Chapter 20 - Brahma-sabha-varnana

(140) mahabharatatah From Mahabharata naradah brahmanah sabha (Brahmanah Sabha) pitamahasabham tata kathyamanam nibodha me | sakyate ya na nirdestumevamrupeti bharata || 1 || Pitamaha sabham tata kathyamanam nibodha me. Sakyate ya na nirdestumevamrupeti Bharata.(10) NaradaDear (Tata) Bharata! Listen to the description of the assembly house of Pitamaha Brahma, which is so good that it cannot be told as such and such. (1) pura devayuge rajannadityo bhagavan divah | agacchanmanusam lokam didrksurvigataklamah || 2 || caran manusarupena sabham drstva svayambhuvah | sa tamakathayanmahyam brahmim tattvena pandava ||3|| Pura devayuge Rajannadityo Bhagavan divah. agacc'hanmanusami lokam didrksurvigataklamah . (2) Caran manusarupena sabham drstva svayambhuvah. Sa tamakathayanmahyam Brahmim tattvena Pandava.(3) O King! It was in Satyayuga when Surya (the Sun) having desire to see the assembly house of Brahma descending from dyuloka without any effort came to visit this loka and began to move about in the form of man. Pandunandana ! Suryadeva described that Brahmi Sabha to me exactly what he saw. (2-3). aprameyam sabham divyam manasim bharatarsabha ! anirdesyam prabhavena sarvabhutamanoramam ||4|| Aprameyam sabham divyam manasim bharatarsabha. Anirdesyam prabhavena sarvabhutamanoramam.

(141) O Bharatasrestha! that court appeared from the unparallelled divine will of Brahma and is enough to attract all creatures. Its effect is beyond any description. ( 4 ) srutva gunanaham tasyah sabhayah pandavarsabha ! darsanepsustadha rajannadityamidamabruvam ||5|| Srutva gunanaham tasyah sabhayah Pandavarsabha. Darsanepsustatha Rajannadityamidamabruvam. (5) Pandukulabhusana Yudhisthira! Having heard the unique qualities of that assembly house I intended to have a glimpse of it and I said to Suryadeva. (5) bhagavan drastumicchami pitamahasabham subham | yena va tapasa sakya karmana vapi gopate ||6|| ausadhairva tatha yuktairuttama papanasini | tanmamacaksva bhagavan pasyeyam tam sabham yatha ||7|| Bhagavan drastumicc'hami pitamahasabham Subham. Yena va tapasa Sakya karmana vapi gopate. (6) Ausadhairva tatha yuktairuttama papanasini. Tanmamacaksva Bhagavan pasyeyar tam sabhari yatha. (7) O Respected one! I also want to see the assembly house of Brahma which is full of welfare and wellbeing. O the Lord of rays-Suryadeva, tell me the way of penance by which I may see that one which liberates from the sins-either by good deeds or by the effect of herbs (ausadhas). O Lord! describe the way in which I may see that assembly house. (6-7) sa tanmama vacah srutva sahasramsurdivakarah | provaca bharatasrestha vratam varsasahasrikam ||8|| brahmavratamupassva tvam prayatenantaratmana | tato'ham himavatprsthe samarebhe mahavratam ||9|| Sa tanmama vacah srutva sahasramsurdivakarah. Provaca Bharatasrestha vratam varsasahasrikam. (8)

