02.011
Pancharatra: Description of the Self-creating Brahman’s assembly. How Harishchandra performed Rajasuya to get a place in that assembly.
नारद उवाच॥
Nārada said.
पुरा देवयुगे राजन्नादित्यो भगवान्दिवः। आगच्छन्मानुषं लोकं दिदृक्षुर्विगतक्लमः ॥२-११-१॥
O king, once in the age of the gods, the revered Sun, free from fatigue, came down from heaven desiring to see the world of humans. (2-11-1)
चरन्मानुषरूपेण सभां दृष्ट्वा स्वयम्भुवः। सभामकथयन्मह्यं ब्राह्मीं तत्त्वेन पाण्डव ॥२-११-२॥
O Pāṇḍava, Svayambhu (Brahmā), moving in human form, after seeing the assembly, truly described to me the divine assembly. (2-11-2)
अप्रमेयप्रभां दिव्यां मानसीं भरतर्षभ। अनिर्देश्यां प्रभावेन सर्वभूतमनोरमाम् ॥२-११-३॥
O best of the Bharatas, it is of immeasurable radiance, divine, mental, indescribable in its power, and pleasing to all beings. (2-11-3)
श्रुत्वा गुणानहं तस्याः सभायाः पाण्डुनन्दन। दर्शनेप्सुस्तथा राजन्नादित्यमहमब्रुवम् ॥२-११-४॥
O Arjuna, having heard of her virtues in the assembly, I, wishing to see her, thus spoke to the Sun, O king. (2-11-4)
भगवन्द्रष्टुमिच्छामि पितामहसभामहम्। येन सा तपसा शक्या कर्मणा वापि गोपते ॥२-११-५॥
O Lord, I wish to see the assembly of the grandsire. By what means can that assembly be attained—by austerity or by action, O lord of cows, or even otherwise? (2-11-5)
औषधैर्वा तथा युक्तैरुत वा मायया यया। तन्ममाचक्ष्व भगवन्पश्येयं तां सभां कथम् ॥२-११-६॥
O venerable one, tell me by what means—by medicines, by other means, or by illusion—I may see that assembly, and how. (2-11-6)
ततः स भगवान्सूर्यो मामुपादाय वीर्यवान्। अगच्छत्तां सभां ब्राह्मीं विपापां विगतक्लमाम् ॥२-११-७॥
Then the venerable Sun, powerful, took me and went to that sinless, fatigue-free assembly of Brahmā. (2-11-7)
एवंरूपेति सा शक्या न निर्देष्टुं जनाधिप। क्षणेन हि बिभर्त्यन्यदनिर्देश्यं वपुस्तथा ॥२-११-८॥
O king, such is her form that she cannot be described. For in a moment, she indeed assumes another indescribable form. (2-11-8)
न वेद परिमाणं वा संस्थानं वापि भारत। न च रूपं मया तादृग्दृष्टपूर्वं कदाचन ॥२-११-९॥
O Bhārata, neither the measure nor the form is known, nor have I ever seen such an appearance before. (2-11-9)
सुसुखा सा सभा राजन्न शीता न च घर्मदा। न क्षुत्पिपासे न ग्लानिं प्राप्य तां प्राप्नुवन्त्युत ॥२-११-१०॥
O king, that assembly is extremely comfortable and cool, not hot; those who reach it do not experience hunger, thirst, or fatigue. (2-11-10)
नानारूपैरिव कृता सुविचित्रैः सुभास्वरैः। स्तम्भैर्न च धृता सा तु शाश्वती न च सा क्षरा ॥२-११-११॥
She appears as if constructed with various forms, adorned with splendid and radiant pillars, yet she is not supported by them; she is eternal and not perishable. (2-11-11)
