Adhyaya 101

Verse 1

सूत उवाच । देवदेवो हृषीकेशस्त्वंगपुत्रं नृपोत्तमम् । समाचष्ट महाश्रेय आख्यानं पापनाशनम्

Sūta said: The God of gods, Hṛṣīkeśa, narrated to the noble king—the son of Aṅga—a most auspicious account that destroys sins.

Verse 2

श्रूयतामभिधास्यामि चरित्रं श्रेयदायकम् । द्विजस्यापि च वृत्तांतं कुंजलस्य महात्मनः

Listen; I shall relate a life-story that bestows auspiciousness—indeed, the account as well of the great-souled brāhmaṇa named Kuñjala.

Verse 3

विष्णुरुवाच । कुंजलश्चापि धर्मात्मा चतुर्थं पुत्रमेव च । समाहूय मुदायुक्त उवाचैनं कपिंजलम्

Viṣṇu said: Then Kuñjala, the righteous one, joyfully summoned his fourth son as well and spoke to that Kapiñjala.

Verse 4

किं नु पुत्र त्वया दृष्टमपूर्वं कथयस्व मे । भोजनार्थं तु यासि त्वमितः कस्मिन्सुतोत्तम

My son, what extraordinary thing have you seen? Tell me. For the sake of food, where are you going from here, O best of sons?

Verse 5

तदाचक्ष्व महाभाग यदि दृष्टं सुपुण्यदम् । कपिंजल उवाच । यच्च तात त्वया पृष्टमपूर्वं प्रवदाम्यहम्

“Tell me then, O greatly fortunate one, if you have seen anything that bestows great merit.” Kapiñjala said: “And, dear father, that unprecedented matter which you have asked—I shall now relate.”

Verse 6

यन्न दृष्टं श्रुतं केन कस्मान्नैव श्रुतं मया । तदिहैव प्रवक्ष्यामि श्रूयतामधुना पितः

That which has not been seen or heard by anyone—how could it have been heard by me? Now, father, I shall declare it here itself; please listen.

Verse 7

शृण्वंतु भ्रातरः सर्वे मातस्त्वं शृणु सांप्रतम् । कैलासः पर्वतश्रेष्ठो धवलश्चंद्र सन्निभः

Let all the brothers listen; and you too, O Mother, listen now. Kailāsa—the foremost of mountains—is white, resembling the moon.

Verse 8

नानाधातुसमाकीर्णो नानावृक्षोपशोभितः । गंगाजलैः शुभैः पुण्यैः क्षालितः सर्वतः पितः

It is strewn with many kinds of minerals and adorned with diverse trees; and on every side, O father, it is washed and purified by the auspicious, holy waters of the Gaṅgā.

Verse 9

नदीनां तु सहस्राणि दिव्यानि विविधानि च । यस्मात्तात प्रसूतानि जलानि विविधानि च

From him, dear one, have arisen thousands of rivers—divine and manifold—and likewise waters of many different kinds have flowed forth.

Verse 10

तडागानि सहस्राणि सोदकानि महागिरौ । नद्यः संति विशालिन्यो हंससारससेविताः

On that great mountain are thousands of lakes filled with water; and there are broad, expansive rivers, frequented by swans and sārasas (cranes).

Verse 11

तस्मिञ्छिखरिणां श्रेष्ठे पुण्यदाः पापनाशनाः । वनानि विविधान्येव पुष्पितानि फलानि च

On that foremost of mountain-peaks were many kinds of forests—bestowers of merit and destroyers of sin—abounding in blossoms and fruits.

Verse 12

नानावृक्षोपयुक्तानि हरितानि शुभानि च । किन्नराणां गणैर्युक्तश्चाप्सरोभिः समाकुलः

It was adorned with many kinds of trees—green and auspicious—filled with companies of Kinnaras and thronged with Apsarases.

Verse 13

गंधर्वचारणैः सिद्धैर्देववृंदैः सुशोभितः । दिव्यवृक्षवनोपेतो दिव्यभावैः समाकुलः

Adorned by hosts of Gandharvas, Cāraṇas, Siddhas, and companies of gods, it was furnished with groves of celestial trees and filled with divine presences and qualities.

Verse 14

दिव्यगंधैः सुशोभाढ्यैर्नानारत्नसमन्वितः । शिलाभिः स्फटिकस्यापि शुक्लाभिस्तु सुशोभनः

Adorned with heavenly fragrances and splendidly beautified, furnished with many kinds of jewels, it is exceedingly lovely with white stone slabs like crystal.

