Scriptures

Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam

BOOK 7 • CHAPTER 17
Ch 17 Verse 1-2 Verse
Sanskrit Text
७.१७ सप्तदशोऽध्यायः । वसिष्ठविश्वामित्रपणवर्णनम् । व्यास उवाच - रुदन्तं बालकं वीक्ष्य विश्वामित्रो दयातुरः । शुनःशेपमुवाचेदं गत्वा पार्श्वेऽतिदुःखितम् ॥ १ ॥ मन्त्रं प्रचेतसः पुत्र मयोक्तं मनसा स्मरन् । जपतस्तव कल्याणं भविष्यति ममाज्ञया ॥ २ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O King! When Viśvāmitra saw that the boy was crying very pitifully, he went to him with a merciful heart and said :-- “O Child! I am giving you the Varuṇa Mantra; recollect this within your mind and if you go on repeating that Mantra silently, you will certainly fare well.”
Ch 17 Verse 3-4 Verse
Sanskrit Text
विश्वामित्रवचः श्रुत्वा शुनःशेपः शुचाऽऽकुलः । मन्त्रं जजाप मनसा कौशिकोक्तं स्फुटाक्षरम् ॥ ३ ॥ जपतस्तत्र तस्याशु प्रचेतास्तु कृपाकरः । प्रादुर्बभूव सहसा प्रसन्नो नृप बालके ॥ ४ ॥
English Translation
The sorrowful Śunahśepha, hearing thus from Viśvāmitra, began to repeat silently in his mind the above Mantra, clearly pronouncing each letter. O King! No sooner Śunahśepha repeated that Mantra than the kind-hearted Varuṇa came suddenly before the boy, greatly pleased with him.
Ch 17 Verse 5-6 Verse
Sanskrit Text
दृष्ट्वा तमागतं सर्वे विस्मयं परमं गताः । तुष्टुवुर्वरुणं देवं मुदिता दर्शनेन ते ॥ ५ ॥ राजातिविस्मितः पादौ प्रणनाम रुजातुरः । बद्धाञ्जलिपुटो देवं तुष्टाव पुरतः स्थितम् ॥ ६ ॥
English Translation
Everyone in the assembly became thoroughly surprised to see Varuṇa Deva come there and they all became glad and chanted hymns in honour of him. The diseased Hariścandra was also thoroughly surprised, fell to his feet, and with folded palms began to sing hymns to Varuṇa, standing before him.
Ch 17 Verse 7-8 Verse
Sanskrit Text
हरिश्चन्द्र उवाच - देवदेव कृपासिन्धो पापात्माहं सुमन्दधीः । कृतापराधः कृपणः पावितः परमेष्ठिना ॥ ७ ॥ मया ते पुत्रकामेन दुःखसंस्थेन हेलनम् । कृतं क्षमाप्यं प्रभुणा कोऽपराधः सुदुर्मतेः ॥ ८ ॥
English Translation
Hariścandra said :-- “O Deva of the Devas! I am very vicious; my intellect is much defiled; I am a sinner before you; O Merciful One! Now show your mercy and sanctify this humble self. I was very much troubled on not having a son; so I had disregarded your words; now show your mercy on me; what offence can cling to him whose intellect is already out of order?
Ch 17 Verse 9-10 Verse
Sanskrit Text
अर्थी दोषं न जानाति तस्मात्पुत्रार्थिना मया । वञ्चितस्त्वं देवदेव भीतेन नरकाद्विभो ॥ ९ ॥ अपुत्रस्य गतिर्नास्ति स्वर्गो नैव च नैव च । भीतोऽहं तेन वाक्येन तस्मात्ते हेलनं कृतम् ॥ १० ॥
English Translation
A beggar does not see his own faults; I am also in want of a son; so I could not see my defects. O Lord! Being afraid of the terrors of hell, I have deceived you. Those, who are sonless, cannot find rest anywhere. Especially he is barred from the Heavens. Being terrified by this dictate of Śāstra, I have shown disregard to your words.
Ch 17 Verse 11-12 Verse
Sanskrit Text
नाज्ञस्य दूषणं चिन्त्यं नूनं ज्ञानवता विभो । दुःखितोऽहं रुजाक्रान्तो वञ्चितः स्वसुतेन ह ॥ ११ ॥ न जानेऽहं महाराज पुत्रो मे क्व गतः प्रभो । वञ्चयित्वा वने भीतो मरणान्मां कृपानिधे ॥ १२ ॥
English Translation
O Lord! You are wise and I am ignorant; especially I am extremely afflicted by this terrible disease; I am also deprived of my son; so you ought not to take any notice of my faults. O Lord! I do not know where my son has gone; O merciful One! Perhaps he, being afraid of his life, has fled away to some forest.
