09.035
Library: Story of Trita, his two brothers and the well.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaishampayana said:
तस्मान्नदीगतं चापि उदपानं यशस्विनः। त्रितस्य च महाराज जगामाथ हलायुधः ॥९-३५-१॥
Therefore, O great king, Halayudha went to the river and the water-well of the glorious Trita.
तत्र दत्त्वा बहु द्रव्यं पूजयित्वा तथा द्विजान्। उपस्पृश्य च तत्रैव प्रहृष्टो मुसलायुधः ॥९-३५-२॥
Musalayudha, after giving much wealth and worshipping the Brahmins there, felt joyful after performing the rituals at that very place.
तत्र धर्मपरो ह्यासीत्त्रितः स सुमहातपाः। कूपे च वसता तेन सोमः पीतो महात्मना ॥९-३५-३॥
There, Trita, who was devoted to dharma and of great penance, indeed drank Soma while living in the well.
तत्र चैनं समुत्सृज्य भ्रातरौ जग्मतुर्गृहान्। ततस्तौ वै शशापाथ त्रितो ब्राह्मणसत्तमः ॥९-३५-४॥
There, the two brothers left him and went home. Then, Trita, the most esteemed among the Brahmins, cursed them.
जनमेजय उवाच॥
Janamejaya said:
उदपानं कथं ब्रह्मन्कथं च सुमहातपाः। पतितः किं च सन्त्यक्तो भ्रातृभ्यां द्विजसत्तमः ॥९-३५-५॥
O Brahman, how is the well and the greatly austere one? What has fallen and what has been abandoned by the brothers, O best of the twice-born?
कूपे कथं च हित्वैनं भ्रातरौ जग्मतुर्गृहान्। एतदाचक्ष्व मे ब्रह्मन्यदि श्राव्यं हि मन्यसे ॥९-३५-६॥
"How did the two brothers leave him in the well and go home? Please tell me, O Brahman, if you think it is worth hearing."
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaishampayana said:
आसन्पूर्वयुगे राजन्मुनयो भ्रातरस्त्रयः। एकतश्च द्वितश्चैव त्रितश्चादित्यसंनिभाः ॥९-३५-७॥
In a previous era, O king, there were three sage brothers named Ekata, Dvita, and Trita, who shone like the sun.
सर्वे प्रजापतिसमाः प्रजावन्तस्तथैव च। ब्रह्मलोकजितः सर्वे तपसा ब्रह्मवादिनः ॥९-३५-८॥
All are like Prajapati, having offspring, and similarly, they have conquered the world of Brahma through penance, being speakers of Brahman.
तेषां तु तपसा प्रीतो नियमेन दमेन च। अभवद्गौतमो नित्यं पिता धर्मरतः सदा ॥९-३५-९॥
Gautama, always devoted to righteousness, became the father, pleased by their penance, discipline, and self-control.
स तु दीर्घेण कालेन तेषां प्रीतिमवाप्य च। जगाम भगवान्स्थानमनुरूपमिवात्मनः ॥९-३५-१०॥
But he, having won their affection over a long time, went to a place that seemed fitting for him.
राजानस्तस्य ये पूर्वे याज्या ह्यासन्महात्मनः। ते सर्वे स्वर्गते तस्मिंस्तस्य पुत्रानपूजयन् ॥९-३५-११॥
The kings who were once his sacrificial priests, recognizing his greatness, worshipped his sons after he ascended to heaven.
तेषां तु कर्मणा राजंस्तथैवाध्ययनेन च। त्रितः स श्रेष्ठतां प्राप यथैवास्य पिता तथा ॥९-३५-१२॥
Among them, O king, Trita achieved excellence through both his actions and studies, just as his father did.
तं स्म सर्वे महाभागा मुनयः पुण्यलक्षणाः। अपूजयन्महाभागं तथा विद्वत्तयैव तु ॥९-३५-१३॥
All the great sages, who were of virtuous characteristics, worshipped him, the great soul, with wisdom.
