Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 12.277
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12.277.1
धर्ममर्थं च कामं च वेदाः शंसन्ति भारत ।
कस्य लाभो विशिष्टोऽत्र तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥ १२.२७७.१ ॥
Descendant of Bharata, the Vedas teach dharma, wealth and desire. Of these, whose gain is the highest? Tell me that, O grandsire.
12.277.2
अत्र ते वर्तयिष्यामि इतिहासं पुरातनम् ।
कुण्डधारेण यत्प्रीत्या भक्तायोपकृतं पुरा ॥ १२.२७७.२ ॥
Here I shall relate to you an ancient legend, the kindness Kuṇḍadhāra once showed out of affection to a devotee long ago.
12.277.3
अधनो ब्राह्मणः कश्चित्कामाद्धनमवैक्षत ।
यज्ञार्थं सततोऽर्थार्थी तपोऽतप्यत दारुणम् ॥ १२.२७७.३ ॥
A certain poor brahmin, moved by desire, longed for wealth. Seeking riches constantly for the sake of sacrifice, he performed a severe austerity.
12.277.4
स निश्चयमथो कृत्वा पूजयामास देवताः ।
भक्त्या न चैवाध्यगच्छद्धनं संपूज्य देवताः ॥ १२.२७७.४ ॥
Having resolved, he worshipped the gods. Yet, though he honoured the gods with devotion, he did not obtain wealth.
12.277.5
ततश्चिन्तामनुप्राप्तः कतमद्दैवतं तु तत् ।
यन्मे द्रुतं प्रसीदेत मानुषैरजडीकृतम् ॥ १२.२७७.५ ॥
Then, sunk in thought, he wondered: 'Which deity, roused by human effort, would quickly be pleased with me?'
12.277.6
सोऽथ सौम्येन मनसा देवानुचरमन्तिके ।
प्रत्यपश्यज्जलधरं कुण्डधारमवस्थितम् ॥ १२.२७७.६ ॥
Then with a calm mind he saw, standing near him, a servant of the gods: the cloud-bearer Kuṇḍadhāra, who was standing there.
12.277.7
दृष्ट्वैव तं महाबाहुं तस्य भक्तिरजायत ।
अयं मे धास्यति श्रेयो वपुरेतद्धि तादृशम् ॥ १२.२७७.७ ॥
Seeing that mighty-armed one, devotion arose in him. He will bestow good fortune upon me, for his form is just such.
12.277.8
संनिकृष्टश्च देवस्य न चान्यैर्मानुषैर्वृतः ।
एष मे दास्यति धनं प्रभूतं शीघ्रमेव च ॥ १२.२७७.८ ॥
He is near the god and is not surrounded by other men. He will quickly give me abundant wealth.
12.277.9
ततो धूपैश्च गन्धैश्च माल्यैरुच्चावचैरपि ।
बलिभिर्विविधाभिश्च पूजयामास तं द्विजः ॥ १२.२७७.९ ॥
Then the twice-born man worshipped him with incense, fragrances, garlands high and low, and various offerings.
12.277.10
ततस्त्वल्पेन कालेन तुष्टो जलधरस्तदा ।
तस्योपकारनियतामिमां वाचमुवाच ह ॥ १२.२७७.१० ॥
Then, before long, the cloud-bearer was pleased, and fixed on requiting his kindness, he spoke these words.
12.277.11
ब्रह्मघ्ने च सुरापे च चोरे भग्नव्रते तथा ।
निष्कृतिर्विहिता सद्भिः कृतघ्ने नास्ति निष्कृतिः ॥ १२.२७७.११ ॥
For one who kills a brahmin, for a drinker of liquor, for a thief, and likewise for one who has broken his vows, the good have prescribed expiation; but for the ungrateful there is no expiation.
12.277.12
आशायास्तनयोऽधर्मः क्रोधोऽसूयासुतः स्मृतः ।
लोभः पुत्रो निकृत्यास्तु कृतघ्नो नार्हति प्रजां ॥ १२.२७७.१२ ॥
Unrighteousness is the son of hope; anger is said to be the son of envy; greed is the son of deceit. The ungrateful man does not deserve offspring.
12.277.13
ततः स ब्राह्मणः स्वप्ने कुण्डधारस्य तेजसा ।
अपश्यत्सर्वभूतानि कुशेषु शयितस्तदा ॥ १२.२७७.१३ ॥
Then that brahmin, in a dream, by the radiance of Kuṇḍadhāra, saw all beings lying upon kuśa grass.
12.277.14
शमेन तपसा चैव भक्त्या च निरुपस्कृतः ।
शुद्धात्मा ब्राह्मणो रात्रौ निदर्शनमपश्यत ॥ १२.२७७.१४ ॥
That brahmin, unblemished through calm, austerity and devotion, pure in soul, saw a sign at night.
