13.126
umāmaheśvarasaṃvādaḥ
Dialogue between Umā and Maheśvara.
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
pitāmaha mahāprājña sarvaśāstraviśārada। āgamaīr bahubhiḥ sphīto bhavān naḥ prathitaḥ kule ॥13-126-1॥
Grandfather, you are greatly wise, an expert in all treatises; having prospered by many scriptures, you are renowned in our family. (13-126-1)
tvatto dharmārthasaṁyuktam āyatyāṁ ca sukhodayam। āścaryabhūtaṁ lokasya śrotum icchāmi ariṁdama ॥13-126-2॥
O subduer of foes, I desire to hear from you about the wondrous emergence of happiness in the world in future, joined with dharma and artha. (13-126-2)
ayaṃ ca kālaḥ samprāpto durlabhajñātibāndhavaḥ। śāstā ca na hi naḥ kaścit tvām ṛte bharatarṣabha॥13-126-3॥
And now the time has come, rarely is a relation or friend to be found; and indeed, for us there is none to rule except you, O bull among the Bharatas. (13-126-3)
yadi te'hamanugrāhyo bhrātṛbhiḥ sahito'nagha। vaktumarhasi naḥ praśnaṃ yattvāṃ pṛcchāmi pārthiva ॥13-126-4॥
If I, along with my brothers, am worthy of your favor, O sinless one, then you should answer the question I ask you, O king. (13-126-4)
ayaṃ nārāyaṇaḥ śrīmān sarvapārthivasaṃmataḥ। bhavantaṃ bahumānena praśrayeṇa ca sevate ॥13-126-5॥
This Nārāyaṇa, possessed of prosperity and esteemed by all kings, serves you with great respect and humility. (13-126-5)
asya caiva samakṣaṃ tvaṃ pārthivānāṃ ca sarvaśaḥ। bhrātṝṇāṃ ca priyārthaṃ me snehādbhāṣitumarhasi॥13-126-6॥
And here, in the presence of these princes and all the brothers, you ought to speak to me kindly out of affection. (13-126-6)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā snehādāgatasambhramaḥ। bhīṣmo bhāgīrathīputra idaṃ vacanamabravīt ॥13-126-7॥
Having heard those words of his, Bhīṣma, the son of Bhāgīrathī, filled with affectionate agitation, spoke these words. (13-126-7)
hanta te kathayiṣyāmi kathām ati-manoramām। asya viṣṇoḥ purā rājan prabhāvaḥ ayaṃ mayā śrutaḥ ॥13-126-8॥
Indeed, I shall tell you a very delightful story. O king, I have formerly heard of this power of Viṣṇu. (13-126-8)
yaś ca govṛṣabhāṅkasya prabhāvas taṃ ca me śṛṇu। rudrāṇyāḥ saṃśayo yaś ca dampatyos taṃ ca me śṛṇu॥13-126-9॥
Also, the power of the one who bears the bull emblem, listen to that from me; and the doubt concerning Rudrāṇī, and about the divine couple, that too you hear from me. (13-126-9)
vrataṃ cacāra dharmātmā kṛṣṇo dvādaśavārṣikam। dīkṣitaṃ cāgatau draṣṭumubhau nāradaparvatau ॥13-126-10॥
The righteous-souled Kṛṣṇa observed a twelve-year vow. Both Nārada and Parvata, having been initiated, came to see him. (13-126-10)
kṛṣṇadvaipāyanaścaiva dhaumyaśca japatāṃ varaḥ। devalaḥ kāśyapaścaiva hastikāśyapa eva ca ॥13-126-11॥
Kṛṣṇadvaipāyana, as well as Dhaumya, the foremost among those who perform japa, Devala, Kāśyapa, and also Hastikāśyapa. (13-126-11)
apare ṛṣayaḥ santo dīkṣādamasamanvitāḥ। śiṣyairanugatāḥ sarve devakalpais tapodhanaiḥ॥13-126-12॥
Other sages, being possessed of initiation and self-restraint, all were followed by disciples who were godlike and devoted to austerities. (13-126-12)
teṣām atithi-satkāram arcanīyaṃ kulo-citam। devakī-tanayaḥ prīto deva-kalpam akalpayat॥13-126-13॥
