Scriptures

Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam

BOOK 7 • CHAPTER 6
Ch 6 Verse 1-3 Verse
Sanskrit Text
७.६ षष्ठोऽध्यायः । च्यवनेश्विनोः कृते सोमपानाधिकारत्वचेष्टावर्णनम् । जनमेजय उवाच - च्यवनेन कथं वैद्यौ तौ कृतौ सोमपायिनौ । वचनं च कथं सत्यं जातं तस्य महात्मनः ॥ १ ॥ मानुषस्य बलं कीदृग्देवराजबलं प्रति । निषिद्धौ भिषजौ तेन कृतौ तौ सोमपायिनौ ॥ २ ॥ धर्मनिष्ठ तदाश्चर्यं विस्तरेण वद प्रभो । चरितं च्यवनस्याद्य श्रोतुकामोऽस्मि सर्वथा ॥ ३ ॥
English Translation
Janamejaya said :-- “O Muni! How did Maharṣi Cyavana make these twin Devas drink Soma and how his words came out to be true. Human strength is insignificant compared to Indra’s strength. Indra forbade the physicians, the Aśvins, to drink the Soma juice. How then could the Muni give the right thereof. This is very wonderful. Therefore, O Thou, devoted to Dharma! O Lord! Describe in detail the doings of this Maharṣi Cyavana. I am very anxious to hear it.”
Ch 6 Verse 4-7 Verse
Sanskrit Text
व्यास उवाच - निशामय महाराज चरितं परमाद्भुतम् । च्यवनस्य मखे तस्मिञ्छर्यातेर्भुवि भारत ॥ ४ ॥ सुकन्यां सुन्दरीं प्राप्य च्यवनः सुरसन्निभः । विजहार प्रसन्नात्मा देवकन्यामिवापरः ॥ ५ ॥ कदाचिदथ शर्यातिभार्या चिन्तातुरा भृशम् । पतिं प्राह वेपमाना वचनं रुदती प्रिया ॥ ६ ॥ राजन् पुत्री त्वया दत्ता मुनयेऽन्धाय कानने । मृता जीवति वा सा तु द्रष्टव्या सर्वथा त्वया ॥ ७ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O King! In that famous sacrifice of the King Śaryāti, Cyavana Ṛṣi did wonderful feats. O Bharata! I am now narrating to you his entirely wonderful character. Hear it attentively. Maharṣi Cyavana, illustrious like the Devas, began to enjoy with a cheerful mind and gladdened heart, with his beautiful wife Sukanyā who was like a Deva Kanyā. Now, once on an occasion, the wife of Śaryati became very anxious and trembling said to her husband weeping :-- “O King! You have betrothed your daughter to the blind Muni Cyavana; now it is your duty to go and enquire whether the daughter is living or is dead. O Lord! What is my beautiful daughter doing with that husband.
Ch 6 Verse 8-10 Verse
Sanskrit Text
गच्छ नाथ मुनेस्तावदाश्रमं द्रष्टुमादरात् । किं करोति सुकन्या सा प्राप्य नाथं तथाविधम् ॥ ८ ॥ पुत्रीदुःखेन राजर्षे दग्धास्मि सर्वथा हृदि । तामानय विशालाक्षीं तपःक्षामां मदन्तिके ॥ ९ ॥ पश्यामि सर्वथा पुत्रीं कृशाङ्गीं वल्कलावृताम् । अन्धं पतिं समासाद्य दुःखभाजं कृशोदरीम् ॥ १० ॥
English Translation
Please go just now to the Muni’s Āśrama and see about it. O Rājarṣi! I always burn in pain and agony when I think of her. She must have become very lean and thin due to the troubles of Tapasyā; please bring her quickly here to my presence. She is suffering an everlasting pain from having an aged blind husband; and it is quite likely she has become very lean and thin, I am anxious, therefore, to see my daughter lean and thin who is wearing barks of trees as her dress.”
