The Downfall of Saubhari Muni

Verse 1 (bhagavata.9.6.1)

श्रीशुक उवाच विरूपः केतुमाञ्छम्भुरम्बरीषसुतास्त्रयः । विरूपात् पृषदश्वोऽभूत्तत् पुत्रस्तु रथीतरः ॥ 6.1 ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca virūpaḥ ketumāñ chambhur ambarīṣa-sutās trayaḥ virūpāt pṛṣadaśvo ’bhūt tat-putras tu rathītaraḥ

Shukadeva said: Ambarisha had three sons — Virupa, Ketuman and Shambhu. From Virupa was born Prishadashva, and his son was Rathitara.

Verse 2 (bhagavata.9.6.2)

रथीतरस्याप्रजस्य भार्यायां तन्तवेऽर्थितः । अङ्गिरा जनयामास ब्रह्मवर्चस्विनः सुतान् ॥ 6.2 ॥

rathītarasyāprajasya bhāryāyāṁ tantave ’rthitaḥ aṅgirā janayām āsa brahma-varcasvinaḥ sutān

Rathitara had no offspring, so he asked the great sage Angira to beget a son through his wife. Angira gave her sons endowed with brahminical splendor.

Verse 3 (bhagavata.9.6.3)

एते क्षेत्रप्रसूता वै पुनस्त्वाङ्गिरसाः स्मृताः । रथीतराणां प्रवराः क्षेत्रोपेता द्विजातयः ॥ 6.3 ॥

ete kṣetra-prasūtā vai punas tv āṅgirasāḥ smṛtāḥ rathītarāṇāṁ pravarāḥ kṣetropetā dvi-jātayaḥ

Born from that field (his wife's womb), they were reckoned as Rathitara's own line, but being of Angira's seed they were also called Angirasas — the foremost of the twice-born among Rathitara's descendants.

Verse 4 (bhagavata.9.6.4)

क्षुवतस्तु मनोर्जज्ञे इक्ष्वाकुर्घ्राणतः सुतः । तस्य पुत्रशतज्येष्ठा विकुक्षिनिमिदण्डकाः ॥ 6.4 ॥

kṣuvatas tu manor jajñe ikṣvākur ghrāṇataḥ sutaḥ tasya putra-śata-jyeṣṭhā vikukṣi-nimi-daṇḍakāḥ

When Manu sneezed, a son named Ikshvaku sprang from his nostril. He had a hundred sons, the foremost of whom were Vikukshi, Nimi and Dandaka.

Verse 5 (bhagavata.9.6.5)

तेषां पुरस्तादभवन्नार्यावर्ते नृपा नृप । पञ्चविंशतिः पश्चाच्च त्रयो मध्येऽपरेऽन्यतः ॥ 6.5 ॥

teṣāṁ purastād abhavann āryāvarte nṛpā nṛpa pañca-viṁśatiḥ paścāc ca trayo madhye ’pare ’nyataḥ

O King, of these, twenty-five became kings in the west, twenty-five in the east, and three in the middle of Aryavarta; the rest became kings in various other lands.

Verse 6 (bhagavata.9.6.6)

स एकदाष्टकाश्राद्धे इक्ष्वाकुः सुतमादिशत् । मांसमानीयतां मेध्यं विकुक्षे गच्छ मा चिरम् ॥ 6.6 ॥

sa ekadāṣṭakā-śrāddhe ikṣvākuḥ sutam ādiśat māṁsam ānīyatāṁ medhyaṁ vikukṣe gaccha mā ciram

Once, at the time of the ashtaka-shraddha rite, Ikshvaku commanded his son Vikukshi: "Go quickly and bring back pure meat."

Verse 7 (bhagavata.9.6.7)

तथेति स वनं गत्वा मृगान् हत्वा क्रियार्हणान् । श्रान्तो बुभुक्षितो वीरः शशं चाददपस्मृतिः ॥ 6.7 ॥

tatheti sa vanaṁ gatvā mṛgān hatvā kriyārhaṇān śrānto bubhukṣito vīraḥ śaśaṁ cādad apasmṛtiḥ

"As you command," he said, and going to the forest slew animals fit for the rite; but wearied and famished, forgetting himself, that hero ate a hare he had killed.

