Chapter 157 - Boons to Puṣpa by the Sun-god

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Sūta said:

1-3. O Brāhmaṇas! Though Puṣpa was thus enlightened (and invited for food) by the people, he who was enraged, replied to them: “I will not take food till I do not avenge myself of this sinful fellow. Hence tell me, O fortunate ones, if there is a god or a goddess or (persons who mastered) Mantras which have immediate effect. They should, on being propitiated, confer good boons on human beings immediately.”

The people said:

4. There is one Lord stationed here who will immediately bring about credence. Further a goddess is also spoken about on the earth.

Puṣpa said:

5. Who is that Lord? How far away is he? At what spot is he stationed? So also tell me about the goddess.

The people said:

6. O Brāhmaṇa, there is Lord Sūrya installed in Camatkārapura by Yājñavalkya. We have heard that he commands instant credence.

7-8a. O Brāhmaṇa! A person who, on the seventh lunar day coinciding with Sunday, circumambulated the deity one hundred eight times with a fruit in his hand, attains excellent Siddhī and obtains whatever he desires in his mind.

8b-9a There is also another deity called Śāradā, originally installed in Kaśmīr [Kashmir]. She bestows Siddhis on being adored when one is observing fast.

9b-11. O excellent Brāhmaṇas, on hearing the words of those people, he proceeded towards Camatkārapura from that place. He reached Camatkārapura on the seventh lunar day coinciding with a Sunday. He took his holy bath and remained clean. With mental concentration and purity, he reached the place where the Sun-god installed by Yājñavalkya was stationed.

12. Holding coconuts in his hand, he performed one hundred eight circumambulations with perfect faith.

13. Then braving hunger, parched throat and great weariness, he sat in front of the deity reciting the prayers liked by the Sun-god.

14-15. The Mantras were those beginning with yad etan maṇḍalam tapatī, sapta yuñjanti ratham ekacakram (RV.I. 164.2), agnireva etc. He recited them in high pitch with great devotion. With devout fervour he recited the Sāman verses called Ādityavrata and the Ātharvaṇa Mantras such as Kṣurikā Mantras etc.

16. He continued this till the next Sunday. When Lord Sun did not become pleased even on the full-moon day, he became extremely dejected.

17. Then Puṣpa took his bath and wore washed cloth. Remaining pure, O excellent Brāhmaṇas, he consecrated a piece of land uttering the name of the earth, for the purpose of preparing a sacrificial altar.

18. The altar was made a Hasta (hand) high. He repeated the Mantra agnimīle (RV I.I.I) and placed the sacrificial fire there.

19. He performed the Upastaraṇa (ritualistic covering) rite repeating the Mantra, tṛṇaiḥ paristṛnāmi. He offered seat unto Brahmā uttering “ā brahman” etc. (VS 22.22)

20. Uttering the Mantra sutrāmāṇam (RV X. 63.10) he placed the Samit (sacrificial twigs). He went near the Prokṣaṇī vessel and sprinkled the water.

21. The Sruvā (ladle) and other utensils were kept in the usual order. In the place of Havis (food offering) he kept his own body.

22. He placed Nyāya in the place of the deity and considered himself Ācārya (Preceptor) in accordance with the injunctions. Uttering the Mantras sūryāya tvā juṣṭam nirvapāmi sūryāya tvā juṣṭam prokṣāmi, he performed the rites of Grahaṇa (reception) and Prokṣaṇa (sprinkling).

23. Uttering the Mantra ayam ta idhma ātmā he placed the Samit uttering the Mantras agnaye svāhā somāya svāhā he performed two offerings of Ājya (Ghee).

24. He performed the Vyāhṛti Homa by uttering bhūrbhuvaḥ svaḥ, O Brāhmaṇas. He then performed Dāruṇa (terrible) Homa, with the Mantra beginning with yete śata etc.

25. He invoked the Fire-god saying “O Lord be visible to me.” Thus he made the fire appear in front.

26-27. He then invoked the seven tongues (flames of fire), Kālī, Karālikā etc. and when the fire blazed, he chopped off his flesh in pieces. He offered them to the quarters and interceding directions uttering the Mantra lomabhyaḥ svāhā.

28. He was then about to offer himself uttering the Mantra agnaye sviṣṭakṛte (Tait. Br. 3.12.2.3.). Immediately he was stopped and held by the Sun-god with his own hand.

29-30. He was eagerly held and addressed thus: “O Brāhmaṇa, do not do anything rash and reckless. Such a Homa as this has never been performed by anyone anywhere.

O highly esteemed one, I am pleased. Tell me what shall I do? I shall give you whatever is in your mind even if it cannot be ordinarily given.”

Puṣpa said:

31. O Lord of Devas, if you are pleased, if a boon has to be granted to me, then a pair of pills should be given. It is for this that I request.

32. O Lord, in the city of Vaidiśā there is a great rich Kṣatriya named Maṇibhadra. He is short in his limbs, overcome by old age and wrinkles.

33-35. He is very mean and miserly. He is against Brāhmaṇas

and is always rebuked by the people. Of the two pills let one be of this nature. Whenever I put it in my mouth let my form be exactly like his. When I take the other one and put it in my mouth, O Lord of Suras, let me have the natural form. This Maṇibhadra is in the city of Vaidiśā.

36. Another thing, whatever he possesses in his house, cash, grain etc., should be known to me.

37. Why should I say much? Let his friends, kinsmen and all business deals be clearly manifest unto me.

38. In all my activities at all times, no one should find out any difference between me and that base fellow.

Bhāskara said:

39. O highly esteemed one, take these two excellent pills. They are black and white in colour. When kept in the mouth they cause a great deal of difference.

40. O great Brāhmaṇa, through the white pill your form will be certainly turned into his. Through the black one you will get back your own form.

Puṣpa said:

41. There is another query, O Lord. Clear the doubt in my mind. O Lord of Devas, I shall ask you. I shall be conducive to increase in your reputation.

42. O most excellent one of Suras, I have heard this. If any one takes one hundred eight circumambulations around you with a fruit in his hand you bestow Siddhi on him instantaneously.

43-44. This you are ready to grant even to a fool and a sinner and one with all defects. On the other hand, I have mastered all the four Vedas and am regularly engaged in pilgrimage. Still you became pleased only after seven days and after such a Homa was performed.

Śrī Sūrya said:

45. You have performed all these with a Tāmasa (violent) feeling. So whatever has been performed by you has become useless.

46. Don’t you know this, O Brāhmaṇa, that whatever is done by people of Tāmasa feeling becomes futile?

47. After saying thus, Sūrya touched him with his own hand. All the wounds became healed.

48-50. He said to Puṣpa once again with a pleased face: “If a person adopts gentleness and performs this Kuśaṇḍikā Homa in accordance with this same procedure, I will grant him much benefit. He shall use the sacrificial twigs made of Arka, tree or with gingelly seeds and raw rice grain. The Chanda and the sage invoked shall be the same. He shall offer a thousand Homas. I shall grant him more than what he wishes in his heart.”

51. After saying thus the Thousand-rayed One vanished there itself like a lamp. It could not be seen which way he went away.