Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 13.106
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13.106.1
दत्तानां फलसम्प्राप्तिं गवां प्रब्रूहि मेऽनघ ।
विस्तरेण महाबाहो न हि तृप्यामि कथ्यताम् ॥ १३.१०६.१ ॥
O sinless one, O mighty-armed one, tell me in detail of the attainment of the fruit of cows that have been given; I am not satisfied, let it be told.
13.106.2
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् ।
ऋषेरौद्दालकेर्वाक्यं नाचिकेतस्य चोभयोः ॥ १३.१०६.२ ॥
Here too they recount this ancient story: the words of the sage Auddālaki and of Nāciketa, both of them.
13.106.3
ऋषिरौद्दालकिर्दीक्षामुपगम्य ततः सुतम् ।
त्वं मामुपचरस्वेति नाचिकेतमभाषत ॥ १३.१०६.३ ॥
The sage Auddālaki, having undertaken the consecration vow, then said to his son Nāciketa: "Serve me."
13.106.4
समाप्ते नियमे तस्मिन्महर्षिः पुत्रमब्रवीत् ।
उपस्पर्शनसक्तस्य स्वाध्यायाभिरतस्य च ॥ १३.१०६.४ ॥
When that observance was concluded, the great sage spoke to his son, who was devoted to ablutions and delighted in Vedic study.
13.106.5
इध्मा दर्भाः सुमनसः कलशश्चाभितो जलम् ।
विस्मृतं मे तदादाय नदीतीरादिहाव्रज ॥ १३.१०६.५ ॥
Firewood, kuśa grass, flowers, and the water pot filled all around—I have forgotten them; take them and come back here from the riverbank.
13.106.6
गत्वानवाप्य तत्सर्वं नदीवेगसमाप्लुतम् ।
न पश्यामि तदित्येवं पितरं सोऽब्रवीन्मुनिः ॥ १३.१०६.६ ॥
"Having gone there I did not obtain all of them; they have been swept away by the river's flood; I do not see them," so the sage said to his father.
13.106.7
क्षुत्पिपासाश्रमाविष्टो मुनिरौद्दालकिस्तदा ।
यमं पश्येति तं पुत्रमशपत्क्रोधमूर्च्छितः ॥ १३.१०६.७ ॥
Seized by hunger, thirst and weariness, the sage Auddālaki then, overcome with anger, cursed that son: "Go and see Yama!"
13.106.8
तथा स पित्राऽभिहतो वाग्वज्रेण कृताञ्जलिः ।
प्रसीदेति ब्रुवन्नेव गतसत्वोऽपतद्भुवि ॥ १३.१०६.८ ॥
Struck thus by his father's thunderbolt of words, he fell senseless to the ground, folding his hands and saying, "Be gracious!"
13.106.9
नाचिकेतं प्रिता दृष्ट्वा पतितं दुःखमूर्च्छितः ।
किं मया कृतमित्युक्त्वा निपपात महीतले ॥ १३.१०६.९ ॥
Seeing Nāciketa fallen, the father, stunned with grief, said, "What have I done?" and fell down upon the earth.
13.106.10
तस्य दुःखपरीतस्य स्वं पुत्रमनुशोचतः ।
व्यतीतं तदहःशेषं सा चोग्रा तत्र शर्वरी ॥ १३.१०६.१० ॥
For him, overcome with sorrow and lamenting his own son, the rest of that day passed, and there that dreadful night as well.
13.106.11
पित्र्येणाश्रुप्रपातेन नाचिकेतः कुरूद्वह ।
प्रास्यन्दच्छयने कौश्ये वृष्ट्या सस्यमिवाप्लुतम् ॥ १३.१०६.११ ॥
O best of the Kurus, drenched by his father's falling tears, Nāciketa was soaked upon the silken bed, like a crop soaked by rain.
13.106.12
स पर्यपृच्छत्तं पुत्रं श्लाघ्यं पर्यागतं पुनः ।
दिव्यैर्गन्धैः समादिग्धं क्षीणस्वप्नमिवोत्थितम् ॥ १३.१०६.१२ ॥
He questioned that praiseworthy son who had returned again, anointed with divine fragrances, standing like one who has risen when a dream has ended.
