Bhagavatapurana 4.25: atha pañcaviṃśo'dhyāyaḥ

4.25.1

/0 maitreya uvāca
iti sandiśya bhagavān bārhiṣadair abhipūjitaḥ /
paśyatāṃ rāja-putrāṇāṃ tatraivāntardadhe haraḥ //

1. Maitreya said:—On having thus given his command and counsel the worshipful God Siva was devoutly worshipped by Prachetasas; and as the princes were looking on, God Hara became invisible at the very spot.

4.25.2

rudra-gītaṃ bhagavataḥ stotraṃ sarve pracetasaḥ /
japantas te tapas tepur varṣāṇām ayutaṃ jale //

2. All Prachetasas repeated the Hymn of the Almighty, sung by Rudra, and under water they performed Tapas for ten thousand years.

4.25.3

prācīnabarhiṣaṃ kṣattaḥ karmasv āsakta-mānasam /
nārado 'dhyātma-tattva-jñaḥ kṛpāluḥ pratyabodhayat //

3. O Vasudeva, (while Prachetasas were engaged in tapas) the sage Narada knowing the truth of Atman and full of mercy (came up) to impart true knowledge to Prachinabarhis whose mind was given to duties (sacrifices and other acts enjoined by the Vedas).

4.25.4

śreyas tvaṃ katamad rājan karmaṇātmana īhase /
duḥkha-hāniḥ sukhāvāptiḥ śreyas tan neha ceṣyate //

4. O King! what blessing dost thou endeavour to secure by these righteous duties? Is it the removal of pain or the realisation of pleasure? But in the opinion of the wise neither is admissible as a blessing here (i.e., to be secured by Karma or religious performances).

4.25.5

/0 rājovāca
na jānāmi mahā-bhāga paraṃ karmāpaviddha-dhīḥ /
brūhi me vimalaṃ jñānaṃ yena mucyeya karmabhiḥ //

5. The King said:— O blessed one! with my understanding entangled in Karma I know nothing else (or, I do not know what the highest blessing may be); be pleased to impart to me pure wisdom by which I may be freed from all Karma.

4.25.6

gṛheṣu kūṭa-dharmeṣu putra-dāra-dhanārtha-dhīḥ /
na paraṃ vindate mūḍho bhrāmyan saṃsāra-vartmasu //

6. In the household life characterised by deceitful feelings and activities, the person who regards, as his high purpose, his sons, wife and wealth, is (really) foolish and he does not attain the purpose (but only remains) wandering through the various courses of the worldly life (Samsara).

4.25.7

/0 nārada uvāca
bho bhoḥ prajāpate rājan paśūn paśya tvayādhvare /
saṃjñāpitāñ jīva-saṅghān nirghṛṇena sahasraśaḥ //

7. Narada said:— O Lord of men! O King! Consider (how) thou hast been so merciless as to kill thousands of animals in thy sacrifices.

4.25.8

ete tvāṃ sampratīkṣante smaranto vaiśasaṃ tava /
samparetam ayaḥ-kūṭaiś chindanty utthita-manyavaḥ //

8. These are waiting for thee, remembering thy cruelty; and with their iron horns they (would) tear thee in rage.

4.25.9

atra te kathayiṣye 'mum itihāsaṃ purātanam /
purañjanasya caritaṃ nibodha gadato mama //

9. On this point I shall tell thee the old story (handed down through ages); study the life of Puranjana, as I tell thee.

4.25.10

āsīt purañjano nāma rājā rājan bṛhac-chravāḥ /
tasyāvijñāta-nāmāsīt sakhāvijñāta-ceṣṭitaḥ //

10. There was a king well known as Puranjana of extensive learning. O king! he had a friend whose name and behaviour were not known. (or, but who is known by his work).

4.25.11

so 'nveṣamāṇaḥ śaraṇaṃ babhrāma pṛthivīṃ prabhuḥ /
nānurūpaṃ yadāvindad abhūt sa vimanā iva //

11. In quest of a safe abode (an asylum) that king traversed the earth (wandered over); when he did not find a fit place, he seemed to be disappointed.

4.25.12

na sādhu mene tāḥ sarvā bhūtale yāvatīḥ puraḥ /
kāmān kāmayamāno 'sau tasya tasyopapattaye //

12. Seeking after pleasures he did not consider all the cities on the face of the earth, fit to afford him convenience for the realisation of various pleasures.

