13.097
The origin of umbrellas and shoes.
Yudhishthira said.
O bull of the Bharatas, in these ancestor-rites, which umbrella and shoes indeed are given—by whom was this established? How did this originate, and for what purpose is it given? (13-97-1)
Not only in the ritual of śrāddha but also in other meritorious acts is this given. O king, I wish to hear this in detail and in truth. (13-97-2)
Bhishma said.
O king, listen attentively to the account of the umbrella, shoes, and seat—how this has become renowned in the world and by whom it was established. (13-97-3)
O king, I shall now fully explain to you how things have attained imperishability and merit, and how all this has come to pass. (13-97-4)
O king, listen to this history, an ancient event, the conversation between Jamadagni and the great-souled Sūrya. (13-97-5)
O lord, formerly, that blessed Bhārgava (Paraśurāma), directly played with a bow and indeed, again and again, having fastened arrows, shot them. (13-97-6)
O Acyuta, Reṇukā, having gathered all of his blazing arrows that were thrown, then repeatedly gave them to him. (13-97-7)
Then, delighted by the sound of the bowstring and the arrow, he discharged them; and she also withdrew them. (13-97-8)
Then, when the sun had reached midday at the root of Jyeṣṭhā, he, the Brahmin, having shot Reṇukā with arrows, said this. (13-97-9)
The lord of men said: "Go, O wide-eyed one, and bring these arrows fallen from the bow; until then, O beautiful-browed one, I will cast these again." (13-97-10)
She, the beautiful lady, went between the shade, having taken shelter under a tree. She stood there; indeed, her head and her feet were both equally scorched. (13-97-11)
But she, out of fear of her husband's curse, remained for a moment; then the auspicious, dark-eyed lady went again to fetch the arrows. Having taken those arrows, the illustrious one returned. (13-97-12)
She, perspiring and of beautiful limbs, enduring pain in her feet, approached her husband, trembling from fear of him. (13-97-13)
Thereupon, the sage, angered, spoke to her of auspicious name: "O Reṇukā, why have you come after so long?"—thus, again and again. (13-97-14)
Reṇukā said.
O ascetic, my head is burning, and my feet as well; being checked by the sun's radiance, I have taken refuge in the shade of a tree. (13-97-15)
O Brahman, for this reason, I have done this for a long time. Having understood this, O Lord, do not be angry with me, O ascetic. (13-97-16)
Jamadagni said.
O Reṇukā, today I will bring down the Sun with arrows, whose brilliant rays are the cause of your sorrow, using the power of weapons and fire. (13-97-17)
Bhīṣma said.
He stretched his divine bow, took many arrows, and stood facing towards the direction of the sun's movement. (13-97-18)
Then, as he was about to strike, the Sun approached and spoke: 'In the form of a brāhmaṇa, O son of Kunti, why has the Sun been wronged by you?' (13-97-19)
The Sun, knowing, takes in the essence from various places in the sky with his rays; he indeed pours out that essence during the rainy season (13-97-20).
From that, O wise one, food arises for men, bringing happiness. Food and vital breaths—so it is extensively proclaimed in the Vedas. (13-97-21)
Then, hidden in the clouds and surrounded by rays, he showers rain upon these seven islands, O Brahman. (13-97-22)
Then, O lord, all the food born from the leaves and flowers of herbs and creepers arises after the rains. (13-97-23)
All birth rites, initiation rituals and vows, gifts of cows, marriages, and also the prosperities of sacrifices. (13-97-24)
O Bhārgava, as you know, sacrificial sessions, gifts, all gatherings, and accumulations of wealth arise from food. (13-97-25)
All pleasant things and all beginnings proceed from food; having realized this, I declare it to you. (13-97-26)
You, O brāhmaṇa, truly know all that I have recounted. I respectfully ask you, O brāhmaṇa-sage, why is the sun brought down for your sake? (13-97-27)
