The history of Udapana (ch36)

MAHABHARATA

CHAPTER 36
(GADAYUDDHA PARVA)-Continued

The history of Udapana

SYNOPSIS

Vaishampayana narrates the story of the great ascetic Trita, who once fell into a well near the Sarasvati River. Baladeva, the mighty hero, visited this sacred spot, offered wealth, performed rituals, and bathed joyfully. The tale reveals Trita's extraordinary penance and tragic fall into the well.

Trita and his two brothers, Ekata and Dwita, were renowned sages revered for their ascetic practices and devotion to righteousness. After their father Gautama's ascension to heaven, the brothers continued their father's teachings and gained great respect from other ascetics. However, it happened so that Ekata and Dwita, motivated by greed and fear, abandoned Trita, leaving him trapped in a well after being scared by a wolf. They selfishly took the sacrificial animals and left.

Trita, filled with despair, mentally performed a sacrificial ritual in the well, visualizing water, fire, and the Soma plant. His dedication was so immense that it reached the heavens, attracting the gods, including Brihaspati. The gods arrived to witness Trita's sacrifice and received offerings while trapped in the well. Pleased with his sacrifice, they granted him the boon of escaping the well, and the waters of Sarasvati rose, lifting him out.

Trita then returned to confront his two brothers, enraged by their betrayal. He cursed them to become dreadful wolves and to live as predators in the forest, their descendants transforming into other wild animals. The curse was swiftly fulfilled, and Ekata and Dwita were transformed into tigers, their fate sealed by their sinful actions.

Finally, having completed his rituals at the sacred Udapana, Baladeva continued his journey, leaving a legacy of devotion and justice.

CHAPTER 36

वैशम्पायन उवाच
तस्मान्नदीगतांचापि ह्युदपानं यशस्विनः।
त्रितस्य च महाराजजगामाथ हलायुधः ॥१॥

vaiśampāyana uvāca
tasmānnadīgatāṃ cāpi hyudapānaṃ yaśasvinaḥ |
tritasya ca mahārāja jagāmātha halāyudhaḥ || 1||

Vaishampayana said

Baladeva proceeded next to the tirtha Udapana on the Sarasvati, which had formerly been the habitation, O king, of the illustrious ascetic Trita.

तत्र दत्त्वा बहु द्रव्यंपूजयित्वा तथा द्विजान्।
उपस्पृश्य च तत्रैवप्रहृष्टो मुसलायुधः ॥ २ ॥

tatra dattvā bahu dravyaṃ pūjayitvā tathā dvijān |
upaspṛśya ca tatraiva prahṛṣṭo musalāyudhaḥ || 2 ||

Having distributed profuse wealth and worshipped the Brahmanas, the hero, having the plow for his weapon, bathed there and was filled with joy.

तत्र धर्मपरो भूत्वा त्रितःस सुमहातपाः ।
कूपे च वसतातेन सोमः पीतोमहात्मना ॥ ३॥

tatra dharmaparo bhūtvā tritaḥ sa sumahātapāḥ |
kūpe ca vasatā tena somaḥ pīto mahātmanā || 3 ||

Being devoted to righteousness, the great ascetic Tritha, filled with immense penance, fell into the well, where the noble soul drank Soma (divine nectar).

तत्र चैनं समुत्सृज्यभ्रातरौ जग्मतुर्गृहान् ।
ततस्तौ वै शशापाथत्रितो ब्राह्मणसत्तमः ॥४॥

tatra cainaṃ samutsṛjya bhrātarau jagmaturgṛhān |
tatastau vai śaśāpātha trito brāhmaṇasattamaḥ || 4||

There, his two brothers abandoned him and returned home. Then, the noble Brahmin Trita cursed them.

जनमेजय उवाच
उदपानं कथं ब्रह्मन्कथं च सुमहातपाः।
पतितः किं चसंत्यक्तो भ्रातृभ्यां द्विजसत्तम ॥५ ॥

janamejaya uvāca
udapānaṃ kathaṃ brahman kathaṃ ca sumahātapāḥ |
patitaḥ kiṃ ca saṃtyakto bhrātṛbhyāṃ dvijasattama || 5 ||

"What is the origin of Udapana? How did the great ascetic Trita fall into a well there? Why was that foremost of Brahmanas left into that well by his brothers?

कूपे कथं चहित्वैनं भ्रातुरौ जग्मुतुर्गृहान् ।
कथं च याजयामासपपौ सोमं त वै कथम्॥ ६ ॥
एतदाचक्ष्व मे ब्रह्मञ्श्रोतव्यंयदि मन्यसे ।

kūpe kathaṃ ca hitvainaṃ bhrāturau jagmuturgṛhān |
kathaṃ ca yājayāmāsa papau somaṃ ta vai katham || 6 ||
etadācakṣva me brahmañśrotavyaṃ yadi manyase |

How did they leave him in the well and return home? How did he perform the sacrifice, and how did he drink the Soma? Describe all this, O Brahmana, if you think I am worthy of listening to it.

वैशम्पायन उवाच
आसन् पूर्वयुगे राजन् मुनयोभ्रातरस्त्रयः ॥ ७॥
एकतश्च द्वितश्चैव त्रितश्चादित्य संनिभाः।

vaiśampāyana uvāca
āsan pūrvayuge rājan munayo bhrātarastrayaḥ || 7 ||
ekataśca dvitaścaiva tritaścāditya saṃnibhāḥ |

Vaishampayana said

In ancient times, O King, there were three brothers who were sages, Ekata, Dwita, and Trita, radiant like the sun.

सर्वे प्रजापतिसमाः प्रजावन्तस्तथैव च॥ ८ ॥
ब्रह्मलोकजिताःसर्वे तपसा ब्रह्मवादिनः।
तेषां तु तपसाप्रीतो नियमेन दमेनच ॥ ९ ॥

sarve prajāpatisamāḥ prajāvantastathaiva ca || 8 ||
brahmalokajitāḥ sarve tapasā brahmavādinaḥ |
teṣāṃ tu tapasā prīto niyamena damena ca || 9 ||

All of them were like the Prajapatis, possessing progeny, conquerors of Brahmaloka, ascetics, and followers of Brahma's teachings. Pleased by their penance, they adhered to rules, discipline, and self-control.

अभवद् गौतमो नित्यंपिता धर्मरतः सदा।
स तु दीर्घेणकालेन तेषां प्रीतिमवाप्यच ॥ १० ॥

abhavad gautamo nityaṃ pitā dharmarataḥ sadā |
sa tu dīrgheṇa kālena teṣāṃ prītimavāpya ca || 10 ||

For their penances, vows, and self-restraint, their father, the virtuous Gautama, became highly pleased with them.

जगाम् भगवान् स्थानमनुरूपमिवात्मन: ।
राजानस्तस्य ये ह्यासान्याज्या राजन् महात्मनः॥ ११॥

jagām bhagavān sthānamanurūpamivātmana: |
rājānastasya ye hyāsān yājyā rājan mahātmanaḥ || 11||

Exceptionally pleased with his sons, the worshipful Gautama finally left this world for a region fit for him after living a long life here.

ते सर्वे स्वर्गतेतस्मिंस्तस्य पुत्रानपूजयन् ।
तेषां तु कर्मणाराजंस्तथा चाध्ययनेन च ॥ १२ ॥

te sarve svargate tasmiṃstasya putrānapūjayan |
teṣāṃ tu karmaṇā rājaṃstathā cādhyayanena ca || 12 ||

Those kings, however, O king, who were the disciples of Gautama, continued to worship Gautama's sons after his ascension to heaven.

त्रितः स श्रेष्ठतांप्राप यथैवास्य पितातथा ।

tritaḥ sa śreṣṭhatāṃ prāpa yathaivāsya pitā tathā |

However, Trita, through his acts and Vedic studies, O king became the foremost, even like his father, Gautama.

तथा सर्वे महाभागमुनयः पुण्यलक्षणा ॥१३ ॥
अपूजयन् महाभागं यथास्य पितरंतथा ।

tathā sarve mahābhāga munayaḥ puṇyalakṣaṇā || 13 ||
apūjayan mahābhāgaṃ yathāsya pitaraṃ tathā |

Then, all the great and pious ascetics began to worship Trita as they had worshipped his father, Gautama, before him.

कदाचिद्धि ततो राजन्भ्रातरवेकतद्वितौ ।। १४।।
यज्ञार्थं चक्रतुश्चिन्तां तथा वित्तार्थमेवच।

kadāciddhi tato rājan bhrātaravekatadvitau || 14 ||
yajñārthaṃ cakratuścintāṃ tathā vittārthameva ca|

Once upon a time, the two brothers Ekata and Dwita considered celebrating a sacrifice and became anxious for wealth.

तयोर्बुद्धिःसमभवत् त्रितं गृह्यपरंतप ॥ १५ ॥
याज्यान् सर्वानुपादाय प्रतिगृह्य पशूंस्ततः।
सोमं पास्यामहे हृष्टाः प्राप्ययज्ञं महाफलम् ॥१६ ॥
चक्रुश्चैवं तथा राजन्भ्रातरस्त्रय एव च।

tayorbuddhiḥ samabhavat tritaṃ gṛhya paraṃtapa || 15 ||
yājyān sarvānupādāya pratigṛhya paśūṃstataḥ |
somaṃ pāsyāmahe hṛṣṭāḥ prāpya yajñaṃ mahāphalam || 16 ||
cakruścaivaṃ tathā rājan bhrātarastraya eva ca|

Between them arose the thought, O tormentor of enemies, to perform the sacrifice, they collected all the necessary materials and animals. They said joyfully, 'We shall drink Soma and attain the great fruits of the sacrifice.' Thus, the three brothers decided, O King.

तथा ते तुपरिक्रम्य याज्यान् सर्वान् पशून्प्रति ॥ १७ ॥
याजयित्वा ततो याज्याँल्लळवातु सुबहून पशून्।
याज्येन कर्मणा तेनप्रतिगृह्य विधानतः ॥ १८ ॥
प्राचीं दिशं महात्मानआज्गमुस्ते महर्षयः ।

tathā te tu parikramya yājyān sarvān paśūn prati || 17 ||
yājayitvā tato yājyāṁllaḻavā tu subahūna paśūn|
yājyena karmaṇā tena pratigṛhya vidhānataḥ || 18 ||
prācīṃ diśaṃ mahātmāna ājgamuste maharṣayaḥ |

Calling upon all their disciples for animals, helping them in their sacrifices, and receiving many animals as gifts for their priestly services, those high-souled and great Rishis came towards the east.

