Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam - SRIMAD DEVI BHAGAVATAM

Ch 15 Verse 1-2 Verse

Sanskrit Text

७.१५ पञ्चदशोऽध्यायः । हरिश्चन्द्रस्य जलोदरव्याधिप्राप्तिवर्णनम् । व्यास उवाच - प्रवृत्ते सदने तस्य राज्ञः पुत्रमहोत्सवे । आजगाम तदा पाशी विप्रवेषधरः शुभः ॥ १ ॥ स्वस्तीत्युक्त्वा नृपं प्राह वरुणोऽहं निशामय । पुत्रो जातस्तवाधीश यजानेन नृपाशु माम् ॥ २ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O King! When there was going on in the King’s palace, the grand festivities for the son’s birth ceremonies, Varuṇa Deva came there in the holy Brāhmin form. “Let welfare be on you.” Saying this, Varuṇa began to say :-- “O King! Know me to he Varuṇa. Now hear what I say.

Ch 15 Verse 3-4 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सत्यं कुरु वचो राजन् यत्प्रोक्तं भवतः पुरा । वन्ध्यत्वं तु गतं तेऽद्य वरदानेन मे किल ॥ ३ ॥ इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा राजा चिन्तां चकार ह । कथं हन्मि सुतं जातं जलजेन समाननम् ॥ ४ ॥

English Translation

O King! Your son is now born; therefore perform sacrifices in honor to me with your son. O King! Your defect of not having a son is now removed; so fulfil what you promised before.” Hearing these words, the King began to think “Oh! Only one lotus-faced son is born to me; how can I kill it.

Ch 15 Verse 5 Verse

Sanskrit Text

लोकपालः समायातो विप्रवेषेण वीर्यवान् । न देवहेलनं कार्यं सर्वथा शुभमिच्छता ॥ ५ ॥

English Translation

On the other hand, the powerful Regent (Lokapāla) of one quarter is present in Brāhmaṇa form; and it never behoves one to show disrespect to a Deva or to a man who wishes welfare to us.

Ch 15 Verse 6-7 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पुत्रस्नेहः सुदुश्छेद्यः सर्वथा प्राणिभिः सदा । किं करोमि कथं मे स्यात्सुखं सन्ततिसम्भवम् ॥ ६ ॥ धैर्यमालम्ब्य भूपालस्तं नत्वा प्रतिपूज्य च । उवाच वचनं श्लक्ष्णं युक्तं विनयपूर्वकम् ॥ ७ ॥

English Translation

Again it is very difficult to root out the affection for a son; so what am I to do now? How shall I preserve my happiness due to the birth of my son.” The King, then, with patience bowed down to him and worshipped him duly and humbly spoke to him in beautiful words, pregnant with reason.

Ch 15 Verse 8 Verse

Sanskrit Text

राजोवाच - देवदेव तवानुज्ञां करोमि करुणानिधे । वेदोक्तेन विधानेन मखं च बहुदक्षिणम् ॥ ८ ॥

English Translation

O Deva of the Devas! I will obey your order no doubt and I will perform your sacrifice according to the Vedic rites and with profuse Dakṣiṇās (remuneration to priests, etc.)

Ch 15 Verse 9 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पुत्रे जाते दशाहेन कर्मयोग्यो भवेत्पिता । मासेन शुध्येज्जननी दम्पती तत्र कारणम् ॥ ९ ॥

English Translation

But, when in a sacrifice human beings are immolated as victims, both the husband and wife are entitled to the ceremony. Father becomes purified on the tenth day and mother on the expiration of one month after the son’s birth; so how can I perform the sacrifice until one month expires!

Ch 15 Verse 10 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सर्वज्ञोऽसि प्रचेतस्त्वं धर्मं जानासि शाश्वतम् । कृपां कुरु त्वं वारीश क्षमस्व परमेश्वर ॥ १० ॥

English Translation

You are omniscient and the master of all the beings; and you know what is Nitya Dharma. So, O Varuṇa Deva! I want one month time; and show mercy thus on me.

