Chapter 9 - The (Spiritual) Power of Simantinī

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Note: The chapter further describes how due to this Vrata, the spiritual power of Sīmantinī became so great that a male Brāhmaṇa who tried to cheat her by posing as a woman was permanently transformed into a woman.

The Sages said:

1. Well! Well! O blessed one, what has been narrated by you is excellent. It behoves you to relate another tale equally wonderful.

Sūta said:

2. In the land of Vidarbha, formerly, there was an excellent Brāhmaṇa well-known as Vedamitra. He was intelligent and a knower of the meanings of Vedic and scriptural texts.

3. He had another Brāhmaṇa friend named Sārasvata. Both of them hailing from the same place were very friendly to each other.

4. Vedamitra’s son was a virtuous boy named Sumedhā. The son of Sārasvata was well-known as Somavān.

5. Both the boys were of the same age. Their status was equal and they dressed alike. They were consecrated simultaneously and their level of learning was the same.

6-7. They learned all the Vedas along with their Aṅgas (ancillaries), Tarka, Vyākaraṇa, Itihāsas, Purāṇas and all the Dharma Śāstras completely and became adepts in all arts and sciences. They became great scholars just in their childhood. With their good qualities they satisfied their parents.

8. Once those two excellent Brāhmaṇas called their sons when they had completed their sixteenth year and had grown into handsome youths and said thus with pleasure:

9-10. “O sons, you have learned everything early in your childhood. You have become very brilliant. Now is the proper time for the marriage. You must please the king of Vidarbha with your learning. Get ample sums of money from him and celebrate your marriage.”

11. On being told thus by them, the two Brāhmaṇa boys went to the king of Vidarbha and pleased him with their good qualities.

12. When the king was satisfied with their academic achievement, the Brāhmaṇa boys revealed to him that being devoid of money, they had done this (presentation of their academic achievement) for the sake of marriage.

13. After coming to know of their intention, the king laughingly told them something with a desire to know some facts concerning common people.

14-17. “There is a queen of Niṣadha, Sīmantinī, a chaste lady. She worships Mahādeva along with Aṃbikā on Mondays. On that day, with great devotion, she honours great Brāhmaṇas well-versed in the Vedas, along with their wives, and offers them plenty of wealth. So one of you shall go there in the graceful guise of a woman and the other shall be her husband. You will thus become a Brāhmaṇa couple. Thus like a bride and a bridegroom you go to Sīmantinī’s abode. Take food there and after getting sufficient amount of money, come to me.”

18-23. On being ordered thus by the king, the Brāhmaṇa boys became frightened. They replied: “We are afraid to do an act like this. One who acts fraudulently in respect to deities, elders, parents and royal households under a false idea perishes along with his family. How can a man enter deceitfully the inner apartments of kings? Even well-concealed deception becomes exposed (sooner of later). Good qualities acquired earlier by means of good education, decent habits and regulated activities are lost at once if the person concerned takes to a crooked path.

Sin, censure, fear and enmity—these four always belong to persons adopting deceitful means. Therefore, we, born in sinless families, of a good conduct, will never resort to acts praised by rogues.”

The king said:

24. The word of command of deities, elders, parents and king should not be disobeyed. One should never think of going against it.

25. Whatever has been ordered by these, good or bad, should immediately be carried into practice by those who wish to be free from error, even if they are afraid.

26. Don’t you know, we are kings. You are accepted as subjects. Prosperity comes to those people who act according to the behests of kings; otherwise there is fear of danger.

27. Hence, do as I have commanded you to do without delay.

On being told thus by the king, they consented to it out of fright.

28. The king made Somavān, the son of Sārasvata, to disguise as a female with (appropriate) garments, ornaments, collyrium and other things.

29. With an artificial role of a woman imposed on him by the use of unguents, ear-rings and other ornaments, with his eyes made smooth and shining by means of collyrium, he immediately became one shining like an excellent maiden of comely form and features.

30. At the bidding of the king the Brāhmaṇa boys became a Brāhmaṇa couple and went to the land of Niṣadha thinking, ‘Let come what may.’

31. Along with other excellent Brāhmaṇas with their wives, they went to the royal palace on Monday. They were received with hospitality and their feet were washed.

