Devibhagavatapurana 3.19: ekonaviṃśo'dhyāyaḥ | rājasaṃvādavarṇanam

3.19.1

vyāsa uvāca |
bhartrā sā'bhihitā bālāṃ putrīṃ kṛtvāṅkasaṃsthitām |
uvāca vacanaṃ ślakṣṇaṃ samāśvāsya śucismitām ||

3.19.2

kiṃ vṛthā sudati tvaṃ hi vipriyaṃ mama bhāṣase |
pitā te duḥkhamāpnoti vākyenānena suvrate ||

3.19.3

sudarśano'tidurbhāgyo rājyabhraṣṭo nirāśrayaḥ |
balakośavihīnaśca parityaktastu bāndhavaiḥ ||

That Sudars'ana is very unfortunate, deprived of his kingdom, helpless, void of wealth and army, abandoned by his friends, exiled with his mother in the forest, subsisting on roots and fruits, lean and thin. Thus he is not worthy of becoming the husband of yours. There are many learned, beautiful, approved of all, qualified with all royal marks, princes fit to become your husband. They all will come in this Svayamvara.

3.19.4

mātrā saha vanaṃ prāptaḥ phalamūlāśanaḥ kṛśaḥ |
na te yogyo varo'yaṃ vai vanavāsī ca durbhagaḥ ||

3.19.5

rājaputrāḥ kṛtaprajñā rūpavantaḥ susammatāḥ |
tavārhāḥ putri santyanye rājacihnairalaṅkṛtāḥ ||

3.19.6

bhrātā'sya vartate kāntaḥ sa rājyaṃ kosaleṣu vai |
karoti rūpasampannaḥ sarvalakṣaṇasaṃyutaḥ ||

There is one brother of this Sudars'ana, who is endowed with all kingly qualifications, beautiful, and qualified in various other ways. He is the king of the Kosala country.

3.19.7

anyacca kāraṇaṃ subhru śṛṇu yacca yathā śrutam |
yudhājitsatataṃ tasya vadhakāmo'sti bhūmipaḥ ||

There is another point worth consideration; please hear it. The King Yudhâjit is trying his best to kill Sudars'ana on a befitting opportunity.

3.19.8

dauhitraḥ sthāpitastena rājye kṛtvā'tisaṅgaram |
vīrasenaṃ nṛpaṃ hatvā sammantrya sacivaiḥ saha ||

He already counselled with his ministers and killed in a desperate fight the king Vîrasena and installed his daughter’s son on the throne.

3.19.9

bhāradvājāśramaṃ prāptaṃ hantukāmaḥ sudarśanam |
muninā vāritaḥ paścājjagāma nijamandiram ||

Even he came up so far as the hermitage of Bhâradvâja to kill Sudars'ana; afterwards he was prevented by the Munis from doing so then he returned home.”

3.19.10

śaśikalovāca |
mātarmamepsitaḥ kāmaṃ vanastho'pi nṛpātmajaḥ |
śaryātivacanenaiva sukanyā ca pativratā ||

S’as’ikalâ replied:-- “Mother! That prince, though staying in the forest, is approved of by me; under the advice S’aryâti, the chaste Sukanyâ married Chyavana Muni and served her husband all along; so I will marry this king’s son and will always be engaged in serving him. The women are able to attain heaven and emancipation, if they serve their husbands; therefore if we be sincere in serving our husbands, we will no doubt be happy.

3.19.11

cyavanañca yathā prāpya patiśuśrūṣaṇe ratā |
bhartṛśuśrūṣaṇaṃ strīṇāṃ svargadaṃ mokṣadaṃ tathā ||

3.19.12

akaitavakṛtaṃ nūnaṃ sukhadaṃ bhavati striyāḥ |
bhagavatyā samādiṣṭaṃ svapne varamanuttamam ||

I have seen in my dream that the Goddess Bhagavatî has ordained him to be my husband; how can I now accept any other body as my husband than him?