त्रितस्तेषांमहाराज पुरस्ताद् यातिहृष्टवत् ॥ १९॥
एकतश्च द्वितश्चैव पृष्टतः कालयन्पशून् ।

tritasteṣāṃ mahārāja purastād yāti hṛṣṭavat || 19 ||
ekataśca dvitaścaiva pṛṣṭataḥ kālayan paśūn |

Trita, O king, was cheerfully walking before them. Ekata and Dwita were in his rear, conducting the animals.

तयोश्चिन्ता समभवद् दृष्ट्वापशुगणं महत् ॥ २०॥
कथं च स्युरिमागाव आवाभ्यां हिविना त्रितम् ।

tayościntā samabhavad dṛṣṭvā paśugaṇaṃ mahat || 20||
kathaṃ ca syurimā gāva āvābhyāṃ hi vinā tritam |

Seeing that large herd of animals, they began to consider how they could appropriate that property without giving Trita a share.

तावन्योन्यं समाभाष्य एकतश्च द्वितश्चह ।। २१ ।
यदूचतुर्मिथःपापौ तन्निबोध जनेश्वर।

tāvanyonyaṃ samābhāṣya ekataśca dvitaśca ha || 21 |
yadūcaturmithaḥ pāpau tannibodha janeśvara |

Hear, O king, what those two sinful wretches, Ekata and Dwita, said to each other.

त्रितो यज्ञेषु कुशलस्त्रितो वेदेषुनिष्ठितः ॥ २२॥
अन्यास्तु बहुला गावस्त्रितःसमुपलप्स्यते ।

trito yajñeṣu kuśalastrito vedeṣu niṣṭhitaḥ || 22||
anyāstu bahulā gāvastritaḥ samupalapsyate |

They said, "Trita is a clever priest. Trita is well-read in the Vedas. Trita is capable of earning many other kine.

तदावां सहितौ भूत्वागाः प्रकाल्य व्रजावहे॥ २३ ॥
त्रितोऽपि गच्छतां कममावभ्यां वैविना कृतः ।

tadāvāṃ sahitau bhūtvā gāḥ prakālya vrajāvahe || 23 ||
trito'pi gacchatāṃ kamamāvabhyāṃ vai vinā kṛtaḥ |

Let us two, therefore, go away, taking the kine with us. Let Trita go wherever he likes without being in our company."

तेषामागच्छतांरात्रौ पथिस्थानां वृकोऽभवत्॥ २४ ॥
तत्र कूपोऽविदूरेऽभूत् सरस्वत्यास्तटे महान्।

teṣāmāgacchatāṃ rātrau pathisthānāṃ vṛko'bhavat || 24 ||
tatra kūpo'vidūre'bhūt sarasvatyāstaṭe mahān|

On their way, during the night, a wolf appeared on the path. Nearby was a well on the great bank of the Sarasvati River.

अद्य त्रितो वृकंदृष्ट्वा पथि तिष्ठन्तमग्रतः॥ २५ ॥
तद्भयादपसर्पन्वै तस्मिन् कूपेपपात ह ।

adya trito vṛkaṃ dṛṣṭvā pathi tiṣṭhantamagrataḥ || 25 ||
tadbhayādapasarpan vai tasmin kūpe papāta ha |

Trita, who was going in front, saw the wolf, ran in fear, and fell into that well.

अगाधे सुमहाघोरे सर्वभूतभयंकरे ॥२६ ॥
त्रितस्ततो महाराज कूपस्थोमुनिसत्तमः ।

agādhe sumahāghore sarvabhūtabhayaṃkare || 26 ||
tritastato mahārāja kūpastho munisattamaḥ |

That hole was deep, terrible, and capable of terrifying all creatures. Then Trita, O king, that best of ascetics, from within that hole, began to bewail.

आर्तनाद ततश्चक्रे तौ तु शुश्रुवतुर्मुनी ॥ २७ ॥
तं ज्ञात्वा पतितं कूपे भ्रातरावेकतद्वितौ।
वृकत्रासाच लोभाच्च समुत्सृज्य प्रजग्मतुः ॥ २८ ॥

ārtanāda tataścakre tau tu śuśruvaturmunī || 27 ||
taṃ jñātvā patitaṃ kūpe bhrātarāvekatadvitau|
vṛkatrāsāca lobhācca samutsṛjya prajagmatuḥ || 28 ||

Upon hearing the loud cry, the two brothers, Ekata and Dwita, realized their brother had fallen into the well. They abandoned him out of fear of the wolf and greed and quickly left.

भ्रातृभ्यां पशुलुब्धाभ्यामुत्सृष्टः स महातपाः ।
उदपाने तदा राजन् निर्जले पांसुसंवृते ॥ २९ ॥
त्रित आत्मानमालक्ष्य कूपे वीरुतृणावृते ।

bhrātṛbhyāṃ paśulubdhābhyāmutsṛṣṭaḥ sa mahātapāḥ |
udapāne tadā rājan nirjale pāṃsusaṃvṛte || 29 ||
trita ātmānamālakṣya kūpe vīrutṛṇāvṛte |

Thus, he was left behind by his two brothers, who were tempted to appropriate those animals, the great ascetic Trita, O king, while they were within that lonely pit covered with dust.

निमग्नं भरतश्रेष्ट नरके दुष्कृती यथा ॥ ३० ॥
स बुद्ध्यागणयत् प्राज्ञो मृत्योर्भीतो ह्यसोमपः ।

nimagnaṃ bharataśreṣṭa narake duṣkṛtī yathā || 30 ||
sa buddhyāgaṇayat prājño mṛtyorbhīto hyasomapaḥ |

O best of the Bharatas, just as a sinner sinks into hell, the wise one, afraid of death, considered his fate, for he had not drunk Soma.

सोमः कथं तु पातव्य इहस्थेन मया भवेत् ॥ ३१ ॥
स एवमभिनिश्चित्य तस्मिन् कूपे महातपाः ।

somaḥ kathaṃ tu pātavya ihasthena mayā bhavet || 31 ||
sa evamabhiniścitya tasmin kūpe mahātapāḥ |

How could someone drink Soma by being here like I am? Is it possible? Thinking so, the great ascetic became determined.

ददर्श वीरुधं तत्र लम्बमानां यदृच्छया ॥ ३२॥

dadarśa vīrudhaṃ tatra lambamānāṃ yadṛcchayā || 32||

While thinking thus, the tremendous ascetic, standing in that pit, beheld a creeper hanging down into it.

पांग्रस्ते ततः कूपे विचन्त्य सलिलं मुनिः ।

अग्नीन् संकल्पयामास होतॄनात्मानमेव च॥ ३३ ॥

pāṃgraste tataḥ kūpe vicantya salilaṃ muniḥ |
agnīn saṃkalpayāmāsa hotṝnātmānameva ca|| 33 ||

Although the pit was dry, the sage perceived the existence of water and sacrificial fires there, imagining himself the sacrificial priest.

ततस्तां वीरुधं सोमं संकल्प्य सुमहातपाः ।
ऋचो यजूंषि सामानि मनसा चिन्तयन् मुनिः ॥ ३४ ॥

tatastāṃ vīrudhaṃ somaṃ saṃkalpya sumahātapāḥ |
ṛco yajūṃṣi sāmāni manasā cintayan muniḥ || 34 ||

Then, contemplating the Soma plant, the great ascetic, with his mind focused, meditated on the hymns of the Rig, Yajur, and Sama Vedas.

ग्रावाणः शर्कराः कृत्वा प्रचक्रेऽभिषवं नृप ।
आज्यं च सलिलं चक्रे भागांश्च त्रिदिवौकसाम् ॥ ३५ ॥

grāvāṇaḥ śarkarāḥ kṛtvā pracakre'bhiṣavaṃ nṛpa |
ājyaṃ ca salilaṃ cakre bhāgāṃśca tridivaukasām || 35 ||

Trita converted pebbles lying there into sugar grains (in imagination). He, then, O king, (mentally) performed his ablutions. He took the water for the clarified butter.

ससोमस्याभिषवं कृत्वा चकार विपुल ध्वनिम् ।
चाविशद् दिवं राजन् पुनः शब्दस्त्रितस्य वै ॥ ३६॥
समवाप्य च तं यज्ञ यथोक्तं ब्रह्मावादिभिः ।

sasomasyābhiṣavaṃ kṛtvā cakāra vipula dhvanim |
cāviśad divaṃ rājan punaḥ śabdastritasya vai || 36||
samavāpya ca taṃ yajña yathoktaṃ brahmāvādibhiḥ |

He distributed their respective shares (of those sacrificial offerings) amongst the celestials. Having next mentally drunk Soma, he began to make a great noise. Those sounds, O king, first uttered by the sacrificing Rishi, entered into heaven, and Trita performed that sacrifice after the manner laid down by Brahmavadins.

वर्तमाने महायज्ञे त्रितस्य सुमहात्मनः ।। ३७ ।।
आविग्नं त्रिदिवं सर्वं कारणं च न बुद्ध्यते ।
ततः सुतुमुलं शब्दं शुश्रावाथ बृहस्पतिः ॥ ३८ ॥

vartamāne mahāyajñe tritasya sumahātmanaḥ || 37 ||
āvignaṃ tridivaṃ sarvaṃ kāraṇaṃ ca na buddhyate |
tataḥ sutumulaṃ śabdaṃ śuśrāvātha bṛhaspatiḥ || 38 ||

During the celebration of the great Trita's sacrifice, the entire region of the celestials was agitated. None knew the cause, however. Brihaspati heard that loud noise.

या चैवाब्रवीत सर्वान् देवान् देवपुरोहितः ।
त्रितस्य वर्तते यज्ञस्तत्र गच्छामहे सुराः ॥ ३९ ॥

yā caivābravīta sarvān devān devapurohitaḥ |
tritasya vartate yajñastatra gacchāmahe surāḥ || 39 ||

The priest of the celestials said to them:- "Trita is performing a sacrifice. We must go there, you celestials.

स हि क्रुद्धः सृजेदन्यान् देवानपि महातपाः ।
तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य सहिताः सर्वदेवताः ॥ ४० ॥

sa hi kruddhaḥ sṛjedanyān devānapi mahātapāḥ |
tacchrutvā vacanaṃ tasya sahitāḥ sarvadevatāḥ || 40 ||

He is gifted with great ascetic merit. If willing, he can create other celestials."

प्रययुस्तत्र यत्रासौ त्रितयज्ञः प्रवर्तते ।
ते तत्र गत्वा विबुधास्तं कूपं यत्र स त्रितः ॥४१॥

prayayustatra yatrāsau tritayajñaḥ pravartate |
te tatra gatvā vibudhāstaṃ kūpaṃ yatra sa tritaḥ ||41||

They went there, where yagya was performed. Having arrived at that place, the wise beings approached the well where Trita was.

