Adhyaya 89

Verse 1

विष्णुरुवाच । कुंजलस्तु सुतं वाक्यं समुज्ज्वलमथाब्रवीत् । भवान्कथय भोः पुत्र किमपूर्वं तु दृष्टवान्

Viṣṇu said: Then Kuñjala spoke to his son in radiant words: “Tell me, my son—what extraordinary thing have you seen?”

Verse 2

तन्मे कथय सुप्रीतः श्रोतुकामोऽस्मि सांप्रतम् । एवमादिश्य तं पुत्रं विरराम स कुंजलः

“Tell me that, for I am well pleased and now desire to hear.” Thus instructing his son, Kuñjala then fell silent.

Verse 3

पितरं प्रत्युवाचाथ विनयावनतस्सुतः । समुज्ज्वल उवाच । हिमवंतं नगश्रेष्ठं देववृंदसमन्वितम्

Then the son, bowing with humility, replied to his father. Samujjvala said: “(I shall go to) Himavān, the foremost of mountains, attended by hosts of gods.”

Verse 4

आहारार्थं प्रगच्छामि भवतश्चात्मनः पितः । पश्यामि कौतुकं तत्र न दृष्टं न श्रुतं पुरा

I am going, for the sake of food, to your father—and to my own. There I shall behold a marvel, such as has never been seen or heard of before.

Verse 5

प्रदेशमृषिगणाकीर्णमप्सरोभिः प्रशोभितम् । बहुकौतुकशोभाढ्यं मंगल्यं मंगलैर्युतम्

The region was thronged with hosts of rishis and adorned by celestial apsaras. Abounding in the beauty of many wondrous festivities, it was auspicious, filled with auspicious rites and signs.

Verse 6

बहुपुण्यफलोपेतैर्वनैर्नानाविधैस्ततः । अनेककौतुकभरैर्मनसः परिमोहनम्

Then there were forests of many kinds, rich with fruits born of abundant merit—filled with countless wonders that utterly captivated the mind.

Verse 7

तत्र दृष्टं मया तात अपूर्वं मानसांतिके । बहुहंसैः समाकीर्णो हंस एकः समागतः

There, O dear father, near Mānasa I witnessed something unprecedented: amid many swans, a single swan arrived, surrounded by them.

Verse 8

एवं कृष्णा महाभाग अन्ये तत्र समागताः । सितेतरैश्चंचुपादैरन्यतः शुक्लविग्रहाः

Thus, O fortunate one, other dark-hued birds also gathered there; and elsewhere there were white-bodied ones, with beaks and feet of mixed pale and darker colors.

Verse 9

तादृशास्ते च नीला वै अन्ये शुभ्रा महामते । चतस्रस्तत्र वै नार्यो रौद्राकारा विभीषणाः

Some were of that kind and dark-blue, while others were white, O great-minded one. There too were four women, fierce in appearance and terrifying in form.

Verse 10

दंष्ट्राकरालसंक्रूरा ऊर्ध्वकेश्यो भयानकाः । पश्चात्तास्तु समायातास्तस्मिन्सरसि मानसे

Terrifying and exceedingly cruel, with gaping fangs and hair standing on end, they afterward came to that lake called Mānasa.

Verse 11

कृष्णा हंसास्तु संस्नाता मानसे तात मत्पुरः । विभ्रांताः परितश्चान्ये न स्नातास्तत्र मानसे

O dear one, the dark swans have indeed bathed in the Mānasarovara before my city; but other swans, wandering all around, have not bathed there in that Mānas lake.

Verse 12

जहसुस्ताः स्त्रियस्तात हास्यैरट्टाट्टदारुणैः । तस्मात्सराद्विनिष्क्रांतो हंस एको महातनुः

Those women, dear one, laughed with harsh, terrifying peals of laughter. Then, from that lake, a single swan of immense body emerged.

Verse 13

पश्चात्त्रयो विनिष्क्रांतास्तैश्चाहं समुपेक्षितः । याता आकाशमार्गेण विवदंतः परस्परम्

Afterward, the three departed, and I was ignored by them. They went by the path of the sky, disputing with one another.

