satyavatî! The history of the royal families
is very holy and pleasant to hear; the more so when they are heard, one
acquires Dharma and wisdom; therefore do you hear. In ancient times, Brahmâ
sprang from the navel-lotus of Visnu and created the world. This is well
known in every Purâna. That self born, all-powerful, all-knowing, the Doer
of all, the Universal Soul practised Tapas in ancient times for Ajuta (ten
thousand) years. By virtue of that Tapas, He got special powers to create
the world. He meditated on the Auspicious Mother, and getting from Her the
excellent powers, He created first the mind-born sons, all endowed with
auspicious signs. Of them, Marîchi became well known in this act of
creation. His son Kas'yapa was respected by all and he was of great
celebrity. He had thirteen wives, all daughters of Daksa Prajâpati. The
Devas, Daityas, Yaksas, Pannagas, beasts and birds all sprang from him.
Therefore this creation is called the Kâs'yapî creation. Amongst the Devas,
the Sun is specially famous; his other name is Vivasvân. His son was named
Vaivasvat Manu; he was a famous king. Besides, Manu had nine more sons.
Iksvâku was the eldest. Their names are: (1) Nâbhâga, (2) Dhrista, (3)
S'aryâti, (4)Narisyanta, (5) Prâns'u, (6) Nriga, (7) Dista, (8) Karûsa, and
(9) Risadhra. Iksvâku, the son of Manu was born first. He had one hundred
sons, and Vikuksi was the wise and the eldest of these. I am now narrating
how the nine sons, born afterwards of Manu, spread their families. Ambarisa
was the son of Nâbhâga; he was very truthful, powerful, and religious. He
always governed his subjects justly. Dhârstaka was the son of Dhrista;
though he was a Ksattriya, he attained to Brâhmanhood. He was naturally weak
in fighting; always be was engaged in the works relating to the Brâhmanas.
Ânarta was the well known son and Sukanyâ was the beautiful daughter of
S'aryâti. The King S'aryâti gave his beautiful daughter in marriage to the
blind Chyavana Risi; but the Risi, though blind, got his beautiful eyes
again by the good character of the daughter. We heard that the As'vins, the
Twins, the sons of the Sun, gave him back his eyesight.
27-29. Janamejaya said :-- “O Brahmâns! How is it that the King S'aryâti
married his lovely-eyed daughter Sukanyâ to the blind Chyavana Muni? I have
got a great doubt on this point. The King gives his daughter in marriage to
a blind person, if she be deformed, ill-qualified or void of female signs.
But the daughter, in this case, was beautiful. How then S'aryâti, the Chief
of Kings, gave over his daughter, knowing that the Risi was blind? O
Brâhmana! I am always an object of favour to you; so explain to me the cause
of it.”
30. Sûta said :-- Glad to hear these words of Janamejaya, the Muni
Dvaipâyana smilingly said :--
31-50. S'aryâti, the son of Vaivasvata, had four thousand married wives. All
of them were endowed with auspicious signs and beautiful all of them were
daughters of kings. They all were very obliging and dear to their husbands.
But, out of all of these, the King had only one daughter exceptionally
lovely and beautiful. The father and all the mothers loved exceedingly that
sweet-smiling daughter. Not very far off the city, there was a beautiful
lake of clear waters, like the Mânasarovara lake. A Ghât way (steps) made of
stones descended into the lake. Swans Kârandavas, Chakravâkas, Datyu'has,
Sârasas and other birds used to play on its waters. Five varieties of
lotuses were there in full bloom, bees were humming there all around.
