Vishnu Creates Illusion for Vrinda

Yudhish(hira said:

1. О brahmana, please tell me what happened after the illusive5iva had (thus) bewildered Parvati.

Narada said:

2-5a. The heart of Vish*iu lying in the ocean was disturbed. All of a sudden, О best king, his eyes were full of tears. Seeing that sign of a great portent, the lord then getting up from the bed of Sesha, looked at me and Vayu, and thinking, ‘What should be done (now)? ’ remembered (Garuda) the enemy of the ser­pents. He too, merely by being remembered, stood with his palms joined before the lord. Seeing before him (Garu< Ja) the son ofVinata, Vishnu said:

5b-9a. “O Suparfla, go there where the battle is going on. Seeing whether the hero Jalandhara is killed or Shiva is deluded by him, quickly come (back) and tell everything to me. You alone are capable of seeing the battle between Jalandhara and the lord. Who else after knowing (what is going on) in the great battle would come (back) alive? At times the battle there was hard to be understood due to the showers of weapons and missiles. Going there (as fast) as the movement of an arrow, and with your body covered, come back after having observed the condition of Parvati.”

9b-10. LordVishnu after having thought about removing the illusion caused by the demon, quickly gave a pill fully end­owed with supernatural powers to Garuda. (He said to Garuqla: ) “O hero, due to this (pill) you will not be illusioned.” Saying, “All right”, he (i.e. Garuda) put it into his mouth.

11-17a. The bird (i.e. Garuda) thus urged by the lord went round Vishtiu keeping him to his right, and he, of a wonderful speed, moved out, and having entered the sky, went (to the battlefield). Having gone there he saw unbearable terrible fight with the hosts of demons; but he did not know anything fully. Therefore, he flew speedily and went to (the region) Manasottara, (a part of) the mountain, which was very high, inaccessible, and difficult to be reached even by gods. The lord of birds (though he tried) to see, could not see the place of Parvati. Having come there, (Garuda) the enemy of serpents heard a sound. After having gone near he saw the illusive lord of beings (i.e. Shiva). After having put into his mouth the pill, Garuda was not illusioned. He knew and understood that he was a demon and not Shiva. “Oh, (how) painful! ” Saying so and weep­ing, he, having come (back) to the ocean, narrated the account to the enemy of Kaitabha (i.e. Vishriu):

17b-22. “O god, Jalandhara has imitated god Shiva. He, the sinful one, disguised (as Shiva) has deceived Parvati. Therefore, О Vishnu, if you are a god, (then now) go to the battlefield. О lord of gods, (please) fight deceitfully with Jalandhara. I have seen his queen on the auspicious seat at Jalandhara. She was sporting by playing upon musical instruments and songs on the ground of the palace. She is more beautiful than Parvati and a hundred (nymphs like) Rambha and Urvasi. Now neither in the human world nor in the nether world is there a wife like her. Therefore, О Vishnu, she is fit to be asso­ciated with. What then can be said about (other) ladies. A man, who would touch her with his body would be blessed. And she is the wife of your wife’s brother. Kidnap her who is dear to Lakshmi. Do a good turn to Shiva and please yourself.”

Narada said:

23-27. Having heard the words of Garu^a (Vishnu) dear to Lakshmi, properly designed a remedy, and quickly sent away the bird. Having deceived Lakshmi, and having covered her with a yellow garment (as she lay) on the bed, he went out with (i.e. after having taken up) another form and through his divine magical power Vishnu was fascinated by the love for Vrndarika. Seeing Hari (i.e. Vishnu) going (after) having covered himself, О Yudhishthira, Sesha also came in another form to Vishnu, and devoutly said to him: “You (please) wait. Allow me (to go). О Vishnu, tell me what I should do, where I should go. (Tell me) the mission. It would be a pleasure (if) I shall always eat after seeing your face.”

The lord said:

28-32. I shall after covering my body, kidnap the charming wife of Jalandhara for Shiva and for helping Parvati. О brother, come on. We shall go to the impassable forest for accomplish­ing the seduction of V|*nda.

After he said so, they both went to the forest. There Vishnu and Sesha who had matted hair and bark-garments, put up a hermi­tage which was auspicious and gave the fruits of all desires (i.e. gave the desired objects). They had disciples and dis­ciples’ disciples, taking any form they liked of tigers, lions, boars, bears, monkeys and apes. Then in that forest, Vishflu attracted Vrnda with a spell. He, the killer of Madhu, " caused torment in her heart.

