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Library: Significance of the holy place Badarapachana, renowned for its perfected ascetic practices and maidens steadfast in their vows. Story of Priyamvada and Arundhati.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
ततस्तीर्थवरं रामो ययौ बदरपाचनम्। तपस्विसिद्धचरितं यत्र कन्या धृतव्रता ॥९-४७-१॥
Then Rama proceeded to the sacred site of Badarapachana, renowned for its perfected ascetic practices and maidens steadfast in their vows.
भरद्वाजस्य दुहिता रूपेणाप्रतिमा भुवि। स्रुचावती नाम विभो कुमारी ब्रह्मचारिणी ॥९-४७-२॥
Srucavati, the daughter of Bharadvaja, was renowned on earth for her unparalleled beauty and was known as a celibate maiden, O lord.
तपश्चचार सात्युग्रं नियमैर्बहुभिर्नृप। भर्ता मे देवराजः स्यादिति निश्चित्य भामिनी ॥९-४७-३॥
The beautiful lady, determined that her husband should become the lord of the gods, practiced very intense penance with many disciplines, O king.
समास्तस्या व्यतिक्रान्ता बह्व्यः कुरुकुलोद्वह। चरन्त्या नियमांस्तांस्तान्स्त्रीभिस्तीव्रान्सुदुश्चरान् ॥९-४७-४॥
O scion of the Kuru dynasty, many years have passed as she practiced those severe and very difficult vows undertaken by women.
तस्यास्तु तेन वृत्तेन तपसा च विशां पते। भक्त्या च भगवान्प्रीतः परया पाकशासनः ॥९-४७-५॥
O lord of men, by her conduct, penance, and supreme devotion, the Lord Indra was greatly pleased.
आजगामाश्रमं तस्यास्त्रिदशाधिपतिः प्रभुः। आस्थाय रूपं विप्रर्षेर्वसिष्ठस्य महात्मनः ॥९-४७-६॥
The lord of the thirty gods, assuming the form of the great sage Vasiṣṭha, went to his hermitage.
सा तं दृष्ट्वोग्रतपसं वसिष्ठं तपतां वरम्। आचारैर्मुनिभिर्दृष्टैः पूजयामास भारत ॥९-४७-७॥
She saw the great ascetic Vasiṣṭha, revered among ascetics, and honored him with the traditional customs observed by sages, O Bharata.
उवाच नियमज्ञा च कल्याणी सा प्रियंवदा। भगवन्मुनिशार्दूल किमाज्ञापयसि प्रभो ॥९-४७-८॥
Priyamvada, who was knowledgeable of the rules and auspicious, said: "O revered sage, what do you wish to command, O lord?"
सर्वमद्य यथाशक्ति तव दास्यामि सुव्रत। शक्रभक्त्या तु ते पाणिं न दास्यामि कथञ्चन ॥९-४७-९॥
Today, I will offer you everything I can, O virtuous one. However, due to my devotion to Indra, I cannot give you my hand in marriage.
व्रतैश्च नियमैश्चैव तपसा च तपोधन। शक्रस्तोषयितव्यो वै मया त्रिभुवनेश्वरः ॥९-४७-१०॥
"O sage rich in penance, I must please Indra, the lord of the three worlds, through vows, disciplines, and penance."
इत्युक्तो भगवान्देवः स्मयन्निव निरीक्ष्य ताम्। उवाच नियमज्ञां तां सान्त्वयन्निव भारत ॥९-४७-११॥
The Lord, having been addressed, looked at her with a smile and spoke to her gently, as if consoling her, O Bhārata.
उग्रं तपश्चरसि वै विदिता मेऽसि सुव्रते। यदर्थमयमारम्भस्तव कल्याणि हृद्गतः ॥९-४७-१२॥
You are indeed performing intense austerities, and you are known to me, O virtuous lady. The purpose for which you have begun this endeavor is dear to your heart, O auspicious one.
