12.263
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
धर्ममर्थं च कामं च वेदाः शंसन्ति भारत। कस्य लाभो विशिष्टोऽत्र तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥१२-२६३-१॥
O Bhārata, the Vedas declare duty, wealth, and desire; tell me, O grandsire, whose gain among these is considered the highest.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
अत्र ते वर्तयिष्यामि इतिहासं पुरातनम्। कुण्डधारेण यत्प्रीत्या भक्तायोपकृतं पुरा ॥१२-२६३-२॥
Here, I will tell you the ancient story of how Kuṇḍadhāra, out of affection, once bestowed a favor upon a devotee.
अधनो ब्राह्मणः कश्चित्कामाद्धर्ममवैक्षत। यज्ञार्थं स ततोऽर्थार्थी तपोऽतप्यत दारुणम् ॥१२-२६३-३॥
A certain brāhmaṇa, lacking wealth, out of desire, sought dharma. For the sake of a sacrifice, he then, seeking wealth, undertook severe austerity.
स निश्चयमथो कृत्वा पूजयामास देवताः। भक्त्या न चैवाध्यगच्छद्धनं सम्पूज्य देवताः ॥१२-२६३-४॥
He firmly resolved and began to worship the deities. Though he worshipped the deities with devotion, he did not obtain any wealth.
ततश्चिन्तां पुनः प्राप्तः कतमद्दैवतं नु तत्। यन्मे द्रुतं प्रसीदेत मानुषैरजडीकृतम् ॥१२-२६३-५॥
Then he again began to ponder: 'Which is that deity who, not rendered indifferent by men, would quickly be pleased with me?'
अथ सौम्येन वपुषा देवानुचरमन्तिके। प्रत्यपश्यज्जलधरं कुण्डधारमवस्थितम् ॥१२-२६३-६॥
Then, with a gentle form, he saw near the divine attendant a cloud with streams, standing there.
दृष्ट्वैव तं महात्मानं तस्य भक्तिरजायत। अयं मे धास्यति श्रेयो वपुरेतद्धि तादृशम् ॥१२-२६३-७॥
Upon seeing that great-souled one, devotion to him arose in me. This very form will surely bring me the highest good.
सन्निकृष्टश्च देवस्य न चान्यैर्मानुषैर्वृतः। एष मे दास्यति धनं प्रभूतं शीघ्रमेव च ॥१२-२६३-८॥
He is closely associated with the god and is not surrounded by other men; this one will give me abundant wealth very quickly.
ततो धूपैश्च गन्धैश्च माल्यैरुच्चावचैरपि। बलिभिर्विविधैश्चापि पूजयामास तं द्विजः ॥१२-२६३-९॥
Then the Brahmin worshipped him with various incenses, fragrances, garlands, and diverse offerings.
ततः स्वल्पेन कालेन तुष्टो जलधरस्तदा। तस्योपकारे नियतामिमां वाचमुवाच ह ॥१२-२६३-१०॥
Then, after a short time, the cloud, being pleased by his help, spoke these fixed words.
ब्रह्मघ्ने च सुरापे च चोरे भग्नव्रते तथा। निष्कृतिर्विहिता सद्भिः कृतघ्ने नास्ति निष्कृतिः ॥१२-२६३-११॥
Atonement is prescribed by the virtuous for the slayer of a Brāhmaṇa, the drinker of liquor, the thief, and the breaker of a vow; but for the ungrateful one, there is no atonement.
आशायास्तनयोऽधर्मः क्रोधोऽसूयासुतः स्मृतः। पुत्रो लोभो निकृत्यास्तु कृतघ्नो नार्हति प्रजाम् ॥१२-२६३-१२॥
Unrighteousness is born of hope; anger is said to be the son of envy. Greed is the offspring of deceit; the ungrateful person does not deserve to have children.
ततः स ब्राह्मणः स्वप्ने कुण्डधारस्य तेजसा। अपश्यत्सर्वभूतानि कुशेषु शयितस्तदा ॥१२-२६३-१३॥
Then, in his dream, the brāhmaṇa saw, by the brilliance of Kuṇḍadhāra, all beings lying on the kuśa grass.
शमेन तपसा चैव भक्त्या च निरुपस्कृतः। शुद्धात्मा ब्राह्मणो रात्रौ निदर्शनमपश्यत ॥१२-२६३-१४॥
The Brāhmaṇa, who was pure in soul, unadorned, and endowed with tranquility, austerity, and devotion, saw a vision at night.
