09.050
Library: Story of sage Dadhichi, Sarasvati, his fish-eating son Sarsvata and his 12-year penance and how he revived Vedic knowledge.
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
yatrejivānuḍupatī rājasūyena bhārata। tasminvṛtte mahānāsītsaṅgrāmastārakāmayaḥ ॥9-50-1॥
O Bhārata, where the living beings and the moon were involved in the Rājasūya sacrifice, there occurred a great battle resembling the stars.
tatrāpyupaspṛśya balo dattvā dānāni cātmavān। sārasvatasya dharmātmā munestīrthaṃ jagāma ha ॥9-50-2॥
There, Bala, after performing the ritual of touching the water and giving gifts, went to the pilgrimage site of the righteous sage Sarasvata.
yatra dvādaśavārṣikyāmanāvṛṣṭyāṃ dvijottamān। vedānadhyāpayāmāsa purā sārasvato muniḥ ॥9-50-3॥
In the place where there was a twelve-year drought, the sage Sarasvata once taught the Vedas to the best of the twice-born.
janamejaya uvāca॥
Janamejaya said:
kathaṁ dvādaśavārṣikyāmanāvṛṣṭyāṁ tapodhanaḥ। vedānadhyāpayāmāsa purā sārasvato muniḥ ॥9-50-4॥
The sage Sarasvata, known for his austerities, taught the Vedas during a twelve-year drought in ancient times.
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaishampayana said:
āsīt pūrvaṃ mahārāja munirdhīmān mahātapāḥ। dadhīca iti vikhyāto brahmacārī jitendriyaḥ ॥9-50-5॥
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.
tasyātitapasaḥ śakro bibheti satataṃ vibho। na sa lobhayituṃ śakyaḥ phalairbahuvidhairapi ॥9-50-6॥
Indra is in constant fear of his immense penance, O lord. He cannot be swayed by any kind of rewards, no matter how many.
pralobhanārthaṃ tasyātha prāhiṇotpākaśāsanaḥ। divyāmapsarasaṃ puṇyāṃ darśanīyāmalambusām ॥9-50-7॥
To tempt him, Indra then sent the divine and beautiful apsara Alambusa, who was auspicious, to him.
tasya tarpayato devānsarasvatyāṃ mahātmanaḥ। samīpato mahārāja sopātiṣṭhata bhāminī ॥9-50-8॥
As he was making offerings to the gods in the Sarasvati river, a noble lady approached him, O great king.
tāṁ divyavapuṣaṁ dṛṣṭvā tasyarṣerbhāvitātmanaḥ। retaḥ skannaṁ sarasvatyāṁ tatsā jagrāha nimnagā ॥9-50-9॥
Upon seeing the divine form, the contemplative sage's semen fell into the Sarasvati river, which then carried it away.
kukṣau cāpyadadhad dṛṣṭvā tad retaḥ puruṣarṣabha। sā dadhāra ca taṃ garbhaṃ putrahetor mahānadī ॥9-50-10॥
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.
suṣuve cāpi samaye putraṃ sā saritāṃ varā। jagāma putramādāya tamṛṣiṃ prati ca prabho ॥9-50-11॥
The best among rivers gave birth to a son at the appointed time, and taking her son, she went to the sage, O lord.
ṛṣisaṁsadi taṁ dṛṣṭvā sā nadī munisattamam। tataḥ provāca rājendra dadatī putramasya tam ॥ brahmarṣe tava putro'yaṁ tvadbhaktyā dhārito mayā ॥9-50-12॥
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."
dṛṣṭvā te'psarasaṃ reto yat skannaṃ prāgalambusām। tatkukṣiṇā vai brahmarṣe tvadbhaktyā dhṛtavaty aham ॥9-50-13॥
"O Brahmarshi, having seen your apsaras, I have held in my womb the semen of Pragalambus that had fallen, by your devotion."
na vināśamidaṃ gacchettvatteja iti niścayāt। pratigṛhṇīṣva putraṃ svaṃ mayā dattamaninditam ॥9-50-14॥
With certainty, your splendor should not be destroyed. Accept your own son, who is blameless and given by me.
ityuktaḥ pratijagrāha prītiṃ cāvāpa uttamām। mantravaccopajighrattaṃ mūrdhni premṇā dvijottamaḥ ॥9-50-15॥
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.
pariṣvajya ciraṃ kālaṃ tadā bharatasattama। sarasvatyai varaṃ prādātprīyamāṇo mahāmuniḥ ॥9-50-16॥
The great sage, being pleased, embraced for a long time and then granted a boon to Sarasvati, O best of the Bharatas.
