The Episode of a Bhilla and a Lion

The lord said:

1-15a. O lord of gods, it is no wonder that these very wise sages respect and honour my devotion, (leading to) my position, since these who teach knowledge to those living in the three worlds, always propagate the Vedic path that has perished. You, though attached to the enjoyments in heaven, have devoutly approached me. What wonder is there, since Brihaspati is your preceptor. O best of gods, free from desires, worship me with sacrifices with many gifts. You will quickly reach my position which is near. At every sacrifice present many prasthas (particular measures) of jewels. This place will be called Indraprastha. O Brahma, having brought Sarasvati and Ganga purifying the world, fashion here the best holy place (called) Prayaga. O S~iva, you establish here KasI and Shivakafici and Gokarna. Always live here along with Gauri. O sons of Brahma, proficient in metaphysical and worldly knowledge, fashion here seven holy places by means of the power of your abstract meditation. O Guru, you set up the holy place Nigamodbodhaka. Here the knowledge of Vedas would be had even without studying (them). The two highest souls would have the recollection of their former existence. I shall found here very beautiful Dvaraka, where Gomati has joined the sea. O Indra, I shall also fashion here Kosala and Madhvaranya, where I shall descend through the bodies of Rama (i.e. Balarama) and Krishna. I shall also fashion here Badaryashrama, the abode of Nara and Narayana, where, O chief of gods, I shall always live. With a desire for your good only, I shall found the two excellent holy places, Haridvara and Puskara. I shall found here all the holy places that are in Naimisa, on the Kalanjara mountain and the bank of Sarasvati. Narada said:

15b-26. O Sibi, having heard those auspicious words of Vishnu, and having done and seen that, Brahma, Shiva and others did as was said (by him). That lord of the gods again worshipped Laksml's lord with many sacrifices in this place full of all holy places. In front of Krishna, he gave prasthas of jewels to brahmanas. 'May this Narayana, the soul of all, be pleased with me.' Since then this holy place is called Indraprastha. One who dies at this holy place full of all holy places, is not reborn. The brahmanas, having received those prasthas of jewels given by Indra, gave him there, in the assembly, a blessing that would not be fruitless: " O Indra, may Govinda be pleased with this gift of you. May you also have steady devotion for him. O lord, in this land of (sacred) rites formerly you, having a desire, performed a hundred sacrifices. Due to that religious position you obtained a place among the gods. Now you, without any desire, have worshipped Vishnu with sacrifices. Falling from your position, you will be (born) as the best brahmana. There (i.e. in that existence) also, you, worshipping Vishnu in accordance with your (caste-)duty, will remember the act like the sacrifice that you did. On remembering that, you, abandoning your house and going to holy places with your father, will come to this Sakra-tirtha. Resorting to the fourth stage of life you will caste your body here. Then you, having a divine body, will get into an aeroplane brought by the attendants and bright like the sun, and will reach the position of Shri Hari (i.e. Vishnu)." Narada said:

27-32. Having heard this blessing of the brahmanas and their words indicative of the future, the lord of gods was extremely delighted, O Sibi. Having honoured with (gifts of) wealth etc. Brahma's sons, the priests at the sacrifice, Indra, honouring Brihaspati, went to heaven. O Sibi, Indra, full of devotion for Vishnu, having ruled there, with his religious merit exhausted, came down to Hastinapura. There was a brahmana, Shivasarman (by name), who had mastered the Vedas and Vedafigas. His wife was Gunavati, of a very significant name. To her was born Indra, who served Vishnu, at an auspicious time. Astrologers were called. Seeing the auspicious time they said: The astrologers said:

33-36 O Shivasaraman, this your boy will be dear to Vishnu. He will emancipate your family. We are telling the truth and not a lie. When he will have the body of thirteen years (i.e. when he will be thirteen years old), he, rich with knowledge learnt (i.e. got) by him, will marry. Then having produced a good son he will be an anchorite. The wise one, wandering to holy places, will renounce the world. There is the excellent river in Indra's Khandavavana. On her bank is Hariprastha. He will die there. Narada said:

