Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 9.49
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9.49.1
ततस्तीर्थवरं रामो ययौ बदरपाचनाम् ।
तपस्विसिद्धचरितं यत्र कन्या धृतव्रता ॥ ९.४९.१ ॥
Then Rāma went to the excellent sacred ford Badarapācana, frequented by ascetics and perfected beings, where there was a maiden keeping her vows.
9.49.2
भरद्वाजस्य दुहिता रुपेणाप्रतिमा भुवि ।
श्रुतावती नाम विभो कुमारी ब्रह्मचारिणी ॥ ९.४९.२ ॥
the daughter of Bharadvāja, incomparable in beauty on earth, the maiden named Śrutāvatī, who practised celibacy, O mighty one.
9.49.3
तपश्चचार सात्युग्रं नियमैर्बहुभिर्वृता ।
भर्ता मे देवराजः स्यादिति निश्चित्य भामिनी ॥ ९.४९.३ ॥
Bound by many observances, the radiant woman performed severe austerity, resolving: 'May the king of the gods be my husband.'
9.49.4
समास्तस्या व्यतिक्रान्ता बह्व्यः कुरुकुलोद्वह ।
चरन्त्या नियमांस्तांस्तांस्त्रीभिस्तीव्रान्सुदुश्चरान् ॥ ९.४९.४ ॥
O bearer of the Kuru line, many years passed for her as she kept those harsh observances, so very hard for women to perform.
9.49.5
तस्यास्तु तेन वृत्तेन तपसा च विशाम्पते ।
भक्त्या च भगवान्प्रीतः परया पाकशासनः ॥ ९.४९.५ ॥
O lord of the people, pleased by her conduct, by her austerity and by her supreme devotion, the lord Indra, the punisher of Paka, was gratified.
9.49.6
आजगामाश्रमं तस्यास्त्रिदशाधिपतिः प्रभुः ।
आस्थाय रूपं विप्रर्षेर्वसिष्ठस्य महात्मनः ॥ ९.४९.६ ॥
The mighty lord of the thirty gods came to her hermitage, assuming the form of the great-souled brahmin sage Vasiṣṭha.
9.49.7
सा तं दृष्ट्वोग्रतपसं वसिष्ठं तपतां वरम् ।
आचारैर्मुनिभिर्दृष्टैः पूजयामास भारत ॥ ९.४९.७ ॥
Seeing Vasiṣṭha, the severe ascetic, the best of ascetics, she honored him according to the observances seen by the sages, O Bhārata.
9.49.8
उवाच नियमज्ञा च कल्याणी सा प्रियंवदा ।
भगवन्मुनिशार्दूल किमाज्ञापयसि प्रभो ॥ ९.४९.८ ॥
Knowing the vows, the auspicious and sweet-spoken one said: 'Venerable one, tiger among sages, lord, what do you command?'
9.49.9
सर्वमद्य यथाशक्ति तव दास्यामि सुव्रत ।
शक्त्रभक्त्या च ते पाणिं न दास्यामि कथञ्चन ॥ ९.४९.९ ॥
O one of good vows, today I will give you everything according to my ability; but out of devotion to Śakra, I will by no means give you my hand.
9.49.10
व्रतैश्च नियमैश्चैव तपसा च तपोधन ।
शक्रस्तोषयितव्यो वै मया त्रिभुवनेश्वरः ॥ ९.४९.१० ॥
O wealth of asceticism, by vows, observances and penance I must please Śakra, lord of the three worlds.
9.49.11
इत्युक्तो भगवान्देवः स्मयन्निव निरीक्ष्य ताम् ।
उवाच नियमं ज्ञात्वा सांत्वयन्निव भारत ॥ ९.४९.११ ॥
Thus addressed, the venerable god, as if smiling, looked at her, knew her vow, and spoke as if consoling her, O Bhārata.
