Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 13.75
हिन्दी · தமிழ் · తెలుగు · ಕನ್ನಡ · മലയാളം · বাংলা · मराठी · ગુજરાતી · ਪੰਜਾਬੀ · ଓଡ଼ିଆ · اردو · English · Español · Français · Deutsch · Português · Русский · 中文 · 日本語 · العربية · Bahasa Indonesia · ไทย
13.75.1
एवमेतन्महाबाहो नात्र मिथ्याऽस्ति किञ्चन ।
यथा ब्रवीषि कौरव्य नारीं प्रति जनाधिप ॥ १३.७५.१ ॥
Thus it is, O mighty-armed one; there is nothing false in it, as you say concerning women, O Kaurava, lord of men.
13.75.2
अत्र ते वर्तयिष्यामि इतिहासं पुरातनम् ।
यथा रक्षा कृता पूर्वं विपुलेन महात्मना ॥ १३.७५.२ ॥
Here I shall relate to you an ancient history, of how long ago the great-souled Vipula made protection.
13.75.3
प्रमदाश्च यथा सृष्टा ब्रह्मणा भरतर्षभ ।
यदर्थं तच्च ते तात प्रवक्ष्यामि नराधिप ॥ १३.७५.३ ॥
And how the women were created by Brahmā, O bull of the Bharatas, and for what purpose, that too I shall explain to you, dear son, lord of men.
13.75.4
न हि स्त्रीभ्यः परं पुत्र पापीयः किञ्चिदस्ति वै ।
अग्निर्हिः प्रमदा दीप्तो मायाश्च मयजा विभो।
क्षुरधारा विषं सर्पो मृत्युरित्येकतः स्त्रियः ॥ १३.७५.४ ॥
Son, there is nothing more evil than women. A woman is a blazing fire, O mighty one, and deception born of Maya; the razor's edge, poison, serpent, and death — women are all of these together.
13.75.5
प्रजा इमा महाबाहो धार्मिक्य इति नः श्रुतम् ।
स्वयं गच्छन्ति देवत्वं ततो देवानियाद्भयम् ॥ १३.७५.५ ॥
O mighty-armed one, we have heard that these creatures are righteous; they go of their own accord to divinity, and so fear came upon the gods.
13.75.6
अथाभ्यागच्छन्देवास्ते पितामहमरिंदम ।
निवेद्य मानसं चापि तूष्णीमासन्नधोमुखाः ॥ १३.७५.६ ॥
Then, O subduer of foes, the gods came to the grandsire; having made known their mind, they sat in silence with faces downcast.
13.75.7
तेषामन्तर्गतं ज्ञात्वा देवानां स पितामहः ।
मानवानां प्रमोहार्थं कृत्या नार्योऽसृजत्प्रभुः ॥ १३.७५.७ ॥
Knowing the inner state of the gods, that grandfather, the lord, created women called kṛtyās to bewilder men.
13.75.8
पूर्वसर्गे तु कौन्तेय साध्व्यो नार्य इहाभवन् ।
असाध्व्यस्तु समुत्पन्नाः कृत्याः सर्गात्प्रजापतेः ॥ १३.७५.८ ॥
O son of Kuntī, in the earlier creation there were virtuous women here; but unvirtuous kṛtyās arose from the creation of Prajāpati.
13.75.9
ताः कामलुब्धाः प्रमदाः प्रामथ्नन्त नरान्सदा ॥ १३.७५.९ ॥
Those women, greedy for desire, always tormented men.
13.75.10
क्रोधं कामस्य देवेशः सहायं चासृजत्प्रभुः ।
असज्जन्त प्रजाः सर्वाः कामक्रोधवशङ्गताः ॥ १३.७५.१० ॥
The lord of gods also created anger, a helper of desire; then all creatures, fallen under the sway of desire and anger, became attached.
13.75.11
द्विजानां च गुरूणां च महागुरुनृपादिनाम् ।
क्षणस्त्रीसङ्गकामोत्था यातनाहो निरन्तरा ॥ १३.७५.११ ॥
Alas, unceasing is the torment that arises, even for the twice-born, for teachers, for great teachers, for kings and others, from the momentary desire for union with women.
