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The Mahabharata of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 4 by or: Kisari Mohan Ganguli

O >> or: Kisari Mohan Ganguli >> The Mahabharata of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 4




When king Yudhishthira the just of Kuru's race said so, Vasudeva, that
foremost of men, said these words (in reply).

"Vasudeva said, 'O mighty-armed one, all jewels and gems, all wealth, and
the entire Earth, are thine and thine alone. Whatever wealth exists in
my, abode, thou, O lord, art always the owner thereof.' Unto him
Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, said,--'Be it so'--and then duly
worshipped (Krishna) the eldest brother, endued with great energy, of
Gada. Vasudeva then proceeded to his paternal aunt (Kunti). Duly
honouring her, he circumambulated her person. He was properly accosted by
her in return, and then by all the others having Vidura for their first.
The four-armed eldest brother of Gada then set out from Nagapura on his
excellent car.[167] Placing his sister, the lady Subhadra, on the car,
the mighty-armed Janarddana then, with the permission of both
Yudhishthira and (Kunti) his paternal aunt, set out, accompanied by a
large train of citizens. The hero who had the foremost of apes on his
banner, as also Satyaki, and the two sons of Madravati, and Vidura of
immeasurable intelligence, and Bhima himself whose tread resembled that
of a prince of elephants, all followed Madhava. Janarddana of mighty
energy causing all those extenders of the Kuru kingdom and Vidura also to
return, addressed Daraka, and Satyaki, saying,--'Urge the steeds to
speed.' Then that grinder of hostile masses, viz., Janarddana of great
prowess, accompanied by Satyaki, the foremost one of Sini's race,
proceeded to the city of the Anarttas, after having slain all his foes,
like He of a hundred sacrifices proceeding to Heaven (after slaughtering
all his foes).'



SECTION LIII

"Vaisampayana said, 'As he of Vrishni's race was proceeding to Dwaraka,
those foremost princes of Bharata's race, those chastisers of foes
embraced him and fell back with their attendants. Phalguna repeatedly
embraced the Vrishni hero, and as long as he was within the range of
vision, he repeatedly turned his eyes towards him. With great difficulty,
the son of Pritha withdrew his gaze that had fallen on Govinda. The
unvanquished Krishna also (did the same). The indications that were
manifested on the occasion of that high-souled one's departure, I shall
now detail. Do thou listen to me. The wind blew with great speed before
the car, clearing the path of sand-grains and dust and thorns. Vasava
rained pure and fragrant showers and celestial flowers before the wielder
of Saranga. As the mighty-armed hero proceeded, he came upon the desert
ill supplied with water. There he beheld that foremost of ascetics, named
Utanka, of immeasurable energy. The hero of large eyes and great energy
worshipped that ascetic. He was then worshipped by the ascetic in return.
Vasudeva then enquired after his welfare. That foremost of Brahmanas,
viz., Utanka, politely accosted by Madhava, honoured him duly and then
addressed him in these words.--'O Saurin, having repaired to the mansions
of the Kurus and the Pandavas, hast thou succeeded in establishing a
durable understanding between them such as should exist between brothers?
It behoves thee to tell me everything. Dost thou come, O Kesava, after
having united them in peace,--them that are thy relatives and that are
ever dear to thee, O foremost one of Vrishni's race? Will the five sons
of Pandu, and the children of Dhritarashtra, O scorcher of foes, sport in
the world in joy with thee? Will all the kings enjoy happiness in their
respective kingdoms, in consequence of the pacification of the Kauravas
brought about by thee? Has that trust, O son, which I had always reposed
on thee, borne fruit with regard to the Kauravas?'