Various trees, S'âl, Tamâla, Sarala, Punnâgas, As'okas, Banyans, Peepuls,
Kadambas, rows of banana trees, Jambîrs, Dates, Panasas, Betelnut trees,
cocoanut trees, Ketakas, Kânchanas, and other various beautiful trees
encircled round the lake. Within these, the white Yûthikâs, Mallikâs, and
other creepers and shrubs were seen beautifying the scenery. Especially
there were, amongst them, Jack trees, Mango trees, tamarind trees, Karanjas,
Kutakas, Palâs'as, Neem trees, Khadiras, Bel trees, and Âmalaki trees; and
peacocks were sounding their notes, cuckoos were cooing their beautiful
voices. Close to that place, there was, in a sacred grove covered over by
trees, staying Chyavana Muni, the Bhrigu's son, of a tranquilled mind, and
the chief of the ascetics. Thinking the place lovely and free from any
obstacles, the Muni took his firm seat there and, collecting all his
thoughts within himself, took the vow of non-speaking and controlling his
breath became engaged in practising tapasyâ. Restraining his senses and
foregoing eating and drinking, that Muni constantly meditated on Bhagavatî
of the nature of Sat, Chit and Ânanda, O King! While he was thus meditating,
the anthill grew up round and covered his body and nice creepers covered
that also all round. O King! Long intervals passed away and it was covered
over with ants; so much so that that intelligent Muni was covered entirely
and looked like a heap of earth. O King! Once the King S'aryâti wanted to
play in an artificial wilderness and came there to the lake with his wives.
S'aryâti became at once deeply engaged in playing on the clear waters of the
lake, surrounded by the beautiful females. On the other hand, the quick
beautiful daughter Sukanyâ, picking up flowers here and there with her
companions also began to play. Dressed in ornaments, Sukanyâ, walked to and
fro; her anklets making a beautiful tinkling sound, till she came to the
ant-hill of Chyavana Risi. She sportingly sat close to that anthill and
instantly saw a shining substance inside through that, like fireflies. “What
is this?” She thought and wishing to take it, took a thorn and became very
eager to prick it up.
51-59. Slowly she went close to it and no sooner she got ready to prick it,
than the Muni saw the beautiful, good-haired daughter as if to one's liking.
The ascetic Bhârgava, seeing that auspicious nice lady with nice teeth,
spoke out in a feeble voice :-- “What are you doing? O thin-bellied One! I
am an ascetic; better go away from here. You have got such big-eyes, yet you
do not see me. I therefore forbid you in your this attempt; do not pierce
the anthill with thorn.” Though prevented, the daughter could not hear his
words and asking “What was that?” pierced his two-eyes with thorns. Thus
impelled by Fate, the princess sportingly pierced his eyes; but she
suspected and thought “What have I done?” Thus becoming afraid she returned
from that spot. His two eyes being pricked, the great Muni exceedingly
pained, became very wrathful he incessantly gave vent to sorrows and
remorse, being restless with pain. At that instant it happened that the
king, ministers, soldiers, elephants, horses, camels, so much so that all
the beings that were there, had all their evacuations (passing their urines
and faeces) stopped. Seeing thus happened all on a sudden, the King S'aryâti
was very much pained and became very anxious. All the soldiers came to the
King and informed him of the stoppage of their evacuations. The King thought
over the cause why this had happened.
60-65. Cogitating thus, the King returned home. Becoming very much troubled
with cares and anxieties, He asked his soldiers and kinsmen “Who amongst you
has done such an heinous act? On the west side of the lake the Maharsi
Chyavana is practising the great tapasyâ in the midst of the forest; I think
someone has done mischief to that king of ascetics, blazing like a fire; and
therefore we are overcome with this disease. The highsouled aged son of
Bhrigu has become specially proficient in his asceticism and has become
supreme; I think someone must have injured him. Though I do not know who is
that mischievous person that has shown him contempt or like that, this our
state at present clearly shews that this is the fit punishment of that.”
Hearing this, the soldiers said :-- None of us has committed any mischief by
word, mind or body; we know this very well.
Here ends the Second Chapter of the Seventh Book on the piercing of the eyes
of Chyavana Muni in S'rî Mad Devî Bhâgavatam the Mahâ Purânam, of 18,000
verses, Maharsi Veda Vyâsa.
On the bestowing of the daughter of the King S’aryâti to Chyavana Muni
1-11. Vyâsa said :-- O King! Thus the King, troubled with cares asked his
soldiers, in an angry mood. Next he asked his friends in sweet words. The
princess, seeing his father and his soldiers sorrowful, thought of her
piercing the two eyes of the Muni with a thorn and thus spoke to the King
:-- O Father! While sporting in that forest, I came to see a very hard
anthill covered with creepers and shrubs wherein I found two holes, O King!