Verse 14

तास्तु स्त्रियो महाभीमाः समंतात्परिबभ्रमुः । विंध्यस्य शिखरे पुण्ये वृक्षच्छायासुपक्षिणः

Those exceedingly fearsome women then roamed about in all directions on the sacred peak of the Vindhya, among the birds resting in the shade of trees.

Verse 15

निषण्णास्तत्र ते सर्वे दग्धा दुःखैः सुदारुणैः । तेषां सुवीक्षमाणानां भिल्ल एकः समागतः

There they all sat down, scorched by exceedingly dreadful sorrows. As they looked on, a certain Bhilla, a dweller of the forest, came there.

Verse 16

मृगान्स पीडयित्वा तु बाणपाणिर्धनुर्द्धरः । शिलातलं समाश्रित्य निषसाद सुखेन वै

Having harassed the deer, the bow-bearing archer, arrows in hand, took refuge upon a rocky slab and sat down there at ease.

Verse 17

पश्चाद्भिल्ली समायाता अन्नमादाय सोदकम् । स्वं प्रियं वीक्षते राज्ञा मुदितैर्लक्षणैर्युतम्

Afterwards Bhillī came, bringing food along with water; and she beheld her beloved, endowed by the king with joyful, auspicious marks.

Verse 18

अन्यादृशं समावीक्ष्य स्वकांतं तेजसावृतम् । दिव्यतेजः समाक्रांतं यथा सूर्यं दिविस्थितम्

Seeing her beloved in a form unlike before—clad in his own radiance, pervaded by divine splendor—she beheld him like the sun stationed in the heavens.

Verse 19

नरमन्यं परिज्ञाय तं परित्यज्य सा ययौ । व्याध उवाच । एह्येहि त्वं प्रिये चात्र कस्मान्मां त्वं न पश्यसि

Recognizing him to be another man, she left him behind and went away. The hunter said: “Come, come, my beloved—why do you not look at me here?”

Verse 20

क्षुधया पीड्यमानोहं त्वामहं चावलोकये । तस्य वाक्यं समाकर्ण्य शीघ्रं व्याधी समागता

Afflicted by hunger, I looked upon you. Hearing his words, diseases swiftly came upon me.

Verse 21

भर्तुः पार्श्वं समासाद्य विस्मिता साभवत्तदा । कोयं तेजः समाचारो देवोयं मां समाह्वयेत्

Reaching her husband’s side, she became astonished: “What is this radiant presence and manner? What god is this who would summon me?”

Verse 22

तमुवाच ततो व्याधी भर्तारं दीप्ततेजसम् । अत्र किं ते कृतं वीर भवान्को दिव्यलक्षणः

Then the huntress spoke to her husband, radiant with splendor: “O hero, what have you done here? And who are you, marked with divine signs?”

Verse 23

सूत उवाच । एवमाभाषितो व्याध्या व्याधः प्रियामभाषत । अहं ते वल्लभः कांते भवती च मम प्रिया

Sūta said: Thus addressed by the huntress, the hunter spoke to his beloved: “O dear one, I am your beloved, and you are my beloved.”

Verse 24

कस्मात्त्वं मां न जानासि कथं शंका प्रवर्तते । क्षुधया पीड्यमानेन पयश्चान्नं प्रतीक्ष्यते

Why do you not recognize me? How can doubt arise? When one is tormented by hunger, one seeks milk and food.

Verse 25

व्याध्युवाच । बर्बरः कृष्णवर्णश्च रक्ताक्षः कृष्णकंचुकः । ईदृशश्चास्ति मे भर्ता सर्वसत्वभयंकरः

The hunter said: “My husband is a barbarian—dark of complexion, red-eyed, clad in a black garment—such is he, terrifying to all living beings.”

Verse 26

भवान्को दिव्यदेहस्तु प्रियेत्युक्त्वा समाह्वयेत् । एष मे संशयो जातो वद सत्यं ममाग्रतः

“Who are you, possessed of a divine body? Having said, ‘O dear one,’ you call me near. A doubt has arisen in me—tell me the truth, here before me.”