Ch 6 Verse 11 Verse
Sanskrit Text
शर्यातिरुवाच - गच्छामोऽद्य विशालाक्षि सुकन्यां द्रष्टुमादरात् । प्रियपुत्रीं वरारोहे मुनिं तं संशितव्रतम् ॥ ११ ॥
English Translation
Śaryāti said :-- “O broad-eyed One! I am going gladly just now to see my dear daughter and that Muni of severe vows.”
Ch 6 Verse 12-15 Verse
Sanskrit Text
व्यास उवाच - एवमुक्त्व तु शर्यातिः कामिनीं शोकसङ्कुलाम् । जगाम रथमारुह्य त्वरितश्चाश्रमं मुनेः ॥ १२ ॥ गत्वाऽऽश्रमसमीपे तु तमपश्यन्महीपतिः । नवयौवनसम्पन्नं देवपुत्रोपमं मुनिम् ॥ १३ ॥ तं विलोक्यामराकारं विस्मयं नृपतिर्गतः । किं कृतं कुत्सितं कर्म पुत्र्या लोकविगर्हितम् ॥ १४ ॥ निहतोऽसौ मुनिर्वृद्धस्त्वनयान्यः पतिः कृतः । कामपीडितया कामं प्रशान्तोऽप्यतिनिर्धनः ॥ १५ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O King! Thus saying to his wife, distressed with sorrow, the King Śaryāti mounted on his chariot and quickly went towards the Āśrama of the Cyavana Muni. On reaching there, he saw the Maharṣi Cyavana like a Deva’s son. Seeing his body like that of Deva, the King became bewildered and began to think thus :-- “What! Has my daughter done such an ugly act, blameable in the society! That Muni was very calm and quiet, penniless and very old; my daughter, perhaps, being overpowered with passion, killed him and has taken, no doubt, another husband.
Ch 6 Verse 16-17 Verse
Sanskrit Text
दुःसहयोऽयं पुष्पधन्वा विशेषेण च यौवने । कुले कलङ्कः सुमहाननया मानवे कृतः ॥ १६ ॥ धिक्तस्य जीवितं लोके यस्य पुत्री हि कुत्सिता । सर्वपापैस्तु दुःखाय पुत्री भवति देहिनाम् ॥ १७ ॥
English Translation
It is indeed difficult to control the God of Love, armed with his flowery bow: the period of youth is moreover very hard to conquer. So this daughter impelled by lust has thrown a dreadful stigma on the clear name of the family of the great Manu. Fie on him whose daughter in this world is of a vicious character! It seems that daughters are born for the expiation of all the sins committed by their fathers.
Ch 6 Verse 18-19 Verse
Sanskrit Text
मया त्वनुचितं कर्म कृतं स्वार्थस्य सिद्धये । वृद्धायान्धाय या दत्ता पुत्री सर्वात्मना किल ॥ १८ ॥ कन्या योग्याय दातव्या पित्रा सर्वात्मना किल । तादृशं हि फलं प्राप्तं यादृशं वै कृतं मया ॥ १९ ॥
English Translation
But what an unjust act have I committed for my own selfish ends? It is highly iñcumbent on every father to betroth his daughter with every care possible to a bridegroom suitable in every respect; but I did not do it and now have got the fruits equivalent to my doing.
Ch 6 Verse 20-22 Verse
Sanskrit Text
हन्मि चेदद्य तनयां दुःशीलां पापकारिणीम् । स्त्रीहत्या दुस्तरा स्यान्मे तथा पुत्र्या विशेषतः ॥ २० ॥ मनुवंशस्तु विख्यातः सकलङ्कः कृतो मया । लोकापवादो बलवान्दुस्त्याज्या स्नेहशृङ्खला ॥ २१ ॥ किं करोमीति चिन्ताब्धौ यदा मग्नः स पार्थिवः । सुकन्यया तदा दैवाद्दृष्टश्चिन्ताकुलः पिता ॥ २२ ॥
English Translation
If I kill my daughter, vicious and unchaste, I will iñcur sin due to killing a woman and moreover my daughter. I am the cause of this stain on Muni’s line of descent. On the one hand, the scandal on one is very powerful; and the affection for a daughter is strong on the other. What am I to do now?” The King became merged in deep thoughts. At this time Sukanyā accidentally saw her father thus drowned in anxious thoughts.