कदाचिद्धि ततो राजन्भ्रातरावेकतद्वितौ। यज्ञार्थं चक्रतुश्चित्तं धनार्थं च विशेषतः ॥९-३५-१४॥
Once upon a time, O king, the two brothers, united in purpose, decided to focus their minds on performing a sacrifice, particularly with the aim of acquiring wealth.
तयोश्चिन्ता समभवत्त्रितं गृह्य परन्तप। याज्यान्सर्वानुपादाय प्रतिगृह्य पशूंस्ततः ॥९-३५-१५॥
A thought arose among them, O subduer of enemies, after taking Trita and accepting all the sacrificial animals, and then receiving the animals.
सोमं पास्यामहे हृष्टाः प्राप्य यज्ञं महाफलम्। चक्रुश्चैव महाराज भ्रातरस्त्रय एव ह ॥९-३५-१६॥
"Delighted, we shall drink Soma after obtaining the great fruit of the sacrifice. O great king, the three brothers indeed did so."
तथा तु ते परिक्रम्य याज्यान्सर्वान्पशून्प्रति। याजयित्वा ततो याज्याँल्लब्ध्वा च सुबहून्पशून् ॥९-३५-१७॥
Thus, they circumambulated all the sacrificial animals and then, having performed the sacrifices, obtained many animals.
याज्येन कर्मणा तेन प्रतिगृह्य विधानतः। प्राचीं दिशं महात्मान आजग्मुस्ते महर्षयः ॥९-३५-१८॥
The great sages, having performed the sacrificial act and received according to the rule, arrived in the eastern direction.
त्रितस्तेषां महाराज पुरस्ताद्याति हृष्टवत्। एकतश्च द्वितश्चैव पृष्ठतः कालयन्पशून् ॥९-३५-१९॥
O great king, Trita joyfully leads them from the front, while Dvita follows behind, herding the animals.
तयोश्चिन्ता समभवद्दृष्ट्वा पशुगणं महत्। कथं न स्युरिमा गाव आवाभ्यां वै विना त्रितम् ॥९-३५-२०॥
Seeing the large herd of animals, they both became worried. They wondered how these cows could manage without the two of them, indeed, without a third person.
तावन्योन्यं समाभाष्य एकतश्च द्वितश्च ह। यदूचतुर्मिथः पापौ तन्निबोध जनेश्वर ॥९-३५-२१॥
The two, after conversing with each other from both sides, indeed said to each other, 'O sinners, listen to what we have to say, O lord of people.'
त्रितो यज्ञेषु कुशलस्त्रितो वेदेषु निष्ठितः। अन्यास्त्रितो बहुतरा गावः समुपलप्स्यते ॥९-३५-२२॥
Trita, skilled in sacrifices and established in the Vedas, will obtain many cows, unlike another Trita.
तदावां सहितौ भूत्वा गाः प्रकाल्य व्रजावहे। त्रितोऽपि गच्छतां काममावाभ्यां वै विनाकृतः ॥९-३५-२३॥
"Then, we both shall go together after milking the cows. Let Trita also go as he wishes, indeed without us."
तेषामागच्छतां रात्रौ पथिस्थाने वृकोऽभवत्। तथा कूपोऽविदूरेऽभूत्सरस्वत्यास्तटे महान् ॥९-३५-२४॥
As they were coming at night, a wolf appeared on the path. Similarly, a great well was situated not far from the bank of the Sarasvati.
अथ त्रितो वृकं दृष्ट्वा पथि तिष्ठन्तमग्रतः। तद्भयादपसर्पन्वै तस्मिन्कूपे पपात ह ॥ अगाधे सुमहाघोरे सर्वभूतभयङ्करे ॥९-३५-२५॥
Then Trita saw a wolf standing in front of him on the path. Out of fear, he moved away and fell into a bottomless, very terrible well that was frightening to all beings.
त्रितस्ततो महाभागः कूपस्थो मुनिसत्तमः। आर्तनादं ततश्चक्रे तौ तु शुश्रुवतुर्मुनी ॥९-३५-२६॥
Then the fortunate sage Trita, who was trapped in the well, cried out in distress, and the two other sages heard his cry.
