Chapter 29 - Arjuna Proceeds on a Pilgrimage

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Note: From this chapter begins the sub-section of the glorification of river Suvarṇamukharī (see Supra p. 6, Fnt 2)

The sages said:

1. The power of all the holy places as also of the rivers, mountains, holy shrines and lakes has been related by you.

2. It has been described by you, O sinless one, that at the instance of Brahmā the river Suvarṇamukharī was brought to the earth by Agastya.

3. Now a desire has arisen to hear about its origin and power as well as of the groups of Tīrthas depending on it. It behoves you to recount that to us.

4. Sūta who was thus requested by the sages, bowed down to Śaṃbhu, the Lord Nandī, the six-faced Lord Skanda and Vyāsa. Then he began to recount.

Śrī Sūta said:

5-6. O blessed ones, what has been asked by you is relevant and conducive to the good. This narrative bestows the Siddhi that comes from listening to the Vedas.

Listen attentively. I shall recount to you the divine story that is destructive of sins. It had been narrated by Bharadvāja to Arjuna.

7. After getting Yājñasenī (i.e. Draupadī) from the wise king Drupada the sons of Pṛthā went to the splendid city of Hastinā-pura at the bidding of Dhṛtarāṣṭra.

8. They were honoured thereby Bhīṣma as well as by the son of Aṃbikā (i.e. Dhṛtarāṣṭra). They lived there for five years along with Duryodhana and others.

9-10. As advised by Bhīṣma and others, Dhṛtarāṣṭra of great fame, who was himself delighted in his mind on account of their services, granted to the sons of Pāṇḍu the excellent city named Khāṇḍavaprastha along with half the kingdom in the preseṇce of Vāsudeva and all the elderly members of the family.

11. After taking leave of the Kurus headed by Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the sons of Pāṇḍu went to that city of Khāṇḍavaprastha accompanied by Kṛṣṇa.

12. Residing in that city named Indraprastha which was well guarded by Viśvakarman, Dharmaputra (Yudhiṣṭhira) ruled over the kingdom in the company of his brothers.

13. After Kṛṣṇa had gone back to his city, the sons of Pṛthā, well-conversant with Dharma took a vow (i.e. made an agreement) regarding Draupadī at the advice of Nārada.

[Prelude to the Pilgrimage of Arjuna^[1]]:—

14-16. The agreement was as follows: Kṛṣṇā (i.e. Draupadī) should stay with each one of them (Pāṇḍava-brothers) in due order, with great respect, for one year, with this proviso that if any one of them were to see the daughter of Pāñcāla staying in another brother’s house, he would proceed on a pilgrimage for a period of one year.^[2]

Having taken a vow thus, those sons of king Pāṇḍu spent their time carefully in all those activities common to everyone in the world.

17. Once a Brāhmaṇa from the rural areas came and stood in the palace courtyard and lamented loudly many times, “My cow has been taken away by thieves.”

18. After consoling that Brāhmaṇa Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) hurriedly entered the arsenal to take out his weapons.

19. There he saw Pāñcālī and Dharmaputra seated (together). Though he was fully aware of the vow, he entered the apartment and took out the bow along with the quiver.

20. That Prince went to fight with the thieves, killed them in battle, retrieved the cow and gave it to the Brāhmaṇa with due respect.

21. Thereafter Phālguna intimated to Dharmaputra (Yudhiṣṭhira):

“Pilgrimage has to be undertaken by me, because I have broken the stipulations in the vow.”

22. On hearing the words of his younger brother the wise king Dharmaputra, the most excellent one among those conversant with righteousness, eagerly spoke thus:

Yudhiṣṭhira said:

23. If for the sake of cows and Brāhmaṇas one were to tell a lie, it is truth itself. If for the same purpose one were to commit an evil act, it is appropriate indeed.

24. It is for the sake of a Brāhmaṇa as well as for the sake of a cow that you have done like this. How can it become a vile deed? Tell me, O (brother) of good holy rites.

25. The duty of a king is the protection of his subjects. If he is indifferent to thieves, he will incur the sin of Brāhmaṇa-slaughter. If he punishes the thieves, he shall enjoy the benefit of a horse sacrifice.

26. Even after knowing that they are uncontrollable enemies, if the thieves who oppress the people of his own country are not punished by the king, he will not be entitled to welfare and peace.

27. What has been done by you is an act conducive to the good and welfare of us, the kings, as well as of all the classes of the public. Therefore there is no fault on your part.

