Adhyaya 172: The Harm of Destroying a Grove and the Merit of Tree-Planting as Pūrta-Dharma

Verse 1

श्रीवराह उवाच ॥ गोकर्णस्तु तथा चक्रे तस्मिन्नायतने शुभे ॥ प्रथमेऽह्नि यथा कृत्यमेवमेव त्रयोदश ॥

Śrī Varāha said: “Then Gokarṇa performed the prescribed observances in that auspicious abode; on the first day he did what was to be done, and likewise (he continued) for thirteen days.”

Verse 2

ता देव्यॊ नृत्यगीतॆषु कुशलाश्चागमेऽभवन् ॥ सुरूपाश्च स्वलङ्काराः रमयन्ति दिने दिने ॥

Those devīs became skilled in dance and song and were also well-versed in the arts; beautiful in form and adorned with their own ornaments, they delighted (him) day after day.

Verse 3

गोकर्णः सर्वभावेन गृहं विस्मृतवानसौ ॥ तथैकदा स गोकर्णस्ताः देव्यश्च हतौजसः ॥

Gokarṇa, with his whole being absorbed (there), forgot his home. Then, once, that Gokarṇa saw those devīs—now deprived of their vitality.

Verse 4

विवर्णं वदना दीनाः भग्नालङ्कारवाससः ॥ हीनाङ्गा लुञ्चितशिरः केशपक्ष्मनखादयः ॥

Their faces were pallid; they were wretched, with ornaments and garments in disarray; their limbs were diminished, their heads as if torn—hair, eyelashes, nails, and the like disturbed.

Verse 5

दृश्यन्ते विकृताकाराः सव्रणा रुधिरस्रवाः ॥ ता दृष्ट्वाऽतीवदुःखार्ताश्चक्रे मनसि वेदनाम् ॥

They were seen with distorted forms—wounded and bleeding. Seeing them, he, overwhelmed by sorrow, experienced anguish in his mind.

Verse 6

अपुत्रस्य गतिर् नास्ति स्वर्गो नैव च नैव च ॥ मम सङ्गादिमा देव्यॊ दशमीं च दशां गताः ॥

For one without a son, there is no proper passage onward; there is no heaven—indeed none. Through association with me, these devīs have reached a tenth condition, a further stage of decline.

Verse 7

एवं ज्ञात्वा स पप्रच्छ तासां रूपविपर्ययम् ॥ कथयध्वं महाभागाः किमेतद्रूपव्यत्ययम् ॥

Having understood thus, he asked about the alteration of their appearance: “Tell me, fortunate ones—what is this reversal in form?”

Verse 8

देव्य ऊचुः ॥ अप्रष्टव्यं महाभाग दैवः सर्वेषु कारणम् ॥ कालात्मकः स भगवान् भुज्यते सुकृतं यतः ॥

The devīs said: “O noble one, this is not something to be asked; fate is the cause in all matters. That Lord, whose nature is Time, dispenses the fruition of merit—therefore this occurs.”

Verse 9

स एव नित्यकालं च पृच्छति स्म तदुत्तरम् ॥ दुःखार्तस्य सुदीनस्य न जल्पन्त्यतिदुःखिताः ॥

He kept asking repeatedly for their reply. But those who are extremely distressed do not speak to one who is afflicted by grief and in a pitiable state.

Verse 10

यदि गोप्यं ममार्तस्य वैरूप्यं कथयिष्यथ ॥ अगाधे दुस्तरे प्राणांस्त्यक्ष्याम्यद्य सुदुःखितः ॥

“If you will not disclose to me—who am afflicted—the cause of this disfigurement, then today, in this unfathomable and difficult-to-cross state, I shall give up my life, utterly sorrowful.”

Verse 11

एवमुक्ते तदा तासां मध्ये एका अब्रवीदिदम् ॥ दुःखं तस्य समाख्येयं यो विनाशयते रुजम् ॥

When this was said, then one among those women spoke in their midst: “His suffering is to be recounted—the suffering of him who destroys the affliction.”

Verse 12

शृणु वत्स वदिष्येऽहं विरूपकरणं यथा ॥ अस्माकं च समुत्पन्नम् एकचित्तोऽवधारय ॥

“Listen, dear one; I shall explain how the disfigurement occurred. Attend with a single mind to what arose for us as well.”