Verse 27

कुलं नाम स्वकं ग्रामं क्रीडां लिगं सुतं सुताम् । समाचष्ट प्रियाग्रे तु तस्याः प्रत्यय हेतवे

To win her confidence, he disclosed before his beloved his lineage, his name, his own village, his pastimes, his distinguishing sign, and the details of his son and daughter.

Verse 28

प्रत्युवाच स्वभर्तारं सा व्याधी हृष्टमानसा । कस्मात्ते ईदृशः कायः श्वेतकंचुकधारकः

Delighted at heart, the woman replied to her husband: “Why is your body like this—wearing a white tunic?”

Verse 29

कथं जातः समाचक्ष्व ममाश्चर्यं प्रवर्तते । एवं संपृच्छमानस्तु भार्यया मृगघातकः

“Tell me how it came to be; my wonder has been stirred.” Thus questioned by his wife, the deer-slayer (hunter) spoke.

Verse 30

सूत उवाच । प्रत्युवाच ततः श्रुत्वा तां प्रियां प्रश्रयान्विताम् । नर्मदा उत्तरे कूले संगमश्चास्ति सुव्रते

Sūta said: Having heard that beloved lady, who spoke with humility and reverence, he replied: “O virtuous one, on the northern bank of the Narmadā there is a sacred saṅgama, a holy confluence.”

Verse 31

आतपेनाकुलो जीवो मम जातोति सुप्रिये । अस्मिन्वै संगमे कांते श्रमश्रांतो हि सत्वरः

“O beloved, my life has been distressed by the scorching heat. Here at this saṅgama, dear one, I have swiftly grown weary and exhausted from exertion.”

Verse 32

गतः स्नात्वा जलं पीत्वा पश्चाच्चाहं समागतः । तदाप्रभृति मे काय ईदृशस्तेजसावृतः

“I went there, bathed, and drank the water; afterward I returned. From that time onward, my body has been like this—enveloped in radiance.”

Verse 33

संजातो वस्त्रसंयुक्तः कंचुकः शुभ्रतां गतः । पूर्वोक्तलिंगसंस्थानैः कुलैः स्थानेन वै तथा

“It manifested clothed in garments; the kañcuka (bodice) became pure white—corresponding, just as stated before, to the previously described distinguishing marks, bodily forms, families, and proper stations.”

Verse 34

स्वप्रियं लक्षयित्वा तु ज्ञात्वा पुण्यस्य संभवम् । प्रत्युवाचाथ भर्तारं संगमं मम दर्शय

Then, noticing what was dear to him and understanding the source of merit, she replied to her husband: “Show me the saṅgama, the sacred confluence.”

Verse 35

तव पश्चात्प्रदास्यामि भोजनं पानसंयुतम् । इत्युक्तः प्रियया व्याधः सत्वरेण जगाम ह

“After you, I shall offer you food together with drink.” Thus addressed by his beloved, the hunter quickly set out.

Verse 36

संगमो दर्शितस्तेन ततोग्रे पापनाशनः । समुड्डीना महाभाग पक्षिणो लघुविक्रमाः

He showed him the confluence; and further ahead lay the holy place that destroys sin. Then, O noble one, the birds—swift and light of movement—took flight.

Verse 37

तया सार्द्धं ययुः सर्वे रेवासंगममुत्तमम् । तेषां तु वीक्षमाणानां पक्षिणां मम पश्यतः

Accompanied by her, they all went to the most excellent confluence of the Revā. And as those birds watched—while I too looked on—this came to pass.

Verse 38

तया हि स्नापितो भर्ता पुनः स्नाता हि सा स्वयम् । दिव्यदेहधरौ चोभौ दिव्यकांतिसमन्वितौ

By her indeed her husband was bathed; and she herself then bathed again. Both assumed divine bodies, endowed with divine radiance.

Verse 39

संजातौ पक्षिणां श्रेष्ठ दिव्यवस्त्रानुलेपनौ । दिव्यमालांबरधरौ दिव्यगंधानुलेपनौ

O best of birds, the two were born adorned with divine garments and sacred unguents; wearing heavenly garlands and attire, and anointed with celestial fragrance.