Ch 15 Verse 11 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच - इत्युक्तस्तु प्रचेतास्तं प्रत्युवाच जनाधिपम् । स्वस्ति तेऽस्तु गमिष्यामि कुरु कार्याणि पार्थिव ॥ ११ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O King! The King Hariścandra saying thus, Varuṇa Deva spoke to the King :-- “O King! Welfare be unto you! Do your duties; I am now going back to my place.

Ch 15 Verse 12-13 Verse

Sanskrit Text

आगमिष्यामि मासान्ते यष्टव्यं सर्वथा त्वया । कृत्वौत्थानिकमाचारं पुत्रस्य नृपसत्तम ॥ १२ ॥ इत्युक्त्वा श्लक्ष्णया वाचा राजानं यादसां पतिः । हरिश्चन्द्रो मुदं प्राप गते पाशिनि पार्थिवः ॥ १३ ॥

English Translation

O King! I will come again after one month. Better finish the natal ceremonies and the Nāmakaraṇa ceremony regularly and then perform my sacrifice.” O King! When Varuṇa Deva turned his back, the King began to feel happiness.

Ch 15 Verse 14-15 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कोटिशः प्रददौ गास्ता घटोध्नीर्हेमपूरिताः । विप्रेभ्यो वेदविद्भ्यश्च तथैव तिलपर्वतान् ॥ १४ ॥ राजा पुत्रमुखं दृष्ट्वा सुखमाप महत्तरम् । नामास्य रोहितश्चेति चकार विधिपूर्वकम् ॥ १५ ॥

English Translation

Then the King gave as gifts millions of cows, yielding plenty of milk and ornamented with gold, and mountains of Til, sesamums to the Brāhmins versed in the Vedas and kept his name, with formal ceremonies as Rohitāśva.

Ch 15 Verse 16-17 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पूर्णे मासे ततः पाशी विप्रवेषेण भूपतेः । आजगाम गृहे सद्यो यजस्वेति ब्रुवन्मुहुः ॥ १६ ॥ वीक्ष्य तं नृपतिर्देवं निमग्नः शोकसागरे । प्रणिपत्य कृतातिथ्यं तमुवाच कृताञ्जलिः ॥ १७ ॥

English Translation

When one month became complete, Varuṇa Deva came again in a Brāhmin form and frequently said :-- “O King! Start the sacrifice just now!” The King, on seeing the God of Waters, at once fell into an ocean of anxieties and sorrows; he then bowed down and worshipping him as a guest, spoke to him with folded palms :--

Ch 15 Verse 18-19 Verse

Sanskrit Text

दिष्ट्या देव त्वमायातो गृहं मे पावितं प्रभो । मखं करोमि वारीश विधिवद्वाञ्छितं तव ॥ १८ ॥ अदन्तो न पशुः श्लाघ्य इत्याहुर्वेदवादिनः । तस्माद्दन्तोद्भवे तेऽहं करिष्यामि महामखम् ॥ १९ ॥

English Translation

“O Deva! It is to my great fortune that you have landed your feet at my place; O Lord! My house has been sanctified to day. O Deva! I will do, no doubt, your desired sacrifice according to the rites and ceremonies. But see, the victims that have not their teeth come as yet are not fit for a sacrifice; so the versed Pundits say; so I have settled I would perform your great sacrifice, as desired by you, when the teeth will come out of my son.”

Ch 15 Verse 20-21 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच - इत्युक्तस्तेन वरुणस्तथेत्युक्त्वा ययावथ । हरिश्चन्द्रो मुदं प्राप्य विजहार गृहाश्रमे ॥ २० ॥ पुनर्दन्तोद्भवं ज्ञात्वा प्रचेता द्विजरूपवान् । आजगाम गृहे तस्य कुरु कार्यमिति ब्रुवन् ॥ २१ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O Lord of men! Hearing thus, Varuṇa spoke “Let it be so” and went away. The King Hariścandra became glad and passed his days in enjoyments in his household. When the teeth of the child got out, Varuṇa knew it and came again in a Brāhmin garb in the palace and spoke “O King! Now commence my sacrifice.”