Through those small openings, I saw the two shining things as if they were
fireflies and thinking them so I pierced them with thorns. At this time a
faint voice I heard coming from that anthill. “Oh! I am killed!” I then took
out my thorns and found them wet with water. “What is this!” I asked myself
and was thunderstruck with fear; but I could not know what I pierced in that
anthill. Hearing these gentle words of her daughter, the King S'aryâti
thought that that act had no doubt insulted the Muni and went at once to the
anthill. He broke the anthill that covered the Muni and saw the suffering
Chyavana aged in practising Tapasyâ, very much in pain. The King prostrated
flat before the Muni and then with folded hands, praised him with hymns and
humbly said to him :-- “O Intelligent One! My daughter has done this wrong
act while sporting; Therefore O high-souled One! What she had done
unknowingly, do you forgive out of your own high-hearted-ness and
liberality. I have heard that the ascetics are always void of anger;
therefore now you have to forgive this daughter of the offence and thus shew
your kindness.”
12-16. Vyâsa said :-- The Maharsi Chyavana, hearing thus the King's words
and specially seeing his humble and distressed nature, said :-- O King! I
never was angry a bit; your daughter had pained me; yet I am not angry and
have not cast on her any curse; you better see, that I am innocent; much
pain is felt by me due to my eyes being pricked. O King! It seems that you
are sorry and troubled for that sin. Who can acquire happiness in this world
who has committed a great offence to a Bhakta of the Devî, in spite he gets
even S'iva as his Protector. O King! On the one hand, I am now worn out by
old age, and then, on the other hand, I am deprived of my eyes; what shall
be now my means? Please say, who will take care of the blind man?
17. The King said :-- O Muni! The anger of the ascetics is transient; you
are in practice of your tapasyâ; so your anger is a thing of impossibility.
So kindly forgive the offence of the daughter. I have got many persons who
will incessantly take care of you.
18-22. Chyavana said :-- “O King! There is none of my relations with me;
then I am now made blind; how shall I go on with my tapasyâ? I do not think
that your servants will take care of me. O King! If you think it your duty
to please me, then do my word, give me your lotus-eyed daughter to serve me
and take care of me. O King! I will be very glad if I acquire your daughter;
she will serve me when I will be engaged in my tapasyâ. O King! This, if
observed, will satisfy me and all the troubles that are now with you and
your army will no doubt disappear. O King! Think and grant me your daughter;
I am an ascetic observing vows and if you give over your daughter to me, you
will not incur any sin nor any fault.”
23-31. Vyâsa said :-- O Bharata! Hearing thus the Muni's words, the King
S'aryâti was immersed in cares and could not say anything whether he would
or would not give over his daughter to him. The King thought, “My daughter
is very fair like a Devakanyâ and this Muni is aged, ugly and specially he
is blind; how then can I be happy if I give over my daughter to him. Who is
there so stupid and vicious that knowing his good and bad, he for his own
selfish happiness wants to deprive his beautiful daughter of the enjoyments
of her married life. How will that fair eyebrowed daughter of mine pass her
days happily in the company of this aged Muni when she will be overpowered
by passion. The more so when the young beautiful ladies are not able to
conquer their passions though possessed of husbands of their own standard
and liking, how then can my daughter conquer her passion on getting this old
blind husband! The exquisitely beautiful Ahalyâ married Gautama; but, seeing
the youthful beauty of that lovely lady, Indra deceived her and took away
her chastity. Till at last, her husband Gautama finding that action contrary
to Dharma, cursed him. Now through the severe curse of that Brâhmana many
troubles may arise; so I cannot in any case give my daughter Sukanyâ over to
him.” Thus thinking and absent-minded the King went back to his home and,
being very distressed, called his ministers to form a council. O Ministers!
What am I to do now? Is it advisable to give over my daughter to the Muni?
Or is it better to suffer these pains? Judge and say what is the best course
for me.
32. The Ministers said :-- “O King! What shall we say in this critical
juncture? How can you bestow your exceedingly beautiful daughter to that
ugly unfortunate ascetic?”
33-45. Dvaipâyana said :-- At this moment, seeing her father and ministers
troubled very much with cares, Sukanyâ understood at once everything by
signs and hints; she then smilingly said to her dear father :-- “O Father!