Verse 40

वैष्णवं यानमासाद्य मुनिगंधर्वपूजितौ । गतौ तौ वैष्णवं लोकं वैष्णवैः परिपूजितौ

Having reached the Vaishnava celestial conveyance, honored by sages and Gandharvas, the two of them went to the Vaishnava world, where they were fully revered by the devotees of Vishnu.

Verse 41

स्तूयमानौ महात्मानौ दंपती दृष्टवानहम् । व्रजंतौ स्वर्गमार्गेण कूजंते पक्षिणस्तथा

I saw that noble couple being praised, proceeding along the path to heaven; and the birds, likewise, were chirping sweetly.

Verse 42

तीर्थराजं परं दृष्ट्वा हर्षव्यक्ताक्षरैस्तदा । चत्वारः कृष्णहंसास्ते संगमे पापनाशने

Then, on beholding that supreme ‘King of Tīrthas’, those four dark swans, their words made clear by joy, arrived at the confluence that destroys sins.

Verse 43

स्नात्वा वै भावशुद्धास्ते प्राप्ता उज्ज्वलतां पुनः । स्नात्वा पीत्वा जलं ते तु पुनर्बहिर्विनिर्गताः

Having bathed, they indeed became pure in disposition and again attained a radiant state. After bathing and drinking the water, they then came out once more.

Verse 44

तावत्यस्ताः स्त्रियः कृष्णा मृतास्तत्स्नानमात्रतः । क्रंदमाना विचेष्टंत्यो हाहाकार विकंपिताः

At that very moment, those dark-complexioned women died merely from that act of bathing; crying out and writhing about, they were shaken by cries of “Alas! Alas!”

Verse 45

यमलोकं गतास्तास्तु तात दृष्टा मया तदा । उड्डीनास्तु ततो हंसाः स्वस्थानं प्रतिजग्मिरे

Then, dear one, I saw them as they went to Yama’s realm. Thereafter the swans took flight and returned to their own abode.

Verse 46

एवं तात मया दृष्टं प्रत्यक्षं कथितं तव । कृष्णपक्षा महाकाया धार्तराष्ट्रास्तु ताः स्त्रियः

Thus, dear one, I have told you what I myself saw directly: those women were Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s—dark-complexioned and of massive build.

Verse 47

कथयस्व प्रसादेन के भविष्यंति वै पितः । निर्गतान्मानसान्मध्याद्धार्तराष्ट्रान्वदस्व मे

O father, please tell me graciously: who indeed will they be—those Dhārtarāṣṭras that have arisen from the midst of (your) mind? Speak to me of them.

Verse 48

के भविष्यंति ते तात कथय त्वं तु सांप्रतम् । कस्मात्सुकृष्णतां प्राप्ता हंसाः शुद्धाश्च ते पुनः

“Father, who will they become? Tell me now. And why have those swans again attained a deep dark hue, and yet remain pure?”

Verse 49

संजातास्तत्क्षणात्तात कस्मान्मृतास्तु ताः स्त्रियः । एवं मे संशयस्तात संजातो दारुणो हृदि

O dear one, they came into being in that very instant—why, then, did those women die? Thus, O dear one, a dreadful doubt has arisen in my heart.

Verse 50

छेत्तुमर्हसि अद्यैव भवाञ्ज्ञानविचक्षणः । प्रसादसुमुखो भूत्वा प्रणतस्य सदैव मे

You, discerning in knowledge, ought to remove it this very day. Becoming gracious, with a kindly face, ever bestow your favor upon me, who am always bowed down before you.

Verse 51

एवं संभाष्य पितरं विरराम समुज्ज्वलः । ततः प्रवक्तुमारेभे स शुकः कुंजलाभिधः

Having thus spoken with his father, the radiant one fell silent. Then that parrot, named Kuñjala, began to speak.

Verse 89

इति श्रीपद्मपुराणे भूमिखंडे वेनोपाख्याने गुरुतीर्थवर्णने च्यवनचरित्रे एकोननवतितमोऽध्यायः

Thus ends the eighty-ninth chapter of the Śrī Padma Purāṇa, in the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa, concerning the narrative of Vena, the description of Guru-tīrtha, and the account of Cyavana.