ददृशुस्तं महात्मानं दीक्षितं यज्ञकर्मसु ।
दृष्ट्वा चैनं महात्मानं श्रिया परमया युतम् ॥ ४२ ॥

dadṛśustaṃ mahātmānaṃ dīkṣitaṃ yajñakarmasu |
dṛṣṭvā cainaṃ mahātmānaṃ śriyā paramayā yutam || 42 ||

Having proceeded to that spot, the gods beheld the great ascetic performing his sacrifice.

ऊचुश्चैनं महाभागं प्राप्ता भागार्थिनो वयम् ।
अथाब्रवीदृषिर्देवान् पश्यध्वं मां दिवौकसः ॥ ४३ ॥

ūcuścainaṃ mahābhāgaṃ prāptā bhāgārthino vayam |
athābravīdṛṣirdevān paśyadhvaṃ māṃ divaukasaḥ || 43 ||

Beholding that tremendous beautiful ascetic, the gods addressed him, saying - "We have come for our shares (in your offerings).

अस्मिन् प्रतिभये कूपे निमग्नं नष्टचेतसम् ।
ततस्त्रितो महाराज भागांस्तेषां यथाविधि ॥ ४४॥

asmin pratibhaye kūpe nimagnaṃ naṣṭacetasam |
tatastrito mahārāja bhāgāṃsteṣāṃ yathāvidhi || 44||

The Rishi said to them - "Behold me, you denizens of heaven, fallen into this terrible pit almost deprived of my senses.'

मन्त्रयुक्तान् समददत् ते च प्रीतास्तदाभवन् ।

mantrayuktān samadadat te ca prītāstadābhavan |

Then Trita, O monarch, duly allotted their shares with proper mantras to them. The gods took them and were incredibly delighted. Having duly received their respective shares, the denizens of heaven, pleased with him, granted him the boons he wanted.

ततो यथाविधि प्राप्तान् भागान् प्राप्य दिवौकसः ॥ ४५॥
प्रीतात्मानो ददुस्तस्मै वरान् यान् मनसेच्छति ।

tato yathāvidhi prāptān bhāgān prāpya divaukasaḥ || 45||
prītātmāno dadustasmai varān yān manasecchati |

The boon, however, that he prayed for was that the gods should relieve him from his painful condition.

स तु वव्रे वरं देवांस्त्रातुमर्हथ मामितः ॥ ४६ ॥
यश्चेहोपस्पृशेत् कूपे स सोमपगतिं लभेत्।

sa tu vavre varaṃ devāṃstrātumarhatha māmitaḥ || 46 ||
yaścehopaspṛśet kūpe sa somapagatiṃ labhet|

He also said, "Let him that bathes in this well achieve the end attained by persons that have drunk Soma.'

तत्र चोर्मिमती राजन्नुत्पपात सरस्वती ॥ ४७ ॥
तयोत्क्षिप्तः समुत्तस्थौ पूजयंस्त्रिदिवौकसः ।

tatra cormimatī rājannutpapāta sarasvatī || 47 ||
tayotkṣiptaḥ samuttasthau pūjayaṃstridivaukasaḥ |

Thereat, O king, the Sarasvati with her waves, appeared within that well. Raised above by her, Trita came up and worshipped the celestials.

तथेति चोक्त्वा विबुधा जग्मू राजन् यथागताः ॥ ४८ ॥
त्रितश्चाभ्यागमत् प्रीतः स्वमेव निलयं तदा ।

tatheti coktvā vibudhā jagmū rājan yathāgatāḥ || 48 ||
tritaścābhyāgamat prītaḥ svameva nilayaṃ tadā |

The gods said to him - "Be it as you wish." Then, O king, all of them returned to their respective habitations, and Trita, filled with joy, proceeded to his abode.

क्रुद्धस्तु स समासाद्य तावृषी भ्रातरौ तदा ॥ ४९ ॥
उवाच परुषं वाक्यं शशाप च महातपाः ।

kruddhastu sa samāsādya tāvṛṣī bhrātarau tadā || 49 ||
uvāca paruṣaṃ vākyaṃ śaśāpa ca mahātapāḥ |

Meeting with those two Rishi brothers, he became enraged with them. Endued with ascetic merit, he spoke harshly to them and cursed them, saying.

पशुलुब्धौ युवां यस्मान्मामुत्सृज्य प्रधावितौ ॥ ५० ॥
तस्माद् वृकाकृती रौद्रौ दंष्ट्रिणावभितश्च ।
भवितारौ मया शप्तौ पापेनानेन कर्मणा ॥ ५१||

paśulubdhau yuvāṃ yasmānmāmutsṛjya pradhāvitau || 50 ||
tasmād vṛkākṛtī raudrau daṃṣṭriṇāvabhitaśca |
bhavitārau mayā śaptau pāpenānena karmaṇā || 51||

Acting by selfishness, you ran away, leaving me. Therefore, you shall become dreadful wolves with sharp teeth and range the forest I cursed because of your sinful act.

प्रसवश्चैव युवयोर्गोलाङ्गलर्क्षवानराः ।
इत्युक्तेन तदा तेन क्षणादेव विशाम्पते ॥ ५२ ॥
तथाभूतावदृश्येतां वचनात् सत्यवादिनः।

prasavaścaiva yuvayorgolāṅgalarkṣavānarāḥ |
ityuktena tadā tena kṣaṇādeva viśāmpate || 52 ||
tathābhūtāvadṛśyetāṃ vacanāt satyavādinaḥ|

Your offspring will also be leopards and bears and apes!' After Trita had said these words, O monarch and his two brothers were soon transformed into tigers because of the curse of that truthful sage.

तत्राप्यमितविक्रान्तः स्पृष्ट्वा तोयं हलायुधः ॥ ५३ ॥
दत्त्वा च विविधान् दायान् पूजयित्वा च वै द्विजान् ।
उदपानं च तं वीक्ष्य प्रशस्य च पुनः पुनः ॥ ५४ ॥

tatrāpyamitavikrāntaḥ spṛṣṭvā toyaṃ halāyudhaḥ || 53 ||
dattvā ca vividhān dāyān pūjayitvā ca vai dvijān |
udapānaṃ ca taṃ vīkṣya praśasya ca punaḥ punaḥ || 54 ||

The mighty Baladeva touched the waters of Udapana, gave away various wealth there, and worshipped many Brahmanas.

नदीगतमदीनात्मा प्राप्तो विनशनं तदा ॥ ५५ ॥

nadīgatamadīnātmā prāpto vinaśanaṃ tadā || 55 ||

Beholding Upadana and praising it repeatedly, Baladeva proceeded to Vinashana, also on the Sarasvati.

The Story of Dadhicha and Sarasvat (ch51)

CHAPTER 51
(Gadayuddha Parva)-Continued

The story of Dadhicha

SYNOPSIS

The story is narrated by the sage Vaishampayana to King Janamejaya. It begins with a description of the sage Sarasvat, who played a pivotal role during a 12-year drought. Sarasvat’s origins are traced back to the river goddess Sarasvati. During a ritual on the river’s banks, the ascetic Dadhicha, famed for his intense penance and virtue, was momentarily distracted by the celestial nymph Alambusha. As a result, his seed fell into the waters of the Sarasvati. Out of respect for Dadhicha’s asceticism, the river preserved and nurtured the seed within her, eventually giving birth to a child named Sarasvat. She presented the boy to Dadhicha, who blessed the river and acknowledged the child as his own. Sarasvat, destined for greatness, grew up to become a wise sage capable of spreading sacred knowledge.

Dadhicha later demonstrates extraordinary selflessness. When the gods struggled to defeat the powerful demons (Asuras), they sought Dadhicha’s assistance. Indra, the king of the gods, revealed that only weapons forged from Dadhicha’s bones could vanquish their foes. Without hesitation, the sage sacrificed his life, offering his bones to the gods. These were used to create celestial weapons, including Indra’s thunderbolt, which led to the destruction of the demons. Dadhicha’s noble act ensured his eternal place among the revered.

During the drought, when many sages scattered in search of sustenance, Sarasvat remained by the river Sarasvati. She sustained him by providing food, allowing him to continue performing his rituals, and offering oblations. After the drought ended, the sages, having forgotten the Vedas during their years of hardship, sought Sarasvat’s guidance. Though young, Sarasvat demonstrated unparalleled mastery of the Vedas. Initially hesitant to accept him as a teacher because of his youth, the sages were convinced by Sarasvat’s wisdom. He reminded them that merit lies not in age or status but in one’s knowledge and actions.

Sixty thousand sages eventually became Sarasvat’s disciples, humbly offering grass as a seat for their teacher. Sarasvat, with his dedication and brilliance, helped revive sacred traditions and ensured the continuity of Vedic learning.

This tale highlights the divine origins and contributions of Sarasvat, the selflessness of Dadhicha, and the enduring bond between the river Sarasvati and the sages who sought her shelter. It reflects themes of sacrifice, perseverance, and the timeless pursuit of knowledge.

CHAPTER 51

वैशम्पायन उवाच
यत्रेजिवानुडुपती राजसूयेन भारत ।
तस्मिंस्तीर्थे महानासीत् संग्रामस्तारकामयः ॥ १ ॥

vaiśampāyana uvāca
yatrejivānuḍupatī rājasūyena bhārata |
tasmiṃstīrthe mahānāsīt saṃgrāmastārakāmayaḥ || 1 ||

Vaishampayana said

"There, in that Tirtha, O Bharata, where the Moon had formerly celebrated the Rajasuya sacrifice, a great battle was fought in which Taraka was the root.

तत्राप्युपस्पृश्य बले दत्त्वा दानानि चात्मवान् ।
सारस्वतस्य धर्मात्मा मुनेस्तीर्थं जगाम ह ॥ २ ॥
तत्र द्वादशवार्षिक्यामनावृशष्टया द्विजोत्तमान्।
वेदानध्यापयामास पुरा सारस्वतो मुनिः ॥३॥

tatrāpyupaspṛśya bale dattvā dānāni cātmavān |
sārasvatasya dharmātmā munestīrthaṃ jagāma ha || 2 ||
tatra dvādaśavārṣikyāmanāvṛśaṣṭayā dvijottamān|
vedānadhyāpayāmāsa purā sārasvato muniḥ ||3||

Bathing in that Tirtha and distributing many presents, the virtuous Vala of pure soul went to the Tirtha of the Muni named Sarasvat. There, during a drought extending over twelve years, the sage Sarasvat, formerly taught the Vedas unto many best of Brahmanas.