4.25.13

sa ekadā himavato dakṣiṇeṣv atha sānuṣu /
dadarśa navabhir dvārbhiḥ puraṃ lakṣita-lakṣaṇām //

13. Continuing his search on the southern heights of the Himalayas he found on a certain day a city of nine openings (entrances) exhibiting every excellence in structure,

4.25.14

prākāropavanāṭṭāla- parikhair akṣa-toraṇaiḥ /
svarṇa-raupyāyasaiḥ śṛṅgaiḥ saṅkulāṃ sarvato gṛhaiḥ //

14. —with ramparts, gardens, balconies, moats, windows and festoons, with crests of gold, silver and iron and studded with houses on every side.

4.25.15

nīla-sphaṭika-vaidūrya- muktā-marakatāruṇaiḥ /
kḷpta-harmya-sthalīṃ dīptāṃ śriyā bhogavatīm iva //

15. It was in splendour radiant like Bhogavati; the floors of its mansions being inlaid with azure stones, diamonds, topazes, pearls, emeralds and rubies.

4.25.16

sabhā-catvara-rathyābhir ākrīḍāyatanāpaṇaiḥ /
caitya-dhvaja-patākābhir yuktāṃ vidruma-vedibhiḥ //

16 There were in it courts, courtyards, paved streets, gambling houses, and markets, and it was adorned with villas, flags, banners, platforms built of coral (slabs).

4.25.17

puryās tu bāhyopavane divya-druma-latākule /
nadad-vihaṅgāli-kula- kolāhala-jalāśaye //

17. Now in the park outside the city, which looked inviting with grand trees and creepers, and tanks resounding with the wild sports of humming bees and birds;

4.25.18

hima-nirjhara-vipruṣmat- kusumākara-vāyunā /
calat-pravāla-viṭapa- nalinī-taṭa-sampadi //

18. And there in lotus ponds the stalks and leaves nodded gently to the wind blowing from flower-beds and laden with spray from cool rills; and there abounded tender shoots and branches on the banks of rich lotus ponds;

4.25.19

nānāraṇya-mṛga-vrātair anābādhe muni-vrataiḥ /
āhūtaṃ manyate pāntho yatra kokila-kūjitaiḥ //

19. To which spot, free from the fear of various wild animals behaving like sages, the traveller thinks himself invited by the notes of the Cuckoo;

4.25.20

yadṛcchayāgatāṃ tatra dadarśa pramadottamām /
bhṛtyair daśabhir āyāntīm ekaika-śata-nāyakaiḥ //

20. There he perceived a damsel of surpassing beauty coming in by chance, attended by ten servants, each leading a hundred (behind him).

4.25.21

añca-śīrṣāhinā guptāṃ pratīhāreṇa sarvataḥ /
anveṣamāṇām ṛṣabham aprauḍhāṃ kāma-rūpiṇīm //

21. She was guarded on all sides by her attendant, a five-hooded serpent; though not of age, she was in quest of a consort and looked the embodiment of loveliness;

4.25.22

sunāsāṃ sudatīṃ bālāṃ sukapolāṃ varānanām /
sama-vinyasta-karṇābhyāṃ bibhratīṃ kuṇḍala-śriyam //

22. She was a young lady with well-formed nose and beautiful rows of teeth, graceful mouth and well-set ears set off with the splendour of her ear-rings.

4.25.23

piśaṅga-nīvīṃ suśroṇīṃ śyāmāṃ kanaka-mekhalām /
padbhyāṃ kvaṇadbhyāṃ calantīṃ nūpurair devatām iva //

23. She looked beautiful with her golden waist and well-formed limbs, of azure complexion, with her belt of gold and in moving about on foot adorned with sweet sounding anklets and was very like unto a goddess.

4.25.24

stanau vyañjita-kaiśorau sama-vṛttau nirantarau /
vastrāntena nigūhantīṃ vrīḍayā gaja-gāminīm //

24. Her breasts, like symmetrical balls, knit together indicated the advent of youth; while out of shyness, she hid them under cover of her upper garment and walked (in state) like an elephant.

4.25.25

tām āha lalitaṃ vīraḥ savrīḍa-smita-śobhanām /
snigdhenāpāṅga-puṅkhena spṛṣṭaḥ premodbhramad-bhruvā //

25. Struck with her captivating glance (arrow) provided with the hilt of the corner of her eye and proceeding from the bow of her brows quickened with love, the hero spoke in winning accents to her who looked charming with her bashful smiles.