"The blessed and holy one said, 'I strove my best at first, for bringing
about a good understanding, in regard to the Kauravas. When I could not
by any means succeed in establishing them on peace, it happened that all
of them, with their relatives and kinsmen, met with death. It is
impossible to transgress destiny by either intelligence or might. O great
Rishi, O sinless one, this also cannot be unknown to thee. They (the
Kauravas) transgressed the counsels which Bhishma and Vidura gave them
referring to me.[168] Encountering one another they then became guests of
Yama's abode. Only the five Pandavas constitute the remnant of the
unslain, all their friends and all their children having been
slaughtered. All the sons of Dhritarashtra also with their children and
kinsmen, have been slain.' When Krishna had said these words, Utanka,
filled with wrath, and with eyes expanded in rage, addressed him in these
words.

"Utanka said,--'Since, though able, O Krishna, thou didst not rescue
those foremost ones of Kuru's race, who were thy relatives and,
therefore, dear to thee, I shall, without doubt, curse thee. Since thou
didst not forcibly compel them to forbear, therefore, O slayer of Madhu,
I shall, filled with wrath, denounce a curse on thee. It seems, O
Madhava, that though fully able (to save them), thou wert indifferent to
these foremost of Kurus who, overwhelmed by insincerity and hypocrisy
have all met with destruction.'

"Vasudeva said, 'O scion of Bhrigu's race, listen to what I say in
detail. Do thou accept my apologies also. O thou of Bhrigu's race, thou
art an ascetic. After having heard my words relating to the soul, thou
mayst then utter thy curse. No man is able, by a little ascetic merit, to
put me down. O foremost of ascetics, I do not wish to see the destruction
of all thy penances. Thou hast a large measure of blazing penances. Thou
hast gratified thy preceptors and seniors.[169] O foremost of regenerate
ones, I know that thou hast observed the rules of Brahmacharyya from the
days of thy infancy. I do not, therefore, desire the loss or diminution
of thy penances achieved with so much pain.'"



SECTION LIV

"Utanka said, 'Do thou, O Kesava, tell me that faultless Adhyatma. Having
heard thy discourse I shall ordain what is for thy good or denounce a
curse to thee, O Janarddana.'

"Vasudeva said, 'Know that the three qualities of Darkness and Passion
and Goodness exist, depending on me as their refuge. So also, O
regenerate one, know that the Rudras and the Vasus have sprung from me.
In me are all creatures, and in all creatures do I exist; know this. Let
no doubt arise in thy mind respecting this. So also, O regenerate one,
know that all the tribes of the Daityas, all the Yakshas, Gandharvas,
Rakshasas, Nagas. Apsaras, have sprung from me. Whatever has been called
existent and non-existent, whatever is manifest and not-manifest,
whatever is destructible and indestructible, all have me for their soul.
Those fourfold courses of duty which, O ascetic, are known to attach to
the (four) modes of life, and all the Vedic duties, have me for their
soul. Whatever is non-existent, whatever is existent and non-existent,
and whatever transcends that which is existent and non-existent,--all
these which constitute the universe--are from me. There is nothing higher
(or beyond) me who am the eternal god of gods.[170] O perpetuator of
Bhrigu's race, know that all the Vedas beginning with (the original
syllable) Om are identical with me. Know, O son of Bhrigu's race, that I
am the sacrificial stake; I am the Soma (drunk in sacrifices); I am the
Charu (cooked in sacrifices for being offered to the deities); I am the
Homa (that is performed); I am those acts which sacrificers perform for
gratifying the deities; I am even the pourer of the sacrificial libation:
and I am the Havi or libation that is poured. I am the Adharyu. I am the
Kalpaka; and I am the highly sanctified sacrificial Havi. It is me whom
the Udgatri, in the great sacrifice, hymns by the sound of his songs. In
all rites of expiation, O Brahmana, the utterers of auspicious Mantras
and benedictions fraught with peace hymn my praises who am the artificer,
O foremost of regenerate ones, of the universe. Know, O best of
regenerate person, that Dharma is my eldest-born offspring, sprung from
my mind, O learned Brahmana, whose essence is compassion for all
creatures. Constantly transforming myself, I take birth in diverse wombs,
O best of men, for upholding that son of mine, with the aid of men now
existing in or departed from the world. Indeed, I do this for protecting
Righteousness and for establishing it. In those forms that I assume for
the purpose, I am known, O son of Bhrigu's race, in the three worlds as
Vishnu and Brahman and Sakra. I am the origin and I am the destruction of
all things. I am the creator of all existent objects and I am their
destroyer. Knowing no change myself, I am the destroyer of all those
creatures that live in sinfulness. In every Yuga I have to repair the
causeway of Righteousness, entering into diverse kinds of wombs from
desire of doing good to my creatures. When, O son of Bhrigu's race, I
live in the order of the deities, I then verily act in every respect as a
deity. When I live in the order of the Gandharvas, I then, O son of
Bhrigu's race, act in every respect as a Gandharva. When I live in the
order of the Nagas, I then act as a Naga, and when I live in the order of
Yakshas or that of Rakshasas, I act after the manner of that order. Born
now in the order of humanity, I must act as a human being. I appealed to
them (the Kauravas) most piteously. But stupefied as they were and
deprived of their senses, they refused to accept my words. I frightened
them, filled with wrath, referring to some great fear (as the consequence
of their slighting my message). But once more I showed themselves my
usual (human) form. Possessed as they were of unrighteousness, and
assailed by the virtue of Time, all of them have been righteously slain
in battle, and have, without doubt, gone to Heaven. The Pandavas also, O
best of Brahmanas, have acquired great fame. I have thus told thee all
that thou hadst asked me.'"