Ch 6 Verse 23 Verse
Sanskrit Text
सा दृष्ट्वा तं जगामाशु सुकन्या पितुरन्तिके । गत्वा पप्रच्छ भूपालं प्रेमपूरितमानसा ॥ २३ ॥
English Translation
Seeing him, Sukanyā instantly came to her father’s side and asked the King in sweet affectionate words.
Ch 6 Verse 24 Verse
Sanskrit Text
किं विचारयसे राजंश्चिन्ताव्याकुलिताननः । उपविष्टं मुनिं वीक्ष्य युवानमम्बुजेक्षणम् ॥ २४ ॥
English Translation
O King! How is it that your face has become so pale with anxious thoughts, seeing the Muni sitting in front of you, a young man with lotus-eyes.
Ch 6 Verse 25 Verse
Sanskrit Text
एह्येहि पुरुषव्याघ्र प्रणमस्व पतिं मम । मा विषादं नृपश्रेष्ठ साम्प्रतं कुरु मानव ॥ २५ ॥
English Translation
O Father! What are you thinking? You belong to the famous Manu’s family; besides, you are a high-minded man; you ought not to be sad so suddenly; come quickly and bow your head down before my husband.
Ch 6 Verse 26 Verse
Sanskrit Text
व्यास उवाच - इति पुत्र्या वचं श्रुत्वा शर्यातिः क्रोधपीडितः । प्रोवाच वचनं राजा पुरःस्थां तनयां ततः ॥ २६ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O King! Hearing thus the daughter’s words, the King became impatient with anger and began to speak to her :--
Ch 6 Verse 27 Verse
Sanskrit Text
राजोवाच - क्व मुनिश्च्यवनः पुत्रि वृद्धोऽन्धस्तापसोत्तमः । कोऽयं युवा मदोन्मत्तः सन्देहोऽत्र महान्मम ॥ २७ ॥
English Translation
O Daughter! Where is that aged blind ascetic Muni Cyavana and who is this youth intoxicated with lust? A great doubt has arisen in my mind.
Ch 6 Verse 28 Verse
Sanskrit Text
मुनिः किं निहतः पापे त्वया दुष्कृतकारिणि । नूतनोऽसौ पतिः कामात्कृतः कुलविनाशिनि ॥ २८ ॥
English Translation
O Vicious Soul! Have you slain that Cyavana Muni and engaged yourself in such a sinful act? O You, a Disgrace to your family! Have you accepted another husband out of your desire of lust?
Ch 6 Verse 29-30 Verse
Sanskrit Text
सोऽहं चिन्तातुरस्तं न पश्याम्याश्रमसंस्थितम् । किं कृतं दुष्कृतं कर्म कुलटाचरितं किल ॥ २९ ॥ निमग्नोऽहं दुराचारे शोकाब्धौ त्वत्कृतेऽधुना । दृष्ट्वैनं पुरुषं दिव्यमदृष्ट्वा च्यवनं मुनिम् ॥ ३० ॥
English Translation
My mind has became very much troubled on not seeing that Muni in this Āśrama. O vicious One! Now I don’t see the Muni; but instead of him, I see this bright person. And thus it is on account of your sinful behaviour that my mind is drowned in the ocean of cares.
Ch 6 Verse 31-32 Verse
Sanskrit Text
विहस्य तमुवाचाशु सा श्रुत्वा वचनं पितुः । गृहीत्वाऽऽनीय पितरं भर्तुरन्तिकमादरात् ॥ ३१ ॥ च्यवनोऽसौ मुनिस्तात जामाता ते न संशयः । अश्विभ्यामीदृशः कान्तः कृतः कमललोचनः ॥ ३२ ॥
English Translation
Then hearing her father’s words, Sukanyā smiled and gladly took him at once to her husband and said :-- “O Father! He is your son-in-law; He is the same Cyavana Muni; there is no doubt here. The twin Aśvins have given him this beautiful lustre and lotus-like eyes.
