Adhyaya 69: Agastya’s Vision of Varuṇa as Nārāyaṇa in Ilāvṛta

Verse 1

भद्राश्व उवाच । भगवन् त्वच्छरीरे तु यद्वृत्तं द्विजसत्तम । चिरजीवी भवांस्तन्मे वक्तुमर्हसि सत्तम ॥ ६९.१ ॥

Bhadrāśva said: “O Blessed One, O best among the twice-born, kindly tell me what has occurred in your own body. Being long-lived, you are fit, O excellent one, to explain that to me.”

Verse 2

अगस्त्य उवाच । मच्छरीरमिदं राजन् बहुकौतूहलान्वितम् । अनेककल्पसंस्थायि वेदविद्याविशोधितम् ॥ ६९.२ ॥

Agastya said: “O King, this body of mine is filled with many wondrous matters; it has endured through many kalpas and has been refined and purified by Vedic knowledge.”

Verse 3

अथन् महीमहं सर्वां गतवानस्मि पार्थिव । इलावृतं महावर्षं मेरोः पार्श्वे व्यवस्थितम् ॥ ६९.३ ॥

Then, O king, I traversed the entire earth; and I beheld the great region called Ilāvṛta, situated on the flank of Mount Meru.

Verse 4

तत्र रम्यं सरो दृष्टं तस्य तीरे महाकुटी । तत्रोपवासशिथिलं दृष्टवानस्मि तापसम् । अस्थिचर्मावशेषं तु चीरवल्कलधारिणम् ॥ ६९.४ ॥

There I beheld a lovely lake, and upon its bank a great hut. There I saw an ascetic, weakened by fasting, clad in tattered rags and bark-cloth, with only bones and skin remaining.

Verse 5

तं दृष्ट्वाहं नृपश्रेष्ठ क एष नृपसत्तम । विश्वास्य प्रतिपत्त्यर्थं विधेयं मे नरोत्तम ॥ ६९.५ ॥

Having seen him, I asked: “O best of kings, who is this—O foremost among rulers? For the sake of establishing trust and clear understanding, O best of men, do for me what ought to be done.”

Verse 6

एवं चित्तयतो मह्यं स मां प्राह महामुनिः । स्थीयतां स्थीयतां ब्रह्मन्नातिथ्यं करवाणि ते ॥ ६९.६ ॥

As I was reflecting thus, the great sage spoke to me: “Stay, stay, O brāhmaṇa; let me render to you the hospitality due to a guest.”

Verse 7

एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य प्रविष्टोऽहं कुटीं तु ताम् । तावत्पश्याम्यहं विप्रं ज्वलन्तमिव तेजसा ॥ ६९.७ ॥

Having heard his words, I entered that hut; and at that moment I saw a brāhmaṇa, as though blazing with radiance.

Verse 8

भूमौ स्थितं तु मां दृष्ट्वा हुंकारमकरोद् द्विजः । तद्धुंकारात् तु पातालं भित्त्वा पञ्च हि कन्यकाः ॥ ६९.८ ॥

Seeing me standing upon the earth, the twice-born brāhmaṇa uttered a loud “huṃ.” From that utterance, five maidens pierced through Pātāla, the netherworld, and emerged.

Verse 9

निर्ययुः काञ्चनं पीठमेकां तासां प्रगृह्य वै । सा मां प्रादात् तदा अन्याऽदात् सलिलं करसंस्थितम् ॥ ६९.९ ॥

They went out; one among them indeed took up a golden seat. She then presented it to me, while another gave water held in the hollow of her hand.

Verse 10

गृहीत्वा अन्यां तु मे पादौ क्षालितुं चोपचक्रमे । अन्ये द्वे व्यजने गृहीत्वा मत्पक्षाभ्यां व्यवस्थिते ॥ ६९.१० ॥

But another attendant took hold of my feet and began to wash them; and two others, taking up fly-whisks, stood in position on either side of my wings.

Verse 11

ततो हुंकारमकरोत् पुनरेव महातपाः । तच्छब्दादन्तरं हैमद्रोणीं योजनविस्तृताम् । गृह्याजगाम मकरोत्प्लवं सरसि पार्थिव ॥ ६९.११ ॥

Then the great ascetic again uttered a resonant huṅkāra. From the interval created by that sound, he seized a golden trough-like vessel, extending for a yojana, and approached; O king, he fashioned it into a float upon the lake.

