13.082
गोलोकप्रश्नः
The question about Goloka.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said;
ये च गाः सम्प्रयच्छन्ति हुतशिष्टाशिनश्च ये। तेषां सत्राणि यज्ञाश्च नित्यमेव युधिष्ठिर ॥१३-८२-१॥
O Yudhiṣṭhira, those who give cows and those who eat the remnants of the offerings—their sacrificial sessions and sacrifices are ever indeed ongoing. (13-82-1)
ऋते दधिघृतेनेह न यज्ञः सम्प्रवर्तते। तेन यज्ञस्य यज्ञत्वमतोमूलं च लक्ष्यते ॥१३-८२-२॥
A sacrifice does not take place here without curds and ghee. Therefore, the essential character of a sacrifice—and its root—is thus recognized. (13-82-2)
दानानामपि सर्वेषां गवां दानं प्रशस्यते। गावः श्रेष्ठाः पवित्राश्च पावनं ह्येतदुत्तमम् ॥१३-८२-३॥
Among all gifts, the gift of cows is praised. Cows are excellent and pure, and this gifting is indeed the most purifying and the best. (13-82-3)
पुष्ट्यर्थमेताः सेवेत शान्त्यर्थमपि चैव ह। पयो दधि घृतं यासां सर्वपापप्रमोचनम् ॥१३-८२-४॥
One should use these (milk, curds, and ghee) for nourishment and also for achieving peace, for these offer liberation from all sins. (13-82-4)
गावस्तेजः परं प्रोक्तमिह लोके परत्र च। न गोभ्यः परमं किञ्चित्पवित्रं पुरुषर्षभ ॥१३-८२-५॥
Cows are declared to be the supreme brilliance here in this world and in the next; O best among men, there is nothing purer or greater than cows. (13-82-5)
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। पितामहस्य संवादमिन्द्रस्य च युधिष्ठिर ॥१३-८२-६॥
Here too, O Yudhishthira, they recite this ancient legend, the conversation between Pitaamaha and Indra. (13-82-6)
पराभूतेषु दैत्येषु शक्रे त्रिभुवनेश्वरे। प्रजाः समुदिताः सर्वाः सत्यधर्मपरायणाः ॥१३-८२-७॥
When the Daityas were defeated and Indra, lord of the three worlds, reigned, all the people came together, and all were devoted to truth and righteousness. (13-82-7)
अथर्षयः सगन्धर्वाः किंनरोरगराक्षसाः। देवासुरसुपर्णाश्च प्रजानां पतयस्तथा ॥ पर्युपासन्त कौरव्य कदाचिद्वै पितामहम् ॥१३-८२-८॥
Now, O Kauravya, sages along with Gandharvas, Kinnaras, serpents, Rākṣasas, gods, asuras, Suparṇas, and the lords of beings likewise, once indeed all worshipped the grandsire. (13-82-8)
नारदः पर्वतश्चैव विश्वावसुहहाहुहू। दिव्यतानेषु गायन्तः पर्युपासन्त तं प्रभुम् ॥१३-८२-९॥
Nārada, Parvata, and also Viśvāvasu, Haha, and Hūhū, sang in celestial melodies and attended upon him, the Lord. (13-82-9)
तत्र दिव्यानि पुष्पाणि प्रावहत्पवनस्तथा। आजह्रुरृतवश्चापि सुगन्धीनि पृथक्पृथक् ॥१३-८२-१०॥
There, the wind likewise carried divine flowers. The seasons also brought fragrant flowers, each separately. (13-82-10)
तस्मिन्देवसमावाये सर्वभूतसमागमे। दिव्यवादित्रसङ्घुष्टे दिव्यस्त्रीचारणावृते ॥ इन्द्रः पप्रच्छ देवेशमभिवाद्य प्रणम्य च ॥१३-८२-११॥
In that assembly of the gods, when all beings had gathered, and as celestial instruments sounded and the company was surrounded by divine women and bards, Indra respectfully bowed and asked the lord of the gods. (13-82-11)
देवानां भगवन्कस्माल्लोकेशानां पितामह। उपरिष्टाद्गवां लोक एतदिच्छामि वेदितुम् ॥१३-८२-१२॥
