Chapter 89 - Restoration to Life of Brāhmaṇa’s Sons

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

[Full title: Supremacy of Viṣṇu Vindicated: Restoration to Life of Brāhmaṇa’s Sons]

Śrī Śuka said:

1. On one occasion, sages were engaged in performing a sacrificial session (of a long duration). O king, in that session a question was raised for discussion as to who of the trinity of the ruling gods (i.e. Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva) was the greatest.

2. In order to satisfy their curiosity, they deputed the sage Bhṛgu, the son of god Brahmā, to ascertain the truth. And he went to the assembly of god Brahmā.

3. In order to test the worth of that god, Bhṛgu, did not pay him homage or chant any hymn in his praise. The worshipful god Brahmā (took it as an affront and) was enraged with him, and was as if aglow with his burning wrath.

4. Considering that the insulting person was his own son, the self-born god Brahmā quenched the fiery wrath provoked in his mind, by restraining himself, just as fire is extinguished by water (which is its own product.)

5. From the assembly of god Brahmā, he repaired to mount Kailāsa (the abode of god Śiva). God Mahādeva was delighted (at his brother’s surprise visit) and arising from his seat, he proceeded to embrace him.

6. But Bhṛgu showed no desire for it (avoiding him) with the remark, “you tread evil path, (flouting the authority of the Vedas” you have adopted the heretic way of life and apply ashes of dead bodies from burning grounds). The tradition goes that the god flew in rage and with fiery eyes, he snatched up his trident and rushed forth to strike him.

7. His consort Pārvatī, however, fell at his feet and pacified him with sweet words. Thereupon Bhṛgu proceeded to Vaikuṇṭha where Lord Viṣṇu abides.

8. 9. God Viṣṇu was then lying on the lap of the goddess Śrī (Lakṣmī). Bhṛgu kicked Him with his foot on his chest. The glorious Lord Viṣṇu, the resort of all saints, got up (in reverence) along with the goddess Lakṣmī. He alighted from the bed-stead and bowing down reverentially to the sage addressed him, “Welcome O Brāhmaṇa sage; please have some comfortable rest on the seat for a while. O mighty sage, it behoves you to forgive us, as we were not aware of your arrival.

10. “O great sage! Your feet are so very soft and delicate, my dear!” With these words he began to massage soothingly the feet of the Brāhmaṇa with his own hands.

11. “Be pleased to purify me along with my realm and the protectors of the world that are within me, with the water washing the feet of your worship—water which sanctifies even the holy waters of sacred places.

12. Worshipful sire! From to-day I have been the sole abode of goddess Lakṣmī. With my sins completely washed off by the touch of your feet (which symbolise knowledge) the goddess of prosperity (Lakṣmī in the form of Śrī Vatsa mark) shall ever reside on my bosom.”

[Padaratnāvalī’s Text:]

12(A). And let the mark (of your foot-print on my bosom) be known by the name Śrī Vatsa from to-day.”

Śrī Śuka said:

13. When Lord Viṣṇu addressed him thus, Bhṛgu felt deeply satisfied and happy with his melodious words in a deep low tone. He remained silent as his voice was choked with over-whelming feeling of devotion, his eyes, over-flowing with tears.

14. Returning to the place of that sacrificial session, Bhṛgu fully recounted to those sages who were well-versed in the Vedas, what he experienced (in the realm of the three gods).

15. Listening to that report the sages were wonder- struck and had their doubt (about the supremacy of the three gods) dispelled. They came to believe god Viṣṇu to be the Supreme-most god, who bestows tranquility and fearless State (Mokṣa).

16. For god Viṣṇu is directly the fountain head of righteousness, spiritual knowledge, renunciation (of four kinds) in association with eight kinds of mystical powers (Siddhis) and glory, which cleanly washes off the dirt (sins) of the soul.

17. He is called the highest goal of sages and of pious people who have completely renounced violence, are serene, endowed with equanimity of mind (or out-look of equality towards all) and non-attachment.

18. His beloved personality is constituted of pure Sattva- guṇa; Brāhmaṇas, his beloved deities. Persons of keen and subtle intellect who are of serene mind and who covet for no blessings, resort to him.