The son of Devakī, being pleased, arranged for guest-honoring worthy of worship, suitable for the family, in a manner like a god. (13-126-13)
hariteṣu suvarṇeṣu barhiṣkeṣu naveṣu ca। upopaviviśuḥ prītā viṣṭareṣu maharṣayaḥ ॥13-126-14॥
The great sages, pleased, sat down nearby on seats that were green, golden, made of darbha grass, and new. (13-126-14)
kathāś cakrus tatas te tu madhurā dharmasaṁhitāḥ। rājarṣīṇāṁ surāṇāṁ ca ye vasanti tapodhanāḥ॥13-126-15॥
Then those ascetics rich in austerities, who dwell among the royal sages and gods, composed sweet stories full of dharma. (13-126-15)
tato nārāyaṇaṃ tejo vratacaryendhanotthitam। vaktrānniḥsṛtya kṛṣṇasya vahniradbhutakarmaṇaḥ ॥13-126-16॥
Then the radiance of Nārāyaṇa, born of the fuel of vowful observance, as fire of marvelous deeds, emerged from the mouth of Kṛṣṇa. (13-126-16)
so'gnirdadāha taṃ śailaṃ sadrumṃ salatākṣupam। sapakṣimṛgasaṅghātaṃ saśvāpadasarīsṛpam॥13-126-17॥
That fire burned the mountain along with the trees, creepers, shrubs, flocks of birds, groups of animals, beasts of prey, and reptiles. (13-126-17)
mṛgaiś ca vividhākāraiḥ hāhābhūtam acetanam। śikharaṃ tasya śailasya mathitaṃ dīptadarśanam ॥13-126-18॥
The insentient summit of that mountain, churned by deer and various creatures and filled with cries of alarm, shone brilliantly. (13-126-18)
sa tu vahnir-mahā-jvālo dagdhvā sarvam-aśeṣataḥ। viṣṇoḥ samīpam-āgamya pādau śiṣya-vad-aspṛśat ॥13-126-19॥
But he, the fire with great flames, having burned everything completely, approached Viṣṇu and, like a disciple, touched his feet. (13-126-19)
tato viṣṇur vanaṃ dṛṣṭvā nirdagdham arikarśanaḥ। saumyair dṛṣṭinipātaiḥ tat punaḥ prakṛtim ānayat ॥13-126-20॥
Then Viṣṇu, the destroyer of enemies, having seen the forest completely burned, gently restored it to its original state with his kind glances. (13-126-20)
tathaiva sa girir bhūyaḥ prapuṣpita-latā-drumāḥ। sa-pakṣigaṇa-saṅghuṣṭaḥ sa-śvāpadasarīsṛpaḥ ॥13-126-21॥
Similarly, that mountain once again was covered with blossoming creepers and trees, alive with the cries of flocks of birds, and inhabited by beasts and reptiles. (13-126-21)
tadadbhutamacintyaṃ ca dṛṣṭvā munigaṇastadā। vismito hṛṣṭalomā ca babhūvāsrāvilekṣaṇaḥ ॥13-126-22॥
Then, having seen that wondrous and inconceivable thing, the group of sages became astonished, with hair standing on end and eyes filled with tears. (13-126-22)
tato nārāyaṇo dṛṣṭvā tān ṛṣīn vismayānvitān। praśritaṃ madhuraṃ snigdhaṃ papraccha vadatāṃ varaḥ ॥13-126-23॥
Then Nārāyaṇa, seeing those sages filled with wonder, respectfully and affectionately asked them in a sweet manner, for he was the best of those who speak. (13-126-23)
kim asya ṛṣipūgasya tyaktasaṅgasya nityaśaḥ। nirmamasya āgamavataḥ vismayaḥ samupāgataḥ ॥13-126-24॥
Why has astonishment arisen in this group of sages, who have always abandoned attachment, are free from possessiveness, and possess scriptural knowledge? (13-126-24)
etaṃ me saṃśayaṃ sarvaṃ yāthātathyam aninditāḥ। ṛṣayo vaktum arhanti niścitārthaṃ tapodhanāḥ॥13-126-25॥
The blameless sages, rich in ascetic power, are worthy to explain all of this my doubt as it really is, having ascertained the true meaning. (13-126-25)
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ॥
The sages said.