(142) Brahmavratamupassva tvam prayatenantaratmana. Tatoham himavatprsthe samarebhe mahavratam.(9) () Bharatasrestha! Hearing that, Divakar the Lord of thousands of rays said "Follow the penance of Brahma having concentration, That great penance will be completed in a thousand of years". Then I started the rituals of penance on the top of Himalaya. (8-9) tatah sa bhagavan suryo mamupadaya viryavan | agacchat tam sabham brahmim vipapma vigataklamah ||10|| Tatah sa Bhagavan Suryo mamupadaya viryavan." agacc'hat tari sabham Bramim vipapma vigataklamah. (10) Then after the completion of penance, sinless and griefless and perfectly strong Lord Surya went to the court of Brahma with me. (10) evamrupeti sa sakya na nirdestum naradhipa | ksanena hi bibhartyanyadanirdesyam vapustatha ||11|| Evamrupeti sa sakya na nirdestum naradhipa! Ksanena hi bibhartyanyadanirdesyam vapustatha. (11 ) King! that court is such that it cannot be told in this way, because in a moment it takes another undescribable form. (11) na veda parimanam va samsthanam capi bharata ! na ca rupam maya tadrg drstapurvam kadacana || 12|| Na veda parimanam va samsthanam capi Bharata! Na ca rupam maya tadrg drstapurvam kadacana. (12) Bharat! What is length and breadth of it or what is its (12) 'situation', I know nothing about it. susukha sa sada rajan na sita na ca gharmada | na ksutpipase na glanim prapya tam prapnuvantyuta ||13|| Susukha sa sada rajan na sita na ca gharmada. Na ksutpipase na glanim prapya tam prapnuvantyuta . (13)

(143) O king! It is always most comfortable. Neither there is cold nor heat. After reaching in assembly house people do not feel hunger, thirst and repentence. (13) nanarupairiva krta manibhih sa subhasvaraih | stambhairna ca ghrta sa tu sasvati na ca sa ksara ||14 || Nanarupairiva krta manibhih sa subhasvaraih. Stambhairna ca dhrta sa tu sasvati na ca sa ksara ( 14 ) That house is made of very bright 'manis'. That is not based on the poles and has been identified as never decaying and eternal because of the lack of any deformity. (14) divyairnanavidhairbhavairbhasadbhiramitaprabhaih ||15|| agnim candram ca suryam ca sikhinam ca svayamprabha | dipyate nakaprsthastha bhasayantiva bhaskaram ||16|| Divyairnanavidhairbhavairbhasadbhiramitaprabhaih. ( 15 ) Agni Candram ca Suryam ca Sikhinam ca svayamprabha. Dipyate nakaprsthastha bhasayantiva bhaskaram (16) That assembly hall situated above the heaven is shining with the infinite light of the various substances of divine light neglecting 'Suryamandala' by its own light even more bright than Agni (fire), Chandrama (Moon) and Surya (Sun) that shines with the light of its own. (15-16) tasyam sa bhagavanaste vidadhad devamayaya | svayameko'nisam rajan sarvalokapitamahah ||17 || Tasyam ca Bhagavanaste vidadhad devamayaya. Svayameko'nisam rajan sarvalokapitamahah. (17) O king! Pitamaha of all the lokas Brahma, only, lives in that grand house creating everything by His divine power (Devamaya). (17) upatisthanti capyenam prajanam patayah prabhum | daksah pracetah pulaho maricih kasyapah prabhuh ||18||

(144) tathangirah | ||19|| bhrguratrirvasisthasca gautamo'tha pulastyasca kratuscaiva prahladah kardamastatha || 19 || Upatisthanti capyenam prajanam patayah prabhum. Daksah pracetah pulaho maric ih kasyapah prabhuh. (18) Gautamotha tathangirah. Bhrguratrirvasisthasca Pulastyasca kratuscaiva Prahladah Kardamastatha. (19) Bharata! there Daksa etc. prajapatigana are present in the service of that Brahma, Daksa, Praceta, Pulaha, Marici , Influential Kasyapa, Bhrgu, Atri, Vasistha, Gautama, Angira, Pulastsya, Kratu, Prahlada are also present there. (18-19 ) atharvangirasascaiva balakhilyah maricipah | mano'ntariksam vidyasca vayustejo jalam mahi ||20|| sabdasparsi tatha rupam raso gandhasca bharata | prakrtisca vikarasca yaccanyat karanam bhuvah ||21|| Balakhilyah Maricipah. Atharvangirsascaiva Manontariksam vidyasca vayustejo jalam mahi. (20) Sabdasparsau tatha rupam raso gandhasca Bharata! Prakrtisca vikarasca yacc'anyat karanam bhuvah. (21) O Bharata! Atharvangira, Balakhilya, the drinkers of the Sun-rays, and other causes of the creation of mind, space, learning, wind, light, water, earth, word, touch, form, rasa (juice), smell, Nature and deformity --Devas proud of all these are present there. (20-21) agastyasca mahateja markandeyasca viryavan | jamadagnirbharadvajah samvartasyavanastatha ||22|| durvasasca mahabhaga rsyasrmgasca dharmikah | sanatkumaro bhagavan yogacayom mahatapah ||23|| Agastyasca mahateja Markandeyasca viryavan. Jamdagnirbharadvajah samvartascyavanstatha . (22)