13.75.12
अरक्तमनसां नित्यं ब्रह्मचर्यामलात्मनाम् ।
तपोदमार्चनाध्यानयुक्तानां शुद्धिरुत्तमा ॥ १३.७५.१२ ॥
For those whose minds are always free of attachment, whose selves are stainless through chastity, and who are devoted to austerity, self-restraint, worship and meditation, purity is supreme.
13.75.13
न च स्त्रीणां क्रियाः काश्चिदिति धर्मो व्यवस्थितः ।
निरिन्द्रिया ह्यशास्त्राश्च स्त्रियोऽनृतमिति श्रुतिः ॥ १३.७५.१३ ॥
No particular rites belong to women—so dharma is settled. Women are without restraint of the senses, without scripture, and given to falsehood, so the revelation says.
13.75.14
शय्यासनमलङ्कारमन्नपानमनार्यताम् ।
दुर्वाग्भावं रतिं चैव ददौ स्त्रीभ्यः प्रजापतिः ॥ १३.७५.१४ ॥
Bed and seat, ornaments, food and drink, rudeness, harsh speech, and desire—these Prajāpati gave to women.
13.75.15
न तासां रक्षणं शक्यं कर्तुं पुंसां कथञ्चन ।
अपि विस्वकृता तात कुतस्तु पुरुषैरिह ॥ १३.७५.१५ ॥
Men cannot protect them in any way. Dear son, even the Creator of the world could not do it; how then could men here?
13.75.16
वाचा च वधबन्धैर्वा क्लेशैर्वा विविधैस्तथा ।
न शक्या रक्षितुं नार्यस्ता हि नित्यमसंयताः ॥ १३.७५.१६ ॥
Women cannot be guarded by words, by killing or bonds, or by various afflictions, for they are always uncontrolled.
13.75.17
इदं तु पुरुषव्याघ्र पुरस्ताच्छ्रुतवानहम् ।
यथा रक्षा कृता पूर्वं विपुलेन गुरुस्त्रियाः ॥ १३.७५.१७ ॥
This, O tiger among men, I heard long ago: how the sage Vipula once guarded a teacher's wife.
13.75.18
ऋषिरासीन्महाभागो देवशर्मेति विश्रुतः ।
तस्य भार्या रुचिर्नाम रूपेणासदृशी भुवि ॥ १३.७५.१८ ॥
There was a great-fortunate sage named Devaśarman, renowned. His wife was named Ruci, and on earth none was her equal in beauty.
13.75.19
तस्या रूपेण सम्मत्ता देवगन्धर्वदानवाः ।
विशेषेण तु राजेन्द्र वृत्रहा पाकशासनः ॥ १३.७५.१९ ॥
O lord of kings, by her beauty the gods, gandharvas and demons were all bewildered, and especially Indra, the slayer of Vṛtra, the ruler of Pāka.
13.75.20
नारीणां चरितज्ञश्च देवशर्मा महामतिः ।
यथाशक्ति यथोस्साहं भार्यां तामभ्यरक्षत ॥ १३.७५.२० ॥
Devaśarman, of great intellect, who knew the conduct of women, guarded that wife according to his strength and zeal.
13.75.21
पुरंदरं च जानंश्च परस्त्रीकामचारिणम् ।
तस्माद्यत्नेन भार्याया रक्षणं स चकार ह ॥ १३.७५.२१ ॥
Knowing that Purandara, Indra, roams with desire for other men's wives, he therefore guarded his wife with great care.
13.75.22
स कदाचिदृषिस्तात यज्ञं कर्तुमनास्तदा ।
भार्यासंरक्षणं कार्यं कथं स्यादित्यचिन्तयत् ॥ १३.७५.२२ ॥
Dear son, once that sage, wishing to perform a sacrifice, pondered how the protection of his wife should be done.
13.75.23
रक्षाविधानं मनसा स सञ्चिन्त्य महातपाः ।
आहूय दयितं शिष्यं विपुलं प्राह भार्गवम् ॥ १३.७५.२३ ॥
That great ascetic, having carefully pondered in his mind the means of protection, summoned his beloved disciple Vipula, a descendant of Bhṛgu, and spoke to him.
13.75.24
यज्ञकारो गमिष्यामि रुचिं चेमां सुरेश्वरः ।
यतः प्रार्थयते नित्यं तां रक्षस्व यथाबलम् ॥ १३.७५.२४ ॥
I am going to perform the sacrifice; and this Ruci constantly desires the lord of the gods, so protect her to the best of your strength.