अति चन्द्रं च सूर्यं च शिखिनं च स्वयम्प्रभा। दीप्यते नाकपृष्ठस्था भासयन्तीव भास्करम् ॥२-११-१२॥
She, self-luminous, shines beyond the moon, the sun, and the fire, stationed on the summit of heaven, as if illuminating even the sun. (2-11-12)
तस्यां स भगवानास्ते विदधद्देवमायया। स्वयमेकोऽनिशं राजँल्लोकाँल्लोकपितामहः ॥२-११-१३॥
O king, in her, the Lord himself alone constantly dwells, performing (actions) by divine illusion; he is the grandsire of the worlds. (2-11-13)
उपतिष्ठन्ति चाप्येनं प्रजानां पतयः प्रभुम्। दक्षः प्रचेताः पुलहो मरीचिः कश्यपस्तथा ॥२-११-१४॥
The lords of beings, including Dakṣa, Pracetas, Pulaha, Marīci, and also Kaśyapa, approach and serve him, the master. (2-11-14)
भृगुरत्रिर्वसिष्ठश्च गौतमश्च तथाङ्गिराः। मनोऽन्तरिक्षं विद्याश्च वायुस्तेजो जलं मही ॥२-११-१५॥
Bhṛgu, Atri, Vasiṣṭha, Gautama, and also Aṅgiras; the mind, the atmosphere, the sciences, the wind, fire, water, and earth. (2-11-15)
शब्दः स्पर्शस्तथा रूपं रसो गन्धश्च भारत। प्रकृतिश्च विकारश्च यच्चान्यत्कारणं भुवः ॥२-११-१६॥
O Bhārata, sound, touch, form, taste, smell, primordial nature, modification, and whatever else is the cause of the world. (2-11-16)
चन्द्रमाः सह नक्षत्रैरादित्यश्च गभस्तिमान्। वायवः क्रतवश्चैव सङ्कल्पः प्राण एव च ॥२-११-१७॥
The moon along with the stars, the radiant sun, the winds, the sacrifices, resolve, and the very life-breath itself. (2-11-17)
एते चान्ये च बहवः स्वयम्भुवमुपस्थिताः। अर्थो धर्मश्च कामश्च हर्षो द्वेषस्तपो दमः ॥२-११-१८॥
Many others, along with these, have approached Svayambhu (the self-born, Brahmā); purpose, righteousness, desire, joy, hatred, austerity, and self-restraint (are present). (2-11-18)
आयान्ति तस्यां सहिता गन्धर्वाप्सरसस्तथा। विंशतिः सप्त चैवान्ये लोकपालाश्च सर्वशः ॥२-११-१९॥
In that place, Gandharvas and Apsarases together arrive, as well as twenty, seven, and other guardians of the worlds, all of them. (2-11-19)
शुक्रो बृहस्पतिश्चैव बुधोऽङ्गारक एव च। शनैश्चरश्च राहुश्च ग्रहाः सर्वे तथैव च ॥२-११-२०॥
Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Saturn, and Rahu—all the planets—are also included in the same way. (2-11-20)
मन्त्रो रथन्तरश्चैव हरिमान्वसुमानपि। आदित्याः साधिराजानो नानाद्वंद्वैरुदाहृताः ॥२-११-२१॥
The sacred chants Rathantara, Hariman, and Vasuman, as well as the Ādityas with their kings, are mentioned along with various pairs. (2-11-21)
मरुतो विश्वकर्मा च वसवश्चैव भारत। तथा पितृगणाः सर्वे सर्वाणि च हवींष्यथ ॥२-११-२२॥
O Bhārata, the Maruts, Viśvakarman, and the Vasus, as well as all the groups of ancestors and all the offerings, (2-11-22).
