Adhyaya 36

Verse 1

सुनीथोवाच । सत्यमुक्तं त्वया भद्रे एवमेतत्करोम्यहम् । अनया विद्यया विप्रं मोहयिष्यामि नान्यथा

Sunītha said: “What you have spoken is true, O auspicious lady. So indeed shall I do. By this knowledge/spell I will delude the brāhmaṇa—certainly, and not otherwise.”

Verse 2

साहाय्यं देहि मे पुण्यं येन गच्छामि सांप्रतम् । एवमुक्ता तया रंभा तामुवाच मनस्विनीम्

“O virtuous one, grant me help by which I may go at once.” Thus addressed by her, Rambhā spoke to that resolute lady.

Verse 3

कीदृग्ददामि साहाय्यं तत्त्वं कथय भामिनि । दूतत्वं गच्छ मे भद्रे एतं प्रति सुसांप्रतम्

“What kind of help shall I give? Tell me the truth, O lovely lady. O auspicious one, go now as my messenger to him—at once, without delay.”

Verse 4

एवमुक्तं तया तां तु रंभां प्रति सुलोचनाम् । एवमेव प्रतिज्ञातं रंभया देवयोषिता

Thus addressed by her, the fair-eyed lady spoke to Rambhā; and in the same manner, Rambhā—the divine maiden—gave her promise.

Verse 5

करिष्ये तव साहाय्यमादेशो मम दीयताम् । सद्भावेन विशालाक्षी रूपयौवनशालिनी

“I will help you—grant me your command. O large-eyed one, endowed with beauty and youth, I shall do it with sincere goodwill.”

Verse 6

मायया दिव्यरूपा सा संबभूव वरानना । रूपेणाप्रतिमालोके मोहयंती जगत्त्रयम्

By the power of her māyā, that fair-faced lady assumed a divine form—unequalled in the world—and by her beauty bewitched the three worlds.

Verse 7

मेरोश्चैव महापुण्ये शिखरे चारुकंदरे । नानाधातुसमाकीर्णे नानारत्नोपशोभिते

And on Meru’s exceedingly sacred peak, within its lovely caves, it lay strewn with many kinds of minerals and adorned with many kinds of jewels.

Verse 8

देववृक्षैः समाकीर्णे बहुपुष्पोपशोभिते । देववृंदसमाकीर्णे गंधर्वाप्सरसेविते

It was filled with celestial trees and beautified by countless blossoms; thronged with hosts of gods, and frequented by Gandharvas and Apsarases.

Verse 9

मनोहरे सुरम्ये च शीतच्छायासमाकुले । चंदनानामशोकानां तरूणां चारुहासिनी

It was enchanting and beautiful, filled with cool shade—adorned with sandalwood and aśoka trees—where the youthful trees seemed to smile charmingly.

Verse 10

दोलायां सा समारूढा सर्वशृङ्गारशोभिता । कौशेयेन सुनीलेन राजमाना वरानना

Seated upon the swing, she shone, adorned with every ornament of love and beauty; the fair-faced lady gleamed, splendid in a fine dark-blue silk garment.

Verse 11

बंधूकपुष्पवर्णेन कंचुकेन द्विजोत्तम । सर्वांगसुंदरी बाला वीणातालकराविला

O best of the twice-born, she wore a bodice the color of bandhūka flowers; the young maiden was beautiful in every limb, her hands busy with the vīṇā and keeping time.

Verse 12

गायमाना वरं गीतं सुस्वरं विश्वमोहनम् । ताभिः परिवृता बाला सखीभिः सुमनोहरा

Singing an excellent song in a sweet melody that enchanted the whole world, the young maiden—surrounded by those charming friends—appeared exceedingly delightful.

Verse 13

अंगस्तु कंदरे पुण्ये एकांते ध्यानमास्थितः । कामक्रोधविहीनस्तु ध्यायमानो जनार्दनम्

Aṅga, seated in meditation in a sacred cave, in complete solitude—free from desire and anger—was contemplating Janārdana (Viṣṇu).

Verse 14

स श्रुत्वा सुस्वरं गीतं मधुरं सुमनोहरम् । तालमानक्रियोपेतं सर्वसत्वविकर्षणम्

Hearing that sweet, exquisitely melodious song—delightful to the mind, performed with rhythm, tempo, and proper musical technique—he found it captivating to all living beings.