viśve devāḥ sapitaro gandharvāpsarasāṃ gaṇāḥ। tṛptiṃ yāsyanti subhage tarpyamāṇāstavāmbhasā ॥9-50-17॥
O fortunate one, all the gods, ancestors, celestial musicians, and groups of celestial nymphs will be satisfied by your offerings of water.
ityuktvā sa tu tuṣṭāva vacobhirvai mahānadīm। prītaḥ paramahṛṣṭātmā yathāvacchṛṇu pārthiva ॥9-50-18॥
After speaking thus, he praised the great river with words. Being pleased and with a very delighted mind, listen properly, O king.
prasṛtāsi mahābhāge saraso brahmaṇaḥ purā। jānanti tvāṃ saricchreṣṭhe munayaḥ saṃśitavratāḥ ॥9-50-19॥
"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."
mama priyakari cāpi satataṃ priyadarśane। tasmātsārasvataḥ putro mahāṃste varavarṇini ॥9-50-20॥
"My dear one, you are always beautiful. Therefore, the great son of Sarasvata is yours, O lady of excellent complexion."
tavaiva nāmnā prathitaḥ putraste lokabhāvanaḥ। sārasvata iti khyāto bhaviṣyati mahātapāḥ ॥9-50-21॥
Your son, renowned by his name, will be known as Sarasvata, the creator of worlds, and will become a great ascetic.
eṣa dvādaśavārṣikyāmanāvṛṣṭyāṃ dvijarṣabhān। sārasvato mahābhāge vedānadhyāpayiṣyati ॥9-50-22॥
During a twelve-year drought, this fortunate Sarasvata will impart the knowledge of the Vedas to the most distinguished of the twice-born.
puṇyābhyaśca saridbhyastvaṃ sadā puṇyatamā śubhe। bhaviṣyasi mahābhāge matprasādātsarasvati ॥9-50-23॥
O Sarasvati, by my grace, you will always be the most virtuous among the virtuous and the rivers, O auspicious and fortunate one.
evaṃ sā sanstutā tena varaṃ labdhvā mahānadī। putramādāya muditā jagāma bharatarṣabha ॥9-50-24॥
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.
etasmínneva kāle tu virodhe devadānavaiḥ। śakraḥ praharaṇānveṣī lokāṁstrīnvicacāra ha ॥9-50-25॥
At this very moment, Indra, in opposition to the gods and demons, was searching for weapons and wandered through the three worlds.
na copalebhe bhagavāñśakraḥ praharaṇaṃ tadā। yadvai teṣāṃ bhavedyogyaṃ vadhāya vibudhādviṣām ॥9-50-26॥
Indra, the blessed one, could not find a weapon at that time which would be suitable to kill the enemies of the gods.
tato'bravītsurāñśakro na me śakyā mahāsurāḥ। ṛte'sthibhirdadhīcasya nihantuṃ tridaśadviṣaḥ ॥9-50-27॥
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.
tasmādgatvā ṛṣiśreṣṭho yācyatāṃ surasattamāḥ। dadhīcāsthīni dehīti tairvadhiṣyāmahe ripūn ॥9-50-28॥
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.
sa devairyācito'sthīni yatnādṛṣivarastadā। prāṇatyāgaṃ kuruṣveti cakāraivāvicārayan ॥ sa lokānakṣayānprāpto devapriyakarastadā ॥9-50-29॥
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.
tasyāsthibhiratho śakraḥ samprahṛṣṭamanāstadā। kārayāmāsa divyāni nānāpraharaṇānyuta ॥ vajrāṇi cakrāṇi gadā gurudaṇḍāṃśca puṣkalān ॥9-50-30॥
Indra, being delighted, used his bones to create various divine weapons, including thunderbolts, discus, maces, and heavy staffs in abundance.
sa hi tīvreṇa tapasā sambhṛtaḥ paramarṣiṇā। prajāpatisutenātha bhṛguṇā lokabhāvanaḥ ॥9-50-31॥
He, indeed, nurtured through intense penance by the great sage, the son of Prajapati, and Bhrigu, is the creator of the worlds.
atikāyaḥ sa tejasvī lokasāravinirmitaḥ। jajñe śailaguruḥ prāṃśurmahimnā prathitaḥ prabhuḥ ॥ nityamudvijate cāsya tejasā pākaśāsanaḥ ॥9-50-32॥
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.
tena vajreṇa bhagavānmantrayuktena bhārata। bhṛśaṃ krodhavisṛṣṭena brahmatejobhavena ca ॥ daityadānavavīrāṇāṃ jaghāna navatīrnava ॥9-50-33॥
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.
atha kāle vyatikrānte mahatyatibhayaṅkare। anāvṛṣṭiranuprāptā rājandvādaśavārṣikī ॥9-50-34॥
Then, O king, after a long and terrifying period had passed, a twelve-year drought struck.
tasyāṃ dvādaśavārṣikyāmanāvṛṣṭyāṃ maharṣayaḥ। vṛttyarthaṃ prādravanrājankṣudhārtāḥ sarvatodiśam ॥9-50-35॥
During that twelve-year period of drought, the great sages, suffering from hunger, scattered in all directions in search of sustenance, O king.
digbhyastānpradrutāndṛṣṭvā muniḥ sārasvatastadā। gamanāya matiṁ cakre taṁ provāca sarasvatī ॥9-50-36॥
Seeing them fleeing in all directions, the sage Sarasvata decided to leave; then Sarasvati spoke to him.
na gantavyamitaḥ putra tavāhāramahaṃ sadā। dāsyāmi matsyapravarānuṣyatāmiha bhārata ॥9-50-37॥
"Do not leave this place, my son. I will always provide you with the best fish to eat. Stay here, O Bhārata."
ityuktastarpayāmāsa sa pitṝndevatāstathā। āhāramakaronnityaṃ prāṇānvedāṃśca dhārayan ॥9-50-38॥
Thus instructed, he offered satisfaction to the ancestors and gods. He prepared food daily, maintaining his life forces and the teachings of the Vedas.
atha tasyām atītāyām anāvṛṣṭyām maharṣayaḥ। anyonyaṃ paripapracchuḥ punaḥ svādhyāyakāraṇāt ॥9-50-39॥
Then, during that past drought, the great sages inquired among themselves once more about the reason for self-study.
teṣāṃ kṣudhāparītānāṃ naṣṭā vedā vidhāvatām। sarveṣāmeva rājendra na kaścitpratibhānavān ॥9-50-40॥
"O King, among all those who are overcome by hunger, the knowledge is lost, and none is intelligent."
atha kaścidṛṣisteṣāṃ sārasvatamupeyivān। kurvāṇaṃ saṃśitātmānaṃ svādhyāyamṛṣisattamam ॥9-50-41॥
Then, a certain sage named Sarasvata, who was among them, approached the best of sages, engaged in self-study with a resolute mind.
sa gatvācaṣṭa tebhyaśca sārasvatamati-prabham। svādhyāyam amara-prakhyaṃ kurvāṇaṃ vijane jane ॥9-50-42॥
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.
tataḥ sarve samājagmustatra rājanmaharṣayaḥ। sārasvataṃ muniśreṣṭhamidamūcuḥ samāgatāḥ ॥9-50-43॥
Then all the great sages gathered there, O king, and addressed Sarasvata, the foremost of sages, with these words.
asmān adhyāpayasveti tān uvāca tato muniḥ। śiṣyatvam upagacchadhvaṃ vidhivad bho mamety uta ॥9-50-44॥
The sage then said to them, "Teach us." O indeed, properly attain my discipleship.
tato'bravīdṛṣigaṇo bālastvamasi putrakaḥ। sa tānāha na me dharmo naśyediti punarmunīn ॥9-50-45॥
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.
yo hyadharmeṇa vibrūyādgṛhṇīyādvāpyadharmataḥ। mriyatāṃ tāvubhau kṣipraṃ syātāṃ vā vairiṇāvubhau ॥9-50-46॥
Whoever speaks or accepts something unrighteously, let those two quickly perish or let them both become enemies.
na hāyanairna palitairna vittena na bandhubhiḥ। ṛṣayaścakrire dharmaṃ yo'nūcānaḥ sa no mahān ॥9-50-47॥
Dharma is not established by age, gray hair, wealth, or relatives; it is the learned one who is truly great among us.
etacchrutvā vacastasya munayaste vidhānataḥ। tasmādvedānanuprāpya punardharmaṃ pracakrire ॥9-50-48॥
Upon hearing his words, the sages, following the prescribed rules, obtained the Vedas and once again initiated the practice of dharma.
ṣaṣṭirmunisaḥasrāṇi śiṣyatvaṃ pratipedire। sārasvatasya viprarṣervedasvādhyāyakāraṇāt ॥9-50-49॥
Sixty thousand sages became disciples of the sage Sārasvata because of their study of the Vedas.
muṣṭiṃ muṣṭiṃ tataḥ sarve darbhāṇāṃ te'bhyupāharan। tasyāsanārthaṃ viprarṣerbālasyāpi vaśe sthitāḥ ॥9-50-50॥
Fistful by fistful, they all brought darbha grass for the sage's seat, remaining under the boy's control.
tatrāpi dattvā vasu rauhiṇeyo; mahābalaḥ keśavapūrvajo'tha। jagāma tīrthaṃ muditaḥ krameṇa; khyātaṃ mahadvṛddhakanyā sma yatra ॥9-50-51॥
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.
