Scriptures

Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam

BOOK 4 • CHAPTER 12
Ch 12 Verse 1 Verse
Sanskrit Text
४.१२ द्वादशोऽध्यायः । जयन्त्या शुक्रसहवासवर्णनम् । व्यास उवाच । तं दृष्ट्वा तु वधं घोरं चुक्रोध भगवान्भृगुः । वेपमानोऽतिदुःखार्तः प्रोवाच मधुसूदनम् ॥ १ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O king! On seeing Viṣṇu killing his wife, and thus committing a dreadful atrocious act, the Bhagavān Bhṛgu was very sorry and began to tremble with anger and addressed Madhusūdana thus.
Ch 12 Verse 2 Verse
Sanskrit Text
भृगुरुवाच । अकृत्यं ते कृतं विष्णो जानन्पापं महामते । वधोऽयं विप्रजाताया मनसा कर्तुमक्षमः ॥ २ ॥
English Translation
Bhṛgu said :-- O Viṣṇu! You have done an extremely sinful act. O intelligent one! Knowing it, you have done so; what a great wonder! Nobody dreams of the murder of this Brāhmaṇ’s daughter; and you have committed it in deed, black and white.
Ch 12 Verse 3 Verse
Sanskrit Text
आख्यातस्त्वं सत्त्वगुणः स्मृतो ब्रह्मा च राजसः । तथासौ तामसः शम्भुर्विपरीतं कथं स्मृतम् ॥ ३ ॥
English Translation
O Deva! The Mahārṣis declare you to be Sāttvic, engaged in preservation; Brahmā to be Rājasic (creator) and Śambhu Śiva to be Tāmasic (destroyer). Why then is the contrary thing visible in this case?
Ch 12 Verse 4 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तामसस्त्वं कथं जातः कृतं कर्मातिनिन्दितम् । अवध्या स्त्री त्वया विष्णो हता कस्मान्निरागसा ॥ ४ ॥
English Translation
Why have you done this heinous crime? O Viṣṇu! The females are never to be killed; this is a known fact; then why have you killed this woman without any fault.
Ch 12 Verse 5-6 Verse
Sanskrit Text
शपामि त्वां दुराचारं किमन्यत्प्रकरोमि ते । विधुरोऽहं कृतः पाप त्वयाहं शक्रकारणात् ॥ ५ ॥ न शपेऽहं तथा शक्रं शपे त्वां मधुसूदन । सदा छलपरोऽसि त्वं कीटयोनिर्दुराशयः ॥ ६ ॥
English Translation
You have done a very execrable act. What shall I do to you? It is mete that I would curse you. O Great Sinner! You have pained me very much and made me very weary. I will not curse Indra. You always assume a deceitful appearance and behave like a black cruel serpent; your mind is all full of wickedness; I will curse you.
Ch 12 Verse 7 Verse
Sanskrit Text
ये च त्वां सात्त्विकं प्राहुस्ते मूर्खा मुनयः किल । तामसस्त्वं दुराचारः प्रत्यक्षं मे जनार्दन ॥ ७ ॥
English Translation
O Janārdana. Those Munis who call you Sāttvic are fools; I have seen today that your ways are exceptionally vicious and Tāmasic.
Ch 12 Verse 8 Verse
Sanskrit Text
अवतारा मृत्युलोके सन्तु मच्छापसम्भवाः । प्रायो गर्भभवं दुःखं भुङ्क्ष्व पापाज्जनार्दन ॥ ८ ॥
English Translation
O Viṣṇu! I curse you now to take frequent births, suffer very frequently in different wombs, in the earth and thus suffer the pains of remaining in the wombs.
Ch 12 Verse 9 Verse
Sanskrit Text
व्यास उवाच । ततस्तेनाथ शापेन नष्टे धर्मे पुनः पुनः । लोकस्य च हितार्थाय जायते मानुषेष्विह ॥ ९ ॥
English Translation
O king! Therefore whenever religion subsides in the world, Bhagavān Viṣṇu incarnates frequently in this human world, due to the curse of Bhṛgu.