तच्च सर्वं यथाभूतं भविष्यति वरानने। तपसा लभ्यते सर्वं सर्वं तपसि तिष्ठति ॥९-४७-१३॥
O beautiful-faced one, everything that has been will be as it is. All things are obtained through penance, and everything resides in penance.
यानि स्थानानि दिव्यानि विबुधानां शुभानने। तपसा तानि प्राप्यानि तपोमूलं महत्सुखम् ॥९-४७-१४॥
O auspicious-faced one, the divine places of the wise are attained through penance, and great happiness is rooted in it.
इह कृत्वा तपो घोरं देहं संन्यस्य मानवाः। देवत्वं यान्ति कल्याणि शृणु चेदं वचो मम ॥९-४७-१५॥
Here, by performing severe penance and renouncing their bodies, humans attain divinity. O auspicious one, listen to my words.
पचस्वैतानि सुभगे बदराणि शुभव्रते। पचेत्युक्त्वा स भगवाञ्जगाम बलसूदनः ॥९-४७-१६॥
The Lord, known as the destroyer of Bala, instructed, "Cook these berries, O fortunate and virtuous one," and then departed.
आमन्त्र्य तां तु कल्याणीं ततो जप्यं जजाप सः। अविदूरे ततस्तस्मादाश्रमात्तीर्थ उत्तमे ॥ इन्द्रतीर्थे महाराज त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुते ॥९-४७-१७॥
Having addressed the auspicious lady, he then chanted the mantra at the excellent sacred place near the hermitage, known as Indra's sacred place, which is famous in the three worlds, O great king.
तस्या जिज्ञासनार्थं स भगवान्पाकशासनः। बदराणामपचनं चकार विबुधाधिपः ॥९-४७-१८॥
To satisfy her curiosity, the divine Indra, the lord of the wise, cooked the jujube fruits.
ततः स प्रयता राजन्वाग्यता विगतक्लमा। तत्परा शुचिसंवीता पावके समधिश्रयत् ॥ अपचद्राजशार्दूल बदराणि महाव्रता ॥९-४७-१९॥
Then, O king, he, having prepared himself, stood speechless and free from fatigue. Devoted and pure, she entered the fire, and O tiger among kings, she who had taken a great vow cooked the berries.
तस्याः पचन्त्याः सुमहान्कालोऽगात्पुरुषर्षभ। न च स्म तान्यपच्यन्त दिनं च क्षयमभ्यगात् ॥९-४७-२०॥
While she was cooking, a long time passed, O best of men. Yet, those were not cooked, and the day came to an end.
हुताशनेन दग्धश्च यस्तस्याः काष्ठसञ्चयः। अकाष्ठमग्निं सा दृष्ट्वा स्वशरीरमथादहत् ॥९-४७-२१॥
Her collection of wood was burned by fire, and seeing the fire without wood, she then burned her own body.
पादौ प्रक्षिप्य सा पूर्वं पावके चारुदर्शना। दग्धौ दग्धौ पुनः पादावुपावर्तयतानघा ॥९-४७-२२॥
The beautiful-looking woman, having first placed her feet in the fire, withdrew them again after they were burnt, remaining sinless.
चरणौ दह्यमानौ च नाचिन्तयदनिन्दिता। दुःखं कमलपत्राक्षी महर्षेः प्रियकाम्यया ॥९-४७-२३॥
The blameless lady, despite her burning feet, did not think of her own sorrow, as she was intent on pleasing the lotus-eyed sage.
अथ तत्कर्म दृष्ट्वास्याः प्रीतस्त्रिभुवनेश्वरः। ततः संदर्शयामास कन्यायै रूपमात्मनः ॥९-४७-२४॥
Then, the lord of the three worlds, pleased by her actions, revealed his true form to the maiden.
उवाच च सुरश्रेष्ठस्तां कन्यां सुदृढव्रताम्। प्रीतोऽस्मि ते शुभे भक्त्या तपसा नियमेन च ॥९-४७-२५॥
The best of the gods spoke to the maiden, who was steadfast in her vows, expressing his pleasure with her due to her devotion, penance, and discipline, saying, "I am pleased with you, O auspicious one."
