How Bharadvaja's Daughter Became the Wife of Indra (ch48)

 

MAHABHARATA

Shalya parva

CHAPTER 48
(Gadayuddha Parva ) – Continued

The story of Indra Tirtha

SYNOPSIS

The story narrates the tale of Shrutavati, the daughter of the sage Bharadvaja, born from a miraculous event involving the Apsara Ghritachi.

Renowned for her beauty and ascetic devotion, Shrutavati undertook severe penances to win the favor of Indra, the king of the celestials. Pleased with her devotion, Indra visited her hermitage, disguised as the sage Vashishtha. Upon meeting him, Shruvavati expressed her unwavering commitment to her ascetic vows aimed at winning Indra's favor. As a test of her devotion, Indra, disguised as a sage, instructed her to boil jujubes.

Despite obstacles, including the fire's extinguishing and the lack of fuel, Shrutavati demonstrated unwavering commitment, even burning her own limbs to complete the task. Acknowledging her dedication, Indra assured her that her penances would lead to the fulfillment of her desires, emphasizing that all achievements are rooted in penance. Impressed by her devotion, Indra appeared in his true form and granted her wish. He declared the site, later known as Vadarapachana, as a sacred Tirtha capable of cleansing sins.

Additionally, the story recounts the similar ascetic efforts of Arundhati, the wife of a sage, who won the favor of Lord Shiva through her penances during a twelve-year drought, also contributing to the sacredness of the site.

Shrutavati, after renouncing her body, became the celestial consort of Indra. The narrative highlights themes of devotion, perseverance, and the sanctification of sacred sites through ascetic practices and divine blessings.

वैशम्पायन उवाच
ततस्तीर्थवरं रामो ययौ बदरपाचनम् ।
तपस्विसिद्धचरितं यत्र कन्या घृतव्रता ॥१॥
भरद्वाजस्य दुहिता रूपेणाप्रतिमा भुवि ।
श्रुतावती नाम विभो कुमारी ब्रह्मचारिणी ॥ २ ॥

 
vaiśampāyana uvāca
tatastīrthavaraṃ rāmo yayau badarapācanam |
tapasvisiddhacaritaṃ yatra kanyā ghṛtavratā || 1 ||
bharadvājasya duhitā rūpeṇāpratimā bhuvi |
śrutāvatī nāma vibho kumārī brahmacāriṇī || 2 ||

Vaishampayana said

Rama then proceeded to the Tirtha called Vadarapachana where dwell many ascetics and Siddhas, there the daughter of Bharadvaja peerless on Earth for beauty, named Shruvavati, practiced severe austerities. She was a maiden who led the life of a Brahmacharini.

तपश्चचार साऽत्युग्रं नियमैर्बहुभिर्वृता ।
भर्ता मे देवराजः स्यादिति निश्चित्य भामिनी ॥ ३ ॥

tapaścacāra sā’tyugraṃ niyamairbahubhirvṛtā |
bhartā me devarājaḥ syāditi niścitya bhāminī || 3 ||

That beautiful damsel, observing various kinds of vows, practiced the austerest of penances, moved by the desire of obtaining the Lord of the celestials for her husband.

समास्तस्या व्यतिक्रान्ता बह्वयः कुरुकुलोद्वह ।
चरन्त्या नियमांस्तांस्तां स्त्रीभिस्तीव्रान् सुदुश्चरान् ॥४॥

 
samāstasyā vyatikrāntā bahvayaḥ kurukulodvaha |
carantyā niyamāṃstāṃstāṃ strībhistīvrān suduścarān || 4 ||

Many years passed away, O chief of Kuru's race, during which that damsel continually practiced those various kinds of exceedingly difficult for women to practice.

 
तस्यास्तु तेन वृत्तेन तपसा च विशाम्पते।
भक्त्या च भगवान् प्रीतः परया पाकशासनः ॥ ५ ॥

tasyāstu tena vṛttena tapasā ca viśāmpate|
bhaktyā ca bhagavān prītaḥ parayā pākaśāsanaḥ || 5 ||

The worshipful chastiser of Paka at last became pleased with her, for her penances and reverence shown to him.

आजगामाश्रमं तस्यास्त्रिदशाधिपतिः प्रभुः ।
आस्थाय रूपं विप्रर्षेर्वसिष्ठस्य महात्मनः ॥ ६ ॥

ājagāmāśramaṃ tasyāstridaśādhipatiḥ prabhuḥ |
āsthāya rūpaṃ viprarṣervasiṣṭhasya mahātmanaḥ || 6 ||

The powerful Lord of the celestials then came to that hermitage, having assumed the form of the great Rishi Vashishtha.