(145) Durvasasca mahabhaga Rsyasrngasca dharmikah. Sanatkumaro Bhagavan yogacaryo mahatapah. ( 23 ) Mahatejasvi Agastya, powerful Markandeya, Jamadagni, Bharadvaja, Cyavana, Mahabhaga Durvasa, Religious Rsyasrnga, Mahatapasvi Yogacarya, Lord Sanatkumara are present there. (22-23) asito devalascaiva jaigisavyasca tattvavit | rsabho jitasatrusca mahaviryastatha manih ||24|| ayurvedastathastango dehavamstatra bharata ! candramah saha naksatrairadityasca gabhastiman || 25 || Asito Devalascaiva jaigisavyasca tattvavit. Rsabho jitasatrusca mahaviryastatha Manih. (24) Ayurvedastathastango dehavanstatra Bharata ! Candrama saha naksatrairadityasca gabhastiman. (25) Asita, Devala, tattvajnani jaigisavya, Rsabha the conqueror of enemy, great brave (Mahaparakrami) Mani and Ayurveda associated with eight parts, Moon with its planets (naksatras) and having rich rays (Ansumali) Surya (Sun) are also wellseated there. (24-25) vayavah kratavascaiva samkalpah prana eva ca | murtimanto mahatmano mahavrataparayanah ||26|| ete canye ca bahavo brahmanam samupasthitah | arthom dharmasca kamasca harso dvesastapo damah ||27|| Vayavah kratavascaiva sankalpah Prana eva ca. Murtimanto_mahatmano mahavrataparayanah. (26) Ete canye ca bahavo Brahmanam samupasthitah. Artho dharmasca kamasca harso dvesastapo damah. (27) Vayu, kratu, sanikalpa and prana - these and other great saints performing penance are present in the service of Brahma.

(146) Artha, dharma, kama, harsa, dvesa, tapas and dama-all these also worship Brahma being concrete ones. (26-27 ) ayanti tasyam sahita gandharvapsarasam ganah | vimsatih sapta caivanye lokapalasca sarvasah ||28|| sukro brhaspatiscaiva budho'ngaraka eva ca | sanaiscarasca rahusca grahah sarve tathaiva ca ||29|| Ayanti tasyam sahita gandharvapsarasam ganah. Vimsatih sapta caivanye lokapalasca sarvasah.(28) Sukro Brhaspatiscaiva Budhongaraka eva ca. sanaiscarasca Rahusca grahah sarve tathaiva ca. Twenty ganas (groups) of Gandharvas and Apsaras come together into that house. Seven other Gandharvas who are heads, all Lokapalas, sukra, Brhaspati, Budha, Mangala , Sanaiscara, Rahu and Ketu-all these grahas are present there. (28-29) mantro rathantaram caiva hariman vasumanapi | adityah sadhirajano namadvandvairudahrtah ||30|| maruto visvakarma ca vasavascaiva bharata | tatha pitrganah sarve sarvani ca havimsyatha ||31|| Mantro rathantaram caiva hariman vasumanapi. Adityah sadhirajano namadvandvairudahrtah.(30) Maruto visvakarma ca vasavascaiva Bharata ! Tatha pitrganah sarve sarvani ca havinsyatha. (31) Mantras pertaining to Samagana, Rathantara Sama, Hariman, Vasuman, twelve adityas including Indra, Agni, Soma etc.-devas said to be in pair names , Marudgana, Visvakarma, Vasuganas, all pitriganas, all havisyas are present there. (30-31) rgvedah samavedasca yajurvedasca pandava | atharvavedasca tatha sarvasastrani caiva ha ||32||