ऋग्वेदः सामवेदश्च यजुर्वेदश्च पाण्डव। अथर्ववेदश्च तथा पर्वाणि च विशां पते ॥२-११-२३॥
O Pāṇḍava, the Ṛgveda, Sāmaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda, as well as the festivals, O lord of the people. (2-11-23)
इतिहासोपवेदाश्च वेदाङ्गानि च सर्वशः। ग्रहा यज्ञाश्च सोमश्च दैवतानि च सर्वशः ॥२-११-२४॥
History, the auxiliary Vedas, all the limbs of the Veda, the planets, sacrifices, Soma, and all the divinities in their entirety. (2-11-24)
सावित्री दुर्गतरणी वाणी सप्तविधा तथा। मेधा धृतिः श्रुतिश्चैव प्रज्ञा बुद्धिर्यशः क्षमा ॥२-११-२५॥
Sāvitrī, the one who helps to overcome difficulties, speech (in its sevenfold form), intelligence, steadfastness, sacred knowledge, wisdom, intellect, fame, and forbearance. (2-11-25)
सामानि स्तुतिशस्त्राणि गाथाश्च विविधास्तथा। भाष्याणि तर्कयुक्तानि देहवन्ति विशां पते ॥२-११-२६॥
O lord of men, there are chants, hymns of praise, songs, and various other texts; also, there are commentaries endowed with reasoning and embodied form. (2-11-26)
क्षणा लवा मुहूर्ताश्च दिवा रात्रिस्तथैव च। अर्धमासाश्च मासाश्च ऋतवः षट्च भारत ॥२-११-२७॥
O Bhārata, there are moments, instants, muhūrtas, days, nights, fortnights, months, and the six seasons.
संवत्सराः पञ्चयुगमहोरात्राश्चतुर्विधाः। कालचक्रं च यद्दिव्यं नित्यमक्षयमव्ययम् ॥२-११-२८॥
There are years, five great ages and four kinds of nights, and the wheel of time which is divine, eternal, imperishable, and unchanging. (2-11-28)
अदितिर्दितिर्दनुश्चैव सुरसा विनता इरा। कालका सुरभिर्देवी सरमा चाथ गौतमी ॥२-११-२९॥
Aditi, Diti, Danu, Surasā, Vinatā, Ira, Kālaka, the goddess Surabhi, Saramā, and Gautamī were present. (2-11-29)
आदित्या वसवो रुद्रा मरुतश्चाश्विनावपि। विश्वेदेवाश्च साध्याश्च पितरश्च मनोजवाः ॥२-११-३०॥
The Ādityas, Vasus, Rudras, Maruts, and the Aśvins; the Viśvedevas, Sādhyas, Pitṛs, and those who are swift as the mind. (2-11-30)
राक्षसाश्च पिशाचाश्च दानवा गुह्यकास्तथा। सुपर्णनागपशवः पितामहमुपासते ॥२-११-३१॥
Rākṣasas, piśācas, dānavas, guhyakas, as well as suparṇas, nāgas, and animals all worship the Grandfather (Brahmā). (2-11-31)
देवो नारायणस्तस्यां तथा देवर्षयश्च ये। ऋषयो वालखिल्याश्च योनिजायोनिजास्तथा ॥२-११-३२॥
God Nārāyaṇa was present in her, as well as the divine sages, those sages known as Vālakhiḷyas, and both those born from the womb and those not born from the womb were also there. (2-11-32)
यच्च किञ्चित्त्रिलोकेऽस्मिन्दृश्यते स्थाणुजङ्गमम्। सर्वं तस्यां मया दृष्टं तद्विद्धि मनुजाधिप ॥२-११-३३॥
O king of men, know that whatever stationary or moving thing is seen in these three worlds, all of that has been seen by me in her.
