03.246
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhishthira said.
व्रीहिद्रोणः परित्यक्तः कथं तेन महात्मना। कस्मै दत्तश्च भगवन्विधिना केन चात्थ मे ॥०३-२४६-१॥
O venerable one, how did that great-souled one abandon the bucket of rice? To whom was it given, by what procedure, by whom, and what does it mean for me? (03-246-1)
प्रत्यक्षधर्मा भगवान्यस्य तुष्टो हि कर्मभिः। सफलं तस्य जन्माहं मन्ये सद्धर्मचारिणः ॥०३-२४६-२॥
I think the birth of one who follows true dharma, whose nature is manifest righteousness and whose actions indeed please the Divine, is fruitful. (03-246-2)
व्यास उवाच॥
Vyāsa said;
शिलोञ्छवृत्तिर्धर्मात्मा मुद्गलः संशितव्रतः। आसीद्राजन्कुरुक्षेत्रे सत्यवागनसूयकः ॥०३-२४६-३॥
Mudgala, who lived by gathering fallen grains and was virtuous, firm in his vow, truth-speaking, and free from envy, resided in Kurukṣetra, O king. (3-246-3)
अतिथिव्रती क्रियावांश्च कापोतीं वृत्तिमास्थितः। सत्रमिष्टीकृतं नाम समुपास्ते महातपाः ॥०३-२४६-४॥
The great ascetic, who observes the vow of receiving guests, performs rituals and lives like a pigeon, worships the sacrificial session known as iṣṭīkṛta. (03-246-4)
सपुत्रदारो हि मुनिः पक्षाहारो बभूव सः। कपोतवृत्त्या पक्षेण व्रीहिद्रोणमुपार्जयत् ॥०३-२४६-५॥
The sage, along with his wife and son, lived eating only at intervals; like a pigeon, he would earn a measure of rice every fortnight. (03-246-5)
दर्शं च पौर्णमासं च कुर्वन्विगतमत्सरः। देवतातिथिशेषेण कुरुते देहयापनम् ॥०३-२४६-६॥
Performing the new and full moon sacrifices, being free from envy, and sustaining his body with what remains after offering to the gods and guests, he maintains himself. (03-246-6)
तस्येन्द्रः सहितो देवैः साक्षात्त्रिभुवनेश्वरः। प्रत्यगृह्णान्महाराज भागं पर्वणि पर्वणि ॥०३-२४६-७॥
O great king, Indra—the lord of the three worlds—together with the gods directly accepted his share at every festival. (03-246-7)
स पर्वकालं कृत्वा तु मुनिवृत्त्या समन्वितः। अतिथिभ्यो ददावन्नं प्रहृष्टेनान्तरात्मना ॥०३-२४६-८॥
He, following the conduct of a sage, observed the proper festive time and gladly offered food to the guests with a joyful heart. (03-246-8)
व्रीहिद्रोणस्य तदहो ददतोऽन्नं महात्मनः। शिष्टं मात्सर्यहीनस्य वर्धत्यतिथिदर्शनात् ॥०३-२४६-९॥
Indeed, the food left from a droṇa of rice, given by a great-souled person who is free from jealousy, increases upon the arrival of a guest. (03-246-9)
तच्छतान्यपि भुञ्जन्ति ब्राह्मणानां मनीषिणाम्। मुनेस्त्यागविशुद्ध्या तु तदन्नं वृद्धिमृच्छति ॥०३-२४६-१०॥
Those hundreds (of gifts) are indeed consumed by learned Brahmanas, but through the purity of the sage's renunciation, that food increases in merit. (03-246-10)
तं तु शुश्राव धर्मिष्ठं मुद्गलं संशितव्रतम्। दुर्वासा नृप दिग्वासास्तमथाभ्याजगाम ह ॥०३-२४६-११॥
But Durvāsas, O king, clad only in the directions, having heard of the most righteous and firmly-vowed Mudgala, then approached him. (03-246-11)
बिभ्रच्चानियतं वेषमुन्मत्त इव पाण्डव। विकचः परुषा वाचो व्याहरन्विविधा मुनिः ॥०३-२४६-१२॥