33-38. In the meantime the queen had a terrible torment. She caused the chowries to be waved by divine ladies. The slim lady, repeatedly thinking about the arrival of her lover, and with her body smeared with sandal, quickly fainted. The queen saw a dream in the fourth watch on the fourteenth (night of the month), which caused fear, and indicated the fear of widowhood. (She saw) the head of Jalandhara, which was dry, was smeared with white ash, the eyes of which were drawn out by a vulture, and the tips of the hair were loose. Kali whose face was fierce, complexion was dark, garments were tawny, mouth was red, who had held a skull in her hand was eating him. She saw a dream like this and herself mortified. The queen saw the demon having the qualities (i.e. signs) of destruc­tion.

39-40. Then the wife of the demon-king awoke due to songs and (the sound of) the musical instruments of the bards, so also by continuous singing, eulogies, words, praises of the race recited by kinnaras. Then having given all of them who were tired, wealth as a result of her favour, she warded them off (i.e. dismissed them), called brahmanas and told them about the dream that she had seen. The brahmanas, who had mastered sacred texts, said, after having heard the dream:

The brahmanas said:

41-47. О queen, it is a bad dream; it is very fierce; it is inconceivable and causes fear. Give gifts which would destroy the inconceivable fear, to brahmanas. (Give them) cows, gar­ments, gems, elephants and ornaments.

The brahmanas who were pleased (with the gifts) sprinkled (with holy water) the king’s wife. Though sprinkled (like that) Vrnda was tormented with affliction. Dismissing the excellent brahmanas, she then went to the palace. Even (after) remaining there, the lady saw her own city burning. Then being attracted by Vishou due to her own acts, she could not, О king, remain in her house. So the queen went to a forest. The sliinlady, having got into a chariot to which female mules were yoked and which was driven by her friend SmaradQti, she quickly reached an auspicious forest which was having many trees and was full of various groups of birds, which was endowed with a stream of flowers, was adorned with divine ladies. There only gentle breezes could enter and nothing else.

48-52. Seeing that forest, Vrnda remembered her husband. ‘Now shall I see the hero Jalandhara that has come in front of me? ’ She did not get pleasure there. So she, with the chariot brought by her friend, and fascinated by Vishnu’s illusion entered another forest. Then the fawn-eyed lady saw the forest which was crowded with trees, was blocked by large rocks, created fear, was full of the fear due to lions and tigers, was resorted to by wolves and serpents, in which the trees with their branches touching the sky filled the caves with darkness. Seeing the fearful forest, the lady of unsteady eyes was frightened. Vrnda said to her friend SmaradQti who was driving the chariot: “O SmaradQti, quickly drive home my chariot.”

Smaraduti said:

53-57a. О friend, I do not know the direction. Where should I take the chariot? The tired female mules are proceed­ing; and here there is no path. Let the chariot driven by destiny go anywhere. Here some flesh-eater will devour (us); (and this will) not be falsified.

Speaking like this, she who was very wonderful, quickly drove the chariot. The chariot reached (the place) where there were delighted siddhas. The siddhas were seen there, and the forest was fearful. The wind was not strong there, nor was the sound of birds (heard there). There was no lustre, no light. There was no water. There were not (seen) quarters and sub­quarters.

57b-60. Even in the characteristic of the chariot that reached there a change took place. The female mules did not neigh. There was no sound of the fellies of the wheels. The banners did not move. The bells did not tinkle. The great bells placed on the pillar of the flag did not make a sound. Seeing (things) like this, Vfnda said to her friend: “O SmaradQti, where shall we go? The forest is full of the fear from tigers anti lions. О friend, I did not have happiness in my house, in my kingdom, and in the forest.”

SmaradHti said:

61-66. О Queen, listen. In front (of us) see a very fearful mountain. Seeing (it) the female mules, perturbed by fear, do not go ahead.

Hearing those words of her the queen was frightened. Seeing the necklace round her neck, she quickly got up from the chariot. In the meanwhile there came a demon of a fierce form. He had three feet, five hands and seven eyes. He was extremely fearful. He was tawny; his eyes were like those of a tiger. His shoulders and his face were like those of a lion. His hair red like blood hung like the lord of birds. Seeing, him, Vfnda, having a (tender) body like the calyx of a lotus, was suddenly frightened. Having covered her eyes with her hands, she trembled like a plantain tree. Throwing the whip, the door­keeper said to the queen: ”0 Queen, protect me who am frigh­tened. This (demon) runs to eat me.”

67-71. In the meanwhile the demon reached the vicinity of the chariot. He tossed up the chariot and whirled it with the female mules (yoked to it). The queen fell on the ground like a female deer through the fear of a tiger. Smaraduti was wounded (and lay) like an asoka-creeper. Then the demon devoured all the female mules. He seized the queen by her hand as a lion seizes a female young deer. Then the demon spoke to her: “I have heard that your husband is killed by Shiva in the battle. If you want to live, then taking me as your husband live long and without fear from anywhere. Also drink sweet liquor along with good flesh.” Hearing these words, the queen was as it were lifeless.