सा तं दृष्ट्वाग्रतपसं वसिष्ठं तपतां वरम् ।
आचारैर्मुनिभिर्दृष्टैः पूजयामास भारत ॥ ७ ॥

sā taṃ dṛṣṭvāgratapasaṃ vasiṣṭhaṃ tapatāṃ varam |
ācārairmunibhirdṛṣṭaiḥ pūjayāmāsa bhārata || 7 ||

Seeing that best of ascetics, viz., Vashishtha, of the austerest penances, she adored him, O Bharata, according to the rites observed by ascetics.

उवाच नियमज्ञा च कल्याणी सा प्रियंवदा ।
भगवन् मुनिशार्दूल किमाज्ञापयसि प्रभो ॥ ८ ॥

uvāca niyamajñā ca kalyāṇī sā priyaṃvadā |
bhagavan muniśārdūla kimājñāpayasi prabho || 8 ||

Conversant with vows, the auspicious and sweet-speech damsel addressed him, saying - "O worshipful one, O foremost of ascetics, tell me your commands, O lord.

सर्वमद्य यथाशक्ति तव दास्यामि सुव्रत ।
शक्रभक्त्या च ते पाणिं न दास्यामि कथंचन । ९ ॥

sarvamadya yathāśakti tava dāsyāmi suvrata |
śakrabhaktyā ca te pāṇiṃ na dāsyāmi kathaṃcana || 9 ||

O you of excellent vows, I shall serve you, as much as I can. I will, however, not be able to marry you, for I seek Shakra.

व्रतैश्च नियमैश्चैव तपसा च तपोधन।
शक्रस्तोषयितव्यो वै मया त्रिभुवनेश्वरः ॥ १० ॥

vrataiśca niyamaiścaiva tapasā ca tapodhana |
śakrastoṣayitavyo vai mayā tribhuvaneśvaraḥ || 10 ||

I am propitiating Shakra, the lord of the three worlds, with vows and rigid observances and ascetic penances."

इत्युक्तो भगवान् देवः स्मयन्निव निरीक्ष्य ताम् ।
उवाच नियमं ज्ञात्वा सांत्वयन्निव भारत।। ११ ॥
उग्र तपश्चरसि वै विदिता मेऽसि सुव्रते ।
यदर्थमयमारम्भस्तव कल्याणि हृद्गतः ॥ १२ ॥

ityukto bhagavān devaḥ smayanniva nirīkṣya tām |
uvāca niyamaṃ jñātvā sāṃtvayanniva bhārata || 11 ||
ugra tapaścarasi vai viditā me’si suvrate |
yadarthamayamārambhastava kalyāṇi hṛdgataḥ || 12 ||

Thus addressed by her, the illustrious god, smiling as he looked at her and knowing her observances, addressed her sweetly, saying, "Your practices of penances are known to me, O you of excellent vows. The object cherished in your heart, for which you have been trying your best, O auspicious one, shall be accomplished. Everything is attained by penance. Everything depends on penances.

तच सर्वं यथाभूतं भविष्यति वरानने ।
तपसा लभ्यते सर्वं यथाभूतं भविष्यति ॥ १३ ॥
था स्थानानि दिव्यानि विबुधानां शुभानने ।
तपसा तानि प्राप्याणि तपोमूलं महत् सुखम् ॥ १४ ॥

taca sarvaṃ yathābhūtaṃ bhaviṣyati varānane |
tapasā labhyate sarvaṃ yathābhūtaṃ bhaviṣyati || 13 ||
thā sthānāni divyāni vibudhānāṃ śubhānane |
tapasā tāni prāpyāṇi tapomūlaṃ mahat sukham || 14 ||

All those sacred regions, O you beautiful damsel, that belong to the gods can be obtained by penances. Penances are the root of great happiness.

इति कृत्वा तपो घोरं देहं संन्यस्य मानवाः ।
देवत्वं यान्ति कल्याणि शृणुष्वैकं वचो मम ॥ १५ ॥

iti kṛtvā tapo ghoraṃ dehaṃ saṃnyasya mānavāḥ |
devatvaṃ yānti kalyāṇi śṛṇuṣvaikaṃ vaco mama || 15 ||

Those men who renounce their bodies after having practiced austere penances, obtain the status of gods, O auspicious one. Remember these words of mine.

