13.020
Aṣṭāvakra said.
So be it; I will accomplish this and go there without doubt, to the place you mention, O noble one. May you be a speaker of truth. (13-20-1)
Bhishma said.
Then the venerable one went to the best northern direction, to Himavat, the greatest of mountains, which is attended by Siddhas and celestial singers. (13-20-2)
He, the best among the twice-born, having gone to the great mountain Himavat, approached the holy river Bāhudā, the giver of dharma. (13-20-3)
Having bathed at the pure sacred place of the Ashoka tree and having offered satisfaction to the deities, he then dwelt there comfortably on a silken bed for his stay. (13-20-4)
After the night had passed, the twice-born rose in the morning, bathed, kindled the fire, and performed the oblations according to the prescribed rules. (13-20-5)
After reaching Rudrāṇī's well, he rested in the lake there. Once he was refreshed and had arisen, he proceeded towards Kailāsa. (13-20-6)
He saw a golden gate shining with splendor, as well as the Mandakini river and the lotus-pond belonging to the great-souled Dhanada (Kubera). (13-20-7)
Then all those rākṣasas who were protecting Padminī, having risen up, together with the venerable one, led by Maṇibhadra, (13-20-8).
He respectfully approached those rākṣasas of terrible prowess and said, "Inform Dhanada of me quickly." (13-20-9)
Then those rākṣasas, O king, said to the venerable one: "That king Vaiśravaṇa himself is coming near to you." (13-20-10)
The Lord's purpose in coming is known; see this greatly fortunate one, shining as if with brilliance. (13-20-11)
Then Vaiśravaṇa approached the blameless Aṣṭāvakra, inquired about his well-being as prescribed, and then spoke to the Brahmarṣi. (13-20-12)
Have you obtained happiness? Is there anything you wish to do with my help? Tell me everything; I will do whatever you tell me, O Brahmin. (13-20-13)
O best of the twice-born, enter my house as you desire. Having been honored and your task accomplished, you will depart without any obstacle. (13-20-14)
He entered his own house, having brought the best of the twice-born with him; he gave him his own seat, as well as water for washing the feet and the customary offering, likewise. (13-20-15)
Then, as the two sat there, Maṇibhadra led the way, and the followers of Kubera—Yakṣas, Gandharvas, and Rākṣasas—sat down there. (13-20-16)
Then, as they were seated, Kubera spoke these words. Understanding your wish, the groups of apsarases should dance. (13-20-17)
The sage, with sweet words, said: "Supreme hospitality must be performed, and service by you as well; let it be so." (13-20-18)
Now, Urvarā, Miśrakeśī, Rambhā, and also Urvaśī; Alambusā, Ghṛtācī, Citrā, Citrāṅgadā, and Ruci. (13-20-19)
She is mind-pleasing, with beautiful hair and a lovely face, smiling and radiant; like lightning, calm, self-restrained, shining, and truly delightful. (13-20-20)
These and many other auspicious apsarases who had danced, and the gandharvas, played various musical instruments. (13-20-21)
Then, when the divine gāndharva rite commenced, the sage of great austerity dwelt there, enjoying himself for a divine year. (13-20-22)
Then King Vaiśravaṇa said to the venerable one, "O brāhmaṇa, a year with remainder has passed for you while you were watching." (13-20-23)
O Brahman, this object called Gandharva by name is to be abandoned; let it proceed as you or others say, O wise one. (13-20-24)
You are a guest worthy of worship, and this is your house. Please command everything quickly; we are dependent on you. (13-20-25)
Then, the pleased Lord spoke to Vaiśravaṇa: "I have been worshipped properly; I shall depart, O Lord of wealth." (13-20-26)
I am pleased, O lord of wealth, that all is appropriate and fitting for you. By your grace, O revered one, and by the great sage, the great-souled one's favor, at your command today I shall go. Be prosperous and affluent. (13-20-27)
Then, having departed, the Lord went northward and traversed all the mountains—Kailāsa, Mandara, and the golden one. (13-20-28)
After crossing those great mountains, he reverently circumambulated the excellent place of Kairāta, bowing his head with devotion. Then, having descended to the earth, that pure-souled one became thus. (13-20-29)
He circumambulated him and the mountain three times, facing north, and then proceeded with a joyful heart, keeping an equal portion of ground. (13-20-30)
Then he saw another beautiful forest-region, endowed with roots, fruits, and birds of all seasons, adorned here and there by beautiful forest tracts. (13-20-31)
There, the illustrious one then beheld a divine hermitage; he saw mountains of various shapes, golden and adorned with jewels, and lotus-ponds likewise set upon jeweled ground. (13-20-32)
He also saw many other very pleasant places; then the mind of the great sage, whose self is purified, was exceedingly delighted. (13-20-33)
There he saw a golden, divine house made of all jewels, wonderful in appearance, superior to the house of Dhanada (Kubera). (13-20-34)
Where there are great, various palaces resembling mountains, and beautiful mansions and various jewels. (13-20-35)
The Mandākinī river was thus mixed with mandāra flowers; the ground was adorned with self-luminous gems and diamonds. (13-20-36)
It was surrounded on all sides by various kinds of mansions with wondrous jewel arches, enclosed by nets of pearls, adorned with jewel gems, and beautiful, auspicious structures that captivated the mind and sight. (13-20-37)
The sage looked all around and saw many pleasing places. Then he began to wonder: "Where should my dwelling be?" (13-20-38)
Then, having approached and stood at the door from all sides, he said: "Let those who are here indeed permit me, the guest who has arrived." (13-20-39)
Then, O lord, seven enchanting maidens of various forms, all together, emerged from that house, surrounding the maiden. (13-20-40)
Whichever maiden he saw, she stole his mind; he was unable to restrain his mind, and then his mind became dejected. (13-20-41)
Then, steadfastness arose in that wise brāhmaṇa. After that, the women said to him, "Let the revered one enter." (13-20-42)
He, filled with curiosity about those beautiful women and that very house, the twice-born entered the house. (13-20-43)
There he saw an old woman, afflicted with age, wearing a clean garment, sitting on a couch and adorned with all kinds of ornaments. (13-20-44)
When he said 'well-being', then that woman replied at that time; having risen and addressing the brāhmaṇa, she said, 'Be seated', indeed. (13-20-45)
Aṣṭāvakra said.