Verse 15

ध्यानाच्चचाल तेजस्वी मायागीतेन मोहितः । समुत्थायासनात्तूर्णं वीक्षमाणो मुहुर्मुहुः

Drawn out of his meditation, the radiant one was shaken, deluded by the enchanting song of māyā. Rising swiftly from his seat, he looked about again and again.

Verse 16

जगाम तत्र वेगेन मायाचलितमानसः । दोलासंस्थां विलोक्यैव वीणादंडकराविलाम्

He hurried there at once, his mind unsettled by māyā; and seeing her seated on a swing, her hands busy upon the neck of a vīṇā, he gazed on.

Verse 17

हसमानां सुगायंतीं पूर्णचंद्रनिभाननाम् । मोहितस्तेन गीतेन रूपेणापि महायशाः

She smiled and sang sweetly, her face like the full moon. The greatly renowned one was enchanted—by her song, and also by her beauty.

Verse 18

तस्या लावण्यभावेन मन्मथस्य शराहतः । आकुलव्याकुलज्ञान ऋषिपुत्रो द्विजोत्तमः

Struck by Kāma’s arrow, set in motion by her radiance and beauty, the excellent brāhmaṇa—an ṛṣi’s son—became agitated, his mind and understanding thrown into turmoil.

Verse 19

प्रलपत्यतिमोहेन जृंभते च पुनः पुनः । स्वेदः कंपोथ संतापस्तस्याजायत तत्क्षणात्

Overcome by extreme delusion, he babbled incoherently and yawned again and again; at that very moment, sweating, trembling, and burning fever arose in him.

Verse 20

मुह्यन्निव महामोहैर्ग्लानश्चलितमानसः । वेपमानस्ततस्त्वंगो दूयमानः समागतः

As though bewildered by mighty delusions, his mind weakened and unsteady, his body trembling and burning within, he then drew near.

Verse 21

तामालोक्य विशालाक्षीं मृत्युकन्यां यशस्विनीम् । अथोवाच महात्मा स सुनीथां चारुहासिनीम्

Seeing her—the large-eyed, illustrious daughter of Death—the great-souled one then spoke to Sunīthā, the lady of gentle smile.

Verse 22

का त्वं कस्य वरारोहे सखीभिः परिवारिता । केन कार्येण संप्राप्ता केन त्वं प्रेषिता वनम्

Who are you, O fair-hipped lady, and whose are you, surrounded by companions? For what purpose have you come, and by whom were you sent to the forest?

Verse 23

तवांगं सुंदरं सर्वमत्र भाति महावने । समाचक्ष्व ममाद्यैव प्रसादसुमुखी भव

Your whole form is beautiful and shines here in this great forest. Tell me this very day; be gracious, and show a kindly face.

Verse 24

मायामोहेन संमुग्धस्तस्याः कर्म न विंदति । मार्गणैर्मन्मथस्यापि परिविद्धो महामुनिः

Deluded by the bewilderment of māyā, the great sage could not discern her true intent; for he had been pierced even by the arrows of Manmatha, lord of desire.

Verse 25

एवंविधं महद्वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य महामतेः । नोवाच किंचित्सा विप्रं समालोक्य सखीमुखम्

Hearing such weighty words from the great-souled one, she spoke nothing; instead, she looked at the brāhmaṇa and then at her friend’s face.

Verse 26

रंभां च प्रेरयामास सुनीथा संज्ञया सखीम् । समुवाच ततो रंभा सादरं तं द्विजं प्रति

Then Sunīthā urged her friend Rambhā by name; and thereafter Rambhā respectfully addressed that twice-born man, the brāhmaṇa.

Verse 27

इयं कन्या महाभागा मृत्योश्चापि महात्मनः । सुनीथाख्या प्रसिद्धेयं सर्वलक्षणसंपदा

This maiden is most fortunate; she is also the daughter of the great-souled Mṛtyu (Death). She is renowned by the name Sunīthā, endowed with every auspicious mark.

Verse 28

पतिमन्विच्छती बाला धर्मवंतं तपोनिधिम् । शांतं दांतं महाप्राज्ञं वेदविद्याविशारदम्

A young maiden seeks as her husband a righteous man, a treasury of austerity—peaceful, self-controlled, greatly wise, and well-versed in the Vedas and in sacred knowledge.

Verse 29

एवंविधं महद्वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य महामुनिः । तामुवाच ततस्त्वंगो रंभामप्सरसां वराम्

Hearing such a weighty statement, the great sage then addressed Rambhā, the foremost among the apsarases.