पञ्च चैतानि सुभगे बदराणि शुभवते ।
पचेत्युक्त्वा तु भगवाञ्जगाम बलसूदनः ॥ १६ ॥
आमन्त्रयतां त कल्याणीं ततो जप्यं जजाप सः ।
तु अविदूरे ततस्तस्मादाश्रमात् तीर्थमुत्तमम् ॥ १७ ॥
इन्द्रतीर्थेति विख्यातं त्रिषु लोकेषु मानद ।

pañca caitāni subhage badarāṇi śubhavate |
pacetyuktvā tu bhagavāñjagāma balasūdanaḥ || 16 ||
āmantrayatāṃ ta kalyāṇīṃ tato japyaṃ jajāpa saḥ |
tu avidūre tatastasmādāśramāt tīrthamuttamam || 17 || 

indratīrtheti vikhyātaṃ triṣu lokeṣu mānada |

Do you now, O blessed damsel, boil these five jujubes, O you of excellent vows.' Having said these words, the worshipful slayer of Vala went away, taking leave, to recite mentally certain mantras at an excellent Tirtha not far from that hermitage. That Tirtha passed in the three worlds after the name of Indra, O giver of honors.

तस्या जिज्ञासनार्थं स भगवान् पाकशासनः ॥ १८ ॥
बरदाणामपचनं चकार विबुधाधिपः ।

tasyā jijñāsanārthaṃ sa bhagavān pākaśāsanaḥ || 18 ||
baradāṇāmapacanaṃ cakāra vibudhādhipaḥ |

Indeed, it was to test the damsel's devotion that the king of the celestials acted in that way to obstruct the boiling of the jujubes.

ततः प्रतप्ता सा राजन् वाग्यता विगतकुमा ॥ १९ ॥
तत्परा शुचिसंवीता पावके समधिश्रयत् ।

tataḥ prataptā sā rājan vāgyatā vigatakumā || 19 ||
tatparā śucisaṃvītā pāvake samadhiśrayat |

The damsel, O king, having purified himself, began her task; restraining speech and with fixed attention, she sat to her task, without experiencing the least fatigue.

अपचद् राजशार्दूल बदराणि महाव्रता ॥ २० ॥
तस्याः पतन्त्याः सुमहान् कालोऽगात् पुरुषर्षभ ।

apacad rājaśārdūla badarāṇi mahāvratā || 20 ||
tasyāḥ patantyāḥ sumahān kālo’gāt puruṣarṣabha |

Thus that damsel of high vows, O best of kings, began to boil those jujubes. As she sat employed in her work, O foremost of men, the day was almost gone, yet those jujubes showed no signs of softening.

न च स्म तान्यपच्यन्त दिनं च क्षयमभ्यगात् ॥ २१ ॥
हुताशनेन दग्धश्च यस्तस्याः काष्ठसंचयः ।

na ca sma tānyapacyanta dinaṃ ca kṣayamabhyagāt || 21 ||
hutāśanena dagdhaśca yastasyāḥ kāṣṭhasaṃcayaḥ |

The fuel she had there was all consumed. Seeing the fire about to extinguish owing to want of fuel, she began to burn her limbs.

 
अकाष्ठमग्नि सा दृष्ट्वा स्वशरीरमथादहत् ॥ २२ ॥
पादौ प्रक्षिप्य सा पूर्वं पावके चारुदर्शना ।
दग्धौ दग्धौ पुनः पादावुपावर्तयतानघ ॥ २३ ॥

akāṣṭhamagni sā dṛṣṭvā svaśarīramathādahat || 22 ||
pādau prakṣipya sā pūrvaṃ pāvake cārudarśanā |
dagdhau dagdhau punaḥ pādāvupāvartayatānagha || 23 ||

The beautiful maiden first dropped her feet into the fire. The innocent damsel sat still while her feet began to be consumed.

चरणौ दह्यमानौ च नाचिन्तयदनिन्दिता ।
कुर्वाणा दुष्करं कर्म महर्षिप्रियकाम्यया ॥ २४ ॥

caraṇau dahyamānau ca nācintayadaninditā |
kurvāṇā duṣkaraṃ karma maharṣipriyakāmyayā || 24 ||

The beautiful girl did not at all mind her burning feet. Though it was hard work, she did it out of the desire to do good to Rishi who had been her guest.

