Somasharman's Eulogy of Vishnu

Suta said

1 -3. The very intelligent, the best (brahmana) Somasharman, having bathed, with (his wife) Sumana, at the auspicious (sacred place called) Kapilasangama, 1 on the bank of Reva, causing great merit, he, the intelligent one, and of a good vow, having gratified (with oblations) gods and manes, practised penance there, with a very calm mind and with meditation, muttering with the hymn of twelve syllables (the name) of auspicious Vishnu — -that Vasudeva, the magnanimous god of gods.

4. Always being steady and without desire and anger he saw Vishnu (only) (while sitting) on a seat, or (lying) on a bed or (going) in a vehicle or in a dream.

1. Kapilasangama or Kapila-tirtha — Anyone bathing there and performing worship obtains a thousand brown cow. See Mahabharata (critical edition published by the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Poona)

5. That virtuous, glorious Sumana, devoted to her husband, served only her husband endowed with penance.

6-9. Various obstacles frightened him who was meditating. Great black serpents of strong poison came near that Somasarman; and also were seen lions and tigers. They simply frightened him. Vampires, demons, imps, spirits of dead persons and also jackals showed him terrible fear, (capable of) destroying life. Very terrible lions of various kinds, with fearful fangs and cruel came there and roared very fiercely.

10-26. The best, virtuous sage, the intelligent (Somasarman), disturbed by the growing great obstacles was not distracted from his meditation on Vishnu. (Though) the best brahmana Somasharman was very much harassed by very high winds in the rainy season, cold, or heavy showers, he did not move away from meditation. A very fearful lion roaring (terribly) came there. Seeing him, and being frightened, the brahmana (Somasharman) remembered god Vishnu, who resembled a sapphire, who had put on a yellow garment, who was having a great prowess, who held a conch and a disc and a mace and a lotus, who was shining with a necklace of big pearls resembling the moon in beauty and also with jewel (called) Kaustubha1, whose chest shines with the divine mark (called) Srlvatsa, whose body looked charming due to all ornaments, whose eyes resembled lotuses, whose face had a charming smile on it, and was very much pleased, who looked charming and shone with a jewelled necklace. He verily meditated upon (Vishnu: ) " O Krishna, affectionate to those who seek your shelter; my salutation (to you) the god of gods; what will fear do to me? I have sought the refuge of him, in whose belly remain the three worlds and the seven magnanimous ones. Where then is fear for me? I have sought the refuge of him, the destroyer of all fears, from whom all very powerful fears like Krtya etc. proceed. I have sought the refuge of him, who is a great fear to all sins and demons, and who is the protector of Vishnu's (i.e. his) devotees. I have sought the refuge of him who is the refuge of all the eminent, magnanimous demons, the devotees of Krishna (i.e. his devotees). I have sought the refuge of him, who being fearless destroys fears, and who possessing knowledge, destroys sins, and who alone remains in the form of Indra. I have sought the refuge of him, who, being of the form of herbs, removes diseases, and who (himself) is pure and entirely full of bliss. I have sought the refuge of him, who, himself being fixed, would move the worlds, and being sinless is knowledge (itself); (then) what will fear do to me? He, Anamaya (i.e. Vishnu) is the guardian of all good people; he, the universal soul, protects the universe. I have sought his refuge. I have sought the refuge of him who, in the form of a lion, shows great fear to me (standing) in front (of me). I salute that (Vishnu) in the form of Narasimha.

1. Kaustubha — Name of a celebrated gem obtained with 13 other jewels at the churning of the ocean and worn by Vishnu on his chest.

27-28. (In the form of) an intoxicated, huge elephant (he) has come. I have well sought the refuge of him, who has the face of an elephant, who is endowed with knowledge, who holds a noose and a goad, who has a black face like that of an elephant.

29. I have sought the refuge of (that Vishnu who in his) Boar1 (form) killed Hiranyaksa. I have taken shelter with that Vamana, affectionate to those who seek his shelter.

30. All the short, dwarfish, hump-backed spirits of dead persons and imps etc., holding the form of death, frighten me.

31-38. I have taken shelter with the immortal. What will fear do to me? Vishnu is of Brahma, he is the giver of Brahman (i.e. takes one to the supreme spirit), he is Brahma, and is full of the knowledge of Brahman; I have taken shelter with him; what (then) will fear do to me? He who is fearless, who removes the fear of the world and himself causes fear, and is of the form of fear — I have taken shelter with him. What will fear do to me? I have sought the shelter of that Janardana (i.e. Vishnu) of the form of Dharma, who is the emancipator of all worlds and the destroyer of all sinners. I shall seek his refuge who takes up a wonderful form, foreign to gods, in a war. He is always my shelter. A terrible storm afflicts my body very much. I have taken shelter with him; he is always my refuge. I have sought the refuge of that god who torments in these forms viz. of very cold, heavy showers and heat. These, of the form of death have come here, and are disturbing me. I have always taken the shelter of these forms of Vishnu.