9.49.12
उग्रं तपश्चरसि वै विदिता मेऽसि सुव्रते ।
यदर्थमयमारम्भस्तव कल्याणि हृद्गतः ॥ ९.४९.१२ ॥
O one of good vows, I know that you perform severe penance; O auspicious one, this undertaking of yours is for the purpose that is in your heart.
9.49.13
तच्च सर्वं यथाभूतं भविष्यति वरानने ।
तपसा लभ्यते सर्वं यथाभूतं भविष्यति ॥ ९.४९.१३ ॥
And, O fair-faced one, all of that will come to pass just as it is. Everything is obtained through austerity; it will come to pass just as it is.
9.49.14
यथा स्थानानि दिव्यानि विबुधानां शुभानने ।
तपसा तानि प्राप्याणि तपोमूलं महात्सुखम् ॥ ९.४९.१४ ॥
Just as the divine abodes of the gods are, O auspicious-faced one, those are to be attained by austerity; in the root of austerity lies great happiness.
9.49.15
इति कृत्वा तपो घोरं देहं सन्न्यस्य मानवाः ।
देवत्वं यान्ति कल्याणि शृणुष्वैकं वचो मम ॥ ९.४९.१५ ॥
Having thus performed severe austerity and cast off the body, men attain godhood. Listen, O auspicious one, to one word of mine.
9.49.16
प़ञ्च चैतानि सुभगे बदराणि शुभव्रते ।
पचेत्युक्त्वा तु भगवाञ्जगाम बलसूदनः ॥ ९.४९.१६ ॥
Saying, 'Cook these five badara fruits, O fortunate one, O woman of auspicious vows,' the blessed slayer of Bala departed.
9.49.17
आमन्त्र्य तां तु कल्याणीं ततो जप्यं जजाप सः ।
अविदूरे ततस्तस्मादाश्रमात्तीर्थमुत्तमम् ॥ ९.४९.१७ ॥
Having addressed that auspicious woman, he then recited his japa. Not far from that hermitage there was a supreme sacred ford.
9.49.18
तच्च तीर्थं महाराज यत्र जप्यं जजाप सः ।
इन्द्रतीर्थेतिविख्यातं त्रिषु लोकेषु मानद ॥ ९.४९.१८ ॥
And that sacred ford, great king, is where he recited his japa; it is renowned in the three worlds as the Indra-tīrtha, O bestower of honour.
9.49.19
तस्य जिज्ञासनार्थं स भगवान्पाकशासनः ।
बदराणामपचनं चकार विबुधाधिपः ॥ ९.४९.१९ ॥
To test him, the venerable Indra, punisher of Paka, lord of the gods, cooked jujube fruits.
9.49.20
ततः प्रतप्ता सा राजन्वाग्यता विगतक्लमा ।
तत्परा शुचिसंवीता पावके समधिश्रयत्।
अपचद्राजशार्दूल बदराणि महाव्रता ॥ ९.४९.२० ॥
Then, O king, she, heated and restrained in speech, free from weariness, intent upon it, clad in pure garments, placed them on the fire and cooked the jujube fruits, O tiger among kings, she of great vows.
9.49.21
तस्याः पचन्त्याः सुमहान्कालोऽगात्पुरुषर्षभ ।
न च स्म तान्यपच्यन्त दिनं च क्षयमभ्यगात् ॥ ९.४९.२१ ॥
While she was cooking, a very long time passed, O bull among men. Those jujube fruits did not cook, and the day came to an end.
9.49.22
हुताशनेन दग्धश्च यस्तस्याः काष्ठसञ्चयः ।
अकाष्ठमग्निं सा दृष्ट्वा स्वशरीरमथादहत् ॥ ९.४९.२२ ॥
The heap of firewood she had was burnt up by the fire, and seeing the fire without wood, she burnt her own body.
9.49.23
पादौ प्रक्षिप्य सा पूर्वं पावके चारुदर्शना ।
दग्धौ दग्धौ पुनः पादावुपावर्तयतानघ ॥ ९.४९.२३ ॥
First throwing her feet into the fire, she of the beautiful face, O sinless one, turned over the burnt feet again and again.
