Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 12.345
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12.345.1
यदा भक्तो भगवति आसीद्राजा महान्वसुः ।
किमर्थं स परिभ्रष्टो विवेश विवरं भुवः ॥ १२.३४५.१ ॥
When the great king Vasu was a devotee of the blessed Lord, for what reason did he fall away and enter a cleft of the earth?
12.345.2
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् ।
ऋषीणां चैव संवादं त्रिदशानां च भारत ॥ १२.३४५.२ ॥
Here too, O Bhārata, they recount this ancient tradition, the dialogue of the sages and the gods.
12.345.3
इयं वै कर्मभूमिः स्यात्स्वर्गो भोगाय कल्पितः ।
तस्मादिन्द्रो महीं प्राप्य यजनाप तु दीक्षितः ॥ १२.३४५.३ ॥
This earth is indeed the land of action, while heaven has been ordained for enjoyment. Therefore Indra, having obtained the earth, was consecrated for sacrifice.
12.345.4
सवनीयपशोः काल आगते तु बृहस्पतिः ।
पिष्टमानीयतामत्र पश्वर्थमिति भाषत ॥ १२.३४५.४ ॥
When the time for the animal of the savanīya rite had come, Bṛhaspati spoke: 'Let flour-dough be brought here for the sake of the animal.'
12.345.5
तच्छ्रुत्वा देवताः सर्वा इदमूचुर्द्विजोत्तमम् ।
बृहस्पतिं मांसगृद्धाः पृथक्पृथगिदं पुनः ॥ १२.३४५.५ ॥
Hearing that, all the gods, greedy for flesh, spoke again to the foremost of the twice-born, Bṛhaspati, each one separately.
12.345.6
अजेन यष्टव्यमिति प्राहुर्देवा द्विजोत्तमान् ।
स च छागोप्यजो ज्ञेयो नान्यः पशुरिति स्थितिः ॥ १२.३४५.६ ॥
The gods declared to the foremost of the twice-born that one must sacrifice with the unborn; and that unborn is to be understood as the goat, no other animal—such is the established rule.
12.345.7
बीजैर्यज्ञेषु यष्टव्यमिति वै वैदिकी श्रुतिः ।
अजसंज्ञानि बीजानि च्छागं नो हन्तुमर्हथ ॥ १२.३४५.७ ॥
Sacrifice must be performed with seeds, so the Vedic revelation says. Seeds called 'aja' are to be used; you ought not to kill the goat for us.
12.345.8
नैष धर्मः सतां देवा यत्र बध्येत वै पशुः ।
इदं कृतयुगं श्रेष्ठं कथं वध्येत वै पशुः ॥ १२.३४५.८ ॥
O gods, this is not the dharma of the good, that an animal should be slain where it is slain. This is the excellent Kṛta age; how then could an animal be slain?
12.345.9
तेषां संवदतामेवमृषीणां विबुधैः सह ।
मार्गागतो नृपश्रेष्ठस्तं देशं प्राप्तवान्वसुः ॥ १२.३४५.९ ॥
While the sages were thus conversing with the gods, Vasu, best of kings, came along the road and reached that place.
12.345.10
अन्तरिक्षचरः श्रीमान्सहस्रबलवाहनः ।
तं दृष्ट्वा सहसाऽऽयान्तं वसुं ते त्वन्तरिक्षगम् ॥ १२.३४५.१० ॥
Seeing Vasu, the glorious sky-wanderer with a thousand troops and vehicles, suddenly approaching, they, who were themselves sky-goers,
12.345.11
ऊचुर्द्विजातयो देवानेष च्छेत्स्यति संशयम् ।
यज्वा दानपतिः श्रेष्ठः सर्वभूतहितप्रियः।
कथंस्विदन्यथा ब्रूयादेष वाक्यं महान्वसुः ॥ १२.३४५.११ ॥
The twice-born said to the gods: 'He will cut through this doubt. He is a sacrificer, lord of gifts, the best, dear to the welfare of all beings. How could this great Vasu speak otherwise?'
12.345.12
एवं ते संविदं कृत्वा विबुधा ऋषयस्तथा ।
अपृच्छन्सहिताऽभ्येत्य वसुं राजानमन्तिकात् ॥ १२.३४५.१२ ॥
Having thus reached their agreement, the gods and sages together went to king Vasu and questioned him from close by.
