02.011
Pancharatra: Description of the Self-creating Brahman’s assembly. How Harishchandra performed Rajasuya to get a place in that assembly.
nārada uvāca॥
Nārada said.
purā devayuge rājann ādityo bhagavān divaḥ। āgacchan mānuṣaṃ lokaṃ didṛkṣur vigataklamaḥ ॥2-11-1॥
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)
caran mānuṣarūpeṇa sabhāṃ dṛṣṭvā svayambhuvaḥ। sabhām akathayan mahyaṃ brāhmīṃ tattvena pāṇḍava ॥2-11-2॥
O Pāṇḍava, Svayambhu (Brahmā), moving in human form, after seeing the assembly, truly described to me the divine assembly. (2-11-2)
aprameyaprabhāṃ divyāṃ mānasīṃ bharatarṣabha। anirdeśyāṃ prabhāvena sarvabhūtamanoramām ॥2-11-3॥
O best of the Bharatas, it is of immeasurable radiance, divine, mental, indescribable in its power, and pleasing to all beings. (2-11-3)
śrutvā guṇān ahaṃ tasyāḥ sabhāyāḥ pāṇḍunandana | darśan-epsus tathā rājan ādityam aham abruvam ॥2-11-4॥
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)
bhagavandraṣṭumicchāmi pitāmahasabhāmaham। yena sā tapasā śakyā karmaṇā vāpi gopate ॥2-11-5॥
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)
auṣadhairvā tathā yuktairuta vā māyayā yayā। tanmamācakṣva bhagavanpaśyeyaṃ tāṃ sabhāṃ katham ॥2-11-6॥
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)
tataḥ sa bhagavān sūryo mām upādāya vīryavān। agacchattāṃ sabhāṃ brāhmīṃ vipāpāṃ vigataklamām ॥2-11-7॥
Then the venerable Sun, powerful, took me and went to that sinless, fatigue-free assembly of Brahmā. (2-11-7)
evaṁrūpeti sā śakyā na nirdeṣṭuṁ janādhipa। kṣaṇena hi bibhartyanyadanirdeśyaṁ vapustathā ॥2-11-8॥
O king, such is her form that she cannot be described. For in a moment, she indeed assumes another indescribable form. (2-11-8)
na veda parimāṇaṃ vā saṃsthānaṃ vāpi bhārata। na ca rūpaṃ mayā tādṛgdṛṣṭapūrvaṃ kadācana ॥2-11-9॥
O Bhārata, neither the measure nor the form is known, nor have I ever seen such an appearance before. (2-11-9)
susukhā sā sabhā rājanna śītā na ca gharmadā। na kṣutpipāse na glāniṃ prāpya tāṃ prāpnuvantyuta ॥2-11-10॥
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)
nānārūpairiva kṛtā suvicitraiḥ subhāsvaraiḥ। stambhairna ca dhṛtā sā tu śāśvatī na ca sā kṣarā ॥2-11-11॥
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)
ati candraṃ ca sūryaṃ ca śikhinaṃ ca svayamprabhā। dīpyate nākapṛṣṭhasthā bhāsayantīva bhāskaram ॥2-11-12॥
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)
tasyāṃ sa bhagavān āste vidadhad devamāyayā। svayam eko'niśaṃ rājan lokān lokapitāmahaḥ ॥2-11-13॥
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)
upatiṣṭhanti cāpyenaṃ prajānāṃ patayaḥ prabhum। dakṣaḥ pracetāḥ pulaho marīciḥ kaśyapastathā ॥2-11-14॥
The lords of beings, including Dakṣa, Pracetas, Pulaha, Marīci, and also Kaśyapa, approach and serve him, the master. (2-11-14)
bhṛgur atrir vasiṣṭhaś ca gautamaś ca tathāṅgirāḥ। mano'ntarikṣaṃ vidyāś ca vāyuḥ tejo jalaṃ mahī ॥2-11-15॥
Bhṛgu, Atri, Vasiṣṭha, Gautama, and also Aṅgiras; the mind, the atmosphere, the sciences, the wind, fire, water, and earth. (2-11-15)
śabdaḥ sparśas tathā rūpaṃ raso gandhaś ca bhārata। prakṛtiś ca vikāraś ca yac cānyat kāraṇaṃ bhuvaḥ ॥2-11-16॥
O Bhārata, sound, touch, form, taste, smell, primordial nature, modification, and whatever else is the cause of the world. (2-11-16)
candramāḥ saha nakṣatrair ādityaś ca gabhastimān। vāyavaḥ kratavaś caiva saṅkalpaḥ prāṇa eva ca ॥2-11-17॥