9.49.24
चरणे दह्यमाने च नाचिन्तयदनिन्दिता ।
दुःखं कमलपत्राक्षी महर्षिप्रियकाम्यया ॥ ९.४९.२४ ॥
Though her feet were burning, the blameless lotus-petal-eyed woman did not think of the pain, out of desire to please the great sage.
9.49.25
न वैमनस्यं तस्यास्तु मुखभेदोऽथवाऽभवत् ।
शरीरमग्निना दीप्य जलमध्ये यथा स्थिता ॥ ९.४९.२५ ॥
No dejection came to her, nor did her face change; though her body was burning with fire, she remained as if standing in the midst of water.
9.49.26
तच्चास्याः पचने यत्नं न न्यवर्तत भारत ।
सर्वथा बदराण्येव पक्तव्यानीति कन्यका ॥ ९.४९.२६ ॥
O Bhārata, her effort at cooking did not cease; the maiden thought, 'In every way only jujube fruits must be cooked.'
9.49.27
सा तन्मनसि कृत्वैव महर्षेर्वचनं शुभा ।
अपचद्बदराण्येव न चापच्यन्त भारत ॥ ९.४९.२७ ॥
That auspicious maiden, holding the sage's words in her mind, cooked only jujube fruits; O Bhārata, nothing else was cooked.
9.49.28
तस्यास्तु चरणौ वह्निर्ददाह भगवान्स्वयम् ।
न च तस्या मनोदुःखं स्वल्पमप्यभवत्तदा ॥ ९.४९.२८ ॥
The divine fire itself burned her feet, yet no grief at all arose in her mind at that time.
9.49.29
अथ तत्कर्म दृष्ट्वाऽस्याः प्रीतस्त्रिभुवनेश्वरः ।
ततः सन्दर्शयामास कन्यायै रूपमात्मनः ॥ ९.४९.२९ ॥
Then, seeing that deed of hers, the lord of the three worlds was pleased, and he revealed his own form to the maiden.
9.49.30
उवाच च सुरश्रेष्ठस्तां कन्यां सुदृढव्रताम् ।
प्रीतोऽस्मि ते शुभे भक्त्या तपसा नियमेन च ॥ ९.४९.३० ॥
And the best of gods said to that maiden, firm in her vow: 'O auspicious one, I am pleased with you for your devotion, your austerity and your discipline.'
9.49.31
तस्माद्योऽभिमतः कामः स ते सम्पत्स्यते शुभे ।
देहं त्यक्त्वा महाभागे त्रिदिवे मयि वत्स्यसि ॥ ९.४९.३१ ॥
Therefore, O auspicious one, the wish you desire will be fulfilled. O greatly fortunate one, having given up your body, you will dwell with me in heaven.
9.49.32
इदं च ते तीर्थवरं स्थिरं लोके भविष्यति ।
सर्वपापापहं सुभ्रु नाम्ना बदरपाचनम्।
विख्यातं त्रिषु लोकेषु ब्रह्मर्षिभिरभिप्लुतम् ॥ ९.४९.३२ ॥
And this best sacred ford will endure in the world in your name. O fair-browed one, removing all sins, it will be renowned in the three worlds as Badarapācana, and brahmarṣis will bathe in it.
9.49.33
अस्मिन्खलु महाभागे शुभे तीर्थवरेऽनघे ।
त्यक्त्वा सप्तर्षयो जग्मुर्हिमवन्तमरुन्धतीम् ॥ ९.४९.३३ ॥
Indeed, O greatly fortunate, auspicious, sinless one, it was in this best sacred ford that the seven sages left you and went to Himavat with Arundhatī.
9.49.34
ततस्ते वै महाभागा गत्वा तत्र सुसंशिताः ।
वृत्त्यर्थं फलमूलानि समाहर्तुं ययुः किल ॥ ९.४९.३४ ॥
Then those greatly fortunate, very disciplined sages went there and set out to gather fruits and roots for their livelihood.