तस्माद्योऽभिमतः कामः स ते सम्पत्स्यते शुभे। देहं त्यक्त्वा महाभागे त्रिदिवे मयि वत्स्यसि ॥९-४७-२६॥
Therefore, O auspicious one, your desired wish will be fulfilled. After leaving your body, O fortunate one, you will reside with me in heaven.
इदं च ते तीर्थवरं स्थिरं लोके भविष्यति। सर्वपापापहं सुभ्रु नाम्ना बदरपाचनम् ॥ विख्यातं त्रिषु लोकेषु ब्रह्मर्षिभिरभिप्लुतम् ॥९-४७-२७॥
This sacred site, known as Badarapachana, will remain steadfast in the world. It is renowned for removing all sins and is celebrated across the three worlds, revered by the Brahmarshis.
अस्मिन्खलु महाभागे शुभे तीर्थवरे पुरा। त्यक्त्वा सप्तर्षयो जग्मुर्हिमवन्तमरुन्धतीम् ॥९-४७-२८॥
In this auspicious and great pilgrimage site, O fortunate one, the seven sages, having left, once went to the Himalayas to meet Arundhati.
ततस्ते वै महाभागा गत्वा तत्र सुसंशिताः। वृत्त्यर्थं फलमूलानि समाहर्तुं ययुः किल ॥९-४७-२९॥
Then those great souls, well-determined, went there to gather fruits and roots for their livelihood.
तेषां वृत्त्यर्थिनां तत्र वसतां हिमवद्वने। अनावृष्टिरनुप्राप्ता तदा द्वादशवार्षिकी ॥९-४७-३०॥
For those seeking livelihood and living in the forest of the Himalayas, a drought lasting twelve years occurred at that time.
ते कृत्वा चाश्रमं तत्र न्यवसन्त तपस्विनः। अरुन्धत्यपि कल्याणी तपोनित्याभवत्तदा ॥९-४७-३१॥
They established a hermitage there and lived as ascetics. Arundhati, too, became auspicious and was always engaged in penance at that time.
अरुन्धतीं ततो दृष्ट्वा तीव्रं नियममास्थिताम्। अथागमत्त्रिनयनः सुप्रीतो वरदस्तदा ॥९-४७-३२॥
Upon seeing Arundhati engaged in intense discipline, the pleased three-eyed deity, the boon-giver, arrived.
ब्राह्मं रूपं ततः कृत्वा महादेवो महायशाः। तामभ्येत्याब्रवीद्देवो भिक्षामिच्छाम्यहं शुभे ॥९-४७-३३॥
The illustrious Mahadeva, having taken on a divine form, approached her and expressed his wish for alms, addressing her as "O auspicious one."
प्रत्युवाच ततः सा तं ब्राह्मणं चारुदर्शना। क्षीणोऽन्नसञ्चयो विप्र बदराणीह भक्षय ॥ ततोऽब्रवीन्महादेवः पचस्वैतानि सुव्रते ॥९-४७-३४॥
The beautiful lady replied to the Brahmin, "O wise one, our food supply is running low, please eat these berries here." Then Lord Shiva instructed, "Cook these, O virtuous lady."
इत्युक्ता सापचत्तानि ब्राह्मणप्रियकाम्यया। अधिश्रित्य समिद्धेऽग्नौ बदराणि यशस्विनी ॥९-४७-३५॥
The glorious one, having spoken thus, cooked the berries in the kindled fire with the desire to please the Brahmins.
दिव्या मनोरमाः पुण्याः कथाः शुश्राव सा तदा। अतीता सा त्वनावृष्टिर्घोरा द्वादशवार्षिकी ॥९-४७-३६॥
She then heard the divine, charming, and auspicious stories. However, the terrible twelve-year drought had already passed.
अनश्नन्त्याः पचन्त्याश्च शृण्वन्त्याश्च कथाः शुभाः। अहःसमः स तस्यास्तु कालोऽतीतः सुदारुणः ॥९-४७-३७॥
The auspicious stories of one who does not eat, cooks, and listens. May her time, which is equal to a day, be past and very terrible.