O Pāṇḍava, the sage, clad in disordered garments and looking like a madman, shamelessly uttered various harsh words. (03-246-12)
अभिगम्याथ तं विप्रमुवाच मुनिसत्तमः। अन्नार्थिनमनुप्राप्तं विद्धि मां मुनिसत्तम ॥०३-२४६-१३॥
Then, approaching him, the best of sages said to the brāhmaṇa: Know me to be the one who has come desiring food, O best among sages. (03-246-13)
स्वागतं तेऽस्त्विति मुनिं मुद्गलः प्रत्यभाषत। पाद्यमाचमनीयं च प्रतिवेद्यान्नमुत्तमम् ॥०३-२४६-१४॥
Mudgala addressed the sage, saying, "Welcome to you." He offered water for washing feet and sipping, and then informed him about the excellent food. (03-246-14)
प्रादात्स तपसोपात्तं क्षुधितायातिथिव्रती। उन्मत्ताय परां श्रद्धामास्थाय स धृतव्रतः ॥०३-२४६-१५॥
He, resolute in his vows, observing the guest vow, gave what had been gained by austerity to a hungry madman, acting with supreme faith. (03-246-15)
ततस्तदन्नं रसवत्स एव क्षुधयान्वितः। बुभुजे कृत्स्नमुन्मत्तः प्रादात्तस्मै च मुद्गलः ॥०३-२४६-१६॥
Then, being hungry, he ate all that tasty food in his excitement; and Mudgala gave it to him as well. (03-246-16)
भुक्त्वा चान्नं ततः सर्वमुच्छिष्टेनात्मनस्ततः। अथानुलिलिपेऽङ्गानि जगाम च यथागतम् ॥०३-२४६-१७॥
Having eaten the food, and then with his own leftovers, thereafter he smeared his limbs and went back just as he had come. (03-246-17)
एवं द्वितीये सम्प्राप्ते पर्वकाले मनीषिणः। आगम्य बुभुजे सर्वमन्नमुञ्छोपजीविनः ॥०३-२४६-१८॥
Thus, when the second day of the festival arrived, the wise gleaner came and ate all the food. (03-246-18)
निराहारस्तु स मुनिरुञ्छमार्जयते पुनः। न चैनं विक्रियां नेतुमशकन्मुद्गलं क्षुधा ॥०३-२४६-१९॥
But he, the sage, having no food, again procured gleanings. Even then, hunger was not able to cause any disturbance to Mudgala. (03-246-19)
न क्रोधो न च मात्सर्यं नावमानो न सम्भ्रमः। सपुत्रदारमुञ्छन्तमाविवेश द्विजोत्तमम् ॥०३-२४६-२०॥
Anger did not enter the mind of the foremost Brahmin, nor envy, nor humiliation, nor confusion, as he lived a gleaner's life with his wife and son. (03-246-20)
तथा तमुञ्छधर्माणं दुर्वासा मुनिसत्तमम्। उपतस्थे यथाकालं षट्कृत्वः कृतनिश्चयः ॥०३-२४६-२१॥
Thus Durvasa, the foremost of sages who observed the vow of gleaning (uncha-dharma), approached him at the proper time, having resolved, six times. (03-246-21)
न चास्य मानसं किञ्चिद्विकारं ददृशे मुनिः। शुद्धसत्त्वस्य शुद्धं स ददृशे निर्मलं मनः ॥०३-२४६-२२॥
The sage saw no change at all in his mind. He observed that the mind of the pure-souled one was pure and spotless. (03-246-22)
तमुवाच ततः प्रीतः स मुनिर्मुद्गलं तदा। त्वत्समो नास्ति लोकेऽस्मिन्दाता मात्सर्यवर्जितः ॥०३-२४६-२३॥
Then, being pleased, that sage said to Mudgala, "There is no giver free from envy equal to you in this world." (03-246-23)
क्षुद्धर्मसञ्ज्ञां प्रणुदत्यादत्ते धैर्यमेव च। विषयानुसारिणी जिह्वा कर्षत्येव रसान्प्रति ॥०३-२४६-२४॥
By pushing away the awareness of hunger's nature, one takes up only fortitude; but the tongue, ever following its objects, constantly draws toward flavors. (03-246-24)
आहारप्रभवाः प्राणा मनो दुर्निग्रहं चलम्। मनसश्चेन्द्रियाणां चाप्यैकाग्र्यं निश्चितं तपः ॥०३-२४६-२५॥