(147) itihasopavedasca vedangani ca sarvasah | graha yajnasca somasca devatascapi sarvasah ||33|| Rgvedah Samavedasca Yajurvedasca Pandava. Atharvavedasca tatha sarvasastrani caiva ha. (32) Itihasopavedasca vedangani ca sarvasah. Grha yajnasca somasca devatascapi sarvasah. (33) O son of Pandu! Rgveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda and all sastras, Itihasa, Upavedas, all vedangas, Grahas, Yajnas, Soma and all gods are physically present there. (32-33) savitri durgatarani vani saptavidha tatha | megha dhrtih srutiscaiva prajna buddhiryasah ksama ||34 || samani stutigitani gathasca vividhastatha | bhasyani tarkayuktani dehavanti visampate ||35|| nataka vividhah kavyakathakhyayikakarikah | tatra tisthanti te punya ye canye gurupujakah ||36|| Savitri Durgatarani Vani Saptavidha tatha. Medha Dhrtih Srutiscaiva prajnabuddhiryasah ksama. (34) Samani stutigitani gathasca vividhastatha. Bhasyani tarkayuktani dehavanti visampate. (35) Nataka vividhah Tatra tisthanti te punya ye canye gurupujakah. (36) kavyakathakhyayikakarikah. Savitri, Dugra-the liberator from the serious troubles, seven types of Vani - the form of Pranava, Medha, Dhrti, Sruti, Prajna, Buddhi, Yasas and ksama, Sama, stutigita, several types of stories and annotations. all these in the personified form and several types of dramas, poetry, katha (story), Akhyayika and Karika etc. are present in the form of persons. Thus other types of saints-the worshippers of teachers also are present in that house. (34-36)

(148) ksana lava muhurtasca diva ratristathaiva ca | ardhamasasca masasca rtavah sat ca bharata ||37 || panca yugamahoratrascaturvidhah | samvatsarah kalacakram ca tad divyam nityamaksayabhavyayam | dharmacakram tatha capi nityamaste yudhisthira ||38|| Ksana Lava muhurtasca diva ratristathaiva ca. Ardhamasasca masasca rtavah sat ca Bharata. ( 37 ) Samvatsarah panca yugamahoratrascaturvidhah. Kalacakram ca tad divyam nityamaksayamavyayam. Dharmacakrari tatha capi nityamaste Yudhisthira. (38) Yudhisthira! Moment, lava, muhurta, day, night, month, fortnight, six xtus, sixty samvatsaras, yuga of five sarivatsaras, four types of day and night (manava, Pitara, devata and the days and night of Brahma ), Nitya, Divya, Aksaya and Avyaya Kalacakra and Dharmacakra are also physically present in the assembly of Brahma. (37-38) aditirditirdanuscaiva surasa vinata ira | kalika surabhi devi sarama catha gautami || 39|| prabha kadrusca vai devyau devatanam ca matarah | rudrani srisca laksmisca bhadra sasthi tathapara ||40|| prthvi gam gata devi hih svaha kirtireva ca | suradevi saci caiva tatha pustirarundhati ||41|| samvrttirasa niyatih srstidevi ratistatha | Surasa Vinata Ira. etascanyasca vai devyah upatasthuh prajapatim ||42|| Aditirditirdanuscaiva Kalika surabhidevi sarama catha Gautami. (39) Prabha kadrusca vai Devyau devatanam ca matarah. Rudrani srisca Laksmisca bhadra sasthi tathapara. (40) Prithvi gam gata devi hrih svaha kirtireva ca . Suradevi Saci caiva tatha pustirarundhati. (41)