Verse 8 (bhagavata.9.6.8)

शेषं निवेदयामास पित्रे तेन च तद्गुरुः । चोदितः प्रोक्षणायाह दुष्टमेतदकर्मकम् ॥ 6.8 ॥

śeṣaṁ nivedayām āsa pitre tena ca tad-guruḥ coditaḥ prokṣaṇāyāha duṣṭam etad akarmakam

The remainder of the meat he offered to his father, who gave it to Guru Vasishtha for consecration; but on being asked to sanctify it, Vasishtha at once perceived it was defiled and unfit for the rite.

Verse 9 (bhagavata.9.6.9)

ज्ञात्वा पुत्रस्य तत् कर्म गुरुणाभिहितं नृपः । देशान्निःसारयामास सुतं त्यक्तविधिं रुषा ॥ 6.9 ॥

jñātvā putrasya tat karma guruṇābhihitaṁ nṛpaḥ deśān niḥsārayām āsa sutaṁ tyakta-vidhiṁ ruṣā

Learning from his guru what his son had done, the King, in anger, banished that son — who had broken the sacred rule — from the kingdom.

Verse 10 (bhagavata.9.6.10)

स तु विप्रेण संवादं ज्ञापकेन समाचरन् । त्यक्त्वा कलेवरं योगी स तेनावाप यत् परम् ॥ 6.10 ॥

sa tu vipreṇa saṁvādaṁ jñāpakena samācaran tyaktvā kalevaraṁ yogī sa tenāvāpa yat param

Instructed by the wise brahmana Vasishtha in self-knowledge, King Ikshvaku, like a true yogi, gave up his body and attained that supreme state which was rightly his.

Verse 11 (bhagavata.9.6.11)

पितर्युपरतेऽभ्येत्य विकुक्षिः पृथिवीमिमाम् । शासदीजे हरिं यज्ञैः शशाद इति विश्रुतः ॥ 6.11 ॥

pitary uparate ’bhyetya vikukṣiḥ pṛthivīm imām śāsad īje hariṁ yajñaiḥ śaśāda iti viśrutaḥ

When his father passed away, Vikukshi returned and, ruling this earth, worshipped Lord Hari through sacrifice; he became renowned by the name Shashada.

Verse 12 (bhagavata.9.6.12)

पुरञ्जयस्तस्य सुत इन्द्रवाह इतीरितः । ककुत्स्थ इति चाप्युक्तः शृणु नामानि कर्मभिः ॥ 6.12 ॥

purañjayas tasya suta indravāha itīritaḥ kakutstha iti cāpy uktaḥ śṛṇu nāmāni karmabhiḥ

Shashada's son was Puranjaya, known also as Indravaha and as Kakutstha. Hear now by what deeds he came to bear these names.

Verse 13 (bhagavata.9.6.13)

कृतान्त आसीत् समरो देवानां सह दानवैः । पार्ष्णिग्राहो वृतो वीरो देवैर्दैत्यपराजितैः ॥ 6.13 ॥

kṛtānta āsīt samaro devānāṁ saha dānavaiḥ pārṣṇigrāho vṛto vīro devair daitya-parājitaiḥ

In ancient times a fierce war raged between the gods and the demons. The defeated gods chose this hero Puranjaya as their ally, and with his help overcame the demons.

Verse 14 (bhagavata.9.6.14)

वचनाद् देवदेवस्य विष्णोर्विश्वात्मनः प्रभोः । वाहनत्वे वृतस्तस्य बभूवेन्द्रो महावृषः ॥ 6.14 ॥

vacanād deva-devasya viṣṇor viśvātmanaḥ prabhoḥ vāhanatve vṛtas tasya babhūvendro mahā-vṛṣaḥ

By the word of the almighty Vishnu, the Self of all, the mighty Indra himself consented to become his mount, taking the form of a great bull.