Ch 17 Verse 13-14 Verse
Sanskrit Text
प्रययौ द्रविणं दत्वा गृहीतो द्विजबालकः । यज्ञोऽयं क्रीतपुत्रेण प्रारब्धस्तव तुष्टये ॥ १३ ॥ दर्शनं तव सम्प्राप्य गतं दुःखं ममाद्भुतम् । जलोदरकृतं सर्वं प्रसन्ने त्वयि साम्प्रतम् ॥ १४ ॥
English Translation
For your satisfaction, I have now commenced your sacrifice with this purchased boy; I gave an equivalent value and I have purchased this boy. O Deva of the Devas! Your sight only has taken away my infinite troubles; now if you be pleased, I can be free of my this disease dropsy and my troubles will all be over.”
Ch 17 Verse 15 Verse
Sanskrit Text
व्यास उवाच - इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा राज्ञो रोगातुरस्य च । दयावान्देवदेवेशः प्रत्युवाच नृपोत्तमम् ॥ १५ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O King! Hearing thus the words of that diseased King, Varuṇa, the Deva of the Devas, took pity on him and thus spoke.
Ch 17 Verse 16 Verse
Sanskrit Text
वरुण उवाच - मुञ्च राजञ्छुनःशेपं स्तुवन्तं मां भृशातुरम् । यज्ञोऽयं परिपूर्णस्ते रोगमुक्तो भवात्मना ॥ १६ ॥
English Translation
Varuṇa said :-- “O King! Śunahśepha is uttering hymns of praise to me; he has become very distressed; so quit him. Your sacrifice, too, is now completed; now let you be free from your present disease.”
Ch 17 Verse 17-18 Verse
Sanskrit Text
इत्युक्त्वा वरुणस्तूर्णं राजानं विरुजं तथा । चकार पश्यतां तत्र सदस्यानां सुसंस्थितम् ॥ १७ ॥ विमुक्तोऽसौ द्विजः पाशाद्वरुणेन महात्मना । जयशब्दस्ततस्तत्र सञ्जातो मखमण्डपे ॥ १८ ॥
English Translation
Thus saying, Varuṇa freed the King of his disease in the presence of all his councillors; the King became possessed of a beautiful body and got himself completely cured and shone bright before the assembly. Shouts of victory arose from the midst of the sacrificial ground when the Brāhmin boy was freed of his bonds of rope, by the mercy of the high-souled Deva Varuṇa.
Ch 17 Verse 19-20 Verse
Sanskrit Text
राजा प्रमुदितः सद्यो रोगान्मुक्तः सुदारुणात् । यूपान्मुक्तः शुनःशेपो बभूवातीव संस्थितः ॥ १९ ॥ राजा त्विमं मखं पूर्णं चकार विनयान्वितः । शुनःशेपस्तदा सभ्यानित्युवाच कृताञ्जलिः ॥ २० ॥
English Translation
The King became very glad on his being recovered immediately from his disease and Śunahśepha, too, became free from his anxiety and pacified when he got himself liberated from his being immolated on the sacrificial post. Then the King Hariścandra completed his sacrifice with great modesty. Afterwards Śunahśepha addressed the councillors with folded palms and said :--
Ch 17 Verse 21-22 Verse
Sanskrit Text
भो भोः सभ्या सुधर्मज्ञाः ब्रुवन्तु धर्मनिर्णयम् । वेदशास्त्रानुसारेण यथार्थवादिनः किल ॥ २१ ॥ पुत्रोऽहं कस्य सर्वज्ञाः पिता के कोऽग्रतः परम् । भवतां वचनात्तस्य शरणं प्रव्रजाम्यहम् ॥ २२ ॥
English Translation
:-- O Councillors! You know well the Dharma; O Speakers of truth! Kindly specify according to the dictates of the Vedas. O Omniscient ones! Whose son am I now? Who is my most respectful father? Please deliver your judgment and I will take his refuge. 23-34. When Śunahśepha spoke thus, the members of the assembly began to speak to each other,
Ch 17 Verse 23-24 Verse
Sanskrit Text
इत्युक्ते वचने तत्र सभ्याः प्रोचुः परस्परम् । सभ्या ऊचूः - अजीगर्तस्य पुत्रोऽयं कस्यान्यस्य भवेदसौ ॥ २३ ॥ अङ्गादङ्गात्समुद्भूतः पालितस्तेन भक्तितः । अन्यस्य कस्य पुत्रोऽसौ प्रभवेदिति निश्चयः ॥ २४ ॥
English Translation
“The boy must be of Ajigarta; whose else can he be? This boy is born of the limbs of Ajigarta; and he has nursed him according to his might. So he must be his son; whose else can he be?”
