Chapter 24 - The Episode of the Gandharva Sundara

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

The sages said:

1. O holy lord Sūta, the most excellent one among those conversant with the Purāṇas, who was this Rākṣasa who tormented the noble-souled Brāhmaṇa, a devotee of Viṣṇu?

Śrī Sūta said:

1. O Brāhmaṇas, I shall narrate the story of that cruel Rākṣasa and how as a result of the curse of sages he became a Rākṣasa. Listen with concentration.

3-4. Formerly in Śrīraṅga,^[1] the temple of Viṣṇu on a par with Vaikuṇṭha, all the devotees of Viṣṇu, of great prowess, the chiefs of whom were Vasiṣṭha and Atri, came to reside and began to worship Śrīraṅganātha, the Lord of Devas, the bestower of immunity from fear on the devotees. They worshipped him for salvation.

5-6, Once a certain Gandharva named Sundara, powerful son of Vīrabāhu (came there), O great Brāhmaṇas. He was deeply attached to the assembly of lecherous people. Accompanied by a hundred young women, he entered the water-pond without any clothe on. He joyously sported with naked young women.

7-9. Vasiṣṭha was desirous of performing Mādhyāhnika (Mid-day) religious rites. From the temple of Śrīraṅga he went to the holy Tīrtha of the river Kāverī along with the other sages.

On seeing those sages those young women became frightened. They immediately wore their clothes but not Sundara who was over-bold and rash. Thereupon, Vasiṣṭha became angry and cursed that shameless fellow.

Vasiṣṭha said:

10-12. Since, O Sundara, O Gandharva, even after seeing us the clothes were not put on by you out of natural shame, become a Rākṣasa instantaneously.

When this was imprecated by Vasiṣṭha, the women bowed down to him with palms joined in reverence and mind humble due to devotion. They spoke to Vasiṣṭha in the midst of the multitude of sages thus:

The young women said:

13-16. O holy lord, O son of Brahmā, conversant with all holy rites, O ocean of mercy, in our presence it does not behove you to be angry. It is the husband who is mentioned to be the greatest ornament of women. A woman without a husband, even if blessed with a hundred sons, is called a widow in the world, O sage. Her life is purposeless. Hence, O sage, be pleased with our husband. One offence should be pardoned by the sages, the seers of Truth. Forgive, O ocean of mercy. Be merciful to Sundara, your disciple.

Śrī Sūta said:

17. When requested thus by the womenfolk of Sundara, Vasiṣṭha, the excellent Brāhmaṇa, became pleased once again and spoke these words:

[The Remedy for Terminating Sundara’s Rākṣasa-hood as Suggested by Vasiṣṭha]:—

Vasiṣṭha said:

18. O ladies of beautiful eyebrows, my words will never be false. I will recount to you the means (to get out of the curse). Listen with attention and faith.

19-21. The curse in the case of your husband will certainly be effective for a period of sixteen years. During this period of sixteen years, Sundara will have the form and features of a Rākṣasa. O celestial ladies, once he will, by chance, go to Veṅkaṭa, the auspicious mountain that dispels all sins. He will then go to Cakratīrtha. Padmanābha, a prominent sage and a great Yogin, stays there. This Rākṣasa will rush at that sage for devouring him.

22-24. Thereafter, the excellent Discus despatched by Viṣṇu for the protection of the Brāhmaṇa, will undoubtedly sever his head from his body. Thereafter, that Sundara, your husband, will be released from the curse and will regain his own form. He will return to heaven once again. There is no doubt about it. Thereupon, after reaching heaven, O beautiful women, Sundara, your husband, will delight you all in his beautiful dress.

Śrī Sūta said:

25. After saying thus to those excellent women of Sundara, Vasiṣṭha, a devotee of Śrīraṅgeśvara, went to his hermitage immediately.

26. Then those young women who were grief-stricken and immersed in the middle of the ocean of misery, embraced their husband Sundara and lamented.

27-30. Even as they were watching thus, Sundara became a Rākṣasa with a huge body and big curved teeth. His hair and beard were red in colour. On being frightened at his sight the beautiful women went to heaven.

Then this Sundara in the form of a Rākṣasa of terrible form and features, began to eat living beings. He wandered from land to land and forest to forest with the speed of wind. He roamed over the excellent mountain Veṅkaṭādri. The great sinner entered Cakratīrtha and then went away. Thus sixteen years elapsed while he continued his wanderings.

31-33. Then, at the close of the sixteenth year, O great sages, this Rākṣasa rushed at Padmanābha, a resident of Cakratīrtha, with the velocity of wind, in order to devour him.

He (Padmanābha) then eulogized Janārdana. On being eulogized by the Yogin, Viṣṇu hurled his Discus in order to protect that Padmanābha who was terribly harassed by the Rākṣasa. Hari’s Discus came and removed the head of the Rākṣasa.

[Liberation of Sundara from Rākṣasa-hood and Restoration of His Original Form]:—

34-35. Then he abandoned the body of Rākṣasa. Sundara got back his divine body and got in an aerial chariot. He was showered with flowers. With palms joined in reverence he bowed down to and saluted that Sudarśana. With great respect he eulogized him with excellent words pleasing to the ears:

Sundara said:

36. O Sudarśana, obeisance to you, O sole ornament of Viṣṇu’s hand. Obeisance to you, the destroyer of Asuras, to the (weapon) having the refulgence of a thousand suns.

37. It was by your grace that I cast off the body of Rākṣasa and regained the original form of mine. O missile Discus of Viṣṇu, salute to you.

38. O favourite of Viṣṇu, permit me to go to heaven. My wives are bewailing me due to the grief of separation.

39. O Discus, grant me such a form as to enable me to think about you as long as I live. Obeisance to you.

40. On being thus eulogized devoutly by Sundara, O great sages, the Discus of Viṣṇu at once blessed him saying, “Let it be so.”

41. Permitted by the Missile Discus, Sundara, the Gandharva, bowed down to the excellent Brāhmaṇa and permitted by him went to heaven.

42-46. When Sundara had gone to heaven, the prominent sage Padmanābha prayed to the Discus:

“O missile of Viṣṇu, obeisance to you. O weapon Discus, the suppressor of great Asuras, I bow down to you. Be pleased to be present in this splendid Cakratīrtha devoid of impurities. By your presence destroy the sins of all the sinners who take their bath here. Grant them eternal salvation. Let this Tīrtha become famous by the name Cakratīrtha in the world. Henceforth let the fear of the sages living here be dispelled. O noble weapon Discus, obeisance to you. Let there be no fear from evil spirits, vampires and ghosts, O Lord.”

47-49. On being prayed to in this manner by Padmanābha, the Yogin, the Discus said, “So be it” and vanished in that Tīrtha.

Śrī Sūta said:

Thus, O Brāhmaṇas, the greatness of Cakratīrtha has been recounted by me with (reference to) the origin of the Rākṣasa. It dispels all impurities. On hearing it men on the earth are liberated from all sins.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Seringapatam on Kāverī in Mysore.