12.277.15
मणिभद्रं स तत्रस्थं देवतानां महाद्युतिम् ।
अपश्यत महात्मानं व्यादिशन्तं युधिष्ठिर ॥ १२.२७७.१५ ॥
There, among the standing gods, he saw the greatly radiant Maṇibhadra, the great soul, giving commands, O Yudhiṣṭhira.
12.277.16
तत्र देवाः प्रयच्छन्ति राज्यानि च धनानि च ।
शुभैः कर्मभिरारब्धाः प्रच्छिदन्त्यशुभेषु च ॥ १२.२७७.१६ ॥
There the gods bestow kingdoms and wealth upon those who have begun with auspicious deeds, and they also take them away from those who act inauspiciously.
12.277.17
पश्यतामथ यक्षाणं कुण्डधारो महाद्युतिः ।
निष्पत्य पतितो भूमौ देवानां भरतर्षभ ॥ १२.२७७.१७ ॥
While the yakṣas looked on, the greatly radiant Kuṇḍadhāra came forth and fell to the ground before the gods, O bull of the Bharatas.
12.277.18
ततस्तु देववचनान्मणिभद्रो महामनाः ।
उवाच पतितं भूमौ कुण्डधार किमिच्छसि ॥ १२.२७७.१८ ॥
Then, at the god's word, the great-minded Maṇibhadra said to Kuṇḍadhāra, who lay fallen on the ground: Kuṇḍadhāra, what do you desire?
12.277.19
यदि प्रसन्ना देवा मे भक्तोऽयं ब्राह्मणो मम ।
अस्यानुग्रहमिच्छामि कृतं किंचित्सुखोदयम् ॥ १२.२७७.१९ ॥
If the gods are pleased with me, and this brahmin is my devotee, I wish to grant him some favor that brings happiness.
12.277.20
ततस्तं मणिभद्रस्तु पुनर्वचनमब्रवीत् ।
देवानामेव वचनात्कुण्डधारं माहद्युतिम् ॥ १२.२७७.२० ॥
Then Maṇibhadra, at the word of the gods, spoke again to Kuṇḍadhāra, the one of great splendor.
12.277.21
उत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भद्रं ते कृतकृत्यः सुखी भव ।
धनार्थी यदि विप्रोऽयं धनमस्मै प्रदीयताम् ॥ १२.२७७.२१ ॥
Rise, rise, may good fortune be yours; become one whose task is done, and happy. If this brahmin seeks wealth, let wealth be given to him.
12.277.22
यावद्धनं प्रार्थयते ब्राह्मणोऽयं सथा तव ।
देवानां शासनात्तावदसङ्ख्येयं ददाम्यहम् ॥ १२.२७७.२२ ॥
As much wealth as this brahmin asks for, let it be given through you; by the command of the gods I shall give it to him in countless measure.
12.277.23
विचार्य कुण्डधारस्तु मानुष्यं चलमध्रुवम् ।
तपसो मतिमाधत्त ब्राह्मणस्य यशस्विनः ॥ १२.२७७.२३ ॥
Kuṇḍadhāra, having considered that human life is fleeting and impermanent, fixed his mind on the austerity of the famous brahmin.
12.277.24
नाहं धनानि याचामि ब्राह्मणाय धनप्रद ।
अन्यमेवाहमिच्छामि भक्तायानुग्रहं कृतम् ॥ १२.२७७.२४ ॥
O giver of wealth, I do not ask wealth for the brahmin. I desire some other favor, bestowed upon the devotee.
12.277.25
पृथिवीं रत्नपूर्णां वा महद्वा रत्नसंचयम् ।
भक्ताय नाहमिच्छमि भवेदेष तु धार्मिकः ॥ १२.२७७.२५ ॥
I do not desire for the devotee the earth filled with jewels, or a great heap of gems; let this one be righteous.
12.277.26
धर्मेऽस्य रमतां बुद्धिर्धर्मं चैवोपजीवतु ।
धर्मप्रधानो भवतु ममैषोऽनुग्रहो मतः ॥ १२.२७७.२६ ॥
Let his intellect delight in dharma, and let him live by dharma alone; let him be chief in dharma—this I hold as my favour.
12.277.27
सदा धर्मफलं राज्यं सुखानि विविधानि च ।
फलान्येवायमश्नातु कायक्लेशविवर्जितः ॥ १२.२७७.२७ ॥
May the fruit of dharma—kingship and manifold pleasures—be always his; free from bodily hardship, let him enjoy these very fruits.
12.277.28
ततस्तदेव बहुशः कुण्डधारो महायशाः ।
अभ्यासमकरोद्धर्मे ततस्तुष्टास्तु देवताः ॥ १२.२७७.२८ ॥
Then the greatly renowned Kuṇḍadhāra practised dharma again and again; then the gods were pleased.