(149) Samvrttirasa niyatih srstirdevi ratistatha. Etascanyasca vai devyah upatasthuh Prajapatim. ( 42 ) Aditi, Diti, Danu, Surasa, Vinata, Ira, Kalika, Surabhi Devi, Sarama Gautami, Rudrani, Sri, Laksmi, Bhadra, Sasthi and Apara, Prthvi, devi decended on earth, Lajja, svaha, kirti, suradevi, Saci, Pusti Arundhati, Samvrtti, asa, Niyati, Srsti devi, Rati and other goddesses also worship Prajapati Brahma in that house. (39-42) aditya vasavo rudra marutascasvinavapi | visvedevasca sadhyasca pitarasca manojavah ||43|| Aditya Vasavo Rudra Marutascasvinavapi. Visvedevasca sadhyasca pitarasca Manojavah. (43) adityas, Vasu, Rudra, Marudgana, Asvinikumara, Visvedeva, Sadhya and Pitara-as speedy as mind are also present in that assembly. (43) pitrnam ca ganan viddhi saptaiva purusarsabha ! murtimanto hi catvarastrayascapyasaririnah ||44 || Pitrnam ca ganan viddhi saptaiva Purusarsabha. Murtimanto hi catvarastrayascapyasaririnah. (44) O best of Persons! You should know that pitaras have only seven ganas, out of seven only four are concrete and three abstract. (44) vairajasca mahabhaga agnisvattasca bharata ! garhapatya nakacarah pitaro lokavisrutah ||45|| somapa ekasrmgasca caturvedah kalastatha | ete catursu varnesu pujyante pitaro nrpa ||46 || Vairajasca mahabhaga Agnisvattasca Bharata. Garhapalyanakacarah pitaro lokavisrutah. ( 45 ) . Somapa ekasrngasca caturvedah Ete kalastatha. catursu varnesu pujyante pitaro nrpa. (46)

(150) ( King Bharata! famous in all lokas living in heaven Mahabhaga, Vairaja, Agnisvatta, Somapa, Garhapatya. These four are concrete Ekasrnga, Chaturveda & Kala. (These three are abstract). These seven pitaras are worshipped in four Varnas. (44-46) etairapyayitaih purvam somascapyayyate punah | ta ete pitarah sarve prajapatimupasthitah | upasate ca samhrsta brahmanamamitaujasam ||47|| Etairapyayitaih purvam Somascapyayyate punah. Ta ete pitarah sarve prajapatimupasthitah. Upasate ca samhrsta Brahmanamamitaujasam ( 47 ) O King! Somadevata becomes satisfied after the satisfaction of these pitaras first. These pitaras being present in the assembly of God worship Prajapati Brahma very happily who is extremely bright brave. (47) raksasasca pisacasca danava guhyakastatha | nagah suparnah pasavah pitamahamupasate ||48|| sthavara jangamascaiva mahabhutastathapare | purandarasca devendro varuno dhanado yamah || mahadevah sahomo'tra sada gacchati sarvasah || 49 || Raksasasca Pisacasca danava guhyakastatha. Naga suparnah pasavah pitamahamupasate . (48) Sthavara jangamascaiva mahabhutastathapare. Purandarasca Devendro Varuno dhanado Yamah. Mahadevah sahomotra sada gacc'hati sarvasah.(49) Thus Raksasas, Pisacas, Danavas, Guhyakas, Nagas, Suparnas and senior animals also serve Brahma there. Sthavaras and jangamas, Mahabhutas, Indra- the king of devas, Varuna. Kubera, Yama and Mahadeva with Parvati-these all come to that assembly. (48-49) mahasenasca rajendra sadopaste pitamaham | devo narayanastasyam tatha devarsayasca ye |

