Paumacariya 17
English (machine translation) 17
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17.1
When only a little time had passed, many various visible signs / manifesting pregnancy arose in the body of Mahendra's daughter:
17.2
Her breasts became plump and elevated with dark nipples, her waist expanded; / weighed down by the burden of pregnancy, she walked with a slow gait.
17.3
By these signs, Pavanañjaya's mother recognized [it], / and said: "You have conceived, sinful woman, while your beloved husband is away!"
17.4
Bowing her head, she related the entire arrival of Pavanañjaya, / and showed the signet ring as proof; yet her mother-in-law was not appeased.
17.5
Then Ketumatī said: "He who would not even utter your name, / how could he, having gone to a distant land, return again?
17.6
Fie! Fie, wicked woman! You have sullied our spotless family, / bringing forth an act that is despicable in the world!"
17.7
Having thus rebuked her in many ways, Ketumatī / commanded a servant there: "Take her quickly to her father's house!"
17.8
Having received the order, he quickly mounted Añjanā together with her friend / upon a chariot, and took them toward the city of Mahendra.
17.9
Arriving in a moment, the vile man left [her] near the great city; / having asked for forgiveness, he returned, just as the sun set.
17.10
When darkness set in, the young woman began to lament, / uttering cries of despair and looking in all ten directions.
17.11
And she said: "O Vasantamālā, some terrible sin was committed by me in the past, / by which this drum of ill fame has been beaten for me upon the earth!
17.12
Before even one sorrow born of separation from my beloved has passed away, / another has arrived for me, connected with scandal!
17.13
Why did the Creator, as if knowingly, fashion this body of mine / to be an abode of immense sorrow, without obtaining any pleasure or happiness?"
17.14
And Vasantamālā said: "Child, what is the use of weeping in the forest? / What was fashioned by past deeds must be experienced without dejection."
17.15
On a bed prepared by Vasantamālā with a pillow of sprouts, / she slept, finding sleep for a moment, and then fell into an ocean of worries.
17.16
Then at sunrise, as she, with a dejected face, was entering the ancestral city / along with her friend, she was stopped by the gatekeeper.
17.17
When questioned, Vasantamālā explained to the gatekeeper / the entire matter of Añjanā's arrival, beginning with Pavanañjaya.
17.18
Then that gatekeeper named Śilākavāṭa went / and reported that entire account to King Mahendra.
17.19
Hearing that his daughter had arrived with scandal, as related by the gatekeeper, / Mahendra became ashamed and hung his head down.
17.20
Then Mahendra's son, Prasannakīrti, grew enraged and said thus: / "Expel this evil-doing girl! She is a disgrace to the family!"
17.21
A feudatory named Mahotsāha said: "This is not proper! / Be a refuge to your daughter; a woman's treasure is her mother [and father]!
17.22
That Ketumatī is exceedingly cruel, worldly-minded; / this maiden is innocent, O lord, yet she was banished by her!"
17.23
King Mahendra said: "Even previously it was heard by me that / Pavanañjaya disliked her; therefore, there is doubt regarding the pregnancy.
17.24
Let there be no scandal for me as well on account of her defilement!" / And he said to the gatekeeper: "Quickly drive [her] away from the city!"
17.25
Then, having received the order, the gatekeeper quickly / banished Añjanā together with her friend from the city into a foreign realm.
17.26
With tender hands and feet, walking on a path rough with sharp stones and uneven thorns, / she suffered extreme exhaustion.
17.27
Whatever kinsman's house she approached seeking shelter, / from every one of them men sent by the king turned her away.
17.28
Thus driven away pitilessly by all the people, / she entered a terrible forest, which would cause fear even to men,
17.29
abounding in various mountains, covered with various trees, / vast, boundless, and infested with all kinds of beasts.
17.30
Afflicted by wind and heat, her body tormented by thirst and hunger,
the young woman, halting in a secluded spot, lamented:
17.31
"Alas, wretched me! Smitten by destiny, the causer of various sorrows,
like a causeless enemy, to whom shall I go for refuge?
17.32
For women separated from their husbands, their father’s home is a shelter;
but for me, devoid of merit, even he has become like an enemy.
17.33
Only so long is a woman dear to the hearts of mother, father, and kinsmen,
as long as her husband does not expel her from his own house.