न वैमनस्यं तस्यास्तु मुखभेदोऽथवाभवत्।
शरीरमग्निनादीप्य जलमध्येऽव वहर्षिता ॥ २५ ॥

na vaimanasyaṃ tasyāstu mukhabhedo’thavābhavat|
śarīramagninādīpya jalamadhye’va vaharṣitā || 25 ||

Her face did not change its color under its agony, nor did she feel sorrow for it. Having thrust her limbs into the fire, she felt as much joy as if she had put them into cool water.

तच्चास्या वचनं नित्यमवर्तद्वृदि भारत ।
सर्वथा बदराण्येव पक्तव्यानीति कन्यका ॥ २६ ॥

taccāsyā vacanaṃ nityamavartadvṛdi bhārata |
sarvathā badarāṇyeva paktavyānīti kanyakā || 26 ||

The words of the Rishi, viz. -Cook these jujubes well were remembered by her, O Bharata.

सा तन्मनसि कृत्वैव महर्षेर्वचनं शुभा ।

अपचद् वदराण्येव न चापच्यन्त भारत ॥ २७ ॥

sā tanmanasi kṛtvaiva maharṣervacanaṃ śubhā |
apacad vadarāṇyeva na cāpacyanta bhārata || 27 ||

The auspicious damsel, recollecting those words of the great Rishi, began to cook those jujubes although the latter, O king, showed no signs of softening.

तस्यास्तु चरणौ वह्निर्ददाह भगवान् स्वयम् ।
न च तस्या मनो दुःखं स्वल्पमप्यभवत् तदा ॥ २८ ॥

 
tasyāstu caraṇau vahnirdadāha bhagavān svayam |
na ca tasyā mano duḥkhaṃ svalpamapyabhavat tadā || 28 ||

The worshipful Agni himself consumed her feet. For this, however, the maiden did not feel the slightest pain.

अथ तत् कर्म दृष्ट्वास्याः प्रीतिस्त्रिभुवनेश्वरः ।
ततः संदर्शयामास कन्यायै रूपमात्मनः ॥ २९ ॥

 
atha tat karma dṛṣṭvāsyāḥ prītistribhuvaneśvaraḥ |
tataḥ saṃdarśayāmāsa kanyāyai rūpamātmanaḥ || 29 ||

Beholding this act of her, the lord of the three worlds, became highly pleased. He then appeared in his own proper form before the damsel.

उवाच च सुरश्रेष्ठस्तां कन्यां सुदृढव्रताम् ।
प्रीतोऽस्मि ते शुभे भक्त्या तपसा नियमेन च ॥ ३० ॥

uvāca ca suraśreṣṭhastāṃ kanyāṃ sudṛḍhavratām |
prīto’smi te śubhe bhaktyā tapasā niyamena ca || 30 ||

The king of the celestials then addressed that maiden of very austere vows, saying - "I am pleased with your devotion, penances, and vows.

तस्माद् योऽभिमतः कामः स ते सम्पत्स्यते शुभे ।
देहं त्यक्त्वा महाभागे त्रिदिवे मयि वत्स्यसि ॥ ३१ ॥

tasmād yo’bhimataḥ kāmaḥ sa te sampatsyate śubhe |
dehaṃ tyaktvā mahābhāge tridive mayi vatsyasi || 31 ||

Your wish, therefore, O auspicious one, shall be accomplished. Renouncing body, O blessed one, you shall in heaven live with me.

 
इदं च ते तीर्थवरं स्थिरं लोके भविष्यति ।
सर्वपापापहं सुभ्रु नाम्ना बदरपाचनम् ॥ ३२ ॥
विख्यातं त्रिषु लोकेषु ब्रह्मर्षिभिरभिप्लुतम्।

idaṃ ca te tīrthavaraṃ sthiraṃ loke bhaviṣyati |
sarvapāpāpahaṃ subhru nāmnā badarapācanam || 32 ||
vikhyātaṃ triṣu lokeṣu brahmarṣibhirabhiplutam |

This hermitage, again, shall become the foremost of Tirthas in the world, capable of cleansing from every sin. O you of the fair eyebrows and shall pass by the name of Vadarapachana. It shall be celebrated in the three worlds and shall be lauded by great Rishis.

अस्मिन् खलु महाभागे शुभे तीर्थवरेऽनघे ॥ ३३ ॥
त्यक्त्वा सप्तर्षयो जग्मुर्हिमवन्तमरुन्धतीम् ।

asmin khalu mahābhāge śubhe tīrthavare’naghe || 33 ||
tyaktvā saptarṣayo jagmurhimavantamarundhatīm |

In this very Tirtha, O auspicious, sinless, and highly blessed one, the seven Rishis had once left Arundhati (the wife of one of them) while they went to Himavat.