31-44. Having heard the auspicious words uttered by the astrologers, he then named his son Vishnusarman. Having dismissed them by (giving them) wealth, the intelligent one thought: 'I whose son will be Vishnu's devotee, am blessed. This son will accomplish for me the four stages of human life. He will die at the holy place. Who else is lucky like me? ' Thinking like this in his mind, Shivasarman got performed the ceremony to be performed at the birth of a child through the brahmanas on an auspicious day. And when the son completed seven years, the best brahmana performed, in his eighth year, his thread ceremony in the month of Caitra. O king, after having imparted him education till the twelfth year he united the son with a wife, O Sibi. The intelligent Vishnusarman having produced a son on his wife made up his mind, free from carnal desire, for visiting holy places. Having approached his father, and having saluted both his feet, the very wise Vishnusarman, remembering the sages' words, said: Vishnusarman said:

45-49. O father, allow me. Having resorted to the third stage of life, causing good company, I (shall) worship Vishnu. Wife, house, wealth, children, friends are perishable. A wise man is not attached to them like bubbles on water. By means of Vedic study and progeny I have paid off the two debts (of the sages and forefathers).

I, free from desires, (now) desire to offer a sacrifice to Vishnu. Having given up attachment for the constituents of nature I desire to stay at an excellent holy place, as long as my destiny allows. Thus address by the son, the very intelligent father, remembering the words of the astrologers, and being desireless for (i.e. disugsted with) the mundane existence, said:

Shivasarman said:

50-54. This is the time for resorting to the fourth stage of life for me also who am free from egoism. Having abandoned objects of senses like poison, I shall resort to the nectar in the form of Vishnu. O son, in this old age, my mind does not find delight in the house like an elephant brought from a forest and tied. Your younger brother Susarman will support the family left by us two, like knowledge supporting a man forsaken by wealth and family. Your mother, a loyal wife, will (like to) follow me, renouncing the world, as brilliance follows the sun at the end of the day. Therefore, we too, not known by (i.e. without the knowledge of) your mother and thinking of Vishnu's lotus-like feet, (shall) go, O dear one. Narada said:

55-78a. Thus thinking, the two, desiring salvation, leaving (the members of) the family (that were) asleep, moved out of the house, and went. O Sibi, the two, free from egoism, wandered, and came to the excellent place, Sakraprastha, causing auspiciousness. Vishnusarman who had come here, having seen the sacrificial posts laid by him in his former birth, remembered his contact with Vishnu. And the intelligent one said to his father: " Formerly (i.e. in my former birth) I was Indra. With a desire to please Vishriu,

I performed sacrifices here. Here only, Vishnu, loving his devotees, was pleased with me. The brahmanas, the seven sages, were pleased by me with prasthas of jewels. They only gave me devotion to Vishnu, salvation and birth. All, Visfliu and others, have put up holy places elsewhere. This holy place, Indraprastha, is full of all holy places. The best sages had told that I would die here only. After that I would obtain Vishnu's feet. I remember all this. These two, Ganga and Sarasvatl, were brought from his own world by Brahma; due to their contact this is called Prayaga. This is Kasi, Shiva's city, in the eastern region of Prayaga. At the distance of four hastas there is an island. A man dead on it is not reborn. At the western region of Kasi, at a distance of eightyfour hastas, there is ^ivakanci founded by Shiva and giving salvation to the dead. This holy place called Gokarna, is very dear to Shiva. It is established on a portion of land measuring eight hastas. To the west of the chief holy place is this auspicious Dvaravatl. A man dead within a distance of two hundred and eighty hastas from here gets four arms. Then to the eastern region of this is Kosala, dear to people. It measures seventytwo hastas and its sight is meritorious. This is Madhuvana, O dear one, founded by Vishnu himself, which is to the west and which measures forty hastas. O dear one, to the north of this is the abode of Nara and Narayana. It stands on a piece of ground measuring fortyfour hastas. This holy place is Haridvara, situated in the south of it. It is seen on a piece of land measuring one hundred and twenty hastas. This is the holy place Puskara, the crest-jewel of holy places. O dear one, it is situated on a piece of ground measuring forty-eight hastas. At a distance of one krosa from Prayaga, in the eastern direction, are seven holy places of the seven sages. This is the group of seven holy places. Near the seven holy places there are many other holy places, in which at every step a dead man becomes one with four arms. At a distance of one krosa from Prayaga, in the western region, is the holy place named Nigamodbodhaka, formerly founded by Guru. The distance between the seven holy places and Nigamodbodhaka is great. O dear one, this is the holy place Indraprastha, formerly founded by deities. It is extended up to a yojana in the east and the west. The great sages have said that four yojanas to the south of Yamuna is the limit of Indraprastha. He who casts his body here in (the confluence of) the three deities, is unborn." Narada said:

