Scriptures

Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam

BOOK 7 • CHAPTER 9
Ch 9 Verse 1-2 Verse
Sanskrit Text
७.९ नवमोऽध्यायः । मान्धातोत्पत्तिवर्णनम् । व्यास उवाच - कदाचिदष्टकाश्राद्धे विकुक्षिं पृथिवीपतिः । आज्ञापयदसम्मूढो मांसमानय सत्वरम् ॥ १ ॥ मेध्यं श्राद्धार्थमधुना वने गत्वा सूतादरात् । उत्युक्तोऽसौ तथेत्याशु जगाम वनमस्त्रभृत् ॥ २ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O King! Once on a time, the time for Aṣṭaka Śrāddha (the funeral ceremony in honour of the departed) arrived. Seeing this, the King Ikṣāku ordered his son Vikukṣi :-- “O Child! Go immediately to the forest and bring carefully pure sanctified meat for the Śrāddha purposes; see, that there be no neglect of duty.” Thus ordered, Vikukṣi instantly went to the forest equipped with arms.
Ch 9 Verse 3-4 Verse
Sanskrit Text
गत्वा जघान बाणैः स वराहान्सूकरान्मृगान् । शशांश्चापि परिश्रान्तो बभूवाथ बुभूक्षितः ॥ ३ ॥ विस्मृता चाष्टका तस्य शशं चाददसौ वने । शेषं निवेदयामास पित्रे मांसमनुत्तमम् ॥ ४ ॥
English Translation
He hunted in the forest lots of boars, pigs, deer, and hare. But he was so very tired with his journey in the forest and got so hungry that he forgot everything about the Aṣṭaka Śrāddha and ate one hare there in the forest. The remaining excellent meat he brought and handed over to his father.
Ch 9 Verse 5 Verse
Sanskrit Text
प्रोक्षणाय समानीतं मांसं दृष्ट्वा गुरुस्तदा । अनर्हमिति तज्ज्ञात्वा चुकोप मुनिसत्तमः ॥ ५ ॥
English Translation
When that meat was brought to be sprinkled for purification, the family priest Vaśiṣṭha, on seeing it, at once came to know that some portion had already been eaten and it was the remaining part.
Ch 9 Verse 6 Verse
Sanskrit Text
भुक्तशेषं तु न श्राद्धे प्रोक्षणीयमिति स्थितिः । राज्ञे निवेदयामास वसिष्ठः पाकदूषणम् ॥ ६ ॥
English Translation
The leavings of food are not fit for the sprinkling purposes; this is the Śāstric rule. Vaśiṣṭha informed the King of this defect in the food.
Ch 9 Verse 7 Verse
Sanskrit Text
पुत्रस्य कर्म तज्ज्ञात्वा भूपतिर्गुरुणोदितम् । चुकोप विधिलोपात्तं देशान्निःसारयत्ततः ॥ ७ ॥
English Translation
In accordance with the Guru’s advice, the King coming to know thus the violation of the rule by his son, became very angry and banished his son from his kingdom.
Ch 9 Verse 8 Verse
Sanskrit Text
शशाप इति विख्यातो नाम्ना जातो नृपात्मजः । गतो वने शशादस्तु पितृकोपादसम्भ्रमः ॥ ८ ॥
English Translation
The prince became known from that time as Sa’sāda; he did not become the least sorry for his father’s anger; he went to the forest and gladly remained there.
Ch 9 Verse 9 Verse
Sanskrit Text
वन्येन वर्तयन्कालं नीतवान् धर्मतत्परः । पितर्युपरते राज्यं प्राप्तं तेन महात्मना ॥ ९ ॥
English Translation
He gladly passed his time absorbed in religion and sustained his life on forest fruits and roots. After sometime when his father died, he inherited his kingdom.
Ch 9 Verse 10-11 Verse
Sanskrit Text
शशादस्त्वकरोद्राज्यमयोध्यायाः पतिः स्वयम् । यज्ञाननेकशः पूर्णांश्चकार सरयूतटे ॥ १० ॥ शशादस्याभवत्पुत्रः ककुत्स्थ इति विश्रुतः । तस्यैव नामभेदाद्वै इन्द्रवाहः पुरञ्जयः ॥ ११ ॥
English Translation
On becoming the King of Ayodhyā, Śaśāda had only one son; he became famous in the three lokas by the name of Kakutstha. He was known also by other names Indravāha and Purañjaya.
