12.253
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। तुलाधारस्य वाक्यानि धर्मे जाजलिना सह ॥१२-२५३-१॥
Here too, an ancient story is told: the words of Tulādhāra on dharma, in conversation with Jājali.
वने वनचरः कश्चिज्जाजलिर्नाम वै द्विजः। सागरोद्देशमागम्य तपस्तेपे महातपाः ॥१२-२५३-२॥
In the forest, there was a certain forest-dweller named Jājali, a Brāhmaṇa, who, after reaching the ocean's region, performed great austerities.
नियतो नियताहारश्चीराजिनजटाधरः। मलपङ्कधरो धीमान्बहून्वर्षगणान्मुनिः ॥१२-२५३-३॥
The sage, self-controlled and regulated in food, who wore bark, animal skin, and matted hair, and bore dirt and mud, lived wisely for many years.
स कदाचिन्महातेजा जलवासो महीपते। चचार लोकान्विप्रर्षिः प्रेक्षमाणो मनोजवः ॥१२-२५३-४॥
Once, O king, that Brāhmaṇa sage of great brilliance, who dwelt in water and was swift as the mind, wandered through the worlds, observing them.
स चिन्तयामास मुनिर्जलमध्ये कदाचन। विप्रेक्ष्य सागरान्तां वै महीं सवनकाननाम् ॥१२-२५३-५॥
At some time, the sage, while in the midst of water, contemplated; having observed the earth, which ends at the ocean and is adorned with sacrificial forests.
न मया सदृशोऽस्तीह लोके स्थावरजङ्गमे। अप्सु वैहायसं गच्छेन्मया योऽन्यः सहेति वै ॥१२-२५३-६॥
There is no one equal to me here in the world among all beings, stationary or moving; if anyone else could go in the waters or the sky as I do, then indeed he goes.
स दृश्यमानो रक्षोभिर्जलमध्येऽवदत्ततः। अब्रुवंश्च पिशाचास्तं नैवं त्वं वक्तुमर्हसि ॥१२-२५३-७॥
He, seen by the demons in the middle of the water, spoke from there. Then the piśācas said to him, "You should not speak in this way."
तुलाधारो वणिग्धर्मा वाराणस्यां महायशाः। सोऽप्येवं नार्हते वक्तुं यथा त्वं द्विजसत्तम ॥१२-२५३-८॥
Tulādhāra, a renowned merchant of Vārāṇasī, is also not qualified to speak in the manner that you do, O best of the twice-born.
इत्युक्तो जाजलिर्भूतैः प्रत्युवाच महातपाः। पश्येयं तमहं प्राज्ञं तुलाधारं यशस्विनम् ॥१२-२५३-९॥
Thus, when addressed by the beings, the great ascetic Jājali replied, "May I see that wise and illustrious Tulādhāra."
इति ब्रुवाणं तमृषिं रक्षांस्युद्धृत्य सागरात्। अब्रुवन्गच्छ पन्थानमास्थायेमं द्विजोत्तम ॥१२-२५३-१०॥
Thus, after addressing the sage and raising the demons from the ocean, they said: "Proceed along this path, O best of the twice-born."
इत्युक्तो जाजलिर्भूतैर्जगाम विमनास्तदा। वाराणस्यां तुलाधारं समासाद्याब्रवीद्वचः ॥१२-२५३-११॥
Thus, when addressed by the beings, Jājali, dispirited, went to Vārāṇasī. There, having approached Tulādhāra, he spoke these words.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
किं कृतं सुकृतं कर्म तात जाजलिना पुरा। येन सिद्धिं परां प्राप्तस्तन्नो व्याख्यातुमर्हसि ॥१२-२५३-१२॥
O father, what virtuous deed did Jājali perform in the past by which he attained supreme accomplishment? Please explain that to us.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
अतीव तपसा युक्तो घोरेण स बभूव ह। नद्युपस्पर्शनरतः सायं प्रातर्महातपाः ॥१२-२५३-१३॥
He became exceedingly engaged in severe austerities; he was devoted to bathing in the river both morning and evening, being a great ascetic.