Ch 15 Verse 22-23 Verse

Sanskrit Text

भूपालोऽपि जलाधीशं वीक्ष्य प्राप्तं द्विजाकृतिम् । प्रणम्यासनसम्मानैः पूजयामास सादरम् ॥ २२ ॥ स्तुत्वा प्रोवाच वचनं विनयानतकन्धरः । करोमि विधिवत्कामं मखं प्रबलदक्षिणम् ॥ २३ ॥

English Translation

Seeing the Brāhmin Varuṇa there, the King, too, bowed down and gave him a seat and shewing all respects to him, worshipped him. He sang hymns to him and very humbly said with his head bent low :-- “O Deva! I will perform your desired sacrifice with plenty of Dakṣ’iṇās according to rites and ceremonies.

Ch 15 Verse 24 Verse

Sanskrit Text

बालोऽप्यकृतचौलोऽयं गर्भकेशो न सम्मतः । यज्ञार्थे पशुकरणे मया वृद्धमुखाच्छ्रुतम् ॥ २४ ॥

English Translation

But the child’s Cūḍākaraṇa (the ceremony of tonsure) is not yet done; so the hairs that were at the birth time are still there and the child cannot be fit for sacrifice as long as those hairs exist.

Ch 15 Verse 25 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तावत्क्षमस्व वारीश विधिं जानासि शाश्वतम् । कर्तव्यः सर्वथा यज्ञो मुण्डनान्ते शिशोः किल ॥ २५ ॥

English Translation

So I have heard from the elderly persons. O Lord of Waters! You know the Śāstric rules; kindly wait till the Cūḍākaraṇa is over. When the child will have his head shaven, I will certainly perform your sacrifice; there is no doubt in this.”

Ch 15 Verse 26-27 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तस्येति वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रचेताः प्राह तं पुनः । प्रतारयसि मां राजन् पुनः पुनरिदं ब्रुवन् ॥ २६ ॥ अपि ते सर्वसामग्री वर्तते नृपतेऽधुना । पुत्रस्नेहनिबद्धस्त्वं वञ्चयस्येव साम्प्रतम् ॥ २७ ॥

English Translation

Hearing these words, Varuṇa spoke to him again :-- “O King! Why are you deceiving me like this so often? O King! Now you have all the materials ready for the sacrifice; only for your filial affection you are deceiving me.

Ch 15 Verse 28-29 Verse

Sanskrit Text

क्षौरकर्मविधिं कृत्वा न कर्तासि मखं यदि । तदाहं दारुणं शापं दास्ये कोपसमन्वितः ॥ २८ ॥ अद्य गच्छामि राजेन्द्र वचनात्तव मानद । न मृषा वचनं कार्यं त्वयेक्ष्वाकुकुलोद्भव ॥ २९ ॥

English Translation

However, if, after the ceremony of tonsure, you do not perform my sacrifice, I will be angry and I will curse you. O King! I am going for the present; but see do not tell lies, being born in the family of Ikṣāku.”

Ch 15 Verse 30-31 Verse

Sanskrit Text

इत्याभाष्य ययावाशु प्रचेता नृपतेर्गृहात् । राजा परमसन्तुष्टो ननन्द भवने तदा ॥ ३० ॥ चूडाकरणकाले तु प्रवृत्ते परमोत्सवे । सम्प्राप्तस्तरसा पाशी भवनं नृपतेः पुनः ॥ ३१ ॥

English Translation

Instantly Varuṇa disappeared; the King, too, felt himself happy in his household. When the ceremony of tonsure was commenced and grand festivities were held, on the occasion Varuṇa soon came again to the King’s palace.

Ch 15 Verse 32-33 Verse

Sanskrit Text

यदाङ्के सुतमादाय राज्ञी नृपतिसन्निधौ । उपविष्टा क्रियाकाले तदैव वरुणोऽभ्यगात् ॥ ३२ ॥ कुरु कर्मेति विस्पष्टं वचनं कथयन्नृपम् । विप्ररूपधरः श्रीमान् प्रत्यक्ष इव पावकः ॥ ३३ ॥

English Translation

The queen was then sitting before the King with the child in her lap when Varuṇa came up there. The Brāhmin Varuṇa then appeared like a Flaming Fire and spoke to the King in a clear voice :-- “O King! Start the sacrifice.”