Verse 15

सूर्यतेजोमयो राजंस्तेजोभिस्तु समाकुलः । चंदनैश्चारुगंधैश्च बकुलैर्नीलपुष्पकैः

O King, it was formed of the sun’s radiance, filled on every side with splendor—adorned with sweet-scented sandalwood, with bakula blossoms, and with blue flowers.

Verse 16

नानापुष्पमयैर्वृक्षैः सर्वत्र समलंकृतः । पक्षिणां सुनिनादैश्च दिव्यानां मधुरायते

Everywhere it is adorned with trees bearing many kinds of blossoms, and it becomes sweetly delightful with the auspicious, melodious calls of heavenly birds.

Verse 17

षट्पदानां निनादैश्च वृक्षौघैर्मधुरायते । रुतैश्च कोकिलानां तु शोभते स वनो गिरिः

With the humming of bees and the abundance of trees, the mountain-forest becomes sweet and delightful; and with the calls of cuckoos, that wooded mountain shines in beauty.

Verse 18

गणकोटिसमाकीर्णं तत्रास्ति शिवमंदिरम् । अंशुभिर्धवलं पुण्यं पुण्यराशिशिलोच्चयम्

There stands a temple of Śiva, thronged by crores of Gaṇas; radiant with beams, it is pure and holy—like a lofty mound of stone made of accumulated merit.

Verse 19

सिंहैश्च गर्जमानैश्च सैरिभैः कुंजरैस्ततः । दिग्गजानां सुघोषैश्च शब्दितं च समंततः

Then, on every side, it resounded with the roars of lions, with the thunder of mighty elephants, and with the auspicious trumpet-calls of the Diggajas, the guardian elephants of the directions.

Verse 20

नानामृगैः समाकीर्णं शाखामृगगणाकुलम् । मयूरकेकाघोषैश्च गुहासु च विनादितम्

It was thronged with many kinds of wild beasts, filled with troops of tree-dwelling monkeys; and it resounded with the cries of peacocks, echoing even within the caves.

Verse 21

कंदरैर्लेपनैः कूटैः सानुभिश्च विराजितम् । नानाप्रस्रवणोपेतमोषधीभिर्विराजितम्

It shines with caves, sloping surfaces, peaks, and ridges; adorned with many springs, it is resplendent with medicinal herbs.

Verse 22

दिव्यं दिव्यगुणं पुण्यं पुण्यधाम समाकुलम् । सेवितं पुण्यलोकैश्च पुण्यराशिं महागिरिम्

That great mountain is divine, endowed with divine qualities—holy, crowded with sacred abodes; served by the inhabitants of the meritorious worlds, it is a vast heap of merit.

Verse 23

पुलिंदभिल्लकोलैश्च सेवितं पर्वतोत्तमम् । विकटैः शिखरैः कोटैरद्रिराजः प्रकाशते

That supreme mountain is frequented by the Pulindas, Bhillas, and Kolas; the king of mountains shines forth, made splendid by its formidable peaks and craggy heights.

Verse 24

अन्यैर्नानाविधैः पुण्यैः कौतुकैर्मंगलैः शुभैः । गंगोदकप्रवाहैश्च महाशब्दं प्रसुस्रुवे

With many other diverse meritorious rites—festive observances, auspicious and blessed ceremonies—and with streams of Gaṅgā-water as well, a great clamor resounded.

Verse 25

शंकरस्य गृहं तत्र कैलासं गतवानहम् । तत्राश्चर्यं मया दृष्टं यन्न दृष्टं कदा श्रुतम्

There I went to Kailāsa, the abode of Śaṅkara. There I beheld a marvel—something I had never seen before, nor ever heard of at any time.

Verse 26

श्रूयतामभिधास्यामि तात सर्वं मयोदितम् । शिखराद्गिरिराजस्य मेरोः पुण्यान्महोदयात्

Listen, dear one; I shall now declare everything as it was spoken by me—arising from the auspicious, greatly elevating sanctity of Meru, the king of mountains, from its very summit.

Verse 27

हिमक्षीरसुवर्णस्तु प्रवाहः पतते भुवि । गंगायाश्च महाभाग रंहसा घोषभूषितः

O greatly fortunate one, a stream—white like snow and milk, and golden-hued—falls upon the earth; and the Gaṅgā, rushing swiftly, is adorned with its roaring sound.