12.277.29
प्रीतास्ते देवताः सर्वा द्विजस्यास्य तथैव च ।
भविष्यत्येष धर्मात्मा धर्मे चाधरस्यते मतिः ॥ १२.२७७.२९ ॥
All those gods were pleased with this twice-born one; he will become righteous in soul, and his mind will rest in dharma, not in adharma.
12.277.30
ततः प्रीतो जलधरः कृतकार्यो युधिष्ठिर ।
ईप्सितं मनसो लब्ध्वा वरमन्यैः सुदुर्लभम् ॥ १२.२७७.३० ॥
Then the cloud-bearer, pleased and with his task fulfilled, O Yudhiṣṭhira, obtained the boon his mind desired—something very hard for others to attain.
12.277.31
ततोऽपश्यत चीराणि सूक्ष्मणि द्विजसत्तमः ।
पार्श्वतोऽभ्याशतो न्यस्तान्यथ निर्वेदमागतः ॥ १२.२७७.३१ ॥
Then the best of brahmins saw fine garments laid down close by, and he was overcome with dispassion.
12.277.32
अयं न सुकृतं वेत्ति को न्वन्यो वेत्स्यते कृतम् ।
गच्छामि वनमेवाहं परं धर्मेण जीवितुम् ॥ १२.२७७.३२ ॥
This man knows no one's good deed; another will know what was done. I shall go to the forest, to live the supreme life by dharma.
12.277.33
निर्वेदाद्देवतानां च प्रसादात्स द्विजोत्तमः ।
वनं प्रविश्य सुमहत्तप आरब्धवांस्तदा ॥ १२.२७७.३३ ॥
Through dispassion and the grace of the gods, that best of brahmins entered the forest and then began a very great austerity.
12.277.34
देवतातिथिशेषेण फलमूलाशनो द्विजः ।
धर्मे चास्य महाराज दृढा बुद्धिरजायत ॥ १२.२७७.३४ ॥
And for that brahmin, who lived on fruit and root left over after the gods and guests had eaten, a firm resolve for dharma arose in him, O great king.
12.277.35
त्यक्त्वा मूलफलं सर्वं पर्णाहारोऽभवद्द्विजः ।
पर्णं त्यक्त्वा जलाहारः पुनरासीद्द्विजस्तदा ॥ १२.२७७.३५ ॥
Having given up all roots and fruit, the brahmin became one who lives on leaves; then, giving up leaves too, he became one who lives on water alone.
12.277.36
वायुभक्षस्ततः पश्चाद्बहून्वर्षगणानभूत् ।
न चास्य क्षीयते प्राणस्तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् ॥ १२.२७७.३६ ॥
Afterwards he became one who lives on air, and so he remained for many multitudes of years. His life-breath did not waste away, and it seemed wonderful.
12.277.37
धर्मे च श्रद्दधानस्य तपस्युग्रे च वर्ततः ।
कालेन महता तस्य दिव्या दृष्टिरजायत ॥ १२.२७७.३७ ॥
For him, full of faith in dharma and engaged in fierce austerity, divine sight arose after a long time.
12.277.38
तस्य बुद्धिः प्रादुरासीद्यदि दद्यामहं धनम् ।
तुष्टः कस्यचिदेवेह मिथ्या वाङ्ग भवेन्मम ॥ १२.२७७.३८ ॥
A thought arose in him: "If I, pleased, were to give wealth to someone here, my word would then be false."
12.277.39
ततः प्रहृष्टवदनो भूय आरब्धवांस्तपः ।
भूयश्चाचिन्तयत्सिद्धो यत्परं सोऽभिमन्यते ॥ १२.२७७.३९ ॥
Then, with a joyful countenance, he began austerity again, and the accomplished one reflected once more on what he considers supreme.
12.277.40
यदि दद्यामहं राज्यं तुष्टो वै यस्य कस्यचित् ।
स भवेदचिराद्राजा न मिथ्या वाग्भवेन्मम ॥ १२.२७७.४० ॥
"If I, pleased, were to give a kingdom to anyone, he would soon become king, and my word would not be false."
12.277.41
तस्य साक्षात्कुण्डधारो दर्शयामास भारत ।
ब्राह्मणस्य तपोयोगात्सौहृदेनाभिचोदितः ॥ १२.२७७.४१ ॥
O Bhārata, impelled by friendship and by the power of the brahmin's austerity, the bearer of the ring-earrings appeared to him in person.
12.277.42
समागम्य स तेनाथ पूजां चक्रे यथाविधि ।
ब्राह्मणः कुण्डधारस्य विस्मितश्चाभवन्नृप ॥ १२.२७७.४२ ॥
Then, having met him, he performed worship according to rule; and the brahmin was astonished at the bearer of the ring-earrings, O king.
