Chapter 2 - Yudhiṣṭhira’s Queries

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Vyāsa said:

1. Now I shall describe Moheraka^[1] which is the sacred mark on the forehead of the damsel in the form of the Earth. It is (like) the water-basin round (the root of) the creeper of Lakṣmī and is beautiful on account of the aquatic sports of the Goddess of Speech.

2. You have asked well, O king; Dharmāraṇya excels Vārāṇasī very much, O excellent king. Listen very attentively.

3. All the Tīrthas are present there itself. Therefore, it is called Ūsara (arid land?). It is visited by Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Maheśa and others as well as by Indra and others.

4. It is resorted to by the Protectors of the worlds, by Guardians of Quarters, by the Mother-goddesses, by the Śaktis of Śiva, by Gandharvas and celestial damsels performing Yajñas.

5. It is frequented by Bhūtas (Goblins), Vampires, by the spirits named Śākinīs and by the Presiding Deities of the planets. It is resorted to by Seasons, by Months, by Fortnights, by Suras and Asuras.

6. That is the primordial holy place which bestows all happiness. It is frequented by excellent sages performing diverse kinds of Yajñas.

7-10. O tiger among kings, it is haunted by lions, tigers, elephants, different kinds of birds, by cows, buffaloes, etc., by ducks, deer and boars. It is resorted to by various kinds of beasts of prey.

All those who meet with death there—be it even birds, insects, beasts, wild animals, aquatic creatures or those living on dry land, those who move about in the sky or on the earth, Ḍākinīs (witches) and Rākṣasas (demons)—attain permanent salvation along with a hundred and one generations (of their family) and then proceed to the world of Viṣṇu. There is no doubt about it.

11-12. He causes the redemption of his ancestors of ten generations preceding him and descendants of ten generations succeeding him. He who offers rice-balls there along with barley, grains of rice and gingelly seeds, with ghee, leaves of Bilva, Dūrvā grass with jaggery and water, shall redeem seven Gotras and one hundred and one generations of (his own) family.

13. That place is endowed with many kinds of trees. It is rendered very beautiful by creepers and bushes. It yields merit and is always endowed with fruits.

14. Dharmāraṇya is free from fear and enmity, O king. Cows play there along with tigers and cats along with mice.

15-20. Frogs sport with serpents and human beings with Rākṣasas. They stay fearlessly there on this earth. Dharmāraṇya is divine and full of great delight. It is holier than the holiest. Cuckoos perched among the bushes coo in a sweet note. They are being prevented by the female doves thinking that a person who is in meditation will be disturbed. The ruddy goose (Cakravāka) abandons his female partner and remains silent due to fear from it. The Cakora bird that imbibes the moonlight appears as though it observes Naktavrata (i.e. vow of taking food only at night). Sārikās (Turdus salica?) recite the essence (of the sacred scriptures). Oh, how wonderful it is that God Śiva who bestows (the favour of) crossing the impassable ocean of worldly existence (Saṃsāra) enlightens Śuka [(1) Sage Śuka, (2) a parrot]!

Even if a person goes towards Dharmāraṇya lazily (casually) from his abode, he will attain merit superior to that of a horse-sacrifice at every step. Brāhmaṇas capable of blessing as well as cursing, live there.

21-22. Eighteen thousand (Brāhmaṇas) are engaged in meritorious deeds. Thirty-six thousand servants are the merchants on the earth. They are not born of the womb. They are endowed with devotion to Brāhmaṇas. They are supporters of Brāhmaṇas. They are of good conduct and conversant with Purāṇas. They are of pure intellect and virtuous. In heaven Devas speak in praise of the residents of Dharmāraṇya.

Yudhiṣṭhira said:

23-29. When was the designation Dharmāraṇya given by gods? Why did it become holy on the earth? Why was it created? For what reason did it become a holy spot? Do tell me. How many were the Brāhmaṇas? By whom were they settled there formerly? Why were eighteen thousand settled there? In which family were these Brāhmaṇas, established in Brahman, born? They were adepts in all learnings. They were masters of the Vedas and the Vedāṅgas. They were proficient in Ṛg Veda. They were actively engaged in the study of Yajurveda. They were masters of Sāmaveda along with all its ancillaries. They were the most excellent among those conversant with Dharma. They were adepts in the three Vidyās (i.e. Vedas). They were engaged in penance. They were of auspicious conduct. They were eagerly devoted to the vow of truthfulness. They had become emaciated due to their monthly fasts and observances like Cāndrāyaṇa etc. They were of excellent conduct and were pious and devoted to the acquisition of sacred knowledge. How did they maintain themselves? Who supported them? O Sir, foremost among the eloquent ones, narrate all these from the very beginning. How is it that Dānavas, Daityas, evil spirits born of Bhūtas and Vetālas, Rākṣasas and Piśācas do not trouble them?

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

‘Noheraka’ in the text is a misprint for Moheraka (vide p. 2, note 1).