जनमेजय उवाच
कथं द्वादशवार्षिक्यामनावृष्ट्यां द्विजोत्तमान्।
ऋषीनध्यापयामास पुरा सारस्वतो मुनिः || ४ ||

janamejaya uvāca
kathaṃ dvādaśavārṣikyāmanāvṛṣṭyāṃ dvijottamān|
ṛṣīnadhyāpayāmāsa purā sārasvato muniḥ || 4 ||

Janamejaya said

"Why did the sage Sarasvat, O you of ascetic merit, teach the Vedas to the Rishis during a twelve-year drought?

वैशम्पायन उवाच
आसीत् पूर्वं महाराज मुनिर्धीमान् महातपाः ।
दधीच इति विख्यातो ब्रह्मचारी जितेन्द्रियः ॥ ५ ॥

vaiśampāyana uvāca
āsīt pūrvaṃ mahārāja munirdhīmān mahātapāḥ |
dadhīca iti vikhyāto brahmacārī jitendriyaḥ || 5 ||

Vaishampayana said

Formerly, O king, there was an intelligent sage of great ascetic virtue. He was celebrated by the name of Dadhicha. Having governed his senses, he led the life of a Brahmachari.

 
तस्यातितपसः शक्रो विभेति सततं विभो ।
न स लोभयितुं शक्यः फलैर्वहुविधैरपि ॥ ६ ॥

tasyātitapasaḥ śakro vibheti satataṃ vibho |
na sa lobhayituṃ śakyaḥ phalairvahuvidhairapi || 6 ||

On account of his excessive ascetic austerities, Shakra was possessed by fear. The sage could not be dissuaded (from the practices of his penances) by the offer of even various kinds of rewards.

प्रलोभनार्थं तस्याथ प्राहिणोत् पाकशासनः ।
दिव्यामप्सरसं पुण्यां दर्शनीयामलम्बुषाम् ॥ ७ ॥

pralobhanārthaṃ tasyātha prāhiṇot pākaśāsanaḥ |
divyāmapsarasaṃ puṇyāṃ darśanīyāmalambuṣām || 7 ||

At last, to tempt the sage, the chastiser of Paka, sent to him the highly beautiful and celestial Apsara by the name of Alambusha.

तस्य तर्पयतो देवान् सरस्वत्यां महात्मनः ।
समीपतो महाराज सोऽपातिष्ठत भाविनी ॥ ८ ॥

tasya tarpayato devān sarasvatyāṃ mahātmanaḥ |
samīpato mahārāja so’pātiṣṭhata bhāvinī || 8 ||

On the banks of the Sarasvat the great sage was engaged in the worship of the gods and there the celestial nymphs, O king, arrived.

 
तां दिव्यवपुषं दृष्ट्वा तस्यर्षेर्भावितात्मनः ।
रेतः स्कन्नं सरस्वत्यां तत् सा जग्राह निम्नगा ॥। ९ ॥

tāṃ divyavapuṣaṃ dṛṣṭvā tasyarṣerbhāvitātmanaḥ |
retaḥ skannaṃ sarasvatyāṃ tat sā jagrāha nimnagā ||| 9 ||

Seeing that beautiful damsel the seminal fluid of that ascetic came out. Having fallen into the Sarasvati, the latter preserved it with care.

कुक्षौ चाप्यदधद्धृष्टा तद् रेतः पुरुषर्षभ ।
सा दधार च तं गर्भं पुत्रहेतोर्महानदी ।। १० ।।

kukṣau cāpyadadhaddhṛṣṭā tad retaḥ puruṣarṣabha |
sā dadhāra ca taṃ garbhaṃ putrahetormahānadī || 10 ||

Indeed, O foremost of men, the River, seeing that seed, held it in her womb. In time the seed developed into a fetus and the great river kept it so that it might have life and grow into a child.

सुषुवे चापि समये पुत्रं सा सरितां वरा ।
जगाम पुत्रमादाय तमृषिं प्रति च प्रभो ॥ ११ ॥

suṣuve cāpi samaye putraṃ sā saritāṃ varā |
jagāma putramādāya tamṛṣiṃ prati ca prabho || 11 ||

When the time came, the best of rivers delivered that child and then went, O lord, taking it with her, to that Rishi.

ऋषिसंसदि तं दृष्ट्वा सा नदी मुनिसत्तमम् ।
ततः प्रोवाच राजेन्द्र ददती पुत्रमस्य तम् ॥ १२ ॥
ब्रह्मर्षे तव पुत्रोऽयं त्वद्भक्त्या धारितो मया ।
दृष्ट्रा तेऽप्सरसं रेतो यत् स्कन्नं प्रागलम्बुपाम् ॥ १३ ॥
तत् कुक्षिणा वै ब्रह्मर्षे त्वद्भक्त्या धृतवत्यहम्।
न विनाशमिदं गच्छेत् त्वत्तेज इति निश्चयात् ॥ १४॥

ṛṣisaṃsadi taṃ dṛṣṭvā sā nadī munisattamam |
tataḥ provāca rājendra dadatī putramasya tam || 12 ||
brahmarṣe tava putro’yaṃ tvadbhaktyā dhārito mayā |
dṛṣṭrā te’psarasaṃ reto yat skannaṃ prāgalambupām || 13 ||
tat kukṣiṇā vai brahmarṣe tvadbhaktyā dhṛtavatyaham|
na vināśamidaṃ gacchet tvatteja iti niścayāt || 14 ||

Seeing that best of Rishis in a conclave, Sarasvati, O king, while handing over the child, said these words:-- "O Rishi, this is your son whom I held out of respect for you! That seed of yours, which fell at seeing the nymph Alambusha, had been held by me in my womb, O Rishi, through devotion for you and knowing well that your seed would never be destroyed.

 
प्रतिगृह्णीष्व पुत्रं स्वं मया दत्तमनिन्दितम्।
इत्युक्तः प्रतिजग्राह प्रीति चावाप पुष्कलाम् ॥ १५ ॥

pratigṛhṇīṣva putraṃ svaṃ mayā dattamaninditam|
ityuktaḥ pratijagrāha prīti cāvāpa puṣkalām || 15 ||

Given by me, accept this faultless child of your own!' Thus addressed by her, the Rishi accepted the child and was highly pleased.

 
स्वतं चाप्यजित् तं मूर्ध्नि प्रेम्णा द्विजोत्तमः ।
परिष्वज्यं चिरं कालं तदा भरतसत्तम ॥ १६ ॥

svataṃ cāpyajit taṃ mūrdhni premṇā dvijottamaḥ |
pariṣvajyaṃ ciraṃ kālaṃ tadā bharatasattama || 16 ||

That best of Brahmanas then out of affection smelt the head of his son and embraced him closely, O best of Bharata, for some time.

सरस्वत्यै वरं प्रादात् प्रीयमाणो महामुनिः ।
विश्वेदेवा सपितरो गन्धर्वाप्सरसां गणाः ॥ १७ ॥
तृप्तिं यास्यन्ति सुभगे तर्प्यमाणास्तवाम्भसा ।

sarasvatyai varaṃ prādāt prīyamāṇo mahāmuniḥ |
viśvedevā sapitaro gandharvāpsarasāṃ gaṇāḥ || 17 ||
tṛptiṃ yāsyanti subhage tarpyamāṇāstavāmbhasā |

Pleased with the River, the great ascetic Dadhicha then gave a boon to her, saying - "The Vishvedevas, the Rishis, and all the clans of the Gandharvas and the Apsaras, will henceforth, O blessed one, derive great happiness when oblations of your water are presented to them !'

इत्युक्त्वा स तु तुष्टाव वचोभिर्वै महानदीम् ॥ १८ ॥
प्रीतः परमहृष्टात्मा यथावच्छृणु पार्थिव ।

ityuktvā sa tu tuṣṭāva vacobhirvai mahānadīm || 18 ||
prītaḥ paramahṛṣṭātmā yathāvacchṛṇu pārthiva |

Having said to that great river, the sage, pleased and filled with joy, then praised her in these words. Hear them duly, O king!

प्रन्नुतासि महाभागे सरसो ब्रह्मणः पुरा ॥ १९ ॥
जानान्ति त्वां सरिच्छ्रेष्ठे मनुयः संशितव्रताः ।

prannutāsi mahābhāge saraso brahmaṇaḥ purā || 19 ||
jānānti tvāṃ saricchreṣṭhe manuyaḥ saṃśitavratāḥ |

Thou hast sprung, O highly blessed one, from the lake of Brahman in days of old. All ascetics know thee, O best of rivers.

मम प्रियकरी चापि सततं प्रियदर्शने ॥ २० ॥
तस्मात् सारस्वत: पुत्रो महांस्ते वरवर्णिनि ।

mama priyakarī cāpi satataṃ priyadarśane || 20 ||
tasmāt sārasvata: putro mahāṃste varavarṇini |

Highly beautiful, you have done me great good! This your great child, o fair river, will be known by the name of Sarasvat.

तवैव नाम्ना प्रथितः पुत्रस्ते लोकभावनः ॥ २१ ॥
सारस्वत इति ख्यातो भविष्यति महातपाः ।

tavaiva nāmnā prathitaḥ putraste lokabhāvanaḥ || 21 ||
sārasvata iti khyāto bhaviṣyati mahātapāḥ |

This your son, capable of creating new worlds, will pass after thy name! That great ascetic will be known by the name of Sarasvat!

 
एष द्वादशवार्षिक्यामनावृष्ट्यां द्विजर्षभान् ॥ २२ ॥
सारस्वतो महाभागे वेदानध्यापयिष्यति ।

eṣa dvādaśavārṣikyāmanāvṛṣṭyāṃ dvijarṣabhān || 22 ||
sārasvato mahābhāge vedānadhyāpayiṣyati |

During a drought extending over twelve years, this Sarasvat, will teach the Vedas to many best of Brahmanas.

पुण्याभ्यश्च सरिद्भयस्त्वं सदा पुण्यतमा शुभे ॥ २३ ॥
भविष्यसि महाभागे मत्प्रसादात् सरस्वति ।

puṇyābhyaśca saridbhayastvaṃ sadā puṇyatamā śubhe || 23 ||
bhaviṣyasi mahābhāge matprasādāt sarasvati |

O blessed Sarasvati, through my grace, thou shalt always become the best of all sacred rivers !'