12.277.43
ततोऽब्रवीत्कुण्डधारो दिव्यं ते चक्षुरुत्तमम् ।
पश्य राज्ञां गतिं विप्र लोकांश्चैव तु चक्षुषा ॥ १२.२७७.४३ ॥
Then Kuṇḍadhāra said: "Brahmin, this is your divine and supreme eye. With this eye behold the destiny of kings and the worlds."
12.277.44
ततो राजसहस्राणि मग्नानि निरये तदा ।
दूरादपश्यद्विप्रः स दिव्ययुक्तेन चक्षुषा ॥ १२.२७७.४४ ॥
Then thousands of kings were sunk in hell. The brahmin saw them from afar with the eye endowed with divinity.
12.277.45
मां पूजयित्वा भावेन यदि त्वं दुःखमाप्नुयाः ।
कृतं मया भवेत्किं ते कश्च तेऽनुग्रहो भवेत् ॥ १२.२७७.४५ ॥
If, having honored me with devotion, you should obtain sorrow, what would have been done by me? And what favor would be yours?
12.277.46
पश्यपश्य च भूयस्त्वं कामानिच्छेत्कथं नरः ।
स्वर्गद्वारं हि संरुद्धं मानुषेषु विशेषतः ॥ १२.२७७.४६ ॥
Behold again and again: how could a man desire pleasures? Especially among men, the gate of heaven is blocked.
12.277.47
ततोऽपश्यत्स कामं च क्रोधं लोभं भयं मदम् ।
निद्रां तन्द्रीं तथाऽऽलस्यमावृत्त्य पुरुषान्स्थितान् ॥ १२.२७७.४७ ॥
Then he saw desire, anger, greed, fear, intoxication, sleep, drowsiness and sloth standing, enveloping men.
12.277.48
एतैर्लोकाः सुसंरुद्धा देवानां मानुषाद्भयम् ।
तथैव देववचनाद्विघ्नं कुर्वन्ति सर्वशः ॥ १२.२७७.४८ ॥
By these the worlds are thoroughly blocked, and the gods fear men. Likewise, by the word of the gods, they create obstacles everywhere.
12.277.49
न देवैरननुज्ञातः कश्चिद्भवति धार्मिकः ।
एष शक्तोस्मि तपसा दातुं राज्यं धनानि च ॥ १२.२७७.४९ ॥
No one becomes righteous without the permission of the gods. I am able, through asceticism, to grant kingdom and wealth.
12.277.50
ततः पपात शिरसा ब्राह्मणस्तोयधारिणे ।
उवाच चैनं धर्मात्मा महान्मेऽनुग्रहः कृतः ॥ १२.२७७.५० ॥
Then the brahmin fell at the water-bearer's feet with his head bowed and said, "This righteous-souled one has shown me a great favour."
12.277.51
कामलोभानुबन्धेन पुरा ते यदसूयितम् ।
मया स्नेहमविज्ञाय तत्र मे क्षन्तुमर्हसि ॥ १२.२७७.५१ ॥
Formerly, bound by desire and greed, I envied you; not knowing your affection, you should forgive me for that.
12.277.52
क्षान्तमेव मयेत्युक्त्वा कुण्डधारो द्विजर्षभम् ।
संपरिष्वज्य बाहुभ्यां तत्रैवान्तरधीयत ॥ १२.२७७.५२ ॥
Saying, "I have forgiven," Kuṇḍadhāra embraced that best of brahmins with both arms and vanished right there.
12.277.53
ततः सर्वांस्तदा लोकान्ब्राह्मणोऽनुचचार ह ।
कुण्डधारप्रसादेन तपसा सिद्धिमागतः ॥ १२.२७७.५३ ॥
Then that brahmin, by Kuṇḍadhāra's grace and through asceticism, travelled through all the worlds and attained perfection.
12.277.54
विहायसा च गमनं तथा संकल्पितार्थता ।
धर्माच्छक्त्या तथा योगाद्या चैव परमा गतिः ॥ १२.२७७.५४ ॥
Travel through the air, the fulfilment of one's intentions, and the supreme goal attained through dharma, power and yoga, these he attained.
12.277.55
देवता ब्राह्मणाः सन्तो यक्षा मानुषचारणाः ।
धार्मिकान्पूजयन्तीह न धनाढ्यान्न कामिनः ॥ १२.२७७.५५ ॥
Gods, brahmins, the good, yakṣas and human minstrels here honor the righteous, not the wealthy, nor the lustful.
12.277.56
सुप्रसन्ना हि ते देवा यत्ते धर्मे रता मतिः ।
धने सुखकला काचिद्धर्मे तु परमं सुखम् ॥ १२.२७७.५६ ॥
Those gods are greatly pleased with you, since your mind delights in dharma. In wealth there is some small portion of happiness, but in dharma alone is the supreme happiness.