 

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Vfnda Goes to Heaven

Narada said:

1-7. Then Visiiu wearing matted hair and bark-garments and the other one — his follower — having a fruit in his hand came (to Vrnda). Seeing them, that fawn-eyed Smaradiiti wailed. Hearing her words (of wailing), the two said to her: “O auspi­cious lady, do not be afraid. We have come to protect you. How have you come to this fearful forest resorted to by the wicked? ’' Having comforted the slim lady like this, Vishnu said to the demon: “O you of a mean conduct, leave this soft-bodied and sweetsmiling lady. О fool, О you of a wicked conduct, what have you decided to do? You are out to eat the wealth of the three worlds. She is born as a result of the religious merit of the world. You are killing this ornament of the world. By killing Vrndarika now in the forest you will today render the world void of light and void of the pride of Cupid. Therefore, quickly leave her who is the deity of a comfortable palace/'

8-12. Hearing these words of Vishnu, the demon who got angry, said: “If you are capable, then free her today from my hand.” As soon as these words were uttered, Vishnu looked at him angrily. Leaving Vfnda far away, he fell down after being reduced to ash. Then, she who was stupefied by the illusion of the lord of the world, said: “Who are you, the ocean of pity, who prote­cted me here? О you treasure of austerity, with your sweet words you have removed by destroying the demon my physical and mental agony and torment. О dear ascetic, I shall practise penance in your hermitage.”

The ascetic said:

13-20.1 am Bharadvaja’s son, known as Devasharman. Giving up all the pleasures, I have with this lad come to the fearful forest.

I have many disciples going (anywhere) as they will, and also other disciples who can take any form they like. О auspicious one, if you desire to practise penance in my hermitage then come along. О queen, we shall go to another (forest) which is far away.

Speaking like this to the queen, Vishnu with a slow gait went into eastern direction to a forest full of ghosts and goblins, О king. Vj-ndarika, with her eyes full of tears went after him. Smaradiitl also, saying ‘Wait for me’, went after him. In the meanwhile a man of a sinful figure and of a wicked conduct spread out a nest. He, the chief of sinners, withdrew the net when it was full of creatures. Seeing the two ladies the hunter let loose the creatures after having fetched them. Smaradiitl said to her (i.e. to Vrnda): “O Queen, he comes to eat me. May my friend hold me by the hand.”

21-26. Having heard what she had said, Vrnda saw the (man) with a loathsome face. Seeing him, she, dear to the Ocean’s son, was shaken by gout due to fear. Being clearly alarmed, she, with Smaradiitl, ran into the forest. While running with her friend, she came to the ascetic’s hermitage. In the ascetic’s hermitage she saw wonderful things. (There) she saw birds with golden bodies and having many notes. She (there) saw a well rich in golden lotuses and a golden ground. The rivers were carrying milk. The trees were exuding honey. There was a store of sugar. There were also heaps of sweetmeats. All sweet eatables were there. There were many ornaments; and many divine weapons fell from the sky. The horses, being contented, played, jumped and fell there.

27-3la. In a small ascetic’s hut Vjrnda saw a very handsome ascetic seated on a seat made of tiger-hide and illumining the three worlds. To him she said: “O lord, protect me from (this) sinner. What is the use of austerities, or religious merit, or silence or muttering prayers? О you whose wealth is your pen­ance, there is no greater penance than the protection of those who are frightened.” Thus she who was frightened and whose body was fatigued, spoke to him. Just then the wicked-souled catcher of all creatures arrived there. Queen Vfnda who was afflicted with fear, embraced Vishriu at the neck. Like a creeper she clasped him with her arms in a manner in which the touch was pleasant. (He said to her: )

31b-35. “By means of your embrace the head of your husband will again be endowed with the entrie body with excellences. О you beautiful lady, now go to the picture-room.” She who was told by the sage (to go to) the picture-room, entered it. Having got on a divine bed, she took the head of her husband, and being extremely lustful, and with her eyes closed when she drank its lower lip (i.e. kissed it), the form of Jalandhara appeared there, О king. The lord of the world was similar in figure to her husband, had a chest like that of him; his height was like that of him; his words were like those of him; his temperament was like that of him.

36-42a. Seeing her dear husband having the full form, she said: “O lord, I shall do what is dear to you. Tell me about your battle.” Hearing the words of Vrnda, the deceptive son of the Ocean said: “O queen, listen as to how Sambhu fought with me. О dear one, the terrible Shiva cut off*my head with a disc. Then due to your divine power and due to my mind having gone to you the head that was cut off was brought here, and due to the contact with your body it came back to life. О dear young lady, due to separation from me you have become distressed. Forgive me (this) unpleasant (act) that I left you and went to the battlefield.” With these other words he then reminded Vrnda (of his acts). Then, queen Vrnda who had all auspicious pleasures like tambiilas, diversions, garments and ornaments, who was very lustful, firmly embraced her dear husband and kissed him.

