13.051
The dialogue of Cyavana and Nahuṣa.
Bhishma said.
But Nahuṣa, having heard that Cyavana had thus arrived, quickly went there together with his ministers and priests. (13-51-1)
Having purified himself properly, with joined palms and self-control, the king declared his purpose to the great-souled Cyavana. (13-51-2)
The king's priest also worshipped Satyavrata, who was supremely fortunate and godlike, O lord of men. (13-51-3)
Nahuṣa said.
I will do whatever is dear to you. Therefore, you should explain that to me. O Lord, I am ready to do everything, even if it may be very difficult. (13-51-4)
Cyavana said.
The fishermen, engaged through great effort in their livelihood of fish, give my payment to these along with the proceeds from selling the fish. (13-51-5)
Nahuṣa said.
O purohita, let a thousand (coins) be given as the price to the Niṣādas for the purchase of the Lord, as declared by the descendant of Bhṛgu. (13-51-6)
Cyavana said.
I do not deserve a thousand; or what do you think, O king? Let a befitting price be given—decide with your own judgment. (13-51-7)
Nahusha said.
Let a hundred out of thousands quickly be given to the Niṣādas. Let this be the price, or whatever else Your Honour thinks. (13-51-8)
Cyavana said.
O best of kings! I cannot be valued even at a hundred thousand. Let an appropriate price be decided—consider it together with your ministers. (13-51-9)
Nahuṣa said.
O priest, let a crore be given as price to the Niṣādas. Since even this is not sufficient, let more be given. (13-51-10)
Cyavana said;
O king, I do not deserve a crore, or even more, O greatly resplendent one. Let a suitable price be given; consider (this) along with the Brahmins. (13-51-11)
Nahuṣa said.
Let half the kingdom or even the entire kingdom be given to the Niṣādas. I consider this to be their price; or do you think something else, O Brāhmaṇa? (13-51-12)
Cyavana said.
O king, I do not deserve either half or the entire kingdom. Let an appropriate price be determined and given, after consideration together with the sages. (13-51-13)
Bhishma said.
After hearing the words of the great sage, Nahuṣa, troubled by suffering, began to deliberate together with his ministers and priests. (13-51-14)
But there, another forest-dweller who ate roots and fruits, a sage born among cows, became one who was near Nahuṣa. (13-51-15)
Having addressed the king, the best of the twice-born said: I will gratify the brāhmaṇa so that he will be satisfied. (13-51-16)
I would not speak false words even among my own, how much less with others. Whatever I say to you should be acted upon without doubt. (13-51-17)
Nahuṣa said.
O Lord, please state the value appropriate for the great sage Bhṛgu. Save me from this situation, and also safeguard my wealth and family. (13-51-18)
If the Lord, being angry, can indeed destroy even the whole three worlds, then how much more easily could He destroy me, who am devoid of austerity and rely only on my own physical strength? (13-51-19)
O great sage, for the one who is immersed in unfathomable water together with his ministers and priests, be a raft; you determine the value. (13-51-20)
Bhishma said.
Having heard the words of Nahuṣa, the powerful one born of a cow (R̥ṣyaśṛṅga) spoke, gladdening all the ministers and the king and him. (13-51-21)
O great king, the twice-born, the most eminent among castes, and cows are priceless; O protector of the earth, let the value of a cow be determined. (13-51-22)
But Nahuṣa, O king, having heard the words of the great sage, was filled with great joy, together with his ministers and priests. (13-51-23)
O king, having approached Cyavana, the son of Bhṛgu, who was firm in his vow, he spoke these words as if to gratify him. (13-51-24)
Arise, arise, O sage among Brāhmaṇas! O Bhārgava, you have been bought with a cow. I consider this price as yours, O best of those upholding dharma. (13-51-25)
Cyavana said;
I arise, O king; I have been rightly bought by you, O sinless one. I do not see here any wealth equal to cows, O Acyuta. (13-51-26)
O king, O hero, praising, listening, giving, and seeing of cows is highly praised; it is auspicious and removes all sins. (13-51-27)
Cows are always the root of prosperity; in cows, sin does not exist. Food is always, indeed, the supreme offering to the gods from the cows. (13-51-28)
The exclamations 'svāhā' and 'vaṣaṭ' are always established in cows. Cows are truly the conductors of sacrifice and thus they are the mouth of the sacrifice. (13-51-29)
They indeed flow and carry imperishable, divine nectar. These are the abodes of nectar and are revered by all worlds. (13-51-30)
On earth, by their brilliance and form, cows are equal to fire. Indeed, cows of very great splendor bring happiness to living beings. (13-51-31)
Wherever Gokula is established and one breathes fearlessly, that land becomes radiant and all sin is removed. (13-51-32)
Cows are the stairway to heaven; cows are worshipped even in heaven. Cows are wish-fulfilling goddesses; nothing else is considered higher. (13-51-33)
Thus, O bull among kings, I have spoken this greatness of cows. It is possible to mention only a small part of its merit; but a complete recitation is not (possible). (13-51-34)
The Nishadas said;
O sage, seeing and speaking together with us has been done; O lord, grant us the favor of friendship of the good for (at least) seven steps. (13-51-35)
Just as fire consumes all offerings, so too, O righteous one with the fire-like energy of a man, you also (consume all things by your energy). (13-51-36)
We, who are bowed, entreat you, O learned one; for granting favor, may you accept this cow of ours. (13-51-37)
Cyavana said.
Just as a blazing fire burns grass from the roots, so the gaze of a miser, a sage, or a venomous serpent can consume a man completely. (13-51-38)
I accept your cow, fishermen freed from sin. Go quickly to heaven, together with the fish caught in the net. (13-51-39)
Bhishma said.
Then, by the grace of the great sage, the Niṣādas, by that utterance, together with the fishes, ascended to heaven. (13-51-40)
Then King Nahuṣa, astonished, saw fishermen and fishes ascending to heaven, O best of Bharatas. (13-51-41)
Then those two, Gavija and Cyavana, foremost among the Bhṛgus, respectfully requested the king with two appropriate boons. (13-51-42)
Then, O best of the Bharatas, the king Nahuṣa, endowed with great strength and lord of the earth, being pleased, spoke these supreme words. (13-51-43)
Then the king, resembling Indra, accepted his position in righteousness. Being thus addressed and pleased, he duly paid respect to those two sages. (13-51-44)
Cyavana, whose consecration was completed, then went to his own hermitage; and the great sage Gavija, of great energy, went to his own hermitage abode. (13-51-45)
O king, the Niṣādas and the Matsyas went to heaven; and Nahuṣa, having received the boon, entered his own city. (13-51-46)
O Yudhiṣṭhira, I have told you what you asked me, O dear one, regarding the kind of affection present in seeing and in living together. (13-51-47)
The great fortune of cows and also the decision on dharma—what more should be said, O hero? What is it that you intend in your heart? (13-51-48)