मणिभद्रं स तत्रस्थं देवतानां महाद्युतिम्। अपश्यत महात्मानं व्यादिशन्तं युधिष्ठिर ॥१२-२६३-१५॥
Yudhiṣṭhira saw Maṇibhadra, the great-souled and resplendent being among the deities, present there and giving directions.
तत्र देवाः प्रयच्छन्ति राज्यानि च धनानि च। शुभैः कर्मभिरारब्धाः प्रच्छिदन्त्यशुभेषु च ॥१२-२६३-१६॥
There, the gods grant kingdoms and wealth. Those attained by auspicious actions are destroyed among inauspicious ones as well.
पश्यतामथ यक्षाणां कुण्डधारो महाद्युतिः। निष्पत्य पतितो भूमौ देवानां भरतर्षभ ॥१२-२६३-१७॥
Then, O Bharata, as the Yakṣas looked on, the greatly radiant Kuṇḍadhāra, belonging to the gods, came out and fell to the ground.
ततस्तु देववचनान्मणिभद्रो महायशाः। उवाच पतितं भूमौ कुण्डधार किमिष्यते ॥१२-२६३-१८॥
Then, Maṇibhadra, greatly renowned, having heard the words of the gods, said: "Kuṇḍadhāra, what do you desire, having fallen on the ground?"
कुण्डधार उवाच॥
Kuṇḍadhāra said.
यदि प्रसन्ना देवा मे भक्तोऽयं ब्राह्मणो मम। अस्यानुग्रहमिच्छामि कृतं किञ्चित्सुखोदयम् ॥१२-२६३-१९॥
If the gods are pleased with me, this brāhmaṇa is my devotee. I wish to grant him a favor, to bring about some happiness for him.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
ततस्तं मणिभद्रस्तु पुनर्वचनमब्रवीत्। देवानामेव वचनात्कुण्डधारं महाद्युतिम् ॥१२-२६३-२०॥
Then Maṇibhadra again spoke to him: "By the command of the gods, Kuṇḍadhāra, the one of great splendor."
उत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भद्रं ते कृतकार्यः सुखी भव। यावद्धनं प्रार्थयते ब्राह्मणोऽयं सखा तव ॥ देवानां शासनात्तावदसङ्ख्येयं ददाम्यहम् ॥१२-२६३-२१॥
Arise, arise! May auspiciousness be yours. You have accomplished your task, be happy. As long as this brāhmaṇa, your friend, requests wealth, by the command of the gods, I will give this innumerable (wealth).
विचार्य कुण्डधारस्तु मानुष्यं चलमध्रुवम्। तपसे मतिमाधत्त ब्राह्मणस्य यशस्विनः ॥१२-२६३-२२॥
After reflecting, Kuṇḍadhāra realized that human life is unstable and impermanent. Therefore, the illustrious Brāhmaṇa set his mind on austerity.
कुण्डधार उवाच॥
Kuṇḍadhāra said.
नाहं धनानि याचामि ब्राह्मणाय धनप्रद। अन्यमेवाहमिच्छामि भक्तायानुग्रहं कृतम् ॥१२-२६३-२३॥
I do not ask for wealth from the brāhmaṇa, giver of wealth. I desire something else: favor done to the devotee.
पृथिवीं रत्नपूर्णां वा महद्वा धनसञ्चयम्। भक्ताय नाहमिच्छामि भवेदेष तु धार्मिकः ॥१२-२६३-२४॥
I do not wish to give the earth filled with jewels or even a great accumulation of wealth to a devotee; but let this person be righteous.
धर्मेऽस्य रमतां बुद्धिर्धर्मं चैवोपजीवतु। धर्मप्रधानो भवतु ममैषोऽनुग्रहो मतः ॥१२-२६३-२५॥
May his mind find joy in dharma, and may he live by dharma. Let him be one for whom dharma is paramount. This is the favor I consider as mine.
मणिभद्र उवाच॥
Maṇibhadra said.
यदा धर्मफलं राज्यं सुखानि विविधानि च। फलान्येवायमश्नातु कायक्लेशविवर्जितः ॥१२-२६३-२६॥
When the kingdom and various pleasures are the fruit of dharma, let him enjoy these fruits, free from bodily suffering.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
ततस्तदेव बहुशः कुण्डधारो महायशाः। अभ्यासमकरोद्धर्मे ततस्तुष्टास्य देवताः ॥१२-२६३-२७॥
Then the greatly renowned Kuṇḍadhāra repeatedly practiced dharma, and as a result, the deities became pleased with him.
मणिभद्र उवाच॥
Maṇibhadra said.