Ch 6 Verse 33 Verse
Sanskrit Text
यदृच्छयात्र सम्प्राप्तौ नासत्यावाश्रमे मम । ताभ्यां करुणया नूनं च्यवनस्तादृशः कृतः ॥ ३३ ॥
English Translation
The two Aśvini Kumāras came accidentally to my Āsrama and out of mercy no doubt they have made Cyavana such a nice young man.
Ch 6 Verse 34-35 Verse
Sanskrit Text
नाहं तव सुता तात तथा स्यां पापकारिणी । यथा त्वं मन्यसे राजन् विमूढो रूपसंशये ॥ ३४ ॥ प्रणम त्वं मुनिं राजन् भार्गवं च्यवनं पितः । आपृच्छ कारणं सर्वं कथियिष्यति विस्तरम् ॥ ३५ ॥
English Translation
O King! I am not your that daughter that will do a vicious act as you think, beguiled by this beautiful form of the Muni. Father! Bow down before the Cyavana Muni. Ask him and he will tell you everything.”
Ch 6 Verse 36 Verse
Sanskrit Text
इति श्रुत्वा वचं पुत्र्या शर्यातिस्त्वरितस्तदा । प्रणनाम मुनिं तत्र गत्वा पप्रच्छ सादरम् ॥ ३६ ॥
English Translation
Hearing thus the daughter’s words, the King went instantly to the Muni and bowed down before him and asked him affectionately thus :--
Ch 6 Verse 37-38 Verse
Sanskrit Text
राजोवाच - कथयस्व स्ववृत्तान्तं भार्गवाशु यथोचितम् । नयने च कथं प्राप्ते क्व गता ते जरा पुनः ॥ ३७ ॥ संशयोऽयं महान्मेऽस्ति रूपं दृष्ट्वातिसुन्दरम् । वद विस्तरतो ब्रह्मन् श्रुत्वाहं सुखमाप्नुयाम् ॥ ३८ ॥
English Translation
The King said :-- “O Son of Bhṛgu! How have you got your eyes back? Where has your old age gone? Kindly narrate all your details as early as possible. O Brāhmaṇa! Seeing your exquisitely beautiful form, a great doubt has arisen in me; so tell me everything in detail; I will be very glad, no doubt.”
Ch 6 Verse 39 Verse
Sanskrit Text
च्यवन उवाच - नासत्यावत्र सम्प्राप्तौ देवानां भिषजावुभौ । उपकारः कृतस्ताभ्यां कृपया नृपसत्तम ॥ ३९ ॥
English Translation
Cyavana said :-- “O King! The two Aśvins, the physicians of the Gods, came here on their own account and have done me this good out of their mercy.
Ch 6 Verse 40 Verse
Sanskrit Text
मया ताभ्यां वरो दत्त उपकारस्य हेतवे । करिष्यामि मखे राज्ञो भवन्तौ सोमपायिनौ ॥ ४० ॥
English Translation
Owing to the benefit thus received, I have granted them the boon that I will make them drink the Soma juice in the Agniṣṭoma Yajña of the King Śaryāti.
Ch 6 Verse 41 Verse
Sanskrit Text
एवं मया वयः प्राप्तं लोचने विमले तथा । स्वस्थो भव महाराज संविशस्वासने शुभे ॥ ४१ ॥
English Translation
Thus I have got these beautiful eyes and the new youth; therefore, O King! Collect yourself and sit in the holy sacrificial seat.”
Ch 6 Verse 42 Verse
Sanskrit Text
इत्युक्तः स तु विप्रेण सभार्यः पृथिवीपतिः । सुखोपविष्टः कल्याणीः कथाश्चक्रे महात्मना ॥ ४२ ॥
English Translation
When the Brāhmin Cyavana Muni spoke thus, the King Śaryāti and his dear wife sat with greatest pleasure and began to talk on auspicious topics with the high-souled Muni.
Ch 6 Verse 43 Verse
Sanskrit Text
अथैनं भार्गवं प्राह राजानं परिसान्त्वयन् । याजयिष्यामि राजंस्त्वां सम्भारानुपकल्पय ॥ ४३ ॥
English Translation
Then the Bhārgava consoled the King and said I will perform your sacrifice; please collect all the necessary materials.
