13.050
The story of Cyavana.
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
O grandsire, what kind of affection arises upon seeing and living together? Also, tell me, O grandsire, about the great fortune of cows. (13-50-1)
Bhishma said.
Indeed, I will tell you the ancient story, O greatly radiant one—the conversation between Nahuṣa and the great sage Cyavana. (13-50-2)
Long ago, O best of the Bharatas, the great sage Cyavana, a descendant of Bhṛgu, undertook a great vow and began his residence. (13-50-3)
The sage, steadfast in his vow, having overcome pride, anger, excessive joy, and sorrow, lived in water for twelve years. (13-50-4)
The lord, like the cool-rayed moon, instills supreme and auspicious confidence in all beings, especially among aquatic and living creatures. (13-50-5)
Having stood motionless and purified himself, and after bowing to the deities, he entered the water between the Gaṅgā and Yamunā rivers. (13-50-6)
He received upon his head the very terrible speed and roaring sound of the Gaṅgā and Yamunā, which was as swift as the wind. (13-50-7)
Ganga, Yamuna, and indeed the rivers and their followers circumambulated the sage and did not crowd or oppress him. (13-50-8)
The great sage, having become like a piece of wood, slept in the water. Then, O best of the Bharatas, the wise one rose up and stood upright. (13-50-9)
He became pleasing to look at among the water-dwellers and other beings; then, the fishes, delighted, approached and sniffed him. There, as he stayed, a long time passed. (13-50-10)
Then, once at a certain time, some fishermen, holding nets and of great splendor, came together to that region. (13-50-11)
Many Nishadas, determined to lift fish, well-built, strong, and brave, who do not turn back in the waters, approached that region, resolved in the work of netting. (13-50-12)
O best of the Bharatas, O ruler of people, they especially cast the net, having reached the water where the fish were, at that time. (13-50-13)
Then the fishermen, eager for fish, used many methods and covered the waters of the Gaṅgā and Yamunā with their nets. (13-50-14)
Their net, well-spread and made with new threads, likewise endowed with width and length, which was suitable there in the water. (13-50-15)
Then, all of them spread out the very great, strong, and well-arranged net on all sides and drew it in. (13-50-16)
Those with fearful forms, delighted and acting under each other's control, there bound the fishes and other aquatic creatures. (13-50-17)
Thus, O great king, the descendant of Bhṛgu, Cyavana, who was surrounded by fishes, was being dragged by chance with a net. (13-50-18)
His body was smeared with river algae, bearing a green-moss beard and matted hair, with groups of conch shells clinging to his limbs, as if covered with variegated cavities. (13-50-19)
Seeing him, the master of the Vedas, lifted up in the net, all the servants, with joined palms, fell to the ground with their heads. (13-50-20)
Due to distress and fear, as the net was drawn and dragged to the land, the fishes were destroyed. (13-50-21)
The sage, having then seen the slaughter of the fishes, became overcome with compassion, sighing again and again. (13-50-22)
The Nishadas said.
O great sage, whatever sin has been committed by us out of ignorance, please bestow your grace there. Tell us what is dear to you, so that we may do that. (13-50-23)
Bhīṣma said.
Thus addressed, Cyavana, who was in the midst of the fish, spoke these words: "Hear attentively my supreme desire of today." (13-50-24)
I am unable to abandon these who dwell in water, with whom I have lived together; I will go with the fishes, whether it be to death or to be sold. (13-50-25)
When these words were spoken, the Nishadas, greatly trembling with fear and all with dejected faces, reported everything to Nahusha. (13-50-26)
