05.102

Nārada said:

This is Mātali, the charioteer, beloved and friend of Śakra, pure, endowed with good character and virtues, brilliant, powerful, and strong. (5-102-1)

He is Śakra's friend, counselor, and charioteer, and in every battle his power is nearly equal to that of Vāsava. (5-102-2)

This excellent victorious chariot, yoked with a thousand steeds, he controls in the battles between gods and asuras by mind alone. (5-102-3)

With this chariot, drawn by conquered horses, Indra wins by his arms; when it is first struck with this, the wielder of strength indeed strikes. (5-102-4)

He has a daughter of surpassing beauty, unmatched in appearance on earth, endowed with character, conduct, and virtues, who is known by the name Guṇakeśī. (5-102-5)

Through the effort of this one, who wanders through the three worlds with the splendor of a god, your grandson Sumukha is pleasing as the husband of my daughter. (5-102-6)

If this pleases you, gentle lord and best of serpents, do not delay—let a decision be made quickly, Aryaka, regarding the acceptance of the maiden. (5-102-7)

Just as Lakṣmī is in the lineage of Viṣṇu, and just as Svāhā is in the family of Agni, so may Guṇakeśī, the slender-waisted one, be in yours. (5-102-8)

Therefore, for the sake of your grandson, you should accept Guṇakeśī, a suitable match for the handsome Vasava, just as Śacī was for Indra. (5-102-9)

Even though he is fatherless, we choose him for his qualities—out of respect for you, for Airavata, and for the virtues of Sumukha, such as character, purity, self-control, and so on. (5-102-10)

Having personally come to give his daughter, he is ready to honor Matali—and you as well are worthy to show him respect. (5-102-11)

Kaṇva said:

But he, both distressed and gladdened, spoke to the venerable Nārada as the selection was being made, after the death of son and grandson… (5-102-12)

O divine sage, I do not value this statement of yours. Being the companion of Indra, for whom could he even be desirable? (5-102-13)

But, O great sage, because of the weakness of reason I am troubled—this creator of bodies, my son of great brilliance, was eaten by the son of Vinatā, and because of that we are truly afflicted with grief. (5-102-14)

And again, as Veinateya was leaving, he said: 'After another month, I will eat Sumukha,' O lord. (5-102-15)

Certainly, it will be so—I know this for certain. Because of the words of Suparṇa, my joy has indeed vanished. (5-102-16)

But Mātali said to him, "This plan was made by me: Sumukha, your son's son, was chosen in the role of son-in-law." (5-102-17)

So let this serpent, together with me and Nārada, go to the king of the gods, the lord of the three worlds, and see Vāsava. (5-102-18)

I will have Śeṣa himself inquire about his life with this task, and I will strive, best of beings, to hinder Suparṇa. (5-102-19)

Let Sumukha come with me to the lord of the gods, for the accomplishment of this task. Farewell to you, O serpent. (5-102-20)

Then they all, mighty as they were, took Sumukha and saw Indra, the lord of the gods, sitting there, radiant with great splendor. (5-102-21)

There, the blessed Viṣṇu, four-armed, was present together with the others; then Nārada told Mātali everything. (5-102-22)

Then Viṣṇu said to Purandara, O Lord of the world, let amṛta be given to him; let him be made equal to the immortals. (5-102-23)

Mātali, Nārada, and Sumukha, O Indra, may obtain this desired boon from you according to your wish. (5-102-24)

Then Purandara, having considered the prowess of the son of Vinatā, addressed Vishnu: "You yourself should grant this." (5-102-25)

Viṣṇu said:

You are the lord of all the worlds, of both moving and unmoving beings. O mighty one, who could do what you have not granted or undo what you have granted? (5-102-26)

Kaṇva said:

Then Śakra gave the best of life to the serpent, but the slayer of Bala and Vṛtra did not give him the drink of ambrosia. (5-102-27)

Having obtained the boon, Sumukha indeed became Sumukha once more. Having married as he wished, he went home. (5-102-28)

But Nārada and Āryaka, having accomplished their business and filled with joy, after honoring the king of the gods, the greatly radiant one, departed. (5-102-29)