03.135
यवक्रीतोपाख्यानम्
The story of Yavakrīta.
लोमश उवाच॥
Lomaśa said.
एषा मधुविला राजन्समङ्गा सम्प्रकाशते। एतत्कर्दमिलं नाम भरतस्याभिषेचनम् ॥०३-१३५-१॥
O king, this is the river Madhuvilā, shining with a pure current. This spot is called Kardamila, the place of Bharata's consecration. (03-135-1)
अलक्ष्म्या किल संयुक्तो वृत्रं हत्वा शचीपतिः। आप्लुतः सर्वपापेभ्यः समङ्गायां व्यमुच्यत ॥०३-१३५-२॥
Because he was associated with misfortune, the lord of Śacī (Indra), after killing Vṛtra, having bathed in the river Samaṅgā, was freed from all sins. (03-135-2)
एतद्विनशनं कुक्षौ मैनाकस्य नरर्षभ। अदितिर्यत्र पुत्रार्थं तदन्नमपचत्पुरा ॥०३-१३५-३॥
O best of men, this perishing place is in the womb of Maināka, where once Aditi cooked that food for the purpose of obtaining a son. (03-135-3)
एनं पर्वतराजानमारुह्य पुरुषर्षभ। अयशस्यामसंशब्द्यामलक्ष्मीं व्यपनोत्स्यथ ॥०३-१३५-४॥
By ascending this king of mountains, O best of men, you will dispel disgrace, lack of renown, and misfortune. (03-135-4)
एते कनखला राजनृषीणां दयिता नगाः। एषा प्रकाशते गङ्गा युधिष्ठिर महानदी ॥०३-१३५-५॥
These are Kanakhala, the beloved cities of the royal sages. Here shines the Gaṅgā, O Yudhiṣṭhira, the great river. (03-135-5)
सनत्कुमारो भगवानत्र सिद्धिमगात्पराम्। आजमीढावगाह्यैनां सर्वपापैः प्रमोक्ष्यसे ॥०३-१३५-६॥
Sanatkumāra, the venerable one, attained supreme perfection here. O Ājamīḍha, by bathing in this (river), you will be freed from all sins. (03-135-6)
अपां ह्रदं च पुण्याख्यं भृगुतुङ्गं च पर्वतम्। तूष्णीं गङ्गां च कौन्तेय सामात्यः समुपस्पृश ॥०३-१३५-७॥
O son of Kuntī, together with your ministers, touch the sacred lake of waters, the mountain called Bhṛgu-tūṅga, and the river Gaṅgā in silence. (03-135-7)
आश्रमः स्थूलशिरसो रमणीयः प्रकाशते। अत्र मानं च कौन्तेय क्रोधं चैव विवर्जय ॥०३-१३५-८॥
The beautiful hermitage of Sthūlaśiras shines forth. Here, O son of Kuntī, abandon both pride and anger. (03-135-8)
एष रैभ्याश्रमः श्रीमान्पाण्डवेय प्रकाशते। भारद्वाजो यत्र कविर्यवक्रीतो व्यनश्यत ॥०३-१३५-९॥
O son of Pandu, this prosperous hermitage of Raibhya shines forth, where the sage Yavakrīta, son of Bhāradvāja, perished. (03-135-9)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
कथंयुक्तोऽभवदृषिर्भरद्वाजः प्रतापवान्। किमर्थं च यवक्रीत ऋषिपुत्रो व्यनश्यत ॥०३-१३५-१०॥
How did the sage Bharadvāja come to possess such might, and for what reason did the sage's son Yavakrīta meet his end? (03-135-10)
एतत्सर्वं यथावृत्तं श्रोतुमिच्छामि लोमश। कर्मभिर्देवकल्पानां कीर्त्यमानैर्भृशं रमे ॥०३-१३५-११॥
O Lomaśa, I wish to hear all of this as it happened; I greatly delight in listening to the distinguished deeds of those who are like the gods being recounted. (03-135-11)
लोमश उवाच॥
Lomaśa said.