Verse 15 (bhagavata.9.6.15)

स सन्नद्धो धनुर्दिव्यमादाय विशिखाञ्छितान् । स्तूयमानस्तमारुह्य युयुत्सुः ककुदि स्थितः ॥ 6.15 ॥

sa sannaddho dhanurdivyamādāya viśikhāñchitān stūyamānastamāruhya yuyutsuḥ kakudi sthitaḥ

Clad in armor, taking up a celestial bow and razor-sharp arrows, praised by the gods, eager for battle, he mounted that bull and sat upon its hump.

Verse 16 (bhagavata.9.6.16)

तेजसाप्यायितो विष्णोः पुरुषस्य महात्मनः । प्रतीच्यां दिशि दैत्यानां न्यरुणत् त्रिदशैः पुरम् ॥ 6.16 ॥

tejasāpyāyito viṣṇoḥ puruṣasya mahātmanaḥ pratīcyāṁ diśi daityānāṁ nyaruṇat tridaśaiḥ puram

Empowered by the might of the great Lord Vishnu, he besieged, together with the gods, the demons' city in the western quarter.

Verse 17 (bhagavata.9.6.17)

तैस्तस्य चाभूत्प्रधनं तुमुलं लोमहर्षणम् । यमाय भल्लैरनयद् दैत्यान् अभिययुर्मृधे ॥ 6.17 ॥

tais tasya cābhūt pradhanaṁ tumulaṁ loma-harṣaṇam yamāya bhallair anayad daityān abhiyayur mṛdhe

A fierce and terrible battle raged between them, hair-raising to hear of; with his arrows he sent the demons who had come to face him in battle straight to the realm of Yama.

Verse 18 (bhagavata.9.6.18)

तस्येषुपाताभिमुखं युगान्ताग्निमिवोल्बणम् । विसृज्य दुद्रुवुर्दैत्या हन्यमानाः स्वमालयम् ॥ 6.18 ॥

tasyeṣu-pātābhimukhaṁ yugāntāgnim ivolbaṇam visṛjya dudruvur daityā hanyamānāḥ svam ālayam

Seeing the storm of his arrows, terrible as the fire of universal dissolution, the surviving demons, being slain on every side, fled to their several homes.

Verse 19 (bhagavata.9.6.19)

जित्वा परं धनं सर्वं सस्त्रीकं वज्रपाणये । प्रत्ययच्छत् स राजर्षिरिति नामभिराहृतः ॥ 6.19 ॥

jitvā paraṁ dhanaṁ sarvaṁ sastrīkaṁ vajra-pāṇaye pratyayacchat sa rājarṣir iti nāmabhir āhṛtaḥ

Having conquered the enemy, that royal sage gave everything — their wealth and their women alike — to the thunderbolt-bearing Indra; and for these deeds he became known by his several names.

Verse 20 (bhagavata.9.6.20)

पुरञ्जयस्य पुत्रोऽभूदनेनास्तत्सुतः पृथुः । विश्वगन्धिस्ततश्चन्द्रो युवनाश्वस्तु तत्सुतः ॥ 6.20 ॥

purañjayasya putro ’bhūd anenās tat-sutaḥ pṛthuḥ viśvagandhis tataś candro yuvanāśvas tu tat-sutaḥ

Puranjaya's son was Anena, his son was Prithu, from Prithu came Vishvagandhi, from him Chandra, and Chandra's son was Yuvanashva.

Verse 21 (bhagavata.9.6.21)

श्रावस्तस्तत्सुतो येन श्रावस्ती निर्ममे पुरी । बृहदश्वस्तु श्रावस्तिस्ततः कुवलयाश्वकः ॥ 6.21 ॥

śrāvastas tat-suto yena śrāvastī nirmame purī bṛhadaśvas tu śrāvastis tataḥ kuvalayāśvakaḥ

Yuvanashva's son was Shravasta, who founded the city of Shravasti. His son was Brihadashva, and from Brihadashva came Kuvalayashva.

