Chapter 131 - Kātyāyanī’s Distress

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

The Lord said:

1-3. O goddess of Suras, this night has been assigned to Dānavas, Piśācas, Bhūtas and Rākṣasas in particular.

It has been granted by the Self-born Lord that whatever auspicious rite, such as ablution etc., is performed then, the benefit thereof accrues to them.

This agreement was made by Devas with them because being the sons of Kaśyapa, both of them deserved share in the Yajñas.

4. For this purpose ten thousand Dānavas assail Bhānu with raised bows. They are very irrepressible in battles and hold javelins and spears in their hands.

5. When water is poured down with the thousand-rayed Sun in view, uttering the Sāvitra Mantra, the result is manifest in them.

6. They are killed at the same instant by that water powerful like thunderbolt. Hence, O goddess of Suras, the Thousand-rayed One is let off everyday.

7. It is for this purpose that I pour down water in the form of a missile at the time of twilight with Bhānu in view and not Sandhyā.

8-9. Whatever the best and leading ones do, persists subsequently. The terrible ones restrain Ravi who proceeds to rise up. But, O goddess, they are killed through the water offerings during Sandhyā by me and also by excellent Brāhmaṇas. They swoon and fall down and let off the Sun.

10. It is for this reason, O goddess, that I and other Brāhmaṇas bow down to Divākara (Sun) during the two Sandhyās (dawn and dusk).

11. Hence eschew your jealousy, O daughter of the Mountain, and come home. Excepting you, the praiseworthy one there is no other woman in my heart.

Devī said:

12. O Lord, whether you are interested or disinterested (in Sandhyā), it causes to shower rain when you bow down to Sandhyā who has (even grammatically) feminine appellation.

13. Hence, O Lord, I will not be satisfied unless and until you abandon Gaṅgā and Sandhyā in particular.

14. Thus the goddess refused to comply with the request made by Mahādeva himself and resorted to a special vow.

15-16. Then he thought: ‘What is the reason hereof? Though she is unattached, she does not destroy (eliminate) my eagerness about her.

The goddess is adopting the pretence of jealousy. Pārvatī will never be satisfied and agreeable with peaceful overtures. And this is an insignificant cause.’

17. Parameśvara knew the potency of Mantra. He meditated with this subtle realization on himself.

18. He worshipped his own self through himself. He uttered the selfsame Mantra along with ritualistic touching of the limbs (Nyāsa) in particular and perfected his propitiation.

19. In the manner, in which the goddess separated the Ārman from the five dements and worshipped them, the Lord also did so by being immanent in all of them.

20. By means of Samādhi, he separated them and worshipped them. Again he united them externally and performed the rite of adoration.

21. There is no one greater than he. He alone is worthy of the worship of those who themselves should be worshipped, Īśāna was thus created by him through the Aiśvarya (potency and glory) of all the Devas.

22. Even as the Lord propitiated Īśāna^[1] the goddess who had been drawn by means of the Mantras came to the place where he was present.

23-24. Then she bowed down to the Lord with palms joined in reverence. She spoke to him: “O Lord, everything has been understood by me. Do not forsake me, your beloved one. Hence, do come. O Lord, let us go wherever you wish to go. The fact that I had not complied with your words may kindly be excused.”

25. Mahādeva who was pleased, embraced her even as he smiled pleasantly. Then he said thus laughingly in words majestic like the rumble of clouds:

26. “A great physical form arising from the Ātman and the five elements has been created by you. If a woman in love devoutly worships this form in accordance with this procedure, she will get a husband.

27. Particularly, if she worships it on the third lunar day and continues it for a year, O splendid one, she will get a good husband who will accord her everything she desires and will bless her with sons.

28. Similarly, those men who worship my idol named Īśāna can make even their wicked (disobedient) beloved gentle.

29. Those who devoutly worship for the sake of a daughter, shall undoubtedly obtain a daughter of their mental choice.

30. Those men who are free from all desires and worship it always, will attain the greatest Siddhi devoid of old age and death.”

31. After saying thus, Mahādeva made his beloved mount the Bull and then he himself mounted it. Afterwards, he went to the mountain Kailāsa.

Nārada said:

32. Hence, let this daughter of yours propitiate splendid Gaurī consisting of the five lumps for a year.

33. She should worship particularly on the third lunar day. Then she will get a good husband who will look up to her, will be very loving and will be endowed with handsome features and other good qualities.

Śāṇḍilī said:

34. After saying thus, Nārada, the excellent sage, proceeded ahead, in his pilgrimage. My mother lovingly bade farewell to him.

35. At his behest, I remained steadfast in the vow of virginity and worshipped the deity for a period of one year with a desire for husband.

36. I worshipped especially on the third lunar day in the month of Mārgaśīrṣa with various kinds of food offerings, gifts, scents, garlands and unguents, O splendid lady.

37. By its power, O Kātyāyanī, this excellent Brāhmaṇa named Jaimini was obtained by me. As you have seen him, why should there be further glorification?

38. Hence, O fair lady, worship the goddess with great concentration. You will attain good conjugal felicity, O splendid lady, on par with that of Maitreyī.

39-40. Earlier, the goddess was not worshipped by you in the prescribed way. You did not resort to the vow of celibacy. You did not continue it for a year. You did not make special adoration on the third lunar day. Hence, the pain due to a co-wife, although good fortune should have been unrestricted. The truth has been said by me.

Sūta said:

41. After hearing everything said by Śāṇḍilī Kātyāyanī bowed down to her. Then taking leave of her she went to her own house.

42. On the third lunar day in the bright half of the month of Mārgaśīrṣa, she propitiated the goddess. She continued the same on the same (third day) for a year.

43. She fed virgins with sweet food and tasty juices avoiding oil and salt. She offered them sweet scents and substances like saffron.

44-45. When the year was complete, Yājñavalkya went near her and said: “O lady of pure smiles, why do you undertake such a trouble? While I, your affectionate lover, am ready to give whatever you desire always, why should you worry? O splendid lady, come, let us go to our own house.”

46. After saying thus to her, he grasped her right hand even as she experienced horripilation all over her body and went home.

47. Thereafter, he was as much delighted with her as with Maitreyī. He was always a smiling face without any change.

48. He begot of her a son of good qualities named Kātyāyana, an expert in the lore of Yajñas^[2] (as the author of a Śrautasūtra).

49. His son was Vararuci, an ocean of good qualities. He wās omniscient and expert in all rites. He was a master of the Vedas and Vedāṅgas.

50-54. For the good of pupils he installed Mahāgaṇapati the bestower of all lores, with great devotion, after duly worshipping him on the fourth lunar day on a Friday.

One who takes a flower garland and recites the Vedas in accordance with the injunctions, O excellent Brāhmaṇas, shall be an expounder of Vedanta in the course of every birth.

One who is incapable of reciting himself but makes others recite by offering cash reward shall become a Brāhmaṇa who masters the Vedas and Vedāṅgas.

He will always be born in the houses of Yājñikas (performers of Yajñas). He will never be born in the houses of fools or censured ones.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The rending should be īśānam and not īśānaḥ as in the text.

[2]:

This Kātyāyana is different from the grammarian (Vārtikakāra) Kātyāyana. Prācīna-caritra-kośa (I.217) states that Vararuci is another name of Kātyāyana.