Ch 9 Verse 12 Verse
Sanskrit Text
जनमेजय उवाच - नामभेदः कथं जातो राजपुत्रस्य चानघ । कारणं ब्रूहि मे सर्वं कर्मणा येन चाभवत् ॥ १२ ॥
English Translation
Janamejaya said :-- “O Holy One! How and why was the prince named Kakutstha. Why was he known by the two other names? Speak all this to me.”
Ch 9 Verse 13-14 Verse
Sanskrit Text
व्यास उवाच - शशादे स्वर्गते राजा ककुत्स्थ इति चाभवत् । एतस्मिन्नन्तरे देवा दैत्यैः सर्वे पराजिताः ॥ १३ ॥ जग्मुस्त्रिलोकाधिपतिं विष्णुं शरणमव्ययम् । तान्प्रोवाच महाविष्णुस्तदा देवान्सनातनः ॥ १४ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O King! When Śaśāda went to the Heavens Kakutstha became king. That religious king then began to govern the country of his father and grandfather with an authority supported by a powerful arm. At this time the Devas suffered a defeat from the Dānavas and took refuge to Viṣṇu, the Infallible and the Lord of the three worlds. The eternal great Viṣṇu full of intelligence and bliss then addressed the Devas :--
Ch 9 Verse 15-16 Verse
Sanskrit Text
विष्णुरुवाच - पार्ष्णिग्राहं महीपालं प्रार्थयन्तु शशादजम् । स हनिष्यति वै दैत्यान्सङ्ग्रामे सुरसत्तमाः ॥ १५ ॥ आगमिष्यति धर्मात्मा साहाय्यार्थं धनुर्धरः । पराशक्तेः प्रसादेन सामर्थ्यं तस्य चातुलम् ॥ १६ ॥
English Translation
Viṣṇu said :-- “O Devas! Go and pray to the King Śaśāda. He will be your ally and kill all the Demons. That King is religious; especially he is a worshipper of the Highest Śakti. He is a good archer and will come to help you. His strength is immense.”
Ch 9 Verse 17-18 Verse
Sanskrit Text
हरेः सुवचनाद्देवा ययुः सर्वे सवासवाः । अयोध्यायां महाराज शशादतनयं प्रति ॥ १७ ॥ तानागतान् सुरान् राजा पूजयामास धर्मतः । पप्रच्छागमने राजा प्रयोजनमतन्द्रितः ॥ १८ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O King! Indra and the other Devas hearing the nectar like words of Hari went to Ayodhyā, to Kakutstha, the son of Śaśāda. Seeing the Devas at his palace, the king worshipped them duly and with great care and he asked them why they had come there.
Ch 9 Verse 19-20 Verse
Sanskrit Text
राजोवाच - धन्योऽहं पावितश्चास्मि जीवितं सफलं मम । यदागत्य गृहे देवा ददुश्च दर्शनं महत् ॥ १९ ॥ ब्रुवन्तु कृत्यं देवेशा दुःसाध्यमपि मानवैः । करिष्यामि महत्कार्यं सर्वथा भवतां महत् ॥ २० ॥
English Translation
The King said :-- “O Devas! When you have favoured me by your presence here, I am blessed and sanctified; my life is crowned with success. Say what I can do for you; I will carry it out even if it be very hard for me to perform.”
Ch 9 Verse 21-22 Verse
Sanskrit Text
देवा ऊचुः - साहाय्यं कुरु राजेन्द्र सखा भव शचीपतेः । सङ्ग्रामे जय दैत्येन्द्रान्दुर्जयांस्त्रिदशैरपि ॥ २१ ॥ पराशक्तिप्रसादेन दुर्लभं नास्ति ते क्वचित् । विष्णुना प्रेरिताश्चैवमागतास्तव सन्निधौ ॥ २२ ॥
English Translation
The Devas said :-- “O Prince! Please help and back us and defeat the Daityas, invincible by the Devas and form an alliance with Indra. O King! By the grace of the Highest Śakti, you have nothing unattained anywhere; so we have come to you by the order of Viṣṇu.”