भरद्वाजश्च रैभ्यश्च सखायौ सम्बभूवतुः। तावूषतुरिहात्यन्तं प्रीयमाणौ वनान्तरे ॥०३-१३५-१२॥
Bharadvāja and Raibhya became friends; the two of them lived here together, always delighted with each other, in the depths of the forest. (03-135-12)
रैभ्यस्य तु सुतावास्तामर्वावसुपरावसू। आसीद्यवक्रीः पुत्रस्तु भरद्वाजस्य भारत ॥०३-१३५-१३॥
Raibhya had two sons, Arvāvasu and Parāvasu. But Yavakri was the son of Bharadvaja, O Bhārata. (3-135-13)
रैभ्यो विद्वान्सहापत्यस्तपस्वी चेतरोऽभवत्। तयोश्चाप्यतुला प्रीतिर्बाल्यात्प्रभृति भारत ॥०३-१३५-१४॥
Raibhya was learned, had children, and was an ascetic, while the other was as well. Between the two there was an unmatched affection from childhood onwards, O Bhārata. (03-135-14)
यवक्रीः पितरं दृष्ट्वा तपस्विनमसत्कृतम्। दृष्ट्वा च सत्कृतं विप्रै रैभ्यं पुत्रैः सहानघ ॥०३-१३५-१५॥
O sinless one, Yavakri saw his ascetic father being disrespected and saw Raibhya being honored by the Brāhmaṇas along with his sons. (03-135-15)
पर्यतप्यत तेजस्वी मन्युनाभिपरिप्लुतः। तपस्तेपे ततो घोरं वेदज्ञानाय पाण्डव ॥०३-१३५-१६॥
O Pāṇḍava, being tormented and completely overwhelmed by anger, the radiant one then practiced severe penance to acquire knowledge of the Veda. (03-135-16)
सुसमिद्धे महत्यग्नौ शरीरमुपतापयन्। जनयामास सन्तापमिन्द्रस्य सुमहातपाः ॥०३-१३५-१७॥
Burning his body in the well-kindled great fire, the one of great austerity generated distress for Indra. (03-135-17)
तत इन्द्रो यवक्रीतमुपगम्य युधिष्ठिर। अब्रवीत्कस्य हेतोस्त्वमास्थितस्तप उत्तमम् ॥०३-१३५-१८॥
Then Indra approached Yavakrīta and said to him, "O Yudhiṣṭhira, for what reason have you undertaken such supreme austerity?" (03-135-18)
यवक्रीरुवाच॥
Yavakri said.
द्विजानामनधीता वै वेदाः सुरगणार्चित। प्रतिभान्त्विति तप्येऽहमिदं परमकं तपः ॥०३-१३५-१९॥
I, performing this supreme penance, wish that the Vedas—unlearned by the twice-born but worshipped by the hosts of gods—may become clear (shine forth) to me. (03-135-19)
स्वाध्यायार्थे समारम्भो ममायं पाकशासन। तपसा ज्ञातुमिच्छामि सर्वज्ञानानि कौशिक ॥०३-१३५-२०॥
O Kauśika, this endeavor of mine is for the purpose of self-study, O Pakaśāsana. By austerity, I wish to know all knowledge. (03-135-20)
कालेन महता वेदाः शक्या गुरुमुखाद्विभो। प्राप्तुं तस्मादयं यत्नः परमो मे समास्थितः ॥०३-१३५-२१॥
O lord, the Vedas can be attained from the teacher’s mouth only over a long time; therefore, I have undertaken this supreme effort. (03-135-21)
इन्द्र उवाच॥
Indra said.
अमार्ग एष विप्रर्षे येन त्वं यातुमिच्छसि। किं विघातेन ते विप्र गच्छाधीहि गुरोर्मुखात् ॥०३-१३५-२२॥
This is not the proper path, O Brāhmaṇa-sage, by which you wish to proceed. Why create obstacles for yourself, O Brāhmaṇa? Go and learn from the lips of your teacher. (03-135-22)
लोमश उवाच॥
Lomaśa said;
एवमुक्त्वा गतः शक्रो यवक्रीरपि भारत। भूय एवाकरोद्यत्नं तपस्यमितविक्रम ॥०३-१३५-२३॥
After Śakra had thus spoken and departed, Yavakrī also, O Bhārata, again undertook great effort in performing austerities, possessing immeasurable prowess. (03-135-23)
घोरेण तपसा राजंस्तप्यमानो महातपाः। सन्तापयामास भृशं देवेन्द्रमिति नः श्रुतम् ॥०३-१३५-२४॥
O king, we have heard that by terrifying austerities, the great ascetic, undergoing penance, greatly distressed Indra, the lord of the gods. (03-135-24)
तं तथा तप्यमानं तु तपस्तीव्रं महामुनिम्। उपेत्य बलभिद्देवो वारयामास वै पुनः ॥०३-१३५-२५॥
Balabhid, the god (Indra), having approached the great sage who was thus engaged in fierce penance, again indeed restrained him. (03-135-25)
अशक्योऽर्थः समारब्धो नैतद्बुद्धिकृतं तव। प्रतिभास्यन्ति वै वेदास्तव चैव पितुश्च ते ॥०३-१३५-२६॥
The impossible task you have undertaken is not achieved by your intellect. The Vedas will indeed manifest themselves both to you and to your father. (03-135-26)
यवक्रीरुवाच॥
Yavakrī said.
न चैतदेवं क्रियते देवराज ममेप्सितम्। महता नियमेनाहं तप्स्ये घोरतरं तपः ॥०३-१३५-२७॥
This is not done as I desire, O king of the gods. With greater discipline, I shall practice an austerity still more severe. (03-135-27)
समिद्धेऽग्नावुपकृत्याङ्गमङ्गं; होष्यामि वा मघवंस्तन्निबोध। यद्येतदेवं न करोषि कामं; ममेप्सितं देवराजेह सर्वम् ॥०३-१३५-२८॥
If, O Maghavan, my desire here is not fulfilled by you, then know that I shall offer each of my limbs, one by one, into the kindled fire. (03-135-28)
लोमश उवाच॥
Lomaśa said.