अष्टाशीतिसहस्राणि यतीनामूर्ध्वरेतसाम्। प्रजावतां च पञ्चाशदृषीणामपि पाण्डव ॥२-११-३४॥
O Pāṇḍava, there were eighty-eight thousand ascetics with upward-flowing energy, and also fifty sages who had progeny. (2-11-34)
ते स्म तत्र यथाकामं दृष्ट्वा सर्वे दिवौकसः। प्रणम्य शिरसा तस्मै प्रतियान्ति यथागतम् ॥२-११-३५॥
Having seen him there as they wished, all the dwellers of heaven bowed their heads to him and returned as they had come. (2-11-35)
अतिथीनागतान्देवान्दैत्यान्नागान्मुनींस्तथा। यक्षान्सुपर्णान्कालेयान्गन्धर्वाप्सरसस्तथा ॥२-११-३६॥
He welcomed the guests who had arrived, including gods, daityas, nāgas, sages, yakṣas, suparṇas, kāleyas, gandharvas, and apsarases also. (2-11-36)
महाभागानमितधीर्ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः। दयावान्सर्वभूतेषु यथार्हं प्रतिपद्यते ॥२-११-३७॥
Brahmā, the grandsire of the worlds, who possesses immeasurable intellect and compassion for all beings, deals with the greatly fortunate as is fitting. (2-11-37)
प्रतिगृह्य च विश्वात्मा स्वयम्भूरमितप्रभः। सान्त्वमानार्थसम्भोगैर्युनक्ति मनुजाधिप ॥२-११-३८॥
Having accepted, the self-born, infinitely radiant soul of the universe, with conciliation, respect, wealth, and enjoyments, unites the lord of men. (2-11-38)
तथा तैरुपयातैश्च प्रतियातैश्च भारत। आकुला सा सभा तात भवति स्म सुखप्रदा ॥२-११-३९॥
Thus, O Bhārata, that assembly became agitated by those arriving and departing, yet it was a source of happiness, dear one. (2-11-39)
सर्वतेजोमयी दिव्या ब्रह्मर्षिगणसेविता। ब्राह्म्या श्रिया दीप्यमाना शुशुभे विगतक्लमा ॥२-११-४०॥
She, composed of all brilliance, divine, attended by the assembly of Brahmarṣis, radiant with the glory of Brahmā, shone forth, her fatigue gone. (2-11-40)
सा सभा तादृशी दृष्टा सर्वलोकेषु दुर्लभा। सभेयं राजशार्दूल मनुष्येषु यथा तव ॥२-११-४१॥
Such an assembly as was seen is rare in all the worlds. O tiger among kings, this assembly among men is like yours. (2-11-41)
एता मया दृष्टपूर्वाः सभा देवेषु पाण्डव। तवेयं मानुषे लोके सर्वश्रेष्ठतमा सभा ॥२-११-४२॥
O Pāṇḍava, I have seen such assemblies before among the gods. But this assembly of yours in the world of men is the most excellent of all. (2-11-42)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
प्रायशो राजलोकस्ते कथितो वदतां वर। वैवस्वतसभायां तु यथा वदसि वै प्रभो ॥२-११-४३॥
O best of speakers, the royal people have generally been described to you. But, O lord, as you say, it is so in the assembly of Yama. (2-11-43)
वरुणस्य सभायां तु नागास्ते कथिता विभो। दैत्येन्द्राश्चैव भूयिष्ठाः सरितः सागरास्तथा ॥२-११-४४॥
O mighty one, in the assembly of Varuṇa, those serpents have been described; and mostly the lords of the Daityas, as well as the rivers and oceans, have also been mentioned. (2-11-44)
तथा धनपतेर्यक्षा गुह्यका राक्षसास्तथा। गन्धर्वाप्सरसश्चैव भगवांश्च वृषध्वजः ॥२-११-४५॥
In the same way, the yakṣas of the lord of wealth, guhyakas, rākṣasas, gandharvas, apsarases, and also the venerable bull-bannered Lord (Śiva) were present. (2-11-45)
पितामहसभायां तु कथितास्ते महर्षयः। सर्वदेवनिकायाश्च सर्वशास्त्राणि चैव हि ॥२-११-४६॥
But in the assembly of the grandsire, those great sages were mentioned, as well as all classes of gods and all the scriptures. (2-11-46)
शतक्रतुसभायां तु देवाः सङ्कीर्तिता मुने। उद्देशतश्च गन्धर्वा विविधाश्च महर्षयः ॥२-११-४७॥
O sage, in the assembly of Indra, the gods were mentioned, as well as the various Gandharvas and great sages by name. (2-11-47)
एक एव तु राजर्षिर्हरिश्चन्द्रो महामुने। कथितस्ते सभानित्यो देवेन्द्रस्य महात्मनः ॥२-११-४८॥
O great sage, only one royal sage, Hariścandra, has been mentioned to you as always present in the assembly of the great-souled Indra. (2-11-48)
किं कर्म तेनाचरितं तपो वा नियतव्रतम्। येनासौ सह शक्रेण स्पर्धते स्म महायशाः ॥२-११-४९॥
What deed or austerity or fixed vow did he perform, by which this greatly renowned one could compete with Indra himself? (2-11-49)
पितृलोकगतश्चापि त्वया विप्र पिता मम। दृष्टः पाण्डुर्महाभागः कथं चासि समागतः ॥२-११-५०॥
O brāhmaṇa, my father who has departed to the world of ancestors has also been seen by you. O highly fortunate one, how did you meet with Pāṇḍu? (2-11-50)
किमुक्तवांश्च भगवन्नेतदिच्छामि वेदितुम्। त्वत्तः श्रोतुमहं सर्वं परं कौतूहलं हि मे ॥२-११-५१॥
O revered one, I wish to know what has been spoken; I have the utmost curiosity to hear all this from you. (2-11-51)
नारद उवाच॥
Nārada said.
