Adhyaya 100
The Cyavana Narrative (within the Glory of Guru-tīrtha, in the Vena Episode)
On the bank of the Narmadā, the son Vijvala approaches his father Kuñjala and recounts the glory of the Vāsudevābhidhāna hymn, telling how Viṣṇu Himself appeared and granted a boon. Kuñjala rejoices, embraces him, and praises the holiness of aiding a righteous king through the glorification of Vāsudeva. The frame then reaffirms the authority of transmission: Pulastya tells Bhīṣma that he has fully related the conduct of these great-souled persons in Cyavana’s presence. In the Vena episode’s didactic turn, Vaiṣṇava knowledge is likened to nectar served in a conch—hearing it increases faith rather than bringing satiety. A request is made to narrate Kuñjala’s further deeds and the “fourth son,” and the Blessed Lord agrees to tell Kuñjala’s story. The chapter ends with a phalaśruti: devotional listening yields merit equal to the gift of a thousand cows.
Shlokas
Verse 1
विष्णुरुवाच । नर्मदायास्तटे रम्ये वटे तिष्ठति वै पिता । विज्वलोऽपि समायातः पितरं प्रणिपत्य सः
Viṣṇu said: On the lovely bank of the Narmadā, the father was indeed staying beneath a banyan tree. Vijvala also arrived there and, bowing down to his father, paid obeisance.
Verse 2
वासुदेवाभिधानस्य स्तोत्रस्यापि महामतिः । समाचष्टे स धर्मात्मा महिमानं पितुः पुरः
That righteous, great-minded one then explained—before his father—the glory of the hymn known as the “Vāsudevābhidhāna,” the praise of Vāsudeva’s Name.
Verse 3
यथा विष्णुः समागत्य ददौ तस्मै वरं शुभम् । तत्सर्वं कथयामास सुप्रसन्नेन चेतसा
He then related—his mind exceedingly serene—everything: how Viṣṇu came there and granted him an auspicious boon.
Verse 4
कुंजलोपि च वृत्तांतं समाकर्ण्य स भूपतेः । हर्षेण महताविष्टः पुत्रमालिंग्य विज्वलम्
Hearing the king’s account, Kuñjala too was overcome with great joy; embracing his son, he shone with delight.
Verse 5
आह पुण्यं कृतं वत्स त्वया राज्ञे महात्मने । उपकारं महापुण्यं वासुदेवस्य कीर्तनात्
He said: “Dear child, you have performed a meritorious deed for that great-souled king. This help is supremely holy, for it arises from the glorification of Vāsudeva.”
Verse 6
एवमाभाष्य तं पुत्रमाशीर्भिरभिनंद्य च । पुत्रं देवसमोपेतं स्तुत्वा चैव पुनः पुनः
Having thus addressed his son and blessed him with benedictions, he praised that son—endowed with divine qualities—again and again.
Verse 7
स्थितः सरित्तटे रम्ये च्यवनस्योपपश्यतः । एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं तेषां वृत्तं महात्मनाम्
Standing on the lovely bank of the river, in the very presence of Cyavana, I have now told you everything—the full account of the conduct of those great-souled ones.
Verse 8
वैष्णवानां महाराज अन्यत्किं ते वदाम्यहम् । वेन उवाच । अमृतं शंखपात्रेण पानार्थं मम चार्पितम्
“O great king, what more shall I say to you regarding the Vaiṣṇavas?” Vena said: “Nectar (amṛta) has been offered to me for drinking in a conch-vessel.”
Verse 9
तस्मात्कस्य न च श्रद्धा पातुं मर्त्यस्य भूतले । उत्तमं वैष्णवं ज्ञानं पानानामिह सर्वदा
Therefore, what mortal living on this earth would not have faith to drink (receive) it? Here, at all times, the supreme Vaiṣṇava knowledge is indeed the best of all things to be drunk.
Verse 10
त्वयैवं कथ्यमानस्य पाने तृप्तिर्न जायते । श्रोतुं हि देवदेवेश मम श्रद्धा विवर्द्धते
As you speak in this way, no satiation arises for me, as if from drinking. Indeed, O Lord of the gods, my faith only grows the more I listen.
Verse 11
कथयस्व प्रसादान्मे कुंजलस्यापि चेष्टितम् । महात्मना किमुक्तं च चतुर्थं तनयं प्रति
Out of kindness, please tell me also of Kuñjala’s deeds—and what the great soul said concerning the fourth son.
Verse 12
तत्त्वं सुविस्तरादेव कृपया कथयस्व मे । श्रीभगवानुवाच । श्रूयतामभिधास्यामि चरित्रं कुंजलस्य च
“Out of compassion, please explain to me the truth in full detail.” The Blessed Lord said: “Listen—now I shall relate the story of Kuñjala as well.”
Verse 13
बहुश्रेयः समायुक्तं चरित्रं च्यवनस्य च । इदं पुण्यं नरश्रेष्ठ आख्यानं पापनाशनम्
O best of men, this sacred narrative—rich in many blessings—concerns the life-story of Cyavana; it is holy and destroys sins.
Verse 14
यः शृणोति नरो भक्त्या गोसहस्रफलं लभेत्
Whoever listens with devotion attains merit equal to the gift of a thousand cows.
Verse 100
इति श्रीपद्मपुराणे भूमिखंडे वेनोपाख्याने गुरुतीर्थमाहात्म्ये च्यवनचरित्रे शततमोऽध्यायः
Thus ends the hundredth chapter—the narrative of Cyavana—within the glorification of Guru-tīrtha, in the Vena episode, in the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa of the sacred Padma Purāṇa.