9.49.35
तेषां वृत्त्यर्थिनां तत्र वसतां हिमवद्वने ।
अनावृष्टिरनुप्राप्ता तदा द्वादशवार्षिकी ॥ ९.४९.३५ ॥
Upon them, dwelling there in the Himavat forest and seeking their livelihood, there then came a drought lasting twelve years.
9.49.36
ते कृत्वा चाश्रमं तत्र न्यवसन्त तपस्विनः ।
अरुन्धत्यपि कल्याणी तपोनित्याऽभवत्तदा ॥ ९.४९.३६ ॥
Having made a hermitage there, those ascetics dwelt; and the auspicious Arundhatī, too, became constant in austerity from then on.
9.49.37
अरुन्धतीं ततो दृष्ट्वा तीव्रं नियममास्थिताम् ।
अथागमत्त्रिनयनः सुप्रीतो वरदस्तदा ॥ ९.४९.३७ ॥
Seeing Arundhatī steadfast in her stern observance, the three-eyed boon-giver, greatly pleased, then came there.
9.49.38
ब्राह्मं रूपं ततः कृत्वा महादेवो महायशाः ।
तामभ्येत्याब्रवीद्देवो भिक्षामिच्छाम्यहं शुभे ॥ ९.४९.३८ ॥
Then Mahādeva, of great fame, assumed the form of a brahmin, approached her and said, "O auspicious one, I desire alms."
9.49.39
प्रत्युवाच ततः सा तं ब्राह्मणं चारुदर्शना ।
क्षीणोऽन्नसञ्चयो विप्र बदराणीह भक्षय ॥ ९.४९.३९ ॥
Then that fair-faced woman replied to the brahmin, "O brahmin, my store of food is spent; eat the jujube fruits here."
9.49.40
ततोऽब्रवीन्महादेवः पचस्वैतानि सुव्रते ।
इत्युक्ता साऽपचत्तानि ब्राह्मणप्रियकाम्यया।
अधिश्रित्य समिद्धेऽग्नौ बदराणि यशस्विनी ॥ ९.४९.४० ॥
Then Mahādeva said, "O good-vowed one, cook these." Thus addressed, the renowned woman, wishing to please the brahmin, placed them on the blazing fire and cooked the jujube fruits.
9.49.41
दिव्या मनोरमाः पुण्याः कथाः शुश्राव सा तदा ।
अतीता सा त्वनावृष्टिर्घोरा द्वादशवार्षिकी ॥ ९.४९.४१ ॥
Then she heard divine, delightful, sacred tales. And that terrible drought, which had lasted twelve years, passed away.
9.49.42
अनश्नन्त्याः पचन्त्याश्च शृण्वन्त्याश्च कथाः शुभाः ।
दिनोपमः स तस्याथ कालोऽतीतः सुदारुणः ॥ ९.४९.४२ ॥
For her, not eating, cooking, and listening to auspicious tales, that most terrible time passed like a single day.
9.49.43
ततस्तु मुनयः प्राप्ताः फलान्यादाय पर्वतात् ।
ततः स भगवान्प्रीतः प्रोवाचारुन्धतीं ततः ॥ ९.४९.४३ ॥
Then the sages arrived, having taken fruits from the mountain. Then the blessed lord, pleased, spoke to Arundhatī.
9.49.44
उपसर्पस्व धर्मज्ञे यथापूर्वमिमानृषीन् ।
प्रीतोऽस्मि तव धर्मज्ञे तपसा नियमेन च ॥ ९.४९.४४ ॥
Approach these sages as before, O knower of dharma. I am pleased with you, O knower of dharma, for your austerity and discipline.
9.49.45
ततः सन्दर्शयामास स्वरूपं भगवान्हरः ।
ततोऽब्रवीत्तदा तेभ्यस्तस्याश्च चरितं महत् ॥ ९.४९.४५ ॥
Then the blessed Hara showed his own form. Then he spoke to them of her great deed.
