02.009
Library: Description of Varuna’s assembly.
नारद उवाच॥
Nārada said.
युधिष्ठिर सभा दिव्या वरुणस्य सितप्रभा। प्रमाणेन यथा याम्या शुभप्राकारतोरणा ॥२-९-१॥
Yudhishthira's assembly hall was divine, shining with the white radiance of Varuṇa, measured just like Yama's, and adorned with beautiful ramparts and gateways. (2-9-1)
अन्तःसलिलमास्थाय विहिता विश्वकर्मणा। दिव्यरत्नमयैर्वृक्षैः फलपुष्पप्रदैर्युता ॥२-९-२॥
Having entered the waters within, (there was a structure) constructed by Viśvakarman, adorned with divine jewel trees, and filled with trees that bore fruit and flowers. (2-9-2)
नीलपीतासितश्यामैः सितैर्लोहितकैरपि। अवतानैस्तथा गुल्मैः पुष्पमञ्जरिधारिभिः ॥२-९-३॥
There were bushes of various kinds—dark-blue, yellow, white, dark, white, and red—some drooping, all bearing clusters of flowers. (2-9-3)
तथा शकुनयस्तस्यां नानारूपा मृदुस्वराः। अनिर्देश्या वपुष्मन्तः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥२-९-४॥
In that place, there were birds of many kinds and forms, with soft voices, indescribable in appearance, numbering in the hundreds and thousands. (2-9-4)
सा सभा सुखसंस्पर्शा न शीता न च घर्मदा। वेश्मासनवती रम्या सिता वरुणपालिता ॥२-९-५॥
That assembly hall, pleasant to the touch, is neither cold nor hot; it is adorned with mansions and seats, delightful, bright, and protected by Varuṇa. (2-9-5)
यस्यामास्ते स वरुणो वारुण्या सह भारत। दिव्यरत्नाम्बरधरो भूषणैरुपशोभितः ॥२-९-६॥
O Bhārata, in whom Varuṇa, together with Vāruṇī, resides, adorned with divine gem-studded garments and ornaments. (2-9-6)
स्रग्विणो भूषिताश्चापि दिव्यमाल्यानुकर्षिणः। आदित्यास्तत्र वरुणं जलेश्वरमुपासते ॥२-९-७॥
The Ādityas, adorned with garlands and divine wreaths, there worship Varuṇa, the lord of the waters. (2-9-7)
वासुकिस्तक्षकश्चैव नागश्चैरावतस्तथा। कृष्णश्च लोहितश्चैव पद्मश्चित्रश्च वीर्यवान् ॥२-९-८॥
Vāsuki, Takṣaka, Nāga, Airāvata, Kṛṣṇa, Lohita, Padma, and Citra—all powerful serpents—are mentioned here. (2-9-8)
कम्बलाश्वतरौ नागौ धृतराष्ट्रबलाहकौ। मणिमान्कुण्डलधरः कर्कोटकधनञ्जयौ ॥२-९-९॥
Kambala and Aśvatara, the serpents; Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Balāhaka; Maṇimān, Kuṇḍaladhara, Karkoṭaka, and the two Dhanañjayas. (2-9-9)
प्रह्लादो मूषिकादश्च तथैव जनमेजयः। पताकिनो मण्डलिनः फणवन्तश्च सर्वशः ॥२-९-१०॥
Prahlāda, Mūṣikāda, and likewise Janamejaya; all those with banners, armies, and serpent-hoods. (2-9-10)
एते चान्ये च बहवः सर्पास्तस्यां युधिष्ठिर। उपासते महात्मानं वरुणं विगतक्लमाः ॥२-९-११॥
O Yudhiṣṭhira, these and many other serpents in that place worship the great-souled Varuṇa, free from fatigue. (2-9-11)
बलिर्वैरोचनो राजा नरकः पृथिवीञ्जयः। प्रह्लादो विप्रचित्तिश्च कालखञ्जाश्च सर्वशः ॥२-९-१२॥
Bali, the son of Virocana, the king; Naraka, the conqueror of the earth; Prahlada, Vipracitti, and all the Kālakhañjas. (2-9-12)
सुहनुर्दुर्मुखः शङ्खः सुमनाः सुमतिः स्वनः। घटोदरो महापार्श्वः क्रथनः पिठरस्तथा ॥२-९-१३॥