Ch 9 Verse 23 Verse
Sanskrit Text
राजोवाच - पार्ष्णिग्राहो भवाम्यद्य देवानां सुरसत्तमाः । इन्द्रो मे वाहनं तत्र भवेद्यदि सुराधिपः ॥ २३ ॥
English Translation
The King said :-- “O Devas! I can back you and become your ally if Indra carries me on his back in the time of war.
Ch 9 Verse 24 Verse
Sanskrit Text
सङ्ग्रामं तु करिष्यामि दैत्यैर्देवकृतेऽधुना । आरुह्येन्द्रं गमिष्यामि सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीम्यहम् ॥ २४ ॥
English Translation
I will fight now with the Daityas for the Devas; but I will go to the battle-field on Indra’s back; this I speak to you truly.”
Ch 9 Verse 25 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तदोचुर्वासवं देवाः कर्तव्यं कार्यमद्भुतम् । पत्रं भव नरेन्द्रस्य त्यक्त्वा लज्जां शचीपते ॥ २५ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O King! The Devas then spoke to Indra :-- “O Lord of Śaci! It is now your bounden duty to do this; so quitting shame, be a carrier to this King.”
Ch 9 Verse 26 Verse
Sanskrit Text
लज्जमानस्तदा शक्रः प्रेरितो हरिणा भृशम् । बभूव वृषभस्तूर्णं रुद्रस्येवापरो महान् ॥ २६ ॥
English Translation
Indra got ashamed very much, but being requested frequently by Hari, at last assumed the appearance of a bull like the great Bull of Śiva.
Ch 9 Verse 27 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तमारुरोह राजासौ सङ्ग्रामगमनाय वै । स्थितः ककुदि येनास्य ककुत्स्थस्तेन चाभवत् ॥ २७ ॥
English Translation
The King mounted on that bull to go to the war; he fought while taking his seat on the hump on the shoulders of the bull (Kakud); therefore he was named Kakutstha.
Ch 9 Verse 28-29 Verse
Sanskrit Text
इन्द्रो वाहः कृतो येन तेन नाम्नेन्द्रवाहकः । पुरं जितं तु दैत्यानां तेनाभूच्च पुरञ्जयः ॥ २८ ॥ जित्वा दैत्यान्महाबाहुर्धनं तेषां प्रदत्तवान् । पप्रच्छ चैवं राजर्षेरिति सख्यं बभूव ह ॥ २९ ॥
English Translation
The King was carried by Indra on his back hence he was named Indravāha; he conquered the Dānavas in battle; hence he was called Purañjaya. The powerful King defeated the Dānavas and gave away all their wealth to the Devas. He bade farewell to the Devas and returned to his own kingdom. Thus the alliance was formed with Indra.
Ch 9 Verse 30 Verse
Sanskrit Text
ककुत्स्थश्चातिविख्यातो नृपतिस्तस्य वंशजाः । काकुत्स्था भुवि राजानो बभूवुर्बहुविश्रुताः ॥ ३० ॥
English Translation
O King! Kakutstha became very celebrated on this earth; his descendants became kings and were known as Kakutsthas and were all very famous here
Ch 9 Verse 31 Verse
Sanskrit Text
ककुत्स्थस्याभवत्पुत्रो धर्मपत्न्यां महाबलः । अनेना विश्रुतस्तस्य पृथुः पुत्रश्च वीर्यवान् ॥ ३१ ॥
English Translation
Kakutstha had one powerful son, named Kākutstha by his legal wife; Kākutstha had the son Prithu, of mighty prowess.
Ch 9 Verse 32 Verse
Sanskrit Text
विष्णोरंशः स्मृतः साक्षात्पराशक्तिपदार्चकः । विश्वरन्धिस्तु विज्ञेयः पृथोः पुत्रो नराधिपः ॥ ३२ ॥
English Translation
Prithu was the part incarnation personified of Viṣṇu, and worshipper of the feet of the Supreme Śakti. His son was Visvarandhi; he became king and governed the kingdom.
