Chapter 16 - Reviving a dead

[Note: This page represents a summary English translation of the Dvisāhasrī by Ṭembesvāmī, chapter 16.—Now in order to destroy the evil actions the collection of 5 chapters (14-18) is being depicted for evoking detachment for those whose minds are impure.—In the 16^th chapter the Holy Master tells the duties of women to a Brahmin widow and revives her husband immediately out of compassion.]

16/01-02: Nāmadhāraka spoke: He requests to narrate the nectar-like account of the Holy Master (02).

16/03-15: Siddha spoke: He admires Nāmadhāraka for crossing the Ocean of Existence (04). None can narrate the Divine Sports of Holy Master whose mere vision revives a dead (05). A Brahmin named Gopīnātha of Māhurghaḍha loses many sons and only one is saved through the worship of Lord Dattātreya. So Gopīnātha names him Datta. As he grows, the parents become happy (06-07) The son is married to a chaste wife.^[1] Both loving each other think of the mutual beneficence (08-09). In the absence of her husband she feel uncomfortable (10). But unfortunately the husband is struck by Tuberculosis and can not sleep nor eat (11). She serves him as if his shadow (12). No one except her is ready to go to him (13). No treatment lessens the disease like the Rāhu eclipsing the Moon (14). The parents are unhappy to see their pitiable condition (15).

16/16-17: Brahmin (husband) spoke: As he believes himself to be their enemy of previous life, they should abandon him and live happily.

16/18-43: Chaste wife spoke: She would die if separated from him (19). She prays the Lord who makes the unhappy happy (20). She takes the permission of her parents-in-law and takes him to the Holy Master of Gāṇagāpur. He is the saviour (21-22). On her way to the Holy Master, he dies. When she prepares herself to die, others stop her (23-25) She laments bitterly (26-33).

While she is lamenting thus, a monk consoles her (34-35). Like the meeting of the wooden sticks in the ocean, the husband and others meet in this world (36-37) When a soul enters into a body, the relations like a husband, etc. arise (38). The worldly existence depends on the actions (39). A wise person cuts both i.e. the birth and its causes with the sword of knowledge (40). The ignorance disappears with the lamp of true knowledge (41). The purpose of the Self can not be served through giving up the body (42). The chaste lady should give up her grief and accomplish her final goal (43).

16/44-45: The chaste wife: The monk should save her from the ocean of misery (45)

16/46-77: Monk spoke: The husband is only saviour of a wife. He narrates the duties^[2] and prohibitions^[3] of a chaste wife as well as the duties of a widow declared by the gods in the praise of sage Agastya’s wife Lopāmudrā (46-70). After following these duties only a woman can uplift her husband (71). These duties of a chaste woman are elaborated by Lopāmudrā to the chaste wife of a Brahmin (72).

She (i.e. Sāvitrī) should follow her dead husband. She would acquire the fruit of the Horse-sacrifice and would live in heaven with her husband (73-74). The chaste woman alone sanctifies the three families (of the husband, the father and the mother) (75). Even the gods remain in her obeisance due to the fear of losing their position (76-77).

16/78-79: The chaste wife: She prefers to follow her husband.

16/80-103: Monk spoke: Her wish is praise worthy (81). The time is invincible even for the gods and is difficult to avoid without the Holy Master (82). He instructs to follow the necessary actions like taking bath, practising the expiatory rite, to donate the ornaments, etc. (83-85). She orders her servants to go home and to inform the parents (86). She is praised by the people (87-88). She reaches the cemetery and applies ashes, etc. on her husnand. She praises His (i.e. Nṛsiṃhasarasvatī’s) glory (89-92). She bows down to the Holy Master who blesses her to enjoy the married life with eight sons (93- 94). The people inform Him and He asks to bring the dead body (95).

Meanwhile a Brahmin arrives there and worships the Holy Master with Rudra -hymn. He casts a glance and sprinkles water on the dead body. The dead one gets up (96-97). She informs her husband. They pray Him to be their saviour. (98-102). A rogue (dhūrta) standing there asks how he has come to the life, when the Creator has fixed the life-span (103)

16/104-108: Holy Master spoke: On His request to the Creator for exchanging 30 years deducting from his next life of 100 years (105). The people applaud Him who blesses the couple. (106-108).

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Her name occurs as Sāvitrī just under 17/47.

[2]:

They are: (01) Obeying the husband, (02) Serving the parents in law, (03) getting up earlier than her husband, (04) Cleaning the house, (05) Take permission to go to her parents house, (06) speaking softly, (07) obeying her elders and (08) not to censure her husband.

[3]:

They are: (01) not to make friendship with woman of bad character, (02) not to come in public during the period of the menstruation, (03) not to utter her husband’s name and (04) not be happy when the husband is in misery.