The Padma Purana
by N.A. Deshpande | 1951 | 1,261,945 words | ISBN-10: 8120838297 | ISBN-13: 9788120838291
This page describes the story of bhadreshvara which is chapter 79 of the English translation of the Padma Purana, one of the largest Mahapuranas, detailling ancient Indian society, traditions, geography, as well as religious pilgrimages (yatra) to sacred places (tirthas). This is the seventy-ninth chapter of the Srishti-khanda (section on creation) of the Padma Purana, which contains six books total consisting of at least 50,000 Sanskrit metrical verses.
Disclaimer: These are translations of Sanskrit texts and are not necessarily approved by everyone associated with the traditions connected to these texts. Consult the source and original scripture in case of doubt.
Chapter 79 - The Story of Bhadreśvara
[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]
Vyāsa said:
1. In Madhyadeśa (lived) a supreme, sovereign king known as Bhadreśvara. He was pure due to many austerities and vows of many kinds.
2. He always worshipped the deities devoutly. White (spots of) leprosy appeared on his right hand.
3. Then (even) after being treated by physicians, the symptoms of the former (disease) were (still) noticed. Having invited principal brāhmaṇas and ministers he said (these) words (to them).
The king said:
4. O brāhmaṇas, there is a disease on my hand, which is unbearable and condemned by the people. Therefore I shall cast my body at a place which is an auspicious, great sacred place.
5-6a. O you heroes, O brāhmaṇas, who are conversant with
religious merit, advise me who have no progeny, about my wellbeing here and in the next world, so that (I shall enjoy) welfare in the next world. So being, well-pleased, tell me, what you desire me to do.
The brāhmaṇas said:
6b-8a. When you, the intelligent and righteous one abandon this country the (whole) world and this kingdom are doomed. Therefore (please) do not speak (like this). We shall find out a remedy for it. O lord, propitiate the great god with sacred hymn (in honour) of the Sun.
The king said:
8b-10a. O best brāhmaṇas by which means should I please the Sun? O brāhmaṇas, due to this impure (disease viz.) leprosy, which is censured by people, I cannot present myself to the beings, and am condemned (by them). Why should I govern the kingdom? What would be (the fruit) of the propitiation?
The brāhmaṇas said:
10b-11a. By living here in your own kingdom, and by propitiating the Sun, you, being free from a terrible sin will obtain heaven and salvation.
11b-12a. Hearing this, the best king, having saluted the excellent brāhmaṇas, undertook the important propitiation of the Sun.
12b-14. Everyday he offered worship (to the Sun) with sacred hymns, offerings and anointments, with fruits of various kinds, with respectful offerings, sacred rice grains, japā flowers, arka-leaves, and karavīra and karañjaka flowers, with red saffron and red lead, with flowers of the spring season, and leaves of fragrant plantain trees and their very charming fruits.
15. The king everyday offered respectful offering at the (root of the) audumbara tree to the Sun by facing him.
16-1 7a. His queens, concubines[1], all inmates of the harem, the guards with their wives, and the servants and others everyday offered respectful offering to the Sun.
17b-18a. They worshipped the Sun with hymns pacifying the Sun, with other very powerful hymns etc., and with original and other hymns.
18b-19a. They, being well-composed, observed the Sun’s vow. The king gradually put on flesh and was free from the disease.
19b-20a. When the terrible disease was arrested, the king, controlling the entire world, observed the vow of worshipping (the Sun) at dawn.
20b-22a. In the same way, men, along with their wives, offered japā-flower, a banana, with bāṇa-flowers and leaves and other flowers, observed a fast (or) ate at night (only), and offered worship giving great merit and liked by all people, to the Sun.
22b-24a. In this way, Bhāskara (i.e. the Sun), worshipped by the three classes, became pleased, and having come to the king compassionately said (these) words to him: “For the good of all the citizens, ask, along with your followers, for a boon desired by you, which is in your mind.”
The king said:
24b-25a. Since, O eye of all, you desire to grant a boon of my liking, let all of us have (residence in) heaven with you.
The Sun said:
25b-27. O magnanimous one, let your brāhmaṇa ministers and other brāhmaṇas, with their wives and attendants, all young and pure (citizens) live, enjoying all pleasures with the divine trees, with fully equipped palaces (high) like trees, with ladies and excellent dances and songs, in my beautiful city.
28-29. After five kalpas[2] you will be the king in a Manu-age; and these your men, O king, and priests standing before you, and those men living in your country, will be learned and rich. Then obtaining a boon from me, you will easily obtain heaven.
30. Saying so the eye of the world vanished there only. Then king Bhadreśvara with the (inhabitants of his) city enjoyed in heaven.
31. There the yellow insects, along with their progeny etc. enjoyed great and wonderful pleasures on the divine tree.
32. In this way only, kings and brāhmaṇas of praiseworthy vows, and other castes like the kṣatriyas quickly went to the Sun’s heaven.
33. Some desired wealth, others sons and wives, (others) desired happiness, heaven and sound health through the Sun’s favour.
34. The man who, being pure, would recite this auspicious heap of merit, has all his sins destroyed, and is worshipped on the earth like Rudra.
35-37. He would be seeing everything, would be a granter of boons, and dear to Bhāskara (the Sun). A mortal, who is restrained, would obtain the desired fruit. He who daily listens (to the Sun’s account) goes beyond all sins, and would be meritorious, rich and an orator in the Sun’s assembly. This secret, very secret (vow) has been propagated by Bhāskara. It was narrated to Yama (by Bhāskara) and was narrated by Vyāsa on the earth.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Bhoginī—A woman, belonging to a king’s harem, but not consecrated with him; a concubine of a king.
[2]:
Kalpa=A day of Brahmā= 1000 yugas= 432 million years of mortals.