ततस्ते मुनयः प्राप्ताः फलान्यादाय पर्वतात्। ततः स भगवान्प्रीतः प्रोवाचारुन्धतीं तदा ॥९-४७-३८॥
Then the sages collected fruits from the mountain, and the revered one, pleased, spoke to Arundhati.
उपसर्पस्व धर्मज्ञे यथापूर्वमिमानृषीन्। प्रीतोऽस्मि तव धर्मज्ञे तपसा नियमेन च ॥९-४७-३९॥
"Approach these sages as you did before, O knower of dharma. I am pleased with your penance and discipline, O knower of dharma."
ततः संदर्शयामास स्वरूपं भगवान्हरः। ततोऽब्रवीत्तदा तेभ्यस्तस्यास्तच्चरितं महत् ॥९-४७-४०॥
Then Lord Shiva revealed his true form and narrated her great story to them.
भवद्भिर्हिमवत्पृष्ठे यत्तपः समुपार्जितम्। अस्याश्च यत्तपो विप्रा न समं तन्मतं मम ॥९-४७-४१॥
The penance accumulated by you on the Himalayas and the penance of her are not equal, O sages; that is my opinion.
अनया हि तपस्विन्या तपस्तप्तं सुदुश्चरम्। अनश्नन्त्या पचन्त्या च समा द्वादश पारिताः ॥९-४७-४२॥
This ascetic woman indeed performed a very difficult penance; she completed twelve years without eating and while cooking.
ततः प्रोवाच भगवांस्तामेवारुन्धतीं पुनः। वरं वृणीष्व कल्याणि यत्तेऽभिलषितं हृदि ॥९-४७-४३॥
Then the revered one spoke again to Arundhati, "O blessed one, choose the boon that your heart desires."
साब्रवीत्पृथुताम्राक्षी देवं सप्तर्षिसंसदि। भगवान्यदि मे प्रीतस्तीर्थं स्यादिदमुत्तमम् ॥ सिद्धदेवर्षिदयितं नाम्ना बदरपाचनम् ॥९-४७-४४॥
In the assembly of the seven sages, she, with her broad copper-red eyes, addressed the god: "O Lord, if you are pleased with me, let this place be known as the excellent holy site, cherished by the perfected divine sages, and called Badarapachana."
तथास्मिन्देवदेवेश त्रिरात्रमुषितः शुचिः। प्राप्नुयादुपवासेन फलं द्वादशवार्षिकम् ॥ एवमस्त्विति तां चोक्त्वा हरो यातस्तदा दिवम् ॥९-४७-४५॥
Thus, O lord of lords, by staying pure for three nights and fasting, one can achieve the merit equivalent to twelve years. Having said "So be it," Shiva ascended to heaven.
ऋषयो विस्मयं जग्मुस्तां दृष्ट्वा चाप्यरुन्धतीम्। अश्रान्तां चाविवर्णां च क्षुत्पिपासासहां सतीम् ॥९-४७-४६॥
The sages were amazed when they saw Arundhati, who remained untiring, unfaded, and capable of enduring hunger and thirst.
एवं सिद्धिः परा प्राप्ता अरुन्धत्या विशुद्धया। यथा त्वया महाभागे मदर्थं संशितव्रते ॥९-४७-४७॥
In this way, Arundhati achieved supreme perfection through her purity, just as you have, O greatly fortunate one, for my sake, being resolute in your vows.
विशेषो हि त्वया भद्रे व्रते ह्यस्मिन्समर्पितः। तथा चेदं ददाम्यद्य नियमेन सुतोषितः ॥९-४७-४८॥
"O auspicious one, you have indeed made a special dedication in this vow. Therefore, being well-pleased, I give this today with discipline."
विशेषं तव कल्याणि प्रयच्छामि वरं वरे। अरुन्धत्या वरस्तस्या यो दत्तो वै महात्मना ॥९-४७-४९॥
"O auspicious one, I grant you a special boon. The boon given to her by Arundhati, indeed, by the great soul."