तं ज्ञात्वा पतितं कूपे भ्रातरावेकतद्वितौ। वृकत्रासाच्च लोभाच्च समुत्सृज्य प्रजग्मतुः ॥९-३५-२७॥
Realizing that he had fallen into the well, the two brothers, driven by fear of the wolf and their own greed, decided to abandon him and left.
भ्रातृभ्यां पशुलुब्धाभ्यामुत्सृष्टः स महातपाः। उदपाने महाराज निर्जले पांसुसंवृते ॥९-३५-२८॥
The great ascetic was abandoned by his two brothers, who were hunters, and found himself in a dry well covered with dust, O great king.
बुद्ध्या ह्यगणयत्प्राज्ञो मृत्योर्भीतो ह्यसोमपः। सोमः कथं नु पातव्य इहस्थेन मया भवेत् ॥९-३५-३०॥
The wise one, using wisdom, did not consider the non-drinker of soma, being afraid of death. How can I, who am here, drink soma?
स एवमनुसञ्चिन्त्य तस्मिन्कूपे महातपाः। ददर्श वीरुधं तत्र लम्बमानां यदृच्छया ॥९-३५-३१॥
The great ascetic, after contemplating, saw a creeper hanging by chance in that well.
पांसुग्रस्ते ततः कूपे विचिन्त्य सलिलं मुनिः। अग्नीन्सङ्कल्पयामास होत्रे चात्मानमेव च ॥९-३५-३२॥
The sage, contemplating the dusty well, envisioned the fires for the ritual and himself as part of it.
ततस्तां वीरुधं सोमं सङ्कल्प्य सुमहातपाः। ऋचो यजूंषि सामानि मनसा चिन्तयन्मुनिः ॥ ग्रावाणः शर्कराः कृत्वा प्रचक्रेऽभिषवं नृप ॥९-३५-३३॥
Then the greatly austere sage, having resolved upon the Soma plant, contemplated the hymns, sacrificial formulas, and chants in his mind. He made stones and pebbles and performed the libation, O king.
आज्यं च सलिलं चक्रे भागांश्च त्रिदिवौकसाम्। सोमस्याभिषवं कृत्वा चकार तुमुलं ध्वनिम् ॥९-३५-३४॥
He prepared clarified butter and water, and allocated shares for the gods. After making a libation of Soma, he created a loud sound.
स चाविशद्दिवं राजन्स्वरः शैक्षस्त्रितस्य वै। समवाप च तं यज्ञं यथोक्तं ब्रह्मवादिभिः ॥९-३५-३५॥
He entered heaven, O king, with the sound of the student of Trita; and performed the sacrifice as instructed by the knowers of Brahman.
वर्तमाने तथा यज्ञे त्रितस्य सुमहात्मनः। आविग्नं त्रिदिवं सर्वं कारणं च न बुध्यते ॥९-३५-३६॥
In the present sacrifice of the great soul Trita, the three worlds remain unperturbed, and the causes are not understood.
ततः सुतुमुलं शब्दं शुश्रावाथ बृहस्पतिः। श्रुत्वा चैवाब्रवीद्देवान्सर्वान्देवपुरोहितः ॥९-३५-३७॥
Then Bṛhaspati heard a very loud sound and, having heard it, he, the priest of the gods, addressed all the gods.
त्रितस्य वर्तते यज्ञस्तत्र गच्छामहे सुराः। स हि क्रुद्धः सृजेदन्यान्देवानपि महातपाः ॥९-३५-३८॥
"The sacrifice of Trita is taking place there; let us proceed, O gods. For in his anger, the great ascetic might create other gods as well."
तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य सहिताः सर्वदेवताः। प्रययुस्तत्र यत्रासौ त्रितयज्ञः प्रवर्तते ॥९-३५-३९॥
Upon hearing his words, all the gods went together to the place where Trita's sacrifice was taking place.
ते तत्र गत्वा विबुधास्तं कूपं यत्र स त्रितः। ददृशुस्तं महात्मानं दीक्षितं यज्ञकर्मसु ॥९-३५-४०॥
The wise ones went there and saw the well where Trita, the great soul, was engaged in sacrificial rites.
