03.190

The tale of the frog.

Vaiśampāyana said.

The son of Pāṇḍu said to Mārkaṇḍeya, "You should speak again about the great fortune of the Brāhmaṇa." (03-190-1)

Then Mārkaṇḍeya spoke. (03-190-2)

A king named Parikṣin, born in the Ikṣvāku lineage in Ayodhyā, went hunting. (03-190-3)

As he, following the deer with his single horse, the deer carried him far away. (03-190-4)

Then, while on the journey, becoming weary and overcome by hunger and thirst, he saw a dark-blue grove in a certain place and entered it. (03-190-5)

Then, having seen a very beautiful lake in the middle of that forest-grove, he entered it with his horse. (03-190-6)

Then, feeling relieved, he placed the lotus-fibre before the horse and entered upon the bank of the pond. (03-190-7)

Then, while lying down, he heard the sweet sound of singing (03-190-8)

He, having heard it, thought: "I do not perceive any human movement here. Whose indeed is this singing sound?" (03-190-9)

Then he saw a maiden of exquisite beauty, who was gathering flowers and singing. (03-190-10)

Then she approached near the king. (03-190-11)

The king said to her, 'O fortunate lady, whose are you?' (03-190-12)

She replied, "I am a girl." (03-190-13)

The king said to her: 'I am a supplicant to you.' (03-190-14)

Then the girl said: "I can be gained by you only by agreement, not otherwise." (03-190-15)

The king asked her about the agreement. (03-190-16)

Then the maiden said, "Water must not be shown to me." (03-190-17)

The king, having said, "Indeed," approached her and stayed together with her. (03-190-18)

There itself, as the king was seated, the army followed on foot, step by step; seeing the king, they surrounded him and stood. (03-190-19)

Reassured, the king departed secretly by palanquin with her alone, reached his own city, and staying with her in private, enjoyed himself; he saw nothing else. (03-190-20)

Then the chief minister, whose attendants were nearby, asked the women, "What is the purpose here?" (03-190-21)

Then those women said: "It appears as if we see unprecedented water, but water is not brought here." (03-190-22)

Then the minister, after creating a waterless forest filled with noble trees and abundant roots, flowers, and fruits, privately approached the king and said, "This forest is noble and without water; it would be good to enjoy here." (03-190-23)

He, following her word, entered that forest together with the goddess herself. Once, while he was in that pleasant forest, he spent time with her. Then, afflicted by hunger and thirst and greatly fatigued, he saw an abandoned house. (3-190-24)

Then the king, together with his beloved, entered and saw a reservoir, beautifully built on a nectarean foundation and filled with pure water. (03-190-25)

He stood together with that queen on her bank, having seen her. (03-190-26)

Then the king said to the goddess, "O virtuous one, descend into the pond water." (03-190-27)

She, having heard that speech, descended into the pond, sank, and did not rise up again. (03-190-28)

The king, seeking her, did not see (her). (03-190-29)

Having even drained the tank and seeing a frog in the mouth of a jackal, he became angry and ordered: 'Let all the frogs be killed in this way; whoever desires my favor must come to me with dead frogs as gifts.' (03-190-30)

Then, as the dreadful slaughter of frogs was taking place in all directions, fear entered the frogs; being frightened, they reported what had happened to the frog king. (03-190-31)

Then the king of frogs, in the guise of an ascetic, approached the king. (3-190-32)

Having approached, he said to him.

O king, do not act in anger; be calm. You should not kill the innocent frogs in this manner. (03-190-33)

Here are your verses. Do not intend to harm the frogs; restrain your anger, O Acyuta. The arrogance of wealth is destroyed in those ignorant people. (03-190-34)

Promise that having given way to this anger, you will not let it go. You have committed your unrighteous act — but what benefit is there to you in killing these frogs? (03-190-35)

To him who spoke thus, the king, whose heart was afflicted with grief for his loved ones, said: 'This is indeed not to be forgiven by me; I shall kill these, for my beloved has been eaten by these evil-minded ones. Certainly, the frogs are to be killed by me, and you, O wise one, ought not to restrain me thus.' (03-190-36)