Ch 17 Verse 25-26 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तच्छ्रुत्वा वामदेवस्तु तानुवाच सभासदः । विक्रीतस्तेन तातेन द्रव्यलोभात्सुतः किल ॥ २५ ॥ पुत्रोऽयं धनदातुश्च राज्ञस्तत्र न संशयः । अथवा वरुणस्यैष पाशान्मुक्तोऽस्त्यनेन वै ॥ २६ ॥
English Translation
Vāma Deva then told the people of the assembly, “The father of the boy sold his son for money; the King purchased him. So he can be said as the son of the King; or he may be called the son of Varuṇa, in as much as he freed him from his rope bondage.
Ch 17 Verse 27 Verse
Sanskrit Text
अन्नदाता भयत्राता तथा विद्याप्रदश्च यः । तथा वित्तप्रदश्चैव पञ्चैते पितरः स्मृताः ॥ २७ ॥
English Translation
For, he who nourishes another with food, who saves one from one’s fear, who protects one by giving money, who bestows learning to anybody and he who gives birth to any of the above five classes of persons can be called his father.”
Ch 17 Verse 28-29 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तदा केचित्पितुः प्राहुः केचिद्राज्ञस्तथापरे । वरुणस्येति संवादे निर्णयं न ययुश्च ते ॥ २८ ॥ इत्थं सन्देहमापन्ने वसिष्ठो वाक्यमब्रवीत् । सभ्यान्विवदतस्तत्र सर्वज्ञः सर्वपूजितः ॥ २९ ॥
English Translation
O King! Thus some one turned out to be in favour of Ajigarta, some other in favour of the King; but nobody came to any definite conclusion. When matters stood in this doubtful condition, the omniscient all-respected Vaśiṣṭha Deva addressed the disputing members thus :-- “O high-souled Ones! Kindly hear what the Śrutis say on this point.
Ch 17 Verse 30-31 Verse
Sanskrit Text
शृणुध्वं भो महाभागा निर्णयं श्रुतिसम्मतम् । निःस्नेहेन यदा पित्रा विक्रीतोऽयं सुतः शिशुः ॥ ३० ॥ सम्बन्धस्तु गतस्तस्य तदैव धनसङ्ग्रहात् । हरिश्चन्द्रस्य सञ्जातः पुत्रोऽसौ क्रीत एव च ॥ ३१ ॥
English Translation
When the father has cut off his filial attachment and has sold his son, his fatherly connection has ceased then. No doubt this boy was purchased by the King Hariścandra. But when the King fastened him to the sacrificial post, he cannot be called as the father.
Ch 17 Verse 32-33 Verse
Sanskrit Text
यूपे बद्धो यदा राज्ञा तदा तस्य न वै सुतः । वरुणस्तु स्तुतोऽनेन तेन तुष्टेन मोचितः ॥ ३२ ॥ तस्मान्नायं महाभागा ह्यसौ पुत्रः प्रचेतसः । यो यं स्तौति महामन्त्रैः सोऽपि तुष्टो ददाति च ॥ ३३ ॥
English Translation
Again when this boy singing hymns in honour of Varuṇa, he being glad freed him of his bondage, so Varuṇa cannot be called his father. For whoever praises a god by the great Mantra, that Deva becomes pleased with him and gives him wealth, life, cattle, kingdom and even final emancipation.
Ch 17 Verse 34 Verse
Sanskrit Text
धनं प्राणान्पशून् राज्यं तथा मोक्षं किलेप्सितम् । कौशिकस्य सुतश्चायमरिष्टे येन रक्षितः ॥ ३४ ॥
English Translation
Rather Viśvāmitra saved the boy by giving him in his critical moment the powerful great Mantra of Varuṇa; hence the boy can be called as the son of Viśvāmitra and of none else.”
Ch 17 Verse 35-36 Verse
Sanskrit Text
मन्त्रं दत्त्वा महावीर्यं वरुणस्यातिसङ्कटे । व्यास उवाच - श्रुत्वा वाक्यं वसिष्ठस्य बाढमूचुः सभासदः ॥ ३५ ॥ विश्वामित्रस्तु जग्राह तं करे दक्षिणे तदा । एहि पुत्र गृहं मे त्वमित्युक्त्वा प्रेमपूरितः ॥ ३६ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O King! Hearing the words of Vaśiṣṭha, all the members of the assembly gave their unanimous consent and Viśvāmitra with his heart filled with love, exclaimed, “O Son! Come to my house.” And caught hold of his right hand.