3.19.13

tamṛte'haṃ kathaṃ cānyaṃ saṃśrayāmi nṛpātmajam |
maccittabhittau likhito bhagavatyā sudarśanaḥ ||

The Devî Bhuvanes’varî has pictured his frame firmly in my heart; I will never be able to leave my dearest beautiful husband and to contract marriage with any other person.”

3.19.14

taṃ vihāya priyaṃ kāntaṃ kariṣye'haṃ na cāparam |
vyāsa uvāca |
pratyādiṣṭā'tha vaidarbhī tayā bahunidarśanaiḥ ||

Vyâsa said:-- Thus the mother, the daughter of the King of Videha, found many signs and at last desisted. She then reported to the King all the words of S’as’ikalâ.

3.19.15

bhartāraṃ sarvamācaṣṭa putryoktaṃ vacanaṃ bhṛśam |
vivāhasya dinādarvāgāptaṃ śrutasamanvitam ||

When S’as’ikalâ, on the day before the marriage day, became very anxious and, sent in a great hurry, one trustworthy Brâhmin, versed in the Vedas to the hermitage of Bhâradvâja with this message “O Brâhman, go in such a way to Sudars’ana, as my father be not able to know about it and tell Sudars'ana all my words.

3.19.16

dvijaṃ śaśikalā tatra preṣayāmāsa satvaram |
yathā na veda me tātastathā gaccha sudarśanam ||

3.19.17

bhāradvājāśrame brūhi madvākyāttarasā vibho |
pitrā me sambhṛtaḥ kāmaṃ madarthena svayaṃvaraḥ ||

My father has called in for my marriage a Svayambara ceremony; many powerful kings will attend with their armies; O Deva! The Goddess Bhagavatî has ordered me in dream and accordingly I, with full gladness of my heart, have become yours already in my heart.

3.19.18

āgamiṣyanti rājāno balayuktā hyanekaśaḥ |
mayā tvaṃ vai vṛtaścitte sarvathā prītipūrvakam ||

3.19.19

bhagavatyā samādiṣṭaḥ svapne mama suropama |
viṣamadmi hutāśe vā prapatāmi pradīpite ||

Rather I will take poison or I will jump in a blazing fire, than I can obey my father’s and mother’s words and marry another.

3.19.20

varaye tvadṛte nānyaṃ pitṛbhyāṃ preritā'pi vā |
manasā karmaṇā vācā saṃvṛtastvaṃ mayā varaḥ ||

By my mind, word, and deed, I have selected you my husband; and pleasure and happiness is sure to attend on us by the blessings of the Bhagavatî.

3.19.21

bhagavatyāḥ prasādena śarmāvābhyāṃ bhaviṣyati |
āgantavyaṃ tvayātraiva daivaṃ kṛtvā paraṃ balam ||

Please depend unto Her, at Whose command this whole universe, moving and unmoving is resting, unto that Great Destiny and come to this place without fail.

3.19.22

yadadhīnaṃ jagatsarvaṃ vartate sacarācaram |
bhagavatyā yadādiṣṭaṃ na tanmithyā bhaviṣyati ||

What the Goddess, whose commands S’ankara all the other Devas obey, has ordered, can never turn out false.

3.19.23

yadvaśe devatāḥ sarvā vartante śaṅkarādayaḥ |
vaktavyo'sau tvayā brahmannekānte vai nṛpātmajaḥ ||

O Brâhmin! You the foremost amongst the virtuous; do therefore call on that King’s son in privacy and speak out all there to him. What shall I say more to you. Do all that my object may be fullfilled.”

3.19.24

yathā bhavati me kāryaṃ tatkartavyaṃ tvayānagha |
ityuktvā dakṣiṇāṃ dattvā munirvyāpāritastayā ||

Thus saying, she gave the Brâhmin his Daksinâ and sent him to Sudars’ana. He went there and reported all the matter duly to him and quickly returned back.

3.19.25

gatvā sarvaṃ nivedyāśu tatra pratyāgato dvijaḥ |
sudarśanastu tajjñātvā niścayaṃ gamane tadā ||

On coming to know all this, Sudars’ana determined to start; and the Mahârsi Bhâradvâja, with gladness, sent him.