The life forces arise from food; the mind is difficult to control and unsteady; and one-pointedness of the mind and senses is declared to be austerity. (03-246-25)
श्रमेणोपार्जितं त्यक्तुं दुःखं शुद्धेन चेतसा। तत्सर्वं भवता साधो यथावदुपपादितम् ॥०३-२४६-२६॥
It is difficult to give up what has been acquired by effort with a pure mind; yet, O good man, all this has been properly accomplished by you. (03-246-26)
प्रीताः स्मोऽनुगृहीताश्च समेत्य भवता सह। इन्द्रियाभिजयो धैर्यं संविभागो दमः शमः ॥०३-२४६-२७॥
We are pleased and favored, having come together with you. Victory over the senses, steadfastness, sharing, self-restraint, and tranquility are present. (03-246-27)
दया सत्यं च धर्मश्च त्वयि सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम्। जितास्ते कर्मभिर्लोकाः प्राप्तोऽसि परमां गतिम् ॥०३-२४६-२८॥
Compassion, truth, and righteousness are all established in you. By your actions, you have conquered the worlds and attained the highest state. (03-246-28)
अहो दानं विघुष्टं ते सुमहत्स्वर्गवासिभिः। सशरीरो भवान्गन्ता स्वर्गं सुचरितव्रत ॥०३-२४६-२९॥
Indeed, the great gift given by you has been proclaimed by the dwellers of heaven. You, of virtuous conduct, will go bodily to heaven. (03-246-29)
इत्येवं वदतस्तस्य तदा दुर्वाससो मुनेः। देवदूतो विमानेन मुद्गलं प्रत्युपस्थितः ॥०३-२४६-३०॥
Thus, as he was speaking, at that time, the divine messenger of the sage Durvāsas arrived before Mudgala in a celestial chariot. (03-246-30)
हंससारसयुक्तेन किङ्किणीजालमालिना। कामगेन विचित्रेण दिव्यगन्धवता तथा ॥०३-२४६-३१॥
Also with the one adorned with rows of small bells, joined by swans and cranes, wondrous, moving as desired, and having divine fragrance. (03-246-31)
उवाच चैनं विप्रर्षिं विमानं कर्मभिर्जितम्। समुपारोह संसिद्धिं प्राप्तोऽसि परमां मुने ॥०३-२४६-३२॥
He said to him, the Brāhmana sage, "Ascend the celestial car earned by your deeds; you have achieved the highest accomplishment, O sage." (03-246-32)
तमेवंवादिनमृषिर्देवदूतमुवाच ह। इच्छामि भवता प्रोक्तान्गुणान्स्वर्गनिवासिनाम् ॥०३-२४६-३३॥
The seer then said to the divine messenger, "I wish to hear from you the qualities of the dwellers of heaven." (03-246-33)
के गुणास्तत्र वसतां किं तपः कश्च निश्चयः। स्वर्गे स्वर्गसुखं किं च दोषो वा देवदूतक ॥०३-२४६-३४॥
O divine messenger, what are the qualities of those dwelling there, what is their asceticism, what is their resolve, what is the heavenly happiness in heaven, and is there any fault? (03-246-34)
सतां सप्तपदं मित्रमाहुः सन्तः कुलोचिताः। मित्रतां च पुरस्कृत्य पृच्छामि त्वामहं विभो ॥०३-२४६-३५॥
It is said that for virtuous people, even sharing seven steps makes one a friend; righteous persons who are worthy of their family believe so. Therefore, considering our friendship foremost, O lord, I ask you this question. (03-246-35)
यदत्र तथ्यं पथ्यं च तद्ब्रवीह्यविचारयन्। श्रुत्वा तथा करिष्यामि व्यवसायं गिरा तव ॥०३-२४६-३६॥
Whatever here is true and beneficial, say that without hesitation; having heard it, I will act decisively according to your word. (03-246-36)
