Rukmāṅgada–Vāmadeva Saṃvāda: Ahimsa, Hunting, and the Fruit of Dvādaśī-Bhakti

Verse 1

वसिष्ठ उवाच । ततः प्राह विशालाक्षी भर्तुर्वाक्यं निशम्य सा । सत्यमुक्तं त्वया राजन्पुत्रसौख्यात्परं सुखम् ॥ १ ॥

Vasiṣṭha said: Then the large‑eyed lady, having heard her husband’s words, spoke: “O King, what you have said is true—there is no happiness greater than the joy that comes from a son.”

Verse 2

न भवेदिह राजेंद्र मुनीनां भाषितं यथा । तुल्यं भवति लोकेऽस्मिन् विष्ण्वाख्यस्य परस्य हि ॥ २ ॥

O best of kings, in this world nothing can ever equal the utterances of the sages, for they accord with the Supreme One known as Viṣṇu.

Verse 3

पुत्रे भारस्त्वया न्यस्तः सप्तद्वीपसमुद्भवः । मार्गी हिंसां परित्यज्य यज्ञैरिष्ट्वा जनार्दनम् ॥ ३ ॥

My son, the burden of rule over the world—comprised of the seven continents and the oceans—has been placed upon you. Therefore, following the righteous path, abandon violence and worship Janārdana through sacrifices.

Verse 4

भोगस्पृहां परित्यज्य सेवस्व सुरनिम्नगाम् । एतन्न्याय्यं भवति भो न न्याय्यो मृगनिग्रहः ॥ ४ ॥

Abandon the craving for sense-enjoyments and devote yourself to the divine river. This is what is truly proper, my friend; the killing of animals is not proper.

Verse 5

हृदये नखपातो हि वृद्धाया भूपते यथा । तथा विषयसेवा हि पितॄणां पुत्रिणां विदुः ॥ ५ ॥

O King, just as the scratching of nails upon an old woman’s heart is painful, so too the wise know that indulgence in sense-objects brings suffering to parents who have children.

Verse 6

गृहे वापि हृषीकेशं पूजयस्व महीपते । निर्दोषमृगयूथानां न युक्तं सूदनं तव ॥ ६ ॥

O king, worship Hṛṣīkeśa (Viṣṇu) even within your own home. It is not fitting for you to slaughter herds of blameless animals.

Verse 7

अहिंसा परमो धर्मः पुराणे परिकीर्तितः । हिंसया वर्तमानस्य व्यर्थो धर्म्मोभवेदिति । कुर्वन्नपि वृथा धर्मान्यो हिंसामनुवर्तते ॥ ७ ॥

In the Purāṇa it is proclaimed that ahiṁsā, non-violence, is the highest dharma. For one who lives by violence, dharma becomes futile; even if such a person performs other religious acts, they are in vain, because they continue to follow hiṁsā.

Verse 8

परैरुपहतां भूप नोपभुंजंति साधवः । षड्विधं नृप ते प्रोक्तं विद्वद्भिर्जीवघातनम् ॥ ८ ॥

O king, the righteous sādhus do not partake of what has been obtained through injury done by others. O ruler, the learned have declared to you that the killing (or harming) of living beings is of six kinds.

Verse 9

अनुमोदयिता पूर्वं द्वितीयो घातकः स्मृतः । विश्वासकस्तृतीयोऽपि चतुर्थो भक्षकस्तथा । पंचमः पाचकः प्रोक्तः षष्ठो भूपात्र विग्रही । हिं सया संयुतं धर्ममधर्मं च विदुर्बुधाः ॥ ९ ॥

First is the one who approves the act; second, as taught, is the killer. Third is the one who instigates, or who wins another’s confidence to have it done; fourth is the eater. The fifth is called the cook; the sixth, O king, is the one who seizes the land and the vessel—namely, the means and the property. The wise know that both dharma and adharma are tainted when joined with hiṁsā.

Verse 10

न पापं कुरुते भूप पुत्रे भारं निवेश्य वै । धर्मं समाश्रयमन्सम्यक्संजातपलितः पिता ॥ १० ॥

O king, once an aged father—his hair turned grey—has duly placed the responsibilities upon his son, he does not engage in sinful acts; rather, he rightly takes refuge in dharma.