Ch 12 Verse 10 Verse
Sanskrit Text
राजोवाच । भूगुभार्या हता तत्र चक्रेणामिततेजसा । गार्हस्थ्यञ्च पुनस्तस्य कथं जातं महात्मनः ॥ १० ॥
English Translation
The king said :-- O best of the Munis! Did that Mahātmā Bhṛgu again marry and lead a householder’s life when his wife was thus killed by the lustrous disc Sudarśana.
Ch 12 Verse 11 Verse
Sanskrit Text
व्यास उवाच । इति शप्त्वा हरिं रोषात्तदादाय शिरस्त्वरन् । काये संयोज्य तरसा भृगुः प्रोवाच कार्यवित् ॥ ११ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O king! The sacrificer Bhṛgu angrily cursed Hari and next took that severed head and quickly placed it over the body as before and said :--
Ch 12 Verse 12-14 Verse
Sanskrit Text
अद्य त्वां विष्णुना देवि हतां सञ्जीवयाम्यहम् । यदि कृत्स्नो मया धर्मो ज्ञायते चरितोऽपि वा ॥ १२ ॥ तेन सत्येन जीवेत यदि सत्यं ब्रवीम्यहम् । पश्यन्तु देवताः सर्वा मम तेजोबलं महत् ॥ १३ ॥ अद्भिस्त्वां प्रोक्ष्य शीताभिर्जीवयामि तपोबलात् । सत्यं शौचं तथा वेदा यदि मे तपसो बलम् ॥ १४ ॥
English Translation
O Devī! Viṣṇu has slain you today; I will make you regain your life just now. If I am acquainted with all the Dharmas and if I have practised these in my life and if I have spoken truth always, then dost thou regain your life by my religious merit. Let all the Devas witness my power and strength. If I know the True, if I have studied all the Vedas and if I have realised the Knowledge of the Vedas, then I, sprinkling your body with this cold water, charged with my mantras, will revive you.
Ch 12 Verse 15 Verse
Sanskrit Text
व्यास उवाच । अद्भिः सम्प्रोक्षिता देवी सद्यः सञ्जीविता तदा । उत्थिता परमप्रीता भृगोर्भार्या शुचिस्मिता ॥ १५ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O king! Sprinkled by the water by Bhṛgu, his wife regained her life and rose up at once and felt herself glad and smiled.
Ch 12 Verse 16 Verse
Sanskrit Text
ततस्तां सर्वभूतानि दृष्ट्वा सुप्तोत्थितामिव । साधु साध्विति तं तां तु तुष्टुवुः सर्वतो दिशम् ॥ १६ ॥
English Translation
All the persons and living creatures seeing her stand, as if awoken from her sleep, at once exclaimed from all sides “well done, well done!” thanked Bhṛgu and his wife very much and highly praised them.
Ch 12 Verse 17 Verse
Sanskrit Text
एवं सञ्चीविता तेन भृगुणा वरवर्णिनी । विस्मयं परमं जग्मुर्देवाः सेन्द्रा विलोक्य तत् ॥ १७ ॥
English Translation
Thus seeing the fair complexioned wife regain her life through Bhṛgu, Indra and all the Devas were very much struck with wonder. NOTE :-- Thought power and inhalation of some medicines might have revived her.
Ch 12 Verse 18 Verse
Sanskrit Text
इन्द्रः सुरानथोवाच मुनिना जीविता सती । काव्यस्तप्त्वा तपो घोरं किं करिष्यति मन्त्रवित् ॥ १८ ॥
English Translation
Indra then adressed the Devas :-- Now the mother of Śukra has regained her life through Bhṛgu; but when Śukrācārya will receive the mantra after his severe tapasyā, we do not know what terrible harm; he would do to us!
Ch 12 Verse 19 Verse
Sanskrit Text
व्यास उवाच । गता निद्रा सुरेन्द्रस्य देहेऽक्षेममभून्नृप । स्मृत्वा काव्यस्य वृत्तान्तं मन्त्रार्थमतिदारुणम् ॥ १९ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O king! Though the deep sleep that overtook Indra had now left him, yet he became very unhappy, remembering the severe asceticism of Śukra’s tapasyā and his receiving mantras.