32. The queen honoured the excellent Brāhmaṇas and their wives individually after making them sit on excellent seats.

33. On seeing the Brāhmaṇa boys who approached her, she recognised that they were a couple in disguise. She smiled within herself. But she considered them as Gaurī and Maheśvara.

34. She invoked Sadāśiva, the Lord of Devas, in those Brāhmaṇas, and goddess, the mother of the universe, in their wives.

35. With mental and bodily purity, she adored the excellent Brāhmaṇas with sweet scents, garlands, fragrant incense and waved lights and then made obeisance to them.

36-39. She offered them nice dishes to eat. There was milk pudding with adequate sugar and honey soaked in ghee in gold pots. There were pleasing vegetable dishes, cooked rice of sweetsmelling flavour, sweetmeats and heaps of baked pies, Śaṣkulīs (fried coiled snacks), Saṃyāvas (Halwas), Kṛśaras cooked with black gram pulses and numerous other delicacies. The soups were delicious and sweet-smelling. The water was very cool. She served all these foodstuffs to those excellent Brāhmaṇas with great devotion. After offering them cooked rice with excellent curds, she delighted them immensely.

40-41. After the excellent Brāhmaṇas had taken their food and rinsed their mouths, the queen bowed to them and offered betel leaves and monetary gifts in a befitting manner. She gave cows, gold pieces, garments, jewels, gemset ornaments and necklaces. Again she bowed to them and sent away the excellent Brāhmaṇas.

42. Of those two Brāhmaṇa boys, one was worshipped by her after identifying her with the Daughter of Himavān. The other one was adored with the thought that he was Mahādeva. Both of them went off after taking leave of her after the customary obeisance had been made.

43. (The Brāhmaṇa boy disguised as a woman) forgot her real nature as a man. She became enamoured of the other excellent Brāhmaṇa boy. She was overcome with passion and was love-lorn, being tormented by Kandarpa (god of Love).

44-45. “O my lord of large lovely eyes, handsome in every limb! Stop, stop. Where are you going? Don’t you see me, your beloved?

Here (we are approaching) this beautiful forest teeming with great trees in full bloom. I wish to sport in dalliance with you in this forest as I please.”

46. On hearing these words uttered by her, the other Brāhmaṇa boy thought that his friend was joking and continued his walk ahead as before.

47-48. Again the girl said: “Stop, stop. Where do you intend to go? Come and embrace me and enjoy me tormented inordinately by Smara (god of Love). I am your beloved. Let me kiss your lips and drink (the honey) thereof. I have been afflicted by the arrows of Smara. I am incapable of going ahead.”

49. On hearing these words not heard before, he became suspicious. He looked behind and saw her proceeding towards him. He was immediately astonished.

50-51. ‘Who is this beautiful woman with eyes like petals of lotus, heavy protruding breasts, slender belly and bulging hips? She is as tender as sprouts. Is it possible that my friend has been changed into an excellent female? I shall ask him,’ Thinking thus he said:

52-53. “O friend, you appear strange and unusual in form, features and qualities. You speak strange words like an excited lustful woman. You are a celibate religious student, conversant with Vedas and Purāṇas, son of Sārasvata, quiescent, with sense-organs controlled. Why do you speak like this?”

54-55a. On being addressed thus, she said: “O lord, I am not a man. I am a girl Sāmavatī by name. I am here to give you sexual pleasure. If, O my lover, you have any doubt, see my limbs.”

55b. On being told thus, the other boy secretly examined her.

56. On seeing her with natural luxuriant tresses of hair, beautiful with hips and breasts and comely in form, he become slightly agitated with love.

57. Soon the learned boy controlled himself with great effort, and subdued the straying mind. For a short while he was wonderstruck and did not say anything.

Sāmavatī said:

58. I hope your doubt is set at rest. Then come on, enjoy me. See this forest, O dear lover, ideally suited for sexual dalliance with an excellent girl.

Sumedhā said:

59. Do not speak like this. Do not violate the bounds of decency like an intoxicated one. Both of us have understood the scriptural texts fully. Why do you speak thus?

60. Is this adoption of the way of an (adulterous) paramour worthy of you who have studied scriptures, have power of discrimination, belong to a noble family?

61. You are not a woman. You are a learned Brāhmaṇa. Know your own self through your own soul. Or is this a calamity invited by ourselves, because we did commit the blunder of deceiving the queen?