The moon along with the stars, the radiant sun, the winds, the sacrifices, resolve, and the very life-breath itself. (2-11-17)
ete cānye ca bahavaḥ svayambhuvam-upasthitāḥ। artho dharmaś ca kāmaś ca harṣo dveṣas tapo damaḥ ॥2-11-18॥
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)
āyānti tasyāṃ sahitā gandharvāpsarasas tathā। viṃśatiḥ sapta caivānye lokapālāś ca sarvaśaḥ ॥2-11-19॥
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)
śukro bṛhaspatiścaiva budho'ṅgāraka eva ca। śanaiścaraśca rāhuśca grahāḥ sarve tathaiva ca ॥2-11-20॥
Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Saturn, and Rahu—all the planets—are also included in the same way. (2-11-20)
mantro rathantaraścaiva harimānvasumānapi। ādityāḥ sādhirājano nānā-dvandvairudāhṛtāḥ ॥2-11-21॥
The sacred chants Rathantara, Hariman, and Vasuman, as well as the Ādityas with their kings, are mentioned along with various pairs. (2-11-21)
maruto viśvakarmā ca vasavaścaiva bhārata। tathā pitṛgaṇāḥ sarve sarvāṇi ca havīṃṣyatha ॥2-11-22॥
O Bhārata, the Maruts, Viśvakarman, and the Vasus, as well as all the groups of ancestors and all the offerings, (2-11-22).
ṛgvedaḥ sāmavedash ca yajurvedash ca pāṇḍava। atharvavedash ca tathā parvāṇi ca viśāṃ pate ॥2-11-23॥
O Pāṇḍava, the Ṛgveda, Sāmaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda, as well as the festivals, O lord of the people. (2-11-23)
itihāsopavedāś ca vedāṅgāni ca sarvaśaḥ। grahā yajñāś ca somaś ca daivatāni ca sarvaśaḥ ॥2-11-24॥
History, the auxiliary Vedas, all the limbs of the Veda, the planets, sacrifices, Soma, and all the divinities in their entirety. (2-11-24)
sāvitrī durgataranī vāṇī saptavidhaā tathā। medhā dhṛtiḥ śrutiścaiva prajñā buddhiryaśaḥ kṣamā ॥2-11-25॥
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)
sāmāni stutiśastrāṇi gāthāś ca vividhās tathā। bhāṣyāṇi tarkayuktāni dehavanti viśāṃ pate ॥2-11-26॥
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)
kṣaṇā lavā muhūrtāś ca divā rātris tathaiva ca| ardhamāsāś ca māsāś ca ṛtavaḥ ṣaṭ ca bhārata ॥2-11-27॥
O Bhārata, there are moments, instants, muhūrtas, days, nights, fortnights, months, and the six seasons.
saṃvatsarāḥ pañcayugamahorātrāś caturvidhāḥ। kālacakraṃ ca yad divyaṃ nityam akṣayam avyayam ॥2-11-28॥
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)
aditir ditir danuś caiva surasā vinatā irā। kālakā surabhir devī saramā cātha gautamī ॥2-11-29॥
Aditi, Diti, Danu, Surasā, Vinatā, Ira, Kālaka, the goddess Surabhi, Saramā, and Gautamī were present. (2-11-29)
ādityā vasavo rudrā marutaś cāśvināv api। viśvedevāś ca sādhyāś ca pitaraś ca manojavāḥ ॥2-11-30॥
The Ādityas, Vasus, Rudras, Maruts, and the Aśvins; the Viśvedevas, Sādhyas, Pitṛs, and those who are swift as the mind. (2-11-30)
rākṣasāś ca piśācāś ca dānavā guhyakās tathā। suparṇa-nāga-paśavaḥ pitāmaham upāsate ॥2-11-31॥
Rākṣasas, piśācas, dānavas, guhyakas, as well as suparṇas, nāgas, and animals all worship the Grandfather (Brahmā). (2-11-31)
devo nārāyaṇas tasyāṃ tathā devarṣayaś ca ye। ṛṣayo vālakhiḷyāś ca yonijā yonijāś tathā ॥2-11-32॥
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)
yacca kiñcit triloke'smin dṛśyate sthāṇu-jaṅgamam। sarvaṃ tasyāṃ mayā dṛṣṭaṃ tad viddhi manujādhipa ॥2-11-33॥
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.