12.345.13
भो राजन्केन यष्टव्यमजेनाहोस्विदौषधैः ।
एतन्नः संशयं छिन्धि प्रमाणं नो भवान्मतः ॥ १२.३४५.१३ ॥
O king, with what should the sacrifice be performed—with the unborn goat, or with herbs? Cut away this doubt of ours; you are regarded by us as the authority.
12.345.14
स तान्कृताञ्जलिर्भूत्वा परिपप्रच्छ वै वसुः ।
कस्य वै को मतः पक्षो ब्रूत सत्यं द्विजोत्तमाः ॥ १२.३४५.१४ ॥
With folded palms, Vasu asked them: 'Whose view is which side? Speak the truth, O best of the twice-born.'
12.345.15
धान्यैर्यष्टव्यमित्येव पक्षोऽस्माकं नराधिप ।
देवानां तु पशुः पक्षो मतो राजन्वदस्व नः ॥ १२.३४५.१५ ॥
'Our side is that the sacrifice should be performed with grains, O lord of men. The side of the gods is the beast; O king, tell us your opinion.'
12.345.16
देवानां तु मतं ज्ञात्वा वसुना पक्षसंश्रयात् ।
छागेनाजेन यष्टव्यमेवमुक्तं वचस्तदा ॥ १२.३४५.१६ ॥
Knowing the opinion of the gods, and taking that side for support, Vasu then spoke these words: 'With a he-goat, with the unborn goat, the sacrifice is to be performed.'
12.345.17
कुपितास्ते ततः सर्वे मुनयः सूर्यवर्चसः ।
ऊचुर्वसुं विमानस्थं देवपक्षार्थवादिनम् ॥ १२.३४५.१७ ॥
Then all those sages, bright as the sun, grew angry and spoke to Vasu, who was seated in his celestial car and was speaking for the side of the gods.
12.345.18
सुरपक्षो गृहीतस्ते यस्मात्तस्माद्दिवः पत ।
अद्यप्रभृति ते राजन्नाकाशे विहता गतिः ॥ १२.३४५.१८ ॥
'Because you took up the side of the gods, fall from heaven. From this day on, O king, let your movement in the sky be obstructed.'
12.345.19
अस्माच्छापाभिघातेन महीं भित्त्वा प्रवेक्ष्यसि ।
विरुद्धं वेदसूत्राणामुक्तं यदि भवेन्नृप।
वयं विरुद्धवचना यदि तत्र पतामहे ॥ १२.३४५.१९ ॥
By the blow of this curse you will split the earth and enter it. O king, if anything contrary to the threads of the Vedas has been said, or if we have spoken contrary words, then let us fall right there.
12.345.20
ततस्तस्मिन्मुहूर्तेऽथ राजोपरिचरस्तदा ।
अधो वै संबभूवाशु भूमेर्विवरगो नृप ॥ १२.३४५.२० ॥
Then, in that very moment, King Uparicara swiftly went down into the cleft of the earth, O king.
12.345.21
स्मृतिस्त्वेवं न विजहौ तदा नारायणाज्ञया ॥ १२.३४५.२१ ॥
But by the command of Nārāyaṇa, his memory did not leave him in this way at that time.
12.345.22
देवास्तु सहिताः सर्वे वमोः शापविमोक्षणम् ।
चिन्तयामासुरव्यग्राः सुकृतं हि नृपस्य तत् ॥ १२.३४५.२२ ॥
All the gods, assembled together, calmly considered the release of Vasu from the curse, for that was the good deed of the king.
12.345.23
अनेनास्मत्कृते राज्ञा शापः प्राप्तो महात्मना ।
अस्य प्रतिप्रियं कार्यं सहितैर्नो दिवौकसः ॥ १२.३४५.२३ ॥
For our sake, this great-souled king incurred this curse. O heavenly beings, we together should do a favour in return for him.
12.345.24
इति बुद्ध्या व्यवस्याशु गत्वा निश्चयमीश्वराः ।
ऊचुः संहृष्टमनसो राजोपरिचरं तदा ॥ १२.३४५.२४ ॥
Having thus resolved in their minds, the lords quickly went and, with gladdened hearts, spoke then to King Uparicara.