एवं सा संस्तुताऽनेन वरं लब्ध्वा महानदी ॥ २४ ॥
पुत्रमादाय मुदिता जगाम भरतर्षभ ।

evaṃ sā saṃstutā’nena varaṃ labdhvā mahānadī || 24 ||
putramādāya muditā jagāma bharatarṣabha |

Thus was the great River lauded by the sage after the latter had granted her boons. The River then, overjoyed went away, O best of Bharata's race! taking with her that child.

 
एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु विरोधे देवदानवैः ॥ २५ ॥
शक्रः प्रहरणान्वेषी लोकांस्त्रीन् विचचार ह।

etasminneva kāle tu virodhe devadānavaiḥ || 25 ||
śakraḥ praharaṇānveṣī lokāṃstrīn vicacāra ha|

Meanwhile, during a war between the gods and demons, Shakra traveled through the three worlds in search of weapons.

न चोपलेभे भगवाञ्छक्रः प्रहरणं तदा ॥ २६॥
यद्वैतेषां भवेद् योग्यं वधाय विबुधद्विपाम् ।

na copalebhe bhagavāñchakraḥ praharaṇaṃ tadā || 26||
yadvaiteṣāṃ bhaved yogyaṃ vadhāya vibudhadvipām |

The king of the Celestials, however, failed to find such weapons as were fit to kill the enemies of the Celestials.

ततोऽब्रवीत् सुराञ्शको न मे शक्या महासुराः ॥। २७ ॥
ऋस्थिभिर्दधीचस्य निहन्तुं त्रिदशद्विषः ।

tato’bravīt surāñśako na me śakyā mahāsurāḥ ||| 27 ||
ṛsthibhirdadhīcasya nihantuṃ tridaśadviṣaḥ |

Shakra then said to the gods - "The great Asuras are incapable of being defeated by me. Save with the bones of Dadhicha, our foes cannot be killed.

तस्माद् गत्वा ऋषिश्रेष्ठो याच्यतां सुरसत्तमाः ॥ २८ ॥
दधीचास्थीनि देहीति तैर्वधिष्यामहे रिपून् ।

tasmād gatvā ṛṣiśreṣṭho yācyatāṃ surasattamāḥ || 28 ||
dadhīcāsthīni dehīti tairvadhiṣyāmahe ripūn |

O best of celestials, go, therefore, to that best of Rishis and beg of him, saying - "Grant us, O Dadhicha, your bones! With them, we will kill our enemies. '

स च तैर्याचितोऽस्थीनि यत्नादृषिवरस्तदा ।। २९ ॥
प्राणत्यागं कुरुश्रेष्ठ चकारैवाविचारयन् ।
स लोकानक्षयान् प्राप्तो देवप्रियकरस्तदा ॥ ३० ॥

sa ca tairyācito’sthīni yatnādṛṣivarastadā || 29 ||
prāṇatyāgaṃ kuruśreṣṭha cakāraivāvicārayan |
sa lokānakṣayān prāpto devapriyakarastadā || 30 ||

Begged by them for his bones, that best of Rishis, O best of Kuru's race, unhesitatingly gave up his life. Having done what was agreeable to the celestials, the sage attained the eternally blissful region.

तस्यास्थिभिरथो शक्रः समप्रहृष्टमनास्तदा ।
कारयामास दिव्यानि नानाप्रहरणानि च ॥ ३१ ॥
गदावज्राणि चक्राणि गुरून् दण्डांश्च पुष्कलान्।

tasyāsthibhiratho śakraḥ samaprahṛṣṭamanāstadā |
kārayāmāsa divyāni nānāpraharaṇāni ca || 31 ||
gadāvajrāṇi cakrāṇi gurūn daṇḍāṃśca puṣkalān|

With his bones, Shakra gladly made many kinds of weapons, such as thunderbolts, disco, heavy maces, and many kinds of clubs and bludgeons.

स हि तीव्रेण तपसा सम्भृतः परमर्षिणा ॥ ३२ ॥
प्रजापतिसुतेनाथ भृगुणा लोकभावनः ।
अतिकाय: स तेजस्वी लोकसारो विनिर्मितः ॥ ३३ ॥
जज्ञे शैलगुरुः प्रांशुर्महिम्ना प्रथितः प्रभुः ।
नित्यमुद्विजते चास्य तेजसः पाकशासनः ॥ ३४ ॥

sa hi tīvreṇa tapasā sambhṛtaḥ paramarṣiṇā || 32 ||
prajāpatisutenātha bhṛguṇā lokabhāvanaḥ |
atikāya: sa tejasvī lokasāro vinirmitaḥ || 33 ||
jajñe śailaguruḥ prāṃśurmahimnā prathitaḥ prabhuḥ |
nityamudvijate cāsya tejasaḥ pākaśāsanaḥ || 34 ||

Equal to the Creator himself Dadhicha, had been begotten by the penances of great Rishi Bhrigu. Strongly built and highly energetic Dadhicha had been made the strongest of men in the world. The powerful and glorious Dadhicha became tall like the king of mountains. The chastiser of Paka had always been in dread of his power.

तेन वज्रेण भगवान् मन्त्रयुक्तेन भारत ।
भृशं क्रोधविसृष्टेन ब्रह्मतेजोद्भवेन च ॥ ३५ ॥
दैत्यदानववीराणां जघान नवतीर्नव।

tena vajreṇa bhagavān mantrayuktena bhārata |
bhṛśaṃ krodhavisṛṣṭena brahmatejodbhavena ca || 35 ||
daityadānavavīrāṇāṃ jaghāna navatīrnava|

With the thunder-bolt created by Brahma and inspired with mantras, O Bharata, Indra made a loud noise when he hurled it and killed ninety-nine Daityas.

अथ काले व्यतिक्रान्ते महत्यतिभयंकारे ॥ ३६ ॥
अनावृष्टिरनुप्राप्ता राजन् द्वादशवार्षिकी।

atha kāle vyatikrānte mahatyatibhayaṃkāre || 36 ||
anāvṛṣṭiranuprāptā rājan dvādaśavārṣikī|

After a dreadful long time a drought. O king took place that extended over twelve years.

तस्यां द्वादशवार्षिक्यामनावृष्ट्यां महर्षयः ॥ ३७ ॥

वृत्यर्थं प्राद्रवन् राजन् क्षुधार्ता: सर्वतोदिशम् ।

tasyāṃ dvādaśavārṣikyāmanāvṛṣṭyāṃ maharṣayaḥ || 37 ||
vṛtyarthaṃ prādravan rājan kṣudhārtā: sarvatodiśam |

During that drought extending over twelve years, the great Rishis fled away, O king, on all sides to maintain themselves.

दिग्भ्यस्तान् प्रद्रुतान् दृष्ट्वा मुनिः सारस्वतस्तदा ।। ३८ ।।
गमनाय मतिं चक्रे तं प्रोवाच सरस्वती ।
न गन्तव्यमितः पुत्र तवाहारमहं सदा ॥ ३९ ॥
दास्यामि मत्स्यप्रवरानुष्यतामिह भारत ।

digbhyastān pradrutān dṛṣṭvā muniḥ sārasvatastadā || 38 ||
gamanāya matiṃ cakre taṃ provāca sarasvatī |
na gantavyamitaḥ putra tavāhāramahaṃ sadā || 39 ||
dāsyāmi matsyapravarānuṣyatāmiha bhārata |

Seeing them scattered on all sides, the sage Sarasvat also set his heart on flight. The river Sarasvati then said to him. You need not, O son, go away, for I will always supply you with food even here by giving you large fish! Remain, therefore, here!'

इत्युक्तस्तर्पयामास स पितॄन् देवतास्तथा ॥ ४० ॥
आहारमकरोन्नित्यं प्राणान् वेदांश्च धारयन् ।

ityuktastarpayāmāsa sa pitṝn devatāstathā || 40 ||
āhāramakaronnityaṃ prāṇān vedāṃśca dhārayan |

Thus addressed (by the river), the sage continued to live there and offer oblations of food to the Rishis and the celestials, He got also his daily food and thus continued to support both himself and the gods.

अथ तस्यामनावृष्ट्यामतीतायां महर्षयः ॥ ४१ ॥
अन्योन्यं परिपप्रच्छुः पुनः स्वाध्यायकारणात्।

atha tasyāmanāvṛṣṭyāmatītāyāṃ maharṣayaḥ || 41 ||
anyonyaṃ paripapracchuḥ punaḥ svādhyāyakāraṇāt|

After the termination of that twelve-year drought, the great Rishis requested one another to deliver discourses on the Vedas.

तेषां क्षुधापरीतानां नष्टा वेदाऽभिधावताम् ॥४२॥
सर्वेषामेव राजेन्द्र न कश्चित् प्रतिभानवान् ।

teṣāṃ kṣudhāparītānāṃ naṣṭā vedā’bhidhāvatām ||42||
sarveṣāmeva rājendra na kaścit pratibhānavān |

While wandering hungrily the Rishis had forgotten the Vedas. There was indeed, not even one amongst them that could interpret the Vedas.

अथ कश्चिदृषिस्तेषां सारस्वतमुपेयिवान्॥ ४३ ॥
कुर्वाणं संशितात्मानं स्वाध्यायमृषिसत्तमम् ।

atha kaścidṛṣisteṣāṃ sārasvatamupeyivān|| 43 ||
kurvāṇaṃ saṃśitātmānaṃ svādhyāyamṛṣisattamam |

It so happened that someone amongst them met Sarasvat, that foremost of Rishis, while the latter was reading the Vedas with concentrated attention.

स गत्वाऽऽचष्ट तेभ्यश्च सारस्वतमतिप्रभम् ॥४४॥
स्वाध्यायममरप्रख्यं कुर्वाणं विजने वने।

sa gatvā’’caṣṭa tebhyaśca sārasvatamatiprabham ||44||
svādhyāyamamaraprakhyaṃ kurvāṇaṃ vijane vane|

Returning to the assemblage of Rishis, he spoke to them of Sarasvat, of his matchless effulgence and celestial appearance and deep concentration in the Vedas in a secluded forest.

ततः सर्वे समाजग्मुस्तत्र राजन् महर्षयः ॥ ४५ ॥
सारस्वतं मुनिश्रेष्ठमिदमूचुः समागताः ।
अस्मानध्यापयस्वेति तानुवाच ततो मुनिः ॥४६॥
शिष्यत्वमुपगच्छध्वं विधिवद्धि ममेत्युत ।

tataḥ sarve samājagmustatra rājan maharṣayaḥ || 45 ||
sārasvataṃ muniśreṣṭhamidamūcuḥ samāgatāḥ |
asmānadhyāpayasveti tānuvāca tato muniḥ ||46||
śiṣyatvamupagacchadhvaṃ vidhivaddhi mametyuta |

Then all the great Rishis came there unitedly and spoke to Sarasvat, that best of ascetics, these words: "Teach us, O sage ! ' The ascetic replied, saying - "Become my disciples duly!'