Verse 11

परित्यज्य इमं भावं मृगहिंसासमुद्भवम् । मृगशीला हि राजानो विनष्टाः शतशो नृप ॥ ११ ॥

Abandon this disposition born of hunting and harming animals. For, O king, hundreds of rulers addicted to the chase have perished.

Verse 12

तस्माद्दुष्टं हि तन्मन्ये यत्र मृगपातनम् । दया वरा मृगेराज्ञां धर्मिणामपि दृश्यते ॥ १२ ॥

Therefore I deem that place truly wicked—where deer are slain; for even among the kings of beasts a nobler compassion is seen, and that compassion is found even in those who claim to be righteous in dharma.

Verse 13

निवारितो मया हि त्वं हितबुद्ध्या पुनः पुनः । एवं ब्रुवाणां तां भार्यां नृपो वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ १३ ॥

“Indeed, I have restrained you again and again, with a mind intent on your welfare.” As she spoke thus, the king replied to that wife with these words.

Verse 14

नहिहिंसे मृगान्देवि मृगव्याजेन कानने । पर्य्यटिष्ये धनुष्पाणिः कुर्वन्कंटकशोधनम् ॥ १४ ॥

“O goddess, I do not kill animals in the forest under the pretext of hunting. Bearing my bow, I will roam about only to clear away thorns and harmful obstacles.”

Verse 15

जनमध्ये सुतो मेऽस्तु काननेऽहं वरानने । श्वापदेभ्यश्च दस्युभ्यः प्रजा रक्ष्या महीभृता ॥ १५ ॥

“May I have a son among the people, O fair-faced one; and may I dwell in the forest. And the subjects must be protected by the king—from wild beasts as well as from bandits.”

Verse 16

आत्मनावाथ पुत्रेण गोपनीयाः प्रजा शुभे । प्रजा अरक्षन्नृपतिः सधर्म्मोऽपि व्रजत्यधः ॥ १६ ॥

O auspicious one, the people must be protected—by the king himself, or else by his son. A ruler who fails to safeguard his subjects, even if otherwise righteous, still falls downward.

Verse 17

सोऽहं रक्षणमुद्दिश्यगमिष्यामि वनं प्रिये । विमुक्तभावोऽहमिति मेरुश्रृंगे रविर्यथा ॥ १७ ॥

Therefore, beloved, with the intent of protection I shall go to the forest—abiding in the conviction, “I am free, unbound,” like the sun stationed upon the peak of Mount Meru.

Verse 18

एवमुद्दिश्य तां राजा आरुरोह हयोत्तमम् । दोषापतिसमप्रख्यं निर्दोषं क्षितिभूषणम् ॥ १८ ॥

Having thus resolved upon her, the king mounted the finest of horses—radiant like the lord of the night (the Moon), faultless, and an ornament of the earth.

Verse 19

देववाहसमं रूपे प्रभंजनसमं जवे । धरामादृत्य भूपालो दत्वा तं दक्षिणं करम् ॥ १९ ॥

In form he was like the mount of the gods, and in speed like the rushing wind. The king, honoring the earth, gave him his right hand in acceptance.

Verse 20

सहस्रकोटिदातारं कामिनीकुचपीडनम् । अशोकपल्लवाकारं वज्रांकुशविरोहणम् ॥ २० ॥

He is the giver of thousands of crores of boons and gifts; the one who presses the breasts of the passionate beloved; whose form is like a tender aśoka sprout; and who bears the marks of the vajra and the goad (aṅkuśa).

Verse 21

संप्रतस्थे महीपालश्चालयानो महीतलम् । साधयानो ययौ देशान्काननं स नृपोत्तमः ॥ २१ ॥

Then that protector of the earth—the best of kings—set forth, as though stirring the very ground beneath his feet; steadily accomplishing his purpose, he traveled through many regions and entered the forest.

Verse 22

वाजिवेगेन निर्द्धूता वारणाः स्यंदना हयाः । पदातयो निपेतुस्ते मूर्च्छिताः क्षितिमण्डले ॥ २२ ॥

Smitten and tossed by the swift surge of the horses, the elephants, chariots, and steeds were scattered; and the foot-soldiers fell senseless upon the face of the earth.