13.75.25
अप्रमत्तेन ते भाव्यं सदा प्रति पुरंदरम् ।
स हि रूपाणि कुरुते विविधानि भृगूत्तम ॥ १३.७५.२५ ॥
You must always be vigilant toward Purandara (Indra). He assumes many different forms, best of the Bhṛgus.
13.75.26
इत्युक्तो विपुलस्तेन तपस्वी नियतेन्द्रियः ।
सदैवोग्रतपा राजन्नग्र्यर्कसदृशद्युतिः ॥ १३.७५.२६ ॥
Thus addressed by him, Vipula, the ascetic with controlled senses, always practising fierce austerity, O king, had a radiance like the excellent sun.
13.75.27
धर्मज्ञः सत्यवादी च तथेति प्रत्यभाषत ।
पुनश्चेदं महाराज पप्रच्छ प्रस्थितं गुरुम् ॥ १३.७५.२७ ॥
The knower of dharma and truthful speaker replied, "So be it." Then again, O great king, he asked this of the teacher who was departing.
13.75.28
कानि रूपाणि शक्रस्य भवन्त्यागच्छतो मुने ।
वपुस्तेजश्च कीदृग्वै तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि ॥ १३.७५.२८ ॥
O sage, what forms does Śakra (Indra) take when he approaches? What is his body and splendour like? It is for you to explain that to me.
13.75.29
ततः स भगवांस्तस्मै विपुलाय महात्मने ।
आचचक्षे यथातत्त्वं मायां शक्रस्य भारत ॥ १३.७५.२९ ॥
Then the venerable one explained to that great-souled Vipula the illusion of Indra as it truly is, O Bhārata.
13.75.30
बहुमायः स विप्रर्षे बलहा पाकशासनः ।
तांस्तान्विकुरुते भावान्बहूनथ मुहुर्मुहुः ॥ १३.७५.३० ॥
O brahmin sage, Indra, slayer of Bala and ruler of Pāka, is full of many illusions. Again and again he creates many different forms.
13.75.31
किरीटी वज्रधृग्धन्वी मुकुटी बद्धकुण्डलः ।
भवत्यथ मुहूर्तेनि चण्डालसमदर्शनः ॥ १३.७५.३१ ॥
Wearing a diadem, wielding the thunderbolt, bearing a bow, crowned and with earrings fastened, he in a moment appears like an outcaste.
13.75.32
शिखी जटी चीरवासाः पुनर्भवति पुत्रक ।
बृहच्छरीरश्च पनश्चीरवासाः पुनः कृशः ॥ १३.७५.३२ ॥
Son, he again becomes crested, matted-haired, clad in bark garments; again large-bodied, and again lean, clad in bark garments.
13.75.33
गौरं श्यामं च कृष्णं च वर्णं विकुरुते पुनः ।
विरूपो रूपवांश्चैव युवा वृद्धस्तथैव च ॥ १३.७५.३३ ॥
He again assumes fair, dark and black complexions; ugly and handsome, young and old, he likewise becomes.
13.75.34
प्राज्ञो जडश्च मूकश्च ह्रस्वो दीर्घस्तथैव च ।
ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियश्चैव वैश्यः शूद्रस्तथैव च ॥ १३.७५.३४ ॥
Wise and dull, mute, short and tall, he likewise becomes; brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya and shudra, he likewise becomes.
13.75.35
प्रतिलोमोऽनुलोमश्च भवत्यथ शतक्रतुः ।
शुकवायसरूपी च हंसकोकिलरूपवान् ॥ १३.७५.३५ ॥
He also becomes reverse-ordered and in natural order; then Śatakratu assumes the form of a parrot and a crow, and of a swan and a cuckoo.
13.75.36
सिंहव्याघ्रगजानां च रूपं धारयते पुनः ।
दैवं दैत्यमथो राज्ञां वपुर्धारयतेऽपि च ॥ १३.७५.३६ ॥
Again he assumes the form of lions, tigers and elephants; he also assumes a divine or demonic body, and the body of kings.
13.75.37
अकृशो मायुभग्राङ्गः शकुनिर्विकृतस्तथा ।
चतुष्पाद्बहुरूपश्च पुनर्भवति बालिशः ॥ १३.७५.३७ ॥
He does not grow thin, nor are his limbs broken by illusion; he becomes a bird, a deformed creature, a four-footed beast, one of many forms, and again becomes foolish like a child.