तत्राब्रुवन् मुनिगणा बालस्त्वमसि पुत्रक ॥ ४७॥
सतानाह न मे धर्मो नश्येदिति पुनर्मुनीन् ।

tatrābruvan munigaṇā bālastvamasi putraka || 47||
satānāha na me dharmo naśyediti punarmunīn |

The host of ascetics answered - "O son, you are too young.' Thereupon he answered the ascetics - "I must act in such a way that my religious merit may not suffer decrease'.

धर्मेण वै ब्रूयाद् गृह्णीयाद् योऽप्यधर्मतः ॥ ४८ ॥
हीयेतां तावुभौ क्षिप्तं स्यातां वा वैरिणावुभौ ।

dharmeṇa vai brūyād gṛhṇīyād yo’pyadharmataḥ || 48 ||
hīyetāṃ tāvubhau kṣiptaṃ syātāṃ vā vairiṇāvubhau |

He that teaches improperly and he that learns improperly, are both doomed to destruction and mutual hatred.

न हायनैर्न पलितैर्न वित्तेन न बन्धुभिः ॥ ४९ ॥
ऋषयश्चक्रिरे धर्मं योऽनूचानः स नो महान् ।

na hāyanairna palitairna vittena na bandhubhiḥ || 49 ||
ṛṣayaścakrire dharmaṃ yo’nūcānaḥ sa no mahān |

It is not age or decrepitude, of wealth or the number of kinsmen, by which the Rishis claim their merit. He only is great who is capable of reading and understanding the Vedas.'

 
एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य मुनयस्ते विधानतः ॥ ५० ॥
तस्माद् वेदाननुप्राप्य पुनधर्मं प्रचक्रिरे।

etacchrutvā vacastasya munayaste vidhānataḥ || 50 ||
tasmād vedānanuprāpya punadharmaṃ pracakrire|

Hearing these words of his, those ascetics duly became his disciples, and learning again from him the Vedas began to practice their rites.

षष्टिर्मुनिसहस्राणि शिष्यत्वं प्रतिपेदिरे ॥ ५१ ॥
सारस्वतस्य विप्रर्षेर्वेदस्वाध्यायकारणात्।

ṣaṣṭirmunisahasrāṇi śiṣyatvaṃ pratipedire || 51 ||
sārasvatasya viprarṣervedasvādhyāyakāraṇāt|

Sixty thousand ascetics became disciples of the great Rishi Sarasvat for the sake of learning again the Vedas from him.

मुष्टिं मुष्टिं ततः सर्वे दर्भाणां ते पाहरन् ।
तस्यासनार्थं विप्रर्षेर्बालस्यापि वशे स्थिताः ॥ ५२ ॥

muṣṭiṃ muṣṭiṃ tataḥ sarve darbhāṇāṃ te pāharan |
tasyāsanārthaṃ viprarṣerbālasyāpi vaśe sthitāḥ || 52 ||

Obeying that beautiful Rishi although just a boy, the ascetics each brought a handful of grass and offered it to him for his seat.

तत्रापि दत्त्वा वसु रौहिणेयो
महावल : केशवपूर्वजोऽथ ।
जगाम तीर्थं मुदितः क्रमेण
ख्यातं महद् वृद्धकन्या स्म यत्र ॥ ५३ ॥

tatrāpi dattvā vasu rauhiṇeyo
mahāvala : keśavapūrvajo’tha |
jagāma tīrthaṃ muditaḥ krameṇa
khyātaṃ mahad vṛddhakanyā sma yatra || 53 ||

The powerful son of Rohini and elder brother of Keshava, having distributed wealth in that Tirtha, then joyfully went to another where lived formerly an old virgin lady."

Creation of Kartikeya (ch44, Mahabharata)

MAHABHARATA

CHAPTER 44

(GADAYUDDHA PARVA)-Continued

The investiture of Kartikeya. His companions

SYNOPSIS

In this passage, King Janamejaya requests Vaishampayana to narrate the details of Skanda's (Kartikeya's) investiture as the commander-in-chief of the celestial army, his divine origins, and his defeat of the Daityas (demons).

Vaishampayana begins by recounting the extraordinary birth of Skanda. The vital seed of Maheshvara (Shiva) was entrusted to Agni (the fire god), who, unable to contain it, passed it to the river Ganga. Ganga, likewise overwhelmed by its energy, deposited it on the golden peaks of the Himalayas. There, the child Skanda was born, radiating fiery splendor. The six celestial Krittikas discovered the child lying on a clump of reeds, each claiming him as their own. In response, Skanda assumed six faces to simultaneously nurse from all six mothers, earning him the name Kartikeya.

As Skanda grew, his beauty, strength, and divine energy captivated the gods, ascetics, and celestial beings. Worshipped by Gandharvas and praised through hymns, he embodied unparalleled charm and power. The celestial priest Brihaspati performed his birth rites, and the Vedas themselves approached him with reverence. Skanda’s divine attributes, including self-restraint, ascetic power, and extraordinary prowess, became evident as he matured.

When Skanda approached Mahadeva (Shiva), Parvati, Ganga, and Agni, each expected the child to honor them first. To fulfill their desires equally, Skanda divided himself into four identical forms, each paying homage to one of the gods or goddesses. This miraculous display astonished all celestial beings, who gathered in awe to witness the event.

Acknowledging Skanda's unmatched virtues and strength, Brahma, the creator was petitioned by Shiva, Parvati, Ganga, and Agni to bestow a suitable position of sovereignty upon the child. Recognizing Skanda’s divine purpose, Brahma appointed him as the generalissimo of the celestial army, granting him dominion over all beings.

The investiture ceremony was conducted on the sacred banks of the Sarasvati River at Samantapanchaka, with the gods, Gandharvas, and celestial hosts assembling in joy and reverence. The passage celebrates Skanda's divine destiny, his role as the protector of the gods, and his role as the harbinger of cosmic order and victory.

CHAPTER 44

जनमेजय उवाच

सरस्वत्याः प्रभावोऽयमुक्तस्ते द्विजसत्तम ।
कुमारस्याभिषेकं तु ब्रह्मन् व्याख्यातुमर्हसि ॥ १॥

janamejaya uvāca
sarasvatyāḥ prabhāvo’yamuktaste dvijasattama |
kumārasyābhiṣekaṃ tu brahman vyākhyātumarhasi || 1||

Janamejaya said

"You have described the merits of the Sarasvati, O best of Brahmanas. You should, O Rishi, describe to me the investiture of Kumara by the gods.

यस्मिन् देशे च काले च यथा च वदतां वर ।
यैश्चाभिषिक्तो भगवान् विधिना येन च प्रभुः ॥ २ ॥
स्कन्दो यथा च दैत्यानामकरोत् कदनं महत् ।
तथा मे सर्वामाचक्ष्व परं कौतूहलं हि मे ॥ ३ ॥

yasmin deśe ca kāle ca yathā ca vadatāṃ vara |
yaiścābhiṣikto bhagavān vidhinā yena ca prabhuḥ || 2 ||
skando yathā ca daityānāmakarot kadanaṃ mahat |
tathā me sarvāmācakṣva paraṃ kautūhalaṃ hi me || 3 ||

Great is my curiosity. Tell me everything, therefore, about the time, place, and manner in which the worshipful and powerful Skanda was appointed the commander-in-chief of the celestial hosts! Tell me also, O best of speakers, who invested in him and who performed the actual rites and how the celestial generalissimo killed the Daityas."

वैशम्पायन उवाच
कुरुवंशस्य सदृशं कौतूहलमिदं तव ।
हर्षमुत्पादयत्येव वचो मे जनमेजय ॥ ४ ॥

vaiśampāyana uvāca
kuruvaṃśasya sadṛśaṃ kautūhalamidaṃ tava |
harṣamutpādayatyeva vaco me janamejaya || 4 ||

Vaishampayana said

"Your curiosity indeed becomes a Kuru. The words that I shall speak, will, O Janamejaya, please you.

हन्त ते कथयिष्यामि शृण्वानस्य नराधिप ।
अभिषेकं कुमारस्य प्रभावं च महात्मनः ॥५॥

hanta te kathayiṣyāmi śṛṇvānasya narādhipa |
abhiṣekaṃ kumārasya prabhāvaṃ ca mahātmanaḥ ||5||

I shall describe to you the appointment of Kumara and the prowess of that high-souled one, since, O king, you wish to hear it.

 
तेजो माहेश्वरं स्कन्नमग्नौ प्रपतितं पुरा।
तत् सर्वभक्षो भगवान् नाशकद् दग्धुमक्षयम्॥ ६ ॥

tejo māheśvaraṃ skannamagnau prapatitaṃ purā|
tat sarvabhakṣo bhagavān nāśakad dagdhumakṣayam|| 6 ||

In days of yore, the vital seed of Maheshvara dropped into a blazing fire. The consumer of everything, the worshipful Agni, could not burn that indestructible seed.

तेनासीदतितेजस्वी दीप्तिमान् हव्यवाहनः ।
न चैव धारयामास गर्भं तेजोमयं तदा ॥ ७ ॥

tenāsīdatitejasvī dīptimān havyavāhanaḥ |
na caiva dhārayāmāsa garbhaṃ tejomayaṃ tadā || 7 ||

On the other hand, the carrier of sacrificial libations, for that seed, became possessed of great energy and splendor. He could not bear that powerful seed within himself.

स गङ्गामभिसंगम्य नियोगाद् ब्रह्मणः प्रभुः ।
गर्भमाहितवान् दिव्यं भास्करोपमतेजसम्॥ ८॥

sa gaṅgāmabhisaṃgamya niyogād brahmaṇaḥ prabhuḥ |
garbhamāhitavān divyaṃ bhāskaropamatejasam|| 8||

At the behest of Brahma, the lord Agni, approaching the river Ganga, threw into her that divine seed effulgent like the Sun.

अथ गङ्गापि तं गर्भमसहन्ती विधारणे ।
उत्ससर्ज गिरौ रम्ये हिमवत्मरार्चिते ॥ ९ ॥

atha gaṅgāpi taṃ garbhamasahantī vidhāraṇe |
utsasarja girau ramye himavatmarārcite || 9 ||

Ganga also, unable to hold it, threw it on the beautiful breast of Himavat adored of the celestials.