Verse 23

स राजा सहसा प्राप्तो मुनीनामाश्रमं परम् । योजनानां समुत्तीर्य शतमष्टोत्तरं नृप ॥ २३ ॥

O king, that ruler swiftly reached the most excellent hermitage of the sages, having crossed one hundred and eight yojanas.

Verse 24

प्रविवेशाश्रमं रम्यं कदलीखण्डमण्डितम् । अशोकबकुलोपेतं पुन्नागसरलावृतम् ॥ २४ ॥

He entered a delightful hermitage, adorned with groves of banana trees, graced with aśoka and bakula, and surrounded by punnāga and śarala trees.

Verse 25

मातुलिंगैः कपित्थैश्च खर्जूरैः पनसादिभिः । नारिकेलैस्तथा तालैः केतकैः सिंदुवारकैः ॥ २५ ॥

There were citrons (mātuliṅga), wood-apples (kapittha), dates (kharjūra), jackfruits (panasa) and the like; also coconuts (nārikela) and palmyra fruits (tāla), with ketakī blossoms and sinduvāra flowers fit for sacred offering.

Verse 26

चन्दनैः सतमालैश्च सालैः पिप्पलचंपकैः । क्रमुकैर्दाडिमैश्चैव धात्रीवृक्षैः सहस्रशः ॥ २६ ॥

There were thousands upon thousands of trees—sandalwood, satamāla, śāla, pippala and campaka, as well as areca-palms (kramuka), pomegranate trees (dāḍima), and innumerable dhātrī (āmalakī) trees.

Verse 27

निम्बवृक्षैश्च बहुशस्तथाम्रैर्लोध्रपादपैः । परिपक्वफलैर्नम्रैः खगारूढैः समावृतम् ॥ २७ ॥

It was enclosed on every side by many neem trees, along with mango and lodhra trees—bending low beneath fully ripened fruits, and alive with birds perched upon their branches.

Verse 28

ह्यद्येन वायुना युक्तं पुष्पगन्धावृतेन हि । पश्यमानो मुनिं राजा ददर्श हुतभुक्प्रभम् ॥ २८ ॥

Then, borne upon that very breeze, wrapped in the fragrance of flowers, the king—looking on—beheld the sage, radiant like the sacrificial fire.

Verse 29

वामदेवं द्विजवरं बहुशिष्यसमावृतम् । अवरुह्य हयाद्दृष्ट्वा प्रणनाम च सादरम् ॥ २९ ॥

Seeing Vāmadeva—the best of the twice-born—surrounded by many disciples, he dismounted from his horse and bowed to him with reverence.

Verse 30

तेनापि मुनिना राजा ह्यर्घाद्यैरभिपूजितः । उपविश्यासने कौशे प्राह संहृष्टया गिरा ॥ ३० ॥

The sage, in turn, duly honored the king with offerings such as arghya. Then, seated upon a seat of kuśa grass, the king spoke in a delighted voice.

Verse 31

अद्य मे पातकं क्षीणं संप्राप्तं कर्मणः फलम् । दृष्ट्वा तव पदांभोजं सम्यग्ध्यानपरस्य च ॥ ३१ ॥

Today my sin has been exhausted, and the true fruit of my past actions has been attained—because I have beheld your lotus-feet, and have seen one wholly devoted to right meditation.

Verse 32

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य रुक्मांगदमहीपतेः । संपृष्ट्वा कुशलं प्राह वामदेवो मुदान्वितः ॥ ३२ ॥

Hearing the words of King Rukmāṅgada, Vāmadeva—after inquiring about his well-being—spoke with joy.

Verse 33

राजंस्त्वयातिपुण्येन विष्णुभक्तेन वीक्षितः । ममाश्रमो महाभाग पुण्यो जातो धरातले ॥ ३३ ॥

O King, since you—most virtuous and devoted to Viṣṇu—have looked upon it, my hermitage, O greatly fortunate one, has become sanctified upon this earth.

