Chapter 5 - Śrīnivāsa Enchanted on Seeing Padmāvatī

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Varāha said:

1-3. On reaching the divine abode he got down from the excellent horse. Saying “You all may take rest” he dismissed all the Devas (who had assumed) the forms of hunters along with their attendants. He then entered the hall set with jewels. Climbing the flight of bejewelled stairs, he entered the five chambers one by one and after going beyond all the five chambers he reached the abode of pearls. Hari who had become exhausted and worried lay down on a swinging couch exquisitely inlaid with the nine different precious stones.

4-5. He went on recollecting that maiden of longish eyes with slender waist having the lustre of the interior of a lotus, with plump breasts and lotus-like face resplendent with smiles. He considered her the daughter of the Milk Ocean herself, the splendid lotus-born deity Lakṣmī. With his mind dwelling on her Lord Śrīnivāsa fell into a swoon.

[Bakulamālikā’s Address to Swooning Śrīnivāsa]:—

6-9. Then at midday the female attendant Bakulamālikā prepared divinely excellent meal having good flavour. It was exquisitely splendid and befitting gods. There were excellent side dishes,^[1] pure rice, rice cooked in milk, rice mixed with jaggery, pudding made of green gram and rice etc. There were five different Apūpas (deep-fried pies), Pūrikās (deep-fried pancakes) and Vaṭakas (pulse-cakes fried in oil). Then she hastened to meet the Lord. She was accompanied by (three other attendants named), Padmāvatī, Padmapatrā and Citrarekhā.

She asked all those excellent maidens to wait at the entrance to the Lord’s (abode). Bakulamālikā alone went near him.

10-11. After going near the Lord she saluted him with great devotion. On seeing the Lord lying helpless on the couch inlaid with gems, she massaged his feet. Finding him lying with his eyes, closed deeply engrossed in thought about something, she smiled and spoke to him thus:

12. “Get up, O Lord of the Chiefs of Devas. Why do you lie down, O Puruṣottama? Excellent food has been got ready, O Lord. Come to take your food, O Mādhava.

13. Why do you lie down like one agonized and distressed? You are the destroyer of the agony and distress of all the Worlds. What has been seen by you in the forest, O Lord, as you were ahunting?

14-15. Your plight, O Lord of large eyes, seems to be like that of a love-lorn man. Who was seen, a Deva maiden, a human one or a daughter of a serpent (Ahi)? O Lord of inconceivable soul, tell me about that girl who has captivated your mind.”

Śrī Varāha said:

16. On hearing these words of hers, the Lord heaved a deep-sigh. As he sighed thus, Bakulamālikā spoke to him affectionately:

17. “Who is that maiden so attractive even unto you, O Puruṣottama?” Hṛṣīkeśa spoke to her: “I shall tell all the facts. Listen.”

[The Reason for Marriage with Padmāvatī As told by Śrīnivāsa]:—

The Lord said:

18. Formerly, in the auspicious Tretā Yuga, I killed Rāvaṇa. At that time the girl Vedavatī rendered assistance to Śrī (Sītā).

19-20. Lakṣmī appeared from the land of Janaka in the form of Sītā. In the Pañcavaṭī forest, when I went away to kill Mārīca, my younger brother too followed me on being urged by Sītā. In the meantime the king of Rākṣasas came there to abduct Sītā.

21-23. Fire-god present in the (place of) Agnihotra sacrifice knew (i.e. anticipated) the attempt of Rāvaṇa. He took the real Sītā to Pātāla and entrusted her to (his wife) Svāhā. There was a splendid lady named Vedavatī. Formerly, she was touched by the same Rākṣasa (but not molested). Yet she cast off her body in fire. In order to kill Ṛāvaṇa she was created once again with a form similar to that of Sītā. It was she who was abducted by Ṛāvaṇa and kept in custody in Laṅkā.

24-26. Afterwards when Rāvaṇa was killed, she entered fire once again. Agni handed over Lakṣmī, my Jānakī, who had been kept in her protective custody by Svāhā and told me about the attendant accompanying Sītā: “O Lord, this is Vedavatī who did what was pleasing to Sītā. For the sake of Sītā she remained in the abode of the Rākṣasa as one imprisoned by him. Hence, delight her with a good boon along with Śrī.”

27-28. On hearing these words of Fire-god, the splendid (genuine) Sītā told me: “O Lord, this Vedavatī has always done everything pleasing to me. Hence she is a great devotee of the Lord. Hence, O Lord, choose her (as wife).” I replied:

29-30. “O goddess, I shall do so in the twenty-eighth Kali-yuga. Till then let her stay in the world of Brahmā and be adored by Devas. Afterwards she will become the daughter of Earth and (the adopted) daughter of (king) Viyat.”

Thus that beautiful lady had been formerly granted boons by me and by Lakṣmī.

31-32. She is born of Earth in the city of Nārāyaṇapura. The chaste lady is on a par with Lakṣmī. She has eyes like lotus. She has been granted boons by Padmā (Lakṣmī). Today that charming lady was seen by me as I was hunting at that place. She was plucking flowers along with her friends and attendants who befitted her.

33-34. It is impossible to describe her beauty by me even in a hundred years. As in the case of Lakṣmī, if my contact with her today becomes feasible, my life will be steady. Take this to be the truth.

[Departure of Bakulamālikā to the City of King Viyat]:—

35. O Bakulamālikā, you go there. After seeing that girl, O Bakulamālikā, know whether the blemishless, long-eyed girl of Iotus(-like) eyes is suitable to me on account of her beauty and gracefulness.

36-37. After saying this, he swooned once again. Bakulā said to him: “O Lord of Devas, I shall go hence to the place where that charming lady of yours lives at present. Tell me the way, O Lord of Ramā, whereby I shall have to go to her.”