ततस्ते वै महाभागा गत्वा तत्र सुसंशिताः ॥ ३४ ॥
वृत्त्यर्थं फलमूलानि समाहर्तुं ययुः किल ।

tataste vai mahābhāgā gatvā tatra susaṃśitāḥ || 34 ||
vṛttyarthaṃ phalamūlāni samāhartuṃ yayuḥ kila |

Those regenerate ones, of very rigid vows, had gone there to collect fruits and roots for their sustenance.

तेषां वृत्यर्थिना तत्र वसतां हिमवद्वने ॥ ३५ ॥

अनावृष्टिरनुप्राप्ता तदा द्वादशवार्षिकी ।

teṣāṃ vṛtyarthinā tatra vasatāṃ himavadvane || 35 ||
anāvṛṣṭiranuprāptā tadā dvādaśavārṣikī |

While they thus lived in a forest of Himavat to procure their food, a drought took place extending for twelve years.

ते 'कृत्वा चाश्रमं तत्र न्यवसन्त तपस्विनः ॥ ३६ ॥
अरुन्धत्यपि कल्याणी तपोनित्याभवत् तदा ।

te 'kṛtvā cāśramaṃ tatra nyavasanta tapasvinaḥ || 36 ||
arundhatyapi kalyāṇī taponityābhavat tadā |

Those ascetics, having made a hermitage for themselves, continued to live there. Meanwhile, Arundhati devoted herself to ascetic penances.

अरुन्धतीं ततो दृष्ट्वा तीव्रं नियममास्थिताम् ॥३७॥
अथागमत् त्रिनयनः सुप्रीतो वरदस्तदा ।

arundhatīṃ tato dṛṣṭvā tīvraṃ niyamamāsthitām || 37 ||
athāgamat trinayanaḥ suprīto varadastadā |

Beholding Arundhati practicing the austerest of vows, the boon-giving and three-eyed deity Mahadeva, highly gratified, came there.

ब्राह्मं रूपं ततः कृत्वा महादेवो महायशाः ॥ ३८ ॥
तामभ्येत्याब्रवीद् देवो भिक्षामिच्छाम्यहं शुभे ।

brāhmaṃ rūpaṃ tataḥ kṛtvā mahādevo mahāyaśāḥ || 38 ||
tāmabhyetyābravīd devo bhikṣāmicchāmyahaṃ śubhe |

Assuming the form of a Brahmana, the illustrious Mahadeva, came to her and said -I desire almas, O auspicious one!

प्रत्युवाच ततः सा तं ब्राह्मणं चारुदर्शना ॥ ३९ ॥
श्रीणाऽत्रसंचयो विप्र बदराणीह भक्षय ।

pratyuvāca tataḥ sā taṃ brāhmaṇaṃ cārudarśanā || 39 ||
śrīṇā’trasaṃcayo vipra badarāṇīha bhakṣaya |

The beautiful Arundhati said to him -Our food has been exhausted, O Brahmana. Do you eat jujubes?

ततोऽब्रवीन्महादेवः पचस्वैतानि सुव्रते ॥ ४० ॥
इत्युक्ता साऽपचत् तानि ब्राह्मणप्रियकाम्यया ।

tato’bravīnmahādevaḥ pacasvaitāni suvrate || 40 ||
ityuktā sā’pacat tāni brāhmaṇapriyakāmyayā |

Mahadeva replied -Cook these jujubes, O you of excellent vows. After these words, she began to cook those jujubes to please that Brahmana.

अधिश्रित्य समिद्धेऽग्नौ बदराणि यशस्विनी ॥ ४१ ॥
दिव्या मनोरमाः पुण्याः कथाः शुश्राव सा तदा ।
अतीता सा त्वनावृष्टिर्घोरा द्वादशवार्षिकी ॥ ४२ ॥

adhiśritya samiddhe’gnau badarāṇi yaśasvinī || 41 ||
divyā manoramāḥ puṇyāḥ kathāḥ śuśrāva sā tadā |
atītā sā tvanāvṛṣṭirghorā dvādaśavārṣikī || 42 ||

Placing those jujubes on the fire, the celebrated Arundhati listened to various excellent sounds, and sacred discourses (from the lips of Mahadeva). That twelve years, drought then passed away.