1. Varaha — the Boar-form of Vishnu.

39. I take the shelter with that Vishnu, the first Siddha and the lord of Siddhas, whom they call all-good, the highest lord, exclusively alone, full of knowledge and brilliant."

40. Thus everyday meditating upon and praising Vishnu, the destroyer of afflictions, he brought Hari (i.e. Vishnu) into his heart through devotion.

41. Seeing the exertion and courage of that Somasharman, Vishnu, being delighted, manifested himself before him and said:

42. " O very intelligent Somasharman, listen with your wife. O best brahmana, I am Vishnu; O you of a good vow, ask for a boon."

43-47. (Thus) addressed by him, the best brahmana (i.e. Somasharman) having opened both his eyes, saw that god, the lord of the universe, who was dark like a cloud, who was very glorious, whose body was charming due to all ornaments, who was endowed with all weapons, who was endowed with divine characteristics, whose eyes resembled lotuses, who was with (i.e. who was clad in) a yellow garment, who, the lord of gods, was shining, who was mounted upon Garuda, who had held a conch, a disc and a mace (in his hands), who was the great saviour of Brahma and others, and also of this world, who was always beyond this universe, who was above (all) forms, who was the lord of the worlds. The very glorious brahmana, full of great joy, prostrated himself before him who was accompanied by Shri (Lakshmi or grandeur), who was shining, and had the lustre like that of a crore of suns.

48-57. With Sumana, he joined the palms of his hands (i.e. saluted him) and said: " Victory to you; victory to you, Madhava, who removes pride. Victory to you, who sleep on the body of the serpent (viz. Shesha). Victory to you, O Yajnanga, O lord of sacrifices. Victory to you, O eternal and omnipresent one. Victory to you, O lord of all, O eternal one, O you of the form of sacrifice; my salutation to you. Victory to you, O best among those who possess knowledge. Victory to you, O giver of everything; victory to you, O omniscient one, and cause of all. Victory to you, O lord of the original forms of souls; saltuation to you, O great soul. Victory to you, O giver of wisdom, O Prajfianga (i.e. having wisdom as one of his parts); victory to you, O giver of life. Victory to you, O destroyer of sins, the lord of merit. Victory to you, O Vishnu, the controller of merit. Victory to you, O you of the form of knowledge; salutation to you, who can be comprehended by knowledge. Victory to you, O you having eyes like lotus-petals. Salutation to you, Padmanabha (from whose navel sprang the lotus). Victory to you, O Govinda, O Gopala, victory to you, O holder of the disc; salutation to you whose forms are unmanifest and manifest. Victory to you, O you, whose body is charming due to your valour; victory to you, the leader of valour; victory to you, O you, who have Lakshmi as a part of your sport. Salutation to you, full of the Vedas. Victory to you, O you whose body is charming due to your valour; victory to you, O you who give diligence; victory to (you) who put an end to all exertion, victory to (you, O Vishnu who are yourself) exertion. Victory to you who are capable of elevation, victory to you who had the three elevations (i.e. three steps). Salutation to you, who undertake exertion and who are Dharma.

58-59. Salutation to you, having a golden seed. Salutation to you who are lustre. Salutation to you, who are of the form of great brilliance, and who are full of all lustre. Salutation to you, who destroy the prowess of the demons, and who remove evil lustre. Salutation to you who (work) for the well-being of cows and brahmanas, and to you, who are the highest soul.