Verse 34

कस्तेऽन्यस्तुल्यतामेति पार्थिवो धरणीतले । येन वैवस्वतो माग्रो भग्नो निर्जित्य वै यमम् ॥ ३४ ॥

Who else among kings on this earth can ever equal you—by whom the very path of Vaivasvata (Yama) has been broken, having indeed conquered Yama himself?

Verse 35

प्रापितः सकलो लोको वैकुंठं पदमव्ययम् । उपोषयित्वा नृपतेद्वादशीं पापनाशिनीम् ॥ ३५ ॥

O King, by observing the purifying Dvādaśī fast, the entire people were led to Vaikuṇṭha—the imperishable abode.

Verse 36

चतुर्भिः शोभनोपायैः प्रजाः सयम्य भूतले । स्वकर्मस्था विकर्मस्था नीता मधुभिदः पदम् ॥ ३६ ॥

By four excellent means, having restrained and disciplined the people upon the earth, those established in their proper duties—and even those who had fallen into wrongful acts—were led to the abode of Madhubhidh (Viṣṇu).

Verse 37

सोऽस्माकं द्रष्टुकामानां संप्राप्तो दर्शनं नृप । श्वपचोऽपि महीपाल विष्णुभक्तो द्विजाधिकः ॥ ३७ ॥

O king, he whom we longed to behold has come before our eyes and granted us his darśana. O ruler of the earth, even one of the lowest birth becomes higher than a twice-born when he is a devotee of Viṣṇu.

Verse 38

विष्णुभक्तिविहीनस्तु द्विजोऽपि श्वपचाधिकः । दुर्लभा भूप राजानो विष्णुभक्ता महीतले ॥ ३८ ॥

A twice-born man devoid of devotion to Viṣṇu, though a dvija, is deemed lower than a dog-eater. O king, rare indeed upon this earth are rulers who are devoted to Viṣṇu.

Verse 39

नावैष्णवो भवेद्राजा क्षितिलक्ष्मीप्रसाधकः । यो न राजा हरेर्भक्तो देवेष्वन्येषु भक्तिमान् ॥ ३९ ॥

A king should not be non-Vaiṣṇava if he is to adorn and govern the earth’s prosperity. That king is no true ruler who is not devoted to Hari, even if he is devoted to other gods.

Verse 40

यथा जारे पतिं त्यक्त्वा रता स्त्री स तथा नृपः । एवं व्यतिक्रमस्तस्य नृपतेर्भवति ध्रुवम् ॥ ४० ॥

Just as a woman, abandoning her husband, becomes attached to a lover, so does a king who forsakes his rightful duty. Thus, for that king, transgression of dharma surely comes to pass.

Verse 41

धर्मस्यार्थस्य कामस्य प्रज्ञायाश्च गतेरपि । तत्त्वया न्यायविहितं कृतं विष्णोः प्रपूजनम् ॥ ४१ ॥

The worship of Viṣṇu has been performed according to proper procedure and true principles, becoming the means to Dharma, Artha, Kāma, and also to the onward course of wisdom (prajñā).

Verse 42

तेन धन्योऽसि नृपते वयं धन्यास्तवेक्षणात् । इत्येवं भाषमाणं तु वामदेवं नृपोत्तमः ॥ ४२ ॥

Therefore, O king, you are blessed; and we too are blessed by beholding you.” As Vāmadeva spoke thus, the excellent king responded.

Verse 43

उवाचावनतो भूत्वा प्रकृत्या विनयान्वितः । क्षामये त्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठ नाहमेतादृशो विभो ॥ ४३ ॥

Bowing down, and by nature endowed with humility, he said: “O best of the twice-born, forgive me. O mighty one, I am not such a person.”

Verse 44

त्वत्पादपांसुना तुल्यो नाहं विप्र भवामि हि । न विप्रेभ्योऽधिका देवा भवंतीह कदाचन ॥ ४४ ॥

O brāhmaṇa, I am not even equal to the dust of your feet. Indeed, in this world the gods are never, at any time, superior to the brāhmaṇas.

Verse 45

परितुष्टैर्द्विजैर्भक्तिर्जंतोर्भवति माधवे । द्वेष्यो भवति तै रुष्टैः सत्यमेतन्मयेरितम् ॥ ४५ ॥

When the twice-born are pleased, a creature’s devotion to Mādhava (Viṣṇu) arises; but when they are angered, that person becomes hateful to them. This is the truth I have declared.