अनश्नन्त्याः पचन्त्याश्च शृण्वन्त्याश्च कथाः शुभाः ।
दिनोपमः स तस्याथ कालोऽतीतः सुदारुणः ॥ ४३ ॥

anaśnantyāḥ pacantyāśca śṛṇvantyāśca kathāḥ śubhāḥ |
dinopamaḥ sa tasyātha kālo’tītaḥ sudāruṇaḥ || 43 ||

Without food and employed in cooking and listening to those sacred topics, that terrible period passed away as if like a single day.

 
ततस्तु मुनयः प्राप्ताः फलान्यादाय पर्वतात् ।
ततः स भगवान् प्रीतः प्रोवाचारुन्धतीं ततः ॥ ४४ ॥
उपसर्गस्व धर्मज्ञे यथापूर्वमिमानृषीन् ।
प्रीतोऽस्मि तव धर्मज्ञे तपसा नियमेन त ॥ ४५ ॥

tatastu munayaḥ prāptāḥ phalānyādāya parvatāt |
tataḥ sa bhagavān prītaḥ provācārundhatīṃ tataḥ || 44 ||
upasargasva dharmajñe yathāpūrvamimānṛṣīn |
prīto’smi tava dharmajñe tapasā niyamena ta || 45 ||

Having collected fruits from the mountain, the seven Rishis returned there. The wonderful Mahadeva, highly pleased with Arundhati, said to her -Approach, as formerly, these Rishis, O righteous one! I have been satisfied with your penances and vows.

ततः संदर्शयामास स्वरूपं भगवान् हरः ।
ततोऽब्रवीत् तदा तेभ्यस्तस्याश्च चरितं महत् ॥ ४६॥

tataḥ saṃdarśayāmāsa svarūpaṃ bhagavān haraḥ |
tato’bravīt tadā tebhyastasyāśca caritaṃ mahat || 46 ||

The adorable Hara appeared there in his own form. Pleased, he spoke to them about the noble conduct of Arundhati (in these words).

 
भवद्भिर्हिमवत्पृष्ठे यत् तपः समुपार्जितम् ।
अस्याश्च यत् तपो विप्रा न समं तन्मतं मम ॥ ४७॥

bhavadbhirhimavatpṛṣṭhe yat tapaḥ samupārjitam |
asyāśca yat tapo viprā na samaṃ tanmataṃ mama || 47 ||

The ascetic merit, you Rishis, that this lady has acquired, is, I think, much greater than what you have earned on the breast of Himavat!

अनया हि तपस्विन्या तपस्तप्तं सुदुश्चरम् ।
अनश्नन्या पचन्त्या च समा द्वादश पारिताः ॥ ४८ ॥

 
anayā hi tapasvinyā tapastaptaṃ suduścaram |
anaśnanyā pacantyā ca samā dvādaśa pāritāḥ || 48 ||

The penances practiced by this lady have been highly austere, for she passed twelve years in cooking, herself fasting all the time.

ततः प्रोवाच भगवांस्तामेवारुन्धतीं पुनः ।
वरं वृणीष्व कल्याणि यत् तेऽभिलषितं हृदि ॥ ४९ ॥

tataḥ provāca bhagavāṃstāmevārundhatīṃ punaḥ |
varaṃ vṛṇīṣva kalyāṇi yat te’bhilaṣitaṃ hṛdi || 49 ||

Then, addressing Arundhati, Mahadeva said, Pray for any boon, O auspicious dame, you like.

साऽब्रवीत् पृथुताम्राक्षी देवं सप्तर्षिसंसदि ।
भगवान् यदि मे प्रीतस्तीर्थं स्यादिदमद्भुतम्॥५०॥
सिद्धदेवर्षिदयितं नाम्ना वरदपाचनम् ।
तथास्मिन् देवदेवेश त्रिरात्रमुषितः शुचिः ॥ ५१ ॥

sā’bravīt pṛthutāmrākṣī devaṃ saptarṣisaṃsadi |
bhagavān yadi me prītastīrthaṃ syādidamadbhutam || 50 || 

siddhadevarṣidayitaṃ nāmnā varadapācanam |
tathāsmin devadeveśa trirātramuṣitaḥ śuciḥ || 51 ||

Then that lady of large and red eyes addressed that god amid the seven Rishis, saying -If, O divine one, you are pleased with me, then let this place be an excellent Tirtha. Let it be known by the name of Vadarapachana and let it be the favorite resort of Siddhas and celestial Rishis!

प्राप्नुयादुपवासेन फलं द्वादशवार्षिकम् ।
एवमस्त्विति तां देवः प्रत्युवाच तपस्विनीम्॥ ५२ ॥

prāpnuyādupavāsena phalaṃ dvādaśavārṣikam |
evamastviti tāṃ devaḥ pratyuvāca tapasvinīm || 52 ||

May he, O god of gods, who observes a fast here and lives for three nights after having purified himself, obtain the fruit of a twelve-year fast.