Ch 12 Verse 20 Verse
Sanskrit Text
विमृश्य मनसा शक्रो जयन्तीं स्वसुतां तदा । उवाच कन्यां चार्वङ्गीं स्मितपूर्वमिदं वचः ॥ २० ॥
English Translation
Thinking over deeply in his mind, Indra called his daughter Jayantī and spoke to her with affection.
Ch 12 Verse 21-22 Verse
Sanskrit Text
गच्छ पुत्रि मया दत्ता काव्याय त्वं तपस्विने । समाराधय तन्वङ्गि मत्कृते तं वशं कुरु ॥ २१ ॥
English Translation
Go! Daughter! I have given thee over to the ascetic Kāvya. Do this service for me, go to Kāvya and help him in his asceticism and bring him under your control. By whatever acts the Muni be pleased, dost thou do at once and please him in every way and thus remove my fear.
Ch 12 Verse 23 Verse
Sanskrit Text
उपचारैर्मुनिं तैस्तैः समाराध्य मनःप्रियैः । भयं मे तरसा गत्वा हर तत्र वराश्रमे ॥ २२। सा पितुर्वचनं श्रुत्वा तत्रागच्छन्मनोरमा । तमपश्यद्विशालाक्षी पिबन्तं धूममाश्रमे ॥ २३ ॥
English Translation
The large-eyed beautiful Jayantī, hearing her father’s words, went to the hermitage and there saw the Ṛṣi inhaling the smoking.
Ch 12 Verse 24 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तस्य देहं समालोक्य स्मृत्वा वाक्यं पितुस्तदा । कदलीदलमादाय वीजयामास तं मुनिम् ॥ २४ ॥
English Translation
On seeing the body of the ascetic, and remembering her father’s words she brought the leaves of the plantain trees and began to fan him.
Ch 12 Verse 25 Verse
Sanskrit Text
निर्मलं शीतलं वारि समानीय सुवासितम् । पानाय कल्पयामास भक्त्या परमया लघु ॥ २५ ॥
English Translation
The intelligent Jayantī with no excitement used to bring the pure, clear, cool, and well scented water and place it, with great devotion, before the sage for his drinking. NOTE: Here Indra bribed by giving away his daughter.
Ch 12 Verse 26 Verse
Sanskrit Text
छायां वस्त्रातपत्रेण भास्करे मध्यगे सति । रचयामास तन्वङ्गी स्वयं धर्मे स्थिता सती ॥ २६ ॥
English Translation
When the sun was over his head, she used to prepare some protection, with her clothes, from the sun and thus made the shade for him. Thus, in various ways, did she begin to serve the Muni, herself remaining steady in her religion.
Ch 12 Verse 27 Verse
Sanskrit Text
फलान्यानीय दिव्यानि पक्वानि मधुराणि च । मुमोचाग्रे मुनेस्तस्य भक्षार्थं विहितानि च ॥ २७ ॥
English Translation
She brought sweet and ripe fruits proper according to the Śāstras and used to place them before him for his repast.
Ch 12 Verse 28 Verse
Sanskrit Text
कुशाः प्रादेशमात्रा हि हरिताः शुकसन्निभाः । दधाराग्रेऽथ पुष्पाणि नित्यकर्मसमृद्धये ॥ २८ ॥
English Translation
In the performance of his daily duties, she used to collect the Kuśa grass of the span of thumb and fore finger, and flowers, white and yellow and placed them before him.
Ch 12 Verse 29 Verse
Sanskrit Text
निद्रार्थं कल्पयामास संस्तरं पल्लवान्वितम् । तस्मिन्मुनौ चादरस्था चकार व्यजनं शनैः ॥ २९ ॥
English Translation
For the Muni’s bedding to lie down and sleep, she used to gather soft, green leaves and with them she used to keep his bed ready; and when the Muni laid himself down, she used to fan him gently.