O grandfather of the lords of the worlds, O revered one, why is there a world above that of the cows belonging to the gods? I wish to know this. (13-82-12)
किं तपो ब्रह्मचर्यं वा गोभिः कृतमिहेश्वर। देवानामुपरिष्टाद्यद्वसन्त्यरजसः सुखम् ॥१३-८२-१३॥
O lord, is the happiness dwelling above the gods, which is free from impurity, attained here by austerity, by celibacy, or by actions performed with cows? (13-82-13)
ततः प्रोवाच तं ब्रह्मा शक्रं बलनिसूदनम्। अवज्ञातास्त्वया नित्यं गावो बलनिसूदन ॥१३-८२-१४॥
Then Brahmā said to Śakra, the destroyer of force: "Cows have always been disregarded by you, O destroyer of force." (13-82-14)
तेन त्वमासां माहात्म्यं न वेत्थ शृणु तत्प्रभो। गवां प्रभावं परमं माहात्म्यं च सुरर्षभ ॥१३-८२-१५॥
Because of that, you do not know the greatness of these; listen, O lord, to the supreme influence and greatness of the cows, O bull among the gods. (13-82-15)
यज्ञाङ्गं कथिता गावो यज्ञ एव च वासव। एताभिश्चाप्यृते यज्ञो न प्रवर्तेत्कथञ्चन ॥१३-८२-१६॥
O Indra, cows are called a limb of sacrifice and, indeed, are the sacrifice itself; without them, a sacrifice could not take place in any way. (13-82-16)
धारयन्ति प्रजाश्चैव पयसा हविषा तथा। एतासां तनयाश्चापि कृषियोगमुपासते ॥१३-८२-१७॥
Creatures are supported indeed by milk and by offerings as well; and the sons of these also undertake the activity of farming. (13-82-17)
जनयन्ति च धान्यानि बीजानि विविधानि च। ततो यज्ञाः प्रवर्तन्ते हव्यं कव्यं च सर्वशः ॥१३-८२-१८॥
They generate grains and various seeds; from those, sacrifices arise—oblation and ancestor offerings in all manner. (13-82-18)
पयो दधि घृतं चैव पुण्याश्चैताः सुराधिप। वहन्ति विविधान्भारान्क्षुत्तृष्णापरिपीडिताः ॥१३-८२-१९॥
O lord of the gods, these virtuous ones who produce milk, curd, and clarified butter, bear many burdens, being afflicted by hunger and thirst. (13-82-19)
मुनींश्च धारयन्तीह प्रजाश्चैवापि कर्मणा। वासवाकूटवाहिन्यः कर्मणा सुकृतेन च ॥ उपरिष्टात्ततोऽस्माकं वसन्त्येताः सदैव हि ॥१३-८२-२०॥
Here, sages and also the subjects are supported by action; those who bear the peaks of Indra (are supported) by action and good deeds; above us from there, these always indeed dwell. (13-82-20)
एतत्ते कारणं शक्र निवासकृतमद्य वै। गवां देवोपरिष्टाद्धि समाख्यातं शतक्रतो ॥१३-८२-२१॥
This, O Śakra, is the reason today for your dwelling being established here. O Śatakratu, it is indeed said that the place of the cows is higher than the gods. (13-82-21)
एता हि वरदत्ताश्च वरदाश्चैव वासव। सौरभ्यः पुण्यकर्मिण्यः पावनाः शुभलक्षणाः ॥१३-८२-२२॥
O Indra, these indeed are both endowed with boons and bestow boons; they are fragrant, performers of virtuous deeds, pure, and possess auspicious characteristics. (13-82-22)
यदर्थं गा गताश्चैव सौरभ्यः सुरसत्तम। तच्च मे शृणु कार्त्स्न्येन वदतो बलसूदन ॥१३-८२-२३॥
O best of the gods, hear from me completely the purpose for which the cows and Saurabhya have gone, O destroyer of Bala. (13-82-23)
पुरा देवयुगे तात दैत्येन्द्रेषु महात्मसु। त्रीँल्लोकाननुशासत्सु विष्णौ गर्भत्वमागते ॥१३-८२-२४॥
Long ago, in the age of the gods, O dear one, when the great-souled Daitya lords were ruling the three worlds, Viṣṇu entered the state of being in the womb. (13-82-24)
