Mohinī’s Speech (Mohinyāḥ Bhāṣaṇam)

Verse 1

पुत्र उवाच । तस्मादीर्ष्यां परित्यज्य मोहिनीमनुभोजय । न मातरीदृशो धर्मो लोकेषु त्रिषु लभ्यते ॥ १ ॥

The son said: “Therefore, abandoning jealousy, accept and care for Mohinī. A righteousness like that shown toward one’s mother is not to be found in all the three worlds.”

Verse 2

स्वहस्तेन प्रियां भर्तुर्भार्यां या तु प्रभोजयेत् । सपत्नीं तु सपत्नी हि किंचिदन्नं ददाति च ॥ २ ॥

A wife who, with her own hands, serves food to her husband’s beloved wife, and who—being herself a co-wife—also gives a small portion of food to the other co-wife, is praised for such conduct.

Verse 3

तदनंतं भवेद्देवि मातरित्याह नाभिजः । कुरु वाक्यं मयोक्तं हि स्वामिनि त्वं प्रसीद मे ॥ ३ ॥

The Lotus-born (Brahmā), addressing her as “Mother,” said: “O Goddess, it shall indeed become endless. Do as I have spoken, O Lady; be gracious to me.”

Verse 4

तातस्य सौख्यं कर्तव्यमावाभ्यां वरवर्णिनी । भवेत्पापक्षयः सम्यक् स्वर्गप्राप्तिस्तथाक्षया ॥ ४ ॥

O fair-complexioned lady, it is for the two of us to secure our father’s happiness. By doing so, sins are wholly destroyed, and one attains heaven—an attainment that does not fail.

Verse 5

पुत्रस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा देवी संध्यावली तदा । अभिमंत्र्य परिष्वज्य तनयं सा पुनः पुनः ॥ ५ ॥

Hearing her son’s words, the goddess Sandhyāvalī then blessed him with sacred utterances and, embracing her child again and again, held him close.

Verse 6

मूर्ध्नि चैनमुपाघ्राय वचनं चेदमब्रवीत् । करिष्ये वचनं पुत्र त्वदीयं धर्मसंयुतम् ॥ ६ ॥

Then, kissing him upon the head, she spoke: “My son, I shall do as you say; your request is in harmony with dharma.”

Verse 7

इर्ष्यां मानं परित्यज्य भोजयिष्यामि मोहिनीम् । शतपुत्रा ह्यहं पुत्र त्वयैकेन सुतेन हि ॥ ७ ॥

Casting aside jealousy and pride, I shall feed that enchanting woman. My son, though I am spoken of as the mother of a hundred sons, it is truly through you—my single son—that I am fulfilled.

Verse 8

नियमैर्बहुभिर्जातो देहक्लेशकरैर्भवान् । व्रतराजेन चीर्णेन प्राप्तस्त्वमचिरात्सुतः ॥ ८ ॥

Through many disciplines that bring hardship to the body, you were born—granted into being. Yet by observing the ‘Vratarāja’, the king of vows, you have obtained a son in a short time.

Verse 9

नहीदृशं व्रतं लोके फलदायि प्रदृश्यते । सद्यः प्रत्ययकारीदं महापातकनाशनम् ॥ ९ ॥

In this world, no vow is seen to be as fruit-giving as this one. It yields immediate and convincing results, and it destroys even the gravest sins.

Verse 10

किं जातैर्बहुभिः पुत्रैः शोकसंतापकारकैः । वरमेकः कुलालंबी यत्र विश्रमते कुलम् ॥ १० ॥

What is the use of having many sons if they only become causes of grief and torment? Better is a single son who upholds the family—one in whom the whole lineage finds support and repose.

Verse 11

त्रैलोक्यादुपरिष्ठाहं त्वां प्राप्य जठरे स्थितम् । धन्यानि तानि शूलानि यैर्जातस्त्वं सुतोऽनघ ॥ ११ ॥

Rising above the three worlds, I attained you, abiding within my womb. Blessed indeed are those pangs by which you were born as my son, O sinless one.