78b-79a. O Sibi, hearing these words of his son, thebrahmana Shivasarman having a doubt, said to his son, truthful of words. Shivasarman said:

79b-82. How should I know that formerly you were the lord of gods; you performed sacrifices here; you pleased the brahmanas with (presents of) jewels? O son, do that by which I would have the truth of what is told by you. Wherefrom did you hear about this limit of Indraprastha, since from the time you had understanding you did not leave the house? From me only you have studied the four Vedas with the Angas. How did you have the knowledge of the acts done in the former birth?

Vishnusarman said:

83-85. Formerly the sages had given me a boon causing the recollection of the former existence. This recollection of this holy place is had by me from them only. O father, bathe here in this holy place, viz. Nigamodbodhaka. You will obtain knowledge difficult to obtain, giving you the ability to recollect your former birth. You will recollect even my behaviour in myformer existence by touching the water of this holy place. I tell you the truth, O father. Narada said:

86-101. When the best brahmana Shivasarman, after having heard this was ready to bathe in the holy place Nigamodbodhaka for the recollection of his former birth, there came running a bhilla followed by a lion. His limbs were full of great fear; he was panting; he was overcome by fatigue. He was of a harmful nature; he killed (people) on the way; he always robbed merchants. His body was dark. His hair was tawny. He was short. His eyes were like those of a cat. He had a lance in his hand; his figure was fearful. The man existed as it were by sin. Then seeing at a distance after him a lion the father and son quickly climbed a nearby tree, and remained (on it), saying, 'O Krishna, free us from this untimely death.' O best king, the bhilla, seeing the lion (pursuing him) faster to seize him, was afraid, and proceeded to climb up the tree. The impetuous lion seized him, climbing (up the tree) at his feet, knocked him down with his back on the ground, and mounted on him. The bhilla too, who was pained and was under (the lion), tore the lion's belly with his lance in such a way that the mass of his entrails, smeared with a stream of blood came out. The lion, with a piteous roar, pounded the bhilla's head, and he died instantly. When the two died, there came down, O king, attendants with a group of two aeroplanes, that were fashioned with crystal stones, that were decorated with multitudes of jewels, that had charming pictures (painted on them), that were adorned with snow-walls, that had windows (decked) with rubies, the bells of which were tinkling, that had charming raised seats, that had cushions, that shone with lofty flags, that had high arches, that looked beautiful due to a hundred doors, that were clear like mirrors due to their floors resembling new corals, along with (i.e. in which were seated) two attendants whose complexion was like fresh clouds, on whose ears were charming rings, who had in their hands conches, discs, maces and lotuses, who had put on yellow garments, whose eyes resembled fully bloomed lotuses, the anklets round whose feet were making a deep (tinkling) sound, who had rows of bracelets round their forearms, whose chests looked charming due to pearl necklaces, whose faces had curly hair over them, whose couples of eyebrows had cast down the bow of Cupid.

102-11 la. The bhilla and the lion, even before life left them, gave up their bodies and remained in a natural state due to the power of this holy place. The attendants of Visrui, bringing the aeroplanes near them, who were having no dress or form, said to them: " O bhilla, best of men, O lion, the lord of beasts, know us to be Vishnu's attendants who have come from Vaikuntha (or from Vishnu). We shall take you to his place. It is true. There are no distresses there. Getting into your respective aeroplane, go quickly. Do not tarry." The bhilla and the lion, got into their respective aeroplanes, and full of amazement, spoke to the attendants of (Vishnu), the lord of Lakshmi: " O best deities, listen to our words. Due to your sight knowledge of the highest truth is produced (in us). In this existence we have not done the slightest good act. By your favour we are having the recollection of our former deeds. We ate flesh; we were engaged in killing animals; our mind and senses were cruel; we were born in sinners' families; we cause fear when looked at. In such a world, we were sinners. Due to what religious merit, we have seen (you)? Due to what religious merit shall we have absorption into Shri Hari? " The two attendants said: lllb-117. Indeed due to your dying at this holy place. formerly fashioned by (Brihaspati, ) the preceptor of gods, you saw us, and (would get) the wonderful absorption (into Vishnu). You will soon obtain (i.e. reach) the position of the lord of Lakshmi. Sins like the murder of a brahmana roar till the time this holy place of Brihaspati is not seen. As darkness perishes on sunrise, in the same way sins perish on seeing Nigamodbodhaka.