Ch 15 Verse 34-35 Verse

Sanskrit Text

नृपतिस्त्वं समालोक्य बभूवातीव विह्वलः । नमश्चकार तं भीत्या कृताञ्जलिपुटः पुरः ॥ ३४ ॥ विधिवत्पूजयित्वा तं राजोवाच विनीतवान् । स्वामिन् कार्यं करोम्यद्य मखस्य विधिपूर्वकम् ॥ ३५ ॥

English Translation

Seeing him, the King was confused with terror and with folded palms, quickly bowed down to him. After worshipping him duly, he very humbly said :-- “O Lord! Today I will perform your sacrifice.

Ch 15 Verse 36 Verse

Sanskrit Text

वक्तव्यमस्ति तत्रापि शृणुष्वैकमना विभो । युक्तं चेन्मन्यसे स्वामिंस्तद् ब्रवीमि तवाग्रतः ॥ ३६ ॥

English Translation

But kindly hear with attention my saying and then do what is advisable. O Lord! If you approve of this as reasonable, I then open my heart to you.

Ch 15 Verse 37 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियो वैश्यस्त्रयो वर्णा द्विजातयः । संस्कृताश्चान्यथा शूद्रा एवं वेदविदो विदुः ॥ ३७ ॥

English Translation

The three Varṇas Brāhmaṇas, Kṣattriyas, and Vaiśyas become Dvījas (twice-born) only when they are duly purified according to proper rules and ceremonies; without any such purifications they are certainly Śūdras.

Ch 15 Verse 38 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तस्मादयं सुतो मेऽद्य शुद्रवद्वर्तते शिशुः । उपनीतः क्रियार्हः स्यादिति वेदेषु निर्णयः ॥ ३८ ॥

English Translation

So the Pundits versed in the Vedas declare. My child is now an infant only; so it is like a Śūdra. When his thread ceremony (Upanayan) will be performed, he will then be fit for the sacrifice; this the Veda Śāstras declare.

Ch 15 Verse 39-40 Verse

Sanskrit Text

राज्ञामेकादशे वर्षे सदोपनयनं स्मृतम् । अष्टमे ब्राह्मणानां च वैश्यानां द्वादशे किल ॥ ३९ ॥ दयसे यदि देवेश दीनं मां सेवकं तव । तदोपनीय कर्तास्मि पशुना यज्ञमुत्तमम् ॥ ४० ॥

English Translation

The Kṣatttriyas are so purified in their eleventh year; the Brāhmaṇas in their eighth year and the Vaiśyas in their twelfth year. So, O Lord of the Devas! If you feel pity for your this humble servant, then wait till the Upanayana ceremony is over, when I will perform your grand sacrifice with my son.

Ch 15 Verse 41 Verse

Sanskrit Text

लोकपालोऽसि धर्मज्ञ सर्वशास्त्रविशारद । मन्यसे मद्वचः सत्यं तद् गच्छ भवनं विभो ॥ ४१ ॥

English Translation

O Bibhu! You are the Lokapāla; specially you are conversant with all the Śāstric rules and have acquired the knowledge of Dharma. If you think my saying as true, then go to your home.”

Ch 15 Verse 42-43 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच - इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा दयावान् यादसां पतिः । ओमित्युक्त्वा ययावाशु प्रसन्नवदनो नृपः ॥ ४२ ॥ गतेऽथ वरुणो राजा बभूवातिमुदान्वितः । सुखं प्राप्य सुतस्यैवं राजा मुदमवाप ह ॥ ४३ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- Hearing these words, Varuṇa’s heart was filled with pity and so he went away instantly, saying “Let it be so.” Varuṇa going away, the King felt very glad and the queen, knowing the welfare of the son became glad too.

Ch 15 Verse 44-45 Verse

Sanskrit Text

चकार राजकार्याणि हरिश्चन्द्रस्तदा नृपः । कालेन व्रजता पुत्रो बभूव दशवार्षिकः ॥ ४४ ॥ तस्योपवीतसामग्रीं विभूतिसदृशीं नृपः । चकार ब्राह्मणैः शिष्टैरन्वितः सचिवैस्तथा ॥ ४५ ॥

English Translation

Then the King gladly performed his state duties. After some time, the child grew ten years old. Consulting with the peaceful Brāhmaṇas as well as his ministers, he collected materials for the Upanayana ceremony befitting his position.