4.25.26

kā tvaṃ kañja-palāśākṣi kasyāsīha kutaḥ sati /
imām upa purīṃ bhīru kiṃ cikīrṣasi śaṃsa me //

26. “Who art thou, O nymph! with eyes beautiful like lotus”? Whose art thou? Whence thou here? What dost thou wish to do here in the out-skirts of the city? O timid nymph! Pray tell me.

4.25.27

ka ete 'nupathā ye ta ekādaśa mahā-bhaṭāḥ /
etā vā lalanāḥ subhru ko 'yaṃ te 'hiḥ puraḥ-saraḥ //

27. “Who are these that follow thee-these eleven proud attendants? And who are these young ladies, O damsel! of graceful brows, and what is this Cobra that goes before thee”?

4.25.28

tvaṃ hrīr bhavāny asy atha vāg ramā patiṃ vicinvatī kiṃ munivad raho vane /
tvad-aṅghri-kāmāpta-samasta-kāmaṃ kva padma-kośaḥ patitaḥ karāgrāt //

28. “(I surmise that) thou like a sage in secrecy in the forest, art the goddess Hree or Parvati or Saraswati or Lakshmi come in search of her Lord, who is surely accomplished of all purpose through the love he bears to thy feet. Where has the lotus dropped from thy hand”?

4.25.29

nāsāṃ varorv anyatamā bhuvi-spṛk purīm imāṃ vīra-vareṇa sākam /
arhasy alaṅkartum adabhra-karmaṇā lokaṃ paraṃ śrīr iva yajña-puṃsā //

29. “O Beauty! thou art not any one of these (mortal women) in touch with the earth, and it is fit that thou gracest this city together with the greatest hero (myself) who will distinguish himself for great exploits (in thy service), just as Sri (Goddess Lakshmi), in espousing the Lord of sacrifices graces the highest region (Vaikunta).

4.25.30

yad eṣa māpāṅga-vikhaṇḍitendriyaṃ savrīḍa-bhāva-smita-vibhramad-bhruvā /
tvayopasṛṣṭo bhagavān mano-bhavaḥ prabādhate 'thānugṛhāṇa śobhane //

30. “This Almighty Manmatha commissioned by thee with thy bashful smiles and rolling brows has pierced my heart with thy side glance and very much harasses me. Therefore, O brilliant one! be gracious (unto me)”.

4.25.31

tvad-ānanaṃ subhru sutāra-locanaṃ vyālambi-nīlālaka-vṛnda-saṃvṛtam /
unnīya me darśaya valgu-vācakaṃ yad vrīḍayā nābhimukhaṃ śuci-smite //

31. “O fair-browed one, please lift up and show me thy face of fair eyes, overshadowed with dark locks falling about from above, (winning) with sweet accents, though not turned towards me through bashfulness, O one of bright smiles!”

4.25.32

/0 nārada uvāca
itthaṃ purañjanaṃ nārī yācamānam adhīravat /
abhyanandata taṃ vīraṃ hasantī vīra mohitā //

32. Narada said:— O warrior! the woman also conceived a passion, smiled; and reciprocated the courtesy of Puranjana the hero who entreated her with a doubting heart.

4.25.33

na vidāma vayaṃ samyak kartāraṃ puruṣarṣabha /
ātmanaś ca parasyāpi gotraṃ nāma ca yat-kṛtam //

33. We do not distinctly know who is our Maker, O Bull among

men! or what name has been given to me or to another (Thyself).

4.25.34

ihādya santam ātmānaṃ vidāma na tataḥ param /
yeneyaṃ nirmitā vīra purī śaraṇam ātmanaḥ //

34. We know that we are now here in this city and nothing beyond it, nor do we know who made this city for his abode (which is our asylum) O brave one!

4.25.35

ete sakhāyaḥ sakhyo me narā nāryaś ca mānada /
suptāyāṃ mayi jāgarti nāgo 'yaṃ pālayan purīm //

35. These men and women, O defender of self-respect! are my friends; when I sleep this serpent keeps awake watching the city.

4.25.36

diṣṭyāgato 'si bhadraṃ te grāmyān kāmān abhīpsase /
udvahiṣyāmi tāṃs te 'haṃ sva-bandhubhir arindama //

36. Fortunately thou hast come. Hail to thee and thou seekest (low) pleasure (gratifying to the senses); I shall obtain them for thee through the help of my relations, O Vanquisher of foes.