स तत्र ववृधे लोकानावृत्य ज्वलनात्मजः ।
ददृशुर्ज्वलनाकारं तं गर्भमथ कृत्तिकाः ॥ १० ॥

sa tatra vavṛdhe lokānāvṛtya jvalanātmajaḥ |
dadṛśurjvalanākāraṃ taṃ garbhamatha kṛttikāḥ || 10 ||

Thereupon Agni's son began to grow there, overpowering all the worlds by his energy. Meanwhile, the six Krittikas saw that child of fiery splendor.

शरस्तम्बे महात्मानमनलात्मजमीश्वरम् ।
ममायमिति ताः सर्वाः पुत्रार्थिन्योऽभिचुक्रुशुः ॥ ११ ॥

śarastambe mahātmānamanalātmajamīśvaram |
mamāyamiti tāḥ sarvāḥ putrārthinyo’bhicukruśuḥ || 11 ||

Seeing that powerful lord, that great son of Agni, lying on a clump of reeds, all the six Krittikas, who wanted to have a son, cried aloud, saying - "This child is mine, this child is mine.'

तासां विदित्वा भावं तं मातॄणां भगवान् प्रभुः।
प्रस्नुतानां पयः षड्भिर्वदनैरपिबत् तदा ॥ १२ ॥

 
tāsāṃ viditvā bhāvaṃ taṃ mātṝṇāṃ bhagavān prabhuḥ|
prasnutānāṃ payaḥ ṣaḍbhirvadanairapibat tadā || 12 ||

Understanding the feelings of those six mothers, the wonderful lord Skanda sucked the breasts of all, having assumed six months.

 
तं प्रभावं समालक्ष्य तस्य बालस्य कृत्तिकाः ।
परं विस्मयमापन्ना देव्यो दिव्यवपुर्धराः ॥ १३ ॥

 
taṃ prabhāvaṃ samālakṣya tasya bālasya kṛttikāḥ |
paraṃ vismayamāpannā devyo divyavapurdharāḥ || 13 ||

Beholding that power of the child, the Krittikas, those beautiful goddesses, were stricken with wonder.

यत्रोत्सृष्टः स भगवान् गङ्गया गिरिमूर्धनि ।
स शैलः काञ्चनः सर्वः सम्बभौ कुरुसत्तम ॥ १४ ॥

yatrotsṛṣṭaḥ sa bhagavān gaṅgayā girimūrdhani |
sa śailaḥ kāñcanaḥ sarvaḥ sambabhau kurusattama || 14 ||

And because the adorable child had been thrown by the river Ganga upon the summit of Himavat, that mountain looked beautiful, having, O delighter of the Kurus, been transformed into gold.

वर्धता चैव गर्भेण पृथिवी तेन रञ्जिता ।
अतश्च सर्वे संवृत्ता गिरयः काञ्चनाकराः ।। १५ ।।

vardhatā caiva garbheṇa pṛthivī tena rañjitā |
ataśca sarve saṃvṛttā girayaḥ kāñcanākarāḥ || 15 ||

With that growing child the whole Earth became beautiful and it was therefore that mountains produced gold.

कुमारः सुमहावीर्यः कीर्तिकेय इति स्मृतः ।
गाङ्गेयः पूर्वमभवन्महायोगबलान्वितः ॥ १६ ॥

kumāraḥ sumahāvīryaḥ kīrtikeya iti smṛtaḥ |
gāṅgeyaḥ pūrvamabhavanmahāyogabalānvitaḥ || 16 ||

Possessed of great energy, the child passed by the name of Kartikeya. At first, he was called Gangeya. He was endowed with high ascetic powers.

शमेन तपसा चैव वीर्येण च समन्वितः ।
ववृधेऽतीव राजेन्द्र चन्द्रवत् प्रियदर्शनः ॥ १७ ॥

śamena tapasā caiva vīryeṇa ca samanvitaḥ |
vavṛdhe’tīva rājendra candravat priyadarśanaḥ || 17 ||

Possessed of self-restraint, asceticism, and great energy, the child grew up. O king, into a person of highly charming features like Soma himself.

स तस्मिन् काञ्चने दिव्ये शरस्तम्भे श्रिया वृतः ।
स्तूयमानः सदा शेते गन्धर्वैर्मुनिभिस्तथा ॥ १८ ॥

sa tasmin kāñcane divye śarastambhe śriyā vṛtaḥ |
stūyamānaḥ sadā śete gandharvairmunibhistathā || 18 ||

Highly beautiful the child lay on that excellent and golden clump of reeds, worshipped and lauded by Gandharvas and ascetics.

तथैतमन्वनृत्यन्तः देवकन्या सहस्रशः ।
दिव्यवादित्रनृत्यज्ञाः स्तुवन्त्यश्चारुदर्शनाः ॥ १९ ॥

tathaitamanvanṛtyantaḥ devakanyā sahasraśaḥ |
divyavāditranṛtyajñāḥ stuvantyaścārudarśanāḥ || 19 ||

Thousands of celestial girls, with very handsome features, accomplished in celestial music and dance, lauded him and danced before him.

अन्वास्ते च नदी देवं गङ्गा वै सरितां वरा ।
दधार पृथिवी चैनं बिभ्रती रूपमुत्तमम् ॥ २० ॥

anvāste ca nadī devaṃ gaṅgā vai saritāṃ varā |
dadhāra pṛthivī cainaṃ bibhratī rūpamuttamam || 20 ||

The best of all rivers, viz., Ganga, waited upon that god. The earth also, assuming great beauty, held the child on her lap.

 
जातकर्मादिकास्तत्र क्रियाश्चक्रे बृहस्पतिः ।
वेदश्चैनं चतुर्मूर्तिरूपतस्थे कृताञ्जलिः ॥ २१ ॥

jātakarmādikāstatra kriyāścakre bṛhaspatiḥ |
vedaścainaṃ caturmūrtirūpatasthe kṛtāñjaliḥ || 21 ||

The celestial priest Brihaspati performed the usual rites consequent upon the birth, of that child. The Vedas, assuming a fourfold form, approached the child with clasped hands.

 
धनुर्वेदश्चतुष्पादः शस्त्रग्रामः ससंग्रहः ।
तत्रैनं समुपातिष्ठत् साक्षाद् वाणी च केवला ॥ २२ ॥

dhanurvedaścatuṣpādaḥ śastragrāmaḥ sasaṃgrahaḥ |
tatrainaṃ samupātiṣṭhat sākṣād vāṇī ca kevalā || 22 ||

The science of arms, with its four divisions and all the weapons, as well as all kinds of arrows, came to him.

स ददर्श महावीर्यं देवदेवमुमापतिम् ।
शैलपुत्र्या समासीनं भूतसंघशतैर्वृतम्॥ २३ ॥

sa dadarśa mahāvīryaṃ devadevamumāpatim |
śailaputryā samāsīnaṃ bhūtasaṃghaśatairvṛtam|| 23 ||

One day, the highly energetic child, saw that god of gods, viz., the lord of Uma, seated with the daughter of Himavat, amid a number of goblins.

निकाया भूतसंघानां परमाद्भुतदर्शनाः ।
विकृता विकृताकारा बिकृताभरणध्वजाः ॥ २४ ॥

nikāyā bhūtasaṃghānāṃ paramādbhutadarśanāḥ |
vikṛtā vikṛtākārā bikṛtābharaṇadhvajāḥ || 24 ||

Those goblins, of lean bodies, had wonderful features. They were ugly both in person and in features and bore on this person awkward ornaments and marks.

व्याघ्रसिंहर्क्षवदना विडालमकराननाः ।
वृषदंशमुखाश्चान्ये गजोष्ट्रवदनास्तथा ।। २५ ।
उलूकवदनाः केचिद् गृध्रगोमायुदर्शनाः ।

vyāghrasiṃharkṣavadanā viḍālamakarānanāḥ |
vṛṣadaṃśamukhāścānye gajoṣṭravadanāstathā || 25 |
ulūkavadanāḥ kecid gṛdhragomāyudarśanāḥ |

Their faces were like those of tigers and lions and bears and cats and Makaras. Others had faces like those of scorpions; others had faces like those of elephants camels and owls. And some had faces like those of vultures and jackals.

 
क्रौञ्चपारावतनिभैर्वदनै राङ्कवैरपि ॥ २६ ॥
श्वाविच्छल्यकगोधानामजैडकगवां तथा ।
सदृशानि वपूंष्यन्ये तत्र यत्र व्यधारयन् ॥ २७॥
केचिच्छैलाम्बुदप्रख्याश्चक्रोद्यतगदायुधाः ।
केचिदञ्जनपुञ्जाभाः केचिच्छ्वेताचलप्रभाः ॥ २८ ॥
सप्त मातृगणाश्चैव समाजग्मुर्विशाम्पते ।

krauñcapārāvatanibhairvadanai rāṅkavairapi || 26 ||
śvāvicchalyakagodhānāmajaiḍakagavāṃ tathā |
sadṛśāni vapūṃṣyanye tatra yatra vyadhārayan || 27||
kecicchailāmbudaprakhyāścakrodyatagadāyudhāḥ |
kecidañjanapuñjābhāḥ kecicchvetācalaprabhāḥ || 28 ||
sapta mātṛgaṇāścaiva samājagmurviśāmpate |

And some had faces like those of cranes and pigeons and Kurus. And some had bodies like those of dogs and porcupines and iguanas and goats and sheep and cows. And some resembled mountains and some, oceans and some stood with uplifted discs and maces for their weapons. And some looked like masses of antimony and some, like mountains. The seven matris also were present there, O king.

 
साध्या विश्वेऽथ मरुतो वसवः पितरस्तथा ॥ २९ ॥
रुद्रादित्यास्तथा सिद्धा भुजगाः दानवाः खगाः ।
ब्रह्मा स्वयम्भूर्भगवान् सपुत्रः सह विष्णुना ॥ ३० ॥
शक्रस्तथाभ्ययाद् द्रष्टुं कुमारवरमच्युतम्।

sādhyā viśve’tha maruto vasavaḥ pitarastathā || 29 ||
rudrādityāstathā siddhā bhujagāḥ dānavāḥ khagāḥ |
brahmā svayambhūrbhagavān saputraḥ saha viṣṇunā || 30 ||
śakrastathābhyayād draṣṭuṃ kumāravaramacyutam|

The Saddhyas, the Vishvedevas, the Maruts, the Vasus, the Pitris, the Rudras, the Adityas, the Siddhas, the Danavas, the birds, the self-create and worshipful Brahman with his sons and Vishnu and Shakra, all went there for beholding that child of ever-increasing glory.

