Vasishtha's Instruction to Nahusa

Runjala said:

1. Brahma's son Vasishtha, of great lustre and the best among the speakers, called that Nahusa and spoke these words (to him).

2. " Quickly go to the forest, and bring many sylvan products." Hearing the words of the sage, Nahusa came (i.e. went) to the forest.

3-4. There that mighty Nahusa heard some good (i.e. agreeable) account: " This is that pious and mighty Nahusa, the very wise son of Ayu, separated from his mother (right) from his childhood. Due to a great (I.e. painful) separation from him, the wife of Ayu is weeping.

5. Asokasundari practised a very difficult penance. When will that virtuous queen Indumati see her son named Nahusa,

1304 Padma Pur ana conversant with the practice of righteosuness, and formerly kidnapped by the demons?

6-7. For the sake of Ayu's son the excellent, young daughter of Shiva i.e. Asokasundari practised, all alone, penance. When will she be united with this one (i.e. Nahusa)? "

8-13. That pious Nahusa, full of doubt, heard such worldly words uttered by bards in the sky. Having takensylvan products, having gone to Vasishtha's hermitage, having presented the sylvan products to pious Vasishtha, and having joined the palms of his hands and with his neck devoutly bent down, he said to that wise Vasishtha, the best among the ascetics: " Revered sir, listen to the words formerly uttered by a spy: 'This is Ayu's son, named Nahusa, who has been separated from his mother, Indumati, by the very troublesome demons. That young daughter of Shiva practised very difficult penance for (obtaining) this wise Nahusa (as her husband).' O preceptor, I heard all this that they talked.

14-16a. Who is that pious Ayu? Who is that virtuous Indumati? Who is that Asokasundari? Who is called Nahusa? This is a doubt in my mind. You please dispel it. (Nahusa seems to be) some other very wise person. Where is that Nahusa? Tell me all that, O father and other things also (if any)." Vasishtha said:

16b-18a. That pious Ayu is a king, the mighty ruler of the earth. His wife is Indumati, of a truthful nature and famous. On her, you, a son, abode of virtues and ornament of the lunar dynasty, were begotton by Ayu, the king of kings.

18b-22a. Shiva's beautiful, amiable daughter, adorned with virtues and form, and of a charming smile, by name Asokasundari, all alone practised penance in a penance-grove to obtain him (as her husband). The creator has fittingly and definiteely fashioned you as her husband. She practised profound meditation after resorting to the bank of the Ganges. Hunda, the lord of demons, seeing that chaste, lovely lady with lotus-like eyes, and bright with penance, and endowed with beauty, generosity and virtues, all alone, was very much tormented by Cupid's arrows. '

22b-26a. Going near her, he said to her: " Be my wife." Hearing these words of him, that devout lady said to him: " O Hunda, do not do a rash act; do not talk like this again and again. O hero, you cannot get me, especially (when I am) someone else's wife. Destiny has formerly fashioned for me (i.e. as my husband) Ayu's son named Nahusa. There is no doubt that that very lustrous, intelligent Nahusa, a divine gift, will be (my husband). If you do otherwise (i.e. other than what I tell you), I shall give you a curse by which you will be reduced to ashes."

26b-33a. Hearing these words of her, he, very much tormented by Cupid's arrows, cunningly kidnapped her and took her to his own house. Having come to know about it she cursed that mean demon, O glorious one: " You will die at the hands of Nahusa." When you were not born (i.e. before your birth) she was born, as you are (now) telling. O hero, you are that son of Ayu, who was kidnapped by the sinful Hunda, who was protected by the cook, and was sent to my hermitage through the female attendant. O child, I have again told you what the bards and kinnaras had made (you) hear (i.e. described) in the forest on seeing you. Kill that mean demon Hunda, the doer of evil things; and wipe off the tears (of your mother who is) shedding them from her eyes. From here go to the bank of the Ganges and (you will) see the very mighty one (there). Having killed the lord of the demons, bring (her) from his gaol. Be the husband of her who is (known as) Asokasundari.

33b-35. I have told you all this — the origin of this question. Speaking (thus) to Nahusa, the very intelligent brahmana ceased (speaking). Having heard all that wonderful (account) told by that sage, the son of Ayu, thinking and desiring to kill him, became angry.

 

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED NINE

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