SECTION LV

"Utanka said, 'I know thee, O Janarddana, to be the creator of the
universe. Without doubt, this knowledge that I have is the result of thy
grace towards me, O thou of unfading glory, my heart is possessed of
cheerful tranquillity in consequence of its being devoted to thee. Know,
O chastiser of foes, that my heart is no longer inclined to curse thee.
If, O Janarddana, I deserve the least grace from thee, do thou then show
me once thy sovereign form.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Gratified with him, the holy one then showed
Utanka that eternal Vaishnava form which Dhananjaya of great intelligence
had seen. Utanka beheld the high-souled Vasudeva's universal form, endued
with mighty arms. The effulgence of that form was like that of a blazing
fire of a thousand suns. It stood before him filling all space. It had
faces on every side. Beholding that high and wonderful Vaishnava form of
Vishnu, in act, seeing the Supreme Lord (in that guise), the Brahmana
Utanka became filled with wonder.'

"Utanka, said, 'O thou whose handiwork is the universe, I bow to thee, O
Soul of the universe, O parent of all things. With thy feet thou hast
covered the whole Earth, and with thy head thou fillest the firmament.
That which lies between the Earth and the firmament has been filled by
thy stomach. All the points of the compass are covered by thy arms. O
thou of unfading glory, thou art all this. Do thou withdraw this
excellent and indestructible form of thine. I wish to behold thee now in
thy own (human) form which too is eternal!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Unto him, O Janamejaya, Govinda of gratified
soul said these words,--'Do thou ask for some boon' Unto him Utanka,
however, said--Even this is a sufficient boon from thee for the present,
O thou of great splendour, in that, O Krishna, I have beheld this form of
thine, O foremost of all beings. Krishna, however, once more said unto
him--Do not scruple in this matter. This must be done. A sight of my form
cannot be fruitless.'