17.34
Only so long do women have fortune, auspiciousness, and high esteem,
as long as the husband bears the precious happiness of love.
17.35
Mother, father, and brother—after showing such affection,
how has everything been destroyed for me, who am free from fault?
17.36
Neither my mother-in-law nor indeed my father, out of foolish delusion,
examined the root-leaf of the disgrace, the reality of the fault!"
17.37
As Añjanā was thus weeping in various ways, restraining her,
Vasantamālā said: "Mistress, listen to my words!
17.38
Look, young lady, behold a pleasant cave close by;
let us go there quickly, for here are frightful wild beasts.
17.39
May no mishap befall the unborn child!" Having spoken thus, Vasantamālā,
holding her hand to support her, led her swiftly to the cave's entrance.
17.40
And there she saw a monk seated comfortably on a flat rock,
endowed with supernatural powers such as cāraṇa flight, mounted in yoga, devoid of delusion.
17.41
Folding their hands with palms together, devoutly revering the foremost sage,
both of them sat down right there, their bodies freed of fear.
17.42
Meanwhile, his meditation and concentration complete, the monk, granting
the blessing of dharma to the young women, asked: "To what land do you belong?"
17.43
Then, having bowed to the monk, Vasantamālā related the story:
"She is the daughter of Mahīndra, Añjanā by name,
17.44
the wife of Pavanañjaya. Falsely blamed by the world because of pregnancy,
abandoned by her kinsmen, she has entered this forest.
17.45
For what reason has she become hateful to her beloved and her mother-in-law?
By the ripening of what karma does she suffer this great sorrow?
17.46
And what soul of little merit has been born in her womb,
for whose sake, O illustrious one, her very life has fallen into jeopardy?"
17.47
Then he, Amitagati, endowed with three forms of knowledge, related everything—
the karma generated in past lives, with clear and manifest meaning, just as it occurred:
17.48
"Here in the excellent Jambūdvīpa, in Mandirapura, lived a man named Priyanandin;
his noble wife was Jayā, and their son was Damayanta.
17.49
Now on a certain occasion, Damayanta went out to an excellent garden;
surrounded by a retinue of townspeople, immersed in an ocean of pleasure, he amused himself.
17.50
Having enjoyed himself there for a long time, he saw a monk rich in virtues;
going into his presence and hearing the dharma, he was awakened.
17.51
Having given acceptable food, sevenfold pure in disposition, to the noble sage,
devoted to self-restraint, penance, and vows, at his death he was born an exalted god.
17.52
Bearing a divine, spotless body and enjoying heavenly happiness for a long time,
he fell and arrived here in Jambūdvīpa, in the excellent city,
17.53
born as the son of Harivāhana in the womb of Priyaṅgulakṣmī,
named Sīhacanda, master of all arts, handsome.
17.54
His mind devoted to the Jina's dharma, after his death he became, in an excellent celestial vehicle,
a god of great supernatural power, an abode of prosperity, fame, and fortune.
17.55
Having enjoyed divine bliss from there as well, falling right here onto Mount Vaitāḍhya,
he was born in the womb of Kanakodarī as the son of Sukaṇṭha.
17.56
Then, as Sīhavāhana, having ruled the city of Aruṇa for a long time,
he renounced the world in the presence of Lakṣmīdhara during the sacred era of Vimala Jina.
17.57
Having performed noble austerities and observed self-restraint through the power of penance,
he was born as a god of divine form in the Lāntava heaven.
17.58
Having enjoyed that excellent celestial happiness, falling [from there] due to past karmas,
this soul entered the womb of the daughter of Mahīndra.
17.59
Thus has the origin of this unborn child been related to you, good lady!
Now hear the cause of the deep pain of separation suffered by your mistress.
17.60
In a previous birth she was the young chief queen Kanakodarī;
at that time there was a second, a co-wife of hers named Lakṣmī.
17.61
Her mind purified by right view, that Lakṣmī set up an image of the Jina,
worshiped it with a devoted mind, and praised it with hundreds of auspicious hymns.
17.62
Then, fiercely enraged at her co-wife, Kanakodarī
took the image of the Siddha and placed it outside the house.
17.63
At that time, an āryikā named Saṁyamaśrī, wandering through the city for alms,
saw the image outside the house.
