Chapter 163 - Creation of Brāhma Nāgara [Community]

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Note: The legend in this chapter explains the formation of ‘Brāhma Nāgara’ as a subcommunity of Nāgaras (vide vv 35-37).

Sūta said:

1. On seeing that pot of wealth, all the Nāgaras (citizens with that appellation) came to the agreement that the pot should not be accepted by anyone.

2. They abandoned all their desires (for money). They made an agreement (within themselves) and appointed a “middle-man” (umpire-like decision-maker). Stationed in the place assigned to Brahmā, they announced through the oral declaration of the middleman:

3-7. “The greedy one (i.e. Caṇḍaśarman) has ignored and dishonoured excellent Brāhmaṇas, accepted cash from Puṣpa and performed the expiatory rite.

A sixth of his (Puṣpa’s) riches was received by him. So he will be excluded by all of us, the leading Brāhmaṇas of Nāgara (community). He will be on a par with a low-caste one. From now onwards, he who associates with this fellow shall also be excommunicated from the society of all the Nāgaras. He who accepts food or beverage from his house shall also become a fallen one in this manner.”

8. After saying this, he clapped thrice from the place (post) of Brahmā and made him (Caṇḍaśarman) like a stale flower (that is thrown away).

9. Then all those Brāhmaṇas, went to their respective abodes. Caṇḍaśarman became highly distressed and went near Puṣpa.

10-11. (He said:) “It is with the consent of all these (Brāhmaṇas) that expiatory rite for you was performed by me. Still I have been declared as fallen from grace. I shall, therefore, fall into the well-kindled fire. I do not wish to remain alone after being forsaken by my people.”

Puṣpa said:

12. O excellent Brāhmaṇa, do not be distressed in this matter, as you have been slighted by the excellent Brāhmaṇas for the sake of money.

13-14. In order to get your person purified, I shall make those Nāgaras delighted by means of different kinds of wealth. I shall give them as much as they request for. For your sake I shall give them that much.

After saying this, he hurriedly came back to Brahmasthāna.

15-16. He caused the Cātuścaraṇa to be brought. Through the mouth of the middleman he said: “For my sake, the Brāhmaṇa Caṇḍaśarman has been rendered fallen from grace by you all due to your greed for money. I shall give you all the wealth that is in my house. Let this request be accepted by the Brāhmaṇas.”

17. Then those angry Brāhmaṇas made different kinds of gruff sounds. With the eyes reddened due to anger they said:

18-22. “Fie upon you! Fie upon you! Oh sinful one. How is it that your tongue does not get split into a hundred pieces though you prattle this despicable thing!

This Brāhmaṇa has not been excommunicated and rendered fallen from grace for the sake of money. It is because the expiatory rite was performed by this wicked soul single-handed.

By performing this rite thus, Smṛtis have been defiled (by transgressing them). Purāṇas have been slighted and further this holy spot of ours has been rendered unholy.

Expiatory rite is to be performed after consulations with four others. O excellent Brāhmaṇas, this has been said by Manu.

Your sin has today dung to his body because the rite has been performed by him single-handedly. Therefore, he has fallen from grace.”

Sūta said:

23. After saying this, all the Brāhmaṇas went to their respective abodes. Puṣpa too was much distressed and utterly confused.

24. He returned to his residence heaving sighs like a hissing serpent.

25-27. Then he thought, ‘Human beings cannot attain Siddhi unless they take risks. Therefore, I shall perform something great for the sake of Caṇḍaśarman lest there should be ungratefulness. Wise men have declared thus:

“Rites of redemption have been laid down by good people in the case of a slayer of a Brāhmaṇa, an imbiber of liquor, a thief and one who breaks his vows. But there is no rite of redemption in the case of the ungrateful.”

28-29. After resolving thus, O excellent Brāhmanas, when Sunday coincided with the seventh lunar day, he made one hundred eight circumambulations of Puṣpāditya. That sensible (Brāhmaṇa) took up a sharp weapon. As before he cut off pieces from his limbs and consigned them to the sacred fire.

30. When he wanted to offer the remaining part of his body as Pūrṇāhuti, the Sun-god himself appeared and said to him:

31. “O Puṣpa, O sinless one, do not be rash. I am pleased with you again. O highly esteemed one, what shall I give you?”

Puṣpa said:

32. O Lord, this leading Brāhmaṇa Caṇḍaśarman has been rendered fallen on account of me by all the Nāgaras. Do make him equal to them.

33. It was after going through the scriptural texts that the noble-souled one performed the expiation rite. Still all the mean fellows who were intolerant (and jealous) censured (rendered fallen) him.

The Lord said:

34. O excellent Brāhmaṇa, it is impossible to alter the words of even a single Nāgara. Still more so the joint declaration of all the Nāgaras.

35. But this Caṇḍaśarman shall become purified. He will be well-known all over the earth as Brāhmanāgara.

36. All his sons and descendants will become well-known all over the world. They will be honoured and esteemed by kings.

37. All the kinsmen and friends who associate with him shall also become splendid.

38. You too shall get back your entire physical body by my grace.

39. After saying this the Thousand-rayed One vanished. Puṣpa instantly regained his wounded limbs intact.