13.75.38
मक्षिकामशकादीनां वपुर्धारयतेऽपि च ।
न शक्यमस्य ग्रहणं कर्तुं विपुल केनचित् ॥ १३.७५.३८ ॥
He also takes on the form of flies, gnats and the like. O Vipula, it is not possible for anyone to seize him.
13.75.39
अपि विश्वकृता तात येन सृष्टमिदं जगत् ।
पुनरन्तर्हितः शक्रो दृश्यते ज्ञानचक्षुषा ॥ १३.७५.३९ ॥
Dear one, even by the creator of the universe, through whom this world was made, Indra, hidden again, is seen only by the eye of knowledge.
13.75.40
वायुभूतश्च स पुनर्देवराजो भवत्युतः ।
एवंरूपाणि सततं कुरुते पाकशासनः।
तस्माद्विपुल यत्नेन रक्षेमां तनुमध्यमाम् ॥ १३.७५.४० ॥
Then he becomes wind, and again becomes the king of the gods; thus Indra, the punisher of Paka, constantly assumes such forms. Therefore, O Vipula, protect this slender-waisted woman with great effort.
13.75.41
यथा रुचिं नवलिहेद्देवेन्द्रो भृगुसत्तम ।
क्रतावुपहिते न्यस्तं हविः श्वेव दुरात्मवान् ॥ १३.७५.४१ ॥
O best of the Bhṛgus, just as the lord of the gods, at will, licks again the oblation placed at a sacrifice that was offered, so does he, like a dog of wicked mind.
13.75.42
एवमाख्याय स मुनिर्यज्ञकारोऽगमत्तदा ।
देवशर्मा महाभागस्ततो भरतसत्तम ॥ १३.७५.४२ ॥
Having said this, that sage who performed the sacrifice then departed. Then, O best of the Bharatas, the greatly fortunate Devaśarman (departed).
13.75.43
विपुलस्तु वचः श्रुत्वा गुरोश्चिन्तामुपेयिवान् ।
रक्षां च परमां चक्रे देवराजान्महाबलात् ॥ १३.७५.४३ ॥
Vipula, having heard the teacher's words, fell into anxious thought, and made the supreme protection against Indra, king of the gods, the mighty one.
13.75.44
किन्नु शक्यं मया कर्तुं गुरुदाराभिरक्षणे ।
मायावी हि सुरेन्द्रोसौ दुर्धर्षश्चापि वीर्यवान् ॥ १३.७५.४४ ॥
How can I, in guarding the teacher's wife, accomplish anything? For that lord of the gods is illusory, unassailable, and also powerful.
13.75.45
नीपिधायाश्रमं शक्यो रक्षितुं पाकशासनः ।
उटजं वा तथा ह्यस्य नानाविधसरूपता ॥ १३.७५.४५ ॥
Though the hermitage be covered, Indra, the punisher of Paka, cannot be kept out; or his very hut takes on manifold forms.
13.75.46
वायुरूपेण वा शक्रो गुरुपत्नीं प्रधर्षयेत् ।
तस्मादिमां सम्प्रविश्य रुचिं स्थास्येहमद्य वै ॥ १३.७५.४६ ॥
Or Indra, in the form of wind, might violate the teacher's wife. Therefore, having entered into her, I shall abide today as her very lustre.
13.75.47
अथवा पौरुषेणेयं न शक्या रक्षितुं मया ।
बहुरूपो हि भगवाञ्छ्रूयते पाकशासनः ॥ १३.७५.४७ ॥
Or else, by human strength I cannot guard her, for the blessed Indra, the punisher of Paka, is said to be many-formed.
13.75.48
सोहं योगबलादेनां रक्षिष्ये पाकशासनात् ।
गात्राणि गात्रैरस्याहं सम्प्रवेक्ष्ये हि रक्षितुम् ॥ १३.७५.४८ ॥
Therefore, by the power of yoga, I shall guard her from Indra, the punisher of Paka; limb by limb, I shall enter into her limbs in order to protect her.
13.75.49
यद्युच्छिष्टामिमां पत्नीमद्य पश्यति मे गुरुः ।
शप्स्यत्यसंशयं कोपाद्दिव्यज्ञानो महातपाः ॥ १३.७५.४९ ॥
If today my teacher sees this wife in a defiled state, he, who has divine knowledge and great asceticism, will surely curse me in anger.