यन्मां पृच्छसि राजेन्द्र हरिश्चन्द्रं प्रति प्रभो। तत्तेऽहं सम्प्रवक्ष्यामि माहात्म्यं तस्य धीमतः ॥२-११-५२॥
O king, you have asked me about Harishchandra, O lord. I shall now fully tell you the greatness of that wise man. (2-11-52)
स राजा बलवानासीत्सम्राट्सर्वमहीक्षिताम्। तस्य सर्वे महीपालाः शासनावनताः स्थिताः ॥२-११-५३॥
He was a powerful king, the emperor of all rulers of the earth. All the earth-kings remained bowed to his command. (2-11-53)
तेनैकं रथमास्थाय जैत्रं हेमविभूषितम्। शस्त्रप्रतापेन जिता द्वीपाः सप्त नरेश्वर ॥२-११-५४॥
O king of men, by him, having mounted a single victorious chariot adorned with gold, seven islands were conquered through the prowess of his weapons. (2-11-54)
स विजित्य महीं सर्वां सशैलवनकाननाम्। आजहार महाराज राजसूयं महाक्रतुम् ॥२-११-५५॥
Having conquered the entire earth along with its mountains, forests, and groves, he performed the great Rājasūya sacrifice, O great king. (2-11-55)
तस्य सर्वे महीपाला धनान्याजह्रुराज्ञया। द्विजानां परिवेष्टारस्तस्मिन्यज्ञे च तेऽभवन् ॥२-११-५६॥
All the kings brought wealth at his command. In that sacrifice, they served as attendants to the twice-born. (2-11-56)
प्रादाच्च द्रविणं प्रीत्या याजकानां नरेश्वरः। यथोक्तं तत्र तैस्तस्मिंस्ततः पञ्चगुणाधिकम् ॥२-११-५७॥
The king, with affection, gave wealth to the priests; as stated there by them, he then gave five times more. (2-11-57)
अतर्पयच्च विविधैर्वसुभिर्ब्राह्मणांस्तथा। प्रासर्पकाले सम्प्राप्ते नानादिग्भ्यः समागतान् ॥२-११-५८॥
He also satisfied the Brāhmaṇas with various riches, those who had come from all directions at the time of the snake-sacrifice. (2-11-58)
भक्ष्यैर्भोज्यैश्च विविधैर्यथाकामपुरस्कृतैः। रत्नौघतर्पितैस्तुष्टैर्द्विजैश्च समुदाहृतम् ॥ तेजस्वी च यशस्वी च नृपेभ्योऽभ्यधिकोऽभवत् ॥२-११-५९॥
He was honoured with various foods and delicacies as he desired, and satisfied Brāhmaṇas with heaps of jewels; it was declared that he became brilliant and famous, superior to kings. (2-11-59)
एतस्मात्कारणात्पार्थ हरिश्चन्द्रो विराजते। तेभ्यो राजसहस्रेभ्यस्तद्विद्धि भरतर्षभ ॥२-११-६०॥
For this reason, O Pārtha, Hariścandra stands out. Know, O best of the Bharatas, that he surpasses those thousands of kings. (2-11-60)
समाप्य च हरिश्चन्द्रो महायज्ञं प्रतापवान्। अभिषिक्तः स शुशुभे साम्राज्येन नराधिप ॥२-११-६१॥
Having completed the great sacrifice, the glorious Hariścandra, having been anointed, shone as king with sovereignty. (2-11-61)
ये चान्येऽपि महीपाला राजसूयं महाक्रतुम्। यजन्ते ते महेन्द्रेण मोदन्ते सह भारत ॥२-११-६२॥
O Bhārata, those other kings also who perform the great Rājasūya sacrifice rejoice together with Mahendra (Indra). (2-11-62)
ये चापि निधनं प्राप्ताः सङ्ग्रामेष्वपलायिनः। ते तत्सदः समासाद्य मोदन्ते भरतर्षभ ॥२-११-६३॥