19. He has three forms which are invested of Māyā consisting of three guṇaṣ: The Rākṣasa, the Tāmasic form, Asura, the Rājasic and gods, the Sāttvic form. (He is unattached to all these guṇas but) Sattva is the means of attaining the lore of Bhakti and he is thus associated with Sattva.

Śrī Śuka said:

20. In this way, the Brāhmaṇas who were performing the sacrifice, came to this conclusion for dispelling the doubts of the people. By worshipping the lotus-feet of the Supreme Person, they attained to his blissful state.

Sūta said:

21. This story is the very nectar scented with the fragrance of the Lotus-mouth of Śuka, the son of the sage Vyāsa. It celebrates the glory of the Supreme Person of hallowing renown. It dispels the fear of the cycle of births and deaths (saṃsāra). The wanderer in this cycle of transmigration, who constantly drinks this nectar with the goblets of his ears, gives up fatigue of wandering through the paths of Saṃsāra.

Śrī Śuka began to narrate:

22. It is traditionally reported that on one occasion, at Dvārakā, the newly born son of a Brāhmaṇa woman died immediately as he touched the ground (i.e. the moment she delivered the child, it expired), O descendant of Bharata!

23. The Brāhmaṇa took the dead body of the child and placed it at the gates of the royal palace and over-whelmed with grief and depressed in mind he wept bitterly and said.

[Padaratnāvalī’s Text supplied the back-ground with the following additional verses.]

23.1. On one occasion Śrī Kṛṣṇa embarked on performing a horsesacrifice and he sent out a horse consecrated for the sacrifice, to go round the world.

23-2-3. Kṛṣṇa, the delight of Yādavas, sent Hārdikya, Kṛtavarmā, Yuyudhāna, Sātyaki, Cārudeṣṇa, Sudeṣṇa, Pradyumna, Sāmba, Aṃśumant, Subhānu and a big army of Yādavas for the protection of the horse.

23.4. In a short period of time, they went round the earth and brought back the consecrated horse, O prominent Bharata.

23.5. Hearing the report that Lord Kṛṣṇa was desirous of performing a Horse-sacrifice, O Parīkṣit, sages who performed penance for a long time and observed their religious vows rigorously, came to attend it.

23.6-7. Having appointed sacrificial priests like Hotṛ (to recite the hymns and mantras from the Ṛgveda), Adhvaryu (the officiating priest expert in the Yajurveda), Udgātṛ (to chant the hymns from the Sāmaveda) and other priests to officiate over the sacrifice as per prescribed procedure, the glorious Lord Kṛṣṇa performed the ceremony of declaration of that day (of commencing the sacrifice) as the most auspicious (Puṇyāha-maṅgala) by sages and prominent Brāhmaṇas who were experts in the sacrificial lore and got himself consecrated for the sacrifice.

23.8. Kings and rulers of various countries who, with their refulgent crowns and diadems, looked brilliant like gods, came to attend upon him (at the sacrifice).

23.9. Pāṇḍavas and other kings who were eager to see the sacrifice and were invited by Kṛṣṇa came to Dvārakā, O King Parīkṣit.

23.10. While the glorious celebration of the horse-sacrifice was going on, Brāhmaṇas got thoroughly satisfied with the feasts and gifts of cloth, cows, land and gold.

23.11. Being initiated as a sacrificer, Śrī Kṛṣṇa saw to it that the prominent Brāhmaṇas got to their satisfaction all their desired objects as well as fed with whatever they wished to eat.

23-13. While kings occupied their respective seats all round and the cane-bearers, making a sound of the canes, were declaring “Silence please,” a certain Brāhmaṇa with roots of grass (or a cane) in his hand, rushed in and standing at the gate of the sacrificial hall, raised-up his hands and cried out loudly in affliction. His throat was parched with hunger, face dried up tears were flowing from his eyes and with distressed heart, he cried out thus:

24. “I have lost my child, because of the sin of a base kṣattriya (ruler) who is a hater of Brāhmaṇas, wicked-minded, greedy and voluptuous.