Verse 22 (bhagavata.9.6.22)

यः प्रियार्थमुतङ्कस्य धुन्धुनामासुरं बली । सुतानामेकविंशत्या सहस्रैरहनद् वृतः ॥ 6.22 ॥

yaḥ priyārtham utaṅkasya dhundhu-nāmāsuraṁ balī sutānām eka-viṁśatyā sahasrair ahanad vṛtaḥ

It was this mighty Kuvalayashva who, to please the sage Utanka, slew the demon Dhundhu with the help of his twenty-one thousand sons.

Verse 23 (bhagavata.9.6.23)

धुन्धुमार इति ख्यातस्तत्सुतास्ते च जज्वलुः । धुन्धोर्मुखाग्निना सर्वे त्रय एवावशेषिताः ॥ 6.23 ॥

dhundhumāra iti khyātastatsutāste ca jajvaluḥ dhundhormukhāgninā sarve traya evāvaśeṣitāḥ

For this he became renowned as Dhundhumara. All these sons of his were consumed by the fire that issued from Dhundhu's mouth — only three remained.

Verse 24 (bhagavata.9.6.24)

दृढाश्वः कपिलाश्वश्च भद्राश्व इति भारत । दृढाश्वपुत्रो हर्यश्वो निकुम्भस्तत्सुतः स्मृतः ॥ 6.24 ॥

dṛḍhāśvaḥ kapilāśvaśca bhadrāśva iti bhārata dṛḍhāśvaputro haryaśvo nikumbhastatsutaḥ smṛtaḥ

O scion of Bharata, they were Dridhashva, Kapilashva and Bhadrashva. Dridhashva's son was Haryashva, and Haryashva's son is remembered as Nikumbha.

Verse 25 (bhagavata.9.6.25)

बहुलाश्वो निकुम्भस्य कृशाश्वोऽथास्य सेनजित् । युवनाश्वोऽभवत् तस्य सोऽनपत्यो वनं गतः ॥ 6.25 ॥

bahulāśvo nikumbhasya kṛśāśvo ’thāsya senajit yuvanāśvo ’bhavat tasya so ’napatyo vanaṁ gataḥ

Nikumbha's son was Bahulashva; his son was Krishashva; from Krishashva came Senajit; and Senajit's son was Yuvanashva, who, being without offspring, retired to the forest.

Verse 26 (bhagavata.9.6.26)

भार्याशतेन निर्विण्ण ऋषयोऽस्य कृपालवः । इष्टिं स्म वर्तयांचक्रुरैन्द्रीं ते सुसमाहिताः ॥ 6.26 ॥

bhāryā-śatena nirviṇṇa ṛṣayo ’sya kṛpālavaḥ iṣṭiṁ sma vartayāṁ cakrur aindrīṁ te susamāhitāḥ

Seeing that king despondent with his hundred wives, the compassionate sages of the forest, with great care and attention, undertook a sacrifice to Indra on his behalf.

Verse 27 (bhagavata.9.6.27)

राजा तद् यज्ञसदनं प्रविष्टो निशि तर्षितः । दृष्ट्वा शयानान् विप्रांस्तान् पपौ मन्त्रजलं स्वयम् ॥ 6.27 ॥

rājā tad-yajña-sadanaṁ praviṣṭo niśi tarṣitaḥ dṛṣṭvā śayānān viprāṁs tān papau mantra-jalaṁ svayam

One night, tormented by thirst, the King entered that sacrificial hall, and seeing the brahmanas asleep, himself drank the water sanctified by mantra.