निश्चयं तमभिज्ञाय मुनेस्तस्य महात्मनः। प्रतिवारणहेत्वर्थं बुद्ध्या सञ्चिन्त्य बुद्धिमान् ॥०३-१३५-२९॥
The intelligent one, having understood the resolve of that great-souled sage, and thoughtfully considering with his intellect for the purpose of prevention, acted. (03-135-29)
तत इन्द्रोऽकरोद्रूपं ब्राह्मणस्य तपस्विनः। अनेकशतवर्षस्य दुर्बलस्य सयक्ष्मणः ॥०३-१३५-३०॥
Then Indra took the form of a Brāhmaṇa ascetic who was very old, weak, and afflicted with consumption. (03-135-30)
यवक्रीतस्य यत्तीर्थमुचितं शौचकर्मणि। भागीरथ्यां तत्र सेतुं वालुकाभिश्चकार सः ॥०३-१३५-३१॥
He made, for Yavakrīta, a bridge of sand at the bathing place appropriate for purification in the river Bhagirathi. (3-135-31)
यदास्य वदतो वाक्यं न स चक्रे द्विजोत्तमः। वालुकाभिस्ततः शक्रो गङ्गां समभिपूरयन् ॥०३-१३५-३२॥
When the best of the twice-born did not act while he was uttering his word, then Śakra (Indra) began to fill the Gaṅgā with sand. (03-135-32)
वालुकामुष्टिमनिशं भागीरथ्यां व्यसर्जयत्। सेतुमभ्यारभच्छक्रो यवक्रीतं निदर्शयन् ॥०३-१३५-३३॥
Indra began building a bridge by casting handfuls of sand repeatedly into the Gaṅgā, demonstrating it as if playing with barley grains. (03-135-33)
तं ददर्श यवक्रीस्तु यत्नवन्तं निबन्धने। प्रहसंश्चाब्रवीद्वाक्यमिदं स मुनिपुङ्गवः ॥०३-१३५-३४॥
But Yavakrī saw him diligently engaged in his task; smiling, the foremost of sages spoke these words to him. (03-135-34)
किमिदं वर्तते ब्रह्मन्किं च ते ह चिकीर्षितम्। अतीव हि महान्यत्नः क्रियतेऽयं निरर्थकः ॥०३-१३५-३५॥
O Brahman, what is happening here? And what indeed do you intend? This great effort truly seems useless. (03-135-35)
इन्द्र उवाच॥
Indra said.
बन्धिष्ये सेतुना गङ्गां सुखः पन्था भविष्यति। क्लिश्यते हि जनस्तात तरमाणः पुनः पुनः ॥०३-१३५-३६॥
I shall build a bridge across the Gaṅgā; the road will become easy. O dear, people are indeed afflicted, crossing it again and again. (03-135-36)
यवक्रीरुवाच॥
Yavakri said.
नायं शक्यस्त्वया बद्धुं महानोघः कथञ्चन। अशक्याद्विनिवर्तस्व शक्यमर्थं समारभ ॥०३-१३५-३७॥
This great flood cannot in any way be bound by you. Turn away from the impossible and undertake what is possible. (03-135-37)
इन्द्र उवाच॥
Indra said.
यथैव भवता चेदं तपो वेदार्थमुद्यतम्। अशक्यं तद्वदस्माभिरयं भारः समुद्यतः ॥०३-१३५-३८॥
Just as you have undertaken this austerity for the sake of the Veda, tell (us) if this burden undertaken by us is impossible. (03-135-38)
यवक्रीरुवाच॥
Yavakri said.
यथा तव निरर्थोऽयमारम्भस्त्रिदशेश्वर। तथा यदि ममापीदं मन्यसे पाकशासन ॥०३-१३५-३९॥
O lord of the gods, if you think that my undertaking is also as useless as yours, O Indra, (so be it). (03-135-39)
क्रियतां यद्भवेच्छक्यं मया सुरगणेश्वर। वरांश्च मे प्रयच्छान्यान्यैरन्यान्भवितास्म्यति ॥०३-१३५-४०॥
O lord of the hosts of gods, let me do whatever is possible by me. Also, grant me boons; by others, I shall become others indeed. (03-135-40)
लोमश उवाच॥
Lomaśa said.
तस्मै प्रादाद्वरानिन्द्र उक्तवान्यान्महातपाः। प्रतिभास्यन्ति ते वेदाः पित्रा सह यथेप्सिताः ॥०३-१३५-४१॥
Indra, who was possessed of great austerity, granted to him the boons he had spoken of, declaring, 'The Vedas will appear to you along with your father, just as you desire.' (03-135-41)
यच्चान्यत्काङ्क्षसे कामं यवक्रीर्गम्यतामिति। स लब्धकामः पितरमुपेत्याथ ततोऽब्रवीत् ॥०३-१३५-४२॥
And whatever other object you desire, let Yavakrī go there. Having attained his desire, he then approached his father and spoke thus. (03-135-42)