Why are you looking so sad with cares? Perhaps you are very much troubled
and sad for me. O Father! I have pained that Muni; so I will go and console
him; what more than this that I will give up myself at his feet and please
him.” Hearing these words of Sukanyâ, the King spoke to her very gladly
before all the ministers. O Daughter! The Chyavana Muni is blind, aged and
of a worn figure, especially of a very irritable temper; and you are a mere
girl; how will you be able to serve him in that dreadful forest? You are
like Rati in beauty and loveliness; how can I bestow my daughter to that
aged worn out, blind Muni for my own pleasure! The father marries the
daughter to him who has got relations, who is of a proper age, strong, who
has got unequalled grains and wealth, gems and jewels; never to a man void
of wealth. O broad-eyed One! You are exquisitely handsome; and that ascetic
is very old; see what an amount of difference lies between you two. The Muni,
moreover, has past his marriageable age; so how can I give over my daughter.
O Lotus-eyed! You always dwell in beautiful places; how can I now make you
dwell for ever in thatched huts? O Cuckoo avoiced one! Rather will I and my
soldiers die than to bestow you to that blind husband. Let whatever come it
may, I will never lose patience; therefore, O One of good hips! Be quiet. I
will never give you to that blind man. O my Daughter! I don’t care a straw
whether my kingdom and my body live or die, but I will never be able to give
you over to the ascetic. Hearing thus the father's words, Sukanyâ began to
speak with a glad face the following sweet and gentle words :--
46-48. O Father! Do not trouble yourself for nothing with cares on my
account. Give me over now to that best of Munis; then all the persons will
be happy, no doubt. I will derive my intense pleasure there in that dense
forest by serving with intense devotion my old husband, who is very holy. I
have got not the least inclination towards these worldly enjoyments which
are the sources of all troubles for nothing, My heart is now quiet.
Therefore, O Father! I will become a chaste wife to him and act according to
his liking.
49-54. Vyâsa said :-- O King! The Ministers were greatly amazed on hearing
these words and the King also became greatly pleased and took her to the
presence of the Muni. Going before him, he bowed down to the Muni and said
:-- “O Lord! Please accept duly this daughter for your Sevâ.” Thus saying,
the King betrothed his daughter to him according to rules. Chyavana Muni
also became very glad to receive her. The Muni took the daughter willingly
for his Sevâ but refused other dowries that the King presented. Thus the
Muni became pleased; immediately the soldiers began to evacuate and were
very glad. Seeing this, the King's heart became filled with joy. When the
King, thus finishing the betrothal ceremony of his daughter wanted to return
home, the thin bodied princess then told her father :--
55-64. Sukanyâ said :-- “O Father! Take away all my ornaments and clothings
and give me for my use an excellent deer skin and one bark. O Father! I will
dress myself like the wives of Munis and serve my husband in such a way as
will bring to you the unparallelled undying fame in Heaven, Earth and the
Nether regions; also I will serve my husband's feet so that I can derive the
highest happiness in the next world. I am now full of youth, especially
beautiful; do not think a bit that as I am wedded to an aged ascetic, that
my character will be spoilt. As Vas'istha's wife Arundhati has attained
celebrity in this world, so I will also attain success; there is no doubt in
this. As the chaste wife Anasûyâ of Maharsi Artri has become widely known in
this world so will I be known also and establish your fame.” The exceedingly
religious King hearing all these words of Sukanyâ gave her deer skin and all
other articles wanted. The King could not help weeping, when he saw that his
daughter had dressed herself like the daughter of a Muni. He stood fixed,
very sad, on that very spot. All the queens were exceedingly filled with
sorrow to see the daughter dressed in bark and deer-skin. Their hearts
quivered and they began to weep. O King! Then the King S'aryâti bade good
bye to the Muni, leaving there his daughter. He went with a grievous heart
and returned to his own city, accompanied by the ministers.
Here ends the Third Chapter of the Seventh Book on the bestowing of the
daughter of the King S'aryâti to the Chyavana Muni in S'rî Mad Devî
Bhâgavatam, the Mahâ Purânam of 18,000 verses, by Maharsi Veda Vyâsa.
