12.324
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
यदा भक्तो भगवत आसीद्राजा महावसुः। किमर्थं स परिभ्रष्टो विवेश विवरं भुवः ॥३-३२४-१॥
When the devotee of the Lord, King Mahāvasu, was present, for what reason did he, having fallen, enter the cavity of the earth? (3-324-1)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। ऋषीणां चैव संवादं त्रिदशानां च भारत ॥३-३२४-२॥
Here too, O Bhārata, they recount this ancient history, the conversation between the sages and the gods. (3-324-2)
अजेन यष्टव्यमिति देवाः प्राहुर्द्विजोत्तमान्। स च छागो ह्यजो ज्ञेयो नान्यः पशुरिति स्थितिः ॥३-३२४-३॥
The gods said to the best of the twice-born: "The sacrifice should be performed with a goat." That goat is to be understood as the sheep and the goat, not any other animal—this is the rule. (3-324-3)
ऋषय ऊचुः॥
The sages said.
बीजैर्यज्ञेषु यष्टव्यमिति वै वैदिकी श्रुतिः। अजसञ्ज्ञानि बीजानि छागं न घ्नन्तुमर्हथ ॥३-३२४-४॥
The Vedic revelation states: "One should offer seeds in sacrifices." The seeds called 'aja' should not be taken to mean a goat; you ought not to kill the goat. (3-324-4)
नैष धर्मः सतां देवा यत्र वध्येत वै पशुः। इदं कृतयुगं श्रेष्ठं कथं वध्येत वै पशुः ॥३-३२४-५॥
O gods, this is not the righteousness of the virtuous, where an animal would be killed. This Kṛta Yuga is excellent; how could an animal be killed in it? (3-324-5)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
तेषां संवदतामेवमृषीणां विबुधैः सह। मार्गागतो नृपश्रेष्ठस्तं देशं प्राप्तवान्वसुः ॥ अन्तरिक्षचरः श्रीमान्समग्रबलवाहनः ॥३-३२४-६॥
While those sages were thus conversing together with the wise, the best of kings, Vasu, who moved in the sky, prosperous and possessing all forces and vehicles, arrived at that place. (3-324-6)
तं दृष्ट्वा सहसायान्तं वसुं ते त्वन्तरिक्षगम्। ऊचुर्द्विजातयो देवानेष छेत्स्यति संशयम् ॥३-३२४-७॥
Seeing him, the Vasu, suddenly approaching, the twice-born said to the gods about you, who move in the sky: "This one will dispel doubt." (3-324-7)
यज्वा दानपतिः श्रेष्ठः सर्वभूतहितप्रियः। कथं स्विदन्यथा ब्रूयाद्वाक्यमेष महान्वसुः ॥३-३२४-८॥
How could this great Vasu, who is a sacrificer, lord of gifts, excellent, and fond of the welfare of all beings, ever speak otherwise? (3-324-8)
एवं ते संविदं कृत्वा विबुधा ऋषयस्तथा। अपृच्छन्सहसाभ्येत्य वसुं राजानमन्तिकात् ॥३-३२४-९॥
In this way, after coming to an agreement, the gods and sages together quickly approached King Vasu and questioned him directly. (3-324-9)
भो राजन्केन यष्टव्यमजेनाहो स्विदौषधैः। एतन्नः संशयं छिन्धि प्रमाणं नो भवान्मतः ॥३-३२४-१०॥
O king, by what should the sacrifice be performed—by a goat or perhaps by herbs? Please resolve this doubt of ours, for you are considered our authority. (3-324-10)
स तान्कृताञ्जलिर्भूत्वा परिपप्रच्छ वै वसुः। कस्य वः को मतः पक्षो ब्रूत सत्यं समागताः ॥३-३२४-११॥
He, Vasu, having joined his palms, respectfully asked them: "Among you, whose side is considered? Speak the truth, you who have assembled." (3-324-11)
ऋषय ऊचुः॥
The sages said.