नारदप्रमुखाश्चापि देवगन्धर्वसत्तमाः ।। ३१ ।।
देवर्षयश्च सिद्धाश्च बृहस्पतिपुरोगमाः ।
पितरो जगतः श्रेष्ठा देवानामपि देवताः ॥ ३२ ॥
तेऽपि तत्र समाजग्मुर्यामा धामाश्च सर्वशः ।

nāradapramukhāścāpi devagandharvasattamāḥ || 31 ||
devarṣayaśca siddhāśca bṛhaspatipurogamāḥ |
pitaro jagataḥ śreṣṭhā devānāmapi devatāḥ || 32 ||
te’pi tatra samājagmuryāmā dhāmāśca sarvaśaḥ |

And many leading celestials and Gandharvas, headed by Narada and many celestial Rishis and Siddhas headed by Brihaspati and the guardian deities of the universe, those foremost ones, they that are regarded as gods of the gods and the Yamas and the Dhamas, all went there.

स तु बालोऽपि बलवान महायोगबलान्वितः ॥ ३३ ॥
अभ्याजगाम देवेशं शूलहस्तं पिनाकिनम् ।

sa tu bālo’pi balavāna mahāyogabalānvitaḥ || 33 ||
abhyājagāma deveśaṃ śūlahastaṃ pinākinam |

Gifted with great strength and great ascetic power, the child proceeded before that lord of the gods, viz., Mahadeva, armed with a trident and Pinaka.

तमाव्रजन्तमालक्ष्य शिवस्यासीन्मनोगतम्॥ ३४॥
युगपच्छैलपुत्र्याश्च गङ्गायाः पावकस्य च।
कं नु पूर्वमयं बालो गौरवादभ्युपैष्यति ॥ ३५ ॥
अपि मामिति सर्वेषां तेषामासीन्मनोगतम् ।

tamāvrajantamālakṣya śivasyāsīnmanogatam|| 34||
yugapacchailaputryāśca gaṅgāyāḥ pāvakasya ca|
kaṃ nu pūrvamayaṃ bālo gauravādabhyupaiṣyati || 35 ||
api māmiti sarveṣāṃ teṣāmāsīnmanogatam |

Seeing the child coming, the thought entered the mind of Shiva, that of Himavat's daughter and that of Ganga and of Agni, as to whom amongst the four, the child would first approach to honor him or her. Each of them thought -He will come to me.'

 
तेषामेतमभिप्रायं चतुर्णामुपलक्ष्य सः ॥ ३६॥
युगपद् योगमास्थाय ससर्ज विविधास्तनूः ।

teṣāmetamabhiprāyaṃ caturṇāmupalakṣya saḥ || 36||
yugapad yogamāsthāya sasarja vividhāstanūḥ |

Understanding the desire of each of those four, he had recourse to his Yoga powers and assumed simultaneously four different forms.

 
ततोऽभवच्चतुर्मूति: क्षणेन भगवान् प्रभुः ॥३७॥
तस्य शाखो विशाखश्च नैगमेयश्च पृष्ठतः ।

tato’bhavaccaturmūti: kṣaṇena bhagavān prabhuḥ ||37||
tasya śākho viśākhaśca naigameyaśca pṛṣṭhataḥ |

The worshipful and powerful lord assumed those four forms in an instant. The three forms that stood behind were Shakra Vishakha and Naigameya.

एवं स कृत्वा ह्यात्मानं चतुर्धा भगवान् प्रभुः ॥ ३८ ॥
यतो रुद्रस्ततः स्कन्दो गजामाद्भुतदर्शनः ।

evaṃ sa kṛtvā hyātmānaṃ caturdhā bhagavān prabhuḥ || 38 ||
yato rudrastataḥ skando gajāmādbhutadarśanaḥ |

Having divided himself into four forms, he went towards the four that sat expecting him. The wonderful form called Skanda proceeded to where Rudra was sitting.

विशाखस्तु ययौ येन देवी गिरीवरात्मजा ॥ ३९॥
शाखो ययौ स भगवान् वायुमूर्तिर्विभावसुं ।
नैगमेयोऽगमद् गङ्गां कुमारः पावकप्रभः॥४०॥

viśākhastu yayau yena devī girīvarātmajā || 39||
śākho yayau sa bhagavān vāyumūrtirvibhāvasuṃ |
naigameyo’gamad gaṅgāṃ kumāraḥ pāvakaprabhaḥ||40||

Vishakha went where the divine daughter of Himavat was. The adorable Shakha, which is Kartikeya's airy form, went towards Agni. Naigameya, that child of fiery splendor, went before Ganga.

सर्वे भासुरदेहास्ते चत्वारः समरूपिणः ।
तान् समभ्ययुरव्यग्रास्तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्॥ ४१॥

sarve bhāsuradehāste catvāraḥ samarūpiṇaḥ |
tān samabhyayuravyagrāstadadbhutamivābhavat|| 41||

All those four forms, of similar appearance, were highly effulgent. The four forms went calmly to the four gods and goddesses. It was indeed wonderful.

हाहाकारो महानासीद् देवदानवरक्षसाम् ।
तद् दृष्ट्वा महदाश्चर्यमद्भूतं लोमहर्षणम् ॥ ४२ ॥

hāhākāro mahānāsīd devadānavarakṣasām |
tad dṛṣṭvā mahadāścaryamadbhūtaṃ lomaharṣaṇam || 42 ||

The gods, the Danavas, and the Rakshasas made a loud noise seeing that exceedingly wonderful and hair-stirring incident.

ततो रुद्रश्च देवीं च पावकश्च पितामहम् ।
गङ्गा सहिताः सर्वे प्रणिपेतुर्जगत्पतिम् ॥ ४३ ॥

 
tato rudraśca devīṃ ca pāvakaśca pitāmaham |
gaṅgā sahitāḥ sarve praṇipeturjagatpatim || 43 ||

Then Rudra and the goddess Uma and Agni and Ganga, all bowed unto Brahma, that lord of the universe.

प्रणिपत्य ततस्ते तु विधिवद् राजपुङ्गव ।
उदमूचुर्वचो राजन् कार्तिकेयप्रियेप्सया ॥ ४४ ॥
अस्य बालस्य भगवन्नाधिपत्यं यथेप्सितम् ।
अस्मात्प्रियार्थं देवेश सदृशं दातुमर्हसि ॥ ४५ ॥

praṇipatya tataste tu vidhivad rājapuṅgava |
udamūcurvaco rājan kārtikeyapriyepsayā || 44 ||
asya bālasya bhagavannādhipatyaṃ yathepsitam |
asmātpriyārthaṃ deveśa sadṛśaṃ dātumarhasi || 45 ||

Having duly bowed into him, they said these words, O king, from the desire of doing god unto Kartikeya:- "O Lord of the gods, for the sake of our happiness you should give this youth some kind of sovereignty that may suit him and that he may desire.'

ततः स भगवान् धीमान् सर्वलोकपितामहः ।
मनसा चिन्तयामास किमयं लभतामिति ॥ ४६॥

tataḥ sa bhagavān dhīmān sarvalokapitāmahaḥ |
manasā cintayāmāsa kimayaṃ labhatāmiti || 46||

Thereat, the worshipful grandfather of all the worlds, endued with great intelligence, began to think within his mind as to what he should confer of that youth.

ऐश्वर्याणि च सर्वाणि देवगन्धर्वरक्षसाम् ।
भूतयक्षविहङ्गानां पन्नगानां च सर्वशः ॥ ४७ ॥
पूर्वमेवादिदेशासौ निकायेषु महात्मनाम् ।
समर्थं च तमैश्वर्ये महामतिरमन्यत ॥ ४८ ॥

aiśvaryāṇi ca sarvāṇi devagandharvarakṣasām |
bhūtayakṣavihaṅgānāṃ pannagānāṃ ca sarvaśaḥ || 47 ||
pūrvamevādideśāsau nikāyeṣu mahātmanām |
samarthaṃ ca tamaiśvarye mahāmatiramanyata || 48 ||

He had formerly given away to the gods all kinds of wealth over which the great celestials, the Gandharvas, the Rakshasas, ghosts, Yakshas, birds, and snakes now region. Brahman, therefore, considered that youth as fully qualified to have the dominion which had been bestowed upon the gods.

ततो मुहूर्तं स ध्यात्वा देवानां श्रेयसि स्थितः ।
सैनापत्यं ददौ तस्मै सर्वभूतेषु भारत ।। ४९ ।।

tato muhūrtaṃ sa dhyātvā devānāṃ śreyasi sthitaḥ |
saināpatyaṃ dadau tasmai sarvabhūteṣu bhārata || 49 ||

Having thought for a moment, the grandfather, always seeking the well-being of the celestials, conferred upon him the dignity of a generalissimo among all creatures, Bharata.

सर्वदेवनिकायानां ये राजानः परिश्रुताः ।
तान् सर्वान् व्यादिदेशास्मै सर्वभूतपितामहः ॥ ५० ॥

 
sarvadevanikāyānāṃ ye rājānaḥ pariśrutāḥ |
tān sarvān vyādideśāsmai sarvabhūtapitāmahaḥ || 50 ||

He further ordered all those leading gods and other formless beings to wait upon him.

 
ततः कुमारमादाय देवा ब्रह्मपुरोगमाः ।
अभिषेकार्थमाजग्मुः शैलेन्द्रं सहितास्ततः ।। ५१ ।।

tataḥ kumāramādāya devā brahmapurogamāḥ |
abhiṣekārthamājagmuḥ śailendraṃ sahitāstataḥ || 51 ||

Then the gods headed by Brahman, taking that youth with them, came in a body to Himavat.

पुण्यां हैमवतीं देवीं सरिच्छ्रेष्ठां सरस्वतीम् ।
समन्तपञ्चके या वै त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुता ॥ ५२ ॥

puṇyāṃ haimavatīṃ devīṃ saricchreṣṭhāṃ sarasvatīm |
samantapañcake yā vai triṣu lokeṣu viśrutā || 52 ||

The site selected by them was the bank of the sacred and divine Sarasvati, which is foremost of rivers, taking her rise from Himavat, which is celebrated over the three worlds by the name of Samantapanchaka.

तत्र तीरे सरस्वत्याः पुण्ये सर्वगुणान्विते ।
निषेदुर्देवगन्धर्वाः सर्वे सम्पूर्णमानसाः ॥ ५३ ॥

tatra tīre sarasvatyāḥ puṇye sarvaguṇānvite |
niṣedurdevagandharvāḥ sarve sampūrṇamānasāḥ || 53 ||

There, on the sacred bank of the Sarasvati, the gods and the Gandharvas took their seats with gladness on account of the gratification of all their desire."