Verse 13

आस्ते मधुपुरी रम्या नृणां मुक्तिप्रदायिनी ॥ अयोध्याधिपतिर्वीरश्चतुरङ्गबलान्वितः ॥

“There is the delightful city Madhupurī, bestowing liberation upon people. (There was) a heroic lord of Ayodhyā, endowed with the fourfold army.”

Verse 14

चातुर्मास्यं तीर्थसेवी स गतो भक्तिपूर्वकम् ॥ विष्णोर्देवस्य चागारं पञ्चसंख्यासमन्वितम् ॥

“Observing the Cāturmāsya vow and devoted to pilgrimage, he went with reverence. (He approached) the dwelling/temple of the god Viṣṇu, furnished with a fivefold enumeration (five in number).”

Verse 15

आरामवाटिकाः शुभ्राः प्राकारवरवेष्टिताः ॥ कूपप्रावर्तकोपेताः पुष्पजात्यः सुवासिताः ॥

“There were bright garden-enclosures, well surrounded by excellent walls; provided with wells and water-lifting devices, and fragrant with varieties of flowers.”

Verse 16

फलवन्तो द्रुमास्तस्मिन् सर्वर्त्तुसुमनोहराः ॥ तस्याभ्यासे स राजर्षिश्चकारावासमुत्तमम् ॥

In that place the trees were laden with fruit, delightful in every season. Near it, the royal sage established an excellent dwelling.

Verse 17

सेवकैर्नाशितः सर्वम् आरामः सफलद्रुमः ॥ प्राकारपरिखा चैव स्थण्डिलप्रतिमा कृता ॥

By the attendants, everything was ruined—the grove with its fruit-bearing trees. The wall and the moat too were reduced to the likeness of bare ground.

Verse 18

बहुधा वार्यमाणैस्तु पापबुद्धिसमाश्रितैः ॥ एवं तेन कृतं तत्र सोऽपि दैववशङ्गतः ॥

Though repeatedly restrained, those who had resorted to a sinful intent acted so there; thus it was done by him in that place—he too having fallen under the power of fate.

Verse 19

रुरोदोच्चैः स्वरं दीना हा कष्टमिति जल्पती ॥ सर्वासां रुदतीनां च कुररीणामिव स्वनः ॥

Wretched, she wept aloud, crying, “Alas, how grievous!” And the sound of all of them weeping was like the cry of kurarī birds.

Verse 20

श्रूयते बहुधाकारो गोकर्णोऽप्यतिदुःखितः ॥ एकैकस्यास्तु चक्रेऽसौ मूर्ध्ना पादाभिवन्दनम् ॥

A many-formed outcry was heard; Gokarṇa too was exceedingly distressed. He then, for each one individually, bowed at their feet, touching them with his head in reverent salutation.

Verse 21

प्राञ्जलिर्दीनया वाचा सान्त्वयामास ताः शनैः ॥ प्राप्तसंज्ञास्तु ताः सर्वाः गोकर्णोऽप्याह सुस्वनः ॥

With hands joined, he gently consoled them in a humble voice. When all of them regained awareness, Gokarṇa too spoke in a pleasing tone.

Verse 22

भविता यदि तत्राहं राजानं तं निवारयम् ॥ किं करिष्यामि दैवेन समर्थोऽप्यवसादितः ॥

If I were there, I would restrain that king. But what can I do? Even one who has ability is brought low by fate.

Verse 23

इत्युक्तमात्रे वचने ताः सर्वा लब्धचेतसः ॥ ऐक्यभावेन ताः सर्वाः पप्रच्छुर्वणिजं प्रति ॥ कस्त्वं कथय कस्माच्च स्थानाद्यत्त्वमिहागतः ॥

As soon as those words were spoken, they all recovered their composure. Then, with a unified intent, they questioned the merchant: “Who are you? Tell us—from what place have you come here?”

Verse 24

गोकर्ण उवाच ॥ गोकर्णोऽहं सुचार्वास्यः सुकपोलोऽब्रवीन्मया ॥ पूर्वं दृष्टा भवत्यो वै चार्वाङ्ग्यश्चारुलोचनाः ॥

Gokarṇa said: “I am Gokarṇa—one of fair face and handsome cheeks. Indeed, I have seen you before, you who are graceful-limbed and lovely-eyed.”