"Utanka said, 'I must accomplish that, O lord, which thou thinkest should
be done. I desire to have water wherever my wish for it may arise. Water
is scarce in such deserts.' Withdrawing that energy, the Supreme Lord
then said unto Utanka--Whenever thou wilt require water, think of me!
Having said so, he proceeded towards Dwaraka. Subsequently, one day, the
illustrious Utanka, solicitous of water and exceedingly thirsty, wandered
over the desert. In course of his wanderings he thought of Krishna of
unfading glory. The intelligent Rishi then beheld in that desert a naked
hunter (of the Chandala class), all besmeared with dirt, surrounded by a
pack of dogs. Extremely fierce-looking, he carried a sword and was armed
with bow and arrows. That foremost of regenerate ones beheld copious
streams of water issuing from the urinary organs of that hunter. As soon
as Utanka had thought of Krishna, that hunter smilingly addressed him,
saying,--'O Utanka, O thou of Bhrigu's race, do thou accept this water
from me. Beholding thee afflicted by thirst I have felt great compassion
for thee.' Thus addressed by the hunter, the ascetic showed no
inclination to accept that water. The intelligent Utanka even began to
censure Krishna of unfading glory. The hunter, how ever, repeatedly
addressed the Rishi, saying,--'Drink!' The ascetic refused to drink the
water thus offered. On the other hand, with heart afflicted by hunger and
thirst, he even gave way to wrath. Disregarded by the high-souled Rishi
through that conviction, the hunter, O king, with his pack of dogs,
disappeared there and then. Beholding that (wonderful) disappearance,
Utanka became filled with shame. He even thought that Krishna, that
slayer of foes, had beguiled him (in the matter of the boon he had
granted). Soon after, the holder of the conch and discus and mace, endued
with great intelligence, came to Utanka by the way (along which the
hunter had come). Addressing Krishna, the Brahmana said,--'O foremost of
beings, it was scarcely proper for thee to offer water unto foremost of
Brahmanas in the form of a hunter's urine, O lord.' Unto Utanka who said
these words, Janarddana of great intelligence replied, comforting him
with many soft words--'That form which it was proper to assume for
offering thee water, in that form was water offered to thee. But, also,
thou couldst not understand it. The wielder of the thunder bolt,
Purandara, was requested by me for thy sake. My words to that puissant
deity were--'Do thou give nectar in the form of water unto Utanka.' The
chief of the celestials replied to me saying--It is not proper that a
mortal should become immortal. Let some other boon be granted to
Utanka.'--O son of Bhrigu's race, these words were repeatedly addressed
to me. The lord of Sachi, however, was once more requested by me in these
words, viz., even nectar should be given to Utanka.'--The chief of the
celestials then, comforting me, said,--'If, O thou of great intelligence,
nectar is to be given to him, I shall then assume the form of a hunter
and give it to that high-souled descendant of Bhrigu's race. If that son
of Bhrigu accepts it thus, I then go to him, O lord, for giving it unto
him. If, however, he sends me away from disregard,--I shall not then give
it to him on any account,--Having made this compact with me, Vasava
appeared before thee, in that disguise, for giving thee nectar. Thou,
however, didst disregard him and send him away, seeing that the
illustrious one had put on the guise of a Chandala. Thy fault has been
great. Once more, with regard to thy desire, I am prepared to do what is
in my power. Indeed, this painful thirst of thine, I shall arrange, shall
be slaked. On those days, O regenerate one, in which thou wilt feel a
desire for water, clouds well-charged with water will rise over this
desert. Those clouds, O son of Bhrigu's race, will give thee savoury
water to drink. Verily, those clouds will become known in the world as
Utanka-clouds.' Thus addressed by Krishna, Utanka became filled with
gladness, and to this day, O Bharata, Utanka-clouds (appear and) shower
rain on and deserts.'"



SECTION LVI

"Janamejaya said, 'With what penances was the high-souled Utanka endued
so that he entertained the wish to denounce a curse on Vishnu himself,
who is the source of all puissance?'