Verse 12

तस्यां तु कन्याः शतशो हेमकुम्भकराः शुभाः । आययुस्तमथो दृष्ट्वा स मुनिः प्राह मां नृप ॥ ६९.१२ ॥

There, indeed, hundreds of auspicious maidens, bearing golden pitchers, approached. Then, seeing him, that sage addressed me, O king.

Verse 13

स्नानार्थं कल्पितं ब्रह्मन्निदं ते सर्वमेव तु । द्रोणीं प्रविश्य चेमां त्वं स्नातुमर्हसि सत्तम ॥ ६९.१३ ॥

O Brahmin, all this has indeed been arranged for your bathing. Enter this trough (droṇī) and you, O best of men, are fit to bathe.

Verse 14

ततोऽहं तस्य वचनात् तस्यां द्रोण्यां नराधिप । विशामि तावत् सरसि सा द्रोणी प्रत्यमज्जत ॥ ६९.१४ ॥

Then, at his command, O king, I entered that trough-like vessel; and the moment I went into the lake, that droṇī sank down.

Verse 15

द्रोण्यां जले निमग्नोऽहमिति मत्वा नरेश्वर । उन्मग्नोऽहं ततो लोकमपूर्वं दृष्टवांस्ततः ॥ ६९.१५ ॥

Thinking, “I have sunk into the water within the droṇī,” O lord of men, I then emerged; thereafter I beheld a world that was unprecedented.

Verse 16

सुहर्म्यकक्ष्यायतनं विशालं रथ्यापथं शुद्धजनानुकीर्णम् । नीत्युत्तमैः सेवितमात्मविद्भिर् नृभिः पुराणैर्नयमार्गसंस्थैः ॥ ६९.१६ ॥

It had lofty mansions and spacious dwellings; its streets and roads were filled with pure-minded people. It was frequented by men of excellent conduct—knowers of the Self—ancient in character, established on the path of right governance and righteous practice.

Verse 17

संसारचर्यापरिघाभिरुग्रं गम्भीरपातालतलस्थमाद्यम् । सितैर्नृभिः पाशवराग्रहस्तैः द्विपाश्वसङ्घैर्विविधैरुपेतम् ॥ ६९.१७ ॥

Deep in pātāla, that primordial place was described as formidable, ringed about by iron barriers of the course of saṃsāra. It was attended by pale men holding noose-like cords in their hands, and by various groups stationed on either side.

Verse 18

विचित्रपद्मोत्पलसंवृतानि सरांसि नानाविहगाकुलानि । अम्भोजपत्रस्थितभृङ्गनादैरुद्गीतवन्तीव लयैरनेकैः । कैलासशृङ्गप्रतिमानि तीरे श्वनेकरत्नोत्पलसंचितानि । गृहाणि धन्याध्युषितानि नीचै रूपासितानि द्विजदेवविप्रैः ॥ ६९.१८ ॥

The lakes, covered with variegated lotuses and utpala water-lilies, were filled with many kinds of birds. With the humming of bees settled upon lotus leaves, they seemed to sing in many rhythms. On the bank were houses like the peaks of Kailāsa, heaped with jewel-like utpalas; these dwellings were humbly situated, inhabited by the fortunate, and graced by brahmin sages—held to be “divine” among the twice-born.

Verse 19

कैलासशृङ्गप्रतिमानि तीरे श्वनेकरत्नोत्पलसंचितानि । गृहाणि धन्याध्युषितानि नीचै रूपासितानि द्विजदेवविप्रैः ॥ ६९.१९ ॥

On the riverbank stood dwellings like the peaks of Kailāsa, piled with many kinds of jeweled lotuses. These houses, set low near the ground, were inhabited by the blessed and fortunate, and were adorned and attended by brahmins—those deemed ‘divine’ among the twice-born.

Verse 20

पद्मानि भृङ्गावनतानि चेलु-स्तेषां पुनर्गुरुभारादजस्रम् । जलेषु येषां सुस्वरास्यो द्विजाति-र्वेदोदितानाह विचित्रमन्त्रान् ॥ ६९.२० ॥

The lotuses, bowed by swarms of bees, swayed; and again, unceasingly, they rose up under the pressing weight. In those waters a twice-born, with a melodious voice, recited wondrous mantras as taught in the Veda.