Verse 25

इदानीं मलिना जाता मम शोकविवर्धनाः ॥ कथयध्वं ममात्मानमत्र हेतुमनन्तरम् ॥

“Now you have become sullied—deepening my sorrow. Tell me at once the immediate cause of this, for my understanding.”

Verse 26

ज्येष्ठा सोवाच तस्याग्रे पुष्पजात्या स्वलङ्कृताः ॥ वयमारामसंस्थाश्च स्वामिना परिपालिताः ॥

The eldest said, in his presence: “By our very nature we were adorned with blossoms, dwelling in a garden, and protected by our master.”

Verse 27

हृद्यवेषाः सुचार्वङ्ग्यः पुष्पवृद्धिरताः तदा ॥ पूर्वं द्रष्टाः सुरूपाश्च विपर्यमथो शृणु ॥

“At that time we had charming attire, graceful limbs, and delight in the flourishing of blossoms; formerly we were seen as beautiful. Now hear of the reversal.”

Verse 28

पुष्पमालाविहीनाश्च मूलस्कन्धावशेषिताः ॥ एवंविधाश्च संभूता नष्टसंज्ञाः स्थिताः वयम् ॥

“Deprived of garlands of flowers, reduced to mere roots and trunks, we became like this; and, having lost awareness, we remained so.”

Verse 29

यो देवस्तत्र पाषाणो मृत्पिण्डेष्टकयन्त्रितः ॥ सोऽत्र सत्त्वमयः साक्षी तस्य पुण्यस्य कर्मणि ॥

“That deity there—present as a stone, constrained within clay-lumps and bricks—here stands as a witness, constituted of true being, to that meritorious act.”

Verse 30

पुण्यं सोदकपूर्णोऽयं तस्यारामस्य सेचकः ॥ सरश्चोत्पलपूर्णं च कलहंसैर्युतं सदा ॥

“This meritorious water-channel, filled with water, irrigated that garden; and there was also a pond full of lotuses, always accompanied by swans.”

Verse 31

ये च वृक्षाः फलोपेतास्ते सौवर्णाश्च सत्तम ॥ एता रक्षन्ति सततमारामं सुखदं नृणाम् ॥ तस्या नाशाद्यथा नोऽत्र जातेयं च विरूपता ॥

And those trees laden with fruits—O best among the virtuous—are, as it were, golden. They continually protect the orchard that brings comfort to people, so that here its destruction does not occur, nor does any deformity arise.

Verse 32

गोकर्ण उवाच ॥ आरामकर्तुः किं चात्र फलं भवति यादृशम् ॥ करणात्कूपदेवानां तस्य पुण्यफलं वद ॥

Gokarṇa said: “What kind of result arises here for one who makes an orchard? And tell me the meritorious fruit that comes from constructing wells and related works dedicated to the divinities associated with wells.”

Verse 33

ज्येष्ठ उवाच ॥ इष्टापूर्तं द्विजातीनां प्रथमं धर्मसाधनम् ॥ इष्टेन लभते स्वर्गं पूर्त्ते मोक्षं च विन्दति ॥

Jyeṣṭha said: “Iṣṭa and pūrta are, for the twice-born, the foremost means of accomplishing dharma. Through iṣṭa one attains heaven; through pūrta one also finds liberation (mokṣa).”

Verse 34

वापीकूपतडागानि देवतायतनानि च ॥ पतितान्युद्धरेद्यस्तु स पूर्त्तफलमश्नुते ॥

Whoever restores from disrepair the stepwells, wells, tanks, and also temples, that person partakes of the fruit of pūrta—the merit of works done for the public good.

Verse 35

भूमिदानेन ये लोका गोदानेन च कीर्त्तिताः ॥ ते लोकाः प्राप्यते पुंभिः पादपानां प्ररोहणे ॥

The worlds said to be attained through gifting land and through gifting cows—those very worlds are attained by a person through causing trees to sprout and grow, by planting and nurturing them.

Verse 36

अश्वत्थमेकं पिचुमन्दमेकं न्यग्रोधमेकं दश पुष्पजातिः ॥ द्वे द्वे तथा दाडिममातुलिङ्गे पञ्चाम्ररोपी नरकं न याति ॥

One who plants one aśvattha, one picumanda, one nyagrodha, ten kinds of flowering plants, two pomegranate trees, two citron trees, and five mango trees—such a planter does not go to naraka, the state of suffering.