Hearing those words, he, distressed in mind and senses, said: "Be gracious, O king! I am Āyuḥ, king of the frogs. That is my daughter, Suśobhanā by name. This is her wrongdoing—indeed, many kings have previously been deceived by her." (03-190-37)

The king said to him: "I am a suitor for her; let her be given to me." (03-190-38)

Then her father gave her to the king and said to her, "Serve this king." (03-190-39)

He said to his daughter: "Because you deceived the kings, therefore your offspring shall be unworthy of the Brahmanical path, due to your untruthfulness." (03-190-40)

And the king, having won her and with his heart bound by the quality of their union, feeling as though he had obtained the sovereignty of the three worlds, spoke with a streak of joyful tears, having bowed and honored the king of frogs: "I am favored." (03-190-41)

And the king of frogs, having allowed his son-in-law, departed as he had come. (03-190-42)

Then, after some time, three sons were born to that king by her: Śala, Dala, and Bala. Thereafter, when the time came, the father, steadfast in mind, installed the eldest, Śala, in the kingdom and went to the forest for austerities. (3-190-43)

Then, once, Śala went hunting; having come upon a deer, he pursued it with his chariot. (03-190-44)

He said to the charioteer, "Quickly, carry me." (03-190-45)

Thus addressed, the charioteer said to the king: "Do not undertake the pursuit; this deer cannot be captured by you, even if you have two swift horses yoked to your chariot." (03-190-46)

Then the king said to the charioteer, "Tell me, or by either way, I will kill you." (03-190-47)

Thus addressed, being afraid both of the king and Vāmadeva's curse, he did not tell the king about Vāmadeva's two horses named Vāmya and Manojava. (03-190-48)

Then, as he was thus speaking, the king said, "Go to Vāmadeva's hermitage." (03-190-49)

Having gone to Vāmadeva's hermitage, he said to the sage: "O venerable one, the deer I struck is fleeing. May I secure him; you ought to consent to me with your two (eyes/lips)." (03-190-50)

The sage said to him: "I will give you the two women; when you have accomplished my task, they shall be promptly released by me." (03-190-51)

He accepted those two horses, and having taken leave of the sage, departed in a left-turning chariot towards the deer. As he went, he said to the charioteer: "These two horses are not suitable to be given to brāhmaṇas, and they should not be given to Vāmadeva." (03-190-52)

After saying this and obtaining the deer, he returned to his city and placed the horses in the inner quarters. (03-190-53)

Then the sage thought, "The young prince, having received the good letter, rejoices and does not give it back to me. Alas, what trouble!" (03-190-54)

Having mentally determined, when the month was complete, he said to his student: "Go, Ātreya, tell the king: If it is sufficient, send both us teachers." (03-190-55)

He then went to that king and spoke to him. (03-190-56)

The king answered him: "Such a conveyance is not suitable for Brāhmaṇas; what use have Brāhmaṇas for jewels of this type or for horses? Well then, let him return." (03-190-57)

He went to the teacher and thus spoke. (03-190-58)

Hearing that unpleasant speech, Vāmadeva, filled with anger, himself approached the king and urged him for a horse, but the king did not give it. (03-190-59)

Vāmadeva said.

O king, grant both of them to me; your task, impossible for others, has indeed been accomplished. Do not let Varuṇa kill you with his terrible bonds, while you dwell between Brāhmaṇa and Kṣatriya. (03-190-60)

The king said.

O Vāmadeva, these two bullock-carts, of good conduct and tamed, are the vehicles of the Brāhmaṇas. With these two, go wherever you desire, O great sage; indeed, the Vedic meters bear (those) like yourself. (03-190-61)

Vāmadeva said.

O king, it is said that the Vedic metres indeed support one such as myself—in that other world, whatever exist there. But in this world, this is the vehicle for myself, for others like me, and for others as well, O king. (03-190-62)

The king said.