Chapter IV
On the conversation between the two As’vins and the Princess Sukanyâ
1-38. Vyâsa said :-- O King! When the King S'aryati departed, that virtuous
lady devoted her time in serving her husband, and the Fire. She gave to the
Muni for his food various delicious roots and fruits. She made him bathe
with warm water; then making him put on the deer skin, she made him sit on
the Kus'âsan. (Seat made of the Kus'a grass.) Next she used to place in his
front Kus'a, Til and Kamandalu and speak to him “O best of Munis! You are
now to perform your daily rites (Nitya Karma).” When the Nitya Karma was
finished, the lady used to catch him by his hand and make him sit on another
seat. Next the princess brought fresh ripe fruits and cooked rice, grown
without cultivation and gave to the Muni for his food. When the husband
finished his meals, she gave him devotedly water for cleansing his mouth;
then washing his hands and feet gave him the betelnuts and pân leaves. Next
she made him sit on an excellent seat, and with his permission, performed
her own bodily purifications. She then, used to eat the remnants, fruits and
roots of the dishes of her husband; and coming next to her husband addressed
him affectionately “O Lord! Order me what can I do now for you? If you like,
I may shampoo your legs and feet.” Thus every day that princess devotedly
spent her time in serving her husband. At evening when the Homa ceremony was
finished, she collecting delicious and soft fruits presented to him to eat.
With his permission she, then, ate that were left of the fruits; next she
prepared bedding soft to the touch and gladly made him sleep on it. When his
dear husband thus laid himself on the bed, she shampooed his feet and legs
and in the interval, asked him about the religious duties of the chaste
wives of the family. When the Muni fell asleep in the night, she devotedly
laid herself close to his feet and slept. During the summer season when her
husband was perspiring, the lady used to fan him with cool breeze. She took
off his troubles and thus served her husband. In the cold season, she
collected firewood and lit them before him and used to ask him frequently “O
Muni! Are you feeling pleasure in this?” That lady, dear to her husband,
used to get up from her bed in the Brâhma Muhûrta before Sunrise, next made
her husband get up and took him some short way off and there made him sit
for calling on nature. She kept ready water and earth and stood in readiness
at a suitable distance apart. Knowing that he had finished his calls for
nature, she took him back to the Âs'ram, and washed his hands and feet with
water duly making him sit on a convenient Âsana. She then gave to him the
pot for Âchamana and then began to collect fuel. She used to bring pure
clear water and made it hot; then she asked her husband fondly “O Husband!
Have you finished cleaning your teeth? Warm water is ready; may I bring it
to you? You better bathe with that, uttering your Mantrams. The time is now
for performing the morning Sandhyâ and for performing Homa. Do the Homa
regularly and worship the Devas.” The princess, whose nature was pure and
clean as anything, kept herself engaged daily in serving her husband,
Chyavana Muni, with perfect gladness, austerity, and observing all the rules
duly. Thus that beautiful-faced princess worshipped gladly Chyavana Muni,
serving Fire and the guests daily. Then, once, on an occasion, the As'vin
twins, the sons of Sûrya came sporting and at their pleasure, close to the
hermitage of the Chyavana Muni. At that time the princess, beautiful in all
respects, was returning home after her bath in a pure clear stream and came
to the sight of the two As'vins. Being enchanted by her extraordinary lovely
beauty, they thought she might be a Deva Kavyâ, quickly went to her and
fondly questioned her :-- “O slow moving One like an elephant! Look! We are
the sons of Devas; we have come to you to ask some questions. O Excellent
One! Wait for a moment; we request thus to you. O Sweet-smiling One! Please
answer our questions truly and properly. O Lovely-eyed! Whose daughter are
you? Who is your husband Why have you come here alone to bathe in this tank?
O Lotus-eyed! You seem to be a second Laksmî; O Beautiful One! We want to
know something; please reply exactly. O Beloved! Your feet are exceedingly
gentle; why have you not put on any shoes; why are you walking barefooted?
Our hearts are being troubled to see you walking thus barefooted? O Thin
bodied One! Your body is very soft that you ought to have gone in a car; why
are you thus walking on foot and in such an ordinary dress in this forest?
Why have not hundreds of maid-servants accompanied you? O lovely faced One!