धान्यैर्यष्टव्यमित्येष पक्षोऽस्माकं नराधिप। देवानां तु पशुः पक्षो मतो राजन्वदस्व नः ॥३-३२४-१२॥
O king, our view is that sacrifices should be performed with grains; but for the gods, the view is that animals are to be used. O king, please tell us your opinion. (3-324-12)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
देवानां तु मतं ज्ञात्वा वसुना पक्षसंश्रयात्। छागेनाजेन यष्टव्यमेवमुक्तं वचस्तदा ॥३-३२४-१३॥
Then, having known the opinion of the gods, Vasu, taking sides, said these words: "A goat or a ram should be sacrificed thus." (3-324-13)
कुपितास्ते ततः सर्वे मुनयः सूर्यवर्चसः। ऊचुर्वसुं विमानस्थं देवपक्षार्थवादिनम् ॥३-३२४-१४॥
Then, all the sages, angered and radiant like the sun, spoke to Vasu, who was in the aerial car and advocating for the gods. (3-324-14)
सुरपक्षो गृहीतस्ते यस्मात्तस्माद्दिवः पत। अद्य प्रभृति ते राजन्नाकाशे विहता गतिः ॥ अस्मच्छापाभिघातेन महीं भित्त्वा प्रवेक्ष्यसि ॥३-३२४-१५॥
Since you have seized the side of the gods, therefore fall from heaven. From this day onward, O king, your movement in the sky is obstructed. By the force of our curse, you will pierce the earth and enter it. (3-324-15)
ततस्तस्मिन्मुहूर्तेऽथ राजोपरिचरस्तदा। अधो वै सम्बभूवाशु भूमेर्विवरगो नृपः ॥ स्मृतिस्त्वेनं न प्रजहौ तदा नारायणाज्ञया ॥३-३२४-१६॥
Then, at that very moment, King Rājoparicara quickly went down into a hole in the earth. Yet, by the command of Nārāyaṇa, his memory did not abandon him at that time. (3-324-16)
देवास्तु सहिताः सर्वे वसोः शापविमोक्षणम्। चिन्तयामासुरव्यग्राः सुकृतं हि नृपस्य तत् ॥३-३२४-१७॥
But all the gods together calmly considered the release from Vasu's curse; indeed, that was the king's good deed. (3-324-17)
अनेनास्मत्कृते राज्ञा शापः प्राप्तो महात्मना। अस्य प्रतिप्रियं कार्यं सहितैर्नो दिवौकसः ॥३-३२४-१८॥
By this act, for our sake, the king has received a curse from the great-souled one. In return, we, the dwellers of heaven, should together do what is pleasing to him. (3-324-18)
इति बुद्ध्या व्यवस्याशु गत्वा निश्चयमीश्वराः। ऊचुस्तं हृष्टमनसो राजोपरिचरं तदा ॥३-३२४-१९॥
Thus, having quickly made up their minds with intellect and gone there, the lords then said to Rājoparicara with delighted hearts. (3-324-19)
ब्रह्मण्यदेवं त्वं भक्तः सुरासुरगुरुं हरिम्। कामं स तव तुष्टात्मा कुर्याच्छापविमोक्षणम् ॥३-३२४-२०॥
You are a devotee of the god devoted to Brahman, Hari, the teacher of gods and demons; if he is pleased with you, he may willingly remove the curse. (3-324-20)
मानना तु द्विजातीनां कर्तव्या वै महात्मनाम्। अवश्यं तपसा तेषां फलितव्यं नृपोत्तम ॥३-३२४-२१॥
But honouring the twice-born must indeed be done by the great-souled. Certainly, their austerity must bear fruit, O best of kings. (3-324-21)
यतस्त्वं सहसा भ्रष्ट आकाशान्मेदिनीतलम्। एकं त्वनुग्रहं तुभ्यं दद्मो वै नृपसत्तम ॥३-३२४-२२॥
Because you have suddenly fallen from the sky to the earth, we indeed grant you one favor, O best of kings. (3-324-22)
यावत्त्वं शापदोषेण कालमासिष्यसेऽनघ। भूमेर्विवरगो भूत्वा तावन्तं कालमाप्स्यसि ॥ यज्ञेषु सुहुतां विप्रैर्वसोर्धारां महात्मभिः ॥३-३२४-२३॥
O sinless one, as long as you must remain, due to the fault of a curse, within a cavity of the earth, you will experience that period. During that time, in sacrifices, you will receive the stream of ghee well-offered by the great-souled Brahmins. (3-324-23)
प्राप्स्यसेऽस्मदनुध्यानान्मा च त्वां ग्लानिरास्पृशेत्। न क्षुत्पिपासे राजेन्द्र भूमेश्छिद्रे भविष्यतः ॥३-३२४-२४॥
Through our contemplation, you will attain your goal; and let not fatigue affect you. O king, in the cavity of the earth, you will not experience hunger or thirst. (3-324-24)
वसोर्धारानुपीतत्वात्तेजसाप्यायितेन च। स देवोऽस्मद्वरात्प्रीतो ब्रह्मलोकं हि नेष्यति ॥३-३२४-२५॥