Ch 15 Verse 46-47 Verse

Sanskrit Text

एकादशे सुतास्याब्दे व्रतबन्धविधौ नृपः । विदधे विधिवत्कार्यं चित्ते चिन्तातुरः पुनः ॥ ४६ ॥ वर्तमाने तथा कार्ये उपनीते कुमारके । आजगामाथ वरुणो विप्रवेषधरस्तदा ॥ ४७ ॥

English Translation

When the eleventh year was completed by his son, the King arranged everything for the thread ceremony but when his thoughts turned to Varuṇa’s sacrifice, he became very sad and anxious. When the thread ceremony began to be performed, the Brāhmin Varuṇa came there.

Ch 15 Verse 48-49 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तं वीक्ष्य नृपतिस्तूर्णं प्रणम्य पुरतः स्थितः । कृताञ्जलिपुटः प्रीतः प्रत्युवाच सुरोत्तमम् ॥ ४८ ॥ देव दत्तोपवीतोऽयं पशुयोग्योऽस्ति मे सुतः । प्रसादात्तव मे शोको गतो वन्ध्यापवादजः ॥ ४९ ॥

English Translation

Seeing him, the King instantly bowed down and standing before him with clasped palms, gladly spoke to him :-- O Deva! My son’s Upanayana being over, now my son is fit for the victim in the sacrifice; and by your grace, my sorrow that was within me as not having a son, has vanished.

Ch 15 Verse 50-51 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कर्तुमिच्छाम्यहं यज्ञं प्रभूतवरदक्षिणम् । समये शृणु धर्मज्ञ सत्यमद्य ब्रवीम्यहम् ॥ ५० ॥ समावर्तनकर्मान्ते करिष्यामि तवेप्सितम् । ममोपरि दयां कृत्वा तावत्त्वं क्षन्तुमर्हसि ॥ ५१ ॥

English Translation

I speak truly before you that, O Knower of Virtue! after some mere time I have desired to perform your sacrifice with plenty of Dakṣiṇās. In fact, when the Samāvartan ceremony will be over, I will do as you like. Kindly wait till then.

Ch 15 Verse 52-53 Verse

Sanskrit Text

वरुण उवाच - प्रतारयसि मां राजन् पुत्रप्रेमाकुलो भृशम् । मुहुर्मुहुर्मतिं कृत्वा युक्तियुक्तां महामते ॥ ५२ ॥ गच्छाम्यद्य महाराज वचसा तव नोदितः । आगमिष्यामि समये समावर्तनकर्मणि ॥ ५३ ॥

English Translation

Varuṇa said :-- O Intelligent One! You are very much attached to your son now and so by various reasonable plays of intellect, you are repeatedly deceiving me. However, I am going home today at your request but know certain that I will come again at the time of the Samāvartan ceremony. (N. B. :-- Samāvartan means the return home especially of a pupil from his tutor’s house after finishing his course of study there.)

Ch 15 Verse 54-55 Verse

Sanskrit Text

इत्युक्त्वा प्रययौ पाशी तपापृच्छ्य विशाम्पते । राजा प्रमुदितः कार्यं चकार च यथोत्तरम् ॥ ५४ ॥ आगतं वरुणं दृष्ट्वा कुमारोऽतिविचक्षणः । यज्ञस्य समयं ज्ञात्वा तदा चिन्तातुरोऽभवत् ॥ ५५ ॥

English Translation

O King! Thus saying, Varuṇa went away and the King became glad and began to perform duly his various duties. The prince was very intelligent; and as he used to see Varuṇa coming, now and then, at the time of the ceremonies, he became very anxious.