Speak truly whether you are a princess or Apsarâ. O Sinless One! Blessed is
your mother from whom you are born, blessed is your father. Specially the
person with whom you are married, we are unable to describe his fortune. O
Lovely eyed! This earth is being sanctified by the movements of your feet;
consequently this garden is now purer today than the Devaloka. Boundless is
the fortune of these deer and birds who can see you whenever they like; what
more can we say than this that this forest is rendered very pure. O Fair One
with fair eyes! It is needless to praise your beauty; speak truly who is
your father and who is your husband; we like very much to see them.”
39-56. Vyâsa said :-- O King! On hearing their words, the exquisitely
beautiful princess bespoke to the twin Devas with much bashfulness :-- I am
the daughter of S'aryati; father has given me over, under the directions of
the Daiva, to the Maharsi Chyavana. I am his chaste dear wife; the Maharsi
is staying in this very place. O Twin Devas! My husband is a blind ascetic
and he is very aged. I gladly serve him day and night according to the rules
of chastity amongst women. Who are you? And why have you come here? My
husband is staying in the Âs'rama; kindly come and sanctify the As'rama. O
King! The two As'vins heard her and said :-- “O Auspicious One! Why has your
father betrothed you, such a gem, to an old ascetic? It is very strange.
Indeed! In this solitary forest you are shining like a steady lightning;
what more can we say than this that we hardly find a beautiful lady like
you, even in the Devaloka! Alas! The Deva dress and a full set of ornaments
and blue dyes look well on you; this deer-skin and barks of trees in no way
fit you. O Beautiful One! Your eyes are very large; yet the Creator has
given you a blind husband; specially a very aged one; and you are wearing
away by constantly dwelling with your blind husband in this forest. What
more can be wrong for the Creator than this? O deer-eyed One! In vain you
have selected him for your husband. At this period of your youth and beauty
it does not look at all well to see you with your blind husband. You are
versed in dancing and music; but your husband is blind and aged; when in
dancing you will shoot your darts of love, on whom then, will those arrows
fall? O large-eyed One! Oh! The Creator is certainly of a very little
understanding! Else why would he have made you, so full of youthful
vitality, the wife of a blind man? O lovely-eyed One! You are never fit for
him; select another husband. O Lotus-eyed One! Your husband is not only
blind but an ascetic; so your life is quite useless; we do not consider it
fit that you reside in this forest and put on this bark and deer-skin. O
dark-eyed One! Your body and every limb thereof is very beautiful; judge
well and make one amongst us your husband. O Proud One! Why are you being so
very beautiful, spending your youth in vain in serving this Muni? No good
signs are visible in this Muni; he cannot maintain nor protect you even ;
why are you, then, serving him in vain? O spotless One! Leave at once this
Muni, quite incapable in giving any sort of pleasure, and marry one of us. O
Beloved! Then you will enjoy in the Nandana Kânana or in the forest of
Chaitratarha. O Proud One! How will you spend your time with the aged
husband, being brought to so much humiliation and without any dignity and
self-respect. You are endowed with all auspicious signs; moreover you are a
princess; you are not ignorant of all enjoyments in this world; why then you
like to live such an unfortunate life in vain in this forest? O Princess!
Your face is exceedingly beautiful; your eyes are wide and your waist is
thin. Your voice is sweet like a cuckoo. Who is more beautiful than you?
Quit now your aged ascetic husband and marry one of us for your happiness;
then you will be able to enjoy excellent celestial things in the heavens. O
good-haired one! What pleasure can you derive by your staying in this forest
with your blind husband! O deer-eyed One. It is very painful for you to
serve at this young age of yours, to remain in this forest and serve this
aged man. O Princess! Is it that you like troubles and nothing else. O One
with a face lovely like the Moon! We see that you are of a very soft body;
so to collect water and fruits is never a duty fit for you.
Here ends the Fourth Chapter in the Seventh Book on the conversation between
the two As'vins and the Princess Sukanyâ in S'rî Mad Devî Bhâgavatam, the
Mahâ Purânam, of 18,000 verses, by Maharsi Veda Vyâsa.