9.49.46
भवद्भिर्हिमवत्पृष्ठे यत्तपः समुपार्जितम् ।
अस्यास्च यत्तपो विप्रा न समं तन्मतं मम ॥ ९.४९.४६ ॥
The austerity you have fully acquired on the back of the Himālaya, and the austerity of hers, O brahmins — in my view these are not equal.
9.49.47
अनया हि तपस्विन्या तपस्तप्तं सुदुश्चरम् ।
अनश्नन्त्या पचन्त्या च समा द्वादश पारिताः ॥ ९.४९.४७ ॥
By this ascetic woman a very difficult austerity was performed; without eating, while cooking, twelve years were completed.
9.49.48
ततः प्रोवाच भगवांस्तामेवारुन्धतीं पुनः ।
वरं वृणीष्व कल्याणि यत्तेऽभिलषितं हृदि ॥ ९.४९.४८ ॥
Then the blessed lord spoke again to that same Arundhatī: Choose a boon, O auspicious one, whatever is desired in your heart.
9.49.49
साऽब्रवीत्पृथुताम्राक्षी देवं सप्तर्षिसंसदि ।
भगवान्यदि मे प्रीतस्तीर्थं स्यादिदमद्भुतम् ॥ ९.४९.४९ ॥
With wide, red eyes, she spoke to the god in the assembly of the seven sages: "Blessed Lord, if you are pleased with me, let this wondrous tīrtha come to be here."
9.49.50
सिद्धदेवर्षिदयितं नाम्ना बदरपाचनम् ।
तथाऽस्मिन्देवदेवेश त्रिरात्रमुषितः शुचिः ॥ ९.४९.५० ॥
Beloved of perfected beings, gods and sages, let it be named Badara-pācana; O god of gods, whoever dwells here pure for three nights.
9.49.51
प्राप्नुयादुपवासेन फलं द्वादशवार्षिकम् ।
एवमस्त्विति तां देवः प्रत्युवाच तपस्विनीम् ॥ ९.४९.५१ ॥
By fasting, one should obtain the fruit of twelve years." "So be it," the god replied to that ascetic woman.
9.49.52
सप्तर्षिभिः स्तुतो देवस्ततो लोकं ययौ तदा ।
ऋषयो विस्मयं जग्मुस्तां दृष्ट्वा चाप्यरुन्धतीम्।
अश्रान्तां चाविवर्णां च क्षुत्पिपासाऽसमायुताम् ॥ ९.४९.५२ ॥
Praised by the seven sages, the god then went to his world. The sages were amazed, and seeing Arundhatī—untiring, not pale, and unaffected by hunger and thirst—they were astonished still more.
9.49.53
एवं सिद्धिः परा प्राप्ता अरुन्धत्या विशुद्धया ।
यथा त्वया महाभागे मदर्थे संशितव्रते ॥ ९.४९.५३ ॥
Thus the supreme perfection was attained by the purified Arundhatī, as you did for my sake, O greatly fortunate one, O steadfast in vows.
9.49.54
विशेषो हि त्वया भद्रे व्रते ह्यस्मिन्समर्पितः ।
तथा चेदं ददाम्यद्य नियमेन सुतोषितः।
विशेषं तव कल्याणि प्रयच्छामि वरं वरे ॥ ९.४९.५४ ॥
O auspicious one, you have shown special devotion in this vow. Therefore, greatly pleased, I grant this today according to the rule. O auspicious one, I bestow upon you a special boon; choose your boon.
9.49.55
अरुन्धत्या वरस्तस्या यो दत्तो वै महात्मना ।
तस्य चाहं प्रभावेन तव कल्याणि तेजसा।
प्रवक्ष्यामि परं भूयो वरमत्र यथाविधि ॥ ९.४९.५५ ॥
By the power of the boon the great-souled one gave to Arundhatī, and by your radiance, O auspicious woman, I shall now declare here, according to rule, yet another supreme boon.