Verse 12

सप्तद्वीपपतिः शूरः पितुर्वचनकारकः । आह्लादयति यस्तातं जननीं वापि पुत्रकः ॥ १२ ॥

Even if a son is a heroic lord of the seven continents and a faithful doer of his father’s command, he is truly called a “son” only when he brings joy to his father—and to his mother as well.

Verse 13

तं पुत्रं कवयः प्राहुर्वाचाख्यमपरं सुतम् । एवमुक्त्वा तु वचनं देवी संध्यावली तदा ॥ १३ ॥

The sages called that son “Vācākhya” (“the one known by Speech”), as another son. Having spoken these words, the goddess Sandhyāvalī then fell silent.

Verse 14

वीक्षां चक्रेऽथ भांडानि षड्रसस्य तु हेतवे । तस्या वीक्षणमात्रेण परिपूर्णानि भूपते ॥ १४ ॥

Then she cast her glance upon the vessels, to bestow the sixfold flavors; and by her mere look alone, O king, they became completely filled.

Verse 15

षड्रस्य सुखोष्णस्य मोहिनीभोजनेच्छया । अमृतस्वादुकल्पस्य जनस्य तु महीपते ॥ १५ ॥

O king, people—drawn by the enchanting desire to eat food that is pleasantly warm and endowed with the six tastes—remain attached, taking it to be as sweet as nectar.

Verse 16

ततो दर्वीं समादाय कांचनीं रत्नसंयुताम् । परिवेषयदव्यग्रा मोडिन्याश्चारुहासिनी ॥ १६ ॥

Then, taking up a golden ladle set with jewels, the charming Moḍinī, with her sweet and lovely smile, served the food attentively, without distraction.

Verse 17

कांचने भाजने श्लक्ष्णे मानभोजनवेष्टिते । शनैः शनैश्च बुभुजे इष्टमन्नं सुसंस्कृतम् ॥ १७ ॥

In a smooth golden vessel, with the meal arranged in due measure and proper presentation, he slowly ate the well-prepared food that he desired.

Verse 18

उपविश्यासने देवी शातकौभमये शुभे । वीज्यमाना वरारोहा व्याजनेन सुगीतिना ॥ १८ ॥

Seated upon an auspicious throne made of gold, the Goddess—of graceful beauty—was being gently fanned with a fan adorned with melodious charm.

Verse 19

धर्मांगदगृही तेन शिखिपुच्छभवेन तु । सा भुक्ता ब्रह्मतनया तदन्नममृतोपमम् ॥ १९ ॥

Then he took Dharmāṅgadagṛhī by that which was born from a peacock’s tail. The daughter of Brahmā ate that food, which was like amṛta—nectar itself.

Verse 20

चतुर्गुणेन शीतेन कृत्वा शौचमथात्मनः । जगृहे पुत्रदत्तं तु तांबूलं तत्सुगंधिमत् ॥ २० ॥

Then, having purified himself with water fourfold colder, he accepted the fragrant tāmbūla (betel offering) that had been given by his son.

Verse 21

वरचंदनयुक्तेन हस्तेन वरवर्णिनी । ततः प्रहस्य शनकैः प्राह संध्यावलीं नृप ॥ २१ ॥

O king, the fair-complexioned lady, her hand anointed with excellent sandal paste, then smiled and softly spoke to Sandhyāvalī.

Verse 22

जननी किं तु देवि त्वं वृषांगदनृपस्य तु । न मया हि परिज्ञाता श्रमस्वेदितया शुभे ॥ २२ ॥

“Mother—rather, O Goddess—are you truly the queen of King Vṛṣāṅgada? O auspicious one, I did not recognize you, for you are wearied by exertion and drenched in sweat.”

Verse 23

वदत्येवं ब्रह्मसुता यावत्संध्यावलीं नप । तावत्प्रणम्य नृपतेः पुत्रो वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ २३ ॥

As the son of Brahmā (Nārada) spoke thus, O king, until the time for the Sandhyā prayers arrived, the king’s son bowed in reverence and then spoke these words.