Ch 12 Verse 30-31 Verse
Sanskrit Text
हावभावादिकं किञ्चिद्विकारजननं च तत् । न चकार जयन्ती सा शापभीता मुनेस्तदा ॥ ३० ॥ स्तुतिं चकार तन्वङ्गी गीर्भिस्तस्य महात्मनः । सुभाषिण्यनुकूलाभिः प्रीतिकर्त्रीभिरप्युत ॥ ३१ ॥
English Translation
The sweet-tongued, thin lady used to praise Śukrācārya in pleasing and favourable terms.
Ch 12 Verse 32 Verse
Sanskrit Text
प्रबुद्धे जलमादाय दधाराचमनाय च । मनोऽनुकूलं सततं कुर्वन्ती व्यचरत्तदा ॥ ३२ ॥
English Translation
When the Muni awoke, she placed water before him to wash his face and hands. Thus serving the Muni, did she stay in the hermitage.
Ch 12 Verse 33 Verse
Sanskrit Text
इन्द्रोऽपि सेवकांस्तत्र प्रेषयामास चातुरः । प्रवृत्तिं ज्ञातुकामो वै मुनेस्तस्य जितात्मनः ॥ ३३ ॥
English Translation
The fear stricken Indra used to send messengers to fathom the mind of that self controlled Muni.
Ch 12 Verse 34 Verse
Sanskrit Text
एवं बहूनि वर्षाणि परिचर्यापराभवत् । निर्विकारा जितक्रोधा ब्रह्मचर्यपरा सती ॥ ३४ ॥
English Translation
Thus did Jayantī serve for good many years the Muni, being void of anger and observing duly her celibacy.
Ch 12 Verse 35 Verse
Sanskrit Text
पूर्णे वर्षसहस्रे तु परितुष्टो महेश्वरः । वरेण छन्दयामास काव्यं प्रीतमना हरः ॥ ३५ ॥
English Translation
In this way one thousand years passed duly, the God Mahādeva was very pleased and addressed Śukrācārya that He had come to give him boons that he desire.
Ch 12 Verse 36-37 Verse
Sanskrit Text
ईश्वर उवाच । यच्च किञ्चिदपि ब्रह्मन्विद्यते भृगुनन्दन । प्रतिपश्यसि यत्सर्वं यच्च वाच्यं न कस्यचित् ॥ ३६ ॥ सर्वाभिभावकत्वेन भविष्यसि न संशयः । अवध्यः सर्वभूतानां प्रजेशश्च द्विजोत्तमः ॥ ३७ ॥
English Translation
The God Mahādeva said :-- Whatever there exists in this universe, whatever you see with your eyes and whatever cannot be described in words, you will be the lord of all these and the conqueror of all. There is no doubt in this. You cannot be killed by any creature; you will be the ruler of all beings and will be reckoned as the best of the Brāhmaṇas.
Ch 12 Verse 38 Verse
Sanskrit Text
व्यास उवाच । एवं दत्त्वा वराञ्छम्भुस्तत्रैवान्तरधीयत । काव्यस्तामथ संवीक्ष्य जयन्तीं वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥ ३८ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- The God Mahādeva disappeared then and there, after granting him the boons. Then Śukrācārya saw Jayantī and said to her :-- O lady of beautiful hips! Who and whose daughter art thou? What is the desire in your mind? What for you have come here? O one of beautiful thighs! what is your duty?
Ch 12 Verse 39-40 Verse
Sanskrit Text
कासि कस्यासि सुश्रोणि ब्रूहि किं ते चिकीर्षितम् । किमर्थमिह सम्प्राप्ता कार्यं वद वरोरु मे ॥ ३९ ॥ किं वाञ्छसि करोम्यद्य दुष्करं चेत्सुलोचने । प्रीतोऽस्मि त्वत्कृतेनाद्य वरं वरय सुव्रते ॥ ४० ॥
English Translation
O beautiful eyed! I am very pleased with all that you have done for me. What do you want? O one of good vows! Ask boons from me; I will grant them even if they be difficult.