17.64
Knowing the essence of ultimate truth, the āryikā said to Kanakodarī:
'Good lady! Hear the words that are beneficial and salutary for you.
17.65
Wandering through hells and animal rebirths, bound by its own sins,
a soul attains human status with great difficulty, through the remnant of [good] karma.
17.66
You have obtained that very human birth and an exalted lineage;
possessing such virtues, do not perform a despicable deed!
17.67
Whosoever, man or woman, opposes the Jinas and teachers in this living world,
wanders through saṁsāra, suffering thousands of miseries.'
17.68
Hearing the words of the āryikā, Kanakodarī was deeply awakened;
she zealously installed the image of the supreme Jina in a shrine.
17.69
Devoted to the householder's dharma, dying with the virtue of self-restraint,
she became a goddess, and falling [from heaven], she was born as this Añjanā.
17.70
Because she placed the image outside out of passion and hatred,
this great misery is now experienced by the princess.
17.71
Embrace the dharma of the supreme Jina, young lady, which destroys the misery of saṁsāra,
lest you wander again in the dreadful, terrifying ocean of worldly existence.
17.72
This child in your womb will become a son superior in virtues in the world;
he will attain the glory of the Vidyādharas and the virtue of right view.
17.73
In a few days, young lady, your reunion with your beloved will take place,
without doubt; abandon this fear!"
17.74
Devoutly revered by them, the monk, having bestowed a blessing upon them,
flew up into the sky and, steadfast, went to his own place.
17.75
In that cave-dwelling resembling a bedchamber, Vasantamālā prepared
everything—water, utensils, food, and the rest—by the application of her magical lore.
17.76
Thus gradually the sun, with all its retinue of rays, set,
and thick darkness, black as collyrium, spread out and advanced.
17.77
Just then there arrived a lion, with stout fangs and reddish mane,
its pair of eyes blazing, its tongue lolling out, like the god of death himself.
17.78
Seeing that lion, both of them, their faces stricken with fear, / wandered about without protection, gazing in all ten directions.
17.79
Seeing the enemy of lordly elephants standing just three cubits away, / Vasantamālā circled around Añjanā like an osprey in the sky.
17.80
"Alas, alas! You are undone, innocent one! First tortured by misfortune and separation, / abandoned by your kin, now again cornered by a lion!
17.81
Here is the daughter of Mahendra, the wife of Pavanañjaya, inside a cave / being devoured by a lion! O forest deity, protect her swiftly!"
17.82
Seeing this, a Gandharva named Maṇicūla who dwelt in the cave, / took the form of a śarabha and drove the five-faced beast out of the cave.
17.83
When fear of the lion was dispelled and life was restored, the young woman / sat down on the bed prepared by Vasantamālā.
17.84
Just then, the Gandharva was addressed by the goddess Cittamālā: / "My lord! Sing a song that will banish their sorrow!"
17.85
Then the Gandharva, holding an excellent vīṇā in his hand, / began to sing an enchanting song with his beloved, rich with the auspicious praise of the supreme Jina.
17.86
Hearing the sound of the song, both the daughter of Mahendra and Vasantamālā, / free from fear, remained there in the cave dwelling.
17.87
When morning came, with pure devotion they worshipped / the feet of Muni Suvrata with various kinds of water-born and land-born flowers.
17.88
Both dwelt there, their minds devoted to worship and praise of the Jina, / while the Gandharva guarded them carefully with effort.
17.89
Then one day, on the bed prepared by Vasantamālā, / Añjanā gave birth to an excellent boy, just as the eastern direction [gives birth] to the sun.
17.90
Through his power, the cave became endowed with blossoms and sprouts of excellent trees, / vocal with cuckoos, and echoing with the humming songs of bees.
17.91
Taking the boy into her lap, the innocent Añjanā wept: / "What shall I do for you, my child, unfortunate as I am in this wilderness?
17.92
If your birth had taken place in your father's home, my little son, / or in your maternal grandfather's house, there would have been great rejoicing!
17.93
It is by your grace that I live, my son, of this there is no doubt— / I who am forsaken by husband and kin, like a doe strayed from the herd!"
17.94
And Vasantamālā said: "Mistress, cast off all humiliation; / the word once declared by the great sage cannot prove false."