12.345.25
ब्रह्मण्य देवभक्तस्त्वं सुरासुरगुरुर्हरिः ।
कामं स तव तुष्टात्मा कुर्याच्छापविभोक्षणम् ॥ १२.३४५.२५ ॥
Devoted to brahmins, you are a devotee of the gods; Hari, teacher of gods and demons, with a pleased mind will surely release you from the curse.
12.345.26
मानना तु द्विजातीनां कर्तव्या वै महात्मनाम् ।
अवश्यं तपसा तेषां फलितव्यं नृपोत्तम ॥ १२.३४५.२६ ॥
Best of kings, the twice-born and the great-souled must surely be honored, for the fruit of their austerity will certainly ripen.
12.345.27
यतस्त्वं सहसा भ्रष्ट आकाशान्मेदिनीतलम् ।
विरुद्धं वेदसूत्राणां न वक्तव्यं हितार्थिना ॥ १२.३४५.२७ ॥
Since you have suddenly fallen from the sky to the surface of the earth, one who seeks welfare should not speak against the threads of the Vedas.
12.345.28
अस्मत्पक्षनिमित्तेन व्यसनं प्राप्तमीदृशम् ।
एकं त्वनुग्रहं तुभ्यं दद्मो वै नृप्रसत्तम।
यावत्त्वं शापदोषेण कालमासिप्यसेऽनघ ॥ १२.३४५.२८ ॥
Because of our side, such calamity has come upon you; yet, best of men, we give you one favor. Sinless one, for as long as you dwell through the fault of the curse...
12.345.29
भूमेर्विवरगो भूत्वा तावत्त्वं कालमाप्स्यसि ।
यज्ञेषु सुहुतां विप्रैर्वसोर्धारां समाहितैः ॥ १२.३४५.२९ ॥
Dwelling in a cleft of the earth, you will pass that time until the attentive brahmins offer the well-poured stream of Vasu in sacrifices.
12.345.30
प्राप्स्यसेऽस्मदनुध्यानान्मा च त्वां ग्लानिराविशेत् ।
न क्षुत्पिपासे राजेन्द्र भूमेश्छिद्रे भविष्यतः ॥ १२.३४५.३० ॥
Through our meditation on you, you will attain release; let not weariness come upon you. Lord of kings, in the cleft of the earth there will be no hunger or thirst for you.
12.345.31
वसोर्धारामिपीतत्वात्तेजसाऽऽप्यायितेन च ।
स देवोऽस्मद्वरात्प्रीतो ब्रह्मलोकं हि नेष्यति ॥ १२.३४५.३१ ॥
Vasu drank that stream, and nourished by its radiance; that god, pleased by our boon, will indeed lead him to the world of Brahmā.
12.345.32
एवं दत्त्वा वरं राज्ञे सर्वे ते च दिवौकसः ।
ऋतुं समाप्य पिष्टेन मुनीनां वचनात्तदा ॥ १२.३४५.३२ ॥
Having thus granted a boon to the king, all those dwellers of heaven, at the word of the sages, then completed the sacrificial season with flour-offerings.
12.345.33
गताः धमवनं देवा ऋषगश्च तपोधनाः ।
गृहीत्वा दक्षिणां सर्वे गतः स्वानाश्रमान्पुनः ॥ १२.३४५.३३ ॥
The gods went to the grove of Dharma, and the sages, whose wealth is austerity; all of them, having taken their fee, went back again to their own hermitages.
12.345.34
वसुं विचिन्त्य शक्रश्च प्रविनेशामरावतीम् ।
वसुर्विवरगस्तत्र व्यलीकस्य फलं गुरोः ॥ १२.३४५.३४ ॥
Having thought of Vasu, Śakra entered Amarāvatī; Vasu went into the cleft of the earth, there to suffer the fruit of his teacher's falsehood.
12.345.35
चक्रे वसुस्ततः पूजां विष्वक्सेनाय भारत ।
जप्यं जगौ च सततं नारायणमुखोद्गवम् ॥ १२.३४५.३५ ॥
O descendant of Bharata, then Vasu worshipped Viṣvaksena, and constantly chanted the recitation that came from the mouth of Nārāyaṇa.