Let four asses carry you, or excellent mules, or horses, or quick steeds. Go with those; this is the vehicle of a kṣatriya. Know that these two mules are mine, not yours. (03-190-63)

Vāmadeva said.

They say this is a terrible vow of a Brahmin; semen, when a Kṣatriya lives here. Let the great and terrible ones made of iron, carrying sharp spears in four directions, bear you away. (03-190-64)

The king said.

Those who know you as a Brahmin, O Vāmadeva, and who seek to slay you by words, mind, or action—may they, together with their disciples, here bring about your downfall, being driven by my words, bearing sharp spears and swords in their hands. (03-190-65)

Vāmadeva said.

There are indeed various occupations for brāhmaṇas—by speech, O king, by mind, or by action; but the wise one who thus attains brahman through austerity, even while living, becomes superior to a thief. (03-190-66)

Markandeya said.

When these words were spoken by Vāmadeva, O King, the terrible-looking demons arose. As the king was being attacked by those spear-wielding beings, he loudly uttered this speech at that moment. (03-190-67)

Even if the Ikṣvāku dynasty, the group of Brāhmaṇas, or any other tribes should be obedient to me, I will not abandon the two wives of Vāmadeva; people of such righteous character do not act in this way. (3-190-68)

While thus speaking, he was killed by the demons, and the king quickly passed to the earth. Then, knowing that the king had fallen, the Ikṣvākus indeed anointed the group. (03-190-69)

Then, having gone there in the kingdom, that brāhmaṇa, Vāmadeva, said this speech: "A share for the king and for the brāhmaṇas indeed should be given; thus, O king, this is seen in all dharmic practices." (03-190-70)

"If you fear unrighteous conduct, O king, then grant me the two right away, today." Hearing this statement of Vāmadeva, the king angrily spoke to the charioteer. (03-190-71)

Indeed, I have this one arrow of mine, having a varied appearance, smeared with poison, taken today; by which, if pierced, Vāmadeva would lie in distress, being bitten by dogs. (3-190-72)

Vāmadeva said.

O king, I know your ten-year-old son Śyenajita, born of your chief queen. Urged by my words, you kill that dear one swiftly with arrows of fearful form. (3-190-73)

Mārkaṇḍeya said.

Thus, addressed by Vāmadeva, O King, within the inner chambers, he struck the prince. The arrow of fierce energy, when released, and hearing the words of the troop, he spoke (thus). (03-190-74)

O descendants of Ikṣvāku, indeed I will do what is dear to you; I will kill this Brāhmaṇa today, having subdued him. Let another powerful one be brought—see my strength today, O kings. (03-190-75)

Vāmadeva said.

The terrible, poison-smeared arrow which you are placing for me—O king of men, you will not be able to either shoot or even fit this excellent arrow (to the bow). (03-190-76)

The king said.

O Ikṣvākus, look at me, I have been seized; indeed, I am unable to release this arrow. Nor am I able to destroy him. Truly, may the long-lived Vāmadeva live. (03-190-77)

Vāmadeva said;

Touch this she-buffalo with an arrow; then you will be freed from that sin. Markandeya said.

Then, the king did as prescribed; afterwards, the princess spoke to the sage. She said, “O Vāmadeva, as is proper, I used to report everything to him each day as I entered.” (03-190-79)

Seeking to please the Brāhmaṇas with pleasing words—thus, O Brahman, may I attain the world of merit. (03-190-79)

Vāmadeva said.

You have protected the royal family, O auspicious-eyed one; choose an unparalleled boon—I will give it to you. Rule your own people, O princess; and the exceedingly great kingdom of Ikṣvāku is also yours, O blameless one. (3-190-80)

The princess said.

O Lord, I choose only one boon: let my husband be freed from sin today. With auspiciousness, may you also protect him along with his son and relatives. This is the boon I have chosen indeed, O best of Brāhmaṇas. (03-190-81)

Markandeya said.

Hearing the princess's words, the sage said, "So be it," to the hero of the Kuru clan. Then the king, delighted, became happy and, after bowing, gave the two maidens to him. (03-190-82)