Suhanur, Durmukha, Shankha, Sumanas, Sumati, Svan, Ghatodara, Mahaparshva, Krathana, and Pithara were also there. (2-9-13)
विश्वरूपः सुरूपश्च विरूपोऽथ महाशिराः। दशग्रीवश्च वाली च मेघवासा दशावरः ॥२-९-१४॥
He who has the form of the universe, a beautiful form, and also a deformed one; then the great-headed, the ten-necked, Vālī, the cloud-dweller, and the ten-formed. (2-9-14)
कैटभो विटटूतश्च संह्रादश्चेन्द्रतापनः। दैत्यदानवसङ्घाश्च सर्वे रुचिरकुण्डलाः ॥२-९-१५॥
Kaiṭabha, Viṭaṭūta, Saṃhrāda, Indratāpana, and all the groups of Daityas and Dānavas, all adorned with beautiful earrings. (2-9-15)
स्रग्विणो मौलिनः सर्वे तथा दिव्यपरिच्छदाः। सर्वे लब्धवराः शूराः सर्वे विगतमृत्यवः ॥२-९-१६॥
All of them wore garlands and crowns, adorned with divine ornaments, all were valiant, had received boons, and were free from death. (2-9-16)
ते तस्यां वरुणं देवं धर्मपाशस्थिताः सदा। उपासते महात्मानं सर्वे सुचरितव्रताः ॥२-९-१७॥
There, all those of good conduct and vows always worship the great-souled god Varuṇa, who is bound by the noose of dharma. (2-9-17)
तथा समुद्राश्चत्वारो नदी भागीरथी च या। कालिन्दी विदिशा वेण्णा नर्मदा वेगवाहिनी ॥२-९-१८॥
Thus, the four oceans, the river Bhagirathi, and also Kalindi, Vidiśā, Veṇṇā, and Narmadā, all of which are swift-flowing, (are mentioned here). (2-9-18)
विपाशा च शतद्रुश्च चन्द्रभागा सरस्वती। इरावती वितस्ता च सिन्धुर्देवनदस्तथा ॥२-९-१९॥
Vipāśā, Śatadru, Candrabhāgā, Sarasvatī, Irāvatī, Vitastā, Sindhu, and Devanada are also included among the rivers. (2-9-19)
गोदावरी कृष्णवेण्णा कावेरी च सरिद्वरा। एताश्चान्याश्च सरितस्तीर्थानि च सरांसि च ॥२-९-२०॥
Godāvarī, Kṛṣṇaveṇṇā, Kāverī, and the best of rivers; these and other rivers, sacred fords, and lakes are mentioned here. (2-9-20)
कूपाश्च सप्रस्रवणा देहवन्तो युधिष्ठिर। पल्वलानि तडागानि देहवन्त्यथ भारत ॥२-९-२१॥
O Yudhiṣṭhira, there are wells with springs and inhabited places; there are also marshes and ponds that are inhabited, O Bhārata. (2-9-21)
दिशस्तथा मही चैव तथा सर्वे महीधराः। उपासते महात्मानं सर्वे जलचरास्तथा ॥२-९-२२॥
In the same way, the directions, the earth, all the mountains, and all aquatic beings worship the great-souled one. (2-9-22)
गीतवादित्रवन्तश्च गन्धर्वाप्सरसां गणाः। स्तुवन्तो वरुणं तस्यां सर्व एव समासते ॥२-९-२३॥
The groups of Gandharvas and Apsarases, possessing songs and musical instruments, all indeed assemble in that assembly, praising Varuṇa. (2-9-23)
महीधरा रत्नवन्तो रसा येषु प्रतिष्ठिताः। सर्वे विग्रहवन्तस्ते तमीश्वरमुपासते ॥२-९-२४॥
All the mountains that possess jewels and in whom the essences are established, all those with forms worship that Lord. (2-9-24)
एषा मया सम्पतता वारुणी भरतर्षभ। दृष्टपूर्वा सभा रम्या कुबेरस्य सभां शृणु ॥२-९-२५॥
O best of the Bharatas, this beautiful assembly of Varuṇa, which I have previously seen, having approached, listen to the assembly of Kubera. (2-9-25)