प्रीतास्ते देवताः सर्वा द्विजस्यास्य तथैव च। भविष्यत्येष धर्मात्मा धर्मे चाधास्यते मतिः ॥१२-२६३-२८॥
All your deities are pleased, and likewise those of this twice-born. He will become righteous-souled, and his mind will be set in dharma.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
ततः प्रीतो जलधरः कृतकार्यो युधिष्ठिर। ईप्सितं मनसो लब्ध्वा वरमन्यैः सुदुर्लभम् ॥१२-२६३-२९॥
Then the pleased cloud, having accomplished his task, O Yudhishthira, obtained the boon he desired in his mind, a boon very difficult for others to attain.
ततोऽपश्यत चीराणि सूक्ष्माणि द्विजसत्तमः। पार्श्वतोऽभ्यागतो न्यस्तान्यथ निर्वेदमागतः ॥१२-२६३-३०॥
Then the best of the twice-born, having approached, saw fine bark garments placed at the side and thus became dispassionate.
ब्राह्मण उवाच॥
The brāhmaṇa said.
अयं न सुकृतं वेत्ति को न्वन्यो वेत्स्यते कृतम्। गच्छामि वनमेवाहं वरं धर्मेण जीवितुम् ॥१२-२६३-३१॥
He does not recognize a good deed; who else will know what has been done? I will go to the forest; it is better for me to live righteously.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
निर्वेदाद्देवतानां च प्रसादात्स द्विजोत्तमः। वनं प्रविश्य सुमहत्तप आरब्धवांस्तदा ॥१२-२६३-३२॥
Then, due to detachment and the grace of the deities, that best of the twice-born entered the forest and began intense austerities.
देवतातिथिशेषेण फलमूलाशनो द्विजः। धर्मे चापि महाराज रतिरस्याभ्यजायत ॥१२-२६३-३३॥
O great king, the twice-born, subsisting on fruits and roots left after offerings to deities and guests, developed a delight in dharma.
त्यक्त्वा मूलफलं सर्वं पर्णाहारोऽभवद्द्विजः। पर्णं त्यक्त्वा जलाहारस्तदासीद्द्विजसत्तमः ॥१२-२६३-३४॥
Having given up all roots and fruits, the Brahmin subsisted on leaves. Then, giving up leaves, the best among the Brahmins lived only on water.
वायुभक्षस्ततः पश्चाद्बहून्वर्षगणानभूत्। न चास्य क्षीयते प्राणस्तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् ॥१२-२६३-३५॥
He lived for many years subsisting on air; his life-breath was not diminished, and that seemed truly wonderful.
धर्मे च श्रद्दधानस्य तपस्युग्रे च वर्ततः। कालेन महता तस्य दिव्या दृष्टिरजायत ॥१२-२६३-३६॥
As he abided faithfully in dharma and severe austerity, over time, a divine vision arose in him.
तस्य बुद्धिः प्रादुरासीद्यदि दद्यां महद्धनम्। तुष्टः कस्मैचिदेवाहं न मिथ्या वाग्भवेन्मम ॥१२-२६३-३७॥
He thought, "If I, being pleased, give great wealth to someone, let my word not be false."
ततः प्रहृष्टवदनो भूय आरब्धवांस्तपः। भूयश्चाचिन्तयत्सिद्धो यत्परं सोऽभ्यपद्यत ॥१२-२६३-३८॥
Then, with a delighted face, he again undertook austerities; again, the accomplished one reflected upon that supreme state which he had attained.
यदि दद्यामहं राज्यं तुष्टो वै यस्य कस्यचित्। स भवेदचिराद्राजा न मिथ्या वाग्भवेन्मम ॥१२-२६३-३९॥
If I were to grant the kingdom to anyone with whom I am truly pleased, he would quickly become king; my word would not be false.
तस्य साक्षात्कुण्डधारो दर्शयामास भारत। ब्राह्मणस्य तपोयोगात्सौहृदेनाभिचोदितः ॥१२-२६३-४०॥
O Bhārata, Kuṇḍadhāra directly showed him, being impelled by the Brāhmaṇa's ascetic practice and friendship.
समागम्य स तेनाथ पूजां चक्रे यथाविधि। ब्राह्मणः कुण्डधारस्य विस्मितश्चाभवन्नृप ॥१२-२६३-४१॥
Having assembled, he performed the worship with him as prescribed; the brāhmaṇa of Kuṇḍadhāra was astonished, O king.
