Adhyaya 113

Verse 1

रंभोवाच । तप एतत्परित्यज्य किंवा लोकयसे शुभे । तपसः क्षरणं स्याद्वै पुरुषस्यापि चिंतनात्

Rambhā said: “O auspicious lady, why do you look toward him after abandoning this austerity? For even the thought of a man can indeed cause one’s tapas to wane.”

Verse 2

अशोकसुंदर्युवाच । तपसि मे मनो लीनं नहुषस्यापि काम्यया । न मां चालयितुं शक्ता देवासुरमहोरगाः

Aśokasundarī said: “My mind is absorbed in tapas, though Nahuṣa desires me. The devas, the asuras, and even the mighty serpents cannot shake me from it.”

Verse 3

एनं दृष्ट्वा महाभागे मे मनश्चलते भृशम् । रंतुमिच्छाम्यहं गत्वा एवमुत्सुकतां गतम्

“Yet, O noble lady, on seeing him my mind is greatly stirred; I long to go and sport with him, having thus fallen into eager yearning.”

Verse 4

एवं विपर्ययश्चासीन्मनसो मे वरावने । तन्मे त्वं कारणं ब्रूहि यद्यस्ति ज्ञानमुत्तमम्

“Thus, O best of forest-dwellers, my mind fell into confusion. If you possess the highest knowledge, tell me the cause of this.”

Verse 5

आयुपुत्रस्य भार्याहं देवैः सृष्टा महात्मभिः । कस्मान्मे धावते चेत उत्सुकं रंतुमेव च

“I am the wife of Āyu’s son, created by the devas, those great-souled ones. Why, then, does my mind run restlessly—eager only for pleasure?”

Verse 6

रंभोवाच । सर्वेष्वेव महाभागे देहरूपेषु भामिनि । वसत्यात्मा स्वयं ब्रह्मज्ञानरूपः सनातनः

Rambhā said: “O most fortunate one, O radiant lady—within all embodied forms the Self abides; it is eternal, and it is itself Brahman, of the very nature of spiritual knowledge.”

Verse 7

यद्यपि प्रक्रियाबद्धैरिंद्रियैरुपकारिभिः । मोहपाशमयैर्बद्धस्तथा सिद्धस्तु सर्वदा

Although he is bound by the senses—helpful in their functions yet tied to worldly processes—and though he is held fast by the noose of delusion, still the perfected one remains ever accomplished.

Verse 8

प्रकृतिं नैव जानाति ज्ञानविज्ञानकीं कलाम् । अयं शुद्धश्च धर्मज्ञ आत्मा वेत्ति च सुंदरि

It does not at all know Prakṛti, nor the power that consists of knowledge and realized discernment. This Self, O fair one, is pure and a knower of dharma; it alone truly knows.

Verse 9

गच्छंत्यपि मनस्तापमेनं दृष्ट्वा महामतिम् । पापमेवं परित्यज्य सत्यमेवं प्रधावति

Even those who are going away—on seeing this great-souled sage—their mental anguish subsides; thus abandoning sin, they run toward truth.

Verse 10

भर्तायमायुपुत्रस्ते एतत्सत्यं न संशयः । अन्यं दृष्ट्वा विशंकेत पुरुषं पापलक्षणम्

This man is your husband, the son of Āyu—this is true, with no doubt. Seeing any other man, you should be wary, for he may be a person marked by sin.

Verse 11

एवं विधिः कृतो देवैः सत्यपाशेन बंधितः । यदस्या आयुपुत्रोपि भर्तृत्वमुपयास्यति

Thus the ordinance was established by the gods, bound by the noose of Truth: that even Āyu’s son would come to assume the station of her husband.

Verse 12

एवमाकर्णितं भद्रे आत्मना तं च सुंदरि । तद्भावसत्यसंबंधं परिगृह्य स्थितः स्वयम्

Thus, O gentle one—O beautiful lady—having heard it within himself, he remained steadfast of his own accord, embracing the true bond with that very state of being.

Verse 13

अन्यं भावं न जानाति आयुपुत्रं च विंदति । प्रकृतिर्नैव ते देवि पतिं जानाति चागतम्

She knows no other state or intent, and she gives birth to a son named Āyu. O Goddess, that primordial Prakṛti does not recognize the husband who has come.

Verse 14

एवं ज्ञात्वा प्रधानात्मा तवाद्यैव प्रधावति । आत्मा सर्वं प्रजानाति आत्मा देवः सनातनः

Knowing thus, the Supreme Self hastens to you this very day. The Self knows all; the Self is the eternal God.

Verse 15

अयमेष स वीरेंद्रो नहुषो नाम वीर्यवान् । तस्माद्गच्छति चेतस्ते सत्यं संबंधमिच्छते

“This indeed is that heroic lord—Nahuṣa by name, mighty in valor. Therefore your mind turns toward him, truly desiring a sacred bond.”

Verse 16

ज्ञात्वा चायोः सुतं भद्रे अन्यं चैव न गच्छति । एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं शाश्वतं त्वन्मनोगतम्

O auspicious lady, having recognized Ayoḥ’s son, he goes to none other. All this has been fully declared to you—an eternal truth that rested within your heart.

