13.126
Dialogue between Umā and Maheśvara.
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
Grandfather, you are greatly wise, an expert in all treatises; having prospered by many scriptures, you are renowned in our family. (13-126-1)
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)
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)
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)
This Nārāyaṇa, possessed of prosperity and esteemed by all kings, serves you with great respect and humility. (13-126-5)
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 said.
Having heard those words of his, Bhīṣma, the son of Bhāgīrathī, filled with affectionate agitation, spoke these words. (13-126-7)
Indeed, I shall tell you a very delightful story. O king, I have formerly heard of this power of Viṣṇu. (13-126-8)
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)
The righteous-souled Kṛṣṇa observed a twelve-year vow. Both Nārada and Parvata, having been initiated, came to see him. (13-126-10)
Kṛṣṇadvaipāyana, as well as Dhaumya, the foremost among those who perform japa, Devala, Kāśyapa, and also Hastikāśyapa. (13-126-11)
Other sages, being possessed of initiation and self-restraint, all were followed by disciples who were godlike and devoted to austerities. (13-126-12)
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)
The great sages, pleased, sat down nearby on seats that were green, golden, made of darbha grass, and new. (13-126-14)
Then those ascetics rich in austerities, who dwell among the royal sages and gods, composed sweet stories full of dharma. (13-126-15)
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)
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)
The insentient summit of that mountain, churned by deer and various creatures and filled with cries of alarm, shone brilliantly. (13-126-18)
But he, the fire with great flames, having burned everything completely, approached Viṣṇu and, like a disciple, touched his feet. (13-126-19)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
The sages said.
You create the worlds, you withdraw them again. You are cold, you are heat, and you alone cause the rain. (13-126-26)
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)
O Madhusūdana, describe this wonder to us. You alone indeed ought, O auspicious one, to speak of the emergence of fire. (13-126-28)
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 said.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
He—this Fire—came near my feet, peacefully, like a disciple wishing to serve, having returned to his own true nature. (13-126-36)
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)
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)
Tell me, O honorable ones, of whatever supreme wonder you have heard or seen, whether in heaven or on earth. (13-126-39)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Then all the sages, humble, in the presence of Kṛṣṇa, beheld Janārdana with eyes resembling lotus petals. (13-126-45)
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)
Then all the sages appointed Nārada, who sees the gods and is skilled in words, to speak. (13-126-47)
O lord, whatever wonderful and inconceivable things have been experienced in the Himavat mountain by groups of sages devoted to pilgrimage— (13-126-48)
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)
Thus, having been addressed by the sages, the revered sage Nārada began to narrate the auspicious tale of previous events. (13-126-50)