Verse 21

सिताब्जमालार्चितगात्रवन्ति वासोत्तरियाणि खगप्रवारैः । सरांस्यनेकानि तथा द्विजास्तु पठन्ति यज्ञार्थविधिं पुराणम् ॥ ६९.२१ ॥

Their bodies were honored with garlands of white lotuses, and their garments and upper-cloths were borne by the foremost of birds. Likewise, at many lakes, the twice-born recited the Purāṇa that sets forth the procedures and purposes of sacrifice (yajña).

Verse 22

भ्रमन्नहं तेषु सरःस्वपश्यं वृन्दान्यनेकानि सुराङ्गनानाम् । विद्याधराणां च तथैव कन्याः स्नानाय तं देशमुपागताश्च ॥ ६९.२२ ॥

While wandering there, I saw within those lakes many groups of celestial maidens; likewise, maidens of the Vidyādharas too had come to that region for bathing.

Verse 23

ततः कदाचिद् भ्रमता नृपोत्तम प्रदृष्टमन्यत्सुसरः सुतोयम् । प्राग् दृष्टमेकं तु तथैव तीरे कुटीं प्रपश्यामि यथा पुराहम् ॥ ६९.२३ ॥

Then, at a certain time while wandering, O best of kings, this son of pleasing voice saw something else: on the bank I behold a hermitage-cottage exactly as I had seen it before.

Verse 24

यावत् कुटीं तां प्रविशामि राजन् तपस्विनं तं स्थितमेकदेशे । दृष्ट्वाभिगम्याभिवदामि यावत् स्मयन्नुवाचाप्रतिमप्रभावः ॥ ६९.२४ ॥

O king, as I entered that hut, I saw the ascetic standing in a certain place. As I approached and was about to offer my salutation, he—of incomparable power—smiled and spoke.

Verse 25

तापस उवाच । किं मां विप्र न जानीषे प्राग्दृष्टमपि सत्तम । येन त्वं मूढवल्लोकमिममप्यनुपश्यसि ॥ ६९.२५ ॥

The ascetic said: “O brāhmaṇa, do you not recognize me—me whom you have seen before, O best among the good? By what ignorance do you, like one bewildered, fail to perceive even this world?”

Verse 26

दृष्टं मत्कमिदं देवैर्भुवनं यन्न दृश्यते । त्वत्प्रियार्थं मया लोको दर्शितः स द्विजोत्तम ॥ ६९.२६ ॥

This world, which is mine, has been seen by the gods, though it is not ordinarily seen. For your satisfaction, O best of the twice-born, I have shown that realm to you.

Verse 27

सम्पदं पश्य लोकस्य मदीयस्य महामुने । दधिक्षीरवहा नद्यस्तथा सर्पिर्मयान् ह्रदान् ॥ ६९.२७ ॥

“Behold the prosperity of my world, O great sage: rivers that flow with curd and milk, and likewise lakes made of clarified butter (ghee).”

Verse 28

गृहाणां हेमरत्नानां स्तम्भान् हेममयान् गृहे । रत्नोत्पलचितां भूमिं पद्मरागसमप्रभाम् । पारिजातप्रसूनाढ्यां सेवितां यक्षकिन्नरैः ॥ ६९.२८ ॥

He describes dwellings of gold and jewels, with pillars within the house made entirely of gold; the ground is inlaid with jeweled lotuses and shines with a radiance equal to that of ruby. It is rich with blossoms of the pārijāta tree and is frequented by Yakṣas and Kinnaras.

Verse 29

एवमुक्तस्तदा तेन तापसेन नराधिप । विस्मयापन्नहृदयस्तमेवाहं तु पृष्टवान् ॥ ६९.२९ ॥

O king, when that ascetic addressed me in this manner, my heart was filled with astonishment, and then I questioned him further.

Verse 30

भगवंस्तव लोकोऽयं सर्वलोकवरोत्तमः । सर्वलोकाः मया दृष्टा ब्रह्मशक्रादिसंस्थिताः ॥ ६९.३० ॥

O Blessed One, this realm of yours is the most excellent among all worlds. I have seen all the worlds—those in which Brahmā, Śakra (Indra), and others are established.

Verse 31

अयं त्वपूर्वो लोको मे प्रतिबाति तपोधन । सम्पदैश्वर्यतेजोभिर्हर्म्यरत्नचयैस्तथा ॥ ६९.३१ ॥

But this world appears to me as something unprecedented, O treasure of ascetic power—endowed with prosperity, sovereignty, and splendor, and likewise with mansions and heaps of jewels.