"Vaisampayana said, 'O Janamejaya, Utanka was endued with austere
penances. He was devoted to his preceptor. Endued with great energy, he
abstained from worshipping anybody else. All the children of the Rishis O
Bharata, entertained even this wish, viz., that their devotion to
preceptors should be as great as that of Utanka. Gautama's gratification
with and affection for Utanka, among his numerous disciples, were very
great, O Janamejaya. Indeed, Gautama was highly pleased with the
self-restraint and purity of behaviour that characterised Utanka, and
with his acts of prowess and the services he rendered to him. One after
another, thousands of disciples received the preceptor's permission to
return home (after the completion of their pupilage). In consequence,
however, of his great affection for Utanka, Gautama could not permit him
to leave his retreat. Gradually, in course of time, O son, decrepitude
overtook Utanka, that great ascetic. The ascetic, however, in consequence
of his devotion to his preceptor, was not conscious of it. One day, he
set out, O monarch, for fetching fuel for his preceptor. Soon after
Utanka brought a heavy load of fuel. Toil-worn and hungry and afflicted
by the load he bore on his head, O chastiser of foes, he threw the load
down on the Earth, O king. One of his matted locks, white as silver, had
become entangled with the load. Accordingly, when the load was thrown
down, with it fell on the earth that matted lock of hair. Oppressed as he
had been by that load and overcome by hunger, O Bharata, Utanka,
beholding that sign of old age, began to indulge in loud lamentations
from excess of sorrow. Conversant with every duty, the daughter of his
preceptor the, who was possessed of eyes that resembled the petals of the
lotus, and of hips that were full and round, at the command of her sire,
sought, with downcast face, to hold Utanka's tears in her hands. Her
hands seemed to burn with those tear-drops that she held. Unable,
accordingly, to hold them longer, she was obliged to throw them down on
the Earth. The Earth herself was unable to hold those tear-drops of
Utanka. With a gratified heart, Gautama then said unto the regenerate
Utanka,--Why, O son, is thy mind so afflicted with grief today? Tell me
calmly and quietly, O learned Rishi, for I wish to hear it in detail.'

"Utanka said, 'With mind entirely devoted to thee, and wholly bent upon
doing what is agreeable to thee, with my, heart's devotion turned to
thee, and with thoughts entirely dwelling on thee, (I have resided here
till) decrepitude has come upon me without my knowing it at all. I have
not, again, known any happiness. Though I have dwelt with thee for a
hundred years, yet thou hast not granted me permission to depart. Many
disciples of thine, that were my juniors, have, however, been permitted
by thee to return. Indeed, hundreds and thousands of foremost Brahmanas
have, equipt with knowledge, been permitted by thee (to depart from thy
retreat and set themselves up as teachers)!'

"Gautama said, 'Through my love and affection for thee, and in
consequence of thy dutiful services to me, a long time has elapsed
without my knowing it, O foremost of Brahmanas. If, however, O thou of
Bhrigu's race, the desire is entertained by thee of leaving this place,
do thou go without delay, receiving my permission.'

"Utanka said. 'What shall I present to my preceptor? Tell me this, O best
of regenerate persons. Having brought it, I shall go hence, O lord, with
thy permission.'

"Gautama said. 'The good that the gratification of the preceptor is the
final fee.[171] Without doubt, O regenerate one. I have been highly
gratified with thy conduct. Know, O perpetuator of Bhrigu's race, that I
have been exceedingly gratified with thee for this. If thou becomest a
young man today of sixteen years, I shall bestow on thee, O regenerate
one, this my own daughter for becoming thy wife. No other woman save this
one is capable of waiting upon thy energy.' At these words of Gautama,
Utanka once again became a youth and accepted that famous maiden for his
wife. Receiving the permission of his preceptor, he then addressed his
preceptor's wife, saying,--'What shall I give thee as final fee for my
preceptor? Do thou command me. I desire to accomplish, with wealth or
even my life, what is agreeable and beneficial to thee. Whatever gem,
exceedingly wonderful and of great value, exists in this world, I shall
bring for thee with the aid of my penances. I have no doubt in this.'

"Ahalya said, 'I am highly gratified with thee, O learned Brahmana, with
thy unintermitting devotion, O sinless one. This is enough. Blessed be
thou, go whithersoever thou likest.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Utanka, however, O monarch, once more, said
these words,--Do thou command me, O mother. It is meet that I should do
something that is agreeable to thee.'