Verse 30

मया चाराधितो विष्णुः सर्वविश्वमयो हरिः । तेन दत्तो वरो मह्यं पुत्राख्यः सर्वसिद्धिदः

I have duly worshiped Viṣṇu—Hari, who pervades the entire universe. By him a boon was granted to me: a son, bestower of every accomplishment.

Verse 31

तन्निमित्तमहं भद्रे सुतार्थं नित्यमेव च । कस्यचित्पुण्यवीर्यस्य कन्यामेकां प्रचिंतये

For that very reason, O auspicious lady, and always with the aim of obtaining a son, I continually contemplate a certain maiden born of a man whose merit and spiritual power are great.

Verse 32

सदैवाहं न पश्यामि सुभार्यां सत्यमीदृशीम् । इयं धर्मस्य वै कन्या धर्माचारा वरानना

Never have I seen a truly good wife like this. She is indeed the daughter of Dharma—one who lives by righteousness, a noble-faced woman.

Verse 33

मामेवं हि भजत्वेषा यदि कान्तमिहेच्छति । यं यमिच्छेदियं बाला तं ददामि न संशयः

If this young woman worships me in this very manner, desiring a beloved here, then whichever husband she wishes for, I will grant him—of this there is no doubt.

Verse 34

अदेयं देयमित्याह अस्याः संगमकारणात् । एकमेवं त्वया देयं श्रूयतां द्विजसत्तम

“‘What should not be given is to be given,’ he said—because it would bring about union with her. ‘Thus, you must give just this one thing. Listen, O best of the twice-born.’”

Verse 35

रंभोवाच । विप्रेंद्र त्वं शृणुष्वेह प्रतिज्ञां वच्मि सांप्रतम् । एषा नैव त्वया त्याज्या धर्मपत्नी तवैव हि

Rambhā said: “O best of brāhmaṇas, listen here. I now proclaim a solemn vow: you must never abandon her, for she is indeed your dharmapatnī—your lawful wife by dharma.”

Verse 36

इति श्रीपद्मपुराणे भूमिखंडे वेनोपाख्याने षट्त्रिंशोऽध्यायः

Thus ends the thirty-sixth chapter, “the Episode of Vena,” in the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa of the sacred Padma Purāṇa.

Verse 37

स्वहस्तं देहि विप्रेंद्र सत्यप्रत्ययकारकम् । एवमस्तु मया दत्तो ह्यस्या हस्तो न संशयः

“O best of brāhmaṇas, give your own hand as a pledge that establishes the truth. So be it—by me her hand has indeed been given; of this there is no doubt.”

Verse 38

सूत उवाच । एवं संबधिकं कृत्वा सत्यप्रत्ययकारकम् । गांधर्वेण विवाहेन सुनीथामुपयेमिवान्

Sūta said: Having thus established a binding relationship as a pledge of truth, he took Sunīthā in marriage by the Gāndharva form of wedding.

Verse 39

तस्मै दत्वा सुनीथां तां रंभा हृष्टेन चेतसा । सा तां चामंत्रयित्वा वै गता गेहं स्वकं पुनः

Having given that Sunīthā to him, Rambhā—her heart delighted—then took leave of her and returned again to her own home.

Verse 40

प्रहृष्टचेतसः सख्यः स्वस्थानं परिजग्मिरे । गतासु तासु सर्वासु सखीषु द्विजसत्तमः

With hearts delighted, the friends returned each to their own abode. When all those female companions had departed, the excellent brāhmaṇa remained there.

Verse 41

रेमे त्वंगस्तया सार्धं प्रियया भार्यया सह । तस्यामुत्पाद्य तनयं सर्वलक्षणसंयुतम्

King Aṅga delighted in the company of his beloved queen; through her he begot a son endowed with every auspicious mark.

Verse 42

चकार नाम तस्यैव वेनाख्यं तनयस्य हि । ववृधे स महातेजाः सुनीथातनयस्तदा

He gave that son the name “Vena”. Then that greatly radiant one—Sunīthā’s son—grew up in due course.

Verse 43

वेदशास्त्रमधीत्यैव धनुर्वेदं गुणान्वितम् । सर्वासामपि मेधावी विद्यानां पारमेयिवान्

Having studied the Vedic scriptures and also the Dhanurveda, endowed with noble qualities, he was intelligent and had attained mastery in every branch of knowledge.