25. Subjects who serve a king who takes pleasure in violence, is of a bad character and has no control over his senses, perish by being subjected to perpetual impoverishment and unending miseries.”

[Here Padaratnāvalī’s Text adds:]

25.1. Repeating this (above blame) again, the Brāhmaṇa screamed out again, out of extreme anguish.

25.2. Hearing that, self-respecting Arjuna rose from his high seat near Kṛṣṇa and approaching the Brāhmaṇa enquired.

25.3. “How many children have you O Brāhmaṇa? What is the trouble with you? You tell me everything unreservedly. I shall try to make you happy.”

25.4. When (sympathetically) enquired thus, the Brāhmaṇa reported: “As soon as my child is born it is immediately taken away that very moment from the lying-in-chamber by some unknown agency, dear Sir.”

26. In this manner, the Brāhmaṇa sage screamed out the same condemning appeal the second and the third time and left the dead body of the child at the royal gate.

27. Hearing that cry while he was near Śrī Kṛṣṇa Arjuna enquired with the Brāhmaṇa when his nineth child was lost.

28. “Is there no Kṣattriya in your house (i.e. in this city) who can wield a bow? These Kṣattriyas (Yādavas who cannot protect their subjects) are not better than Brāhmaṇas engaged in this sacrifice.^[1]

29. The Kṣattriya (rulers) of that Kingdom where Brāhmaṇas being robbed of their wealth and being bereaved of their wives and children, have to grieve helplessly, are verily no better than actors on the stage who fill their belly by playing the role of Kṣattriyas.

30. O worshipful Sir, as both of you are so helpless here, I hereby undertake to protect the child that will be born of you. If I fail to fulfil my pledge, I shall enter fire (and burn myself down to death) and expiate myself of that sin.”

The Brāhmaṇa remarked:

31. Saṅkarṣaṇa (Balarāma), Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Pradyumna the foremost archer and Aniruddha, an unparalleled hero have not been able to protect my child.

32. Even the Lords of the world found the achievement of this feat impossible. It is childish on your part to boast like this. We simply don’t believe in it.

Arjuna said:

33. O Brāhmaṇa, I am neither Balarāma, nor Kṛṣṇa nor Kṛṣṇa’s descendant. I am verily that Arjuna, the wielder of the bow famous by the name Gāṇḍīva.

34. Please don’t underestimate my prowess, O Brāhmaṇa; even the three-eyed god (Śiva) was delighted with it. I shall defeat the god of death in battle and restore your progeny. Sire.

[Here Padaratnāvalī’s Text adds:]

34.1. Having inspired confidence in the Brāhmaṇa with this assurance O king, Arjuna requested Kṛṣṇa, “O Lord, please give me permission to go for (protecting the child of) the Brāhmaṇa.

34.2. You may continue your Horse sacrifice with these great men.” To Arjuna who was requesting permission to go and who had equipped himself with his quivers and Gāṇḍīva bow, Kṛṣṇa spoke with a smile.

Lord Kṛṣṇa said:

34.3. “I shall have to come personally. It won’t be possible (for you to protect the child), O Arjuna. The spirit that killed the child, appears to be extra-ordinary.”

Arjuna replied:

34.4. Indra despite his alliance with the rulers of the spheres, was defeated by me at Khāṇḍava. The three-eyed god Śiva in the guise of a Kirāta, was pleased by me with my valour in a battle (with him).

34.5. The demons Nivāta-Kavacas, the residents of Hiraṇyapura, who could not be conquered even by Indra, were killed by me in a fight.

34.6. Can there be any evil spirit more powerful than that, O slayer of demons? Why do you frighten me? Please give me permission to go just now.”

Śrī Śuka said:

34.7. Kṛṣṇa who was thus persuaded, gave permission to Arjuna to go. Arjuna, equipped with his (Gāṇḍīva) bow, went out of the sacrificial hall.

34.8. He ascended his spacious chariot with the banner of the monkey emblem hoisted over it. He placed the Brāhmaṇa in front of him and rode round the village.

34.9 Arriving at the village of that Brāhmaṇa, he helped him get down from the chariot. When he heard that the Brāhmaṇa’s wife had retired into the lying-in-chamber, Arjuna told him, O king.