13.106.13
अपि पुत्र जिता लोकाः शुभास्ते स्वेन कर्मणा ।
दिष्ट्या चासि पुनः प्राप्तो न हि ते मानुषं वपुः ॥ १३.१०६.१३ ॥
Son, have you won the auspicious worlds by your own deeds? By good fortune you have returned, and your body is no longer a human body.
13.106.14
प्रत्यक्षदार्शी सर्वस्य वित्रा पृष्टो महात्मना ।
अभ्युत्थाय पितुर्मध्ये महर्षीणां न्यवेदयत् ॥ १३.१०६.१४ ॥
Questioned by that great-souled one who sees everything directly, he rose up in the midst of his father and reported before the great sages.
13.106.15
कुर्वन्मवच्छासनमाशु यातो ।
ह्यहं विशालां रुचिरप्रभासाम्।
वैवस्वतीं प्राप्य सभामवश्यं ।
सहस्रशो योजनहैमभौमाम् ॥ १३.१०६.१५ ॥
Doing your command, I went swiftly, and surely reached the assembly of Vaivasvata, vast and of pleasing radiance, extending thousands of yojanas, made of gold and earth.
13.106.16
दृष्टैव मामभिमुखमापतन्तं ।
गृहं निवेद्यासनमादिदेश।
वैवस्वतोऽर्घ्यादिभिरर्हणैश्च ।
भवत्कृते पूजयामास मां साः ॥ १३.१०६.१६ ॥
Seeing me approach, Vaivasvata at once sent word within the house, pointed to a seat, and honoured me with offerings of water and other reverences on your account.
13.106.17
ततस्त्वहं तं शनकैरवोचं ।
वृतः सदस्यैरभिपूज्यमानः।
प्राप्तोऽस्मि ते विषयं धर्मराज ।
लोकानर्हो यानहं तान्विधत्स्व ॥ १३.१०६.१७ ॥
Then I said to him quietly, surrounded and honoured by the members of the assembly: 'O king of dharma, I have come to your domain. Assign me the worlds that I am worthy of.'
13.106.18
यमोऽब्रवीन्मां न मृतोसि सौम्य ।
यमं पश्येत्याह स त्वां तपस्वी।
पिता प्रदीप्ताग्निसमानतेजा ।
न तत्छक्यमनृतं विप्र कर्तुम् ॥ १३.१०६.१८ ॥
Yama said to me: 'You are not dead, gentle one. See Yama.' That ascetic father, whose splendour is like a blazing fire, says to you so. O brahmin, it is not possible to speak falsehood.
13.106.19
दृष्टस्तेऽहं प्रतिगच्छस्व तात ।
शोचत्यसौ तव देहस्य कर्ता।
ददानि किञ्चापि मनःप्रणीतं ।
प्रियातिथेस्तव कामान्वृणीष्व ॥ १३.१०६.१९ ॥
"I have seen you, dear son; now return. He who made your body is grieving. I will certainly give you something that your mind has conceived. O beloved guest, choose your desires."
13.106.20
तेनैवमुक्तस्तमहं प्रत्यवोचं ।
प्राप्तोस्मि ते विषयं दुर्निवर्त्यम्।
इच्छाम्यहं पुण्यकृतां समृद्धाँ-
ल्लोकान्द्रष्टुं यदि तेऽहं वरार्हः ॥ १३.१०६.२० ॥
When he had thus spoken to me, I replied to him: 'I have come into your domain, from which it is hard to return. If I am worthy of a boon, I wish to behold the prosperous worlds of the meritorious.'
13.106.21
यानं समारोप्य तु मां स देवो ।
वाहैर्युक्तं सुप्रभं भानुमत्तम्।
संदर्शयामास तदाऽऽत्मलोका-
न्सर्वास्तथा पुण्यकृतां द्विजेन्द्र ॥ १३.१०६.२१ ॥
That god, having mounted me on a chariot yoked with horses, most bright and radiant, then showed me his own worlds and all the worlds of the meritorious, O best of twice-born.