Verse 46

तमाह वामदेवस्तु ब्रूहि किं ते ददाम्यहम् । नादेयं विद्यते राजन्गृहायातस्य तेऽधुना ॥ ४६ ॥

Then Vāmadeva said: “Tell me—what shall I give you? O king, now that you have come to my house, there is nothing that cannot be offered to you.”

Verse 47

अभीष्टं हि महीपाल यो ददाति महीतले । पटहं वासरे विष्णोः प्रजाभोजनवारणम् ॥ ४७ ॥

O king, whoever grants what is desired upon the earth should, on Viṣṇu’s sacred day, have a proclamation made by drumbeat, forbidding the feeding and feasting of the populace.

Verse 48

तमाह नृपतिर्विप्रं कृतांजलिपुटस्तदा । प्राप्तमेव मया सर्वं त्वदंघ्रियुगलेक्षणात् ॥ ४८ ॥

Then the king said to the Brahmin, with hands joined in reverence: “Truly I have obtained everything, simply by beholding your pair of feet.”

Verse 49

ममैकः संशयो ब्रह्मन् वर्तते बहुकालतः । तं पृच्छामि द्विजाग्र्यं त्वां सर्वसंदेहभञ्जनम् ॥ ४९ ॥

O Brahman, a single doubt has dwelt in me for a long time. Therefore I ask you—O foremost among the twice-born—who shatter all doubts.

Verse 50

त्रैलोक्यसुन्दरी भार्या मम केन सुकर्मणा । या विलोकयते दृष्ट्या मां सदा मन्मथाधिकम् ॥ ५० ॥

By what meritorious deed of mine have I obtained a wife who is the beauty of the three worlds—she who ever looks upon me with a gaze that deems me more charming than Manmatha, the god of love?

Verse 51

यत्र यत्र पदं देवी ददाति वरवर्णिनी । तत्र तत्र निधानानि प्रकाशयति मेदिनी ॥ ५१ ॥

Wherever the fair-complexioned Goddess sets her footstep, there the Earth reveals hidden treasures.

Verse 52

यस्याश्चांगं जराहीनं वलीपलितवर्जितम् । सदा भाति मुनिश्रेष्ठ शारदेंदुप्रभा यथा ॥ ५२ ॥

O best of sages, her body is free from old age—without wrinkles or grey hair—and it ever shines like the radiance of the autumn moon.

Verse 53

विनाग्निनापि सा विप्र साधयत्येव षड्रसम् । अन्नं पचति यत्स्वल्पं तस्मिन्भुञ्जंति कोटयः ॥ ५३ ॥

O brāhmaṇa, even without fire she prepares the six tastes. Whatever little food she cooks—upon that, millions are fed.

Verse 54

पतव्रता दानशीला सर्वभूतसुखावहा । नावज्ञा क्रियते ब्रह्मन् वाक्येनापि प्रसूप्तया ॥ ५४ ॥

She is steadfast in her marital vow, devoted to charity, and a source of happiness to all beings. O Brahmin, she shows no contempt—not even by a single word—even when others are negligent or inattentive.

Verse 55

यस्यां जातस्तु तनयो ममाज्ञायां स्थितः सदा । अहमेव धरापृष्ठे पुत्री द्विजवरोत्तम ॥ ५५ ॥

In her, a son was born who always remained obedient to my command. And I myself, O best of twice-born ones, became a daughter upon the surface of the earth.

Verse 56

यस्य पुत्रः पितुर्भक्तो ह्यधिको गुणसंचयैः । एकद्वीपपतिश्चाहं विदितो धरणीतले ॥ ५६ ॥

Whose son is devoted to his father and even surpasses him in accumulated virtues—such a one am I, known upon the earth as the lord of a single island-continent.

Verse 57

पुत्रो ममाधिको जातः सप्तद्वीपप्रपालकः । मदर्थे येन विप्रेंद्र समानीता नृपात्मजा ॥ ५७ ॥

A son superior to me has been born—guardian of the seven continents; and for my sake, O best of Brahmins, he has brought the king’s daughter here.