Ch 17 Verse 37 Verse
Sanskrit Text
शुनःशेपो जगामाशु तेनैव सह सत्वरः । वरुणस्तु प्रसन्नात्मा जगाम च स्वमालयम् ॥ ३७ ॥
English Translation
Śunahśepha, too, accompanied him and went away. Varuṇa also went to his own abode with a gladdened heart.
Ch 17 Verse 38 Verse
Sanskrit Text
ऋत्विजश्च तथा सभ्याः स्वगृहान्निर्ययुस्तदा । राजापि रोगनिर्मुक्तो बभूवातिमुदान्वितः ॥ ३८ ॥
English Translation
The councillors, too, departed. Freed from his disease, the King gladly began to govern his subjects.
Ch 17 Verse 39 Verse
Sanskrit Text
प्रजास्तु पालयामास सुप्रसन्नेन चेतसा । रोहिताख्यस्तु तच्छ्रुत्वा वृत्तान्तं वरुणस्य ह ॥ ३९ ॥
English Translation
At this time his son Rohitā heard all about Varuṇa and became very glad and leaving the impassable forest passes and mountains, returned home.
Ch 17 Verse 40 Verse
Sanskrit Text
आजगाम गृहं प्रीतो दुर्गमाद्वनपर्वतात् । दूता राजानमभ्येत्य प्रोचुः पुत्रं समागतम् ॥ ४० ॥
English Translation
The messengers informed the King of the arrival of the prince; the King heard and his heart overflowed with love and he gladly came there with no delay.
Ch 17 Verse 41-42 Verse
Sanskrit Text
मुदितोऽसौ जगामाशु सम्मुखः कोसलाधिपः । दृष्ट्वा पितरमायान्तं प्रेमोद्रिक्तः सुसम्भ्रमः ॥ ४१ ॥ दण्डवत्पतितो भूमावश्रुपूर्णमुखः शुचा । राजापि तं समुत्थाप्य परिरभ्य मुदान्वितः ॥ ४२ ॥
English Translation
Seeing the father coming, Rohitāśva became filled with love and overpowered with sorrow for long separation began to shed tears and fell prostrate at his feet. The King raised him up and embraced him gladly and smelling his head enquired of his welfare.
Ch 17 Verse 43-44 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तमाघ्राय सुतं मूर्ध्नि पप्रच्छ कुशलं पुनः । उत्सङ्गे तं समारोप्य मुदितो मेदिनीपतिः ॥ ४३ ॥ उष्णैर्नेत्रजलैः शीर्षण्यभिषेकमथाकरोत् । राज्यं शशास तेनासौ पुत्रेणातिप्रियेण च ॥ ४४ ॥
English Translation
When the King was thus asking his son, taking him on his lap, the hot tears of joy flowed from his eyes and fell on the head of the prince. The King and the prince then began to govern together his kingdom. The King described in detail all the events of the sacrifice where human victims are immolated.
Ch 17 Verse 45-46 Verse
Sanskrit Text
वृत्तान्तं नरमेधस्य कथयामास विस्तरात् । राजसूयं क्रतुवरं चकार नृपसत्तमः ॥ ४५ ॥ वसिष्ठं पूजयित्वाथ होतारमकरोद्विभुः । समाप्ते त्वथ यज्ञेशे वसिष्ठोऽतीव पूजितः ॥ ४६ ॥
English Translation
He started next the Rājasūya sacrifice, the best of all sacrifices, and duly worshipping the Muni Vaśiṣṭha, made him the Hotā in that sacrifice. When this grand sacrifice was finished, the King respected the Muni Vaśiṣṭha with abundant wealth.
Ch 17 Verse 47-48 Verse
Sanskrit Text
शक्रस्य सदनं रम्यं जगाम मुनिरादरात् । विश्वामित्रोऽपि तत्रैव वसिष्ठेन च सङ्गतः ॥ ४७ ॥ मिलित्वा तौ स्थितौ देवसदने मुनिसत्तम । विश्वामित्रोऽपि पप्रच्छ वसिष्ठं प्रतिपूजितम् ॥ ४८ ॥
English Translation
Once, on a time, the Muni Vaśiṣṭha went gladly to the romantic Heaven of Indra; and Viśvāmitra, too, went there also and both the Munis then met with each other. The two Maharṣis took their seats in that Heaven. But Viśvāmitra was astonished to see Vaśiṣṭha greatly respected in Indra’s hall of assembly and asked him, thus :--
Ch 17 Verse 49 Verse
Sanskrit Text
वीक्ष्य विस्मयचित्तस्तं सभायां तु शचीपतेः । विश्वामित्र उवाच - क्वेयं पूजा त्वया प्राप्ता महती मुनिसत्तम ॥ ४९ ॥
English Translation
“O Muni! Where have you received this great honour and worship? O Highly Fortunate One! Who has worshipped you thus? Speak out truly.”