13.106.22
अपश्यं तत्र वेश्मानि तैजसानि महात्मनाम् ।
नानासंस्थानरूपाणि सर्वरत्नमयानि च ॥ १३.१०६.२२ ॥
There I saw the luminous abodes of the great souls, of many shapes and forms, made entirely of jewels.
13.106.23
चन्द्रमण्डलशुभ्राणि किंकिणीजालवन्ति च ।
अनेकशतभौमानि सान्तर्जलवनानि च ॥ १३.१०६.२३ ॥
They were bright as the disc of the moon, hung with nets of tinkling bells, of hundreds of storeys, and within them were waters and groves.
13.106.24
वैडूर्यार्कप्रकाशानि रूप्यरुक्ममयानि च ।
तरुणादित्यवर्णानि स्थावराणि चराणि च ॥ १३.१०६.२४ ॥
They shone like cat's-eye gems and the sun, were made of silver and gold, were colored like the young sun, and were both fixed and moving.
13.106.25
भक्ष्यभोज्यमयाञ्शैलान्वासांसि शयनानि च ।
सर्वकामफलांश्चैव वृक्षान्भवनसंस्थितान् ॥ १३.१०६.२५ ॥
Mountains made of food and drink, garments, beds, and trees standing within the dwellings, bearing the fruit of every desire.
13.106.26
नद्यो वीथ्यः सभा वाप्यो दीर्घिकाश्चैव सर्वशः ।
घोषवन्ति च यानानि युक्तान्धथ सहस्रशः ॥ १३.१०६.२६ ॥
Rivers, streets, assembly halls, step-wells and long ponds everywhere; and resounding vehicles, yoked by the thousand.
13.106.27
क्षीरस्रवा वै सरितो गिरींश्च ।
सर्पिस्तथा विमलं चापि तोयम्।
वैवस्वतस्यानुमतांश्च देशा-
नदृष्टपूर्वान्सुबहूनपश्यम् ॥ १३.१०६.२७ ॥
Rivers and mountains flowing with milk, clarified butter and pure water as well; the lands approved by Vaivasvata (Yama), many never seen before, I beheld.
13.106.28
सर्वान्दृष्ट्वा तदहं धर्मराज-
मवोचं वै सर्वदेवं सहिष्णुम्।
क्षीरस्यैताः सर्पिषश्चैव नद्यः ।
शश्वत्स्रोताः कस्य भोज्याः प्रवृत्ताः ॥ १३.१०६.२८ ॥
Having seen all these, I said to the king of dharma, the god of all and the patient one: these rivers of milk and clarified butter, with their ever-flowing streams, for whose enjoyment do they flow?
13.106.29
यमोऽब्रवीद्विद्धि भोज्यांस्त्वमेता-
न्ये दातारः साधवो गोरसानाम्।
अन्ये लोकाः शाश्वता वीतशोकैः ।
समाकीर्णा गोप्रदाने रतानाम् ॥ १३.१०६.२९ ॥
Yama said: Know these to be fit to be eaten. For the virtuous who give the essences of cows, there are other eternal worlds, crowded with those free from sorrow who delight in the gift of cows.
13.106.30
न त्वेतासां दानमात्रं प्रशस्तं ।
पात्रं कालो गोविशेषो विधिश्च।
ज्ञात्वा देयं विप्र गवान्तरं हि ।
दुःखं ज्ञातुं पावकादित्यभूतम् ॥ १३.१०६.३० ॥
But mere giving of these is not praised. One should give, knowing the recipient, the time, the particular cow and the rule, O brahmin; knowing another cow as well, one should know the suffering that arose from fire and sun.
13.106.31
स्वाध्यायवान्योऽतिमात्रं तपस्वी ।
वैतानस्थो ब्राह्मणः पात्रमासाम्।
गोषु क्षान्तं गोशरण्यं कृतज्ञं ।
वृत्तिग्लानं तादृशं पात्रमाहुः ॥ १३.१०६.३१ ॥
The brahmin who studies the Veda, is exceedingly austere, and abides in the vaitāna fires — he is the fit recipient of these. Patient toward cows, a refuge for cows, grateful, and worn down by livelihood — such a one, they call a fit recipient.