Ch 12 Verse 41 Verse
Sanskrit Text
ततः सा तु मुनिं प्राह जयन्ती मुदितानना । चिकीर्षितं मे भगवंस्तपसा ज्ञातुमर्हसि ॥ ४१ ॥
English Translation
On hearing this, Jayantī’s face became bright with joy; she said :-- whatever I desire, you know that already by force of your Tapasyā.
Ch 12 Verse 42 Verse
Sanskrit Text
शुक्र उवाच । ज्ञातं मया तथापि त्वं ब्रूहि यन्मनसेप्सितम् । करोमि सर्वथा भद्रं प्रीतोऽस्मि परिचर्यया ॥ ४२ ॥
English Translation
The Kāvya said :-- Your mental desires I know; still mention them yourself particularly; I will do good to you in any way you like; I am pleased with your services.
Ch 12 Verse 43-44 Verse
Sanskrit Text
जयन्त्युवाच । शक्रस्याहं सुता ब्रह्मन् पित्रा तुभ्यं समर्पिता । जयन्ती नामतश्चाहं जयन्तावरजा मुने ॥ ४३ ॥ सकामास्मि त्वयि विभो वाञ्छितं कुरु मेऽधुना । रंस्ये त्वया महाभाग धर्मतः प्रीतिपूर्वकम् ॥ ४४ ॥
English Translation
Jayantī said :-- O Brāhmin! I am the daughter of Indra and I am the younger of my brother Jayanta. Father has given me over to you; I now like to live with you. Kindly fulfil my desires now. O blessed one! You better take me and enjoy me according to Dharma. This is my desire.
Ch 12 Verse 45 Verse
Sanskrit Text
शुक्र उवाच । मया सह त्वं सुश्रोणि दशवर्षाणि भामिनि । सर्वैर्भूतैरदृश्या च रमस्वेह यदृच्छया ॥ ४५ ॥
English Translation
Śukrācārya said :-- O thou of large and handsome hips! Better enjoy with me for ten years, according to your liking, without being visible to anybody.
Ch 12 Verse 46-48 Verse
Sanskrit Text
व्यास उवाच । एवमुक्त्वा गृहं गत्वा जयन्त्याः पाणिमुद्वहन् । तया सहावसद्देव्या दशवर्षाणि भार्गवः ॥ ४६ ॥ अदृश्यः सर्वभूतानां मायया संवृतः प्रभुः । दैत्यास्तमागतं श्रुत्वा कृतार्थं मन्त्रसंयुतम् ॥ ४७ ॥ अभिजग्मुर्गृहे तस्य मुदितास्ते दिदृक्षवः । नापश्यन् रममाणं ते जयन्त्या सह संयुतम् ॥ ४८ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- Thus saying, Śukrācārya went to his home and, according to religious observances, married Jayantī and lived with her for ten years under the shade of Māyā and unobserved by anybody. On the other hand, the Daityas, hearing that Śukrācārya returned home successful getting his desired Mantra, were very glad and went to his house to pay their respects to him. But Śukra was then living with Jayantī; hence the Asuras could not see him.
Ch 12 Verse 49 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तदा विमनसः सर्वे जाता भग्नोद्यमाश्च ते । चिन्तापरातिदीनाश्च वीक्षमाणाः पुनः पुनः ॥ ४९ ॥
English Translation
Then they got very much dejected, sorry and were drooped in spirits; they searched for him again and again.
Ch 12 Verse 50 Verse
Sanskrit Text
अदृष्ट्वा तं तु संवृत्तं प्रतिजग्मुर्यथागतम् । स्वगृहान्दैत्यवर्यास्ते चिन्ताविष्टा भयातुराः ॥ ५० ॥
English Translation
Not being able to see Śukra under the shade of Māyā, the Daityas were very sorry and got afraid and then returned to their own residences.
Ch 12 Verse 51 Verse
Sanskrit Text
रममाणं तथा ज्ञात्वा शक्रः प्रोवाच तं गुरुम् । बृहस्पतिं महाभाग किं कर्तव्यमितः परम् ॥ ५१ ॥
English Translation
On the other hand, the Devas, knowing that Śukra was holding intercourses with Jayantī, Indra, the God of Devas, spoke to the Deva Guru Bṛhaspati. O Guru! Advise us what to do under the present circumstances and relieve us from the impending difficulties.
Ch 12 Verse 52 Verse
Sanskrit Text
गच्छाद्य दानवान्ब्रह्मन्मायया त्वं प्रलोभय । अस्माकं कुरु कार्यं त्वं बुद्ध्या सञ्चिन्त्य मानद ॥ ५२ ॥
English Translation
O Brāhmaṇa. Better go today to the Dānavas and do that by which our honour may be maintained. You better put the Dānavas under some charm by your magical spell and think and do good to us.
Ch 12 Verse 53 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं काव्यं रममाणं सुसंवृतम् । ज्ञात्वा तद्रूपमास्थाय दैत्यान्मति ययौ गुरुः ॥ ५३ ॥
English Translation
On hearing Indra’s words and knowing that Śukra is now enjoying with Jayantī, Bṛhaspati went to the Dānavas, putting on the appearance of Śukrācārya.
Ch 12 Verse 54 Verse
Sanskrit Text
गत्वा तत्रातिभक्त्यासौ दानवान्समुपाह्वयत् । आगतास्तेऽसुराः सर्वे ददृशुः काव्यमग्रतः ॥ ५४ ॥
English Translation
Going to the Demons, he called on them very politely and sweetly. The Asuras said that Śukrācārya had come in presence of them.
Ch 12 Verse 55 Verse
Sanskrit Text
प्रणम्य संस्थिताः सर्वे काव्यं मत्वातिमोहिताः । न विदुस्ते गुरोर्मायां काव्यरूपविभाविनीम् ॥ ५५ ॥
English Translation
The Demons were very glad and bowed down before Śukrācārya and could not make out that he was the false Śukrācārya, under the māyic charm of Bṛhaspati.
Ch 12 Verse 56-57 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तानुवाच गुरुः काव्यरूपः प्रच्छन्नमायया । स्वागतं मम याज्यानां प्राप्तोऽहं वो हिताय वै ॥ ५६ ॥ अहं वो बोधयिष्यामि विद्यां प्राप्ताममायया । तपसा तोषितः शम्भुर्युष्मत्कल्याणहेतवे ॥ ५७ ॥
English Translation
Then the false Śukrācārya asked the welfare of the Daityas and said :-- I went so long for your good; I performed severe tapasyā and satisfied the God Śambhu and acquired from him the Mantra, the sacred knowledge, and that I will frankly explain to you.
Ch 12 Verse 58 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तच्छ्रुत्वा प्रीतमनसो जातास्ते दानवोत्तमाः । कृतकार्यं गुरुं मत्वा जहृषुस्ते विमोहिताः ॥ ५८ ॥
English Translation
On hearing this, the Demons were very pleased and, knowing that the Guru had been successful, were filled with joy.
Ch 12 Verse 59-60 Verse
Sanskrit Text
प्रणेमुस्ते मुदा युक्ता निरातङ्का गतव्यथाः । देवेभ्यश्च भयं त्यक्त्वा तस्थुः सर्वे निरामयाः ॥ ५९ ॥
Sanskrit Colophon
इति श्रीमद्देवीभागवते महापुराणेऽष्टादशसाहस्र्यां संहितायां चतुर्थस्कन्धे जयन्त्या शुक्रसहवासवर्णनं नाम द्वादशोऽध्यायः ॥ ४.१२॥
English Translation
They saluted him with joy and began to live quietly and freely and without pains, having got rid of fear from the Devas. Here ends the twelfth Chapter in the Fourth Book of Śrī Mad Devī Bhāgavatam, the Mahāpurāṇam of 18,000 verses by Mahārsi Veda Vyāsa on Bhṛgu’s curse and the dialogue between Śukrācārya and the Daityas.