13.144
Greatness of Durvasa;
Yudhishthira said.
O Madhusūdana, tell (me) about the completion in the worship of a brāhmaṇa. You are the knower of this and its meaning, as even the grandfather Brahmā knows you. (13-144-1)
Vasudeva said.
O king, O bull among the Bharatas, O best of the Kurus, listen attentively as I truly speak to you the qualities of the twice-born. (13-144-2)
Pradyumna, provoked by the Brāhmaṇas, thoroughly questioned: "O Madhusūdana, what is the benefit for Brāhmaṇas in worship—both here in this world and in the next—of the Supreme Lord?" (13-144-3)
O honour-giver, after always worshipping the twice-born, what is the fruit there? O father, please tell me all this; I have a very great doubt here. (13-144-4)
When Pradyumna had thus spoken, O great king, I replied to you; now, hear attentively what I said. (13-144-5)
O Raukmiṇeya, learn from me the section concerning worship of the Brāhmaṇa. These Soma-kings are truly the lords of happiness and sorrow. (13-144-6)
O son of Rukmiṇī, whether in this world or the next, I have no happiness where brāhmaṇas are paramount—this is certain. (13-144-7)
Energy, life, fame, glory, strength, the worlds, and the lords of the worlds—all these, headed by the Brāhmaṇa, exist with the Brāhmaṇa at the forefront. (13-144-8)
Therefore, O child, how could I not honor them, (even if I think) 'I am the Lord'? O mighty-armed one, do not harbor anger here towards the twice-born. (13-144-9)
The Brāhmaṇa, verily, is a great being in this world and the next; when angered, those who see things directly could turn this entire world into ashes. (13-144-10)
Others too may create worlds and lords of worlds likewise; how could I not exist among them, possessing perfect knowledge and great splendour? (13-144-11)
Dear one, a tawny-brown brāhmaṇa, living in my house, wearing bark garments, carrying a bilva staff, and with a long beard and nails, who on earth exceeded tall men and all men in stature. (13-144-12)
He indeed moves among the worlds, among both gods and humans, singing these verses at crossroads and in assemblies. (13-144-13)
Who would let Durvasa, an honored Brāhmaṇa, stay in their house? And after hearing my insults, who indeed would give me shelter? Whoever lets me stay, must not provoke me here. (13-144-14)
No one truly esteems him; therefore, I gave him shelter. He at times eats the food of thousands, at times only a little, and does not return again to the houses. (13-144-16)
He suddenly laughs and likewise suddenly weeps. At that time, there was no one on earth equal to him in age. (13-144-17)
He went to our residence, burned the beds, coverings, and adorned maidens, and then departed on his own. (13-144-18)
Then, that sage of firm vow said to me again, hurriedly: "Kṛṣṇa, I want to eat milk-rice." (13-144-19)
But always, by me, the person in his house who knows the mind has already been instructed before that all foods and drinks, and all kinds of edibles, both high and low, should be made honored thus. (13-144-20)
Then I offered the hot rice pudding. After he had eaten it, he quickly said these words: "Quickly anoint your limbs with the rice pudding." (13-144-21)
Without thinking, I did just that; then with those leftovers, I rubbed my limbs and my head as well. (13-144-22)
He saw your mother with an auspicious face nearby at that time, and smiling, he also anointed her with payasa (rice pudding). (13-144-23)
The sage swiftly yoked her, whose body was smeared with rice-pudding, to the chariot. Mounting the chariot, he left my house. (13-144-24)
The Brāhmaṇa, blazing and of fiery color, like a charioteer, struck the young Rukmini with a goad before my eyes. (13-144-25)
Nor did I have even a little pain caused by jealousy at that time. Then he departed outside by the great royal road. (13-144-26)
Having seen that great wonder, the Daśārhas, whose anger had arisen, there did not speak to one another; some conversed with each other. (13-144-27)
Brāhmaṇas alone should be born, and in no way another class. For who else could possibly live here, having ascended this chariot? (13-144-28)
Snake poison is intense; but even more intense is another poison. For one who is burned by the poison of the Brahman-snake, there is absolutely no healer. (13-144-29)
As Durdharṣa proceeded on the path, Rukmiṇī stumbled. The illustrious Kṛṣṇa could not tolerate this and promptly urged the chariot onward. (13-144-30)
Then, extremely enraged, the brāhmaṇa leapt down from his chariot and, on foot, ran along the side of the road, facing south. (13-144-31)
I chased him as he ran along a wrong path, O best of the twice-born. In the same way, being smeared with rice-milk, I said, "Be gracious, O venerable one." (13-144-32)
Then, having seen, the radiant brāhmaṇa said to me: "O Kṛṣṇa, you have already conquered anger by nature, O mighty-armed one." (13-144-33)
O well-vowed one, I have not seen any fault of yours here; I am pleased with you, O Govinda. Choose whichever wishes you desire. And now, O dear one, see my favor granted as is proper. (13-144-34)
To whatever extent people have regard for food, just so will they have regard for you, as is their regard for food. (13-144-35)
As long as your auspicious fame endures in the worlds, for that long you will possess distinction throughout the three worlds. You will be most dear to all beings, O Janardana. (13-144-36)
O Janārdana, whatever is broken and burnt and whatever has been destroyed, all this you will see just so, or as something special. (13-144-37)
O Madhusudana, as long as this is smeared on your body, there is no fear of death, so long as it is your wish, O Acyuta. (13-144-38)
But, O son, when your sole was smeared at first, indeed, he said to me, "This is not pleasing to me." Thus addressed, I beheld my own body endowed with splendour. (13-144-39)
Having been pleased, (he) spoke to Rukmini: "O beautiful one, among all women you shall obtain the highest fame and unsurpassed glory in the world." (13-144-40)
O beautiful lady, neither old age nor disease nor discoloration will affect you; auspicious scents will touch you, and you will worship Kṛṣṇa. (13-144-41)
Of the sixteen thousand brides of Keśava, indeed you shall be the foremost and reside in the same world with Keśava. (13-144-42)
Having said "your mother," then again he spoke to me; the greatly brilliant Durvāsa, blazing like fire, departed. (13-144-43)
Let this alone be your understanding towards the brāhmaṇas, O Keśava. Having spoken thus, he then, O son, disappeared right there. (13-144-44)
When he had vanished, I took on the upāṃśu vow; O Lord, whatever the Brāhmaṇa might say, I resolved to do all of it. (13-144-45)
O son, after performing this vow together with your mother, I then, with a most delighted heart, entered the house.
As soon as I entered the house, I saw that everything was new; whatever was broken and whatever was burnt, it was done by that Brāhmaṇa, O son. (13-144-47)
Then, O son of Rukmiṇī, having seen everything new and steadfast, I became filled with wonder and did not honor the brāhmaṇa mentally at that time. (13-144-48)
Thus, O best of the Bharatas, I narrated all the greatness of the foremost among twice-born to Rukmini’s son when he inquired. (13-144-49)
Therefore, O son of Kunti, you also, O lord, should always honor the greatly fortunate Brāhmaṇas with words and with gifts at all times. (13-144-50)
Thus, I have reached the dawn through the favour of the Brāhmaṇas. And what Bhīṣma here has told me, O best of the Bharatas, is true. (13-144-51)