सप्तर्षिभिः स्तुतो देवस्ततो लोकं ययौ तदा ।
ऋषयो विस्मयं जग्मुस्तां दृष्ट्वा चाप्यरुन्धतीम् ॥ ५३ ॥

saptarṣibhiḥ stuto devastato lokaṃ yayau tadā |
ṛṣayo vismayaṃ jagmustāṃ dṛṣṭvā cāpyarundhatīm || 53 ||

The gods answered her, saying -Let it be so. Lauded by the seven Rishis, the god then went to heaven.

अश्रान्तां चाविवर्णां च क्षुत्पिपासासमायुताम् ।
एवं सिद्धिः परा प्राप्ता अरुन्धत्या विशुद्धया ॥ ५४ ॥

aśrāntāṃ cāvivarṇāṃ ca kṣutpipāsāsamāyutām |
evaṃ siddhiḥ parā prāptā arundhatyā viśuddhayā || 54 ||

Indeed, the Rishis have been stricken with wonder on seeing the god and the chaste Arundhati herself as hale and hearty and capable of bearing hunger and thirst.

यथा त्वया महाभागे मदर्थं संशितव्रते ।
विशेषो हि त्वया भद्रे व्रते ह्यस्मिन् समर्पितः ॥ ५५ ॥

yathā tvayā mahābhāge madarthaṃ saṃśitavrate |
viśeṣo hi tvayā bhadre vrate hyasmin samarpitaḥ || 55 ||

Thus the pure-souled Arundhati, formerly, obtained the highest success, like you, O highly blessed lady, for my sake, O damsel of rigid Vows!

तथा चेदं ददाम्यद्य नियमेन सुतोषितः ।
विशेषं तव कल्याणि प्रयच्छामि वरं वरे ॥ ५६ ॥

अरुन्धत्या वरस्तस्या यो दत्तो वै महात्मना ।

तस्य चाहं प्रभावेण तव कल्याणि तेजसा ॥ ५७॥
प्रवक्ष्यामि परं भूयो वरमत्र यथाविधि ।
यस्त्वेकां रजनीं तीर्थे वत्स्यते सुसमाहितः ॥ ५८ ॥
स स्नात्वा प्राप्स्यते लोकान् देहन्यासात् सुदुर्लभान्।

tathā cedaṃ dadāmyadya niyamena sutoṣitaḥ |
viśeṣaṃ tava kalyāṇi prayacchāmi varaṃ vare || 56 ||
arundhatyā varastasyā yo datto vai mahātmanā |
tasya cāhaṃ prabhāveṇa tava kalyāṇi tejasā || 57 ||
pravakṣyāmi paraṃ bhūyo varamatra yathāvidhi |
yastvekāṃ rajanīṃ tīrthe vatsyate susamāhitaḥ || 58 ||
sa snātvā prāpsyate lokān dehanyāsāt sudurlabhān |

O amiable maiden, you have practiced severer penances. Gratified with your vows, I shall also grant you this special boon, O auspicious one, a boon that is superior to what was granted to Arundhati. Through the power of the great god who had granted that boon to Arundhati and through your own energy, O amiable one, I shall duly grant you another boon now, viz., that the person who will live in this Tirtha for only one night and bathe here with his mind concentrated, will, after renouncing his body, obtain many blissful regions that are difficult of acquisition.

 
इत्युक्त्वा भगवान् देवः सहस्राक्षः प्रतापवान् ॥ ५९ ॥
श्रुतावतीं ततः पुण्यां जगाम त्रिदिवं पुनः ।

ityuktvā bhagavān devaḥ sahasrākṣaḥ pratāpavān || 59 ||
śrutāvatīṃ tataḥ puṇyāṃ jagāma tridivaṃ punaḥ |

Having said these words of the pure Shrutavati, the thousand-eyed Shakra then went back to heaven.

गते वज्रधरे राजंस्तत्र वर्षं पपात ह ॥ ६० ॥
पुष्पाणां भरतश्रेष्ठ दिव्यानां पुण्यगन्धिनाम् ।

gate vajradhare rājaṃstatra varṣaṃ papāta ha || 60 ||
puṣpāṇāṃ bharataśreṣṭha divyānāṃ puṇyagandhinām |

After the wielder of the thunderbolt, O king, had gone, a shower of celestial flowers of sweet fragrance fell there, O Bharata's chief.