17.95
Hearing this lamentation of theirs, a Vidyādhara / accompanied by his entire retinue descended suddenly from the celestial expanse.
17.96
Entering the cave, he saw the two young women endowed with beauty; / with a compassionate heart, he asked: "Where have you come from?"
17.97
And Vasantamālā said: "O noble man! This is the daughter of King Mahendra, / named Añjanā indeed, the wife of the warrior Pavanañjaya.
17.98
He, on one occasion, having caused conception in her, / departed to his master's presence, and no one there knew of it.
17.99
And she, heavy with child, was seen by her mother-in-law, who, dull-witted in heart, / deemed her unchaste and quickly sent her away to her father's home.
17.100
And Mahendra too, terrified of severe scandal, turned her out; / together with me, she entered this dreadful wilderness.
17.101
Free from guilt, she gave birth to an excellent boy / in the last watch of the night today, inside the couch-cave."
17.102
When this was spoken, the Vidyādhara said: "Listen, good lady! / Citrabhānu by name was my father in the land of Kurudvīpa.
17.103
I am called Pratisūrya, born from the womb of Sundaramālā; / I am the brother of Sundarī of noble heart, the wife of Mahendra.
17.104
This young woman is my sister's daughter, forgotten after being seen long ago; / but through tokens of recognition and affection for kin, she is recognised."
17.105
Recognising her maternal uncle, Añjanā wept piteously there in the forest, / her body enveloped in intense sorrow, accompanied by Vasantamālā.
17.106
Restraining the weeping woman, Pratisūrya addressed an astrologer: / "Tell the conjunction of asterism and lunar day for this boy."
17.107
He said: "Today's day is Sunday, the eighth day of the dark fortnight of Caitra; / the asterism is Śravaṇa, and the yoga is declared to be Brahma.
17.108
The Sun is exalted in Aries; the Moon is well-placed in Capricorn; / Mars is in transit in Taurus; and Venus is exalted in Cancer.
17.109
Jupiter and Saturn are exalted in Pisces; and Mercury stands exalted in Virgo. / The planetary positions declare royal sovereignty for this boy.
17.110
O noble man! Auspicious was the muhūrta; the ascendant was Pisces at that time; / all the planets are favourable, situated in the houses of prosperity.
17.111
Thus the great portents are declared: having enjoyed strength, worldly pleasures, / and the prosperity of kingship, this boy will attain the bliss of perfection."
17.112
Then, having honoured the reader of the asterisms there, Pratisūrya / said: "Niece, let us depart for the city of Hanuruhana."
17.113
Then, departing from the cave after begging forgiveness from the resident deity, / she went through the expanse of the sky, mounted on an excellent golden celestial vehicle.
17.114
The boy, whose body rested in her lap, seeing a cluster of tinkling bells, / leaped up like a fish and fell onto a stone slab of the mountain.
17.115
Seeing her son fallen, Añjanā wept and said piteously: / "Having given me a treasure, my eyes have been robbed again!"
17.116
Then that daughter of Mahendra, together with Pratisūrya, descended, / crying out in dismay, and saw the boy on the rock surface.
17.117
His limbs and secondary limbs completely unharmed, the boy was gathered up by the utterly delighted woman; / then Pratisūrya also praised him with a joyous heart.
17.118
Mounted on the celestial chariot together with her son, Añjanā was quickly / ushered into the city of Hanuruha with many musical instruments and auspicious rites.
17.119
A great festival was celebrated for him by the delighted sky-dwellers, / just as Indra’s birth is celebrated by the gods in the world of the gods.
17.120
Because in his childhood the mountain was shattered to powder when he fell, / for that reason the name Śrīśaila was given by Pratisūrya.
17.121
Because he received such great honour in the city of Hanuruhana, / a second name, Hanumat, was assigned by his elders.
17.122
Bringing joy to the eyes of all, in form equal to a divine prince, / he remained playing in that city in happiness, dear to his mother's heart.
17.123
Thus, O men, hearing of the great, intensely sorrowful ripening of past deeds, / firm in self-restraint with upright hearts, be ever devoted to the pure dharma of the Jina!
17.124
Thus ends the seventeenth chapter, named 'The Manner of Hanumat's Birth', in the Paümacariya.
Linked texts (1)
- Paümacariya — Vimalasūri, Māhārāṣṭrī Prakrit