Because he has drunk the stream of vital essence and has been nourished by brilliance, that god, pleased by our boon, will indeed lead him to the world of Brahma. (3-324-25)
एवं दत्त्वा वरं राज्ञे सर्वे तत्र दिवौकसः। गताः स्वभवनं देवा ऋषयश्च तपोधनाः ॥३-३२४-२६॥
Having thus granted the boon to the king, all the gods, the sages, and the ascetics present there returned to their own abodes. (3-324-26)
चक्रे च सततं पूजां विष्वक्सेनाय भारत। जप्यं जगौ च सततं नारायणमुखोद्गतम् ॥३-३२४-२७॥
O Bhārata, he always performed worship to Viṣvaksena, and he always chanted the recitation that arose from the mouth of Nārāyaṇa. (3-324-27)
तत्रापि पञ्चभिर्यज्ञैः पञ्चकालानरिंदम। अयजद्धरिं सुरपतिं भूमेर्विवरगोऽपि सन् ॥३-३२४-२८॥
There too, O subduer of enemies, even after departing from the earth, he worshipped Hari, the lord of the gods, with five sacrifices at the five times. (3-324-28)
ततोऽस्य तुष्टो भगवान्भक्त्या नारायणो हरिः। अनन्यभक्तस्य सतस्तत्परस्य जितात्मनः ॥३-३२४-२९॥
Then, Nārāyaṇa Hari, the Lord, being pleased by his devotion, favored the one who had undivided devotion, was true, intent on Him, and self-controlled. (3-324-29)
वरदो भगवान्विष्णुः समीपस्थं द्विजोत्तमम्। गरुत्मन्तं महावेगमाबभाषे स्मयन्निव ॥३-३२४-३०॥
The boon-giving Lord Viṣṇu, standing near the foremost of the twice-born, addressed Garuḍa, the swift one, with a smile. (3-324-30)
द्विजोत्तम महाभाग गम्यतां वचनान्मम। सम्राड्राजा वसुर्नाम धर्मात्मा मां समाश्रितः ॥३-३२४-३१॥
O most excellent of the twice-born, O greatly fortunate one, let it be done as I have said. The emperor named Vasu, who is righteous, has sought my protection. (3-324-31)
ब्राह्मणानां प्रकोपेन प्रविष्टो वसुधातलम्। मानितास्ते तु विप्रेन्द्रास्त्वं तु गच्छ द्विजोत्तम ॥३-३२४-३२॥
Because of the Brāhmaṇas' anger, the earth's surface was penetrated. The foremost Brāhmaṇas have been honored by you; but now, O best of twice-born, you should go. (3-324-32)
भूमेर्विवरसङ्गुप्तं गरुडेह ममाज्ञया। अधश्चरं नृपश्रेष्ठं खेचरं कुरु माचिरम् ॥३-३२४-३३॥
O Garuḍa, by my command, make the best of kings, who is hidden in a cavity of the earth and moves below, into one who moves in the sky here; do not delay. (3-324-33)
गरुत्मानथ विक्षिप्य पक्षौ मारुतवेगवान्। विवेश विवरं भूमेर्यत्रास्ते वाग्यतो वसुः ॥३-३२४-३४॥
Then Garutmān, spreading his two wings and swift as the wind, entered the opening in the earth where Vasu (Kubera) sits in silence. (3-324-34)
तत एनं समुत्क्षिप्य सहसा विनतासुतः। उत्पपात नभस्तूर्णं तत्र चैनममुञ्चत ॥३-३२४-३५॥
Then, the son of Vinatā suddenly lifted him up, swiftly soared into the sky, and there released him. (3-324-35)
तस्मिन्मुहूर्ते सञ्जज्ञे राजोपरिचरः पुनः। सशरीरो गतश्चैव ब्रह्मलोकं नृपोत्तमः ॥३-३२४-३६॥
At that very moment, Rājoparicara, the best of kings, was reborn; with his body, he went to Brahma-loka. (3-324-36)
एवं तेनापि कौन्तेय वाग्दोषाद्देवताज्ञया। प्राप्ता गतिरयज्वार्हा द्विजशापान्महात्मना ॥३-३२४-३७॥
Thus, O son of Kunti, by him also, due to a fault of speech and by the command of the deity, the state unworthy of a sacrificer was attained as a result of the curse of the twice-born, by the great-souled one. (3-324-37)
केवलं पुरुषस्तेन सेवितो हरिरीश्वरः। ततः शीघ्रं जहौ शापं ब्रह्मलोकमवाप च ॥३-३२४-३८॥
Hari, the Lord, was served exclusively by that man. Then, he quickly gave up the curse and attained Brahma-loka. (3-324-38)
एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं ते भूता मानवा यथा। नारदोऽपि यथा श्वेतं द्वीपं स गतवानृषिः ॥ तत्ते सर्वं प्रवक्ष्यामि शृणुष्वैकमना नृप ॥३-३२४-३९॥
All this has been declared to you, as it happened with beings and humans. Nārada also, as he went to the White Island, the sage. That I shall tell you in full; listen with one-pointed mind, O king. (3-324-39)