9.49.56
यस्त्वेकां रजनीं तीर्थे वत्स्यते सुसमाहितः ।
सस्नात्वा प्राप्स्यते लोकान्देहन्यासात्सुदुर्लभान् ॥ ९.४९.५६ ॥
Whoever dwells at the sacred ford for a single night, with a well-composed mind, and bathes there, will attain, on laying down the body, worlds that are very hard to obtain.
9.49.57
इत्युक्त्वा भगवान्देवः सहस्राक्षः प्रतापवान् ।
श्रुतावतीं ततः पुण्यां जगाम त्रिदिवं पुनः ॥ ९.४९.५७ ॥
Having spoken thus, the blessed and mighty thousand-eyed god then departed from the sacred Śrutāvatī and went back to heaven.
9.49.58
गते वज्रधरे राजंस्तत्र वर्षं पपात ह ।
पुष्पाणां भरतश्रेष्ठ दिव्यानां पुण्यगन्धिनाम् ॥ ९.४९.५८ ॥
When the thunderbolt-bearer had gone, O king, a shower of divine flowers of sacred fragrance fell there, O best of the Bharatas.
9.49.59
दवदुन्दुभयश्चापि नेदुस्तत्र महास्वनाः ।
मारुतश्च ववौ पुण्यः पुण्यगन्धो विशाम्पते ॥ ९.४९.५९ ॥
There the divine drums also sounded with great roar, and, O lord of the people, a sacred wind blew, bearing a holy fragrance.
9.49.60
उत्सृज्य तु शुभा देहं जगामास्य च भार्यताम् ।
तपसोग्रेण तं लब्ध्वा तेन रेमे सहाच्युत ॥ ९.४९.६० ॥
Having cast off her body, the auspicious woman became his wife; obtaining him through fierce austerity, she delighted in union with him, O Acyuta.
9.49.61
का तस्या भगवन्माता क्व संवृद्धा च शोभना ।
श्रोतुमिच्छाम्यहं विप्र परं कौतूहलं हि मे ॥ ९.४९.६१ ॥
Who was her mother, and where was that radiant maiden raised? O blessed one, O brāhmaṇa, I wish to hear it; my curiosity is great.
9.49.62
भरद्वाजस्य विप्रर्षेः स्कन्नं रेतो महात्मनः ।
दृष्ट्वाऽप्सरसमायान्तीं घृताचीं पृथलोचनाम् ॥ ९.४९.६२ ॥
The seed of the great-souled brāhmaṇa sage Bharadvāja spilled when he saw the apsaras Ghṛtācī approaching, broad-eyed.
9.49.63
स तु जग्राह तद्रेतः करेण जपतां वरः ।
तदाऽपतत्पर्णपुटे तत्र सा सम्भवत्सुता ॥ ९.४९.६३ ॥
He, best of those who recite, took up that seed in his hand; then it fell into a cup of leaves, and there the daughter was born.
9.49.64
तस्यास्तु जातकर्मादि कृत्वा सर्वं तपोधनः ।
नाम चास्याः स कृतवान्भरद्वाजो महामुनिः ॥ ९.४९.६४ ॥
Having performed all the birth rites and the rest for her, the austerity-rich great sage Bharadvāja also gave her a name.
9.49.65
श्रुतावतीति धर्मात्मा देवर्षिगणसंसदि ।
स्वे च तामाश्रमे न्यस्य जगाम हिमवद्वनम् ॥ ९.४९.६५ ॥
Naming her Śrutāvatī in the assembly of gods and sages, the righteous one placed her in his own hermitage and went off to the Himālaya forest.
9.49.66
तत्राप्युपस्पृश्य महानुभावो ।
वसूनि दत्त्वा च महाद्विजेभ्यः।
जगाम तीर्थं सुसमाहितात्मा ।
शक्रस्य वृष्णिप्रवरस्तदानीम् ॥ ९.४९.६६ ॥
There too that man of great power, having sipped water, gave wealth to the great brāhmaṇas, and with a composed mind went to the holy ford of Indra—the foremost of the Vṛṣṇis at that time.