aṣṭāśītisahasrāṇi yatīnām ūrdhvaretasām। prajāvatāṃ ca pañcāśad ṛṣīṇām api pāṇḍava ॥2-11-34॥
O Pāṇḍava, there were eighty-eight thousand ascetics with upward-flowing energy, and also fifty sages who had progeny. (2-11-34)
te sma tatra yathākāmaṃ dṛṣṭvā sarve divaukasaḥ। praṇamya śirasā tasmai pratiyānti yathāgatam ॥2-11-35॥
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)
atithīn āgatān devān daityān nāgān munīn tathā। yakṣān suparṇān kāleyān gandharva apsarasas tathā ॥2-11-36॥
He welcomed the guests who had arrived, including gods, daityas, nāgas, sages, yakṣas, suparṇas, kāleyas, gandharvas, and apsarases also. (2-11-36)
mahābhāgānamitadhīrbrahmā lokapitāmahaḥ। dayāvānsarvabhūteṣu yathārhaṃ pratipadyate ॥2-11-37॥
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)
pratigṛhya ca viśvātmā svayambhūramitaprabhaḥ। sāntvamānārthasambhogairyunakti manujādhipa ॥2-11-38॥
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)
tathā tair upayātaiś ca pratiyātaiś ca bhārata। ākulā sā sabhā tāta bhavati sma sukhapradā ॥2-11-39॥
Thus, O Bhārata, that assembly became agitated by those arriving and departing, yet it was a source of happiness, dear one. (2-11-39)
sarvatejomayī divyā brahmarṣigaṇasevitā। brāhmyā śriyā dīpyamānā śuśubhe vigataklamā ॥2-11-40॥
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)
sā sabhā tādṛśī dṛṣṭā sarvalokeṣu durlabhā। sabheyaṃ rājaśārdūla manuṣyeṣu yathā tava ॥2-11-41॥
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)
etā mayā dṛṣṭapūrvāḥ sabhā deveṣu pāṇḍava। taveyaṃ mānuṣe loke sarvaśreṣṭhatamā sabhā ॥2-11-42॥
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)
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
prāyaśo rājalokaste kathito vadatāṃ vara। vaivasvatasabhāyāṃ tu yathā vadasi vai prabho ॥2-11-43॥
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)
varuṇasya sabhāyāṃ tu nāgās te kathitā vibho. daityendrāś caiva bhūyiṣṭhāḥ saritaḥ sāgarās tathā ॥2-11-44॥
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)
tathā dhanapater yakṣā guhyakā rākṣasās tathā। gandharvāpsarasaś caiva bhagavāṃś ca vṛṣadhvajaḥ ॥2-11-45॥
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)
pitāmahasabhāyāṃ tu kathitās te maharṣayaḥ। sarvadevanikāyāś ca sarvaśāstrāṇi caiva hi ॥2-11-46॥
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)
śatakratusabhāyāṃ tu devāḥ saṅkīrtitā mune। uddeśataś ca gandharvā vividhāś ca maharṣayaḥ ॥2-11-47॥
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)
eka eva tu rājarṣir hariścandro mahāmune। kathitas te sabhānityo devendrasya mahātmanaḥ ॥2-11-48॥
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)
kiṁ karma tenācaritaṁ tapo vā niyatavratam। yenāsau saha śakreṇa spardhate sma mahāyaśāḥ ॥2-11-49॥
What deed or austerity or fixed vow did he perform, by which this greatly renowned one could compete with Indra himself? (2-11-49)
pitṛlokagataścāpi tvayā vipra pitā mama। dṛṣṭaḥ pāṇḍurmahābhāgaḥ kathaṃ cāsi samāgataḥ ॥2-11-50॥
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)
kimuktavāṁśca bhagavannetadicchāmi veditum। tvattaḥ śrotumahaṁ sarvaṁ paraṁ kautūhalaṁ hi me ॥2-11-51॥
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)
nārada uvāca॥
Nārada said.