This holy place, called Indraprastha, purified Indra. Here he worshipped Vishnu with sacrifices with many presents. Vishnu pleased (by them), gave him a boon. Hear (it): " O Indra, those men, even killers, who cast their bodies at your holy place, full of all holy places, are equal to me." Narada said:

118. Speaking like this, the two best attendants took the two and went to Vishnu's place, having gone to which a man does not get drowned in the ocean of the world (i.e. the worldly existence).

 

CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED ONE

Sarabha's Story

Narada said:

1-2. The two, the father and the son, got down from the tree, and seeing that even sinners got the position of Vishnu, were very much amazed. The best brahmana Shivasarman, having heard the praise, expressed by the (two) attendants, of the holy place, spoke to Vishnusarman, his son:

Shivasarman said:

3-6. The bhilla and the lion have easily reached that position which is not easy to be reached by the brahmanas even with penance practised. Observe the greatness of the holy place. It is not possible to praise in appropriate terms this best holy place, due to the power of which those who had committed sins from birth to death have obtained identity of form with Vishnu, O son? What a great disparity there is between the divine birth of Brahma, which is from pure Sattva and difficult to be had even by gods on the one hand, and the Tamas-born lion and bhilla on the other! But this holy place is having a wonderful efficacy. O dear one, a being after having reached the end (of the fruits) of his actions, falls from the position of Brahman. (But) a being meeting death here (in this holy place), fashioned by (Brihaspati) the preceptor of the gods, has no fall from Vishnu's position.

Narada said:

7-16. O king, the best brahmana, having actually seen the greatness of this holy place of Brihaspati, proceeded to bathe there. Having washed his face, teeth, feet and purified his mind, and having put on a garment with five hems, and having tied his tuft of hair, he remembered Vishnu, with the recitation of the verse Ahakrantd... He touched the clay on the bank, made a mark (on his forehead) with it, and again got into the water. There, plunging into the water and facing the current, he again got up. Remembering Vishnu and Ganga, purifying the people, he again plunged. Again getting up he remembered the seven cities1 like Ayodhya; again dedicating his mind to Govinda, he plunged into the water. Having bathed duly he put on garments that were washed; and having come out the best brahmana put a mark (on his forehead). The restrained one put darbhas into his hands, on his feet and tufted hair. He duly performed the sandhya (prayer) and offered oblations of three kinds. The honoured one made a respectful offering to the Sun with flowers, and the best brabmana, putting his folded palms on his head, saluted (the Sun). The best brahmana offered worship to Vishnu whose feet are revered by the world, beginning with an invocation and ending with an offering of eatables. Having performed the rites and seated comfortably, he, remembering fully the acts of his former birth, said to his son like that:

Shivasarman said:

17-26. O Vishnusarman, O dear one, your words are not false, since due to a bath here I had the recollection of my deeds in the former birth. O glorious one, listen to what I tell you. Formerly I was born in the family of wealthy and religious merchants. My father named Sarabha lived in the city of Kanyakubja. Resorting to the wealth of piety he obtained much wealth by trade. He, with his body seized by old age and his mind afflicted by anxiety, passed a long time, (but) a son was not born to him. The best merchant day and night thought like this: 'My wealth, though collected to a large extent, is in vain without a son. Even a rich person having no son is indebted to his dead ancestors, as a cloud full of water but not showing (it), is to the catakas. A man conquers the three worlds by means of progeny having piety as the foremost (virtue), as a king conquers an enemy difficult to conquer by means of power1 of three kinds. Pure progeny pleases parents of good minds as sweet and true words that are spoken please friends and foes. The glory of the father enhances by means of the son's prosperity, as the pure water of the ocean by means of the moon. Therefore, a man should strive with his body or wealth to beget a son. Without him the two (i.e. the body and wealth) of men, having (momentary) life like that (of a flash) of lightning, are useless.'