3.19.26

cakāra muninā tena preritaḥ paramādarāt |
vyāsa uvāca |
gamanāyodyataṃ putraṃ tamuvāca manoramā ||

Vyâsa said:-- Seeing her son ready to start, the mother Manoramâ became very sorry and, trembling and shedding tears, thus spoke to her son.

3.19.27

vepamānā'tiduḥkhārtā jātatrāsā'śrulocanā |
kutra gacchasi putrādya samāje bhūbhṛtāṃ kila ||

“Sudars’ana! Where are you going now? How do you dare to go there in the Svayamvara alone, where are present kings and all your terrible enemies. O Son! You are as yet a boy. The King Yudhâjit will certainly go there with the object of killing you; there will then is no other body to help you. So you should never go to that place.

3.19.28

ekākī kṛtavairaśca kiṃ vicintya svayaṃvare |
yudhājiddhantukāmastvāṃ sameṣyati mahīpatiḥ ||

3.19.29

na te'nyo'sti sahāyaśca tasmānmā vraja putraka |
ekaputrātidīnāsmi tavādhārā nirāśrayā ||

You are my only son; I am very poor and helpless; I have no other to lean upon than you; therefore you ought not to throw me in despair at this moment.

3.19.30

nārhasi tvaṃ mahābhāga nirāśāṃ kartummadya mām |
pitā te nihato yena so'pi tatrāgato nṛpaḥ ||

See Sudars’ana! The King Yudhâjit who had slain my father, that uncontrollable king will come there; if you go there alone, he will certainly kill you.”

3.19.31

ekākinaṃ gataṃ tatra yudhājittvāṃ haniṣyati |
sudarśana uvāca |
bhavitavyaṃ bhavatyeva nātra kāryā vicāraṇā ||

Sudars'ana replied “Mother! What is inevitable will certainly come to pass; there is no need to discuss further on the subject. I will go at the command of the World Mother to that assembly hall
Svayamvara.

3.19.32

ādeśācca jaganmāturgacchāmyadya svayaṃvare |
mā śokaṃ kuru kalyāṇi kṣatriyā'si varānane ||

O Auspicious one! Do not give vent to sorrow; I do fear none by the grace of the Bhagavatî.”

3.19.33

na bibhemi prasādena bhagavatyā nirantaram |
vyāsa uvāca |
ityuktvā rathamāruhya gantukāmaṃ sudarśanam ||

Vyâsa said:-- Thus saying, Sudars’ana mounted on his chariot and was ready to start. Seeing this Manoramâ began to bless him and so cheer him.

3.19.34

dṛṣṭvā manoramā putramāśīrbhiścānvamodayat |
agrataste'mbikā pātu pārvatī pātu pṛṣṭhataḥ ||

O Son! Let Ambikâ Devî protect your front; Padmalochanâ protect your back; Pârvatî, your two sides; S’ivâ Devî, all around you; Vârâhî, in dreadful paths; Durgâ, in royal forts, Kâlikâ, in terrible fights; Parames'varî, in the platform hall; Mâtamgî, in the Svayamvara hall; Bhavanî, the Avertress of world, amidst the kings; Girijâ, in mountain passes; Chamundâ, in the sacrificial ground, and let the eternal Kâmagâ, protect you in the forests.

3.19.35

pārvatī pārśvayoḥ pātu śivā sarvatra sāmpratam |
vārāhī viṣame mārge durgā durgeṣu karhicit |
kālikā kalahe ghore pātu tvāṃ parameśvarī ||

3.19.36

maṇḍape tatra mātaṅgī tathā saumyā svayaṃvare |
bhavānī bhūpamadhye tu pātu tvāṃ bhavamocanī ||

3.19.37

girijā giridurgeṣu cāmuṇḍā catvareṣu ca |
kāmagā kānaneṣvevaṃ rakṣatu tvāṃ sanātanī ||

3.19.38

vivāde vaiṣṇavī śaktiravatāttvāṃ raghūdvaha |
bhairavī caraṇe saumya śatrūṇāṃ vai samāgame ||

O Descendant of Raghu family! Let the Vaisnavî force protect you in quarrels; let Bhairavî protect you in battles and amongst your enemies.