yan māṃ pṛcchasi rājendra hariścandraṃ prati prabho। tat te'haṃ sampravakṣyāmi māhātmyaṃ tasya dhīmataḥ ॥2-11-52॥
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)
sa rājā balavān āsīt samrāṭ sarva-mahī-kṣitām। tasya sarve mahī-pālāḥ śāsana-avanatāḥ sthitāḥ ॥2-11-53॥
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)
tenaikaṃ ratham āsthāya jaitraṃ hemavibhūṣitam। śastrapratāpena jitā dvīpāḥ sapta nareśvara ॥2-11-54॥
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)
sa vijitya mahīṃ sarvāṃ saśailavanakānanām। ājahāra mahārāja rājasūyaṃ mahākratum ॥2-11-55॥
Having conquered the entire earth along with its mountains, forests, and groves, he performed the great Rājasūya sacrifice, O great king. (2-11-55)
tasya sarve mahīpālā dhanāny ājahru rājñayā। dvijānāṃ pariveṣṭāras tasmin yajñe ca te 'bhavan ॥2-11-56॥
All the kings brought wealth at his command. In that sacrifice, they served as attendants to the twice-born. (2-11-56)
prādācca draviṇaṃ prītyā yājakānāṃ nareśvaraḥ। yathoktaṃ tatra taistasmiṃstataḥ pañcaguṇādhikam ॥2-11-57॥
The king, with affection, gave wealth to the priests; as stated there by them, he then gave five times more. (2-11-57)
atarpayacca vividhairvasubhirbrāhmaṇāṃstathā। prāsarpakāle samprāpte nānādigbhyaḥ samāgatān ॥2-11-58॥
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)
bhakṣyair bhojyaiz ca vividhair yathākāmapuraskṛtaiḥ। ratnaughatarpitais tuṣṭair dvijaiś ca samudāhṛtam ॥ tejasvī ca yaśasvī ca nṛpebhyo'bhyadhiko'bhavat ॥2-11-59॥
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)
etasmātkāraṇātpārtha hariścandro virājate। tebhyo rājasahasrebhyastadviddhi bharatarṣabha ॥2-11-60॥
For this reason, O Pārtha, Hariścandra stands out. Know, O best of the Bharatas, that he surpasses those thousands of kings. (2-11-60)
samāpya ca hariścandro mahāyajñaṃ pratāpavān। abhiṣiktaḥ sa śuśubhe sāmrājyena narādhipa ॥2-11-61॥
Having completed the great sacrifice, the glorious Hariścandra, having been anointed, shone as king with sovereignty. (2-11-61)
ye cānye'pi mahīpālā rājasūyaṃ mahākratum। yajante te mahendreṇa modante saha bhārata ॥2-11-62॥
O Bhārata, those other kings also who perform the great Rājasūya sacrifice rejoice together with Mahendra (Indra). (2-11-62)
ye cāpi nidhanaṃ prāptāḥ saṅgrāmeṣvapalāyinaḥ। te tatsadaḥ samāsādya modante bharatarṣabha ॥2-11-63॥
O best of the Bharatas, those who did not flee and attained death in battle, having reached that assembly, rejoice. (2-11-63)
tapasā ye ca tīvreṇa tyajantīha kalevaram। te'pi tatsthānam āsādya śrīmanto bhānti nityaśaḥ ॥2-11-64॥
Those who abandon their bodies here with intense austerity, they too, having attained that place, shine forth always as prosperous. (2-11-64)
pitā ca tvāha kaunteya pāṇḍuḥ kauravanandanaḥ। hariścandre śriyaṃ dṛṣṭvā nṛpatau jātavismayaḥ ॥2-11-65॥
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)
samartho'si mahīṃ jetuṃ bhrātaras te vaśe sthitāḥ। rājasūyaṃ kratuśreṣṭham āharasveti bhārata ॥2-11-66॥
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)
tasya tvaṃ puruṣavyāghra saṅkalpaṃ kuru pāṇḍava। gantāraste mahendrasya pūrvaiḥ saha salokatām ॥2-11-67॥
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)
bahuvighnaś ca nṛpate kratureṣa smṛto mahān| chidrāṇy atra hi vāñchanti yajñaghnā brahmarākṣasāḥ ||2-11-68||
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)
yuddhaṃ ca pṛṣṭhagamanaṃ pṛthivīkṣayakārakam। kiñcideva nimittaṃ ca bhavatyatra kṣayāvaham ॥2-11-69॥
Battle and retreat both lead to the destruction of the earth. Even a small cause here can bring about ruin. (2-11-69)
etatsañcintya rājendra yatkṣamaṃ tatsamācara। apramattotthito nityaṃ cāturvarṇyasya rakṣaṇe ॥ bhava edhasva modasva dānaistarpa ya ca dvijān ॥2-11-70॥
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)
etat te vistareṇoktaṃ yan māṃ tvaṃ paripṛcchasi। āpṛcche tvāṃ gamiṣyāmi dāśārhanagarīṃ prati ॥2-11-71॥
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)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
evam ākhyāya pārthebhyo nārado janamejaya। jagāma tair vṛto rājann ṛṣibhir yaiḥ samāgataḥ ॥2-11-72॥
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)
gate tu nārade pārtho bhrātṛbhiḥ saha kaurava। rājasūyaṃ kratuśreṣṭhaṃ cintayāmāsa bhārata ॥2-11-73॥
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)