Ch 17 Verse 50 Verse
Sanskrit Text
कृता केन महाभाग सत्यं ब्रूहि ममान्तिके । वसिष्ठ उवाच - यजमानोऽस्ति मे राजा हरिश्चन्द्रः प्रतापवान् ॥ ५० ॥
English Translation
Vaśiṣṭha said :-- “O Muni! There is a King named Hariścandra; he is very powerful and my client; that King performed the great Rājasūya sacrifice with abundant Dakṣiṇās.
Ch 17 Verse 51-52 Verse
Sanskrit Text
राजसूयः कृतस्तेन राज्ञा प्रवरदक्षिणः । नेदृशोऽस्ति नृपश्चान्यः सत्यवादी धृतव्रतः ॥ ५१ ॥ दाता च धर्मशीलश्च प्रजारञ्जनतत्परः । तस्य यज्ञे मया पूजा प्राप्ता कौशिकनन्दन ॥ ५२ ॥
English Translation
There is no other King truthful like him; he is virtuous, charitable, and ever ready in governing his subjects. O Son of Kauśika! I have got my worship and honour in his sacrifice. O best of Dvījas! Are you telling me to speak truly?
Ch 17 Verse 53 Verse
Sanskrit Text
हरिश्चन्द्रसमो राजा न भूतो न भविष्यति । सत्यवादी तथा दाता शूरः परमधार्मिकः ॥ ५३ ॥
English Translation
Again I speak truly to you that there never was a King truthful, heroic, charitable, and very religious like him nor there will be such a one.”
Ch 17 Verse 54 Verse
Sanskrit Text
व्यास उवाच । इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा विश्वामित्रोऽतिकोपनः । बभूव क्रोधसंरक्तलोचनोऽप्यब्रवीच्च तम् ॥ ५४ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O King! Hearing such words, the Viśvāmitra, of a very angry temper, spoke to him with his reddened eyes :--
Ch 17 Verse 55-56 Verse
Sanskrit Text
विश्वामित्र उवाच । एवं स्तौषि नृपं मिथ्यावादिनं कपटप्रियम् । वञ्चितो वरुणो येन प्रतिश्रुत्य वरं पुनः ॥ ५५ ॥ मम जन्मार्जितं पुण्यं तपसः पठितस्य च । त्वदीयं वातितपसो ग्लहं कुरु महामते ॥ ५६ ॥
English Translation
-59. “O Vaśiṣṭha! Hariścandra obtained a boon from Varuṇa when he made a certain promise; then he cheated Varuṇa with deceitful words. So he is a liar and cheat. Why are you praising then that King? O Intelligent One! Let us now stake all our virtues that we have earned since our birth by our asceticism and studies.
Ch 17 Verse 57-60 Verse
Sanskrit Text
अहं चेत्तं नृपं सद्यो न करोम्यतिसंस्तुतम् । असत्यवादिनं काममदातारं महाखलम् ॥ ५७ ॥ आजन्मसञ्चितं सर्वं पुण्यं मम विनश्यतु । अन्यथा त्वत्कृतं सर्वं पुण्यं त्विति पणावहे ॥ ५८ ॥ ग्लहं कृत्वा ततस्तौ तु विवदन्तौ मुनी तदा । स्वाश्रमं स्वर्गलोकाच्च गतौ परमकोपनौ ॥ ५९ ॥
Sanskrit Colophon
इति श्रीमद्देवीभागवते महापुराणेऽष्टादशसाहस्र्यां संहितायां सप्तमस्कन्धे वसिष्ठविश्वामित्रपणवर्णनं नाम सप्तदशोऽध्यायः ॥ ७.१७॥
English Translation
You have praised exceedingly that King who is a great cheat; but if I cannot prove him to be a liar of the first order, I will lose all my virtues from my birth; but if it be otherwise, then all your virtues will be destroyed.” Thus the two Munis quarrelled with each other and making this stake, departed from the Heavens and went to their respective Āśramas. Here ends the Seventeenth Chapter in the Seventh Book on the freeing of Śunahśepha and the curing of Hariścandra in the Mahāpurāṇam Śrī Mad Devī Bhāgavatam, of 18,000 verses by Maharṣi Veda Vyāsa.