Verse 24

उदरे ह्यनया देव्या धृतः संवत्सरत्रयम् । तव भर्तुः प्रसादेन वृद्धिं संप्राप्तवानहम् ॥ २४ ॥

Indeed, I was borne in the womb of this Goddess for three years; by the grace of your husband, I attained full growth and maturity.

Verse 25

संत्यनेकानि मातॄणां शतानि मम सुंदरि । अस्याः पीतं पयो भूरि कुचयोः स्नेहसंप्लुतम् ॥ २५ ॥

“My beautiful one, I have had many hundreds of mothers; yet from this one I drank abundant milk—flowing from her breasts, drenched in tenderness.”

Verse 26

अनया सा रुजा तीव्रा विधृता प्रायशो जरा । इयं मां जनयित्वैव जाता शिथिलबंधना ॥ २६ ॥

Because of this, she endured fierce pain, and old age has, for the most part, taken hold. After giving birth to me, she herself became weakened, her strength and firmness growing slack.

Verse 27

तन्नास्ति त्रिषु लोकेषु यद्दत्वा चानृणो भवेत् । मातुः पुत्रस्य चार्वंगि सत्यमेतन्मयेरितम् ॥ २७ ॥

O fair-limbed one, in the three worlds there is nothing which, even if given away, can free a son from his debt to his mother. This is the truth I have declared.

Verse 28

सोऽहं धन्यतरो लोके नास्ति मत्तोऽधिकः पुमान् । उत्संगे वर्तयिष्यामि मातृसंघस्य नित्यशः ॥ २८ ॥

“I am indeed the most fortunate in this world; there is no man superior to me. I shall dwell forever in the lap—the protective embrace—of the assembly of the Mothers.”

Verse 29

नोत्संगे चेज्जनन्या हि तनयो विशति क्वचित् । मातृसौख्यं न जानाति कुमारी भर्तृजं यथा ॥ २९ ॥

If a son never, even once, sits in his mother’s lap, he does not come to know a mother’s comfort—just as an unmarried girl does not know the happiness that comes from a husband.

Verse 30

मातुरुत्संगमारूढः पुत्रो दर्पान्वितो भवेत् । हारमुत्तमदेहस्थं हस्तेनाहर्तुमिच्छति ॥ ३० ॥

A child, seated on his mother’s lap, becomes filled with pride and, reaching out with his hand, wishes to seize the necklace adorning an excellent person’s body.

Verse 31

पाल्यमानो जनन्या हि पितृहीनोऽपि दर्पितः । समीहते जगद्धर्तुं सवीर्यं मातृजं पयः ॥ ३१ ॥

Even when reared only by his mother, though bereft of a father, he becomes proud; and he strives to sustain the world—through the potent milk that arises from the mother.

Verse 32

एतज्जठरसंसर्गि भवत्युत्संगशंकितः । अस्याश्चैवापराणां च विशेषो यदि मे न चेत् ॥ ३२ ॥

Because of this intimate association within the womb, I am wary of embracing this child. If I perceive no distinction between her and the others, what special difference can there be at all?

Verse 33

तेन सत्येन मे तातो जीवताच्छरदां शतम् । एवं ब्रुवाणे तनये मोहिनी विस्मयं गता ॥ ३३ ॥

“By that truth, may my dear father live for a hundred autumns—a full century.” When her son spoke thus, Mohinī was struck with amazement.

Verse 34

कथमस्य प्रहर्तव्यं मया निर्घृणशीलया । विनीतस्य ह्यपापस्य औचित्यं पापिनो गृहे ॥ ३४ ॥

How could I, of cruel disposition, strike him? He is humble and sinless—how could one like him rightly belong in the house of a sinner?

Verse 35

पितुः शुश्रूषणं यस्य न तस्य सदृशं क्षितौ । एवं गुणाधिकस्याहं कर्तुं कर्म जुगुप्सिताम् ॥ ३५ ॥

For one who serves his father with devoted obedience, there is none equal to him on this earth. How could I commit a contemptible deed against one so richly endowed with virtue?