13.106.32
कृच्छ्रोत्सृष्टाः पोष्णाभ्यागताश्च ।
द्वारैरेतैर्गोविशेषाः प्रशस्ताः।
अन्तर्जाताः सुक्रयज्ञानलब्धाः ।
प्राणक्रीताः सोदकाः सोद्वहाश्च ॥ १३.१०६.३२ ॥
Those abandoned in hardship and come to be nourished — by these gates, special kinds of cows are praised: born within the house, obtained by good purchase or knowledge, bought with life, with water, and with draught capacity.
13.106.33
तिस्रो रात्र्यस्त्वद्भिरुपोष्य भूमौ ।
तृप्ता गावस्तर्पितेभ्यः प्रदेयाः।
वत्सैः प्रीताः सुप्रजाः सोपचारा-
स्त्र्यहं दत्त्वा गोरसैर्वर्तितव्यम् ॥ १३.१०६.३३ ॥
Having fasted for three nights on the bare ground, living on water alone, one should give satisfied cows to the satisfied; cows pleased with their calves, bearing good offspring, given with due honour, for three days; and one should subsist on cow-products.
13.106.34
दत्त्वा धेनुं सुव्रतां साधुदोहां ।
कल्याणवत्सामपलायिनीं च।
यावन्ति रोमाणि भवन्ति तस्या-
स्तावद्वर्षाण्यश्नुते स्वर्गलोकम् ॥ १३.१०६.३४ ॥
Having given a cow of good vows, easy to milk, with a fine calf, and not given to running away, a man enjoys the heavenly world for as many years as there are hairs on her body.
13.106.35
तथाऽनड्वाहं ब्राह्मणेभ्यः प्रदाय ।
दान्तं धुर्यं बलवन्तं युवानम्।
कुलानुजीव्यं वीर्यवन्तं बृहन्तं ।
भुङ्क्ते लोकान्सम्मितान्धेनुदस्य ॥ १३.१०६.३५ ॥
Likewise, having given to brahmins a draft ox that is tamed, fit for the yoke, strong, young, supporting the family, vigorous and large, the giver of a cow enjoys worlds in proportion.
13.106.36
वृद्धे ग्लाने सम्भ्रमे वा महार्थे ।
कृष्यर्थं वा हौम्यहेतोः प्रमूत्याम्।
गुर्वर्थं वा यज्ञसमाप्तये वा ।
गां वै दातुं देशकालोऽविशिष्टः ॥ १३.१०६.३६ ॥
In old age, in sickness, in distress, or for a great purpose; for ploughing, for the sake of an oblation, at a birth, for a teacher, or for the completion of a sacrifice—there is no distinction of place or time for giving a cow.
13.106.37
श्रुत्वा वैवस्वतवचस्तमहं पुनरब्रवम् ।
अगोमी गोप्रदातॄणां कथं लोकान्हि गच्छति ॥ १३.१०६.३७ ॥
Having heard the words of Vaivasvata, I spoke again: how does one who owns no cow reach the worlds of those who give cows?
13.106.38
ततोऽब्रवीद्यमो धीमान्गोप्रदानं ततो गतिम् ।
गोप्रदानानुकल्पात्तु गामृते सन्तु गोप्रदाः ॥ १३.१०६.३८ ॥
Then the wise Yama said: the gift of a cow itself grants that destination. As a substitute for the gift of a cow, let there be givers of cows even without a cow.
13.106.39
अलाभे यो गवां दद्याद्धृतधेनुं यतव्रतः ।
तस्यैता घृतवाहिन्यः क्षरन्ते वत्सला इव ॥ १३.१०६.३९ ॥
When there are no cows, whoever of disciplined vows gives a ghee-cow: for him these streams carrying ghee flow, like cows overflowing with love for their calves.