Verse 44

अंगस्य तनयो वेनः शिष्टाचारेण वर्तते । स वेनो ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठः क्षत्त्राचारपरोऽभवत्

Vena, the son of Aṅga, conducted himself according to the refined conduct of the cultured and learned. Yet, O best of brāhmaṇas, that Vena became devoted to the ways of kṣatriya rule.

Verse 45

दिवि चेंद्रो यथा भाति सर्वतेजःसमन्वितः । भात्येवं तु महाप्राज्ञः स्वबलेन पराक्रमैः

Just as the moon shines in the heavens, endowed with all radiance, so too does the greatly wise one shine—by his own strength and heroic prowess.

Verse 46

चाक्षुषस्यांतरे प्राप्ते वैवस्वतसमागते । प्रजापालं विना लोके प्रजाः सीदंति सर्वदा

When the Manvantara of Cākṣuṣa had passed and the Manvantara of Vaivasvata arrived, the creatures of the world, without a protector of the people, always fell into distress.

Verse 47

ऋषयो धर्मतत्त्वज्ञाः प्रजाहेतोस्तपोधनाः । व्यचिंतयन्महीपालं धर्मज्ञं सत्यपंडितम्

The sages—knowers of dharma’s true principles, rich in the wealth of tapas, and intent upon the people’s welfare—reflected upon a king: a ruler who understood dharma, a wise one devoted to truth.

Verse 48

तं वेनमेव ददृशुः संपन्नं लक्षणैर्युतम् । प्राजापत्ये पदे पुण्ये अभ्यषिंचन्द्विजोत्तमाः

They beheld Vena himself—fully accomplished and endowed with auspicious marks—and, in the sacred office of Prajāpati, the foremost of the twice-born consecrated him.

Verse 49

अभिषिक्ते महाभागे त्वंगपुत्रे तदा नृपे । ते प्रजापतयः सर्वे जग्मुश्चैव तपोवनम्

O king, when the illustrious son of Aṅga had then been consecrated, all those Prajāpatis departed and went to the forest of austerities.

Verse 50

गतेषु तेषु सर्वेषु वेनो राज्यमकारयत् । सूत उवाच । सा सुनीथा सुतं दृष्ट्वा सर्वराज्यप्रसाधकम्

When all had departed, King Vena began to administer the kingdom. Sūta said: then Sunīthā, seeing her son—able to set in order all the affairs of the realm—rejoiced.

Verse 51

विशंकते प्रभावेण शापात्तस्य महात्मनः । मम पुत्रो महाभागो धर्मत्राता भविष्यति

Fearing the power of that great-souled one’s curse, (he thinks,) “My highly fortunate son will become the protector of dharma.”

Verse 52

इत्येवं चिंतयेन्नित्यं पूर्वपापाद्विशंकिता । धर्मांगानि सुपुण्यानि सुताग्रे परिदर्शयेत्

Thinking thus each day, and fearing the consequences of former sins, she should set forth before her son the highly meritorious limbs of dharma—righteous conduct.

Verse 53

सत्यभावादि कान्पुण्यान्गुणान्सा वै प्रकाशयेत् । इत्युवाच सुतं सा हि अहं धर्मसुता सुत

“Let her indeed reveal the holy virtues, such as truthfulness and right disposition.” Thus she spoke to her son: “For I am Dharma’s daughter, my son.”

Verse 54

पिता ते धर्मतत्त्वज्ञस्तस्माद्धर्मं समाचर । इत्येवं बोधयेन्नित्यं पुत्रं वेनं तदा सती

“Your father knows the true principles of dharma; therefore, practice dharma.” In this way, that virtuous woman continually instructed her son Vena.

Verse 55

मातापित्रोस्तयोर्वाक्यं प्रजायुक्तं प्रपालयेत् । एवं वेनः प्रजापालः संजातःक्षितिमंडले

One should faithfully uphold the word of mother and father when it accords with the welfare of the people. Thus Vena, protector of the subjects, was born upon the circle of the earth.

Verse 56

सुखेन जीवते लोकःप्रजाधर्मेणरंजिताः । एवं राज्यप्रभावं तु वेनस्यापि महात्मनः

People lived happily, delighted by the ruler’s righteous governance of the subjects. Such indeed was the power and effect of kingship—even in the great-souled Vena.

Verse 57

धर्मभावाः प्रवर्तंते तस्मिञ्छासति पार्थिवे

When that king rules, righteous dispositions and dharmic practices come into full activity.