Verse 36

पुत्रस्य धर्मशीलस्य भूत्त्वा तु जननी क्षितौ । एवं विमृश्य बहुधा मोहिनी लोकसुंदरी ॥ ३६ ॥

Reflecting in many ways like this, Mohinī—the world-bewitching enchantress—resolved to descend upon the earth and become the mother of a righteous, virtuous son.

Verse 37

उवाच तनयं बाला शीघ्रमानय मे पतिम् । न शक्नोमि विना तेन मुहूर्तमपि वर्तितुम् ॥ ३७ ॥

The young woman said to her son, “Quickly bring my husband to me. Without him, I cannot endure even for a single moment.”

Verse 38

ततः स त्वरितं गत्वा प्रणम्य पितरं नृप । कनिष्ठा जननी तात शीघ्रं त्वां द्रष्टुमिच्छति ॥ ३८ ॥

Then he hurried away, bowed to his father, and said, “O King, dear father—your younger queen wishes to see you at once.”

Verse 39

प्रसादः क्रियतां तस्याः पूज्यतां ब्रह्मणः सुता । पुत्रवाक्येन नृपतिरतत्क्षणाद्गंतुमुद्यतः ॥ ३९ ॥

“Show her your favor; honor the daughter of Brahmā.” Thus spoken to by his son, the king at that very moment made ready to depart.

Verse 40

प्रहृष्टवदनो भूत्वा संध्यावल्या निवेशनम् । संप्रविश्य गृहे राजा ददर्श शयनस्थिताम् ॥ ४० ॥

With a delighted countenance, the king entered Saṃdhyāvalī’s residence; going within, he saw her lying upon her bed.

Verse 41

मोहिनीं मोहसंयुक्तां तप्तकांचनसप्रभाम् । उपास्य मानां प्रियया संध्यावल्या शनैः शनैः ॥ ४१ ॥

Saṃdhyāvalī, dear to him, gently and little by little served and attended that enchanting woman—ensnared in delusion, radiant like heated gold, and proud of the honor shown to her.

Verse 42

पुत्रवाक्यात्परित्यज्य क्रोधं सापत्न्यजं तथा । दृष्ट्वा रुक्मांगदं प्राप्तं शयने मोह्य सुंदरी ॥ ४२ ॥

Heeding her son’s words, she cast aside the anger born of rivalry. And when the beautiful lady saw Rukmāṅgada return, she grew faint upon the bed, overwhelmed in bewilderment.

Verse 43

प्रहृष्टवदना प्राह राजानं भूरिदक्षिणम् । इहोपविश्यतां कांत पर्यंके मृदुतूलके ॥ ४३ ॥

With a delighted face she addressed the king, the giver of abundant gifts: “Come, my beloved—sit here upon the couch, softly cushioned with cotton.”

Verse 44

सर्वं निरीक्षितं भूप राज्यतन्त्रं त्वया चिरम् । अद्यापि नहि ते वांछा राज्ये परिनिवर्तते ॥ ४४ ॥

O king, you have long examined the entire machinery of governance; yet even now your desire for sovereignty does not turn back, nor does it subside.

Verse 45

मन्ये दुष्कृतिनं भूप त्वामत्र धरणीतले । यः समर्थं सुतं ज्ञात्वा स्वयं पश्येन्नृपश्रियम् ॥ ४५ ॥

O king, I deem you here upon this earth a doer of misdeeds—since, though knowing your son to be capable, you still cling yourself to the splendor of kingship.

Verse 46

तस्मात्त्वत्तोऽधिको नास्ति दुःखी लोकेषु कश्चन । सुपुत्राणां पितॄणां हि सुखं याति क्षणं नृप ॥ ४६ ॥

Therefore, O king, there is no one in the worlds more afflicted than you; for the fathers of virtuous sons attain happiness—at least for a moment.

Verse 47

दुःखेन पापभोक्तॄणां विषयासक्तचेतसाम् । सर्वाश्च प्रकृती राजंस्तवेष्टाः पूर्णपुण्यजाः ॥ ४७ ॥

Those whose minds cling to sense-objects and who reap the fruits of sin partake of them through suffering. But all these natural endowments you desire, O King, are born only of complete merit (puṇya).