bhavān visṛjate lokān bhavān saṃharate punaḥ। bhavān śītaṃ bhavān uṣṇaṃ bhavān eva pravaṛṣati ॥13-126-26॥
You create the worlds, you withdraw them again. You are cold, you are heat, and you alone cause the rain. (13-126-26)
pṛthivyāṃ yāni bhūtāni sthāvarāṇi carāṇi ca। teṣāṃ pitā tvaṃ mātā ca prabhuḥ prabhava eva ca॥13-126-27॥
Among all the beings on earth, both immovable and movable, you are their father, mother, lord, and indeed their origin as well. (13-126-27)
etan no vismayakaraṁ praśaṁsa madhusūdana। tvam eva arhasi kalyāṇa vaktuṁ vahner vinirgamam ॥13-126-28॥
O Madhusūdana, describe this wonder to us. You alone indeed ought, O auspicious one, to speak of the emergence of fire. (13-126-28)
tato vigatasanṯrāsā vayam apy arikarśana। yat śrutaṃ yac ca dṛṣṭaṃ nas tat pravakṣyāmahe hare ॥13-126-29॥
Then, having overcome fear, we too, O afflicter of enemies, will declare to you, O Hari, whatever we have heard and whatever we have seen. (13-126-29)
vāsudeva uvāca॥
Vāsudeva said.
etat tad vaiṣṇavaṃ tejo mama vaktrād viniḥsṛtam। kṛṣṇavartmā yugāntābho yenāyaṃ mathito giriḥ ॥13-126-30॥
This, that very energy of Viṣṇu, which emerged from my mouth—Kr̥ṣṇa as the path and resembling the end of the age—by which this mountain was churned. (13-126-30)
ṛṣayaś cārti-m-āpannā jita-krodhā jitendriyāḥ। bhavanto vyathitāś cāsan deva-kalpās tapodhanāḥ ॥13-126-31॥
The sages, who had conquered anger and their senses, and who were rich in austerity and god-like, were plunged into distress; you all were agitated. (13-126-31)
vratacaryāparītasya tapasvi-vrata-sevayā। mama vahniḥ samudbhūto na vai vyathitum arhatha ॥13-126-32॥
By my observance of vows and dedicated service to ascetic discipline, my fire has arisen; truly, you are incapable of disturbing it. (13-126-32)
vrataṃ cartum ihāyātas tv ahaṃ girim imaṃ śubham। putraṃ cātmasamaṃ vīrye tapasā sraṣṭum āgataḥ॥13-126-33॥
I have come here to perform a vow, indeed, to this auspicious mountain; I have also come to create, by austerity, a son equal to myself in valor. (13-126-33)
tato mamātmā yo dehe so'gnirbhūtvā viniḥsṛtaḥ। gataśca varadaṃ draṣṭuṃ sarvalokapitāmaham ॥13-126-34॥
Then my very self, who resided in the body, having become fire, departed and went to see the bestower of boons, the grandsire of all worlds. (13-126-34)
tena cātmānuśiṣṭo me putratve munisattamāḥ। tejaso'rdhena putraste bhaviteti vṛṣadhvajaḥ॥13-126-35॥
By him, self-assigned to me as a son, O best of sages, Vṛṣadhvaja (Śiva) said: "With half of my energy, your son will be born." (13-126-35)
so'yaṃ vahnirupāgamya pādamūle mamāntikam। śiṣyavatparicaryātha śāntaḥ prakṛtimāgataḥ ॥13-126-36॥
He—this Fire—came near my feet, peacefully, like a disciple wishing to serve, having returned to his own true nature. (13-126-36)
etad asya rahasyaṁ vaḥ padmanābhasya dhīmataḥ। mayā premṇā samākhyātaṁ na bhīḥ kāryā tapodhanāḥ॥13-126-37॥
This secret of Padmanabha, the wise, has been told to you by me out of affection; ascetics, you should not be afraid. (13-126-37)
sarvatra gatiravyagrā bhavatāṃ dīrghadarśanāḥ। tapasvivratasandīptā jñānavijñānaśobhitāḥ ॥13-126-38॥