तस्य चाहं प्रसादेन तव कल्याणि तेजसा। प्रवक्ष्याम्यपरं भूयो वरमत्र यथाविधि ॥९-४७-५०॥
By his grace and your brilliance, O auspicious one, I shall once again speak of another boon here as per the rule.
यस्त्वेकां रजनीं तीर्थे वत्स्यते सुसमाहितः। स स्नात्वा प्राप्स्यते लोकान्देहन्यासाच्च दुर्लभान् ॥९-४७-५१॥
"Whoever stays for one night in a sacred place with full concentration, after bathing, will attain worlds that are difficult to obtain even by leaving the body."
इत्युक्त्वा भगवान्देवः सहस्राक्षः प्रतापवान्। स्रुचावतीं ततः पुण्यां जगाम त्रिदिवं पुनः ॥९-४७-५२॥
Having spoken thus, the mighty thousand-eyed god returned to the sacred Srucāvatī and then ascended once more to heaven.
गते वज्रधरे राजंस्तत्र वर्षं पपात ह। पुष्पाणां भरतश्रेष्ठ दिव्यानां दिव्यगन्धिनाम् ॥९-४७-५३॥
When Vajradhara departed, O king, there was a shower of divine flowers with a heavenly fragrance, O best of the Bharatas.
नेदुर्दुन्दुभयश्चापि समन्तात्सुमहास्वनाः। मारुतश्च ववौ युक्त्या पुण्यगन्धो विशां पते ॥९-४७-५४॥
The drums resounded loudly in all directions, and the wind blew gently carrying a sweet fragrance, O lord of the people.
उत्सृज्य तु शुभं देहं जगामेन्द्रस्य भार्यताम्। तपसोग्रेण सा लब्ध्वा तेन रेमे सहाच्युत ॥९-४७-५५॥
After leaving her auspicious body, she became the wife of Indra. Through her intense penance, she gained that status and enjoyed life with Acyuta (Vishnu).
जनमेजय उवाच॥
Janamejaya said:
का तस्या भगवन्माता क्व संवृद्धा च शोभना। श्रोतुमिच्छाम्यहं ब्रह्मन्परं कौतूहलं हि मे ॥९-४७-५६॥
I am eager to know, O Brahman, who her divine mother is and where the beautiful one was raised, for my curiosity is indeed immense.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaishampayana said:
भारद्वाजस्य विप्रर्षेः स्कन्नं रेतो महात्मनः। दृष्ट्वाप्सरसमायान्तीं घृताचीं पृथुलोचनाम् ॥९-४७-५७॥
Upon seeing the large-eyed apsara Ghritachi approaching, the great sage Bharadvaja's semen was discharged.
स तु जग्राह तद्रेतः करेण जपतां वरः। तदावपत्पर्णपुटे तत्र सा सम्भवच्छुभा ॥९-४७-५८॥
He, the best among the chanters, took the semen with his hand and dropped it into a leaf cup, where an auspicious being was born.
तस्यास्तु जातकर्मादि कृत्वा सर्वं तपोधनः। नाम चास्याः स कृतवान्भारद्वाजो महामुनिः ॥९-४७-५९॥
The great sage Bharadvaja performed all the birth ceremonies and other rituals for her and gave her a name.
स्रुचावतीति धर्मात्मा तदर्षिगणसंसदि। स च तामाश्रमे न्यस्य जगाम हिमवद्वनम् ॥९-४७-६०॥
In the assembly of sages, the virtuous one named Srucavati was present. He then left that in the hermitage and proceeded to the forest of the Himalayas.
तत्राप्युपस्पृश्य महानुभावो; वसूनि दत्त्वा च महाद्विजेभ्यः। जगाम तीर्थं सुसमाहितात्मा; शक्रस्य वृष्णिप्रवरस्तदानीम् ॥९-४७-६१॥
There, the great soul, after performing the rituals and giving wealth to the great Brahmins, went to the holy place with a focused mind. At that time, he was the best among the Vrishnis, favored by Indra.