अग्नीन्परिचरन्सम्यक्स्वाध्यायपरमो द्विजः। वानप्रस्थविधानज्ञो जाजलिर्ज्वलितः श्रिया ॥१२-२५३-१४॥
Jājali, the twice-born Brāhmaṇa, who served the sacred fires properly and was devoted to self-study, and who knew the ordinances of the forest-dweller's life, shone with great splendor.
सत्ये तपसि तिष्ठन्स न च धर्ममवैक्षत। वर्षास्वाकाशशायी स हेमन्ते जलसंश्रयः ॥१२-२५३-१५॥
He remained steadfast in truth and austerity, not concerning himself with other duties. During the rains, he lay under the open sky; in winter, he took refuge in water.
वतातपसहो ग्रीष्मे न च धर्ममविन्दत। दुःखशय्याश्च विविधा भूमौ च परिवर्तनम् ॥१२-२५३-१६॥
Enduring the wind and heat of summer, he did not find righteousness; he experienced various painful beds and constant change on the ground.
ततः कदाचित्स मुनिर्वर्षास्वाकाशमास्थितः। अन्तरिक्षाज्जलं मूर्ध्ना प्रत्यगृह्णान्मुहुर्मुहुः ॥१२-२५३-१७॥
Then, at a certain time, that sage, during the rainy season, having taken to the open sky, repeatedly received water from the atmosphere upon his head.
अथ तस्य जटाः क्लिन्ना बभूवुर्ग्रथिताः प्रभो। अरण्यगमनान्नित्यं मलिनो मलसंयुताः ॥१२-२५३-१८॥
Then, O lord, his matted locks became damp and entangled; due to always going to the forest, they were dirty and covered with dirt.
स कदाचिन्निराहारो वायुभक्षो महातपाः। तस्थौ काष्ठवदव्यग्रो न चचाल च कर्हिचित् ॥१२-२५३-१९॥
He, at times, remained without food, subsisting only on air, a great ascetic; he stood like a piece of wood, unperturbed, never moving at any time.
तस्य स्म स्थाणुभूतस्य निर्विचेष्टस्य भारत। कुलिङ्गशकुनौ राजन्नीडं शिरसि चक्रतुः ॥१२-२५३-२०॥
O Bhārata, while he stood motionless and unmoving, two kuliṅga birds, O king, built a nest on his head.
स तौ दयावान्विप्रर्षिरुपप्रैक्षत दम्पती। कुर्वाणं नीडकं तत्र जटासु तृणतन्तुभिः ॥१२-२५३-२१॥
The compassionate sage watched as the couple made a nest there in the matted locks using grass fibers.
यदा स न चलत्येव स्थाणुभूतो महातपाः। ततस्तौ परिविश्वस्तौ सुखं तत्रोषतुस्तदा ॥१२-२५३-२२॥
When the great ascetic stood motionless like a pillar, then the two, feeling completely reassured, slept there comfortably.
अतीतास्वथ वर्षासु शरत्काल उपस्थिते। प्राजापत्येन विधिना विश्वासात्काममोहितौ ॥१२-२५३-२३॥
Then, after the rainy seasons had passed and autumn had arrived, following the rule of Prajapati and out of trust, both were deluded by desire.
तत्रापातयतां राजञ्शिरस्यण्डानि खेचरौ। तान्यबुध्यत तेजस्वी स विप्रः संशितव्रतः ॥१२-२५३-२४॥
There, O king, the two celestial beings caused locks of hair from the head to fall. The brilliant sage of firm vow became aware of them.
बुद्ध्वा च स महातेजा न चचालैव जाजलिः। धर्मे धृतमना नित्यं नाधर्मं स त्वरोचयत् ॥१२-२५३-२५॥
Having understood, the highly energetic Jājali did not waver; he always remained steadfast in dharma and never approved of unrighteousness.
अहन्यहनि चागम्य ततस्तौ तस्य मूर्धनि। आश्वासितौ वै वसतः सम्प्रहृष्टौ तदा विभो ॥१२-२५३-२६॥
O lord, day by day, those two, having come, comforted him by placing their hands on his head; while staying there, they were very delighted.