1. Saptapuri — The seven cities that are said to be so sacred that death at any one of them is the giver of eternal happiness. They are: Ayodhya, Mathura. Maya, Kasi. KaficI, Avantika, and Dvaiavati.

27-34. When he was thinking like this, the excellent sage, Devala, having suprasensual knowledge, came there to give (him) a boon. Seeing him coming (my) father got up from (his) seat, and giving him a respectful offering and water to wash his feet with, saluted the sage with his head (bent down). Having made him sit on the seat offered with his own hand, my father asked the best sage Devala, of divine appearance: " O best sage, welcome to you. (I hope) there is happiness in your family, and the religious observances like penance and study of the Vedas are free from obstacles. I hope, guests come to your hermitage at the (proper) time. I hope, the trees in your hermitage bear fruits as desired by you. I hope, tigers etc. coming to your hermitage do not entertain hostility towards deer etc. as brothers towards their brothers. Your moving about on the earth gives joy to the householders. How (can it be) otherwise? How can they, engaged in (the affairs in) their houses, have your sight? O sage, granted that you, having your mind fixed on the dust particles on Vishnu's feet have absolutely no desire for anything; but quickly tell me about the purpose of your arrival."

1. Shakti: regal power. It has three parts or constituents: Prabhu-sakti °r Prabhava-sakti (the majesty or pre-eminent position of the king himself); Mantra-sakti (the power of good counsel); Utsaha-sakti (the power of energy).

Shivasannaii said:

35. Thus addressed that sage Devala, honoured by gods, desiring to know the thought in his mind, said to the great trader: Devala Said:

36-41. O best merchant, you have righteously collected much wealth, with which, O you knowing piety, perform obligatory and optional rites. A man gets respect in the king's assembly due to wealth, as a good (i.e. brave) warrior gets success in a battle due to valour. A householder, getting wealth, makes a great advance, as a bull, getting grains ripe in autumn, gets nourishment, O chief merchant. Relatives and other people do not leave the wealthy persons as bees do not abandon a tree with flowers containing honey. Due to want of wealth, the householders are fully reduced to feebleness, as the lakes without water in summer. O chief merchant, that ample wealth is there in your house. Why then, are your limbs feeble? (Please) tell me, if it is not a secret. The merchant said:

42-45. You are like the fathers specially engaged in instructing (people) in their welfare. What is there to be concealed by men like me, who are (just) like your sons? O best sage, due to your favour I am fully happy. I am unhappy only due to want of a son in my old age. Know that the feebleness of my limbs is due to that, O best sage. I am afraid (of the repayment) of the debt to my dead ancestors, and of falling down (due to the non-repayment). O sage, suggest an expedient by which I shall have a son. For people like you there is nothing that cannot be done on the earth. Shivasarman said:

46-47. Having heard these words of the best merchant. Devala, having made his mind steady for a moment, and with his eyes closed, thought. Devala. having suprasensual knowledge, saw the obstacle in my father's having a child, and recollecting (it) said:

Devala said:

48-62. O vaisya, I shall tell you what beautiful idea this your religious wife formerly had in her mind. 'O Gauri, O you dear to Sambhu, when I shall be pregnant, I shall please you with foods having the six flavours; x (so also) with incense, rows of lights, tambulas, dances, songs coming out of lutes, and smearings of various kinds.' Your wife having promised like this in front of her friends remained devoutly waiting for the time (of pregnancy). This your wife conceived in that month only. Then all her friends of affectionate hearts spoke to her: " O fortunate one, the pregnancy longed for by you, has been bestowed on you. Therefore, do what is promised to the goddess. Otherwise, there would be an obstacle due to the change wrought by her. Goddesses give boons or curses when they are (either) propitiated or angered." Thus addressed by her friends your highly virtuous, loyal wife, full of joy, modestly said to you: " O lord, I desire to worship Gauri fulfilling all desires, due to whose grace I have had my desired object." O best merchant, hearing these auspicious words of your wife, you took her to be pregnant. Being delighted with great gaiety you instantly ordered your servants to bring the requisites of worship. You then gave her all the things brought by them, so also honey, food, grapes, perfumes, etc. Then she, calling all her friends, said to them: " O friends, taking the collection of materials brought for the worship of Ambika, you, taking the requisites of worship, go to the temple of Ambika, and please the goddess with worship laid down by the rules. In our family a pregnant woman does not move out of the house. Therefore, I shall not come. You (please) go to worship her."