4.25.37

imāṃ tvam adhitiṣṭhasva purīṃ nava-mukhīṃ vibho /
mayopanītān gṛhṇānaḥ kāma-bhogān śataṃ samāḥ //

37. O Lord, take possession of this city of nine faces (entrances) and enjoy for hundred years, the desired pleasures procured by me.

4.25.38

kaṃ nu tvad-anyaṃ ramaye hy arati-jñam akovidam /
asamparāyābhimukham aśvastana-vidaṃ paśum //

38. Whom else, ignorant of pleasure, devoid of discretion, careless of the end of life and not knowing what to do to-morrow or to-day, like unto a beast, would I (care to) delight?

4.25.39

dharmo hy atrārtha-kāmau ca prajānando 'mṛtaṃ yaśaḥ /
lokā viśokā virajā yān na kevalino viduḥ //

39. The objects of life proper to a house-holder are indeed righteous duties, wealth and pleasures, the joy of having issue, salvation, reputation, swarga and other regions, beyond the range of cares and anxieties and impurity (sin) — all which ascetics cannot realise (think of).

4.25.40

pitṛ-devarṣi-martyānāṃ bhūtānām ātmanaś ca ha /
kṣemyaṃ vadanti śaraṇaṃ bhave 'smin yad gṛhāśramaḥ //

40. The order of house-holder's life is spoken of as the safe

asylum in this Samsara of Pitris, the gods, Rishis, and men and other beings as well as one's own self.

4.25.41

kā nāma vīra vikhyātaṃ vadānyaṃ priya-darśanam /
na vṛṇīta priyaṃ prāptaṃ mādṛśī tvādṛśaṃ patim //

41. O heroic one! what woman like me would not accept a renowned, generous, and loving personage of lovely face like thee for her Lord?

4.25.42

kasyā manas te bhuvi bhogi-bhogayoḥ striyā na sajjed bhujayor mahā-bhuja /
yo 'nātha-vargādhim alaṃ ghṛṇoddhata- smitāvalokena caraty apohitum //

42. What woman's heart in the world could not be taken captive, O long-armed one! by the arms, (long) like unto the body of the serpent, of thee who goest forth to relieve from distress the helpless by means of thy charming looks imbued with compassion.

4.25.43

/0 nārada uvāca
iti tau dam-patī tatra samudya samayaṃ mithaḥ /
tāṃ praviśya purīṃ rājan mumudāte śataṃ samāḥ //

43. Narada said:—O king! the couple having thus mutually made their contract entered the city and lived a life of delights for a century.

4.25.44

upagīyamāno lalitaṃ tatra tatra ca gāyakaiḥ /
krīḍan parivṛtaḥ strībhir hradinīm āviśac chucau //

44. At every step being sweetly sung by bards, engaged in sports and surrounded by women, he went down to a pool in summer.

4.25.45

saptopari kṛtā dvāraḥ puras tasyās tu dve adhaḥ /
pṛthag-viṣaya-gaty-arthaṃ tasyāṃ yaḥ kaścaneśvaraḥ //

45. There were seven gateways in the upper (front) part of the city and two in the lower (at the back) parts for the passage of several things and in it there was also some one as its ruler (master).

4.25.46

pañca dvāras tu paurastyā dakṣiṇaikā tathottarā /
paścime dve amūṣāṃ te nāmāni nṛpa varṇaye //

46. (Of the entrances) five are on the east (in the front), one on the south and one again in the north; and the (remaining) two are on the west (at the back); I shall tell you their names, O king!

4.25.47

khadyotāvirmukhī ca prāg dvārāv ekatra nirmite /
vibhrājitaṃ janapadaṃ yāti tābhyāṃ dyumat-sakhaḥ //

47. Khadyota (firefly) and Avirmukhe (open face), the two eastern entrances are adjacently placed; and through them the friend of Dyumat goes to the country of Vibhrajita (light).

4.25.48

nalinī nālinī ca prāg dvārāv ekatra nirmite /
avadhūta-sakhas tābhyāṃ viṣayaṃ yāti saurabham //

48. Nalini and Naulini, two other openings on the east are

also placed adjacent to each other; and the friend of Avadhuta (free lance) goes through them to the country of Sourabha (perfumes).