Verse 48

धर्मांगदे पालयाने कथं त्वं वीक्षसेऽधुना । परित्यज्य प्रियासौख्यं कीनाश इव दुर्बलः ॥ ४८ ॥

O Dharmāṅgada, how do you regard this matter now—having abandoned the comfort of your beloved, weak like a wretched farmer?

Verse 49

यदि पालयसे राज्यं मया किं ते प्रयोजनम् । निष्प्रयोजनमानीता क्षीरसागरमस्तकात् ॥ ४९ ॥

“If you are going to rule the kingdom yourself, then what need have you of me? I have been brought here for no purpose at all—from the very summit of the Ocean of Milk.”

Verse 50

विड्भोज्या हि भविष्यामि पक्षिणामामिषं यथा । यो भार्यां यौवनोपेतां न सेवेदिह दुर्मतिः ॥ ५० ॥

Surely I shall become vile food—like flesh for birds—if, being of perverse mind, I do not here attend to and delight in my wife who is endowed with youth.

Verse 51

कृत्याचरणसक्तस्तु कुतस्तस्य भवेत्प्रिया । असेविता व्रजेद्भार्या अदत्तं हि धनं व्रजेत् ॥ ५१ ॥

But if a man is absorbed only in his own tasks and duties, how can his wife remain affectionate toward him? A wife who is not cared for will go away; indeed, wealth that is not given in accordance with dharma also departs.

Verse 52

अरक्षितं व्रजेद्राज्यं अनभ्यस्तं श्रुतं व्रजेत् । नालसैः प्राप्यते विद्या न भार्या व्रतसंस्थितैः ॥ ५२ ॥

A kingdom left unguarded surely perishes; learning left unpracticed surely fades. Knowledge is not won by the lazy, and a wife is neither gained nor kept by one who clings only to vows while neglecting rightful worldly duties.

Verse 53

नानुष्ठानं विना लक्ष्मीर्नाभक्तैः प्राप्यते यशः । नोद्यमी सुखमाप्नोति नाभार्यः संततिं लभेत् ॥ ५३ ॥

Without disciplined anuṣṭhāna, Lakṣmī—prosperity—does not arise; without bhakti, fame is not attained. One who makes no effort gains no happiness, and one without a wife does not obtain progeny.

Verse 54

नाशुचिर्द्धर्ममाप्नोति न विप्रोऽप्रियवाग्धनम् । अपृच्छन्नैव जानाति अगच्छन्न क्वचिद्व्रजेत् ॥ ५४ ॥

One who is impure does not attain Dharma; nor does a brāhmaṇa who speaks harshly gain wealth. One who does not ask does not truly learn; and one who does not set out goes nowhere.

Verse 55

अशिष्यो न क्रियां वेत्ति न भयं वेत्ति जागरी । कस्माद्भूपाल मां त्यक्त्वा धर्मांगदगृहे शुभे ॥ ५५ ॥

An unfit disciple knows neither the proper rites nor the fear of transgressing Dharma that keeps one vigilant. O king, why did you abandon me and go to the auspicious house of Dharmāṅgada?

Verse 56

वीक्ष्यसे राज्यपदवीं समर्थे तनये विभो ॥ ५६ ॥

O Lord, you will behold the royal station established in your capable son.

Verse 57

एवं ब्रुबाणां तनयां विधेस्तु रतिप्रियां चारुविशालनेत्राम् । व्रीडान्वितः पुत्रसमीपवर्ती प्रोवाच वाक्यं नृपतिः प्रियां ताम् ॥ ५७ ॥

As she spoke thus—the daughter of Vidhi (Brahmā), dear to Rati, with lovely wide eyes—the king, standing near his son and filled with modest hesitation, spoke to her those cherished words.

Verse 58

इति श्रीबृहन्नारदीयपुराणोत्तरभागे मोहिनीचरिते मोहिनीवचनं नाम सप्तदशोऽध्यायः ॥ १७ ॥

Thus ends the seventeenth chapter, titled “Mohinī’s Speech,” in the Mohinī narrative of the Uttara-bhāga (later section) of the sacred Bṛhannāradīya Purāṇa.