Verse 17

हुंडं हत्वा महाघोरं समरे दानवाधमम् । त्वां नयिष्यति स्वस्थानमायोश्च गृहमुत्तमम्

Having slain in battle the exceedingly dreadful Huṇḍa—the vilest among the Dānavas—he will lead you to his own abode, and also to the excellent house of Āyu.

Verse 18

हृतो दैत्येन वीरेंद्रो निजपुण्येन शेषितः । बाल्यात्प्रभृति वीरेंद्रो वियुक्तः स्वजनेन वै

The heroic Indra was carried off by a daitya, yet he was preserved by the remaining power of his own merit. From his very childhood, that valiant Indra indeed lived separated from his own people.

Verse 19

पितृमातृविहीनस्तु गतो वृद्धिं महावने । यास्यत्येव पितुर्गेहं त्वयैव सह सांप्रतम्

Bereft of father and mother, he has grown to maturity in the great forest. Now indeed he will go to his father’s house—together with you, at this very moment.

Verse 20

एवमाभाषितं श्रुत्वा रंभायाः शिवनंदिनी । हर्षेण महताविष्टा तामुवाच समुद्रजाम्

Hearing these words spoken thus, Śiva’s blessed daughter, filled with great joy, spoke to Rambhā, the daughter of the ocean.

Verse 21

अयमेव स सत्यात्मा मम भर्ता सुवीर्यवान् । मनो मे धावतेऽत्यर्थं शोकाकुलितविह्वलम्

He indeed is that truthful-souled one, my husband of mighty valor. My mind runs wildly, utterly distressed—agitated and overwhelmed by grief.

Verse 22

नास्ति चित्तसमो देवो जानाति सुविनिश्चितम् । सत्यमेतन्मया दृष्टं सुचित्रं चारुहासिनि

There is no deity equal to the mind—know this as firmly established. This is true; I have seen it myself, O Sucitrā, you of the lovely smile.

Verse 23

मनोभवसमानं तु पुरुषं दिव्यलक्षणम् । न धावति महाचेत एनं दृष्ट्वा यथा सखि

But seeing that man—of divine marks, equal to Manobhava (Love)—the great-minded one did not run toward him, as one would upon seeing a friend, O dear one.

Verse 24

तथा न धावते भद्रे पुंसमन्यं न मन्यते । एनं गंतव्यमावाभ्यां सखीभिर्गृहमेव हि

“So too, dear one, she does not run after anyone; she does not regard any other man as her own. Therefore, together with our friends, we must indeed go to his house.”

Verse 25

एवमाभाष्य सा रंभा गमनायोपचक्रमे । गमनायोत्सुकां ज्ञात्वा नहुषस्यांतिकं प्रति

Having spoken thus, Rambhā began to set out to depart. Knowing that she was eager to go, she proceeded toward the presence of Nahusha.

Verse 26

तामुवाच ततो रंभा कस्माद्देवि न गम्यते । सूत उवाच । सख्या च रंभया सार्द्धं नहुषं वीरलक्षणम्

Then Rambhā said to her: “O goddess, why do you not go?” Sūta said: And the lady friend, together with Rambhā, approached Nahuṣa, who bore the marks of a hero.

Verse 27

तस्यांतिकं सुसंप्राप्य प्रेषयामास तां सखीम् । एनं गच्छ महाभागे नहुषं देवरूपिणम्

Having come very near to him, she sent her companion as a messenger, saying: “Go to him, O noble lady—to Nahuṣa, who bears a divine form.”

Verse 28

कथयस्व कथामेतां तवार्थे आगता यतः । रंभोवाच । एवं सखि करिष्यामि सुप्रियं तव सुव्रते

“Tell him this account, for I have come here for your sake.” Rambhā said: “So be it, my friend—I shall do what is most dear to you, O woman of noble vows.”

Verse 29

एवमुक्त्वा गता रंभा नहुषं राजनंदनम् । चापबाणधरं वीरं द्वितीयमिव वासवम्

Having spoken thus, Rambhā went to Nahuṣa, the king’s son—a heroic warrior bearing bow and arrows, like a second Vāsava (Indra).

Verse 30

प्रत्युवाच गता रंभा सख्या वचनमुत्तमम् । आयुपुत्र महाभाग रंभाहंसमुपागता

Rambhā, having gone to him, conveyed her friend’s excellent message: “O noble son of Āyu, the swan has come to Rambhā.”

Verse 31

शिवस्य कन्यया वीर तयाहं परिप्रेषिता । तवार्थं देवदेवेन देव्या देवेन वै पुरा

O hero, I have been dispatched by Śiva’s daughter. Formerly, for your sake, the God of gods—together with the Goddess—sent me.

Verse 32

भार्यारूपं वरं श्रेष्ठं सृष्टं लोकेषु दुर्लभम् । दुष्प्राप्यं तु नरश्रेष्ठैर्देवै सेंद्रैस्तपोधनैः

A wife—this excellent and supreme boon—has been created as something rare in the worlds; indeed, it is difficult to obtain even for the best of men, for the gods along with Indra, and for ascetics rich in austerity.

