03.135
The story of Yavakrīta.
Lomaśa said.
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)
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)
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)
By ascending this king of mountains, O best of men, you will dispel disgrace, lack of renown, and misfortune. (03-135-4)
These are Kanakhala, the beloved cities of the royal sages. Here shines the Gaṅgā, O Yudhiṣṭhira, the great river. (03-135-5)
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)
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)
The beautiful hermitage of Sthūlaśiras shines forth. Here, O son of Kuntī, abandon both pride and anger. (03-135-8)
O son of Pandu, this prosperous hermitage of Raibhya shines forth, where the sage Yavakrīta, son of Bhāradvāja, perished. (03-135-9)
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
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)
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)
Lomaśa said.
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)
Raibhya had two sons, Arvāvasu and Parāvasu. But Yavakri was the son of Bharadvaja, O Bhārata. (3-135-13)
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)
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)
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)
Burning his body in the well-kindled great fire, the one of great austerity generated distress for Indra. (03-135-17)
Then Indra approached Yavakrīta and said to him, "O Yudhiṣṭhira, for what reason have you undertaken such supreme austerity?" (03-135-18)
Yavakri said.
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)
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)
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)
Indra said.
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)
Lomaśa said;
After Śakra had thus spoken and departed, Yavakrī also, O Bhārata, again undertook great effort in performing austerities, possessing immeasurable prowess. (03-135-23)
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)
Balabhid, the god (Indra), having approached the great sage who was thus engaged in fierce penance, again indeed restrained him. (03-135-25)
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)
Yavakrī said.
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)
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)
Lomaśa said.
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)
Then Indra took the form of a Brāhmaṇa ascetic who was very old, weak, and afflicted with consumption. (03-135-30)
He made, for Yavakrīta, a bridge of sand at the bathing place appropriate for purification in the river Bhagirathi. (3-135-31)
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)
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)
But Yavakrī saw him diligently engaged in his task; smiling, the foremost of sages spoke these words to him. (03-135-34)
O Brahman, what is happening here? And what indeed do you intend? This great effort truly seems useless. (03-135-35)
Indra said.
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)
Yavakri said.
This great flood cannot in any way be bound by you. Turn away from the impossible and undertake what is possible. (03-135-37)
Indra said.
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)
Yavakri said.
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)
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)
Lomaśa said.
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)
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)