अदित्यास्तप्यमानायास्तपो घोरं सुदुश्चरम्। पुत्रार्थममरश्रेष्ठ पादेनैकेन नित्यदा ॥१३-८२-२५॥
O best of immortals, the Ādityās, for the sake of a son, always performed terrible austerities, very hard to undertake, standing on one foot for her who was being tormented. (13-82-25)
तां तु दृष्ट्वा महादेवीं तप्यमानां महत्तपः। दक्षस्य दुहिता देवी सुरभिर्नाम नामतः ॥१३-८२-२६॥
But having seen her, the great goddess performing great austerity, the goddess Surabhi, the daughter of Dakṣa, by name, thus (was present). (13-82-26)
अतप्यत तपो घोरं हृष्टा धर्मपरायणा। कैलासशिखरे रम्ये देवगन्धर्वसेविते ॥१३-८२-२७॥
She, joyful and devoted to dharma, performed severe austerities on the beautiful peak of Kailāsa, which is attended by gods and gandharvas. (13-82-27)
व्यतिष्ठदेकपादेन परमं योगमास्थिता। दश वर्षसहस्राणि दश वर्षशतानि च ॥१३-८२-२८॥
Standing on one foot, she remained established in supreme concentration for ten thousand and one thousand years. (13-82-28)
सन्तप्तास्तपसा तस्या देवाः सर्षिमहोरगाः। तत्र गत्वा मया सार्धं पर्युपासन्त तां शुभाम् ॥१३-८२-२९॥
Burned by her austerity, the gods, along with sages and great serpents, went there with me and devotedly served that auspicious lady. (13-82-29)
अथाहमब्रुवं तत्र देवीं तां तपसान्विताम्। किमर्थं तप्यते देवि तपो घोरमनिन्दिते ॥१३-८२-३०॥
Then I said there to the goddess, who was endowed with austerity: "For what reason are you performing this intense austerity, O goddess, O blameless one?" (13-82-30)
प्रीतस्तेऽहं महाभागे तपसानेन शोभने। वरयस्व वरं देवि दातास्मीति पुरंदर ॥१३-८२-३१॥
O greatly fortunate and beautiful one, I am pleased with you because of this penance. O goddess, choose a boon; I, Purandara, am the giver thus. (13-82-31)
सुरभ्युवाच॥
Surabhi said.
वरेण भगवन्मह्यं कृतं लोकपितामह। एष एव वरो मेऽद्य यत्प्रीतोऽसि ममानघ ॥१३-८२-३२॥
O Lord, O grandsire of the worlds, by granting me the boon, you have fulfilled my desire. This alone is my boon today: that you are pleased with me, O sinless one. (13-82-32)
ब्रह्मोवाच॥
Brahmā said.
तामेवं ब्रुवतीं देवीं सुरभीं त्रिदशेश्वर। प्रत्यब्रुवं यद्देवेन्द्र तन्निबोध शचीपते ॥१३-८२-३३॥
O Indra, lord of the gods, listen to what I replied to the goddess Surabhi when she spoke thus, O lord of Śacī. (13-82-33)
अलोभकाम्यया देवि तपसा च शुभेन ते। प्रसन्नोऽहं वरं तस्मादमरत्वं ददानि ते ॥१३-८२-३४॥
O goddess, because of your freedom from greed and your auspicious austerity, I am pleased; therefore, I grant you the boon of immortality. (13-82-34)
त्रयाणामपि लोकानामुपरिष्टान्निवत्स्यसि। मत्प्रसादाच्च विख्यातो गोलोकः स भविष्यति ॥१३-८२-३५॥
You will reside above the three worlds, and by my favor, that Goloka will become well-known. (13-82-35)
मानुषेषु च कुर्वाणाः प्रजाः कर्म सुतास्तव। निवत्स्यन्ति महाभागे सर्वा दुहितरश्च ते ॥१३-८२-३६॥
O greatly fortunate one, among men, your sons performing actions and all your daughters also will live (there). (13-82-36)
मनसा चिन्तिता भोगास्त्वया वै दिव्यमानुषाः। यच्च स्वर्गसुखं देवि तत्ते सम्पत्स्यते शुभे ॥१३-८२-३७॥