Verse 37

गोकर्ण उवाच ॥ इन्धनार्थं यदानितमग्निहोत्रं तदुच्यते ॥ छायाविश्रामपथिकैः पक्षिणां निलयेन च ॥

Gokarṇa said: “When fuel is brought for the purpose of sustaining the sacred fire, that is called agnihotra; and likewise, by providing shade and rest for travelers, and by serving as a dwelling for birds…”

Verse 38

पत्रमूलत्वगाद्यैश्च औषधार्थं तु देहिनाम् ॥ उपकुर्वन्ति वृक्षस्य पञ्चयज्ञः स उच्यते ॥

And with leaves, roots, bark, and the like—serving medicinal purposes for embodied beings—the tree renders assistance; this is called its “fivefold sacrifice” (pañcayajña).

Verse 39

गृहकृत्यानि काष्ठानि क्षुद्रजन्तुगृहास्तथा ॥ यत्र निर्वर्त्तनं प्रोक्तं भिक्षा पत्रैः समीक्षिता ॥

Wood for household tasks, and likewise dwellings for small creatures—these are provided there; and it is said that sustenance (bhikṣā) is furnished by means of leaves.

Verse 40

फलन्ति वत्सरे मध्ये द्विवारं शकुनादयः ॥ सांवत्सरं पितुर्मातुरुपकारं फलैः कृतम् ॥ एवं पुत्रसमारोपाः एवं तत्त्वविदो विदुः ॥

Birds and other beings, as it were, bear fruit twice within the year. For a full year, service to one’s father and mother is accomplished through fruits. Thus tree-planting is akin to establishing a son—so the knowers of principles understand.

Verse 41

श्रीवराह उवाच ॥ एवमुक्तस्तया देव्या मालत्या पुष्पजातया ॥ हा कष्टं कथमित्येव मुमोह च पपात ह ॥

Śrī Varāha said: Thus addressed by the goddess Mālatī, born of flowers, he cried, “Alas, how grievous!”—and at once he swooned and fell down.

Verse 42

ताभिराश्वासितो धीमान्ससंज्ञो वारिणोक्षितः ॥ आत्मानं कथयास्माकं यस्माच्च त्वमुपागतः ॥

Comforted by them, the wise man regained consciousness, sprinkled with water. They said, “Tell us about yourself, and from what cause you have come here.”

Verse 43

गोकर्ण उवाच ॥ वृद्धौ च मातापितरौ साधु भार्याचतुष्टयम् ॥ मथुरायां ममैवैतदुद्यानं देवतागृहम् ॥

Gokarṇa said: “My mother and father are elderly, and I have a respectable set of four wives. In Mathurā, this very garden and this shrine (temple) belong to me.”

Verse 44

यदि तत्र गतश्चाहं पितृराज्ञोस्तु सन्निधौ ॥ इमामापदमापन्ना यूयं तद्वै निवेदये ॥

“If I were to go there, into the presence of the King of the Pitṛs, I would report to him that you have fallen into this calamity.”

Verse 45

ज्येष्ठा प्रोवाच नेष्यामि यदि ते रोचतेऽनघ ॥ अद्यैव मथुरां देवीमवेक्ष्यामोऽधिगम्यताम् ॥

Jyeṣṭhā said: “I will lead you, if it pleases you, O blameless one. Today itself, let us go and behold the divine city of Mathurā—let it be approached.”

Verse 46

गृह्णीष्वोपायनं राज्ञे तस्मै त्वं देह्यनर्घ्यकम् ॥ आरुह्य स तथेत्युक्त्वा नमस्कृत्य हरिं च ताः ॥

“Take a gift for the king; give him that precious, priceless offering.” Having mounted to depart, he replied, “So be it,” and, bowing to Hari and to them, he went.

Verse 47

उत्पपात ततः स्थानाद्यत्र राजा व्यवस्थितः ॥ राज्ञे निवेदयामास रत्नानि सुबहूनि च ॥

Then he hastened from that place to where the king was stationed, and he presented to the king many jewels.

Verse 48

राजा दर्शनमात्रेण सन्तुष्टः सोऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥ स्वागतम् ते महाभाग सम्मान्य परिपूज्य च ॥

The king, satisfied by the mere sight of him, said: “Welcome to you, O fortunate one,” and he honored and duly worshiped him.