Verse 28

कैलासस्य शिरः प्राप्य तत्र विस्तरतां गतः । दशयोजनमानेन तत्र गंगा ह्रदो महान्

Reaching the summit of Kailāsa, it (the Gaṅgā) spreads out there; and in that place there is a great Lake of Gaṅgā, measuring ten yojanas in extent.

Verse 29

महातोयेन पुण्येन विमलेन विराजते । सर्वतोभद्रतां प्राप्तो महाहंसैः प्रशोभते

It shines with vast, sacred, stainless waters; having attained auspiciousness on every side, it is further adorned by great haṃsas (royal swans).

Verse 30

सामोच्चारेण पुण्येन दिव्येन मधुरेण च । हंसास्तत्र प्रकूजंति सरस्तेन विराजते

With the sacred, divine, and sweet sound of Vedic chanting, the swans there call out melodiously, and that lake shines in splendor because of it.

Verse 31

तस्य तीरे शिलायां वै हिमकन्या महामते । आसीना मुक्तकेशांता रूपद्रविणशालिनी

On its bank, indeed, upon a rock, O great-minded one, sat the daughter of Himavat—her hair loosened and flowing—radiant with beauty and endowed with riches.

Verse 32

दिव्यरूपसुसंपन्ना सगुणा दिव्यलक्षणा । दिव्यालंकारभूषा च तस्यास्तीरे विराजते

Endowed with a divine form, possessed of auspicious qualities and heavenly marks, and adorned with celestial ornaments, she shines resplendently on its bank.

Verse 33

न जाने गिरिराजस्य तनया वा महोदधेः । नो वास्ति ब्रह्मणः पत्नी सा वा स्वाहा भविष्यति

I do not know whether she is the daughter of the King of Mountains or of the great ocean; nor do I know whether she is Brahmā’s wife—perhaps she will become Svāhā.

Verse 34

इंद्राणी वा महाभागा रोहिणी वा भविष्यति । ईदृशी रूपसंपत्तिर्युवतीनां न दृश्यते

This most fortunate lady would be Indrāṇī herself—or else Rohiṇī. Such a wealth of beauty is not seen among young women.

Verse 35

अन्यासां च सुदिव्यानां नारीणां तात सर्वथा । यादृशं रूपसंभावं गुणशीलं प्रदृश्यते

And, dear one, among other exceedingly divine women as well, one may indeed be seen to possess such a manner of beauty in form and such excellence of character.

Verse 36

अप्सरसां कदा नास्ति तादृशं रूपलक्षणम् । यादृशं तु मया दृष्टं तदंगं विश्वमोहनम्

Among the Apsarases there is never such beauty and such marks of loveliness as the form I have seen; her very limbs are enchanting to the whole world.

Verse 37

शिलापदे समासीना दुःखेनापि समाकुला । रुदते सुस्वरैर्बाला अनेकैः स्वजनैर्विना

Seated upon a stone slab, the young girl—overwhelmed with sorrow—began to weep in a clear, plaintive voice, bereft of her many kinsfolk.

Verse 38

अश्रूणि मुंचमाना सा मुक्ताभानि बहूनि च । निर्मलानि सरस्यत्र पतंत्येव महामते

As she let her tears flow, many pearl-like, spotless drops fell there into the lake, O great-minded one.

Verse 39

बिंदवो मौक्तिकाभास्ते निपतंति महोदके । तेभ्यो भवंति पद्मानि हृद्यानि सुरभीणि तु

Pearl-like drops fall into the great waters; from them arise lotuses—pleasing to the heart and truly fragrant.

Verse 40

पद्मानि जज्ञिरे तेभ्यो नेत्राश्रुभ्यो महामते । गंगांभसि तरंत्येव असंख्यातानि तानि तु

O great-minded one, from those tears of the eyes lotus-flowers were born; and in the waters of the Gaṅgā, those countless lotuses indeed floated.

Verse 41

पतितानि सुहृद्यानि रंहसा यानि तानि तु । गंगाप्रवाहमध्ये तु हंसवृंदैः सुसेविते

Those lovely things that fell swiftly—those indeed—rest in the midst of the flowing current of the Gaṅgā, well frequented by flocks of swans (haṃsas).

Verse 42

भागीरथ्याः प्रवाहस्तु तस्मात्स्थानाद्विनिर्गतः । कैलासशिखरं प्राप्य रत्नाख्यं चारुकंदरम्

Then the current of the Bhāgīrathī (Gaṅgā), issuing forth from that place, reached the peak of Kailāsa and entered a beautiful cavern known as Ratna.