Ch 6 Verse 44 Verse
Sanskrit Text
मया प्रतिश्रुतं ताभ्यां कर्तव्यौ सोमपौ युवाम् । तत्कर्तव्यं नृपश्रेष्ठ तव यज्ञेऽतिविस्तरे ॥ ४४ ॥
English Translation
I have promised to the Aśvins that certainly I will make them drink the Soma juice. Therefore, O King! I will have to carry that out in your sacrifice.
Ch 6 Verse 45 Verse
Sanskrit Text
इन्द्रं निवारयिष्यामि क्रुद्धं तेजोबलेन वै । पाययिष्यामि राजेन्द्र सोमं सोममखे तव ॥ ४५ ॥
English Translation
O King! If Indra be angry, I will stop him by my Tapas force and in the Agniṣṭoma Yajña I will make the Aśvins drink Soma.
Ch 6 Verse 46-47 Verse
Sanskrit Text
ततः परमसन्तुष्टः शर्यातिः पृथिवीपतिः । च्यवनस्य महाराज तद्वाक्यं प्रत्यपूजयत् ॥ ४६ ॥ सम्मान्य च्यवनं राजा जगाम नगरं प्रति । सभार्यश्चातिसन्तुष्टः कुर्वन्वार्तां मुनेः किल ॥ ४७ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O King! Śaryāti, the lord of the earth, then gladly approved the proposals of Cyavana Muni. The King then shewed respects to the Muni and, with a pleasant attitude of mind, returned to his city with his wife, all the while talking of the Muni on the way.
Ch 6 Verse 48 Verse
Sanskrit Text
प्रशस्तेहनि यज्ञीये सर्वकामसमृद्धिमान् । कारयामास शर्यातिर्यज्ञायतनमुत्तमम् ॥ ४८ ॥
English Translation
On a good auspicious day he, possessed of enormous wealth and prosperity prepared an excellent place for the performance of the sacrifice.
Ch 6 Verse 49 Verse
Sanskrit Text
समानीय मुनीन्पूज्यान्वसिष्ठप्रमुखानसौ । भार्गवो याजयामास च्यवनः पृथिवीपतिम् ॥ ४९ ॥
English Translation
The Muni Cyavana then invited Vaśiṣṭha and other respectable Munis and initiated the King Śaryāti for the performance of the sacrifice.
Ch 6 Verse 50 Verse
Sanskrit Text
वितते तु तथा यज्ञे देवाः सर्वे सवासवाः । आजग्मुश्चाश्विनौ तत्र सोमार्थमुपजग्मतुः ॥ ५० ॥
English Translation
At the commencement of the sacrifice, Indra and the other Devas and the two Aśvins all came to the sacrifice to drink Soma.
Ch 6 Verse 51 Verse
Sanskrit Text
इन्द्रस्तु शङ्कितस्तत्र वीक्ष्य तावश्विनावुभौ । पप्रच्छ च सुरान्सर्वान्किमेतौ समुपागतौ ॥ ५१ ॥
English Translation
Seeing the Aśvins, Indra became afraid and asked the other Devas, “Why have the Aśvins come here?”
Ch 6 Verse 52 Verse
Sanskrit Text
चिकित्सकौ न सोमार्हौ केनानीताविहेति च । नाब्रुवन्नमरास्तत्र राज्ञस्तु वितते मखे ॥ ५२ ॥
English Translation
They are the physicians and, therefore, never fit to drink Soma. Who has brought them hither at this great Agniṣṭoma Sacrifice?
Ch 6 Verse 53 Verse
Sanskrit Text
अगृह्णाच्च्यवनः सोममश्विनोर्देवयोस्तदा । शक्रस्तं वारयामास मा गृहाणैतयोर्ग्रहम् ॥ ५३ ॥
English Translation
The Devas remained all silent. Cyavana Muni then became ready to offer Soma to the Aśvins and Indra immediately stopped him saying :-- They are already prohibited to drink Soma as a sacrificial share; so do not accept the vessel of Soma for them.