Verse 32

सरोभिः सूदकैः पुण्यैर्जलजैश्च विशेषतः । अत्यद्भुतमिदं लोकं दृष्टवानस्मि ते मुने ॥ ६९.३२ ॥

With sacred lakes, with holy waters, and especially with water-born beings and growths, I have seen this world to be exceedingly wondrous, O sage.

Verse 33

इत्थंभूतं कथं लोको भवांश्चेत्थं व्यवस्थितः । कथयस्वैतस्य हेतुं मे कश्च त्वं मुनिपुंगव ॥ ६९.३३ ॥

How has the world come to be thus? And how are you established in such a state? Tell me the cause of this, and also—who are you, O foremost among sages?

Verse 34

कथमिलावृते वर्षे सरस्तीरे महामुने । दृष्टवानस्मि सोऽहं त्वं सरस्तत् सा कुटी मुने । हेमहार्म्याकुले लोके किं वा स्थानं तु ते कुटिः ॥ ६९.३४ ॥

How is it that, in Ilāvṛta-varṣa, upon the bank of the lake, O great sage, I beheld you—and that hermitage by the lake as well, O muni? In a world thronged with golden mansions, what indeed is the position or standing of your hut?

Verse 35

एवमुक्तः स भगवात् मया । असौ मुनिपुङ्गवः । प्राह मह्यं यथावृत्तं यत् तु राजेन्द्र तच्छृणु ॥ ६९.३५ ॥

Thus addressed by me, that venerable one—the foremost among sages—told me what had occurred, just as it happened; and he said, “O best of kings, listen to this.”

Verse 36

तापस उवाच । अहं नारायणो देवो जलरूपी सनातनः । येन व्याप्तमिदं विश्वं त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम् ॥ ६९.३६ ॥

The ascetic said: “I am Nārāyaṇa, the divine one—eternal, having the form of water—by whom this entire universe is pervaded, the three worlds together with all that moves and all that is unmoving.”

Verse 37

या सा त्वाप्याकृतिस्तस्य देवस्य परमेष्ठिनः । सोऽहं वरुण इत्युक्तः स्वयं नारायणः परः ॥ ६९.३७ ॥

That very form which you have perceived as belonging to the supreme Lord (Parameṣṭhin)—I am the one spoken of as ‘Varuṇa’; indeed, I am Nārāyaṇa Himself, the transcendent one.

Verse 38

त्वया च सप्त जन्मानि अहमारााधितः पुरा । तेन त्रैलोक्यनाशेऽपि त्वमेकस्त्वभिलक्षितः ॥ ६९.३८ ॥

And by you, for seven births, I was formerly propitiated; therefore, even when the three worlds face destruction, you alone are singled out—marked to be recognized.

Verse 39

एवमुक्तस्तदा तेन निद्रामीलितलोचनः । पतितोऽहं धरापृष्ठे तत्क्षणात् पुनरुत्थितः ॥ ६९.३९ ॥

Thus addressed by him at that time, with eyes half-closed in drowsy sleep, I fell upon the surface of the earth; and in that very instant I rose up again.

Verse 40

यावत्पश्याम्यहं राजन् तं ऋषिं तच्च वै पुरम् । तावन्मेरुगिरेर्मूर्ध्निं पश्याम्यात्मानमात्मना ॥ ६९.४० ॥

So long as I behold, O king, that sage and that very city, for that same duration I behold myself—by my own inner self—upon the summit of Mount Meru.

Verse 41

समुद्रान् सप्त पश्यामि तथैव कुलपर्वतान् । सप्तद्वीपवतीं पृथ्वीं दृष्टवानस्मि पार्थिव ॥ ६९.४१ ॥

I behold the seven oceans, and likewise the mountain ranges; and I have seen the Earth as possessed of seven continents, O king.

Verse 42

अद्यापि तं लोकवरं ध्यायंस्तिष्ठामि सुव्रत । कदा प्राप्स्येऽथ तं लोकमिति चिन्तापरोऽभवम् ॥ ६९.४२ ॥

Even now, O you of good observance, I remain standing while contemplating that excellent realm. Thinking, ‘When indeed shall I attain that realm?’, I became wholly absorbed in this concern.

Verse 43

एवं ते कौतुकं राजन् कथितं परमेष्ठिनः । यद्वृत्तं मम देहे तु किमन्यच्छ्रोतुमिच्छसि ॥ ६९.४३ ॥

Thus, O King, your curiosity has been explained—as Parameṣṭhin related; and what occurred upon my body has been recounted. What else do you wish to hear?