Verse 28 (bhagavata.9.6.28)

उत्थितास्ते निशम्याथ व्युदकं कलशं प्रभो । पप्रच्छुः कस्य कर्मेदं पीतं पुंसवनं जलम् ॥ 6.28 ॥

utthitās te niśamyātha vyudakaṁ kalaśaṁ prabho papracchuḥ kasya karmedaṁ pītaṁ puṁsavanaṁ jalam

O lord, when the brahmanas awoke and saw the vessel emptied of water, they asked: "Who has drunk this water, consecrated for begetting a son?"

Verse 29 (bhagavata.9.6.29)

राज्ञा पीतं विदित्वा वै ईश्वरप्रहितेन ते । ईश्वराय नमश्चक्रुरहो दैवबलं बलम् ॥ 6.29 ॥

rājñā pītaṁ viditvā vai īśvara-prahitena te īśvarāya namaś cakrur aho daiva-balaṁ balam

Understanding that it was by the will of the Lord Himself that the King had drunk it, they exclaimed: "Ah, the power of providence is the true power!" and bowed their heads to the Lord.

Verse 30 (bhagavata.9.6.30)

ततः काल उपावृत्ते कुक्षिं निर्भिद्य दक्षिणम् । युवनाश्वस्य तनयश्चक्रवर्ती जजान ह ॥ 6.30 ॥

tataḥ kāla upāvṛtte kukṣiṁ nirbhidya dakṣiṇam yuvanāśvasya tanayaś cakravartī jajāna ha

Thereafter, in due course, a son destined to be a universal emperor was born, breaking forth from the right side of Yuvanashva's body.

Verse 31 (bhagavata.9.6.31)

कं धास्यति कुमारोऽयं स्तन्ये रोरूयते भृशम् । मां धाता वत्स मा रोदीरितीन्द्रो देशिनीमदात् ॥ 6.31 ॥

kaṁ dhāsyati kumāro ’yaṁ stanye rorūyate bhṛśam māṁ dhātā vatsa mā rodīr itīndro deśinīm adāt

The infant wailed so piteously for milk that all were troubled, asking, "Who shall nurse this child?" Then Indra himself came and said, "Weep not, my child — drink of me," and gave him his own forefinger to suck.

Verse 32 (bhagavata.9.6.32)

न ममार पिता तस्य विप्रदेवप्रसादतः । युवनाश्वोऽथ तत्रैव तपसा सिद्धिमन्वगात् ॥ 6.32 ॥

na mamāra pitā tasya vipra-deva-prasādataḥ yuvanāśvo ’tha tatraiva tapasā siddhim anvagāt

By the grace of the brahmana-gods, the child's father Yuvanashva did not die; and Yuvanashva himself, through austerity, attained perfection on that very spot.

Verse 33 (bhagavata.9.6.33)

त्रसद्दस्युरितीन्द्रोऽङ्ग विदधे नाम यस्य वै । यस्मात् त्रसन्ति ह्युद्विग्ना दस्यवो रावणादयः ॥ 6.33 ॥

trasaddasyuritīndro ’ṅga vidadhe nāma yasya vai yasmāt trasanti hyudvignā dasyavo rāvaṇādayaḥ

My dear King, Indra gave that child the name Trasaddasyu, for even troublesome plunderers like Ravana came to tremble before him.

Verse 34 (bhagavata.9.6.34)

यौवनाश्वोऽथ मान्धाता चक्रवर्त्यवनीं प्रभुः । सप्तद्वीपवतीमेकः शशासाच्युततेजसा ॥ 6.34 ॥

yauvanāśvo ’tha māndhātā cakravartyavanīṁ prabhuḥ saptadvīpavatīmekaḥ śaśāsācyutatejasā

Mandhata, son of Yuvanashva, became universal emperor and, by the power of Achyuta, ruled alone over the whole earth of seven islands.

Verse 35 (bhagavata.9.6.35)

ईजे च यज्ञं क्रतुभिरात्मविद् भूरिदक्षिणैः । सर्वदेवमयं देवं सर्वात्मकमतीन्द्रियम् ॥ 6.35 ॥

īje ca yajñaṁ kratubhirātmavid bhūridakṣiṇaiḥ sarvadevamayaṁ devaṁ sarvātmakamatīndriyam

That self-knowing king worshipped, through sacrifices rich with abundant offerings, that Deity comprising all the gods — the Self of all, beyond the reach of the senses.