Arjuna said:

34.10 “Go to your house, O Brāhmaṇa. I have given complete protection to you on all sides. Please go and comfort your wife who must be afraid.”

35. The Brāhmaṇa, so confidently assured by Arjuna, went home pleased at heart, as he had heard the exploits of Arjuna.

36. When the time of delivery of his wife approached, that eminent Brāhmaṇa entreated Arjuna anxiously, “Pray protect my child from death.”

[Padaratnāvalī’s Text adds:]

36.1. When Arjuna was thus requested, he ascended his chariot and mounting the string on the Gāṇḍīva bow hastened to the proximity of the room of confinement.

36.2. The Brāhmaṇa also entered that lying-in-chamber and in a short while cried for Arjuna’s help.

37. Arjuna sipped water (as Ācamana) and bowing to the great god Śiva, he invoked all his divine missiles and kept his bow Gāṇḍīva ready.

38. Arjuna as it were encaged the lying-in-chamber by creating a fence of arrows charged with mantras of various missiles on all side, above and below that chamber.

39. Then the wife of that Brāhmaṇa gave birth to a son who cried well (repeatedly), but in an instant, he bodily vanished through the sky.

40. Then the Brāhmaṇa censured Arjuna in the presence of Kṛṣṇa blaming himself, “Look at my folly, in placing faith in the empty bragging of an impotent person.

41. Who else can be capable enough to protect my child whom neither Pradyumna, nor Aniruddha, nor Balarāma nor Śrī Kṛṣṇa were able to protect.

42. Fie upon Arjuna, the boastful liar! Fie upon the bow of his who indulges in self-advertisement (self-flattery). The wicked fellow, out of his stupidity, brags to restore back what has been snatched away by Fate.”

43. While the Brāhmaṇa sage was reproaching him, Arjuna used his mystical lore and quickly went to Saṃyamanī, the capital of the god of death (Yama).

44. Not being able to trace the child of that Brāhmaṇa he visited (and explored) the capital cities of the great gods like Indra, Agni, Nairṛta, Soma, Vāyu and Varuṇa and with his weapon ready, he went to the subterranean regions and to regions higher than the celestial region and many other regions.

45. As he could not trace the child and had failed to fulfill his pledge, he prepared himself to enter fire but was prohibited by Kṛṣṇa from doing so.

46. (Kṛṣṇa said) “I shall show you the sons of that Brāhmaṇa. Please do not disrespect yourself in this way. Those (who are censuring you now) will permanently establish (and sing of) our pure spotless glory.

47. Having comforted him with these words, the glorious Almighty Lord ascended his divine chariot along with Arjuna and sped towards the west.

48. Then passing over the seven island-continents and the seven oceans dividing those continents, the seven mountain-ranges and the Lokāloka mountain^[2] (which divides the visible world from the region of darkness), he entered the region of darkness.

49. O prominent Bharata! In that pitch-black darkness, his horses, Śaibya, Sugrīva, Meghapuṣpa and Balāhaka lost their way and could not proceed.

50. Noticing their plight, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Master of all experts in Yoga, discharged ahead his discus Sudarśana which was effulgent like one thousand suns shining simultaneously.

51. Piercing through that extremely horrendous, palpably thick all-pervading darkness, the effect of Prakṛti or created by the Lord himself with its exceedingly enormous lustre, the Sudarśana discus with the speed of the mind (quick like a thought or imagination) cut its way like the arrow of Rāma discharged from the bow-string penetrated through hostile army.

52. Following the path cut by the discus, (the chariot reached the end of darkness), Arjuna saw that Supreme, Infinite, dazzling lustre beyond that dark-region (of Prakṛti). But his eyes became dazed and he closed the eyes.

53. Thereafter he entered water (the ocean) adorned with huge billows lashed up by powerful tempestuous gales. Verily he saw then a wonderful mansion highly resplendent with thousands of columns of brilliant jewels.

54. And in that mansion, he beheld the presence of the Serpent Śeṣa (Ananta) who was the most formidable yet wonderful to look at. He was radiant with brilliant jewels on each of his thousand hoods, with two fierce eyes. His body was white like the Himālayas but was black at the neck and in the tongue.