13.106.40
घृतालाभे तु यो दद्यात्तिलधेनुं यतव्रतः ।
स दुर्गात्तारितो धेन्वा क्षीरनद्यां प्रमोदते ॥ १३.१०६.४० ॥
When there is no ghee, whoever of disciplined vows gives a sesame-cow: he is carried across from distress by that cow and rejoices in the river of milk.
13.106.41
तिलालाभे तु यो दद्याज्जलधेनुं यतव्रतः ।
स कामप्रवहां शीतीं नदीमेतामुपाश्नुते ॥ १३.१०६.४१ ॥
When there is no sesame, whoever of disciplined vows gives a water-cow: he obtains this cool river that flows as one desires.
13.106.42
एवमेतानि मे तत्र धर्मराजो न्यदर्शयत् ।
दृष्ट्वा च परमं हर्षमवापमहमच्युत ॥ १३.१०६.४२ ॥
Thus did the king of dharma there show me these things; and having seen them, O Acyuta, I obtained supreme joy.
13.106.43
निवेदये चाहमिमं प्रियं ते ।
क्रतुर्महानल्पधनप्रचारः।
प्राप्तो मया तात स मत्प्रसूतः ।
प्रपत्स्यते वेदविधिप्रवृत्तः ॥ १३.१०६.४३ ॥
I report to you this dear news, my son: the great sacrifice with little expenditure of wealth has come to me, and it will be undertaken by me, in accordance with the Vedic rule.
13.106.44
शापो ह्ययं भवतोऽनुग्रहाय ।
प्राप्तो मया यत्र दृष्टो यमो वै।
दानव्युष्टिं तत्र दृष्ट्वा महात्म-
न्निःसंदिग्धान्दानधर्मांश्चरिष्ये ॥ १३.१०६.४४ ॥
O great-souled one, this curse of yours too is for my favour; where I saw Yama, there it was obtained by me. Having seen there the fruit of giving, I shall practise the duties of giving without doubt.
13.106.45
इदं च मामब्रवीद्धर्मराजः ।
पुनः पुनः सम्प्रहृष्टो महर्षे।
दानेन यः प्रयतोऽभूत्सदैव ।
विशेषतो गोप्रदानं च कुर्याम् ॥ १३.१०६.४५ ॥
O great sage, the King of Dharma also said this to me again and again, greatly delighted: one who is always diligent in giving should especially perform the gift of cows.
13.106.46
शुद्धो ह्यर्थो नावमन्यस्व धर्मा-
न्पात्रे देयं देशकालोपपन्ने।
तस्माद्गावस्ते नित्यमेव प्रदेया ।
माभूच्च ते संशयः कश्चिदत्र ॥ १३.१०६.४६ ॥
Do not despise pure wealth or the duties of dharma; a gift should be given to a worthy recipient at a suitable place and time. Therefore your cows should always be given, and let there be no doubt in you about this.
13.106.47
एताः पुरा ह्यददन्नित्यमेव ।
सान्तात्मानो दानपथे निविष्टाः।
तपांस्युग्राण्यप्रतिशङ्कमाना-
स्ते वै दानं प्रददुश्चैव शक्त्या ॥ १३.१०६.४७ ॥
Formerly, those who always gave these cows, self-controlled, devoted to the path of giving, performing severe austerities without doubt, they indeed gave gifts according to their ability.
13.106.48
काले च शक्त्या मत्सरं वर्जयित्वा ।
शुद्धात्मानः श्रद्धिनः पुण्यशीलाः।
दत्त्वा गा वै लोकममुं प्रपन्ना ।
देदीप्यन्ते पुण्यशीलास्तु नाके ॥ १३.१०६.४८ ॥
At the proper time, according to their ability, abandoning envy, those pure-souled, faithful, meritorious men who give cows attain that world; the men of merit shine in heaven.
13.106.49
एतद्दानं न्यायलब्धं द्विजेभ्यः ।
पात्रे दत्तं प्रापणीयं परीक्ष्य।
काम्याष्टम्यां वर्तितव्यं दशाहं ।
रसैर्गवां शकृता प्रस्नवैर्वा ॥ १३.१०६.४९ ॥
This gift, obtained lawfully, should be given to brahmins to a worthy recipient after examining him, so that it bears fruit. On a desired eighth day one should observe a vow for ten days with the juices, dung, or milk of cows.