Verse 36 (bhagavata.9.6.36)

द्रव्यं मन्त्रो विधिर्यज्ञो यजमानस्तथर्त्विजः । धर्मो देशश्च कालश्च सर्वमेतद् यदात्मकम् ॥ 6.36 ॥

dravyaṁ mantro vidhiryajño yajamānastathartvijaḥ dharmo deśaśca kālaśca sarvametad yadātmakam

The sacrificial substance, the mantra, the rite, the sacrifice itself, the sacrificer, the priests, dharma, place and time — all of this is but the Lord's own form.

Verse 37 (bhagavata.9.6.37)

यावत् सूर्य उदेति स्म यावच्च प्रतितिष्ठति । तत् सर्वं यौवनाश्वस्य मान्धातुः क्षेत्रमुच्यते ॥ 6.37 ॥

yāvat sūrya udeti sma yāvac ca pratitiṣṭhati tat sarvaṁ yauvanāśvasya māndhātuḥ kṣetram ucyate

As far as the sun rises and as far as it sets, all that land is called the domain of Mandhata, son of Yuvanashva.

Verse 38 (bhagavata.9.6.38)

शशबिन्दोर्दुहितरि बिन्दुमत्यामधान्नृपः । पुरुकुत्समम्बरीषं मुचुकुन्दं च योगिनम् । तेषां स्वसारः पञ्चाशत् सौभरिं वव्रिरे पतिम् ॥ 6.38 ॥

śaśabindor duhitari bindumatyām adhān nṛpaḥ purukutsam ambarīṣaṁ mucukundaṁ ca yoginam teṣāṁ svasāraḥ pañcāśat saubhariṁ vavrire patim

Through Bindumati, daughter of Shashabindu, King Mandhata begot three sons — Purukutsa, Ambarisha, and Muchukunda, a great mystic. Their fifty sisters all chose the sage Saubhari as their one husband.

Verse 39 (bhagavata.9.6.39)

यमुनान्तर्जले मग्नस्तप्यमानः परन्तपः । निर्वृतिं मीनराजस्य दृष्ट्वा मैथुनधर्मिणः ॥ 6.39 ॥

yamunāntarjale magnastapyamānaḥ parantapaḥ nirvṛtiṁ mīnarājasya dṛṣṭvā maithunadharmiṇaḥ

Saubhari, subduer of foes, immersed in the waters of the Yamuna and absorbed in austerity, once observed the pleasure of the king of fish engaged in mating.

Verse 40 (bhagavata.9.6.40)

जातस्पृहो नृपं विप्रः कन्यामेकामयाचत । सोऽप्याह गृह्यतां ब्रह्मन् कामं कन्या स्वयंवरे ॥ 6.40 ॥

jātaspṛho nṛpaṁ vipraḥ kanyāmekāmayācata so ’pyāha gṛhyatāṁ brahman kāmaṁ kanyā svayaṁvare

Kindled by that desire, the brahmana asked the King for one of his daughters. The King replied: "O brahmana, in the svayamvara, take whichever daughter chooses you of her own will."

Verse 41 (bhagavata.9.6.41)

स विचिन्त्याप्रियं स्त्रीणां जरठोऽहमसन्मतः । वलीपलित एजत्क इत्यहं प्रत्युदाहृतः ॥ 6.41 ॥

sa vicintyāpriyaṁ strīṇāṁ jaraṭho ’hamasanmataḥ valīpalita ejatka ityahaṁ pratyudāhṛtaḥ

Then he reflected: "I am old, feeble, unpleasing to women — my skin is slack, my hair is grey, my head trembles; this is why I have been refused."