55. He beheld the all-pervading Lord of infinite powers resting on the soft and comfortable coils of serpent Śeṣa. The complexion of that most exalted Super-human being was dark like a cloud surcharged with water. He wore a yellow garment. He had a cheerful countenance and beautiful longish eyes.

56. The effulgence of the numerous precious jewels in his crown and the refulgence of his ear-rings enveloped ṭlike a halo) and lit up his profuse curly locks of hair. He had eight Jong beautiful arms. He wore the brilliant Kaustubha gem round his neck and had the Śrī Vatsa mark (on his chest), and he was decorated with Vanamālā (a garland of five coloured forest flowers reaching upto the knees).

57. He was the Lord of Supreme gods who was attended upon by Sunanda and Nanda, the chief of his guards, by the discus Sudarśana and other weapons in a corporal form and by his four potencies, viz. Puṣṭi (grace), Śrī (splendour, beauty and affluence), Kīrti (Fame) and the Invincible potency (Māyā) and eight miraculous powers (Siddhis).

58. Śrī Kṛṣṇa bowed to the Infinite Lord who was himself in another form, Arjuna filled with awe at his sight, paid him obeisance. Both of them stood with folded palms. The Perfect Person, the controller of Brahmā and other lords (presiding deities) of the spheres, smilingly addressed in a deep and sonorous voice to them.

59. “The sons of the Brāhmaṇa were brought by me desirous of seeing you both. Both of you have incarnated on the earth by your part-manifestations for the protection of righteousness. Having killed the demons who have become a burden to the earth as soon as possible, return to our presence.

60. Both of you are famous sages Nara and Nārāyaṇa who have already accomplished all blessings. But for the maintenance of the world-order, you both have set a model of righteousness for others to follow.

61-62. Thus commanded by the glorious Supreme Deity, those two dark-complexioned heroes (Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna) accepted the mandate, respectfully bowed to the Perfect Being, and taking with them the sons of the Brāhmaṇa returned with delighted hearts to their home by the same route they came. They restored to the Brāhmaṇa his sons grown up according to their age but similar in appearance as their father saw them, (at the time of their birth).

63. Having visualized the shining region (known as Mahākālapura of Viṣṇu (or the glorious power of Viṣṇu, Arjuna was exceedingly astonished. He realized whatever prowess and manliness is possessed by a man is due to the grace of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

[Here Padaratnāvalī’s Text adds:]

63.1. Śrī Kṛṣṇa re-entered the sacrificial hall which was filled to its capacity with family priests, Brāhmaṇas and sacrificial priests, and eminent Kṣattriyas.

63.2. With the approval of the Brāhmaṇas, he went through the expiatory rites prescribed for moving out of the sacrificial precincts during the consecration period.

63.3 O excellent Kuru! After completing the sacrifice according to Śāstric procedure, he satisfied the Brāhmaṇas granting all their desired objects. He worshipped the sacrificial priests and other sages.

63.4. Having performed the concluding bath (avabhṛtha majjana) in the great river Yamunā, the excellent member of the Yadu race passed his time happily in the company of great sages.

[Here ends the hundredth chapter in Padaratnāvalī’s text]

64. Displaying in this way many feats and exploits, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, enjoyed worldly pleasures as well as worshipped the Supreme Deity by performing great sacrifices on an exceedingly superior scale.

65. The glorious Lord was himself endowed with overflowing affluence, power, etc. just as god Indra showers down water profusely in the proper (i.e. the rainy) season, he also in due time incessantly bestowed all the desired-objects on his subjects, Brāhmaṇas and others.

66. He personally slew a number of unrighteous Kings and eliminated the remaining irreligious ones through Arjuna and others. He easily enforced abidance by the righteous path (and thus re-established dharma) all over the world through Yudhiṣṭhira and other virtuous Kings.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

These Brāhmaṇas are performing this sacrifice for these wretched Kṣattriyas who cannot protect their subjects—Padaratnāvalī

[2]:

A mythical mountain that encircles the earth and is beyond the seven continents and the encircling sea of fresh water. The sun’s rays do not reach beyond that mountain.