Ch 9 Verse 33 Verse
Sanskrit Text
चन्द्रस्तस्य सुतः श्रीमान् राजा वंशकरः स्मृतः । तत्सुतो युवनाश्वस्तु तेजस्वी बलवत्तरः ॥ ३३ ॥
English Translation
His son was Candra; he came to be king, governed his subjects and multiplied very much his issues.
Ch 9 Verse 34 Verse
Sanskrit Text
शावन्तो युवनाश्वस्य जज्ञे परमधार्मिकः । शावन्ती निर्मिता तेन पुरी शक्रपुरीसमा ॥ ३४ ॥
English Translation
Yuvanāśva was one of his sons; he was very powerful and spirited. Śavanta was the son of Yuvanāśva; he was very religious. He built a nice city named Śāvantī like the Paradise of Indra.
Ch 9 Verse 35-36 Verse
Sanskrit Text
बृहदश्वस्तु पुत्रोऽभूच्छावन्तस्य महात्मनः । कुवलयाश्वः सुतस्तस्य बभूव पृथिवीपतिः ॥ ३५ ॥ धुन्धुर्नामा हतो दैत्यस्तेनासौ पृथिवीतले । धुन्धुमारेति विख्यातं नाम प्रापातिविश्रुतम् ॥ ३६ ॥
English Translation
Brihadaśva was the son of the high-souled Śāvanta; he had a son Kuvalayāśva. He became the Lord of the earth by the power of his arms. He killed Dhundu Dānava; so he was very much celebrated by the name of Dhundumāra.
Ch 9 Verse 37-38 Verse
Sanskrit Text
पुत्रस्तस्य दृढाश्वस्तु पालयामास मेदिनीम् । दृढाश्वस्य सुतः श्रीमान्हर्यश्व इति कीर्तितः ॥ ३७ ॥ निकुम्भस्तत्सुतः प्रोक्तो बभूव पृथिवीपतिः । बर्हणाश्वो निकुम्भस्य कुशाश्वस्तस्य वै सुतः ॥ ३८ ॥
English Translation
His son was Dridhāśva; he governed the earth; His son was Śrīmān Haryaśva. His son was Nikumbha; he became the King. Nikumbha had his son Varhaṇāśva. Kriśāśva was his son.
Ch 9 Verse 39 Verse
Sanskrit Text
प्रसेनजित्कृशाश्वस्य बलवान्सत्यविक्रमः । तस्य पुत्रो महाभागो यौवनाश्वेति विश्रुतः ॥ ३९ ॥
English Translation
His son was the powerful Parasenajit; his son’s prowess knew no bounds. Parasenajit had the fortunate son Yauvanāśva.
Ch 9 Verse 40 Verse
Sanskrit Text
यौवनाश्वसुतः श्रीमान्मान्धातेति महीपतिः । अष्टोत्तरसहस्रं तु प्रासादा येन निर्मिताः ॥ ४० ॥
English Translation
O fortunate One! The son of Yauvanaśva was Śrīmān Māndhātā; he became the Lord of the Earth and for the satisfaction of the Devī Bhagavatī had one thousand and eight palaces built in Benares and in the other chief places of pilgrimages.
Ch 9 Verse 41 Verse
Sanskrit Text
भगवत्यास्तु तुष्ट्यर्थं महातीर्थेषु मानद । मातृगर्भे न जातोऽसावुत्पन्नो जनकोदरे ॥ ४१ ॥
English Translation
Māudhātā was not born of his mother’s womb but was born in the belly of his father. Then the ministers tore asunder the belly of his father and got him out.
Ch 9 Verse 42-43 Verse
Sanskrit Text
निःसारितस्ततः पुत्रः कुक्षिं भित्त्वा पितुः पुनः । राजोवाच - न श्रुतं न च दृष्टं वा भवता तदुदाहृतम् ॥ ४२ ॥ असम्भाव्यं महाभाग तस्य जन्म यथोदितम् । विस्तरेण वदस्वाद्य मान्धातुर्जन्मकारणम् ॥ ४३ ॥
English Translation
Janamejaya said :-- O fortunate One! What you said was never seen nor heard ever before since. This sort of birth is highly improbable. How was that beautiful son born in the belly of his father? Describe this in detail and satisfy my curiosity.