Verse 42 (bhagavata.9.6.42)

साधयिष्ये तथात्मानं सुरस्त्रीणामभीप्सितम् । किं पुनर्मनुजेन्द्राणामिति व्यवसितः प्रभुः ॥ 6.42 ॥

sādhayiṣye tathātmānaṁ surastrīṇāmabhīpsitam kiṁ punarmanujendrāṇāmiti vyavasitaḥ prabhuḥ

"So I shall fashion my own body such that even celestial women would desire it — what then of the daughters of earthly kings!" So resolving, that capable sage set himself to it.

Verse 43 (bhagavata.9.6.43)

मुनिः प्रवेशितः क्षत्रा कन्यान्तःपुरमृद्धिमत् । वृतः स राजकन्याभिरेकं पञ्चाशता वरः ॥ 6.43 ॥

muniḥ praveśitaḥ kṣatrā kanyāntaḥpuram ṛddhimat vṛtaḥ sa rāja-kanyābhir ekaṁ pañcāśatā varaḥ

Thereafter that sage was led by the gatekeeper into that opulent inner chamber of the princesses, and there all fifty royal maidens chose that one sage, each as her own husband.

Verse 44 (bhagavata.9.6.44)

तासां कलिरभूद् भूयांस्तदर्थेऽपोह्य सौहृदम् । ममानुरूपो नायं व इति तद्गतचेतसाम् ॥ 6.44 ॥

tāsāṁ kalir abhūd bhūyāṁs tad-arthe ’pohya sauhṛdam mamānurūpo nāyaṁ va iti tad-gata-cetasām

Over this a great strife arose among them; setting aside their sisterly affection, each thought within herself, "He is fit for me alone, not for you."

Verse 45 (bhagavata.9.6.45)

स बह्वृचस्ताभिरपारणीय- तपःश्रियानर्घ्यपरिच्छदेषु । गृहेषु नानोपवनामलाम्भः- सरःसु सौगन्धिककाननेषु ॥ 6.45 ॥

sa bahvṛcastābhirapāraṇīya- tapaḥśriyānarghyaparicchadeṣu gṛheṣu nānopavanāmalāmbhaḥ- saraḥsu saugandhikakānaneṣu

By the fruit of that mantra-skilled sage's austerity, there arose a splendor of homes furnished with priceless adornments, of manifold gardens, clear-water lakes and fragrant groves,

Verse 46 (bhagavata.9.6.46)

महार्हशय्यासनवस्त्रभूषण- स्नानानुलेपाभ्यवहारमाल्यकैः । स्वलङ्कृत स्त्रीपुरुषेषु नित्यदा रेमेऽनुगायद्द्विजभृङ्गवन्दिषु ॥ 6.46 ॥

mahārhaśayyāsanavastrabhūṣaṇa- snānānulepābhyavahāramālyakaiḥ svalaṅkṛta strīpuruṣeṣu nityadā reme ’nugāyaddvijabhṛṅgavandiṣu

rich with costly beds, seats, garments, ornaments, bathing arrangements, unguents, delicacies and garlands; and amid finely adorned men and women, surrounded by humming bees and singing birds, he took his pleasure there always.

Verse 47 (bhagavata.9.6.47)

यद्गार्हस्थ्यं तु संवीक्ष्य सप्तद्वीपवतीपतिः । विस्मितः स्तम्भमजहात् सार्वभौमश्रियान्वितम् ॥ 6.47 ॥

yad-gārhasthyaṁ tu saṁvīkṣya sapta-dvīpavatī-patiḥ vismitaḥ stambham ajahāt sārvabhauma-śriyānvitam

Beholding this householder's splendor, Mandhata, lord of the seven islands, was himself struck with wonder, and gave up all pride in the glory of his own universal dominion.

