Chapter 141 - Greatness of Miṣṭānnadeśvara (Miṣṭānnada-īśvara)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Sūta said:

1-3. Further, there is a deity that bestows sweet food. By visiting that deity, a man obtains sweet food.

Formerly, there was a king remembered as Vasusena. O excellent Brāhmaṇas, in Bṛhatkalpa he was well known as the over-lord of Ānarta.

He possessed a large amount of wealth. He was equipped with elephants, horses and chariots. As highly refulgent one, he conquered all the hosts of his enemies. He was a liberal donor. He enjoyed pleasures and had full control over his sense-organs.

4-5. During Saṅkrānti, Vyatīpāta, eclipses of the Sun and the Moon and other auspicious occasions, with great devotion he used to make to Brāhmaṇas, gifts of various kinds of gems such as lapis lazuli, sapphire, coral, diamonds etc.

6. He made gifts of rubies, pearls, very fine corals, horses, elephants, chariots and vehicles and garments of various kinds.

7. Thinking it to be very cheap and easily accessible, he did not give anyone food-grains and vegetables and water.

8. He ruled over the kingdom for a long time and saw sons born to his sons. After the lapse of some time he passed away.

9. Thereupon, his son remembered as Satyasena who was endowed with heroism and nobility and generosity, was crowned in the kingdom by his ministers.

10. By the power of his liberal-mindedness and readiness to give, Vasusena attained heaven. He was adorned with divine robes.

11. He was attended upon by Apsarās. He rode in excellent aerial chariots. He could move about in all the worlds as he pleased. But he was always hungry.

12. His mouth was always dry. He was agitated with thirst. But he could not see anyone else in heaven taking food.

13. He could not see anyone eagerly drinking. In fact there was neither water nor any type of vegetation or foodgrain.

14. In this state of hunger and thirst, O excellent Brāhmaṇas, he went to the Thousand-eyed One. He stood near him with the face turned downwards and said to him:

15-18. “O most excellent one among Devas, excepting me, no one is seen here afflicted with hunger and thirst. Why is this so? Do tell me.

This has come to me like veritable Naraka though it has the form of Svarga. Of what avail are these ornaments, robes, aerial chariots and other things?

To a person like me afflicted with hunger, O Consort of Śacī, this Svarga is projected before my mind like fire.

Hence do me this favour. See that hunger does not bother me. If not, O excellent one among Suras, cast me quickly into Raurava Naraka.”

Indra said:

19. O king, you don’t deserve being thrown into Naraka. Numerous gifts have always been made by you.

20. But, O king, nothing like water or cooked food was given by you at any place thinking that this was easily accessible.

21. But, one who wishes for permanent contentment here in this world as well as in the other world, should make gift of water and food or of food with monetary gifts.

22. Hence, O king, you are afflicted with hunger in heaven, though you are adorned with ornaments and moving about in the excellent aerial chariot.

The king said:

23. Is there any remedy here, divine or human, whereby my hunger and thirst can be quenched?

Indra said:

24-25. If any son of yours offers always water and vegetable dish to Brāhmaṇas, it shall be to your contentment, not otherwise, O excellent king. Even if it is not offered a single day, you will not be contented. The truth has been mentioned by me.

26. That son of yours follows your path in not offering water to you and not gifting vegetable or food dish to Brāhmaṇas.

27. In the meantime, Nārada, the excellent sage, came from the world of Brahmā to the place where the king and Indra were present.

28. Then Śakra joyously got up, duly offered him Arghya and spoke thus respectfully:

29. “O great Brāhmaṇa, whence have you come here? Where do you intend to go now? What is your mission? If it is no secret, do tell us now”

Nārada said:

30. O Śakra, I have come here from the world of Brahmā. I am proceeding towards the earth for pilgrimage. There is no other purpose.

Sūta said:

31-34. On hearing it that king became delighted. He spoke to the great sage: “O great sage, I am in a wretched plight. A favour may be done to me. O holy sage, my son is a king on the earth. He is the overlord of Ānarta and is well known as Satyasena. He should be told by you: ‘Your father was seen by me at the abode of Śakra. In the midst of the Devas, he remains a wretched one because he is oppressed by hunger and thirst. If you are my son, if you wish to safeguard Satya (Truth), make in my name loudly, gifts of waters and vegetable dishes.’”

35. Having promised “It shall be so”, Nārada, the great sage, took permission of the Thousand-eyed One (Indra) and started towards the earth.

36. Wandering over the Tīrthas one by one, the excellent Brāhmaṇa came to the land of Ānarta and approached Satyasena.

37. That sage was properly honoured by the king. He conveyed the message from his father while there was no one around.

38. On hearing it, King Satyasena became distressed with grief. He made farewell to the excellent sage after honouring him duly.

39. Then with his father in view, he duly fed a thousand leading Brāhmaṇas devoutly with dainty sweet food.

40. He made provision for watersheds (on the wayside) particularly during summer season. He suspended all other virtuous sacred rites.

41. O Brāhmaṇas, as the king proceeded thus, a terrific drought-situation befell the land causing destruction to all types of vegetation.

42. The Lord of Devas did not let down showers of water on the earth for twelve years. All the people were distressed due to hunger.

43. Due to want of food, there was distress. Hence he did not give vegetable dishes to Brāhmaṇas with his father in view as before.

44. Therefore the father of the king became overcome with hunger. He appeared before him in dream clad in very dirty robes and spoke to the son:

45. “O son, thanks that you are my son. I am distressed with hunger and thirst even though I stay in heaven. Hence make gifts of food along with water in my name. Do this if you are born of me.”

46. In view of the dream the king became grief-stricken. On account of absence of food, he consulted his ministers. He spoke to them thus:

47. “I shall propitiate the Bull-bannered Lord (Śiva) for the sake of vegetation and crops of food-grain. All of you shall accord all round protection in the kingdom with devotion to duty.”

48. Then he came here itself, installed Maheśvara and perfectly propitiated him duly observing Vratas and restraints.

49. Then, at the end of a year, Lord Śiva became pleased with him and said: “I am the bestower of boons. Request for whatever is desired.”

The king said:

50. O Lord of the chiefs of Devas, this procedure (of penance) has been undertaken by me for the sake of food. Hence, O Bull-vehicled One, give unto me plenty of it quickly.

51. Let there be rainfall all over the earth so that plants can grow with plenty of water now.

52. O most excellent one among Suras, thanks to your favour, let my noble-souled father in heaven have everlasting contentment.

Śrī Bhagavān said:

53. Ere long there shall be plenty of rainfall all over the earth. Different kinds of food-crops will grow on the earth.

54. At my bidding this shall undoubtedly take place. Therefore, O leading king, do go back to your abode now.

55-56. O king, one who gets up in the morning and properly (with devotion) visits my Liṅga installed by you shall certainly get dainty food as sweet as nectar. O excellent king, this shall be in (his) every birth at my instance.

57. After saying thus the Lord vanished. The king came to his abode with great joy and ruled over the realm destroying all thorns (enemies).

Sūta said:

58-59. O Brāhmaṇas, even now when the terrible Kali Age has come, one who gets up early in the morning and with devotion visits Lord Miṣṭānnada shall obtain dainty food, if he so desires. If he is without desire he attains the abode of the Trident-bearing Lord.