62. At the bidding of a roguish king, we have deceived our own parents. We have been guilty of impropriety of conduct, the fruit (result) of which is now reaped by us.

63. All improper acts are detrimental to the good of man. You who are born as the son of a Brāhmaṇa, a scholar, have undergone the despicable state of being a woman.

64. One who leaves off the beaten track and strays into a forest, is sure to be pricked with thorns. One who has abandoned the company of his own people, is sure to be injured by beasts of prey.

65. Hence be sensible and follow me to the house quietly. Perhaps, by the grace of gods and Brāhmaṇas, your womanhood will disappear.

66. Or, if ordained by fate, this womanhood clings to you, O lady of excellent complexion, you can have sexual dalliance with me after being given to me in marriage by your father.

67. Alas! This is indeed a miracle! A misery! The disastrous effect of sinful behaviour! Or is it the power of the king, acquired by him as a result of the propitiation of Śiva?

68. Although admonished thus by him many times, that girl, in her agitated state, embraced him forcibly and kissed his sproutlike lips.

69. Though molested thus by her, the bold Sumedhā somehow brought the newly transformed woman to their house and reported everything then.

70. On hearing this, the Brāhmaṇas became infuriated, besides being grief-stricken. Accompanied by those two boys, they came to the king of Vidarbha.

71-76. Then Sārasvata said to the king who had perpetrated the roguish act:

“O king, see my son who obeyed your command. Acting at your bidding, these two perpetrated a despicable thing. It is my son who experiences the bitter fruit by turning into a woman that is hateful.

My family line is broken today. My ancestors have become disappointed. To one devoid of a son, no (heavenly) world is within reach, as the offering of balls of rice and other consecratory rites come to an end.

He has to forgo the lock of hair on the crown, the sacred thread, deerskin, girdle of Muñja grass, staff and water-pot which are all signs of a celibate religious student and to fall into this miserable plight.

The Brāhmaṇical cord, the Sāvitrī Mantra, the daily ablution, the performance of Sandhyā prayers, the Japa and the adoration—all these have been discarded, as he is transformed into a woman. O king, tell me, where has he to go for salvation?

On account of you, my family line is broken, the Vedic path has been lost. O king, tell me, can there be any permanent salvation for me, who have an only son?”

77. On hearing the words spoken by Sārasvata the king was wonderstruck at the power of Sīmantinī.

78. Calling together all great sages of unmeasured lustre, the king propitiated them and requested them for the return of manhood to the boy.

79. They said: “Who can change the will of Pārvatī and Śiva and the greatness of their devotees?”

80-81. Then the king took the great sage Bhāradvāja and at the instance of Bhāradvāja went to the temple of Aṃbikā accompanied by those two excellent Brāhmaṇas and their sons.

As per advice of Bhāradvāja, he served and worshipped the goddess with severe vows and observances.

82. Thus, for three nights, the king eschewed completely his meals and remained engrossed in meditating upon Pārvatī. By obeisances and different kinds of prayers and hymns he propitiated Gaurī who removes the distress of those who seek refuge in her.

83. The goddess became pleased with the devout king, and to him revealed her form having the lustre of ten million moons.

84. Then Gaurī asked the king: “Tell me, what do you wish?” He said: “The manhood of this boy may be restored.”

85. The great goddess said again: “What has been done by my devotees cannot be altered even in tens and hundreds of thousands of years.”

The king said:

86. This Brāhmaṇa has an only son. Now his line has been broken on account of this event. How can such a man as this attain happiness without a son?

The goddess said:

87. With my favour he will have another excellent son endowed with learning and modesty. He will live long. He will be pure-hearted.

88. Let this daughter of that Brāhmaṇa, named Sāmavatī, be united in wedlock with Sumedhā and let her enjoy all pleasures of love.

89. After saying this the goddess vanished. Those persons with the king at their head, went to their respective places, abiding by his order.

90. The Brāhmaṇa Sārasvata ere-long obtained a son better than the previous one with the favour of the goddess.

91. He gave his daughter Sāmavatī to Sumedhā in marriage. For a long time the couple enjoyed happiness.

Sūta said:

92. Thus the power of Queen Sīmantinī, a great devotee of Śiva, has been narrated and the greatness of Śaṃbhu too described.

93. Further too I shall describe the power of Śiva’s devotees, striking one with wonder. I shall state it succinctly. To those who listen, it is a source of all auspiciousness.