दृष्ट्वा चैनं महात्मानं श्रिया परमया युतम्। ऊचुश्चाथ महाभागं प्राप्ता भागार्थिनो वयम् ॥९-३५-४१॥
Upon seeing this great soul, resplendent with supreme glory, they addressed him, saying, "O fortunate one, we have come seeking fortune."
अथाब्रवीदृषिर्देवान्पश्यध्वं मां दिवौकसः। अस्मिन्प्रतिभये कूपे निमग्नं नष्टचेतसम् ॥९-३५-४२॥
Then the sage addressed the gods, "Look at me, O heavenly beings, as I am submerged in this terrifying well, unconscious and lost."
ततस्त्रितो महाराज भागांस्तेषां यथाविधि। मन्त्रयुक्तान्समददात्ते च प्रीतास्तदाभवन् ॥९-३५-४३॥
Then Trita, O great king, distributed their shares according to the rule, which were endowed with mantras, and they were pleased at that time.
ततो यथाविधि प्राप्तान्भागान्प्राप्य दिवौकसः। प्रीतात्मानो ददुस्तस्मै वरान्यान्मनसेच्छति ॥९-३५-४४॥
Then, as per the rules, the gods, having received their shares, were pleased and granted him the boons he wished for in his heart.
स तु वव्रे वरं देवांस्त्रातुमर्हथ मामितः। यश्चेहोपस्पृशेत्कूपे स सोमपगतिं लभेत् ॥९-३५-४५॥
He chose a boon and said, 'O gods, please protect me from this place. Whoever touches the water in this well shall attain the path to Soma.'
तत्र चोर्मिमती राजन्नुत्पपात सरस्वती। तयोत्क्षिप्तस्त्रितस्तस्थौ पूजयंस्त्रिदिवौकसः ॥९-३५-४६॥
There, O king, the Sarasvati river, filled with waves, arose. Trita, lifted by her, stood worshipping the heavenly beings.
तथेति चोक्त्वा विबुधा जग्मू राजन्यथागतम्। त्रितश्चाप्यगमत्प्रीतः स्वमेव निलयं तदा ॥९-३५-४७॥
Thus, after speaking, the gods departed as they had come, O king. Trita, too, pleased, returned to his own abode at that time.
क्रुद्धः स तु समासाद्य तावृषी भ्रातरौ तदा। उवाच परुषं वाक्यं शशाप च महातपाः ॥९-३५-४८॥
In his anger, the great ascetic approached the two sage brothers and then spoke harsh words and cursed them.
पशुलुब्धौ युवां यस्मान्मामुत्सृज्य प्रधावितौ। तस्माद्रूपेण तेषां वै दंष्ट्रिणामभितश्चरौ ॥९-३५-४९॥
"You two, who are hunters of animals, left me and ran away. Therefore, you now wander around in the form of those with fangs."
भवितारौ मया शप्तौ पापेनानेन कर्मणा। प्रसवश्चैव युवयोर्गोलाङ्गूलर्क्षवानराः ॥९-३५-५०॥
You two are cursed by me for this sinful act. You will be reborn as a bear and monkeys with a cow's tail.
इत्युक्ते तु तदा तेन क्षणादेव विशां पते। तथाभूतावदृश्येतां वचनात्सत्यवादिनः ॥९-३५-५१॥
Upon hearing these words, O lord of men, the beings instantly became visible due to the truth-speaker's words.
तत्राप्यमितविक्रान्तः स्पृष्ट्वा तोयं हलायुधः। दत्त्वा च विविधान्दायान्पूजयित्वा च वै द्विजान् ॥९-३५-५२॥
There, the mighty Balarama, known as Halayudha, also touched the water, offered various gifts, and worshipped the Brahmins with great reverence.
उदपानं च तं दृष्ट्वा प्रशस्य च पुनः पुनः। नदीगतमदीनात्मा प्राप्तो विनशनं तदा ॥९-३५-५३॥
Upon seeing the water-well and repeatedly praising it, the undaunted soul went to the river and then met his end.