42b-46. God Vishnu looked upon the pleasure due to the fascination of Vrnda as superior to (that derived from) salvation, and as giving greater delight than derived from Lakshmi. Then Madhava, Krishna who was the royal swan in the well charming and shining due to her sports, lost (all) his longing for Lakshmi due to the beauty of Vrnda. In that forest, Vrnda turned into the form ofTulasi. That (Tulasi) that was highly purifying arose from the sweat of Vrnda. Having, for some days, enjoyed the pleasure due to the contact with Vrnda’s body, (Vishrtu) the lord of the world, thought about the mission of Shiva.

47-50. Once, after the sexual act was over, Vrnda saw the ascetic (that is) Vishshu with his two hands thrown round her neck. Seeing him and freeing from the clasp of his hands her neck, she said: , 4How is it that in the guise of an ascetic you came to fascinate me? ” Hearing her words, and consoling her, Vishflu said to her: “O Vjndarika, listen. Know me to be (Vishnu) pleasing to Lakshmi. Your husband has gone to vanquish Shiva and bring Parvati. I am Shiva, and Shiva is me. We have (just) remained separately. О sinless one, Jalandhara has been killed in the battle. Now resort to me.”

Narada said:

51-54. Hearing these words of Visou, her face was dejected. Then, О king, Vfndarika who was angry, replied: “Is it proper for you to have snatched the young wife of him who bound you in the battle, and released you at his father’s words, and were honoured with various gems? How can he who is the master of righteousness, dally with the wife of another (man)? The wise say that even the lord enjoys (the fruits of) his acts. Since you, an ascetic in disguise, deluded me, someone disguised as an ascetic will take (away) your young wife.”

55-59. Thus cursed Vishnu in a moment vanished. When Visiiu had left, that bed in the picture-room, those monkeys — all that disappeared. Seeing the forest desolate, Vrnda went to her friend and told her about the trickery played by Vishnu. “1 have abandoned the city. My kingdom has gone. (The existence) of my husband is doubtful. I am in the forest. Realising this, where should I, fashioned (thus) by fate, go? My seeing my dear (husband) was (just) a matter of my desires.” Vrnda who was extremely afflicted, heaved a hot sigh and said: “I have, and you too, О Smaraduti, met with death.” Thus addressed by her, she said: “You are my very life.”

60-62. Hearing words spoken like that by her, Vfnda, deciding that this should be done, abandoned her grief and went to a great lake, and with (its) water, she washed her body. Sitting in padmasana on the bank and making her mind free from the objects of senses, she withered her body which was polluted due to the contact with (the body of) Vishflu. She, with her friend, fasted and practised very severe penance.

63-66. The host of the celestial nymphs came to Vynda from the world of gandharvas and said to her: “O auspicious one, go to heaven do not cast your body. This (your body) is the weapon of gandharvas; it conquers the three worlds; it is the best joy of Vishflu by which he was brought here; how (then) do you cast this (your) body which has obtained (i.e. fulfilled) the desires? Know that your husband is killed with an excellent arrow of Shiva. Be the ornament of heaven obtained through religious merit. О angry lady, today quickly resort to the grove of the gods.” Hearing the sacred precept for young married ladies, the wife of the Ocean’s son said (these) words: “Lord (Vishnu), the great hero, left(Lakshmi) the young wife of the lord of gods, and (coming) from heaven, honoured me, and I who was conquered by the god, was made a receptacle of pleasures. Being guileless I shall try to do that by which I shall obtain an immortal state.” Speaking like this, Vj*nda, along with her friend, dismissed the bevies of the celestial nymphs. Bound by the noose of love for her, they came and went every day.

67-72. Then Vrnda, through practice of abstract meditation, burnt, with the fire of knowledge, the qualities, and having withdrawn her mind from the objects of senses, obtained the highest (position). Seeing Vfndarika there the great hosts of the celestial nymphs were pleased. With showers of flowers from the sky they showered her. Having made a heap of dry (pieces of) wood, SmaradutI put on it the (dead) body of Vrnda, kindled the fire and entered it. That round image of the particles of Vrnda’s body was burnt. Collecting the remaining ashes, they threw them into Mandakini. At the place where Vrnda cast her body and went to heaven, was the Vrindavana, near the Govardhana mountain. The divine ladies (i.e. the celestial nymphs) went to heaven and told the divine ladies there. Having heard that, all the gods and others, with their minds delighted, gave up the fear of their enemy, the demon, and beat the furious drums. The group of attendants seated there obtained the charm of auspiciousness.

 

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

⇐ Предыдущая260261262263264265266267268269Следующая ⇒

Поделиться: