12.039
Core and Pancharatra: Pandavas enter the city filled with words of praise and with sounds arising from affection. Killing of Cārvāka demon disguised as a Brāhmaṇa by Brahmanas by uttering 'huṅ' sounds.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
प्रवेशने तु पार्थानां जनस्य पुरवासिनः। दिदृक्षूणां सहस्राणि समाजग्मुर्बहून्यथ ॥१२-३९-१॥
But at the entrance, many thousands of city-dwellers, people desiring to see the sons of Pṛthā, assembled as usual.
स राजमार्गः शुशुभे समलङ्कृतचत्वरः। यथा चन्द्रोदये राजन्वर्धमानो महोदधिः ॥१२-३९-२॥
O king, that royal road, with its beautifully decorated squares, shone brilliantly, just as the great ocean swells at the rising of the moon.
गृहाणि राजमार्गे तु रत्नवन्ति बृहन्ति च। प्राकम्पन्तेव भारेण स्त्रीणां पूर्णानि भारत ॥१२-३९-३॥
O Bhārata, the large houses filled with jewels on the royal road seemed to tremble as if weighed down by the women inside.
ताः शनैरिव सव्रीडं प्रशशंसुर्युधिष्ठिरम्। भीमसेनार्जुनौ चैव माद्रीपुत्रौ च पाण्डवौ ॥१२-३९-४॥
Those women, with gentle modesty, praised Yudhishthira. Bhimasena, Arjuna, and the sons of Madri, the Pandavas, were also praised.
धन्या त्वमसि पाञ्चालि या त्वं पुरुषसत्तमान्। उपतिष्ठसि कल्याणि महर्षीनिव गौतमी ॥१२-३९-५॥
O Pāñcālī, you are blessed, for you serve the foremost of men; O auspicious one, you attend upon the great sages just as Gautamī did.
तव कर्माण्यमोघानि व्रतचर्या च भामिनि। इति कृष्णां महाराज प्रशशंसुस्तदा स्त्रियः ॥१२-३९-६॥
O great king, the women then praised Kṛṣṇā, saying: "Your actions are not fruitless, and your observance of vows, O beautiful lady."
प्रशंसावचनैस्तासां मिथःशब्दैश्च भारत। प्रीतिजैश्च तदा शब्दैः पुरमासीत्समाकुलम् ॥१२-३९-७॥
O Bhārata, at that time, the city was filled with the words of praise of those women, with mutual sounds, and with sounds arising from affection.
तमतीत्य यथायुक्तं राजमार्गं युधिष्ठिरः। अलङ्कृतं शोभमानमुपायाद्राजवेश्म ह ॥१२-३९-८॥
Yudhishthira, having properly crossed that royal road, approached the splendidly adorned royal palace.
ततः प्रकृतयः सर्वाः पौरजानपदास्तथा। ऊचुः कथाः कर्णसुखाः समुपेत्य ततस्ततः ॥१२-३९-९॥
Then all the ministers, citizens, and country people, having gathered here and there, told stories that were pleasing to the ear.
दिष्ट्या जयसि राजेन्द्र शत्रूञ्शत्रुनिसूदन। दिष्ट्या राज्यं पुनः प्राप्तं धर्मेण च बलेन च ॥१२-३९-१०॥
O king, destroyer of enemies, by good fortune you have conquered your foes; by good fortune, you have regained the kingdom through righteousness and strength.
भव नस्त्वं महाराज राजेह शरदां शतम्। प्रजाः पालय धर्मेण यथेन्द्रस्त्रिदिवं नृप ॥१२-३९-११॥
O great king, may you be with us, ruling here for a hundred years; protect your people with righteousness, just as Indra rules the heavens, O king.
एवं राजकुलद्वारि मङ्गलैरभिपूजितः। आशीर्वादान्द्विजैरुक्तान्प्रतिगृह्य समन्ततः ॥१२-३९-१२॥
Thus, at the gate of the royal palace, he was honored with auspicious items and received blessings spoken by the Brāhmaṇas from all sides.
प्रविश्य भवनं राजा देवराजगृहोपमम्। श्रुत्वा विजयसंयुक्तं रथात्पश्चादवातरत् ॥१२-३९-१३॥
The king, having entered the house which resembled Indra's palace, and having heard of his victory, then descended from his chariot.
प्रविश्याभ्यन्तरं श्रीमान्दैवतान्यभिगम्य च। पूजयामास रत्नैश्च गन्धैर्माल्यैश्च सर्वशः ॥१२-३९-१४॥
Having entered inside, the illustrious one approached the deities and worshipped them in every way with jewels, fragrances, and garlands.
निश्चक्राम ततः श्रीमान्पुनरेव महायशाः। ददर्श ब्राह्मणांश्चैव सोऽभिरूपानुपस्थितान् ॥१२-३९-१५॥
Then the illustrious and greatly renowned one departed again from there; he saw the handsome brāhmaṇas who were present.
स संवृतस्तदा विप्रैराशीर्वादविवक्षुभिः। शुशुभे विमलश्चन्द्रस्तारागणवृतो यथा ॥१२-३९-१६॥
At that time, he, surrounded by Brāhmaṇas wishing to offer blessings, shone with purity like the spotless moon encircled by stars.
तान्स सम्पूजयामास कौन्तेयो विधिवद्द्विजान्। धौम्यं गुरुं पुरस्कृत्य ज्येष्ठं पितरमेव च ॥१२-३९-१७॥
The son of Kunti (Yudhishthira) honoured the twice-born according to rule, having placed Dhaumya the teacher, the eldest and his father at the front.
सुमनोमोदकै रत्नैर्हिरण्येन च भूरिणा। गोभिर्वस्त्रैश्च राजेन्द्र विविधैश्च किमिच्छकैः ॥१२-३९-१८॥
O king, (the offerings are made) with flower-sweets, jewels, abundant gold, cows, garments, and various other desired things.
ततः पुण्याहघोषोऽभूद्दिवं स्तब्ध्वेव भारत। सुहृदां हर्षजननः पुण्यः श्रुतिसुखावहः ॥१२-३९-१९॥
Then, O Bhārata, an auspicious proclamation arose, as if the sky itself stood still, bringing joy to the friends, auspicious and delightful to hear.
हंसवन्नेदुषां राजन्द्विजानां तत्र भारती। शुश्रुवे वेदविदुषां पुष्कलार्थपदाक्षरा ॥१२-३९-२०॥
O king, there, among the twice-born, the speech of those learned in the Veda, abundant in meaningful words and syllables, was heard, like that of a swan.
ततो दुन्दुभिनिर्घोषः शङ्खानां च मनोरमः। जयं प्रवदतां तत्र स्वनः प्रादुरभून्नृप ॥१२-३९-२१॥
Then, O king, the drums resounded, the conches sounded pleasingly, and the cries of 'Victory!' arose there.
निःशब्दे च स्थिते तत्र ततो विप्रजने पुनः। राजानं ब्राह्मणच्छद्मा चार्वाको राक्षसोऽब्रवीत् ॥१२-३९-२२॥
When silence prevailed there and the people had departed, Cārvāka, the demon disguised as a Brāhmaṇa, again spoke to the king.
तत्र दुर्योधनसखा भिक्षुरूपेण संवृतः। साङ्ख्यः शिखी त्रिदण्डी च धृष्टो विगतसाध्वसः ॥१२-३९-२३॥
There, Duryodhana's friend, disguised as a mendicant, appeared as a Sāṅkhya philosopher with a topknot and three staffs, bold and fearless.
वृतः सर्वैस्तदा विप्रैराशीर्वादविवक्षुभिः। परंसहस्रै राजेन्द्र तपोनियमसंस्थितैः ॥१२-३९-२४॥
O King, he was then surrounded on all sides by thousands of Brāhmaṇas, established in austerity and discipline, who were eager to pronounce blessings.
स दुष्टः पापमाशंसन्पाण्डवानां महात्मनाम्। अनामन्त्र्यैव तान्विप्रांस्तमुवाच महीपतिम् ॥१२-३९-२५॥
The wicked man, wishing harm upon the noble Pāṇḍavas, did not bid farewell to the Brāhmaṇas, but instead addressed the king.
इमे प्राहुर्द्विजाः सर्वे समारोप्य वचो मयि। धिग्भवन्तं कुनृपतिं ज्ञातिघातिनमस्तु वै ॥१२-३९-२६॥
All these twice-born, having addressed me thus, said: "Shame upon you, O wicked king, slayer of your own kin, so be it indeed."
किं ते राज्येन कौन्तेय कृत्वेमं ज्ञातिसङ्क्षयम्। घातयित्वा गुरूंश्चैव मृतं श्रेयो न जीवितम् ॥१२-३९-२७॥
O son of Kunti, what use is a kingdom to you after causing this destruction of relatives? Having caused the elders to be killed, death is better than life.
इति ते वै द्विजाः श्रुत्वा तस्य घोरस्य रक्षसः। विव्यथुश्चुक्रुशुश्चैव तस्य वाक्यप्रधर्षिताः ॥१२-३९-२८॥
Thus, when the twice-born heard the words of that terrible demon, they were agitated and cried out, afflicted by his speech.
ततस्ते ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे स च राजा युधिष्ठिरः। व्रीडिताः परमोद्विग्नास्तूष्णीमासन्विशां पते ॥१२-३९-२९॥
Then all the Brāhmaṇas and King Yudhiṣṭhira, being deeply ashamed and greatly disturbed, sat silently, O lord of the people.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said:
प्रसीदन्तु भवन्तो मे प्रणतस्याभियाचतः। प्रत्यापन्नं व्यसनिनं न मां धिक्कर्तुमर्हथ ॥१२-३९-३०॥
Please be gracious to me, who bows and earnestly requests; you should not reproach me, who is afflicted and restored.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
ततो राजन्ब्राह्मणास्ते सर्व एव विशां पते। ऊचुर्नैतद्वचोऽस्माकं श्रीरस्तु तव पार्थिव ॥१२-३९-३१॥
Then, O king, all those brāhmaṇas said to the lord of the people: "This statement is not ours; may prosperity be yours, O king."
जज्ञुश्चैव महात्मानस्ततस्तं ज्ञानचक्षुषा। ब्राह्मणा वेदविद्वांसस्तपोभिर्विमलीकृताः ॥१२-३९-३२॥
Then the great-souled Brāhmaṇas, knowers of the Veda, purified by austerities, perceived him with the eye of knowledge.
ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः॥
The brāhmaṇas said:
एष दुर्योधनसखा चार्वाको नाम राक्षसः। परिव्राजकरूपेण हितं तस्य चिकीर्षति ॥१२-३९-३३॥
This is Cārvāka, a rākṣasa and friend of Duryodhana, who, taking the form of a wandering ascetic, wishes to act for his benefit.
न वयं ब्रूम धर्मात्मन्व्येतु ते भयमीदृशम्। उपतिष्ठतु कल्याणं भवन्तं भ्रातृभिः सह ॥१२-३९-३४॥
We do not say this, O righteous one; may such fear of yours be dispelled. May welfare be with you and your brothers.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
ततस्ते ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे हुङ्कारैः क्रोधमूर्छिताः। निर्भर्त्सयन्तः शुचयो निजघ्नुः पापराक्षसम् ॥१२-३९-३५॥
Then all the Brāhmaṇas, overcome by anger, uttered 'huṅ' sounds and, rebuking him, the pure ones struck down the evil Rākṣasa.
स पपात विनिर्दग्धस्तेजसा ब्रह्मवादिनाम्। महेन्द्राशनिनिर्दग्धः पादपोऽङ्कुरवानिव ॥१२-३९-३६॥
He fell down, scorched by the brilliance of the Brahman-knowers, as if struck by Indra's thunderbolt, like a tree with sprouts.
पूजिताश्च ययुर्विप्रा राजानमभिनन्द्य तम्। राजा च हर्षमापेदे पाण्डवः ससुहृज्जनः ॥१२-३९-३७॥
The honored Brāhmaṇas departed after greeting the king; the Pāṇḍava king, together with his friends, also felt great joy.
वासुदेव उवाच॥
Vāsudeva said:
ब्राह्मणास्तात लोकेऽस्मिन्नर्चनीयाः सदा मम। एते भूमिचरा देवा वाग्विषाः सुप्रसादकाः ॥१२-३९-३८॥
O dear one, Brāhmaṇas in this world are always to be worshipped by me. These Brāhmaṇas are earth-dwelling gods, masters of speech, and are easily pleased.
पुरा कृतयुगे तात चार्वाको नाम राक्षसः। तपस्तेपे महाबाहो बदर्यां बहुवत्सरम् ॥१२-३९-३९॥
Long ago, in the Kṛta Yuga, O dear one, a demon named Cārvāka performed austerities at Badarī for many years, O mighty-armed one.
छन्द्यमानो वरेणाथ ब्रह्मणा स पुनः पुनः। अभयं सर्वभूतेभ्यो वरयामास भारत ॥१२-३९-४०॥
O Bhārata, being pleased by the boon, then by Brahmā, he repeatedly requested fearlessness from all beings.
द्विजावमानादन्यत्र प्रादाद्वरमनुत्तमम्। अभयं सर्वभूतेभ्यस्ततस्तस्मै जगत्प्रभुः ॥१२-३९-४१॥
Except for the insult of a Brāhmaṇa, the lord of the world granted him the supreme boon of fearlessness towards all beings.
स तु लब्धवरः पापो देवानमितविक्रमः। राक्षसस्तापयामास तीव्रकर्मा महाबलः ॥१२-३९-४२॥
But he, the wicked demon of immeasurable prowess, having obtained boons, tormented the gods with his fierce deeds and great strength.
ततो देवाः समेत्याथ ब्रह्माणमिदमब्रुवन्। वधाय रक्षसस्तस्य बलविप्रकृतास्तदा ॥१२-३९-४३॥
Then the gods, having gathered together, said to Brahmā: "We are oppressed by the power of that demon; therefore, for his destruction..."
तानुवाचाव्ययो देवो विहितं तत्र वै मया। यथास्य भविता मृत्युरचिरेणैव भारत ॥१२-३९-४४॥
The imperishable god said to them: 'That has indeed been ordained by me there. O Bhārata, his death will occur soon.'
राजा दुर्योधनो नाम सखास्य भविता नृप। तस्य स्नेहावबद्धोऽसौ ब्राह्मणानवमंस्यते ॥१२-३९-४५॥
A king named Duryodhana, who will be his friend, O king. Being bound by affection for him, he will disrespect the Brāhmaṇas.
तत्रैनं रुषिता विप्रा विप्रकारप्रधर्षिताः। धक्ष्यन्ति वाग्बलाः पापं ततो नाशं गमिष्यति ॥१२-३९-४६॥
There, the angered Brāhmaṇas, having been insulted, will burn him with the power of their words; then the sin will be destroyed.
स एष निहतः शेते ब्रह्मदण्डेन राक्षसः। चार्वाको नृपतिश्रेष्ठ मा शुचो भरतर्षभ ॥१२-३९-४७॥
Cārvāka, the demon, has been slain by the Brahma-staff and lies there. O foremost of kings, O bull among the Bharatas, do not grieve.
हतास्ते क्षत्रधर्मेण ज्ञातयस्तव पार्थिव। स्वर्गताश्च महात्मानो वीराः क्षत्रियपुङ्गवाः ॥१२-३९-४८॥
O king, your kinsmen, slain in accordance with the duty of a warrior, have gone to heaven; they were noble heroes, the foremost among kṣatriyas.
स त्वमातिष्ठ कल्याणं मा ते भूद्ग्लानिरच्युत। शत्रूञ्जहि प्रजा रक्ष द्विजांश्च प्रतिपालय ॥१२-३९-४९॥
Therefore, you stand firm for the welfare, O Acyuta. Do not let faintness come to you. Destroy the enemies, protect the people, and preserve the twice-born.
