09.049
Library: Story of great sage Jaigīṣavya and his message to Asita and Devala. Duties of a householder versus the path of liberation.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaishampayana said:
तस्मिन्नेव तु धर्मात्मा वसति स्म तपोधनः। गार्हस्थ्यं धर्ममास्थाय असितो देवलः पुरा ॥९-४९-१॥
In that very place, the righteous ascetic Asita Devala once lived, having embraced the duties of a householder.
धर्मनित्यः शुचिर्दान्तो न्यस्तदण्डो महातपाः। कर्मणा मनसा वाचा समः सर्वेषु जन्तुषु ॥९-४९-२॥
He is always righteous, pure, and self-controlled, having renounced punishment and being greatly austere. He is equal towards all beings through his actions, mind, and speech.
अक्रोधनो महाराज तुल्यनिन्दाप्रियाप्रियः। काञ्चने लोष्टके चैव समदर्शी महातपाः ॥९-४९-३॥
The great king, free from anger, treats blame and praise alike, and views gold and a clod of earth with equal regard, being greatly austere.
देवताः पूजयन्नित्यमतिथींश्च द्विजैः सह। ब्रह्मचर्यरतो नित्यं सदा धर्मपरायणः ॥९-४९-४॥
He always worships the gods and guests along with the twice-born, remains engaged in celibacy, and is forever devoted to righteousness.
ततोऽभ्येत्य महाराज योगमास्थाय भिक्षुकः। जैगीषव्यो मुनिर्धीमांस्तस्मिंस्तीर्थे समाहितः ॥९-४९-५॥
Then, O great king, the wise sage Jaigīṣavya, having approached and undertaken yoga, was deeply concentrated in that sacred place.
देवलस्याश्रमे राजन्न्यवसत्स महाद्युतिः। योगनित्यो महाराज सिद्धिं प्राप्तो महातपाः ॥९-४९-६॥
In the hermitage of Devala, O king, the greatly radiant one resided. Always devoted to yoga, O great king, he achieved perfection as a great ascetic.
तं तत्र वसमानं तु जैगीषव्यं महामुनिम्। देवलो दर्शयन्नेव नैवायुञ्जत धर्मतः ॥९-४९-७॥
Devala, while showing Jaigishavya, the great sage dwelling there, did not engage him righteously.
एवं तयोर्महाराज दीर्घकालो व्यतिक्रमत्। जैगीषव्यं मुनिं चैव न ददर्शाथ देवलः ॥९-४९-८॥
In this way, a long period elapsed, O great king. During this time, Devala did not encounter the sage Jaigīṣavya.
आहारकाले मतिमान्परिव्राड्जनमेजय। उपातिष्ठत धर्मज्ञो भैक्षकाले स देवलम् ॥९-४९-९॥
At mealtime, the wise ascetic Janamejaya attended Devala, who was knowledgeable in dharma, during the time of receiving alms.
स दृष्ट्वा भिक्षुरूपेण प्राप्तं तत्र महामुनिम्। गौरवं परमं चक्रे प्रीतिं च विपुलां तथा ॥९-४९-१०॥
Upon seeing the great sage who had come there disguised as a mendicant, he showed utmost respect and deep affection.
देवलस्तु यथाशक्ति पूजयामास भारत। ऋषिदृष्टेन विधिना समा बह्व्यः समाहितः ॥९-४९-११॥
Devala, however, worshipped with full devotion according to his ability, O Bharata, following the method prescribed by the sage, and remained focused for many years.
कदाचित्तस्य नृपते देवलस्य महात्मनः। चिन्ता सुमहती जाता मुनिं दृष्ट्वा महाद्युतिम् ॥९-४९-१२॥
Once upon a time, King Devala, a great soul, was deeply worried when he saw the greatly effulgent sage.
समास्तु समतिक्रान्ता बह्व्यः पूजयतो मम। न चायमलसो भिक्षुरभ्यभाषत किञ्चन ॥९-४९-१३॥
Many years have passed while I have been worshipping, yet this lazy monk has not spoken anything.
एवं विगणयन्नेव स जगाम महोदधिम्। अन्तरिक्षचरः श्रीमान्कलशं गृह्य देवलः ॥९-४९-१४॥
Thus contemplating, he proceeded to the vast ocean. The illustrious Devala, who traverses the skies, carried the pot.
गच्छन्नेव स धर्मात्मा समुद्रं सरितां पतिम्। जैगीषव्यं ततोऽपश्यद्गतं प्रागेव भारत ॥९-४९-१५॥
As he was going, the righteous soul reached the ocean, the lord of rivers, and then saw Jaigīṣavya who had already arrived, O Bhārata.
ततः सविस्मयश्चिन्तां जगामाथासितः प्रभुः। कथं भिक्षुरयं प्राप्तः समुद्रे स्नात एव च ॥९-४९-१६॥
Then, the dark lord, filled with wonder, pondered how this mendicant had arrived, having bathed in the ocean.
इत्येवं चिन्तयामास महर्षिरसितस्तदा। स्नात्वा समुद्रे विधिवच्छुचिर्जप्यं जजाप ह ॥९-४९-१७॥
In this manner, the great sage Asita contemplated. After performing a ritual bath in the ocean, he, purified and following the prescribed rules, recited his prayers.
कृतजप्याह्निकः श्रीमानाश्रमं च जगाम ह। कलशं जलपूर्णं वै गृहीत्वा जनमेजय ॥९-४९-१८॥
After completing his daily rituals and prayers, the illustrious Janamejaya went to the hermitage, carrying a pot filled with water.
ततः स प्रविशन्नेव स्वमाश्रमपदं मुनिः। आसीनमाश्रमे तत्र जैगीषव्यमपश्यत ॥९-४९-१९॥
Then, as the sage entered his own hermitage, he saw Jaigishavya seated there.
न व्याहरति चैवैनं जैगीषव्यः कथञ्चन। काष्ठभूतोऽऽश्रमपदे वसति स्म महातपाः ॥९-४९-२०॥
Jaigīṣavya, the great ascetic, remained silent and unmoving like a piece of wood in the hermitage, not speaking to anyone.
तं दृष्ट्वा चाप्लुतं तोये सागरे सागरोपमम्। प्रविष्टमाश्रमं चापि पूर्वमेव ददर्श सः ॥९-४९-२१॥
He saw him immersed in the ocean, resembling the ocean itself, and also noticed the hermitage that had been entered earlier.
असितो देवलो राजंश्चिन्तयामास बुद्धिमान्। दृष्टः प्रभावं तपसो जैगीषव्यस्य योगजम् ॥९-४९-२२॥
Asita and Devala, O King, contemplated wisely. They observed the power that was born from the yoga of Jaigīṣavya's penance.
चिन्तयामास राजेन्द्र तदा स मुनिसत्तमः। मया दृष्टः समुद्रे च आश्रमे च कथं त्वयम् ॥९-४९-२३॥
O King, at that time, the best of sages pondered: How is it that I have seen you both in the ocean and in the hermitage?
एवं विगणयन्नेव स मुनिर्मन्त्रपारगः। उत्पपाताश्रमात्तस्मादन्तरिक्षं विशां पते ॥ जिज्ञासार्थं तदा भिक्षोर्जैगीषव्यस्य देवलः ॥९-४९-२४॥
Thus, the sage Devala, who was well-versed in mantras, rose from the hermitage into the sky to inquire about the mendicant Jaigīṣavya, O lord of the people.
सोऽन्तरिक्षचरान्सिद्धान्समपश्यत्समाहितान्। जैगीषव्यं च तैः सिद्धैः पूज्यमानमपश्यत ॥९-४९-२५॥
He observed the celestial beings and the perfected ones in deep concentration. He also saw Jaigīṣavya being revered by those perfected beings.
ततोऽसितः सुसंरब्धो व्यवसायी दृढव्रतः। अपश्यद्वै दिवं यान्तं जैगीषव्यं स देवलः ॥९-४९-२६॥
Then Asita, who was very agitated and determined, firm in his vow, saw Jaigīṣavya going to heaven, and he was Devala.
तस्माच्च पितृलोकं तं व्रजन्तं सोऽन्वपश्यत। पितृलोकाच्च तं यान्तं याम्यं लोकमपश्यत ॥९-४९-२७॥
He observed him transitioning from the world of ancestors to Yama's realm.
तस्मादपि समुत्पत्य सोमलोकमभिष्टुतम्। व्रजन्तमन्वपश्यत्स जैगीषव्यं महामुनिम् ॥९-४९-२८॥
From there, he saw the great sage Jaigishavya proceeding to the revered realm of Soma.
लोकान्समुत्पतन्तं च शुभानेकान्तयाजिनाम्। ततोऽग्निहोत्रिणां लोकांस्तेभ्यश्चाप्युत्पपात ह ॥९-४९-२९॥
The worlds of the various auspicious sacrificers were rising, and then he ascended from the worlds of the fire-sacrificers.
दर्शं च पौर्णमासं च ये यजन्ति तपोधनाः। तेभ्यः स ददृशे धीमाँल्लोकेभ्यः पशुयाजिनाम् ॥ व्रजन्तं लोकममलमपश्यद्देवपूजितम् ॥९-४९-३०॥
The wise ascetic appeared to those who perform the new moon and full moon sacrifices, and he saw the pure world, revered by the gods, where those who sacrifice animals go.
चातुर्मास्यैर्बहुविधैर्यजन्ते ये तपोधनाः। तेषां स्थानं तथा यान्तं तथाग्निष्टोमयाजिनाम् ॥९-४९-३१॥
The ascetics who perform various four-monthly sacrifices attain the same place as those who perform the Agniṣṭoma sacrifice.
अग्निष्टुतेन च तथा ये यजन्ति तपोधनाः। तत्स्थानमनुसम्प्राप्तमन्वपश्यत देवलः ॥९-४९-३२॥
Devala saw the place reached by the ascetics who worship with the praised Agni.
वाजपेयं क्रतुवरं तथा बहुसुवर्णकम्। आहरन्ति महाप्राज्ञास्तेषां लोकेष्वपश्यत ॥९-४९-३३॥
The greatly wise ones performed the Vājapeya sacrifice, which is considered the best, along with offering much gold, and their fame was seen across the worlds.
यजन्ते पुण्डरीकेण राजसूयेन चैव ये। तेषां लोकेष्वपश्यच्च जैगीषव्यं स देवलः ॥९-४९-३४॥
Devala observed Jaigīṣavya among those who performed worship with Puṇḍarīka and Rājasūya in the worlds.
अश्वमेधं क्रतुवरं नरमेधं तथैव च। आहरन्ति नरश्रेष्ठास्तेषां लोकेष्वपश्यत ॥९-४९-३५॥
The best among men perform the horse-sacrifice and the human-sacrifice, which are considered the best of sacrifices, and they are seen in the worlds.
सर्वमेधं च दुष्प्रापं तथा सौत्रामणिं च ये। तेषां लोकेष्वपश्यच्च जैगीषव्यं स देवलः ॥९-४९-३६॥
Devala, who was Jaigishavya, saw all the sacrifices, including the difficult-to-obtain Sautramani, in their worlds.
द्वादशाहैश्च सत्रैर्ये यजन्ते विविधैर्नृप। तेषां लोकेष्वपश्यच्च जैगीषव्यं स देवलः ॥९-४९-३७॥
O king, Devala saw Jaigiṣavya among those who perform various sacrifices with twelve-day sessions in the worlds.
मित्रावरुणयोर्लोकानादित्यानां तथैव च। सलोकतामनुप्राप्तमपश्यत ततोऽसितः ॥९-४९-३८॥
Asita then saw that he had attained the same world as Mitra, Varuna, and the Adityas.
रुद्राणां च वसूनां च स्थानं यच्च बृहस्पतेः। तानि सर्वाण्यतीतं च समपश्यत्ततोऽसितः ॥९-४९-३९॥
Asita saw together all the past abodes of the Rudras, the Vasus, and Bṛhaspati.
आरुह्य च गवां लोकं प्रयान्तं ब्रह्मसत्रिणाम्। लोकानपश्यद्गच्छन्तं जैगीषव्यं ततोऽसितः ॥९-४९-४०॥
Asita, having ascended to the realm of the cows and departing from the realm of the Brahma sacrificers, then saw Jaigīṣavya proceeding to the worlds.
त्रीँल्लोकानपरान्विप्रमुत्पतन्तं स्वतेजसा। पतिव्रतानां लोकांश्च व्रजन्तं सोऽन्वपश्यत ॥९-४९-४१॥
He saw the sage ascending to the other three worlds with his own brilliance, and also noticed the realms of the devoted wives moving.
ततो मुनिवरं भूयो जैगीषव्यमथासितः। नान्वपश्यत योगस्थमन्तर्हितमरिंदम ॥९-४९-४२॥
Then, O subduer of enemies, the great sage Jaigishavya, who was seated, could no longer see the one who was absorbed in yoga and had disappeared.
सोऽचिन्तयन्महाभागो जैगीषव्यस्य देवलः। प्रभावं सुव्रतत्वं च सिद्धिं योगस्य चातुलाम् ॥९-४९-४३॥
Devala, the greatly fortunate, contemplated the unparalleled power, virtuous conduct, and the supreme perfection of Jaigīṣavya's yoga.
असितोऽपृच्छत तदा सिद्धाँल्लोकेषु सत्तमान्। प्रयतः प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा धीरस्तान्ब्रह्मसत्रिणः ॥९-४९-४४॥
Asita, with devotion and folded hands, asked the wise and perfected beings, the best among those engaged in the pursuit of Brahman, in the worlds.
जैगीषव्यं न पश्यामि तं शंसत महौजसम्। एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं परं कौतूहलं हि मे ॥९-४९-४५॥
I do not see Jaigishavya, the mighty one you praise. I wish to hear about this, as I am indeed very curious.
सिद्धा ऊचुः॥
The perfected beings spoke:
शृणु देवल भूतार्थं शंसतां नो दृढव्रत। जैगीषव्यो गतो लोकं शाश्वतं ब्रह्मणोऽव्ययम् ॥९-४९-४६॥
"Listen, Devala, to the true essence of those who praise us, who are firm in their vows. Jaigīṣavya has reached the eternal and imperishable world of Brahman."
स श्रुत्वा वचनं तेषां सिद्धानां ब्रह्मसत्रिणाम्। असितो देवलस्तूर्णमुत्पपात पपात च ॥९-४९-४७॥
Upon hearing the words of the accomplished sages who performed Brahma sacrifices, Asita Devala quickly rose and then fell.
ततः सिद्धास्त ऊचुर्हि देवलं पुनरेव ह। न देवल गतिस्तत्र तव गन्तुं तपोधन ॥ ब्रह्मणः सदनं विप्र जैगीषव्यो यदाप्तवान् ॥९-४९-४८॥
Then the perfected beings said to Devala, "Indeed, there is no way for you to go there, O sage. The abode of Brahma, O wise one, is what Jaigīṣavya attained."
तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सिद्धानां देवलः पुनः। आनुपूर्व्येण लोकांस्तान्सर्वानवततार ह ॥९-४९-४९॥
Upon hearing their words, Devala, the sage, once again descended through all those worlds in order.
स्वमाश्रमपदं पुण्यमाजगाम पतङ्गवत्। प्रविशन्नेव चापश्यज्जैगीषव्यं स देवलः ॥९-४९-५०॥
He returned to his sacred hermitage swiftly like a bird. As he entered, he saw the sage Jaigīṣavya, known as Devala.
ततो बुद्ध्या व्यगणयद्देवलो धर्मयुक्तया। दृष्ट्वा प्रभावं तपसो जैगीषव्यस्य योगजम् ॥९-४९-५१॥
Then, Devala, using his intelligence and righteousness, assessed the power that was born from the yoga and penance of Jaigīṣavya.
ततोऽब्रवीन्महात्मानं जैगीषव्यं स देवलः। विनयावनतो राजन्नुपसर्प्य महामुनिम् ॥ मोक्षधर्मं समास्थातुमिच्छेयं भगवन्नहम् ॥९-४९-५२॥
Then Devala, with humility, addressed the great soul Jaigishavya, as he approached the great sage, saying, "O king, I wish to understand and establish the principles of liberation, O revered one."
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा उपदेशं चकार सः। विधिं च योगस्य परं कार्याकार्यं च शास्त्रतः ॥९-४९-५३॥
Upon hearing those words, he provided the instruction, detailing the supreme method of yoga and distinguishing between duties and non-duties according to the scriptures.
संन्यासकृतबुद्धिं तं ततो दृष्ट्वा महातपाः। सर्वाश्चास्य क्रियाश्चक्रे विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा ॥९-४९-५४॥
The great ascetics, observing him whose intellect was shaped by renunciation, performed all his duties according to the prescribed rules.
संन्यासकृतबुद्धिं तं भूतानि पितृभिः सह। ततो दृष्ट्वा प्ररुरुदुः कोऽस्मान्संविभजिष्यति ॥९-४९-५५॥
Having renounced his intellect, the beings, along with the ancestors, cried out, "Who will distribute to us?"
देवलस्तु वचः श्रुत्वा भूतानां करुणं तथा। दिशो दश व्याहरतां मोक्षं त्यक्तुं मनो दधे ॥९-४९-५६॥
Devala, upon hearing the compassionate words of the beings, decided to speak in all ten directions, resolving to abandon liberation.
ततस्तु फलमूलानि पवित्राणि च भारत। पुष्पाण्योषधयश्चैव रोरूयन्ते सहस्रशः ॥९-४९-५७॥
Then, O Bhārata, pure fruits, roots, flowers, and herbs grow abundantly in thousands.
पुनर्नो देवलः क्षुद्रो नूनं छेत्स्यति दुर्मतिः। अभयं सर्वभूतेभ्यो यो दत्त्वा नावबुध्यते ॥९-४९-५८॥
Devala, who is mean and evil-minded, will certainly harm us again. He does not realize the significance of granting fearlessness to all beings.
ततो भूयो व्यगणयत्स्वबुद्ध्या मुनिसत्तमः। मोक्षे गार्हस्थ्यधर्मे वा किं नु श्रेयस्करं भवेत् ॥९-४९-५९॥
Then, the best of sages pondered deeply with his own intellect, questioning what would truly be beneficial: the path of liberation or the duties of a householder.
इति निश्चित्य मनसा देवलो राजसत्तम। त्यक्त्वा गार्हस्थ्यधर्मं स मोक्षधर्ममरोचयत् ॥९-४९-६०॥
Thus, having made up his mind, Devala, the best among kings, decided to renounce the duties of a householder and chose the path of liberation.
एवमादीनि सञ्चिन्त्य देवलो निश्चयात्ततः। प्राप्तवान्परमां सिद्धिं परं योगं च भारत ॥९-४९-६१॥
Devala, after contemplating these beginnings with determination, achieved the highest perfection and supreme yoga, O Bharata.
ततो देवाः समागम्य बृहस्पतिपुरोगमाः। जैगीषव्यं तपश्चास्य प्रशंसन्ति तपस्विनः ॥९-४९-६२॥
Then the gods, with Bṛhaspati at their head, gathered and praised the austerity of Jaigīṣavya and his ascetics.
अथाब्रवीदृषिवरो देवान्वै नारदस्तदा। जैगीषव्ये तपो नास्ति विस्मापयति योऽसितम् ॥९-४९-६३॥
Then the revered sage Nārada addressed the gods, saying: "In Jaigīṣavya, there is no penance that can astonish Asita."
तमेवंवादिनं धीरं प्रत्यूचुस्ते दिवौकसः। मैवमित्येव शंसन्तो जैगीषव्यं महामुनिम् ॥९-४९-६४॥
The celestial beings, acknowledging the wisdom of the speaker, replied, "Not so," and praised the great sage Jaigīṣavya.
तत्राप्युपस्पृश्य ततो महात्मा; दत्त्वा च वित्तं हलभृद्द्विजेभ्यः। अवाप्य धर्मं परमार्यकर्मा; जगाम सोमस्य महत्स तीर्थम् ॥९-४९-६५॥
There, the great soul, after performing the rituals and giving wealth to the brahmins, having achieved supreme virtue through noble deeds, proceeded to the great pilgrimage site of Soma.