(151) rsayo balakhilyasca yonija yonijastatha ||50|| Mahasenasca Rajendra Sadopaste Pitamaham. Devo Narayanastasyam latha devarsayasca ye. Rsayo Balakhilyasca yonija yonijastatha. (50) Rajendra! Svami Kartikeya also serves Brahma presenting himself there. Bhagavan Narayana, Devarsi-gana, Balakhilya Rsi born and unborn rsis worship Brahma in that assembly house. (50) yacca kincit triloke'smin drsyate sthanu jangamam | sarvam tasyam maya drstamiti viddhi naradhipa ||51|| Yacc'a kincit triloke'smin drsyate Sthanu jangamam. Sarvam tasyam maya drstamiti viddhi naradhipa. (51) Naresvara! understand this in brief that whatever is seen in these three lokas in the form of sthavara and jangama (mobile and non-mobile ) bhutas, I saw in that assembly-house. (51) astasitisahasrani rsinamurdhvaretasam | prajavatam ca pancasadrsinamapi pandava ||52|| Astasitisahasrani Rsinamurdhvaretasam. Prajavatam ca pancasadrsinamapi Pandava. (52) O Son of Pandu! Eightyeight thousand urdhvareta risis (seers ) and fifty santanavan maharsis (great seers) are present in that assembly. (52) te sma tatra yathakamam drstva sarve divaukasah | pranamya sirasa tasmai sarve yanti yatha''gatam ||53|| Te sma tatra yathakamam drstva sarve divaukasah. Pranamya sirasa tasmai sarve yanti yatha'gatam.(53) All those maharsis (great seers) and all gods according to their desires have a glimpse of Brahma with their heads bowed down before Him and salute Him and having received permission they go away as they come. (53)

(152) atithinagatan devan daityan nagamstatha dvijan | yaksan suparnan kaleyan gandharvapsarasastatha || 54 || mahabhaganamitadhirbrahma lokapitamahah | dayavan sarvabhutesu yatharham pratipadyate ||55|| Atithinagatan devan daityan naganstatha dvijan. Yaksan suparnan kaleyan gandharvapsarasastatha. (54) Mahabhaganamitadhir Brahma Lokapitamahah. Dayavan sarvabhutesu yatharham pratipadyate. (55) Extremely intelligent, kind Lokapitamaha Brahma receives and oblige all those honourable guests coming in his assembly house-Devas, Daityas, Nagas, birds, Yaksas, Suparnas, Kaleyas, Gandharvas and apsaras and all beings. (54-55) pratigrhya tu visvatma svayambhuramitadyutih | santvamanarthasambhogairyunakti manujadhipa ||56|| Pratigrhya tu visvatma svayambhuramitadyutih. Santvamanarthasambhogairyunakti manujadhipa. (56) O King! Associated with the unlimited light Visvatma Svayambhu having received those guests, gives consolation to them, honours them and fulfilling their purposes provides the luxurious materials according to their needs and interests. (56) tatha tairupayataisca pratiyadbhisca bharata ! akula sa sabha tata bhavati sma sukhaprada ||57|| Tatha tairupayataisca pratiyadbhisca Bharata. akula sa sabha tata bhavati sma sukhaprada. (57) O Son Bharata! Thus that assembly full of people coming and going seems to be very comfortable. (57) sarvatejomayi divya brahmarsiganasevita | brahmya sriya dipyamana susubhe vigataklama || 58 || Sarvatejomayi divya Brahmarsiganasevita. Brahmya sriya dipyamana susubhe vigataklama. (58)

(153) O Seniormost among kings! That assembly looks very beautiful associated and enriched with the perfect light, served by the community of divine people and Brahmarsis and equipped with the glory of pious Brahma. (58) sa sabha tadrsi drsta maya lokesu durlabha | sabheyam rajasardula manusyesu yatha tava ||59|| Sa sabha tadrsi drsta maya lokesu durlabha. Sabheyam rajasardula manusyesu yatha tava. (59) I have visualised such an assembly house; as your assembly house is here on the earth. Similarly the assembly house of Brahma is perfectly rare in all the universe. (59) || srimahabharate sabhaparvani lokapalasabhakhyanaparvani brahmasabhavarnanam namaikadaso'dhyayah sampurnah || Thus Chapter XI namely Brahmasabha-varnanam in Lokapalasabhakhyanaparva under Sabhaparva of Sri Mahabharata complete.