O best of the Bharatas, those who did not flee and attained death in battle, having reached that assembly, rejoice. (2-11-63)
तपसा ये च तीव्रेण त्यजन्तीह कलेवरम्। तेऽपि तत्स्थानमासाद्य श्रीमन्तो भान्ति नित्यशः ॥२-११-६४॥
Those who abandon their bodies here with intense austerity, they too, having attained that place, shine forth always as prosperous. (2-11-64)
पिता च त्वाह कौन्तेय पाण्डुः कौरवनन्दनः। हरिश्चन्द्रे श्रियं दृष्ट्वा नृपतौ जातविस्मयः ॥२-११-६५॥
Pandu, the father and delight of the Kauravas, said to you, O son of Kunti, having become astonished upon seeing the prosperity of King Harishchandra. (2-11-65)
समर्थोऽसि महीं जेतुं भ्रातरस्ते वशे स्थिताः। राजसूयं क्रतुश्रेष्ठमाहरस्वेति भारत ॥२-११-६६॥
You have the ability to conquer the earth, and your brothers are obedient to you. Therefore, O Bhārata, perform the greatest of sacrifices, the Rājasūya. (2-11-66)
तस्य त्वं पुरुषव्याघ्र सङ्कल्पं कुरु पाण्डव। गन्तारस्ते महेन्द्रस्य पूर्वैः सह सलोकताम् ॥२-११-६७॥
Therefore, O tiger among men, you should make up your mind, O Pāṇḍava. Your companions will attain the same world as Mahendra together with the former ones. (2-11-67)
बहुविघ्नश्च नृपते क्रतुरेष स्मृतो महान्। छिद्राण्यत्र हि वाञ्छन्ति यज्ञघ्ना ब्रह्मराक्षसाः ॥२-११-६८॥
O king, this great sacrifice is known to be beset with many obstacles. Here, the brahma-rākṣasas, destroyers of sacrifice, eagerly seek out flaws. (2-11-68)
युद्धं च पृष्ठगमनं पृथिवीक्षयकारकम्। किञ्चिदेव निमित्तं च भवत्यत्र क्षयावहम् ॥२-११-६९॥
Battle and retreat both lead to the destruction of the earth. Even a small cause here can bring about ruin. (2-11-69)
एतत्सञ्चिन्त्य राजेन्द्र यत्क्षमं तत्समाचर। अप्रमत्तोत्थितो नित्यं चातुर्वर्ण्यस्य रक्षणे ॥ भव एधस्व मोदस्व दानैस्तर्पय च द्विजान् ॥२-११-७०॥
O king, after reflecting on this, act as is proper. Always be vigilant in protecting the four classes. Be prosperous, rejoice, and satisfy the twice-born with gifts. (2-11-70)
एतत्ते विस्तरेणोक्तं यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि। आपृच्छे त्वां गमिष्यामि दाशार्हनगरीं प्रति ॥२-११-७१॥
I have explained this to you in detail as you asked me. Now, I take leave from you and shall go to the city of the Dāśārhas. (2-11-71)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
एवमाख्याय पार्थेभ्यो नारदो जनमेजय। जगाम तैर्वृतो राजन्नृषिभिर्यैः समागतः ॥२-११-७२॥
O Janamejaya, after thus narrating to the sons of Pṛthā, Nārada departed, accompanied by the sages who had assembled there, O king. (2-11-72)
गते तु नारदे पार्थो भ्रातृभिः सह कौरव। राजसूयं क्रतुश्रेष्ठं चिन्तयामास भारत ॥२-११-७३॥
O Kaurava, after Nārada had departed, Pārtha, along with his brothers, began to contemplate the Rājasūya, the greatest of sacrifices, O Bhārata. (2-11-73)