13.75.50
न चेयं रक्षितुं शक्या यथाऽन्या प्रमदा नृभिः ।
मायावी हि सुरेन्द्रोसावहो प्राप्तोस्मि संशयम् ॥ १३.७५.५० ॥
This woman cannot be guarded by men as other women can; that one is the magician, the lord of the gods. Alas, I have fallen into a dilemma.
13.75.51
अवश्यं करणीयं हि गुरोरिह हि शासनम् ।
यदि त्वेतदहं कुर्यामाश्चर्यं स्यात्कृतं मया ॥ १३.७५.५१ ॥
The command of one's teacher must certainly be carried out here. If I were to do this, what I had done would be a marvel.
13.75.52
योगेनाथ प्रविश्येदं गुरुपत्न्याः कलेवरम् ।
असक्तः पद्मपत्रस्थो जलबिन्दुर्यथा चलः ॥ १३.७५.५२ ॥
Then, by the power of yoga, entering this body of the teacher's wife, I shall remain unattached and restless, like a drop of water resting on a lotus leaf.
13.75.53
एवमेव शरीरे ऽस्या निवत्स्यामि समाहितः ।
निर्मुक्तस्य रजोरूपान्नापराधो भवेन्मम ॥ १३.७५.५३ ॥
In the same way I shall dwell in her body with concentrated mind; for one freed from the form of passion, there will be no fault in me.
13.75.54
यथाहि शून्यां पथिकः सभामध्यावसेत्यथि ।
तथाऽद्यावासयिष्यामि गुरुपत्न्याः कलेवरम्।
एवमेव शरीरे ऽस्य निवत्स्यामि समाहितः ॥ १३.७५.५४ ॥
Just as a traveller dwells in an empty assembly hall, so today I shall make the teacher's wife's body my dwelling; in the same way I shall dwell in her body with concentrated mind.
13.75.55
इत्येवं धर्ममालोक्य वेदवेदांश्च सर्वशः ।
तपश्च विपुलं दृष्ट्वा गुरोरात्मन एव च ॥ १३.७५.५५ ॥
Having thus considered dharma and all the Vedas and their branches, and having seen the great austerity of his teacher and of himself—
13.75.56
इति निश्चित्य मनसा रक्षां प्रति स भार्गवः ।
अन्वतिष्ठत्परं यत्नं यथा तच्छृणु पार्थिव ॥ १३.७५.५६ ॥
Having thus resolved in his mind to protect her, that Bhārgava made the utmost effort. Listen, O king, to how he did it.
13.75.57
गुरुपत्नीं समासीनो विपुलः स महातपाः ।
उपासीनामनिन्द्याङ्गी कथार्थैः समलोभयत् ॥ १३.७५.५७ ॥
Seated beside the teacher's wife, the great ascetic Vipula delighted her, faultless of limb, as she sat near him, with stories and meaningful talk.
13.75.58
नेत्राभ्यां नेत्रयोरस्या रश्मिं संयोज्य रश्मिभिः ।
विवेश विपुलः कायमाकाशं पवनो यथा ॥ १३.७५.५८ ॥
Joining with his eyes the rays of her eyes, Vipula entered her body as the wind enters space.
13.75.59
लक्षणं लक्षणेनैव वदनं वदनेन च ।
अविचेष्टन्नतिष्ठद्वै छायेवान्तर्गतो मुनिः ॥ १३.७५.५९ ॥
Limb joined to the same limb and face to face, the sage stood motionless, enclosed within, like a shadow.
13.75.60
ततो विष्टभ्य विपुलो गुरुपत्न्याः कलेवरम् ।
उवास रक्षणे युक्तो न च सा तमबुध्यत ॥ १३.७५.६० ॥
Then Vipula, holding up the teacher's wife's body and devoted to its protection, remained there, and she did not perceive him.
13.75.61
यं कालं नागतो राजन्गुरुस्तस्य महात्मनः ।
क्रतुं समाप्य स्वगृहं तं कालं सोऽभ्यरक्षत ॥ १३.७५.६१ ॥
O king, during the time when that great-souled one's teacher had not yet returned home after completing the sacrifice, he kept guard over it.