Verse 33

गंधर्वैः पन्नगैः सिद्धैश्चारणैः पुण्यलक्षणैः । स्वयमेव समायातं तवार्थे शृणु सांप्रतम्

Accompanied by Gandharvas, Nāgas, Siddhas, and Cāraṇas—beings marked by auspicious qualities—he has come here of his own accord for your sake. Now listen to what follows.

Verse 34

स्त्रीरत्नं तन्महाप्राज्ञ संपूर्णं पुण्यनिर्मितम् । अशोकसुंदरी नाम तवार्थं तपसि स्थिता

O great sage of lofty wisdom, that jewel among women—perfect and fashioned through merit—is named Aśokasundarī; for your sake she remains engaged in austerities.

Verse 35

अत्यर्थं तु तपस्तप्तं भवंतमिच्छते सदा । एवं ज्ञात्वा महाभाग भजमानां भजस्व हि

Indeed, having performed intense austerities, she ever longs for you. Knowing this, O greatly fortunate one, do reciprocate with the one who worships you.

Verse 36

त्वामृते सा वरारोहा पुरुषं नैव याचते । नहुषेण तयोक्तं तु श्रुत्वावधारितं वचः

Except for you, that fair-hipped lady asks no man for help. But Nahusha, having heard what they said, took their words to heart.

Verse 37

प्रत्युत्तरं ददौ चाथ रंभे मे श्रूयतां वचः । तत्तु सर्वं विजानामि यत्त्वयोक्तं ममाग्रतः

Then he replied: “O Rambhā, listen to my words. I know fully all that you have spoken in my presence.”

Verse 38

ममाग्रे कथितं पूर्वं वशिष्ठेन महात्मना । सर्वमेव विजानामि अस्यास्तु तप उत्तमम्

This was formerly told to me by the great-souled Vasiṣṭha. I know it all; may her austerity indeed be supreme.

Verse 39

श्रूयतां कारणं भद्रे यथासौख्यं भविष्यति । अहत्वा दानवं हुंडं न गच्छामि वरांगनाम्

O noble lady, hear the reason, so that all may turn out happily: until I have slain the demon Huṇḍa, I will not go to that excellent woman.

Verse 40

सर्वमेतत्सुवृत्तांतमहं जाने तथैव हि । ममार्थे तव संभूतिस्तपश्च चरितं त्वया

Indeed, I know this whole true account. For my sake you were born, and you have performed austerities as well.

Verse 41

मम भार्या न संदेहो भवती विधिना कृता । ममार्थे निश्चयं कृत्वा तप आचरितं त्वया

Without a doubt, you have been made my wife by destiny. Resolving this for my sake, you have undertaken austerity.

Verse 42

हृता तस्मात्सुपापेन भवती नियमान्विता । सूतिगृहादहं तेन दानवेनाधमेन वै

Therefore you—though devoted to proper vows and discipline—were abducted by that exceedingly sinful, vile Dānava; and I too was taken by him from the lying-in chamber.

Verse 43

बालभावस्थितो देवि पितृमातृविना कृतः । तस्मात्तं तु हनिष्यामि हुंडं वै दानवाधमम्

O Goddess, he has been brought up in a childish disposition, without father or mother. Therefore I shall indeed slay that Huṇḍa, the vilest of the Dānavas.

Verse 44

पश्चात्त्वामुपनेष्येऽहं वशिष्ठस्याश्रमं प्रति । एवं कथय भद्रं ते रंभे मत्प्रियकारिणीम्

Afterwards I shall lead you to the hermitage of Vasiṣṭha. Now speak in this manner—may it be well with you, O Rambhā—(saying words) that will please me.

Verse 45

एवं विसर्जिता तेन सत्वरं सा गता पुनः । अशोकसुंदरीं देवीं कथयामास तस्य च

Thus dismissed by him, she quickly went back again, and she told the goddess Aśokasundarī about him as well.

Verse 46

समासेन तथा सर्वं रंभा सा द्विजसत्तम । अशोकसुंदरी सा तु अवधार्य सुभाषितम्

Thus, in brief, Rambhā related everything, O best of the twice-born. And Aśokasundarī, having taken those well-spoken words to heart, reflected upon them.

Verse 47

नहुषस्य सुवीरस्य हर्षेण च समन्विता । तस्थौ तत्र तया सार्द्धं सुसख्या रंभया तदा

Then she, filled with joy on account of the valiant Nahuṣa, remained there together with her dear friend Rambhā.

Verse 48

भर्तुश्च कीदृशं वीर्यमिति पश्यामि वै सदा

“And I always observe what kind of valor and potency my husband possesses.”

Verse 113

इति श्रीपद्मपुराणे भूमिखंडे वेनोपाख्याने गुरुतीर्थमाहात्म्ये च्यवनचरित्रे नहुषाख्याने त्रयोदशाधिकशततमोऽध्यायः

Thus ends the one-hundred-and-thirteenth chapter of the Śrī Padma Purāṇa, in the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa, within the narrative of Vena—describing the greatness of the Guru-tīrtha, including the account of Cyavana and the episode concerning Nahuṣa.