अण्डेभ्यस्त्वथ पुष्टेभ्यः प्रजायन्त शकुन्तकाः। व्यवर्धन्त च तत्रैव न चाकम्पत जाजलिः ॥१२-२५३-२७॥
Birds were born from the eggs, and as they grew right there, Jājali was not disturbed at all.
स रक्षमाणस्त्वण्डानि कुलिङ्गानां यतव्रतः। तथैव तस्थौ धर्मात्मा निर्विचेष्टः समाहितः ॥१२-२५३-२८॥
He, with self-controlled vows, stood there protecting the eggs of the birds, remaining righteous, motionless, and fully concentrated.
ततस्तु कालसमये बभूवुस्तेऽथ पक्षिणः। बुबुधे तांश्च स मुनिर्जातपक्षाञ्शकुन्तकान् ॥१२-२५३-२९॥
Then, at the proper time, those birds became fledged; the sage noticed those young birds who had grown their wings.
ततः कदाचित्तांस्तत्र पश्यन्पक्षीन्यतव्रतः। बभूव परमप्रीतस्तदा मतिमतां वरः ॥१२-२५३-३०॥
Then, at some point, seeing those birds there, the one of firm vow, who was the best among the wise, became supremely delighted.
तथा तानभिसंवृद्धान्दृष्ट्वा चाप्नुवतां मुदम्। शकुनौ निर्भयौ तत्र ऊषतुश्चात्मजैः सह ॥१२-२५३-३१॥
Thus, seeing their offspring fully grown and feeling joy, the two birds remained there fearlessly together with their children.
जातपक्षांश्च सोऽपश्यदुड्डीनान्पुनरागतान्। सायं सायं द्विजान्विप्रो न चाकम्पत जाजलिः ॥१२-२५३-३२॥
Jājali, the sage, saw the young birds who had grown wings, who had flown away and returned again; every evening, he saw the twice-born (birds), and he, Jājali, was not disturbed.
कदाचित्पुनरभ्येत्य पुनर्गच्छन्ति सन्ततम्। त्यक्ता मातृपितृभ्यां ते न चाकम्पत जाजलिः ॥१२-२५३-३३॥
Sometimes, after returning again and again, they kept leaving continuously. Though abandoned by his mother and father, Jājali was not shaken.
अथ ते दिवसं चारीं गत्वा सायं पुनर्नृप। उपावर्तन्त तत्रैव निवासार्थं शकुन्तकाः ॥१२-२५३-३४॥
Then, O king, after spending the day roaming, the birds returned there again in the evening to stay.
कदाचिद्दिवसान्पञ्च समुत्पत्य विहङ्गमाः। षष्ठेऽहनि समाजग्मुर्न चाकम्पत जाजलिः ॥१२-२५३-३५॥
Once, the birds flew away for five days; on the sixth day, they gathered together, but Jājali was not shaken.
क्रमेण च पुनः सर्वे दिवसानि बहून्यपि। नोपावर्तन्त शकुना जातप्राणाः स्म ते यदा ॥१२-२५३-३६॥
As time passed, even after many days, all those birds, having regained life, did not return.
कदाचिन्मासमात्रेण समुत्पत्य विहङ्गमाः। नैवागच्छंस्ततो राजन्प्रातिष्ठत स जाजलिः ॥१२-२५३-३७॥
Once, within a month, after the birds had arisen, they did not leave from there; O king, Jājali departed.
ततस्तेषु प्रलीनेषु जाजलिर्जातविस्मयः। सिद्धोऽस्मीति मतिं चक्रे ततस्तं मान आविशत् ॥१२-२५३-३८॥
Then, when they had disappeared, Jājali, astonished, thought, 'I am accomplished.' At that moment, pride entered him.
स तथा निर्गतान्दृष्ट्वा शकुन्तान्नियतव्रतः। सम्भावितात्मा सम्भाव्य भृशं प्रीतस्तदाभवन् ॥१२-२५३-३९॥
Thus, when he saw the birds had departed, the steadfast and respected man, after considering, became greatly pleased at that moment.
