09.050
Library: Story of sage Dadhichi, Sarasvati, his fish-eating son Sarsvata and his 12-year penance and how he revived Vedic knowledge.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
यत्रेजिवानुडुपती राजसूयेन भारत। तस्मिन्वृत्ते महानासीत्सङ्ग्रामस्तारकामयः ॥९-५०-१॥
O Bhārata, where the living beings and the moon were involved in the Rājasūya sacrifice, there occurred a great battle resembling the stars.
तत्राप्युपस्पृश्य बलो दत्त्वा दानानि चात्मवान्। सारस्वतस्य धर्मात्मा मुनेस्तीर्थं जगाम ह ॥९-५०-२॥
There, Bala, after performing the ritual of touching the water and giving gifts, went to the pilgrimage site of the righteous sage Sarasvata.
यत्र द्वादशवार्षिक्यामनावृष्ट्यां द्विजोत्तमान्। वेदानध्यापयामास पुरा सारस्वतो मुनिः ॥९-५०-३॥
In the place where there was a twelve-year drought, the sage Sarasvata once taught the Vedas to the best of the twice-born.
जनमेजय उवाच॥
Janamejaya said:
कथं द्वादशवार्षिक्यामनावृष्ट्यां तपोधनः। वेदानध्यापयामास पुरा सारस्वतो मुनिः ॥९-५०-४॥
The sage Sarasvata, known for his austerities, taught the Vedas during a twelve-year drought in ancient times.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaishampayana said:
आसीत्पूर्वं महाराज मुनिर्धीमान्महातपाः। दधीच इति विख्यातो ब्रह्मचारी जितेन्द्रियः ॥९-५०-५॥
Once upon a time, O great king, there was a wise and austere sage named Dadhicha, who was renowned for his celibacy and self-control.
तस्यातितपसः शक्रो बिभेति सततं विभो। न स लोभयितुं शक्यः फलैर्बहुविधैरपि ॥९-५०-६॥
Indra is in constant fear of his immense penance, O lord. He cannot be swayed by any kind of rewards, no matter how many.
प्रलोभनार्थं तस्याथ प्राहिणोत्पाकशासनः। दिव्यामप्सरसं पुण्यां दर्शनीयामलम्बुसाम् ॥९-५०-७॥
To tempt him, Indra then sent the divine and beautiful apsara Alambusa, who was auspicious, to him.
तस्य तर्पयतो देवान्सरस्वत्यां महात्मनः। समीपतो महाराज सोपातिष्ठत भामिनी ॥९-५०-८॥
As he was making offerings to the gods in the Sarasvati river, a noble lady approached him, O great king.
तां दिव्यवपुषं दृष्ट्वा तस्यर्षेर्भावितात्मनः। रेतः स्कन्नं सरस्वत्यां तत्सा जग्राह निम्नगा ॥९-५०-९॥
Upon seeing the divine form, the contemplative sage's semen fell into the Sarasvati river, which then carried it away.
कुक्षौ चाप्यदधद्दृष्ट्वा तद्रेतः पुरुषर्षभ। सा दधार च तं गर्भं पुत्रहेतोर्महानदी ॥९-५०-१०॥
O best of men, having seen that seed, she placed it in her womb. The great river bore the embryo for the sake of a son.
सुषुवे चापि समये पुत्रं सा सरितां वरा। जगाम पुत्रमादाय तमृषिं प्रति च प्रभो ॥९-५०-११॥
The best among rivers gave birth to a son at the appointed time, and taking her son, she went to the sage, O lord.
ऋषिसंसदि तं दृष्ट्वा सा नदी मुनिसत्तमम्। ततः प्रोवाच राजेन्द्र ददती पुत्रमस्य तम् ॥ ब्रह्मर्षे तव पुत्रोऽयं त्वद्भक्त्या धारितो मया ॥९-५०-१२॥
In the assembly of sages, the river, upon seeing the best of sages, said: "O king, I am giving his son to him." "O divine sage, this son of yours has been sustained by me through your devotion."
दृष्ट्वा तेऽप्सरसं रेतो यत्स्कन्नं प्रागलम्बुसाम्। तत्कुक्षिणा वै ब्रह्मर्षे त्वद्भक्त्या धृतवत्यहम् ॥९-५०-१३॥
"O Brahmarshi, having seen your apsaras, I have held in my womb the semen of Pragalambus that had fallen, by your devotion."
न विनाशमिदं गच्छेत्त्वत्तेज इति निश्चयात्। प्रतिगृह्णीष्व पुत्रं स्वं मया दत्तमनिन्दितम् ॥९-५०-१४॥
With certainty, your splendor should not be destroyed. Accept your own son, who is blameless and given by me.
इत्युक्तः प्रतिजग्राह प्रीतिं चावाप उत्तमाम्। मन्त्रवच्चोपजिघ्रत्तं मूर्ध्नि प्रेम्णा द्विजोत्तमः ॥९-५०-१५॥
Having been thus addressed, he accepted and received the highest affection. The best of the twice-born, with love, smelled his head as if it were a sacred mantra.
परिष्वज्य चिरं कालं तदा भरतसत्तम। सरस्वत्यै वरं प्रादात्प्रीयमाणो महामुनिः ॥९-५०-१६॥
The great sage, being pleased, embraced for a long time and then granted a boon to Sarasvati, O best of the Bharatas.
विश्वे देवाः सपितरो गन्धर्वाप्सरसां गणाः। तृप्तिं यास्यन्ति सुभगे तर्प्यमाणास्तवाम्भसा ॥९-५०-१७॥
O fortunate one, all the gods, ancestors, celestial musicians, and groups of celestial nymphs will be satisfied by your offerings of water.
इत्युक्त्वा स तु तुष्टाव वचोभिर्वै महानदीम्। प्रीतः परमहृष्टात्मा यथावच्छृणु पार्थिव ॥९-५०-१८॥
After speaking thus, he praised the great river with words. Being pleased and with a very delighted mind, listen properly, O king.
प्रसृतासि महाभागे सरसो ब्रह्मणः पुरा। जानन्ति त्वां सरिच्छ्रेष्ठे मुनयः संशितव्रताः ॥९-५०-१९॥
"O greatly fortunate one, you have spread from the lake of Brahma since ancient times. The sages of firm vows recognize you as the best of rivers."
मम प्रियकरी चापि सततं प्रियदर्शने। तस्मात्सारस्वतः पुत्रो महांस्ते वरवर्णिनि ॥९-५०-२०॥
"My dear one, you are always beautiful. Therefore, the great son of Sarasvata is yours, O lady of excellent complexion."
तवैव नाम्ना प्रथितः पुत्रस्ते लोकभावनः। सारस्वत इति ख्यातो भविष्यति महातपाः ॥९-५०-२१॥
Your son, renowned by his name, will be known as Sarasvata, the creator of worlds, and will become a great ascetic.
एष द्वादशवार्षिक्यामनावृष्ट्यां द्विजर्षभान्। सारस्वतो महाभागे वेदानध्यापयिष्यति ॥९-५०-२२॥
During a twelve-year drought, this fortunate Sarasvata will impart the knowledge of the Vedas to the most distinguished of the twice-born.
पुण्याभ्यश्च सरिद्भ्यस्त्वं सदा पुण्यतमा शुभे। भविष्यसि महाभागे मत्प्रसादात्सरस्वति ॥९-५०-२३॥
O Sarasvati, by my grace, you will always be the most virtuous among the virtuous and the rivers, O auspicious and fortunate one.
एवं सा संस्तुता तेन वरं लब्ध्वा महानदी। पुत्रमादाय मुदिता जगाम भरतर्षभ ॥९-५०-२४॥
Thus, having been praised by him and having obtained the boon, the great river joyfully took her son and went, O best of the Bharatas.
एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु विरोधे देवदानवैः। शक्रः प्रहरणान्वेषी लोकांस्त्रीन्विचचार ह ॥९-५०-२५॥
At this very moment, Indra, in opposition to the gods and demons, was searching for weapons and wandered through the three worlds.
न चोपलेभे भगवाञ्शक्रः प्रहरणं तदा। यद्वै तेषां भवेद्योग्यं वधाय विबुधद्विषाम् ॥९-५०-२६॥
Indra, the blessed one, could not find a weapon at that time which would be suitable to kill the enemies of the gods.
ततोऽब्रवीत्सुराञ्शक्रो न मे शक्या महासुराः। ऋतेऽस्थिभिर्दधीचस्य निहन्तुं त्रिदशद्विषः ॥९-५०-२७॥
Then Indra addressed the gods, saying that the great demons could not be defeated without the bones of the sage Dadhīca, which were necessary to vanquish the enemies of the gods.
तस्माद्गत्वा ऋषिश्रेष्ठो याच्यतां सुरसत्तमाः। दधीचास्थीनि देहीति तैर्वधिष्यामहे रिपून् ॥९-५०-२८॥
Therefore, O best among gods, go and request the best sage to give the bones of Dadhicha, so that we can use them to kill our enemies.
स देवैर्याचितोऽस्थीनि यत्नादृषिवरस्तदा। प्राणत्यागं कुरुष्वेति चकारैवाविचारयन् ॥ स लोकानक्षयान्प्राप्तो देवप्रियकरस्तदा ॥९-५०-२९॥
He, being requested by the gods for his bones, the best of sages, without hesitation, gave up his life. Consequently, he attained the imperishable worlds, which were pleasing to the gods.
तस्यास्थिभिरथो शक्रः सम्प्रहृष्टमनास्तदा। कारयामास दिव्यानि नानाप्रहरणान्युत ॥ वज्राणि चक्राणि गदा गुरुदण्डांश्च पुष्कलान् ॥९-५०-३०॥
Indra, being delighted, used his bones to create various divine weapons, including thunderbolts, discus, maces, and heavy staffs in abundance.
स हि तीव्रेण तपसा सम्भृतः परमर्षिणा। प्रजापतिसुतेनाथ भृगुणा लोकभावनः ॥९-५०-३१॥
He, indeed, nurtured through intense penance by the great sage, the son of Prajapati, and Bhrigu, is the creator of the worlds.
अतिकायः स तेजस्वी लोकसारविनिर्मितः। जज्ञे शैलगुरुः प्रांशुर्महिम्ना प्रथितः प्रभुः ॥ नित्यमुद्विजते चास्य तेजसा पाकशासनः ॥९-५०-३२॥
The gigantic-bodied and radiant being, created from the essence of the world, was born as a tall and renowned mountain-like teacher. Indra always trembles at his radiance.
तेन वज्रेण भगवान्मन्त्रयुक्तेन भारत। भृशं क्रोधविसृष्टेन ब्रह्मतेजोभवेन च ॥ दैत्यदानववीराणां जघान नवतीर्नव ॥९-५०-३३॥
With that mantra-endowed thunderbolt, O Bharata, the Lord, filled with intense anger and the energy of Brahma, slew ninety-nine of the mighty Daityas and Danavas.
अथ काले व्यतिक्रान्ते महत्यतिभयङ्करे। अनावृष्टिरनुप्राप्ता राजन्द्वादशवार्षिकी ॥९-५०-३४॥
Then, O king, after a long and terrifying period had passed, a twelve-year drought struck.
तस्यां द्वादशवार्षिक्यामनावृष्ट्यां महर्षयः। वृत्त्यर्थं प्राद्रवन्राजन्क्षुधार्ताः सर्वतोदिशम् ॥९-५०-३५॥
During that twelve-year period of drought, the great sages, suffering from hunger, scattered in all directions in search of sustenance, O king.
दिग्भ्यस्तान्प्रद्रुतान्दृष्ट्वा मुनिः सारस्वतस्तदा। गमनाय मतिं चक्रे तं प्रोवाच सरस्वती ॥९-५०-३६॥
Seeing them fleeing in all directions, the sage Sarasvata decided to leave; then Sarasvati spoke to him.
न गन्तव्यमितः पुत्र तवाहारमहं सदा। दास्यामि मत्स्यप्रवरानुष्यतामिह भारत ॥९-५०-३७॥
"Do not leave this place, my son. I will always provide you with the best fish to eat. Stay here, O Bhārata."
इत्युक्तस्तर्पयामास स पितॄन्देवतास्तथा। आहारमकरोन्नित्यं प्राणान्वेदांश्च धारयन् ॥९-५०-३८॥
Thus instructed, he offered satisfaction to the ancestors and gods. He prepared food daily, maintaining his life forces and the teachings of the Vedas.
अथ तस्यामतीतायामनावृष्ट्यां महर्षयः। अन्योन्यं परिपप्रच्छुः पुनः स्वाध्यायकारणात् ॥९-५०-३९॥
Then, during that past drought, the great sages inquired among themselves once more about the reason for self-study.
तेषां क्षुधापरीतानां नष्टा वेदा विधावताम्। सर्वेषामेव राजेन्द्र न कश्चित्प्रतिभानवान् ॥९-५०-४०॥
"O King, among all those who are overcome by hunger, the knowledge is lost, and none is intelligent."
अथ कश्चिदृषिस्तेषां सारस्वतमुपेयिवान्। कुर्वाणं संशितात्मानं स्वाध्यायमृषिसत्तमम् ॥९-५०-४१॥
Then, a certain sage named Sarasvata, who was among them, approached the best of sages, engaged in self-study with a resolute mind.
स गत्वाचष्ट तेभ्यश्च सारस्वतमतिप्रभम्। स्वाध्यायममरप्रख्यं कुर्वाणं विजने जने ॥९-५०-४२॥
He went and spoke to them about the brilliant wisdom of Saraswati, who was engaged in renowned self-study, appearing immortal, in solitude among people.
ततः सर्वे समाजग्मुस्तत्र राजन्महर्षयः। सारस्वतं मुनिश्रेष्ठमिदमूचुः समागताः ॥९-५०-४३॥
Then all the great sages gathered there, O king, and addressed Sarasvata, the foremost of sages, with these words.
अस्मानध्यापयस्वेति तानुवाच ततो मुनिः। शिष्यत्वमुपगच्छध्वं विधिवद्भो ममेत्युत ॥९-५०-४४॥
The sage then said to them, "Teach us." O indeed, properly attain my discipleship.
ततोऽब्रवीदृषिगणो बालस्त्वमसि पुत्रक। स तानाह न मे धर्मो नश्येदिति पुनर्मुनीन् ॥९-५०-४५॥
The group of sages then said, "You are just a child, dear son." To this, he replied, "My duty will not be destroyed," reiterating this to the sages.
यो ह्यधर्मेण विब्रूयाद्गृह्णीयाद्वाप्यधर्मतः। म्रियतां तावुभौ क्षिप्रं स्यातां वा वैरिणावुभौ ॥९-५०-४६॥
Whoever speaks or accepts something unrighteously, let those two quickly perish or let them both become enemies.
न हायनैर्न पलितैर्न वित्तेन न बन्धुभिः। ऋषयश्चक्रिरे धर्मं योऽनूचानः स नो महान् ॥९-५०-४७॥
Dharma is not established by age, gray hair, wealth, or relatives; it is the learned one who is truly great among us.
एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य मुनयस्ते विधानतः। तस्माद्वेदाननुप्राप्य पुनर्धर्मं प्रचक्रिरे ॥९-५०-४८॥
Upon hearing his words, the sages, following the prescribed rules, obtained the Vedas and once again initiated the practice of dharma.
षष्टिर्मुनिसहस्राणि शिष्यत्वं प्रतिपेदिरे। सारस्वतस्य विप्रर्षेर्वेदस्वाध्यायकारणात् ॥९-५०-४९॥
Sixty thousand sages became disciples of the sage Sārasvata because of their study of the Vedas.
मुष्टिं मुष्टिं ततः सर्वे दर्भाणां तेऽभ्युपाहरन्। तस्यासनार्थं विप्रर्षेर्बालस्यापि वशे स्थिताः ॥९-५०-५०॥
Fistful by fistful, they all brought darbha grass for the sage's seat, remaining under the boy's control.
तत्रापि दत्त्वा वसु रौहिणेयो; महाबलः केशवपूर्वजोऽथ। जगाम तीर्थं मुदितः क्रमेण; ख्यातं महद्वृद्धकन्या स्म यत्र ॥९-५०-५१॥
There, after giving wealth, the mighty elder brother of Keshava, son of Rohini, joyfully proceeded to the famous pilgrimage site gradually, where the renowned great old maiden resided.
