14.006
Vyāsa said.
Here too, O Bhārata, an ancient history is mentioned—the conversation between Bṛhaspati and Marutta. (14-6-1)
When Marutta, the king, heard that the agreement of the king of gods was made by Āṅgirasa, he became angry at that time. (14-6-2)
Having mentally resolved upon the sacrifice, the grandson of Karandhama approached Bṛhaspati and the eloquent one spoke these words. (14-6-3)
O Lord, having previously approached you, O ascetic, I made the resolve for the sacrifice at your word, O teacher. (14-6-4)
I desire to sacrifice him; I have collected the necessary requisites; I am fit to be sacrificed for you, O noble one; therefore, obtain him and perform (the rite). (14-6-5)
Bṛhaspati said;
O king, I do not wish to have you perform a sacrifice; I have been chosen by the king of the gods, and this has been promised to me by him. (14-6-6)
Marutta said;
I am an ancestral field of yours; I hold it in high regard and cherish it greatly for you. Nor have I become unfit for sacrifice. Accept me, who am devoted to you. (14-6-7)
Bṛhaspati said.
Having performed the sacrifice for the immortal one, I will not perform it for any human. O Marutta, go if you wish or do not, for today I have ceased conducting sacrifices. (14-6-8)
I will not be the one to cause you to perform the sacrifice today; choose, O mighty-armed one, whichever officiating priest here you desire—whoever will perform the sacrifice for you. (14-6-9)
Vyāsa said.
When thus addressed, King Marutta became ashamed. Anxious, he turned back and saw Nārada on the road. (14-6-10)
After Nārada, the divine sage, arrived, the king stood with joined palms as was proper. Then Nārada spoke to him. (14-6-11)
O royal sage, you do not seem excessively delighted; I hope all is well with you, O sinless one. Where have you gone, and from where do I know that you have arrived at a place of displeasure? (14-6-12)
If I must hear something, O king, tell it to me, O best of kings. I will remove your anger by every effort, O lord of men. (14-6-13)
Thus, having been addressed by Nārada the great sage, Marutta reported in full to him all the deception by his teacher. (14-6-14)
I went to see Bṛhaspati, the son of Aṅgiras and preceptor of the gods, as a priest for the sacrifice, but he did not welcome me. (14-6-15)
O Nārada, I have been rejected by him, and today I do not wish to live. Abandoned by the preceptor and disgraced, I am.
Thus, when addressed by the king, Nārada replied, as though reviving Āvikṣita with his words, O great king. (14-6-17)
O king, Samvarta, the righteous son of Aṅgiras, wanders in all directions wearing only the quarters as his clothing, bewildering all beings. (14-6-18)
Go to him; if Bṛhaspati does not wish to conduct your sacrifice, O great king, the gracious Saṁvarta will undertake your sacrificial rite. (14-6-19)
Marutta said;
Nārada, I have been revived by this statement of yours. O best of speakers, tell me where Saṃvarta is so that I may see him. (14-6-20)
How should I behave towards him, and how might he not abandon me? Having been rejected even by him, I am not able to live. (14-6-21)
Nārada said.
He roams about in the guise of a madman, wandering as he wishes, but he repeatedly frequents the city of Vārāṇasī. (14-6-22)
When you approach her door, place a corpse there somewhere. Whoever, having seen that, turns back—that is Saṃvarta, O king. (14-6-23)
You should follow him from behind wherever that powerful one may go. Having approached him in solitude, you should seek shelter with folded hands. (14-6-24)
If I should ask you, 'By whom was I spoken about to you?'—you, as if tormented, O destroyer of enemies, should say, 'By Nārada.' (14-6-25)
If he tries to follow you with the desire to reach me, you should, without any suspicion, say that I too have mounted the fire. (14-6-26)
Vyāsa said.
He, having promised "so be it" and honored Nārada, and having received his permission, the royal sage went to the city of Vārāṇasī. (14-6-27)
There, having gone as was instructed, he of great fame placed the dead body at the city gate, remembering the words of Nārada. (14-6-28)
At the same time, the Brāhmaṇa and he entered the city gate; then, upon seeing the dead body, he suddenly turned back. (14-6-29)
Āvikṣita, the king, having perceived Saṃvarta returning, followed him from behind with joined palms in order to learn from him. (14-6-30)
He, having seen the king alone, sprinkled him with dust, mud, phlegm, and spit. (14-6-31)
Thus, even while being afflicted by Saṁvarta, the king followed the sage with joined palms, earnestly seeking his favor. (14-6-32)
Then Saṁvarta, having withdrawn and exhausted, sat down beneath a banyan tree with many branches and cool shade. (14-6-33)