Verse 43

वर्तते तोयपूर्णस्तु योजनद्वयविस्तृतः । हंसवृंदसमाकीर्णो जलपक्षि समाकुलः

It lies filled with water, extending for two yojanas, crowded with flocks of swans (haṃsas) and teeming with water-birds.

Verse 44

नानावर्णविशेषाणि संति पद्मानि तत्र च । प्रवाहे निर्मले तात मुनिवृंदनिषेविते

There too are lotus-flowers of many distinct colors, O dear one, in that pure flowing stream—frequented and revered by multitudes of sages.

Verse 45

अश्रुभ्यो यानि जातानि प्रभाते कमलानि तु । गंगोदकप्लुतान्येव सौरभाणि महांति च

Those lotuses that were born from tears at dawn—bathed, as it were, in the waters of the Gaṅgā—possess a fragrance that is exceedingly great.

Verse 46

प्रतरंति प्रवाहे तु निर्मले जलपूरिते । मध्ये मध्ये सुहंसैश्च जलपक्षिनिनादिते

They swim along in the current, in waters that are clear and full; and here and there the stream resounds with the calls of fine swans and other water-birds.

Verse 47

सूत उवाच । रत्नाख्ये तु गिरौ तस्मिन्रत्नेश्वरमहेश्वरः । देवदैत्यसुपूज्योपि तिष्ठते तात सर्वदा

Sūta said: On that mountain called Ratnā, Ratneśvara—Maheśvara—abides always, O dear one, and is worshipped with reverence even by the gods and the daityas.

Verse 48

तत्र दृष्टो मया तात कश्चित्पुण्यमयो मुनिः । जटाभारसमाक्रांतो निर्वासा दंडधारकः

There, O dear father, I saw a certain sage, full of merit—his body burdened with a mass of matted hair, unclothed, and carrying a staff.

Verse 49

निराधारो निराहारस्तपसातीव दुर्बलः । कृशांगोऽप्यस्थिसंघातस्त्वचामात्रेण वेष्टितः

Without any support and without food, he had become exceedingly weak through austerities; though emaciated, he was like a mere framework of bones, wrapped only in skin.

Verse 50

भस्मोद्धूलितमात्राणि सर्वांगानि महात्मनः । शुष्कपत्राणि भक्षेत शीर्णानि पतितानि च

The great-souled one’s entire body was merely dusted with ash; he would eat dry leaves—withered and fallen ones as well.

Verse 51

शिवभक्तिसमासीनो दुराधारो महातपाः । अश्रुभ्यो यानि जातानि पद्मानि सुरभीणि च

Steeped in devotion to Śiva, steadfast and hard to restrain, that great ascetic performed austerities; and from his tears were born lotus-flowers, fragrant as well.

Verse 52

गंगातोयात्समानीय देवदेवं प्रपूजयेत् । रत्नेश्वरं महाभागो गीतनृत्यविशारदः

Bringing water from the Gaṅgā, the greatly fortunate one—skilled in song and dance—should worship the God of gods, Ratneśvara.

Verse 53

गायते नृत्यते तस्य द्वारस्थस्त्रिपुरद्विषः । मठमागत्य धर्मात्मा रोदते सुस्वरैरपि

At his very doorway stands the Foe of Tripura (Śiva), singing and dancing; and having come to the monastery, that righteous one even weeps in melodious tones.

Verse 54

एतद्दृष्टं मया तात अपूर्वं वदतांवर । कथयस्व प्रसादान्मे यदि त्वं वेत्सि कारणम्

O dear one, best among speakers—an unprecedented thing has been seen by me. Out of kindness, tell me, if you know, what the reason is.

Verse 55

सा का नारी महाभागा कस्मात्तात प्ररोदिति । कस्मात्स देवपुरुषो देवमर्चेन्महेश्वरम्

“Who is that most fortunate woman, dear one, and why is she weeping? And why does that godlike man worship the Lord, Maheśvara?”

Verse 56

तन्मे त्वं विस्तराद्ब्रूहि सर्वसंदेहकारणम् । एवमुक्तो महाप्राज्ञः कुंजलोपि सुतेन हि

“Therefore, tell me in detail the cause that resolves all doubts.” Thus addressed by his son, even the greatly wise Kuṁjala spoke.

Verse 57

कपिंजलेन प्रोवाच विस्तराच्छृण्वतो मुनेः

Kapiñjala then spoke in detail, while the sage listened attentively.