12.345.36
तत्रापि पञ्चभिर्यज्ञैः पञ्चकालानरिंदम् ।
अयजद्धरिं सुरपतिं भूमेर्विवरगोऽपि सन् ॥ १२.३४५.३६ ॥
There too, O subduer of foes, though gone into the cavity of the earth, Vasu worshipped Hari, lord of the gods, with five sacrifices in the five periods.
12.345.37
ततोऽस्य तुष्टो भगवान्भक्त्या नारायणो हरिः ।
अनन्यभक्तस्य सतस्तत्परस्य जितात्मनः ॥ १२.३४५.३७ ॥
Then the Blessed Lord Nārāyaṇa Hari, pleased with him through devotion, was gracious to that good man, whose devotion was undivided, who was intent on him and self-controlled.
12.345.38
वरदो भगवान्विष्णुः समीपस्थं द्विजोत्तमम् ।
गरुत्मन्तं महावेगमावभाषेऽप्सितं तदा ॥ १२.३४५.३८ ॥
Then Viṣṇu, the Blessed Lord who grants boons, addressed the best of the twice-born, Garuḍa of great speed, who stood nearby, with what was desired.
12.345.39
द्विजोत्तम महाभाग पश्यतां वचनान्मम ।
सम्राड्राजा वसुर्नाम धर्मात्मा संशितव्रतः ॥ १२.३४५.३९ ॥
Best of the twice-born, greatly fortunate one, hear my word: the sovereign king named Vasu, righteous of soul and firm in vows.
12.345.40
ब्राह्मणानां प्रकोपेन प्रविष्टो वसुधातलम् ।
मानितास्ते तु विप्रेन्द्रास्त्वं तु गच्छ द्विजोत्तम् ॥ १२.३४५.४० ॥
Through the anger of the brahmins he entered the depths of the earth. But those chief brahmins were honored; and you, best of the twice-born, go.
12.345.41
भूमेर्विवरसंगुप्तं गरुडेह ममाज्ञया ।
अधश्चरं नृपश्रेष्ठं खेचरं कुरु माचिरम् ॥ १२.३४५.४१ ॥
Garuḍa, by my command, make the best of kings, who is hidden in the cleft of the earth and moves below, a dweller of the sky here; do not delay.
12.345.42
गरुत्मानथ विक्षिप्य पक्षौ मारुतवेगवान् ।
विवेश विवरं भूमेर्यत्रास्ते वाग्यतो वसुः ॥ १२.३४५.४२ ॥
Then Garuḍa, swift as the wind, spread his wings and entered the cleft of the earth, where Vasu sat with his speech restrained.
12.345.43
तत एनं समुत्क्षिप्य सहसा विनतासुतः ।
उत्पपात नभस्तूर्णं तत्र चैनममुञ्चत ॥ १२.३४५.४३ ॥
Then the son of Vinatā suddenly lifted him up, flew swiftly into the sky, and there released him.
12.345.44
अस्मिन्मुहुर्ते संजज्ञे राजोपरिचरः पुनः ।
सशरीरो गतश्चैव ब्रह्मलोकं नृपोत्तमः ॥ १२.३४५.४४ ॥
In that very moment King Uparicara reappeared, and that best of kings went to the world of Brahmā in his bodily form.
12.345.45
एवं तेनापि कौन्तेय वाग्दोषाद्देवताज्ञया ।
प्राप्ता गतिरधस्तात्तु द्विजशापान्महात्मना ॥ १२.३४५.४५ ॥
So too, O son of Kuntī, that great-souled one, through a fault of speech, by the command of the gods and by a brahmin's curse, attained a lower fate.
12.345.46
केवलं पुरुषस्तेन सेवितो हरिरीश्वरः ।
ततः शीघ्रं जहौ शापं ब्रह्मलोकमवाप च ॥ १२.३४५.४६ ॥
He served only the Person, Hari the Lord; then quickly he cast off the curse and attained the world of Brahmā.
12.345.47
एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं संभूता मानवा यथा ।
नारदोऽपि यथा श्वेतं द्वीपं स गतवानृषिः।
तत्ते सर्वं प्रवक्ष्यामि शृणुष्वैकमना नृप ॥ १२.३४५.४७ ॥
All this has been told to you, how men came into being, and how the sage Nārada went to the white island. Now I shall tell you all of that; listen with a single mind, O king.