13.106.50
देवव्रती स्याद्वृषभप्रदानै-
र्वेदावाप्तिर्गोयुगस्य प्रदाने।
तीर्थावाप्तिर्गोप्रयुक्तप्रदाने ।
पापोत्सर्गः कपिलायाः प्रदाने ॥ १३.१०६.५० ॥
By giving bulls a man may become one devoted to the gods; by giving a pair of cows he attains the Vedas; by giving what is connected with cows he attains sacred places; by giving a tawny cow he is released from sin.
13.106.51
गामप्येकां कपिलां सम्प्रदाय ।
न्यायोपेतां कलुषाद्विप्रमुच्येत्।
गवां रसात्परमं नास्ति किञ्चि-
द्गवां प्रदानं सुमहद्वदन्ति ॥ १३.१०६.५१ ॥
By giving even one tawny cow obtained lawfully, a brahmin is freed from sin. There is nothing higher than the juice of cows; the gift of cows is said to be very great.
13.106.52
गावो लोकांस्तारयन्ति क्षरन्त्यो ।
गावश्चान्नं संजनयन्ति लोके।
यस्तं जानन्न गवां हार्दमेति ।
स वै गन्ता निरयं पापचेताः ॥ १३.१०६.५२ ॥
Cows, flowing with milk, carry the worlds across, and cows produce food in the world. He who knows this yet feels no affection for cows, evil-minded, will surely go to hell.
13.106.53
यैस्तद्दत्तं गोसहस्रं शतं वा ।
दशार्धं वा दश वा साधुवत्सम्।
अप्येका वै साधवे ब्राह्मणाय ।
सास्यामुष्मिन्पुण्यतीर्था नदी वै ॥ १३.१०६.५३ ॥
Those who have given a thousand, a hundred, fifty, or ten cows, each with a good calf, or even a single cow to a worthy brahmin, for them in the other world that very cow becomes a river with holy fords of merit.
13.106.54
प्राप्त्या पुष्ट्या लोकसंरक्षणेन ।
गावस्तुल्याः सूर्यपादैः पृथिव्याम्।
शब्दश्चैकः संनतिश्चोपभोगा-
स्तस्माद्गोदः सूर्य इवावभाति ॥ १३.१०६.५४ ॥
By bringing gain, nourishment and the protection of the world, cows on earth are equal to the rays of the sun. Their voice, their gentle service and their use are one; therefore the giver of cows shines like the sun.
13.106.55
गुरुं शिष्यो वरयेद्गोप्रदाने ।
स वै गन्ता नियतं स्वर्गमेव।
विधिज्ञानां सुमहान्धर्म एष ।
विधिं ह्याद्यं विधयः संविशन्ति ॥ १३.१०६.५५ ॥
In the gift of cows a disciple should honour his teacher; he will surely go to heaven. For those who know the rites this is a very great dharma, for all rites enter into the first rite.
13.106.56
इदं दानं न्यायलब्धं द्विजेभ्यः ।
पात्रे दत्त्वा प्रापयेथाः परीक्ष्य।
त्वय्याशंसन्त्यमरा दानवाश्च ।
वयं चापि प्रसृते पुण्यशीले ॥ १३.१०६.५६ ॥
Give this gift, obtained by rightful means, to the twice-born. Having given it to a worthy recipient after examining him, see that it reaches them. The gods and the danavas also hope in you, and so do we, O you of virtuous conduct.
13.106.57
इत्युक्तोऽहं धर्मराजं द्विजर्षे ।
धर्मात्मानं शिरसाऽभिप्रणम्य।
अनुज्ञातस्तेन वैवस्वतेन ।
प्रत्यागमं भगवत्पादमूलम् ॥ १३.१०६.५७ ॥
Thus addressed, I bowed my head low before Dharmarāja, that righteous-souled one. Having been granted leave by Vaivasvata, I returned to the feet of the venerable one, O best of the twice-born.