Verse 58

विद्युल्लेखेति विख्याता रणे जित्वा महीभुजः । अथ तेनाधिपतिना रूपद्रविणशालिना ॥ ५८ ॥

She became renowned by the name Vidyullekhā. Having conquered the king in battle, she then became associated with that ruler, endowed with beauty and wealth.

Verse 59

षण्मासेन रणे जित्वा कृत्वा सर्वान्निरायुधान् । यो गत्वा प्रमदाराज्यं जित्वा ताः प्रमदा रणे ॥ ५९ ॥

Within six months he conquered in battle, rendering all opponents weaponless; then he went to the kingdom of the Pramadās and defeated those Pramadās in combat as well.

Verse 60

आजहार शुभास्तासां मध्यादष्टौ वरांगनाः । प्रददौ मयि ताः सर्वाः प्रणम्य च पुनः पुनः ॥ ६० ॥

From among those auspicious women, he brought forward eight excellent maidens; and after bowing again and again, he presented them all to me.

Verse 61

यानि वासांसि दिव्यानि यानि रत्नानि भूतले । तानि मे प्रददौ पुत्रो जनन्या तूपवर्णितः ॥ ६१ ॥

Whatever divine garments there were, and whatever jewels were on the earth—my son gave all those to me, as they had been described to him by his mother.

Verse 62

एकाह्ना पृथिवीं सर्वामतीत्य बहुयोजनाम् । पुनरायाति शर्वर्यां मत्पादाभ्यंगकारणात् ॥ ६२ ॥

In a single day he traverses the whole earth—many yojanas in breadth—and at night he returns again, for he has anointed and reverently served My sacred feet.

Verse 63

निशीथेंऽगानि संवाह्य द्वारि तिष्ठति दंशितः । प्रबोधयन्प्रेष्यजनान्निद्रया संकुलेंद्रियान् ॥ ६३ ॥

At midnight, the one who has been bitten stands at the doorway, rubbing his limbs, and rouses the household attendants whose senses are clouded by sleep.

Verse 64

तथायं मे मुनिश्रेष्ठ देहो रोगविवर्जितः । अप्रमेयं मम सुखं वशगा हि प्रिया गृहे ॥ ६४ ॥

Thus, O best of sages, my body is free from disease; my happiness is beyond measure, and my beloved wife, here within the home, is obedient.

Verse 65

वाजिनो वारणाश्चैव धनधान्यमनंतकम् । वर्तते हि जनः सर्वो ममाज्ञापालकः क्षितौ ॥ ६५ ॥

Horses and elephants, and wealth and grain without end—indeed, all people upon the earth act in obedience to my command.

Verse 66

केन कर्मप्रभावेण ममेदं सांप्रतं सुखम् । इह जन्मकृतं वापि परजन्मकृतं तथा ॥ ६६ ॥

By the influence of which karma has this present happiness come to me—by deeds done in this very life, or likewise by deeds done in a former birth?

Verse 67

मम पुण्यं वद ब्रह्मन् विचार्य स्वमनीषया ॥ ६७ ॥

O revered Brahman-sage, after reflecting with your own discernment, tell me of my merit (puṇya).

Verse 68

देहे न रोगो वशगाप्रिया च गृहे विभूतिर्नृहरौ च भक्तिः । विद्वत्सु पूजा द्विजदानशक्तिर्मन्येऽहमेतत्सुकृतप्रसूतम् ॥ ६८ ॥

Freedom from disease in the body; a beloved and harmonious wife; prosperity in the home; and devotion to Nṛhari (Lord Viṣṇu as Narasiṃha)—together with honoring the learned and the ability to give charity to the twice-born: I deem all this to be born of past meritorious deeds (sukṛta).

Verse 69

इति श्रीबृहन्नारदीयपुराणोत्तरभागे रुक्मांगद वामदेवसंवादो नाम दशमोऽध्यायः ॥ १० ॥

Thus ends the tenth chapter, called “The Dialogue between Rukmāṅgada and Vāmadeva,” in the Uttara-bhāga of the venerable Bṛhan-Nāradīya Purāṇa.