Śrī Sūta said:

28. On hearing the words of Dharmaputra, Dhanañjaya who was always virtuous, joined his palms in reverence and submitted once again:

Arjuna said:

29-30. O King, do not speak like this (to approve) a thing that involves the breaking of one’s own vow.

A vow should never be broken by a person who knows everything about Dharma, who is himself the brilliant Dharma incarnate, who is conversant with what should be done and what should not be done (and especially by one) who is competent. A vow that has been proclaimed before by oneself should never be broken.

31. It is a way out for weaklings to forsake their duty on being prompted by the words of kinsmen and elders by casting off their own pledges announced by themselves previously.

32. If out of compassion my noble (brother) were to dissuade me from undertaking the pilgrimage, who can prevent the people from decrying me as one who has broken his vow?

33. My mind is extremely eager for going on a pilgrimage. My duty based on the behest of Nārada has been remembered by me.

34. Hence be pleased, O great King, in the matter of undertaking the pilgrimage. The vow of servants should be honoured by masters.

35. Arjuna was given permission by saying “So be it”. Along with his brothers he delighted his elder brother by means of his humility, obeisance etc.

36. The son of Pāṇḍu took leave of his brothers Bhīmasena and others. Holy rites for his welfare during his travels were performed by excellent Brāhmaṇas.

37-38. At the bidding of Yudhiṣṭhira^[3] many persons followed him, viz. Brāhmaṇas conversant with the Purāṇas, astrologers, physicians, artisans, servants, bards and heralds. Affectionate and well-behaved officers of the treasury followed him taking with them sufficient wealth for the sake of Arjuna’s pleasures as well as charitable purposes.

[Arjuna’s Arrival at Suvarṇamukharī after taking His Holy Bath in Gaṅgā and Other Tīrthas^[4]]:—

39. At the outset the Prince went to the river Bhāgīrathī. He visited the holy places of Gaṅgādvāra, Prayāga and Kāśī.

40. Visiting various Tīrthas and travelling by the path along the banks of Gaṅgā he reached the southern ocean agitated by high waves.

41. After visiting Mahānadī of great merit, the well-known shrine of Puruṣottama (i.e. Jagannātha) and Siṃhācala he attained great contentment (and peace).

42. Thereafter the son of Kuntī saw the holy river Godāvarī whose greatness is increased on account of its power of dispelling all the masses of sins.

43. He duly took his bath in its waters. The son of Pāṇḍu delighted others by means of different kinds of charitable gifts such as lands and gold.

44. After visiting the river named Malāpahā he experienced splendid pleasure. Then he reached Kṛṣṇaveṇī, the excellent river.

45. He visited Śrīparvata, the permanent residence of Śiva. It has four entrances and there are many Tīrthas there.

46. He crossed the river Pinākinī (modem Pennar) and proceeded ahead. Then he saw Veṅkaṭācala, the favourite abode of Nārāyaṇa, frequented by celestial sages.

47-48. With great devotion he worshipped the famous Hari, the sole leader of all the worlds stationed on the lofty peak of this mountain. He worshipped the Lord for the attainment of the good. He got down from the peak of the great mountain Veṅkaṭa and saw the river named Suvarṇamukharī that had been brought by the Pot-born Sage (i.e. Agastya) and that is frequented and resorted to by groups of Siddhas and Sages.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The story here is based on Mbh, Ādi, Chs. 211 and 212. But our author being a good storyteller, wove out an interesting story out of the facts stated in Mbh without borrowing any verses from that text.

[2]:

In Mbh, Ādi 204.28, the penalty for intrusion in privacy was remaining celibate for 12 years in a forest:

draupadyā naḥ sahāsīnamanyonyaṃ yo’bhidarśayet |
sa no dvādaśa-varṣāṇi brahmacāri vane vaset ||

Here the penalty is limited to one year only.

[3]:

In Mbh, Ādi, Ch. 206, Brāhmaṇas and others followed Arjuna of their own accord. Here it is Yudhiṣṭhira who orders such useful artisans and artists and treasury officers to accompany Arjuna.

[4]:

Arjuna’s route from Indraprastha to Veṅkaṭādri is as follows: indra-prastha->Gaṅgādvāra->Prayāga->Kāśī->the sea along the banks of Gaṅgā->Coastal route->Mahānadī->Jagannātha Purī->Siṃhācala->crossed Godāvarī->Malāpahā?->Kṛṣṇā->Śrīparvata (Śriśailya)->Pennar river->Veṅkaṭācala. The author has a fairly good knowledge of Indian East Coast.