Ch 9 Verse 44-48 Verse
Sanskrit Text
राजोदरे यथोत्पन्नः पुत्रः सर्वाङ्गसुन्दरः । व्यास उवाच - यौवनाश्वोऽनपत्योऽभूद्राजा परमधार्मिकः ॥ ४४ ॥ भार्याणां च शतं तस्य बभूव नृपतेर्नृप । राजा चिन्तापरः प्रायश्चिन्तयामास नित्यशः ॥ ४५ ॥ अपत्यार्थे यौवनाश्वो दुःखितस्तु वनं गतः । ऋषीणामाश्रमे पुण्ये निर्विण्णः स च पार्थिवः ॥ ४६ ॥ मुमोच दुःखितः श्वासांस्तापसानां च पश्यताम् । दृष्ट्वा तु दुःखितं विप्रा बभूवुश्च कृपालवः ॥ ४७ ॥ तमूचुर्ब्राह्मणा राजन्कस्माच्छोचसि पार्थिव । किं ते दुःखं महाराज ब्रूहि सत्यं मनोगतम् ॥ ४८ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O King! The King Yauvanāśva had one hundred queens; yet he had no issues. The King always thought much about his son. Once the King, sorry and desirous of a son, went to the holy retreats of the Ṛṣis. On arriving there, he began frequently to respire heavily before the ascetics. The Ṛṣis became filled with pity on seeing his sorrowful condition. O King! The Brāhmins that said to him :-- O King! Why are you thus sorrowful and distressed? What is your sorrow that is troubling your heart? Speak truly. We will surely redress your grievance.
Ch 9 Verse 49 Verse
Sanskrit Text
प्रतीकारं करिष्यामो दुःखस्य तव सर्वथा । यौवनाश्व उवाच - राज्यं धनं सदश्वाश्च वर्तन्ते मुनयो मम ॥ ४९ ॥
English Translation
Yauvanāśva said :-- “O Munis! I have got the kingdom wealth, excellent horses, one hundred illustrious chaste wives.
Ch 9 Verse 50 Verse
Sanskrit Text
भार्याणां च शतं शुद्धं वर्तते विशदप्रभम् । नारातिस्त्रिषु लोकेषु कोऽप्यस्ति बलवान्मम ॥ ५० ॥
English Translation
I have no enemies in the three worlds; no one is stronger than me. All the Kings and ministers are obedient to my call.
Ch 9 Verse 51-52 Verse
Sanskrit Text
आज्ञाकरास्तु सामन्ता वर्तन्ते मन्त्रिणस्तथा । एकं सन्तानजं दुःखं नान्यत्पश्यामि तापसाः ॥ ५१ ॥ अपुत्रस्य गतिर्नास्ति स्वर्गो नैव च नैव च । तस्माच्छोचामि विप्रेन्द्राः सन्तानार्थं भृशं ततः ॥ ५२ ॥
English Translation
But O Ascetics! I have no son; this my sonless state is the only cause of my pain and sorrow. It has marred all my happiness. See! The persons that have no son cannot in any way go to Heavens. Therefore I am always being pained for this. You all are ascetics; you have taken great pains to learn the essence of the Veda Śāstras.
Ch 9 Verse 53 Verse
Sanskrit Text
वेदशास्त्रार्थतत्त्वज्ञास्तापसाश्च कृतश्रमाः । इष्टिं सन्तानकामस्य युक्तां ज्ञात्वा दिशन्तु मे ॥ ५३ ॥
English Translation
So kindly order me what sacrifice is fit for me to have a son. O Ascetics! If you feel any pity for me, kindly perform this good work for me.”
Ch 9 Verse 54 Verse
Sanskrit Text
कुर्वन्तु मम कार्यं वै कृपा चेदस्ति तापसाः । व्यास उवाच - तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं राज्ञः कृपया पूर्णमानसाः ॥ ५४ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O King! Hearing the words of the King they were all filled with pity; and, with fulness of mind, made him to perform the sacrifice whose presiding deity was Indra.