"Ahalya said, 'Blessed be thou, bring for me those celestial ear-rings
that are worn by the wife of Saudasa. That which is due to thy preceptor
will then be well-discharged.' Replying unto her 'So be it,'--Utanka
departed, O Janamejaya, resolved to bring those ear-rings for doing what
was agreeable to his preceptor's wife. That foremost of Brahmanas,
Utanka, proceeded without any loss of time to Saudasa who had (through
the curse of Vasishtha) become a cannibal, in order to solicit the
ear-rings from him. Gautama meanwhile said unto his wife,--'Utanka is not
to be seen today.' Thus addressed, she informed him how he had departed
for fetching the jewelled ear-rings (of Saudasa's queen). At this,
Gautama said,--'Thou hast not acted wisely. Cursed (by Vasishtha), that
king (who has been transformed into a man-eater) will verily slay Utanka.'

"Ahalya said, 'Without knowing this, O holy one, I have set Utanka to
this task. He shall not, however, incur any danger through thy grace.
Thus addressed by her, Gautama said,--'Let it be so!' Meanwhile, Utanka
met king Saudasa in a deserted forest.'"



SECTION LVII

"Vaisampayana said, "Beholding the king, who had become so, of frightful
mien, wearing a long beard smeared with the blood of human beings, the
Brahmana Utanka, O king, did not become agitated. That monarch of great
energy, inspiring terror in every breast and looking like a second Yama,
rising up, addressed Utanka, saying,--'By good luck, O best of Brahmanas,
thou hast come to me at the sixth hour of the day when I am in search of
food.'

"Utanka said, 'O king, know that I have come hither in course of my
wanderings for the sake of my preceptor. The wise have said that I while
one is employed for the sake of one's preceptor, one should not be
injured.'

"The king said, 'O best of Brahmanas, food has been ordained for me at
the sixth hour of the day. I am hungry. I cannot, therefore, allow thee
to escape today.'

"Utanka said, 'Let it be so, O king. Let this compact be made with me.
After I have ceased to wander for my preceptor, I shall once more come
and place myself within thy power. It has been heard by me, O best of
kings, that the object I seek for my preceptor is under thy control, O
monarch. Therefore, O ruler of men, I solicit thee for it. Thou daily
givest many foremost of gems unto superior Brahmanas. Thou art a giver, O
chief of men, from whom gifts may be accepted, know that I too am a
worthy object of charity present before thee, O best of kings. Having
accepted from thee in gift that object for my preceptor which is under
thy control, I shall, O king, in consequence of my compact, once more
come back to thee and place myself under thy power. I assure thee truly
of this. There is no falsehood in this. Never before have I spoken
anything untrue, no, not even in jest. What shall I say then of other
occasions?'

"Saudasa said, 'If the object thou seekest for thy preceptor is capable
of being placed in thy hands by me, if I be regarded as one from whom a
gift may be accepted, do thou then say what that object is.'

"Utanka said, 'O foremost of men, O Saudasa, in my estimation thou art a
worthy person from whom gifts may be accepted. I have, therefore, come to
thee for begging of thee the jewelled ear-rings (worn by thy queen).'

"Saudasa said, 'Those jewelled ear-rings, O learned and regenerate Rishi,
belong to my wife. They should be asked from her. Do thou, therefore,
solicit some other thing from me. I shall give it to thee, O thou of
excellent vows.'

"Utanka said, 'If we be regarded as any authority, do thou cease then to
urge this pretext. Do thou give those jewelled ear-rings to me. Be thou
truthful in speech, O king.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed, the king once more addressed
Utanka and said unto him, 'Do thou, at my word, go to my venerable queen,
O best of men, and ask her, saying,--Give!--She of pure vows, thus
solicited by thee, will certainly, at my command, give thee, O foremost
of regenerate persons, those jewelled ear-rings of hers without doubt.'

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