 
देवदुन्दुभयश्चापि नेदुस्तत्र महास्वनाः ।। ६१ ।।
मारुतश्च ववौ पुण्यः पुण्यगन्धो विशाम्पते ।

devadundubhayaścāpi nedustatra mahāsvanāḥ || 61 ||
mārutaśca vavau puṇyaḥ puṇyagandho viśāmpate |

Celestial kettle drums also, of loud sound, were beat there. Auspicious and perfumed breezes also blew there, O king.

उत्सृज्य तु शुभा देहं जगामास्य च भार्यताम् ॥ ६२ ॥
तपसोग्रेण तं लब्ध्वा तेन रेमे सहाच्युत ।

utsṛjya tu śubhā dehaṃ jagāmāsya ca bhāryatām || 62 ||
tapasogreṇa taṃ labdhvā tena reme sahācyuta |

The auspicious Shrutavati then renouncing her body, became the wife of Indra. Obtaining that dignity through austere penances, she began to pass her time, sporting with him."

जनमेजय उवाच
का तस्या भगवन् माता क्व संवृद्धा च शोभना ।
श्रोतुमिच्छाम्यहं विप्र परं कौतूहलं हि मे ॥ ६३ ॥

janamejaya uvāca
kā tasyā bhagavan mātā kva saṃvṛddhā ca śobhanā |
śrotumicchāmyahaṃ vipra paraṃ kautūhalaṃ hi me || 63 ||

Janamejaya said

"Who was the mother of Shrutavati and how was that fair damsel brought up? I desire to hear this, O Brahmana, for great is my curiosity.”

वैशम्पायन उवाच
भरद्वाजस्य विप्रर्षे: स्कन्नं रेतो महात्मनः ॥ ६४॥
दृष्ट्वाऽप्सरसभायान्तीं घृताचीं पृथुलोचनाम् ।

 
vaiśampāyana uvāca
bharadvājasya viprarṣe: skannaṃ reto mahātmanaḥ || 64 ||
dṛṣṭvā’psarasabhāyāntīṃ ghṛtācīṃ pṛthulocanām |

Vaishampayana said

"The vital seed of the great Rishi Bharadvaja fell upon beholding the large-eyed Apsara Ghritachi as the latter was passing by at one time.

स तु जग्राह तद्रेतः करेण जपतां वरः ॥ ६५ ॥
तदाऽपतत् पर्णपुटे तत्र सा समभवत् सुता ।

sa tu jagrāha tadretaḥ kareṇa japatāṃ varaḥ || 65 ||
tadā’patat parṇapuṭe tatra sā samabhavat sutā |

That foremost of ascetics thereupon held it in his hand. It was then kept in a cup made of the leaves of a tree. In that cup was born the girl Shruvavati.

तस्यास्तु जातकर्मादि कृत्वा सर्वं तपोधनः ।। ६६ ॥
नाम चास्याः स कृतवान् भरद्वाजो महामुनिः ।

tasyāstu jātakarmādi kṛtvā sarvaṃ tapodhanaḥ || 66 ||
nāma cāsyāḥ sa kṛtavān bharadvājo mahāmuniḥ |

Having performed the usual birth rites, the great ascetic Bharadvaja, gave her a name.

 
श्रुतावतीति धर्मात्मा देवर्षिगणसंसदि ।

स्वे च तामाश्रमे न्यस्य जगाम हिमवद्वनम् ॥ ६७॥

śrutāvatīti dharmātmā devarṣigaṇasaṃsadi |
sve ca tāmāśrame nyasya jagāma himavadvanam || 67 ||

The name the pious Rishi gave her in the presence of the gods and Rishis was Shruvavati. Leaving the girl in his hermitage, Bharadvaja went to the forest of Himavat.

 
तत्राप्युपस्पृश्य महानुभावो
वसूनि दत्त्वा च महाद्विजेभ्यः ।
जगाम तीर्थं सुसमाहितात्मा
शक्रस्य वृष्णिप्रवरस्तदानीम् ॥ ६८ ॥

tatrāpyupaspṛśya mahānubhāvo
vasūni dattvā ca mahādvijebhyaḥ |
jagāma tīrthaṃ susamāhitātmā
śakrasya vṛṣṇipravarastadānīm || 68 ||

That best of the Yadus, the heroic Baladeva, of great dignity, having bathed in that Tirtha and distributed much wealth amongst the Brahmanas, then went with a concentrated mind to the Tirtha of Shakra.'