3.19.39

sarvadā sarvadeśeṣu pātu tvāṃ bhuvaneśvarī |
mahāmāyā jagaddhātrī saccidānandarūpiṇī ||

O Son! Let the Mahâ Mâyâ Jagaddhâtrî Bhuvanes’varî protect you everywhere and at all times.

3.19.40

vyāsa uvāca |
ityuktvā taṃ tadā mātā vepamānā bhayākulā |
uvācāhaṃ tvayā sārdhamāgamiṣyāmi sarvathā ||

Vyâsa said:-- Then Manoramâ, speaking thus to him, trembled with fear and again said:-- “O Sudars’ana, I will also accompany you; there will not be otherwise.

3.19.41

nimiṣārdhaṃ vinā tvāṃ vai nāhaṃ sthātumihotsahe |
sahaiva naya māṃ vatsa yatra te gamane matiḥ ||

I will never be able to remain anywhere without you and even for the twinkling of an eye. O Son, carrry me thither where you are desiring to go.”

3.19.42

ityuktvā niḥsṛtā mātā dhātreyīsaṃyutā tadā |
viprairdattāśiṣaḥ sarve niryayurharṣasaṃyutāḥ ||

Thus saying, his mother with her attendants was ready to start. The Brâhmanas pronounced their blessings. All then went out.

3.19.43

vārāṇasyāṃ tataḥ prāpto rathenaikena rāghavaḥ |
jñātaḥ subāhunā tatra pūjitaścārhaṇādibhiḥ ||

Sudars’an, the descendant of the Raghu family, mounted then alone on his chariot and reached Benares. There the King Subâhu, hearing that he had come, welcomed him and worshipped him with various presents.

3.19.44

niveśārthaṃ gṛhaṃ dattamannapānādikaṃ tathā |
sevakaṃ samanujñāpya paricaryārthameva ca ||

He gave him, the house for his residence, and made arrangements for his food and drink and other necessary requirements and gave order to his servants to wait on the prince.

3.19.45

militāstvatha rājāno nānādeśādhipāḥ kila |
yudhājidapi samprāpto dauhitreṇa samanvitaḥ ||

Then, from various quarters, the kings assembled together; and Yudhâjit, too, came there accompanied by his daughter’s son, S’atrujit.

3.19.46

karūṣādhipatiścaiva tathā madreśvaro nṛpaḥ |
sindhurājastathā vīro yoddhā māhiṣmatīpatiḥ ||

The King of Karûsa, the King of Madra, the King of Sindhu, the King of Mâhîsmatî, the valiant warriors, the King of Pânchâla, the kings of the mountainous tract, the King of Karnat, the powerful King of Kâmarûpa, the King of Chola, and the very powerful King of Vidarbhas with 180 Aksauhinî soldiers all arrived and assembled there. Benares was then crowded all over with soldiers and soldiers.

3.19.47

pāñcālaḥ parvatīyaśca kāmarūpo'tivīryavān |
kārṇāṭaścoladeśīyo vaidarbhaśca mahābalaḥ ||

3.19.48

akṣauhiṇī triṣaṣṭiśca militā saṅkhyayā tadā |
veṣṭitā nagarī sā tu sainyaiḥ sarvatra saṃsthitaiḥ ||

3.19.49

ete cānye ca bahavaḥ svayaṃvaradidṛkṣayā |
militāstatra rājāno varavāraṇasaṃyutāḥ ||

Many other kings came there on their beautiful elephants to witness the Svayamvara ceremony.

3.19.50

anyonyaṃ nṛpaputrāsta ityūcurmilitāstadā |
sudarśano nṛpasuto hyāgato'sti nirākulaḥ ||

Then the princes began to talk amongst them “The King’s son Sudars’ana, too, had come there and is staying unconfused and calm.

3.19.51

ekākī rathamāruhya mātrā saha mahāmatiḥ |
vivāhārthamihāyātaḥ kākutsthaḥ kiṃ nu sāmpratam ||

Is it that the high minded Sudars’ana, born of the Kâkutstha family, had come there on a chariot, helpless, to marry?

3.19.52

etān rājasutāṃstyaktvā sasainyānsāyudhānatha |
kimenaṃ rājaputrī sā variṣyati mahābhujam ||

Can it be that the princess will overlook these Kings with soldiers and weapons, and select the long armed Sudars’ana?”

3.19.53

yudhājidatha rājeśastānuvāca mahīpatīn |
ahamenaṃ haniṣyāmi kanyārthe nātra saṃśayaḥ ||

Then the King Yudhâjit addressed all the other kings “I will slay Sudars’ana for the sake of the daughter; there is no doubt in this.”

3.19.54

keralādhipatiḥ prāha taṃ tadā nītisattamaḥ |
nātra yuddhaṃ prakartavyaṃ rājannicchāsvayaṃvare ||

Hearing Yudhâjit's words, the king of Keral, the foremost of those who know morals, began to say:-- “O king! In this Ichchhâ svayamvara, it is not proper to fight. Here there will be no marriage for the prowess; there is no arrangement fixed to steal away the bride elect by force; here the bride will select of her own free choice; what cause can then there crop up here for quarrels?

3.19.55

balena haraṇaṃ nāsti nātra śulkasvayaṃvaraḥ |
kanyecchayā'tra varaṇaṃ vivādaḥ kīdṛśastviha ||

3.19.56

anyāyena tvayā pūrvamasau rājyātpravāsitaḥ |
dauhitrāyārpitaṃ rājyaṃ balavannṛpasattama ||

Before, you had driven him out of his kingdom; and though you are the superior king, you have taken his kingdom by force and installed your daughter’s son on the throne.

3.19.57

kākutstho'yaṃ mahābhāga kosalādhipateḥ sutaḥ |
kathamenaṃ rājaputraṃ haniṣyasi nirāgasam ||

O King! This Sudars’an is born of the Kâkutstha family and the son of the King of Kosala. Why would you kill this innocent boy?

3.19.58

lapsyase tatphalaṃ nūnamanayasya nṛpottama |
śāstāsti kaścidāyuṣmañjagato'sya jagatpatiḥ ||

O Long lived! Better be sure that there is some God of this Universe; He is governing all; and if you commit anything wrongful know that you will get the fruit of that due to you; there is no doubt it
this.

3.19.59

dharmo jayati nādharmaḥ satyaṃ jayati nānṛtam |
mānayaṃ kuru rājendra tyaja pāpamatiṃ kila ||

O King! There is victory everywhere of the Truth and Dharma, always you find Adharma and Falsehood defeated. Therefore dost thou forsake your evil and mean intentions and pacify your vile mind.

3.19.60

dauhitrastava samprāptaḥ so'pi rūpasamanvitaḥ |
rājyayuktastathā śrīmānkathaṃ taṃ na variṣyati ||

Your daughter's son is also present here; he is beautiful and prosperous and is reigning a kingdom. Why will not that bride elect him as bridegroom?

3.19.61

anye rājasutāḥ kāmaṃ vartante balavattarāḥ |
kanyāsvayaṃvare kanyā svīkariṣyati sāmpratam ||

Consider again that there are many other powerful princes and kings in this Svayamvara; the princess may select them also. Therefore let all the kings assembled here say that if the selection of the bridegroom be performed in that way, what cause of a quarrel can there crop up? Knowing all these, you ought not to quarrel here.”
Thus ends the Nineteenth Chapter on the going to the Svayamvara assembly of Sudars’ana and the other kings in the Mahâ Purânam S’rî Mad Devî Bhâgavatam of 18,000 verses, by Mahârsi Veda Vyâsa.

3.19.62

vṛte tathā vivādaḥ kaḥ pravadantu mahībhujaḥ |
parasparaṃ virodho'tra na kartavyo vijānatā ||

3.19.62.c1

iti śrīmaddevībhāgavate mahāpurāṇe'ṣṭādaśasāhasryāṃ saṃhitāyāṃ tṛtīyaskandhe rājasaṃvādavarṇanaṃ nāmaikonaviṃśo'dhyāyaḥ ||