The enjoyments, both divine and human, that you have thought of in your mind, and any heavenly happiness, O goddess, all that shall come to you, O auspicious one. (13-82-37)
तस्या लोकाः सहस्राक्ष सर्वकामसमन्विताः। न तत्र क्रमते मृत्युर्न जरा न च पावकः ॥ न दैन्यं नाशुभं किञ्चिद्विद्यते तत्र वासव ॥१३-८२-३८॥
O Indra, the worlds belonging to her are endowed with all desires. There, O thousand-eyed one, neither death, nor old age, nor fire exist. Nor is there any misery or anything inauspicious, O Vāsava. (13-82-38)
तत्र दिव्यान्यरण्यानि दिव्यानि भवनानि च। विमानानि च युक्तानि कामगानि च वासव ॥१३-८२-३९॥
There, O Indra, are divine forests, divine dwellings, and aerial vehicles that are equipped and move at will. (13-82-39)
व्रतैश्च विविधैः पुण्यैस्तथा तीर्थानुसेवनात्। तपसा महता चैव सुकृतेन च कर्मणा ॥ शक्यः समासादयितुं गोलोकः पुष्करेक्षण ॥१३-८२-४०॥
O lotus-eyed, Goloka can be attained by vows, various meritorious acts, resorting to holy places, great austerity, good deeds, and actions. (13-82-40)
एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं मया शक्रानुपृच्छते। न ते परिभवः कार्यो गवामरिनिसूदन ॥१३-८२-४१॥
All this has been told to you by me upon your asking, O Śakra. You should not commit any disrespect, O destroyer of the enemies of cows. (13-82-41)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
एतच्छ्रुत्वा सहस्राक्षः पूजयामास नित्यदा। गाश्चक्रे बहुमानं च तासु नित्यं युधिष्ठिर ॥१३-८२-४२॥
Upon hearing this, Indra, the thousand-eyed, always began to worship; he constantly honored the cows among them, O Yudhishthira. (13-82-42)
एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं पावनं च महाद्युते। पवित्रं परमं चापि गवां माहात्म्यमुत्तमम् ॥ कीर्तितं पुरुषव्याघ्र सर्वपापविनाशनम् ॥१३-८२-४३॥
O greatly resplendent one, all this has been declared to you—purifying, holy, and supremely excellent—the highest greatness of cows, which has been renowned as the destroyer of all sins, O tiger among men. (13-82-43)
य इदं कथयेन्नित्यं ब्राह्मणेभ्यः समाहितः। हव्यकव्येषु यज्ञेषु पितृकार्येषु चैव ह ॥ सार्वकामिकमक्षय्यं पितॄंस्तस्योपतिष्ठति ॥१३-८२-४४॥
Whoever always attentively recites this to Brāhmaṇas—at offerings to gods and ancestors, in sacrifices, and in ancestral rites—attains for his ancestors imperishable and all-desire-fulfilling results. (13-82-44)
गोषु भक्तश्च लभते यद्यदिच्छति मानवः। स्त्रियोऽपि भक्ता या गोषु ताश्च कामानवाप्नुयुः ॥१३-८२-४५॥
Whoever is devoted to cows obtains whatever desires a human being may have. Likewise, women devoted to cows also attain their wishes. (13-82-45)
पुत्रार्थी लभते पुत्रं कन्या पतिमवाप्नुयात्। धनार्थी लभते वित्तं धर्मार्थी धर्ममाप्नुयात् ॥१३-८२-४६॥
He who desires a son obtains a son; a maiden attains a husband; he who seeks wealth gains wealth; and he who seeks righteousness attains righteousness. (13-82-46)
विद्यार्थी प्राप्नुयाद्विद्यां सुखार्थी प्राप्नुयात्सुखम्। न किञ्चिद्दुर्लभं चैव गवां भक्तस्य भारत ॥१३-८२-४७॥
He who seeks knowledge attains it; he who seeks happiness attains happiness; indeed, O Bhārata, nothing is difficult to obtain for a devotee of cows. (13-82-47)