On being told thus the Lord of Ramā said to Bakulamālikā:

38-46. “O highly fortunate lady, go along this way where there is the cave of Śrī Nṛsiṃha. Get down from this beautiful mountain along that way.

After reaching the hermitage of Agastya visit the Liṅga named Agastyeśa worshipped by him on the banks of Suvarṇamukharī.

Enjoying the sight of Suvarṇamukharī with (its wonderful) ripples and waves, go along its bank till you reach the forest of the Brāhmaṇa Sage Śuka.

There is a holy lotus-pond there named Padmasaras. It is full of lotuses. Take your bath there and bow down to the excellent sage Chāyā Śuka who performs penance on its banks. Bow down to Kṛṣṇa accompanied by Balarāma always propitiated by Sage Śuka, O excellent lady.

Kṛṣṇa has pure yellow robes and he is dark in complexion like the gem sapphire. Balabhadra is white in complexion and is depicted as one about to go on a pilgrimage, repeating Mantras with uplifted hands holding a pearl necklace and wearing sandals. Bow down to Balabhadra.

From this lake, O lady of excellent face, you may take a golden lotus. After crossing Suvarṇamukharī and passing through forests and gardens, you will reach the banks of Araṇī. You may take rest in the middle of the forest. You will certainly be struck with wonder on seeing Nārāyaṇapurī.

47-55. In the parks and gardens you will see many trees^[2] in full bloom laden with fruits such as Panasas (Jack trees), Āmras (Mangoes), Śirīṣas (Acacia sirissa), Kundas (a variety of Jasmine), Tindukas (Diospyros embryopteris), Pāṭalas (Trumpet flower), Punnāgas (Calophyllum inophyllum), Nāgaravanas (groves of Euphorbia antiquorum), Rasālas (Bread fruit trees), Aṅkolas (Alaṅgium hexapetalum), Caṃpakas, Bakulas (Mimusops elengi), Āmalakas (Emblic myrobalan), Sālas (a variety of resin producing tree), Tālas (Palms), Hintālas, Padmakas (Cerasus puddum), Jaṃbū (Rose apple), Niṃba (Margosa), Kadaṃba (Nauclea cadamba), Elā (Cardamum), Pippalī (Long pepper), Madhukas (Bassia latifolia), Arjunas (Terminalia Arjuna), Priyaṅgus (Aglaia odorata), Hiṅgu (Asafoetida), Kharjūra (Date palms), Māyūra (Ligusticum ajwaen), Aśoka, Lodhrakas (Symplocos racemosa), Aśvattha (Holy fig tree), Uduṃbara (Ficus glomerata), Plakṣa (Ficus infectoria), Badarī (Jujube tree), Bhūrja (a kind of birch Betula bhojpatra), Kīcaka (Bamboos), Ciñcā (Tamarind), Kiṃśuka (Butea frondosa), Mandāra (Erythrina Indica), Śālmalī (Silk cotton), Bījapūraka (Citrus medica), Pūga (Betelnut tree), Nāraṅga (Orange), Likuca (Artocarpus lacucha) and Nārikela (Coconut-palms)—all these in clusters and groves.

There are the flowering plants such as Mallikā, Mālatī, Kunda, and Yūthikā (all these varieties of Jasmine) as well as Ketakī (Pandamus odoratissimus). The parks abound in Karavīra (oleander) and lotuses. They shine with royal plantain trees.

The parks and gardens are thronged with peacocks, parrots, herons, vultures and Sārasa birds.

It echoes with the humming sounds of bees. Seeing all these on the banks of the river, you will get great delight.

Thereafter, you go by the north-east path to the city on a par with Indra’s city. It is encircled by the river named Araṇī and is as if encircled by Gaṅgā. After going to the city of King Ākāśa, do the needful.”

Śrī Varāha said:

56. After ordering that attendant named Bakulā thus and bidding her farewell, the Over-lord of Suras accompanied by Śrī lay down on his white splendid bed.

57-62. After bowing down to the Lord of the Chiefs of Devas, the attendant Bakulamālikā mounted on a red horse like the berry of Abrus precatorius in shape and size. She went through the path indicated before seeing various kinds of animals such as elephants in rut as huge as mountains and adorned with white tusks. They were accompanied by herds of cow-elephants. They were eager to seize even clouds.

She saw lions resembling white clouds followed by herds of lionesses, tigers, bears, rhinoceroses, eight-footed Śarabhas, Gavaya oxen, deer, antelopes, jackals, the Priyaka species of deer, rabbits etc. She saw Sārasa birds and peacocks and wild cats.

She saw wolves, parrots, boars and many birds of excellent ability to produce nice sounds.

Seeing these different things and getting thrilled frequently, she reached the western bank of Araṇī that was full of trees.

63-64. After getting down from the red horse near the deity Agastyeśa, she visited Agastyeśvara, the Liṅga that was worshipped well by Agastya. After taking bath and having had a drink (to quench the thirst) she took rest on the bank of the river.

[Words Addressed to the Attendants and Friends of Padmāvatī Present in the Divine Garden by Bakulamālikā]:—

65-66. Some maidens came there to the presence of the deity from the royal abode. Seeing those attendants and friends of Padmālayā, Bakulamālikā approached them and asked them in course of a general talk:

Bakulamālikā said:

67. O young maidens, who are you? Tell me. You have wonderful ornaments and garlands. Wherefrom have you come here? O ladies with faces devoid of impurities, what is your business here?

68. On hearing her words they said smilingly: “Listen attentively, O gentle lady. We shall recount it now.”

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The dishes are all vegetarian and the varieties of rice-preparations, etc. are still popular in the country round Veṅkaṭādri.

[2]:

The list of trees is repeated whenever a forest is to be described.