You, the far-sighted ones, move everywhere unhindered, dedicated to ascetic vows and glowing with self-discipline, adorned with knowledge and wisdom. (13-126-38)
yacchrutaṃ yacca vo dṛṣṭaṃ divi vā yadi vā bhuvi। āścaryaṃ paramaṃ kiñcittadbhavanto bruvantu me ॥13-126-39॥
Tell me, O honorable ones, of whatever supreme wonder you have heard or seen, whether in heaven or on earth. (13-126-39)
tasyāmṛtanikāśasya vāṅ-madhor asti me spṛhā। bhavadbhiḥ kathitasyaiha tapovana-nivāsibhiḥ ॥13-126-40॥
I have a desire for the nectar-like sweetness of speech you have described here, spoken by the dwellers of the sacred forest. (13-126-40)
yadyapy aham adṛṣṭaṃ vā divyam adbhuta-darśanam। divi vā bhuvi vā kiñcit paśyāmi amala-darśanāḥ॥13-126-41॥
Although I may not have seen, or if I see something divine and wondrous in appearance—whether in heaven or on earth—or any pure vision, (13-126-41)
prakṛtiḥ sā mama parā na kvacit pratihanyate। na ca ātmagatam aiśvaryam āścaryam pratibhāti me ॥13-126-42॥
That nature of mine, the supreme one, is never obstructed at any time. Nor does the wondrous sovereignty inherent in myself appear as a marvel to me. (13-126-42)
śraddheyaḥ kathito hy arthaḥ sajjana-śravaṇaṃ gataḥ। ciraṃ tiṣṭhati medinyāṃ śaile lekhyam iva arpitam॥13-126-43॥
A trustworthy meaning that has been spoken and heard by good people endures long on earth, like writing carved upon a mountain. (13-126-43)
tad ahaṃ sajjanamukhān niḥsṛtaṃ tat-samāgame। kathayiṣyāmy aharahar buddhidīpakaraṃ nṛṇām ॥13-126-44॥
That which has emerged from the mouths of good people, I shall relate in that assembly day by day, as it illuminates the intellects of men. (13-126-44)
tato munigaṇāḥ sarve praśritāḥ kṛṣṇasaṃnidhau। netraiḥ padmadalaprakhyairapaśyanta janārdanam ॥13-126-45॥
Then all the sages, humble, in the presence of Kṛṣṇa, beheld Janārdana with eyes resembling lotus petals. (13-126-45)
vardhayantaḥ tathaiva anye pūjayantaḥ tathā-apare। vāgbhiḥ ṛgbhūṣita-arthābhiḥ stuvantaḥ madhusūdanam ॥13-126-46॥
Some glorify likewise, others worship in the same way, and yet others, with words whose meanings are adorned by Rig hymns, praise Madhusudana. (13-126-46)
tato munigaṇāḥ sarve nāradaṃ devadarśanam। tadā niyojayāmāsur vacane vākyakovidam ॥13-126-47॥
Then all the sages appointed Nārada, who sees the gods and is skilled in words, to speak. (13-126-47)
yad-āścaryam-acintyaṃ ca girau himavati prabho। anubhūtaṃ muni-gaṇaiḥ tīrtha-yātrā-parāyaṇaiḥ ॥13-126-48॥
O lord, whatever wonderful and inconceivable things have been experienced in the Himavat mountain by groups of sages devoted to pilgrimage— (13-126-48)
tad bhavān ṛṣi-saṅghasya hitārthaṃ sarva-coditaḥ। yathā dṛṣṭaṃ hṛṣīkeśe sarvam ākhyātum arhati॥13-126-49॥
Therefore, being urged by all, you are able to narrate everything as seen in Hṛṣīkeśa for the welfare of the assembly of sages. (13-126-49)
evam-uktaḥ sa munibhir nārado bhagavān ṛṣiḥ। kathayām āsa devarṣiḥ pūrvavṛttāṃ kathāṃ śubhām ॥13-126-50॥
Thus, having been addressed by the sages, the revered sage Nārada began to narrate the auspicious tale of previous events. (13-126-50)