4.25.49

mukhyā nāma purastād dvās tayāpaṇa-bahūdanau /
viṣayau yāti pura-rāḍ rasajña-vipaṇānvitaḥ //

49. The fifth opening on the east is called Mukhya (the main gate) and through it the Lord of the city goes to the two countries of Apana and Bahudana, accompanied by Rasajna and Vipana.

4.25.50

pitṛhūr nṛpa puryā dvār dakṣiṇena purañjanaḥ /
rāṣṭraṃ dakṣiṇa-pañcālaṃ yāti śrutadharānvitaḥ //

50. The entrance on the south of the city is called Pitrihu and Puranjana goes to the kingdom of South Panchala accompanied by Srutadhara.

4.25.51

devahūr nāma puryā dvā uttareṇa purañjanaḥ /
rāṣṭram uttara-pañcālaṃ yāti śrutadharānvitaḥ //

51. On the north is the opening Devahu and Puranjana goes through it to the North Panchala kingdom accompanied by Srutadhara.

4.25.52

āsurī nāma paścād dvās tayā yāti purañjanaḥ /
grāmakaṃ nāma viṣayaṃ durmadena samanvitaḥ //

52. One entrance on the west is called Asuri and through it Puranjana goes to the country of Gramaka accompanied by Durmada.

4.25.53

nirṛtir nāma paścād dvās tayā yāti purañjanaḥ /
vaiśasaṃ nāma viṣayaṃ lubdhakena samanvitaḥ //

53. Niruti is the other entrance on the west and through it Puranjana goes to the country of Vaisasa (Horrible) accompanied by Lubdhaka.

4.25.54

andhāv amīṣāṃ paurāṇāṃ nirvāk-peśaskṛtāv ubhau /
akṣaṇvatām adhipatis tābhyāṃ yāti karoti ca //

54. Of these (various) citizens, two are blind, Nirvak and Pesaskrit; and with these the Lord of those that are endowed with senses goes out and goes about his work.

4.25.55

sa yarhy antaḥpura-gato viṣūcīna-samanvitaḥ /
mohaṃ prasādaṃ harṣaṃ vā yāti jāyātmajodbhavam //

55. When in the harem with Vishucheena, he is subject to delusion, cheerfulness and joy arising from his wife and children.

4.25.56

evaṃ karmasu saṃsaktaḥ kāmātmā vañcito 'budhaḥ /
mahiṣī yad yad īheta tat tad evānvavartata //

56. Given to such activities the unwise king full of desires came to be deceived; he was doing only what the queen would do.

4.25.57

kvacit pibantyāṃ pibati madirāṃ mada-vihvalaḥ /
aśnantyāṃ kvacid aśnāti jakṣatyāṃ saha jakṣiti //

57. Sometimes when she drinks wine, he drinks and remains in intoxication; sometimes he messes when she messes, and he chews when she chews.

4.25.58

kvacid gāyati gāyantyāṃ rudatyāṃ rudati kvacit /
kvacid dhasantyāṃ hasati jalpantyām anu jalpati //

58. Now he sings when she sings; weeps when she weeps and laughs when she laughs, and talks when she talks.

4.25.59

kvacid dhāvati dhāvantyāṃ tiṣṭhantyām anu tiṣṭhati /
anu śete śayānāyām anvāste kvacid āsatīm //

59. Now he runs she running and stands she standing; she lying on bed he does so and now he sits up she sitting up.

4.25.60

kvacic chṛṇoti śṛṇvantyāṃ paśyantyām anu paśyati /
kvacij jighrati jighrantyāṃ spṛśantyāṃ spṛśati kvacit //

60. Now again he listens; and he sees as she sees; and now she smells, he also smells; and she touching he touches.

4.25.61

kvacic ca śocatīṃ jāyām anu śocati dīnavat /
anu hṛṣyati hṛṣyantyāṃ muditām anu modate //

61. And now again when she laments he also laments as if in grief; feels glad when she is glad and rejoices when she is rejoiced,

4.25.62

vipralabdho mahiṣyaivaṃ sarva-prakṛti-vañcitaḥ /
necchann anukaroty ajñaḥ klaibyāt krīḍā-mṛgo yathā //

62. Thus deceived by his queen as well as by his own entire nature, though unwilling, he is given, in his ignorance and powerlessness, to mere imitation like a deer kept for amusement.