स नद्यां समुपस्पृश्य तर्पयित्वा हुताशनम्। उदयन्तमथादित्यमभ्यगच्छन्महातपाः ॥१२-२५३-४०॥
After performing the ritual ablutions in the river and offering oblations to the fire, he then approached the rising Sun, the great ascetic.
सम्भाव्य चटकान्मूर्ध्नि जाजलिर्जपतां वरः। आस्फोटयत्तदाकाशे धर्मः प्राप्तो मयेति वै ॥१२-२५३-४१॥
Jājali, the foremost among reciters, after considering the sparrows on his head, clapped his hands and declared in the sky, "Indeed, I have attained Dharma."
अथान्तरिक्षे वागासीत्तां स शुश्राव जाजलिः। धर्मेण न समस्त्वं वै तुलाधारस्य जाजले ॥१२-२५३-४२॥
Then, a voice was heard in the sky by Jājali: "By righteousness, you are not equal to Tulādhāra, O Jājali."
वाराणस्यां महाप्राज्ञस्तुलाधारः प्रतिष्ठितः। सोऽप्येवं नार्हते वक्तुं यथा त्वं भाषसे द्विज ॥१२-२५३-४३॥
In Vārāṇasī, the greatly wise Tuladhara was established. Even he is not worthy to speak in the manner you do, O Brahmin.
सोऽमर्षवशमापन्नस्तुलाधारदिदृक्षया। पृथिवीमचरद्राजन्यत्रसायङ्गृहो मुनिः ॥१२-२५३-४४॥
Driven by impatience and wishing to see the balance beam, he wandered the earth, O king, to the place where the sage stayed in the evening.
कालेन महतागच्छत्स तु वाराणसीं पुरीम्। विक्रीणन्तं च पण्यानि तुलाधारं ददर्श सः ॥१२-२५३-४५॥
After a long time, he went to the city of Vārāṇasī. There, he saw Tulādhāra selling goods.
सोऽपि दृष्ट्वैव तं विप्रमायान्तं भाण्डजीवनः। समुत्थाय सुसंहृष्टः स्वागतेनाभ्यपूजयत् ॥१२-२५३-४६॥
The potter, upon seeing the brāhmaṇa approaching, rose up joyfully and welcomed him with honor.
तुलाधार उवाच॥
Tulādhāra said.
आयानेवासि विदितो मम ब्रह्मन्न संशयः। ब्रवीमि यत्तु वचनं तच्छृणुष्व द्विजोत्तम ॥१२-२५३-४७॥
O Brāhmaṇa, on your arrival you have indeed become known to me, there is no doubt. Now, O best of twice-born, listen to the words I speak.
सागरानूपमाश्रित्य तपस्तप्तं त्वया महत्। न च धर्मस्य सञ्ज्ञां त्वं पुरा वेत्थ कथञ्चन ॥१२-२५३-४८॥
You performed great austerities by the seashore, but in the past you had no knowledge of dharma in any way.
ततः सिद्धस्य तपसा तव विप्र शकुन्तकाः। क्षिप्रं शिरस्यजायन्त ते च सम्भावितास्त्वया ॥१२-२५३-४९॥
Then, O brāhmaṇa, as a result of your accomplished penance, birds quickly appeared on your head, and you honored them.
जातपक्षा यदा ते च गताश्चारीमितस्ततः। मन्यमानस्ततो धर्मं चटकप्रभवं द्विज ॥ खे वाचं त्वमथाश्रौषीर्मां प्रति द्विजसत्तम ॥१२-२५३-५०॥
When your young ones had grown wings and departed, you, thinking thus, considered the duty that arose from the sparrow. Then, O best of the twice-born, you heard my words in the sky addressed to me.
अमर्षवशमापन्नस्ततः प्राप्तो भवानिह। करवाणि प्रियं किं ते तद्ब्रूहि द्विजसत्तम ॥१२-२५३-५१॥
You have come here, overcome by anger. O best of the twice-born, tell me what dear thing I should do for you.