Ch 6 Verse 54 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तमाह च्यवनस्तत्र कथमेतौ रवेः सुतौ । न ग्रहार्हौ च नासत्यौ ब्रूहि सत्यं शचीपते ॥ ५४ ॥
English Translation
Cyavana then said :-- “O Lord of Śacī! These are the Sūrya’s sons; tell, then, truly why these are rendered unfit to drink Soma. They are not of mixed blood; they are born of the legal wife of Sūrya Deva.
Ch 6 Verse 55 Verse
Sanskrit Text
न सङ्करौ समुत्पन्नौ धर्मपत्नीसुतौ रवेः । केन दोषेण देवेन्द्र नार्हौ सोमं भिषग्वरौ ॥ ५५ ॥
English Translation
O Lord of the Devas! What is the fault then, of the Aśvins, the physicians, that they be prohibited to drink Soma juice.
Ch 6 Verse 56 Verse
Sanskrit Text
निर्णयोऽत्र मखे शक्र कर्तव्यः सर्वदैवतैः । ग्राहयिष्यामहं सोमं कृतौ तौ सोमपौ मया ॥ ५६ ॥
English Translation
Please reply. O Indra! This point must be settled by all the Devas here. I have promised to make them drink the Soma juice in this sacrifice.
Ch 6 Verse 57 Verse
Sanskrit Text
प्रेरितोऽसौ मया राजा मखाय मघवन्किल । एतदर्थं करिष्यामि सत्यं मे वचनं विभो ॥ ५७ ॥
English Translation
To keep my word I have initiated the King in this sacrifice. I will have my word fulfilled; there is no doubt in this.
Ch 6 Verse 58 Verse
Sanskrit Text
आभ्यामुपकृतः शक्र तथा दत्तं नवं वयः । तस्मात्प्रत्युपकारस्तु कर्तव्यः सर्वथा मया ॥ ५८ ॥
English Translation
O Indra! They have given me my youth and bestowed my eyes and have done me great good. I will also do good to them to my best.”
Ch 6 Verse 59 Verse
Sanskrit Text
इन्द्र उवाच - चिकित्सकौ कृतावेतौ नासत्यौ निन्दितौ सुरैः । उभावेतौ न सोमार्हौ मा गृहाणैतयोर्ग्रहम् ॥ ५९ ॥
English Translation
Indra said :-- “The Devas have appointed these Devas their Physicians; therefore they are looked down upon in the society; so they are unfit to drink Soma. You need not make them drink Soma.”
Ch 6 Verse 60-61 Verse
Sanskrit Text
च्यवन उवाच - अहल्याजार संयच्छ कोपं चाद्य निरर्थकम् । वृत्रघ्न किं हि नासत्यौ न सोमार्हौ सुरात्मजौ ॥ ६० ॥ एवं विवादे समुपस्थिते च न कोऽपि वाचं तमुवाच भूप । ग्रहं तयोर्भार्गवतिग्मतेजाः सङ्ग्राहयामास तपोबलेन ॥ ६१ ॥
Sanskrit Colophon
इति श्रीमद्देवीभागवते महापुराणेऽष्टादशसाहस्र्यां संहितायां सप्तमस्कन्धे च्यवनाश्विनोः कृते सोमपानाधिकारत्वचेष्टावर्णनं नाम षष्टोऽध्यायः ॥ ७.६॥
English Translation
Cyavana spoke :-- “O Indra! You have adulterated yourself with Ahalyā; why are you, then, giving vent to your anger thus in vain. You have treacherously murdered Vritrāsura; it is quite inappropriate for a vicious person like you to say that the Aśvins cannot have the right to drink Soma. This is quite impossible.” O King! On the springing of this dispute, no body spoke to Indra. The illustrious Bhārgava, then, made them accept the Soma juice. Here ends the Sixth Chapter of the Seventh Book on granting the Aśvins the right to drink the Soma juice in Śrī Mad Devī Bhāgavatam, the Mahā Purāṇam, of 18,000 verses by Maharṣi Veda Vyāsa.