Ch 9 Verse 55 Verse
Sanskrit Text
कारयामासुरव्यग्रास्तस्येष्टिमिन्द्रदेवताम् । कलशः स्थापितस्तत्र जलपूर्णस्तु वाडवैः ॥ ५५ ॥
English Translation
For the sake of the King, that he may get a son born to him, they had a jar filled with water by the Brāhmins and purified and charged that jar with the Vedic Mantrams.
Ch 9 Verse 56 Verse
Sanskrit Text
मन्त्रितो वेदमन्त्रैश्च पुत्रार्थं तस्य भूपतेः । राजा तद्यज्ञसदनं प्रविष्टस्तृषितो निशि ॥ ५६ ॥
English Translation
The King got thirsty in the night and entered in the sacrificial ground; seeing the Brāhmins asleep, the King himself drank that water, surcharged with the Mantram.
Ch 9 Verse 57 Verse
Sanskrit Text
विप्रान्दृष्ट्वा शयानान्स पपौ मन्त्रजलं स्वयम् । भार्यार्थं संस्कृतं विप्रैर्मन्त्रितं विधिनोद्धृतम् ॥ ५७ ॥
English Translation
The Brāhmins consecrated and kept that water apart, according to due rules, surcharging with Mantrams, for the wife of the King; but the King, getting thirsty, himself drank that water unconsciously.
Ch 9 Verse 58-59 Verse
Sanskrit Text
पीतं राज्ञा तृषार्तेन तदज्ञानान्नृपोत्तम । व्युदकं कलशं दृष्ट्वा तदा विप्रा विशङ्किताः ॥ ५८ ॥ पप्रच्छुस्ते नृपं केन पीतं जलमिति द्विजाः । राज्ञा पीतं विदित्वा ते ज्ञात्वा दैवबलं महत् ॥ ५९ ॥
English Translation
Next morning the Brāhmins seeing the jar of water empty, were startled very much with fear; the Brāhmins then asked the King :-- Who drank the water?
Ch 9 Verse 60 Verse
Sanskrit Text
इष्टिं समापयामासुर्गतास्ते मुनयो गृहान् । गर्भं दधार नृपतिस्ततो मन्त्रबलादथ ॥ ६० ॥
English Translation
When they came to know that the King himself drank the water, the Munis thought this to he an act of Daiva (Fate) and completing the sacrifice returned to their abodes. Then the King became pregnant by the power of the sacrificial Mantrams.
Ch 9 Verse 61 Verse
Sanskrit Text
ततः काले स उत्पन्नः कुक्षिं भित्त्वाऽस्य दक्षिणाम् । पुत्रं निष्कासमायासुर्मन्त्रिणस्तस्य भूपतेः ॥ ६१ ॥
English Translation
After some time, the son became fully developed. Then the King’s ministers, cutting his right bowel, got the son out. Out of the God’s favour, the King did not die.
Ch 9 Verse 62-64 Verse
Sanskrit Text
देवानां कृपया तत्र न ममार महीपतिः । कं धास्यति कुमारोऽयं मन्त्रिणश्चुक्रुशुर्भृशम् ॥ ६२ ॥ तदेन्द्रो देशिनीं प्रादान्मां धातेत्यवदद्वचः । सोऽभवद्बलवान् राजा मान्धाता पृथिवीपतिः । तदुत्पत्तिस्तु भूपाल कथिता तव विस्तरात् ॥ ६३ ॥
Sanskrit Colophon
इति श्रीमद्देवीभागवते महापुराणेऽष्टादशसाहस्र्यां संहितायां सप्तमस्कन्धे मान्धातोत्पत्तिवर्णनं नाम नवमोऽध्यायः ॥ ७.९॥
English Translation
When the ministers were troubled with the thought whose milk the child will suck, then Indra spoke out the child would drink (Mān-Dhātā) my forefinger and gave his finger into the child’s mouth. For that reason his name was Māndhātā. Thus I have described in detail the origin of Māndhātā. Here ends the Ninth Chapter of the Seventh Book on the story of Kakutstha and the origin of Māndhātā in Śrī Mad Devī Bhāgavatam the Mahā Purāṇam, of 18,000 verses, by Maharṣi Veda Vyāsa.