1.Sad-rasa: The six flavours: pungent, souc, sweet, saltish, bitter, and astringent.

63-81. Thus ordered, the friends, taking the materials (of worship), went to the temple of Ambika, which was the abode of intoxicated bees moving (here and there). It was crowded with groups of mango trees on which flocks of cuckoos were sporting. It was adorned with swans, cranes and geese. There were spotless lotuses. It was surrounded by parrots and (other) birds talking about the virtues of Mahadeva. There were the friends of Uma engaged in sprinkling garlands and creepers. There the ground was purified by light plantings of the steps of the lord of Uraa. There were celestial trees on the boundary of the water bound by crystal stones. It was resounding with (the sound of) the gandharvas that were singing, accompanying the dance of Parvati's lord. There the mango tree, campaka trees, koraka trees were slightly tossed by gentle breezes. The bowers of creepers had the echoes of the notes of the dancing peacocks. It was brightened by her sports, and had flashing brightness like that of jewels. Those (friends) whose husbands were alive went there and saluted the daughter of the (Himalaya) Mountain; and going round her (image) keeping (it) to their right, they said with devotion: " O Jagadamba, salutation to you. Give us happiness, O you who are dear to Shiva. Accept this offering brought for your worship. There is a merchant Sharabha by name. He has a charming wife. She longed for pregnancy. This worship of you is for having had it. Due to your grace, O you dear to Sambhu, she had that foetus (i.e. she became pregnant). We have laid before you this offering to worship you. Tn her family a pregnant woman does not move out of the house. Therefore, O goddess, she has not come; be pleased and accept this (offering)." O vaisya, having said like that to her, the friends of your wife offered the offering duly and worshipped her with sandal etc. Not receiving any reply from Gaurl, they returned home. They told their friend that Shiva's beloved was dejected. Hearing these words of them, the vaisya woman, being uneasy, thought: 'Why was Gaurl not pleased? She knows my devotion for her. She knows the worship I offered to her. How can the internal (thoughts) and external (behaviour) of men be not known to (deities) like her? She also knows the reason for which I did not go there. Why was she not pleased by the offering made by me? I do not see any other reason for her dissatisfaction, except my not having gone to that charming temple. What has gone by cannot be changed. After I am delivered of the foetus, I shall go to her temple for worshipping her. Salutation to that wife of Mahadeva. May she cause happiness.' O vaisya, speaking like this, your wife remained carrying the foetus. Shivasarman said:

82. O Vishnusarman, the father, knowingthis former account, asked the very wise, best sage, Devala:

The merchant said:

33-84. O sage, that your daughter-in-law offered the worship as promised. Tell me the cause of Parvati's dejection; since she herself knows the reason why she did not go there, and it was also told to her friends. Then why did she become dejected? Devala said:

85-86. O best merchant, listen, I am telling you the reason for which Parvati's disappointment, destroying the foetus, took place. When her friends had returned after worshipping Skanda's mother, Vijaya full of curiosity, said to Parvati: Vijaya said:

87-88. O Girija, these ladies devoutly made an offering to you. Then, O you of an excellent face, why were you not pleased? To please you they worshipped you with incense, lights and offerings of food. (Instead of being pleased) why are you, on the contrary, disappointed? Devala said:

89. O merchant, hearing these words of her friend, the goddess, honoured by excellent gods, told her friend Vijaya, the cause of her dejection. Parvati said:

90-96. I know, O friend Vijaya, that the merchant's wife was unable to move out of the house through lack of discrimination forpregnancy (corrupt reading). Her friends, prompted by her, came to worship me. (Deities) like me do not accept the worship offered through others' hands. Had her husband come that would have been well. Her foetus neglected by me will fall out (immaturely). O friend, if a lady causes that vow which she herself cannot practise, to be practised by her husband, then the vow of the two does not fail. Or, after having asked (the permission of) her nusband, she of a concentrated mind, (could get it practised) by a Pre-eminent brahmana. Since she did not come herself and did not worship me, therefore, I have made her pregnancy void and fruitless. If again, the couple will come and devoutly worship me then they will have a son. Devala said:

97-101a. O merchant, that curse was not heard by you, or your wife or the friends, so also the favour granted by her. Due to this ignorance of you two, not knowing the counter-rite giving happiness in this world and the next, a son was not born to you. O merchant, I have told you this reason for your not having a child as formerly Vasishtha had told king Dilipa. As having heard that the king propitiated Nandini, in the same way, along with your wife propitiate Gauri, fulfilling desires. As she, being propitiated by king Dilipa gave him a son, similarly propitiate Gauri; she will give you a son. The merchant said:

101b-103. O sage, who is that king Dilipa, and who is that Nandini, having propitiated whom that best king obtained a son? Why did the king, leaving the gods like Shiva, giving the fruits to the three castes, propitiate her only for (obtaining) a son? O sage, tell me all this that I ask you. Hearing it, I, with my wife, shall serve that daughter of the (Himalaya) Mountain. Shivasarman said:

104. O Vishnusarman, the sage, having heard these words spoken by the polite merchant, my father, commenced telling him Dilipa's account, very holy in the world.

 

CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED TWO

The Story of King Dilipa

Devala said:

1-16a. O very wise one, listen to the divine, wonderful account of king Dilipa, which removes the sin of those who hear it. In Vaivasvata Manu's family was (born) the best king Dilipa like Pracinabarhis in Svayambhuva Manu's (family). That king, best among the religious, protecting the earth justly, pleased the people with his rich virtues. The queen, the wife of that king, the daughter of the lord of Magadha, named Sudaksina, was like Sac! to the lord of heaven. Even after a long time had passed, a son was not born to the queen. The sovereign, the lord of Kosala, thus thought in his mind: 'I have held (under my control) the earth adorned with the gems like the ocean, the great Meru mountain etc. There is nothing wanting that should lead to my disgrace. At the proper time I have practised the three objects of human life. I have not opposed it. Yet in the mind of me who am childless, there is no happiness. With sacrifices I have worshipped Vishnu; so also the best gods like Indra. Everywhere on the earth I have got fashioned tanks, groves and wells. I have, with devotion, satisfied brahmanas and guests with (presents of) cows, land, gold, garments, and with meals having the six (kinds of) tastes. Having justly uprooted the kings in battles for the maintenance (of piety), I have increased my treasury with great wealth. Those who went astray, who were arrogant, who violated their duties, who were averse to their dead ancestors and deities, and who (therefore) deserved punishment, were punished by me. On the five parvan days, the day sacred to Vishnu, to the Sun, on a day on which a rite in honour of the dead ancestors is performed, on the tenth and eleventh days I have not waited upon my wife. I never ignored my wife who had bathed at (the end of her) menstrual period; so also (I approached her) even at other times when requested by her. At that time I had sexual intercourse with her who had a passion for it. Thus I have resorted to religious practices, worldly pursuits and carnal pleasures at the proper time. Due to what defect in my queen am I not having a child? Vasishtha, my preceptor, who knows the past and the future will alone tell me the defect due to which a son is not born to me.' Devala said:

16b-26a. Thinking like this, the king, deciding to go to his preceptor's hermitage, entrusted Kosala with rich treasures to his ministers. Then having worshipped God, the creator of belngs, the couple, desiring a son, proceeded to the preceptor's hermitage on an auspicious day. The couple, seated in a chariot, having gone over the path, reached after some days the holy hermitage of the preceptor. There the sage received the guests that had come there after the offering made to all deities. It purified the sages in it and the guests also with the rising mass of smoke of the material offered into the fire. It was dull due to the (slow-moving) deer whose bellies were full due to the mass of shoots of durvas. In the hall of the hermitage the flock of female deer was entering from all sides. It was full of noise of groups of birds gathering on the trees which they had turned into their abodes. There were tigers and (other) beasts, that had given up their mutual hostility. The sound of the recitation of the Vedas made by great sages engaged there in muttering (hymns) and meditation, had ceased for a while. There the boys were engaged in sports during intermission of study. In it the couple saw Vasishtha performing the rites. He was seated on a holy seat and was steady, and was waited upon by Arundhatl. He (i.e. Dilipa) saluted the preceptor's feet, and his wife saluted the ladies of (the family of) him. The preceptor gave him a blessing, and Arundhatl gave her one. Preceptor Vasishtha, the greatest among the adorable, honoured the guest with respectful offerings, and asked him like this:

Vasishtha said:

26b-30. O greatest among kings, I hope everything is all right in your kingdom, in your family and with the people following their respective practices. O hero, I hope you have protected the earth righteously. (I hope) your treasury is growing like a righteous thought for good practices. O king, I hope your excellent villagers and citizens are not transgressing their limit like the oceans. I hope due to love, due to moving together and association, the couples in your cities act like Lakshmi and Vishnu. O best king, I hope, the voluntary vows of your subjects are fruitful like the Haricandana1 tree in heaven.

1. Haricandana: One of the five trees of Paradise. The five trees are: Mandara, Parijataka, Santana, Kalpa, and Haricandana.

Devala said:

31-33. Having asked like this, that greatest sage, Vasishtha, pre-eminent among sages, fed the king with eatables procured through the power of his abstract meditation. That old Arundhati, of a generous mind, and full of respect, fed the queen with various dishes of cooked food. The steady sage, having held the hand of the king who was fed and had saluted him and who was seated comfortably, again asked him. Vasishtha said:

34-46a. O king, what is the use of the kingdom of heaven to that king whose kingdom has the seven constituents, 1 in which the subjects are engaged in their duties, in which kinsmen and relatives are pleased, where the soldiers know the science of weapons and missiles, in which friends are obedient, where the enemies are subdued, where the minds (of men) are devoted to Krishna's worship? O lord, the religious kings of the Iksvaku family, having produced sons, and having entrusted the kingdom to them, proceed to practise penance. You are young. You have not (as yet) seen the face of your son. Why have you, abandoning your kingdom like that, come here? The king said: O brahmana, with a desire for (going to) heaven, I, having abandoned my kingdom like that, have come to your hermitage to practise penance. O brahmana, you have told the truth that (kings) born in Iksvaku's family, entrusted their kingdom to their sons, and went to the penance-grove. As childhood has passed, so this youth that has come will also pass; and certainly old age will come. There is no doubt that a man meets death after old age. O brahmana, when I die, to whom will this kingdom, without a son's birth, go? Tell me that, O preceptor. Therefore, I who remain in the kingdom without a child, have no feeling of mineness for it, without it. O you my preceptor, you know the three objects of human life. O you treasure of penance, quickly tell me the defect after seeing it through meditation, due to which a son is not born to me. Having heard it, I shall adopt a remedy against it to obtain a child.

1. Saptanga: the seven constituents of a kingdom: king, ministers, Wend, treasury, people, forts, and army.

46b-47a. Having heard these words of the king, Vasishtha, seeing through concentration the cause of the obstruction in (the birth of) a child, spoke: Vasishtha said:

47b-53a. Formerly, O king, you, having waited upon the chief of gods, and remembering this your young wife who had bathed (after her menstrual period) started for your home. O king, on the way of you who, being eager to have a child, were hurriedly going, stood under a divine tree the desire-yielding cow. You produced great anger in her by not saluting and not doing pious acts like saluting the dust of her venerable feet. With great anger she cursed you: " A son will not be born to you till you do not serve my progeny." You desiring a son, and therefore going quickly to give her (your semen after) menstruation, and thinking of that only, did not hear the curse nor did your charioteer hear it due to the noise caused by the axles. With this your young wife propitiate her young granddaughter, the cow Nandini, along with her calf. She will give you a son. Devala said:

53b-54. While Vasishtha, the sage, was speaking like this that Nandini, with her udders having (milk) flowing from them through affection, came there. Seeing her, the best sage Vasishtha, with his heart delighted, saw her, and showing her to the king, again said to him: Vasishtha said:

55-57. O king, this (cow) of an auspicious name has come just when remembered. Therefore, know that the accomplishment of your object is near. There is no doubt that when you propitiate her by going after her in the forest and your young wife propitiates her in the hermitage, she will, through her favour, give you a son. O best king, O archer, graze her in such a way that no wild ferocious animal would attack her. Devala said:

58. Then the ascetic (Vasishtha) gave the king who talked little and to the daughter-in-law a good hut to pass their night in. There the king with his mind controlled along with his wife passed the night, sleeping on the ground covered with grass.

 

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