THE SEVENTH BOOK
Chapter V
On the getting of youth by Chyavana Muni
1-6. Vyâsa said :-- O King! Hearing their words, the princess began to
tremble; but holding on patience she spoke to them in reserved terms thus
:-- You are the sons of Sûrya and you are the acknowledged deities amongst
the gods; specially you know everything, I am a chaste virtuous woman. You
ought not to speak to me in the above mannner. O Twin Devas! Father has
betrothed me to the Muni practising the Yoga Dharma; besides I am chaste;
how can I behave like a prostitute! This Sun is the Witness of the actions
good or bad of all people; He is therefore looking on our actions also.
Besides you both are born in the family of the high-souled Kas'yapa. Thus it
is utterly wrong for you to utter such (irreligious and infamous) words. You
know well the course of Dharma, what is religious and what is irreligious in
this world which has got nothing substantial; how can a family woman leave
her husband and serve another? Go wherever you like, O Sinless Devas! I am
the daughter Sukanyâ of the King S'aryâti, devoted to my husband. Otherwise
I will curse you.
7-11. Vyâsa said :-- O Bharata! Hearing these words, the As'vins were
greatly surprised, and, afraid of the Muni, spoke again :-- “O Princess! We
are very much pleased to see your chastity; therefore, O Beautiful Woman!
Ask boon from us; we will grant it for your welfare. O honoured Woman! We,
the physicians of the gods, will certainly make your husband exceedingly
beautiful and young, O Smart and Intelligent One! When we three will be
exactly the same in figure, age and lustre! you better can make one of us
your husband.” Hearing their words Sukanyâ became greatly amazed and went to
her own husband and spoke everything what they, the God's physicians, said.
12-17. Sukanyâ said :-- “O Husband! The As'vins, the Sûrya's sons, have come
close to our Âs'rama. I have seen the two Devas and their bright bodies.
Seeing me beautiful they were overpowered with passion and told me, “We
will, be sure, make your blind husband, young, bright and give him his two
eyes again; but you will have to make one condition. Hear it :--Your husband
will be exactly like us and you will have to select your husband amongst
three of us.” O Holy One! Hearing this as strange, I now come to inform you.
Now judge and say what I am to do now. The Deva's Maya is very difficult to
comprehend; the more so, when I do not know their intentions! O Omniscient
One! I will act as you desire.”
18-19. Chyavana said :-- “O Beloved! Go just now, at my word, to the As'vins
and bring them, O auspicious One! before me. What more shall I say than this
:-- Go and observe, what they say, as early as possible. There is no need to
think over this matter.”
20-25. Vyâsa said :-- O King! Thus getting the permission from her husband,
Sukanyâ went immediately to them and said :-- “O As'vins! You are the chief
gods; now do as you say. I agree to observe what you desire.” Hearing her
words, the two Devas then went to the Muni's Âs'rama and told the princess
:-- “Let your husband enter in the midst of the water.” The aged Chyavana
Muni went down quickly in the midst of waters to attain a good form. Next
the two As'vins entered into the water of that tank. A few minutes after,
the three persons came out of the tank. All were equally bright, equally
beautiful, equally young and their limbs were decorated equally with
earrings and various other ornaments. They all spoke simultaneously :--“O
Auspicious One! There is no other woman beautiful like you, especially your
face is very clean and fair; therefore select any one of us three as your
husband. O Fair One! Whomever you love most, choose him.”
26-30. Vyâsa said :-- O King! Sukanyâ then saw their bodies are equally
bright and beautiful; not the least difference is to be found in beauty,
age, voice and dress. She became doubtful on seeing their equal appearances.
The princess, not being able to distinguish her husband, became very anxious
and thought :-- “What am I to do now? Whom to choose? They are exactly the
same. I cannot distinguish who is my real husband? This may be the magic set
up by the two As'vins. However, I am put to a great crisis. I won't ever
select another who is not my husband. Therefore my death is well nigh; what
to do now? The third form seen now may be also a Deva's son.” Thus
cogitating, she resolved to meditate on the Highest Prakriti, the Lady of
the Universe, the most Auspicious One. Then the thin-bellied princess began
to sing the hymns of the Bhagavatî.
31-38. Sukanyâ said :-- “O World-Mother! Under most painful circumstances I
take refuge unto Thee; preserve my chastity; I bow down to Thy feet. O Devî!