Verse 49

अर्द्धासने कृतः प्रीत्या रत्नदो धनदो यथा ॥ अस्मात्स्थानादिदानीञ्च अपसर्प्य क्षणान्तरे ॥

He was affectionately seated on a half-seat of honor, as one might honor a giver of jewels or wealth. Then, moving away from that place, in a moment…

Verse 50

आश्चर्यं दर्शयिष्यामि कथयिष्यामि चापि भोः ॥ स तथेत्य प्रतिश्रुत्य सेनापतिमुवाच ह ॥

“I shall show you a marvel, and I shall also explain it, O sir.” He assented—“So be it”—and then addressed the commander of the army.

Verse 51

मुहूर्तार्द्धाद्यथा याति सैन्यं तच्च तथा कुरु ॥ क्षिप्रं तत्प्रतिपद्यस्व न कालोऽत्यभ्यगाद्यथा

Just as the army sets out after half a muhūrta, do exactly so. Act swiftly and comply, so that time does not pass beyond the proper moment.

Verse 52

कृतं तेन तथा सर्वं यथा राज्ञा हि भाषितम् ॥ ता देव्यः दिव्यरूपाश्च विमानकृतरूपकाः

Accordingly, he did everything exactly as the king had spoken. Those goddesses—of divine appearance, with forms as if fashioned like vimānas, aerial chariots—then appeared.

Verse 53

साधु साध्विति गोकरणं प्रशशंसुः पुनः पुनः ॥ वरं दत्त्वा यथाकामं स्वस्तीत्युक्त्वा दिवं ययुः

Saying “Well done, well done,” they praised Gokarṇa again and again. Having granted a boon as desired and uttered “Svasti” in benediction, they went to heaven.

Verse 54

गोकरणस्तु तदाचक्षे तत्सर्वं नृपतेः सुखी ॥ सर्वं तच्चात्मचरितं पूर्तधर्मस्य यत्फलम्

Then Gokarṇa, being content, reported all of that to the king. And all of it was as his own account: the fruit that belongs to pūrta-dharma, meritorious public works.

Verse 55

आश्चर्यं परमं धर्ममारामस्य महत्फलम् ॥ श्रुत्वा सर्वं चकारासौ सार्वभौमो महीपतिः

Hearing of the wondrous, supreme dharma—the great fruit of establishing an ārāma, a sacred garden—that universal sovereign, the king, carried out everything accordingly.

Verse 56

निश्चयार्थं पुनः सोऽथ गोकरणस्ताः प्रणम्य च ॥ पृच्छत्याग्रहरूपेण निश्चयं विन्दते यथा

Then again, seeking certainty, Gokarṇa bowed to them and questioned insistently, so that he might obtain a clear determination.

Verse 57

पञ्जरस्थो यथा सिंहः कोऽस्मांस्त्राता भवेदिति ॥ पिधायाञ्जलिना वक्त्रमश्रुक्लिन्नस्तनान्तरा

“Like a lion confined in a cage—who would be our protector?” they said. Covering the face with folded hands, with tears wetting the bosom, they stood thus.

Verse 58

राजलोकैः पीडिताश्च छेदनॊन्मूलनेन च ॥ पीडिता भृशमुद्विग्नास्तेनेदानीं सकल्मषाः

Oppressed by the king’s men, and also by cutting and uprooting, they were sorely afflicted and greatly distressed; and now, because of that, they bear the taint (kalmāṣa).

Verse 59

यथा सुपुत्रः कुलमुद्धरेद्धि यथाऽतिकृच्छ्रान्नियमप्रयत्नात् ॥ तथाऽत्र वृक्षाः फलपुष्पभूताः स्वं स्वामिनं नरकादुद्धरन्ति

Just as a good son truly uplifts his lineage, accomplishing it through disciplined effort even amid extreme hardship, so here the trees, endowed with fruits and flowers, raise their own lord up from hell.

Verse 60

विमानप्रतिमाकारं यानमारुह्य सत्वरः ॥ दिव्यानिमानि रत्नानि भूषणानि फलानि च

Mounting swiftly a conveyance shaped like a vimāna, there were also these divine jewels, ornaments, and fruits.

Verse 61

राज्ञा तस्मै प्रदत्ताश्च ग्रामाश्चैव पुराणि च ॥ वस्त्राणि च गजाश्चैव वाजिनोऽन्यधनं बहु

The king granted him villages and also ancient possessions; likewise garments, elephants, horses, and much other wealth.