ततोऽब्रवीत्कुण्डधारो दिव्यं ते चक्षुरुत्तमम्। पश्य राज्ञां गतिं विप्र लोकांश्चावेक्ष चक्षुषा ॥१२-२६३-४२॥
Then Kuṇḍadhāra said, "I grant you the supreme divine vision. O brāhmaṇa, see the path of the kings and behold the worlds with your eye."
ततो राज्ञां सहस्राणि मग्नानि निरये तदा। दूरादपश्यद्विप्रः स दिव्ययुक्तेन चक्षुषा ॥१२-२६३-४३॥
Then, at that time, the Brāhmaṇa saw from afar thousands of kings immersed in hell with his divinely-endowed sight.
कुण्डधार उवाच॥
Kuṇḍadhāra said.
मां पूजयित्वा भावेन यदि त्वं दुःखमाप्नुयाः। कृतं मया भवेत्किं ते कश्च तेऽनुग्रहो भवेत् ॥१२-२६३-४४॥
If, after worshipping me with devotion, you still experience suffering, what benefit would my actions have for you? And what kind of favor would you receive from me?
पश्य पश्य च भूयस्त्वं कामानिच्छेत्कथं नरः। स्वर्गद्वारं हि संरुद्धं मानुषेषु विशेषतः ॥१२-२६३-४५॥
Behold, behold again, how can a man desire pleasures? For the gate of heaven is indeed closed, especially among men.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
ततोऽपश्यत्स कामं च क्रोधं लोभं भयं मदम्। निद्रां तन्द्रीं तथालस्यमावृत्य पुरुषान्स्थितान् ॥१२-२६३-४६॥
Then he saw that desire, anger, greed, fear, pride, sleep, sloth, and laziness had enveloped the men who stood there.
कुण्डधार उवाच॥
Kuṇḍadhāra said.
एतैर्लोकाः सुसंरुद्धा देवानां मानुषाद्भयम्। तथैव देववचनाद्विघ्नं कुर्वन्ति सर्वशः ॥१२-२६३-४७॥
By these, the worlds are well-blocked and the gods fear humans. Likewise, as per the word of the gods, they create obstacles in every way. (12-263-47)
न देवैरननुज्ञातः कश्चिद्भवति धार्मिकः। एष शक्तोऽसि तपसा राज्यं दातुं धनानि च ॥१२-२६३-४८॥
No one becomes righteous without the permission of the gods. You are capable, by your austerity, of granting both the kingdom and wealth.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
ततः पपात शिरसा ब्राह्मणस्तोयधारिणे। उवाच चैनं धर्मात्मा महान्मेऽनुग्रहः कृतः ॥१२-२६३-४९॥
Then he bowed his head to the brāhmaṇa, the bearer of water. The righteous great one said to him, "A great favor has been done to me."
कामलोभानुबन्धेन पुरा ते यदसूयितम्। मया स्नेहमविज्ञाय तत्र मे क्षन्तुमर्हसि ॥१२-२६३-५०॥
In the past, due to desire and greed, I envied you, not understanding your affection; in that matter, you ought to forgive me.
क्षान्तमेव मयेत्युक्त्वा कुण्डधारो द्विजर्षभम्। सम्परिष्वज्य बाहुभ्यां तत्रैवान्तरधीयत ॥१२-२६३-५१॥
Kuṇḍadhāra said, "I have indeed forgiven you," and, embracing the best of Brāhmaṇas with his arms, vanished on the spot.
ततः सर्वानिमाँल्लोकान्ब्राह्मणोऽनुचचार ह। कुण्डधारप्रसादेन तपसा योजितः पुरा ॥१२-२६३-५२॥
Then, by the grace of Kuṇḍadhāra and through his austerity, the Brāhmaṇa once wandered through all these worlds.
विहायसा च गमनं तथा सङ्कल्पितार्थता। धर्माच्छक्त्या तथा योगाद्या चैव परमा गतिः ॥१२-२६३-५३॥
Travel by air, movement, and the realization of intended objects; through the power of dharma, as well as by yoga and similar means, one attains the highest goal.
देवता ब्राह्मणाः सन्तो यक्षा मानुषचारणाः। धार्मिकान्पूजयन्तीह न धनाढ्यान्न कामिनः ॥१२-२६३-५४॥
Here, deities, Brāhmaṇas, the virtuous, Yakṣas, and human sages honor the righteous, not the wealthy or those driven by desire.
सुप्रसन्ना हि ते देवा यत्ते धर्मे रता मतिः। धने सुखकला काचिद्धर्मे तु परमं सुखम् ॥१२-२६३-५५॥
Your gods are truly pleased because your mind is devoted to dharma. There is some happiness in wealth, but the highest happiness is found in dharma.