60-71. Salutation to you, the enjoyer of the offerings and the carrier of the oblations to gods. Salutation to you, the carrier of the oblations to the manes and to you of the form of Svadha. Repeated salutations to you, of the nature of Svaha, to you, who are the sacrifice and who are the purifier. Salutation to you who hold the Sarriga bow in your hand, to Hari (i.e. Vishnu) the remover of sins. Salutation to you who direct the good and the bad, and who shine with wisdom. Salutations (to you), of the form of Vedas, and the purifier. Salutation to you of tawny hair, and the remover of all afflictions, to (you) the highest Kesava, and the sustainer of everything. Salutation to you who favours (all) and who are full of joy. My constant salutation to you, the eternal, pure one, the destroyer of suffering. My constant salutation to you, who are joy, who are pure and who are perfect; to you, whose feet are saluted by Rudra and who are saluted by Brahma. Salutation to you, whose lotus-like feet are saluted by the lords of gods and demons. Repeated salutations to you who are the highest lord, who are unconquered and whose heart is full of nectar. Salutation to you, whose abode is the milky ocean; to you to whom Lakshmi is dear. Repeated salutations to you, who are Orhkara, are pure, and who are stable. Repeated salutations to you who are comprehensive and who pervade (everything), and you who destroy all calamities. Repeated salutations to you of the form of Vamana, and to you, noble Nrsimha. Salutation to you, divine Parasurama, who killed all the ksatriyas. Salutation to you, who are omniscient, who are Matsya and Rama. Salutation to you, who are Krishna, Buddha and the destroyer of Mlecchas. Salutation to you, the brahmana (named) Kapila, and Hayagriva. Salutation to you, of the nature of Vyasa and to you who have every form."

72-75. Having thus praised Hrslkesa, he then said to that Janardana: " O you purifier, Brahma does not know you, the farthest limit of virtues; neither omniscient Rudra (i.e. Shiva), nor the thousand-eyed (Indra) is able to praise you. Who can describe you? O lord, of what kind (i.e. how limited) is my intellect? O Kesava, I have praised you, who are qualityless and having qualities. O you of a good vow, (please) forgive me for my words — bad words; I am your servant. O you purifier, O you lord of the words, (please) forgive me, birth after birth."

 

CHAPTER TWENTY

The Birth of Suvrata

Hari said:

1 -2. O brahmana, I am pleased by this meritorious penance of yours, and also by your truthfulness; and I am also pleased by the holy hymn of praise. Choose a boon. O you illustrious one, I shall grant you the boon that you have (i.e. cherish) in your mind. I shall fulfil (i.e. satisfy) whatever desire you entertain. Somasharman said:

3. O Krishna (i.e. Vishnu), first, with a pleased mind, grant me a boon much desired by me, if you have good (i.e. great) j pity for me.

4. Getting birth after birth (i.e. in every existence) I shall t be devoted to you. Show me the highest, stable place, giving (me) salvation.

5-8a. O Kesava, (give me) a son, who will emancipate his family, who will be endowed with divine characteristics, who will be always intensely devoted to Vishnu, who will sustain (i.e. continue) my family, who will know everything and grant everything, who will be endowed with the lustre of penance, who will always protect and honour gods, brahmanas and (other) people, who will be pious, who will be a donor and will be mature in intellect due to knowledge. Give me such a son, (and) remove my poverty. May it be so certainly (lit. there is no doubt). I choose this boon. Had said:

8b-10. O best brahmana, may it be so. Undoubtedly it will l take place. By my favour, may you have a good son, who would 'i emancipate your family. You will enjoy divine and human <! " boons here (i.e. in this world). Perceiving great, virtuous happiness due to your son, you will, O brahmana, not see (i.e. experience) unhappiness as long as you live. You will be a donor, an enjoyer and will appreciate merits. There is no doubt about this. You will meet with death at a sacred place (and) will obtain the highest position.!

12. Thus having granted a boon to that brahmana dear to him, the lord vanished. He was seen as (though seen) in a dream.

13-21. Then that best brahmana Somasharman, (accompanied) with (his wife) Sumana, gave auspicious gifts at the great and purifying sacred place Amarakantaka, on the auspicious! h-ivk of Reva, giving merit. When a very long time of that ' Som-i'a ri i i p^sed (i.e. when he thus passed a long time), he ^i bathed at the confluence of Kapila and Reva and set out. In |* front of him the brahmana saw a white elephant, which was j very bright, beautiful, divine, of a profuse ichor, and of charming j » (i.e. auspicious) marks, with his body looking beautiful on account of many ornaments, and endowed with great grace. " '

Both his temples shone with red lead and saffron. (He saw the elephant) whose ears were having blue lotuses on them, and which was having a banner and a staff. On the elephant was seated a divine, very bright man, who was endowed with divine marks, and who was adorned with all ornaments, who had put on divine flowers and who was besmeared with divine sandal. The best (brahmana, Samasarman) saw him to be very pleasing like the moon, and endowed with an umbrella and chowries, and going, after having mounted the elephant (i.e. being carried by the elephant). (He saw the man) who was very auspiciously being praised by Siddhas, bards and Gandharvas. Seeing that beautiful, excellent elephant and the man with divine characteristics, Somasharman, with his mind full of amazement, reflected:

22-27. 'Who is this, of a divine body and a good vow, going after having reached (i.e. along) the path? ' When, thinking like this, Somasharman came to his house, (he saw) the divine charming form entering (through) the door of his house. Full of great joy, the religious-minded, best brahmana, Somasharman, quickly went to his house; but when he went upto the door of his house he did not see him, (but instead) the very intelligent one (saw) charming divine, fragrant flowers fallen in the courtyard (of his house). Seeing this courtyard besmeared with auspicious, fragrant sandal and saffron, and with durva grass and sacred rice grains, he, thus amazed, and reflecting repeatedly, saw Sumana with divine and auspicious excellence. Somasharmana said:

28. Who gave (you) these divine ornaments, (this) fortune in the form an excellent dress, and decoration (in the form) of garments and ornaments?

29. O good one, then, without any apprehension tell me the reason. Thus speaking to his wife, the best brahmana ceased (speaking). Sumana said:

30-31. O my husband, listen. Someone best among the gods, mounted upon a white elephant, adorned with divine ornaments, a with his body smeared with divine sandal, endowed with divine wonders, had come. I do not know which deity he was (who was) served by brahmanas and Gandharvas.

32-38a. He, who was being praised by gods, Gandharvas and bards, had come. With him were ladies who were endowed with auspicious forms, with beauty and excellent dresses, with charm due to all ornaments, and all with their desires satisfied. In front of them the illustrious man filled our quadrangle with gems and is (therefore) endowed with all charm. Then I was placed on an auspicious seat by brahmanas. All of them gave me garments, ornaments and decorations. They all consecrated me with auspicious Vedic hymns and meritorious songs from the sacred texts, and they again disappeared. O best brahmana, all of them (being) around me, again said: " We shall always dwell in your house. O you auspicious one, always remain undefiled along with your husband." Speaking thus, they all left. Thus only (i.e. this much only is what) I saw.

38b-45a. The very intelligent one, having heard the account told by her, again reflected: 'What is this brought about by the lord? ' Thus thinking the very wise Somasharman engaged himself in the religious duties of a brahmana. That illustrious Sumana observing a vow became pregnant from him. That respectable lady then looked more beautiful due to that embryo. She was endowed with the flame of lustre as she was having that bright son (in her womb). She, due to (the efficacy of) her penance, gave birth to a son resembling a god. At that time divine drums resounded in the sky. Great gods blew conches, Gandharvas sang charming songs; and indeed all the celestial nymphs danced at that time. Then the calm, best brahmana, Brahma, having come there with gods, named him (i.e. the boy) Suvrata. Having named him, all the gods of great prowess left.

45b-57. When the gods had left, the best brahmana Somasharman performed rites like the birth-rite (of the boy). When the illustrious son Suvrata, brought into existence by gods, was born, there was great prosperity in his house mixed with (i.e. full of) wealth and grains; and also (there were) elephants, buffaloes and cows, gold and jewels. The house of that Somasarman shone as the house of Kubera shone with heaps of wealth.

The best brahmana performed rites like meditation (and other) auspicious deeds. The brahmana, full of many merits went on a pilgrimage. The intelligent one, endowed with knowledge and merit, gave there auspicious gifts. With great joy he celebrated the marriage of the son. The son's sons, virtuous and endowed with good signs, were born. They were endowed with truthfulness, righteousness and penance. Somasharman performed all auspicious rites of (i.e. about) them; and the illustrious one was happy with their grandsons. He enjoyed all pleasures and was without (i.e. free from) old age and diseases. His body was as (if) he was twentyfive years old. That very wise Somasharman was lustrous like the sun. That noble, respectable lady Sumana also shone with pious and auspicious (things), with sons and grandsons, and with vows and restraints. With auspicious vows like (being very loyal to) the husband, the large-eyed one shone excellently. She was (so much) endowed with youth that she was as it were sixteen year old.

58-60. The magnanimous, righteous, very prosperous, charming and auspicious couple was delighted and full of joy. O best brahmanas, thus was their behaviour full of auspicious practices. I shall now tell you the observance of the vows by Suvrata (and) how he (obtained bliss) by having propitiated Narayana Anamaya (i.e. Vishnu).

 

CHAPTER TWENTYONE

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