Salutations to Thee, born of lotus. O Thou, the dear consort of S'ankara!
Salutations to Thee. O Thou favourite to Visnu, O Mother of the Vedas! O
Sarasvatî! Salutations to Thee, Thou hast created the world, moving and
unmoving; Thou art preserving it without being least excited; again Thou art
swallowing it for the peace and well-being of all. What more, Thou art the
Most Worshipful Mother of Brahmâ, Visnu, and Mahes'a. Thou always illuminest
the understanding of the illiterate and Thou always grantest liberation to
the Jñânins. Thou art the Prime Prakriti in fullness and the Beloved of the
Prime Purusa. Thou grantest Bhukti (enjoyment) and Mukti (freedom) to the
souls that are cleansed and pure; Thou givest pain to those that are
entirely void of knowledge and Thou grantest happiness to those that are
endowed with Sattva Guna. O Mother! Thou bestowest Siddhi (the success, the
eight supernatural powers), fame, and victory to the Yogis! Being merged in
an ocean of bewilderment, I come now to take refuge unto Thee. O Mother! The
two Devas are playing hypocrisy with me; thus puzzled I can’t fix my mind
whom to select; therefore I am merged in an ocean of sorrow. Save me by
showing my real husband. O Omniscient One! Knowing my vow of chastity dost
Thou enlighten me so that I can know my husband.”
39-58. Vyâsa said :-- O King! Thus pleased by the Sukanyâ's prayers, the
Devî Tripurâ Sundarî then imparted to her the pleasant Sattva Jñân
(knowledge pertaining to Sattva Guna). She then looked again at the three
personages, and though they were similar in appearance and beauty, instantly
she recognised mentally her husband and chose him. When Sukanyâ selected the
Muni Chyavana, the two Devas became greatly pleased to see that. The two
Devas were pleased by the grace of Bhâgavatî; they were further pleased to
see the Dharma of chastity and granted her the boon. They then bade good-bye
to Chyavana and were ready to start to their own place when Chyavana being
very much pleased to get through their grace, his beauty, youth and wife,
interrupted them, saying “O high-minded Devas! You have done much good to
me. I used to feel pain every day, in spite of my having this wife having
good hairs! But owing to your mercy, I cannot describe how happy I am now in
this world of woes and troubles. I was very aged and blind and was without
any enjoyment but it is you that coming to this forest have brought to me
eyes, youth and exquisite beauty. Therefore, O twin Devas! I desire to do
something good to you in return. Fie on him, who does not return anything
for the good that he has received from a beneficent friend. That man remains
indebted for ever in this world; therefore I am desirous to give you two now
whatever you want. O twin Devas! Even if the Devas or the Asuras find it
difficult to attain, I will give that to you to free myself of the debt I
owe to you. I am greatly pleased at your good deed; therefore be kind enough
to speak out whatever you desire.” They began to consult with each other,
and spoke to the Muni Chyavana who was seated with Sukanya beside him :-- “O
Maharsi! We have got all our desires by the grace of Father! Still it is
difficult for us to drink some libation along with the other Devas and we
thirst after that very strongly. At the great sacrifice of Brahmâ in the
Golden Mountain (Kanakâchala), Indra, the King of the Devas, ordered us not
to drink Soma, as we were physicians. Therefore, O Knower of Dharma! O
Ascetic! You will certainly do us a great favour if you can make us drink
the Soma juice; we would be very glad and have our desires satisfied.” Thus
hearing the words of the As'vins, Maharsi Chyavana gladly spoke to them the
following gentle words, O Twin Devas! I was blind and aged; but now I am
become a young and beautiful man, and it is by your grace that I have got
back my wife. Therefore I speak this truly before you that at the great
sacrifice of the lustrous King S'aryâti, I will gladly make you drink the
Soma in the presence of Indra, the King of the Devas. Hearing these words of
the Muni, the twin As'vins were greatly pleased and went back to the world
of the Devas. And the Muni Chyavana, too, returned to his own As'rama with
his wife Sukanyâ.
Here ends the Fifth Chapter of the Seventh Book on the getting of youth by
Chyavana Muni in S'rî Mad Devî Bhâgavatam the Mahâ Purânam of 18,000 verses,
by Maharsi Veda Vyâsa.
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