Ch 15 Verse 56-57 Verse

Sanskrit Text

शोकस्य कारणं राज्ञः पर्यपृच्छदितस्ततः । ज्ञात्वात्मवधमायुष्मन् गमनाय मतिं दधौ ॥ ५६ ॥ निश्चयं परमं कृत्वा सम्मन्त्र्य सचिवात्मजैः । प्रययौ नगरात्तस्मान्निर्गत्य वनमप्यसौ ॥ ५७ ॥

English Translation

He then made enquiries outside hither and thither and came to know of his own being about to be killed and he desired to quit the house instantly. He then consulted with the minister’s sons and came to a final conclusion and went out of the city to the forest.

Ch 15 Verse 58-59 Verse

Sanskrit Text

गते पुत्रे नृपः कामं दुःखितोऽभूद् भृशं तदा । प्रेरयामास दूतान्स्वांस्तस्यान्वेषणकाम्यया ॥ ५८ ॥ एवं गतेऽथ कालेऽसौ वरुणस्तद्गृहं गतः । राजानं शोकसन्तप्तं कुरु यज्ञमिति ब्रुवन् ॥ ५९ ॥

English Translation

When the son had gone to the forest, the King became very much afflicted with sorrow and sent messengers in quest of him. When some time passed away, Varuṇa came to his house and spoke to the distressed King :-- “O King! Now perform your desired Sacrifice.”

Ch 15 Verse 60-61 Verse

Sanskrit Text

राजा प्रणम्य तं प्राह देवदेव करोमि किम् । न जाने क्वापि पुत्रो मे गतस्त्वद्य भयाकुलः ॥ ६० ॥ सर्वत्र गिरिदुर्गेषु मुनीनामाश्रमेषु च । अन्वेषितो मे दूतैस्तु न प्राप्तो यादसाम्पते ॥ ६१ ॥

English Translation

The King bowed down to him and said :-- “O Deva! What shall I do now? My son has become afraid and has gone away. I do not know where he has gone. O Deva! My messengers have searched for him in difficult places in mountains, in the hermitages of the Munis, in fact, in all the places; but they have not been able to find him out anywhere.

Ch 15 Verse 62 Verse

Sanskrit Text

आज्ञापय महाराज किं करोमि गते सुते । न मे दोषोऽत्र सर्वज्ञ भाग्यदोषस्तु सर्वथा ॥ ६२ ॥

English Translation

My son has left his home; order now what I can do. O Deva! You know everything; so judge I have got no fault in this matter. It is certainly luck and nothing else.”

Ch 15 Verse 63-64 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच - इति भूपवचः श्रुत्वा प्रचेताः कुपितो भृशम् । शशाप च नृपं क्रोधाद्वञ्चितस्तु पुनः पुनः ॥ ६३ ॥ नृपतेऽहं त्वया यस्माद्वचसा च प्रवञ्चितः । तस्माज्जलोदरो व्याधिस्त्वां तुदत्वतिदारुणः ॥ ६४ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O King! Hearing these words of the King, Varuṇa became very much angry and when he saw that he was deceived so many times by the King, he then cursed, saying :-- “O King! As you have cheated me by your deceitful words, so you be attacked by dropsy and be severely pained by it.”

Ch 15 Verse 65-67 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच - इति शप्तो महीपालः कुपितेन प्रचेतसा । पीडितोऽभूत्तदा राजा व्याधिना दुःखदेन तु ॥ ६५ ॥ एवं शप्त्वा नृपं पाशी जगाम निजमास्पदम् । राजा प्राप्य महाव्याधिं बभूवातीव दुःखितः ॥ ६६ ॥

Sanskrit Colophon

इति श्रीमद्देवीभागवते महापुराणेऽष्टादशसाहस्र्यां संहितायां सप्तमस्कन्धे हरिश्चन्द्रस्य जलोदरव्याधिप्राप्तिवर्णनं नाम पञ्चदशोऽध्यायः ॥ ७.१५॥

English Translation

Thus cursed by Varuṇa, the King was attacked with that disease and began to suffer much. Cursing thus, Varuṇa went back to his own place and the King was much afflicted with that terrible disease. Here ends the Fifteenth Chapter in the Seventh Book on the story of the King Hariścandra in the Mahāpurāṇam Śrī Mad Devī Bhāgavatam of 18,000 verses by Maharṣi Veda Vyāsa.