Let all the women go to their own homes; let one remain to attend to me. Let the rest, who are wise and calm, depart as they wish. (13-20-46)
Then, after circumambulating the sage, those maidens departed from that house; the old woman remained there. (13-20-47)
Then, as he lay down with her on the shining bed, he said: "You too should sleep, dear; the night is indeed passing." (13-20-48)
After conversing with the Brāhmaṇa in this way, she, having been spoken to there, entered the second divine bed, O great lord. (13-20-49)
Then she, her limbs trembling from an omen born of cold, having indicated this to the great sage, ascended the bed. (13-20-50)
The venerable one said to her, "Welcome! Let there be welcome." Then, O bull among men, he affectionately embraced the sage with both his arms. (13-20-51)
Then, seeing the unchanging sage, who was like a wooden wall, she, being distressed, spoke together with the sage. (13-20-52)
O Brahman, there is no desire-based action; the steadfastness of women comes from men. Deluded by desire, I am, and as I serve you, accept me. (13-20-53)
O best of Brāhmaṇas, be delighted and come together with me. Embrace me, O Brāhmaṇa, for I am intensely afflicted by desire for you. (13-20-54)
O righteous-souled one, this is indeed the honored fruit of your austerity; as desired, from merely seeing, accept me who seeks you. (13-20-55)
This house, this forest, and whatever else you see—your sovereignty is everywhere, including in me; there is no doubt about it. (13-20-56)
O brāhmaṇa, I shall grant all your desires; enjoy with me in this beautiful forest, which bestows all desired fruits. (13-20-57)
I will be under your control; you will enjoy with me, experiencing all desires, both divine and human. (13-20-58)
Indeed, there is no duty of women beyond this; just as association with a man is the highest fruit for us. (13-20-59)
Women, impelled by desire, act according to their own will; and those who go (thus) are not burned even by well-heated sand. (13-20-60)
Aṣṭāvakra said.
O auspicious one, I would never approach other men's wives in any way. Contact with other men's wives is condemned in the treatises on dharma. (13-20-61)
O blessed one, know that I, wishing to settle, swear to you truly: I am unacquainted with sense objects; this progeny is indeed for the sake of dharma. (13-20-62)
Thus, I will go to the worlds with my sons; there is no doubt about it. O auspicious one, understand your duty, and having understood, indeed desist. (13-20-63)
The woman said.
O twice-born, neither the wind, nor fire, nor Varuṇa, nor any of the other thirty gods are as dear to women as Kāma, for women are indeed fond of pleasure. (13-20-64)
Just as only one woman among a thousand is ever found here, so too, among a hundred thousand, if there is any woman devoted to her husband. (13-20-65)
These women do not recognize their father, nor their family, nor even their mother; nor their brothers, nor their husband, nor their sons, nor their brothers-in-law. (13-20-66)
Those who behave playfully destroy their family just as the best of rivers erode their banks. Prajapati spoke about the faults found among the weak. (13-20-67)
Bhīṣma said.
Then the sage addressed that focused woman: "Please be seated. Tell me your pleasant wish or what task you have." (13-20-68)
That woman said: "O revered one, you will be protected from dangers of place and time. Stay here for now, O greatly wise one; when your purpose is accomplished, you may depart." (13-20-69)
The brahma-sage then said to her in this way, O Yudhishthira: "I will remain as long as you make the effort; there is no doubt about this." (13-20-70)
Then the sage, seeing that woman who had become aged, fell into deep thought and became as if tormented. (13-20-71)
Whatever part of her the best of Brāhmaṇas saw, he was not pleased there; his gaze was overcome by her beauty. (13-20-72)
This divinity of this house has certainly been deformed by a curse; it is not proper for me to suddenly seek to know the cause of this. (13-20-73)
Thus, as he was absorbed in thought and wished to know that matter, the rest of that day passed for him with an agitated mind. (13-20-74)
Then that woman said: "O revered one, look at the form of the sun mingled with twilight and cloud; what should be presented to you?" (13-20-75)
He then said to the woman, "Bring bathing water here." After that, I will perform the twilight worship, restraining my speech and controlling my senses. (13-20-76)