Verse 48 (bhagavata.9.6.48)

एवं गृहेष्वभिरतो विषयान् विविधैः सुखैः । सेवमानो न चातुष्यदाज्यस्तोकैरिवानलः ॥ 6.48 ॥

evaṁ gṛheṣv abhirato viṣayān vividhaiḥ sukhaiḥ sevamāno na cātuṣyad ājya-stokair ivānalaḥ

Thus absorbed in household life, indulging in every manner of pleasure, the sage still found no contentment — as fire is never satisfied, however much clarified butter is dropped upon it.

Verse 49 (bhagavata.9.6.49)

स कदाचिदुपासीन आत्मापह्नवमात्मनः । ददर्श बह्वृचाचार्यो मीनसङ्गसमुत्थितम् ॥ 6.49 ॥

sa kadācid upāsīna ātmāpahnavam ātmanaḥ dadarśa bahv-ṛcācāryo mīna-saṅga-samutthitam

One day, sitting alone, that master of the mantras beheld the true cause of his own fall — that it had arisen simply from watching the mating of fish.

Verse 50 (bhagavata.9.6.50)

अहो इमं पश्यत मे विनाशं तपस्विनः सच्चरितव्रतस्य । अन्तर्जले वारिचरप्रसङ्गात् प्रच्यावितं ब्रह्म चिरं धृतं यत् ॥ 6.50 ॥

aho imaṁ paśyata me vināśaṁ tapasvinaḥ sac-carita-vratasya antarjale vāri-cara-prasaṅgāt pracyāvitaṁ brahma ciraṁ dhṛtaṁ yat

"Behold this ruin of mine — the fruit of long austerity and firm vow, cast down simply by that chance encounter with mating fish, deep within the water!"

Verse 51 (bhagavata.9.6.51)

सङ्गं त्यजेत मिथुनव्रतीनां मुमुक्षुः सर्वात्मना न विसृजेद् बहिरिन्द्रियाणि । एकश्चरन् रहसि चित्तमनन्त ईशे युञ्जीत तद्व्रतिषु साधुषु चेत् प्रसङ्गः ॥ 6.51 ॥

saṅgaṁ tyajeta mithuna-vratīnāṁ mumukṣuḥ sarvātmanā na visṛjed bahir-indriyāṇi ekaś caran rahasi cittam ananta īśe yuñjīta tad-vratiṣu sādhuṣu cet prasaṅgaḥ

One who seeks liberation should wholly avoid the company of those given to mating, and should never let his outward senses roam free. Dwelling alone, let him fix his mind upon the boundless Lord; and if he must keep company at all, let it be only with the saintly who share that same vow.

Verse 52 (bhagavata.9.6.52)

एकस्तपस्व्यहमथाम्भसि मत्स्यसङ्गात् पञ्चाशदासमुत पञ्चसहस्रसर्गः । नान्तं व्रजाम्युभयकृत्यमनोरथानां मायागुणैर्हृतमतिर्विषयेऽर्थभावः ॥ 6.52 ॥

ekas tapasvy aham athāmbhasi matsya-saṅgāt pañcāśad āsam uta pañca-sahasra-sargaḥ nāntaṁ vrajāmy ubhaya-kṛtya-manorathānāṁ māyā-guṇair hṛta-matir viṣaye ’rtha-bhāvaḥ

"I was once a solitary ascetic, but through that fish's company I became husband to fifty wives, and from them my family grew to five thousand sons — yet, my mind stolen away by the modes of maya, I find no end to these desires for enjoyment, in this world or the next."

Verse 53 (bhagavata.9.6.53)

एवं वसन् गृहे कालं विरक्तो न्यासमास्थितः । वनं जगामानुययुस्तत्पत्न्यः पतिदेवताः ॥ 6.53 ॥

evaṁ vasan gṛhe kālaṁ virakto nyāsam āsthitaḥ vanaṁ jagāmānuyayus tat-patnyaḥ pati-devatāḥ

Having thus dwelt for a time as a householder, he grew detached and took up the order of renunciation; and his devoted wives, knowing no shelter but him, followed him into the forest.

Verse 54 (bhagavata.9.6.54)

तत्र तप्त्वा तपस्तीक्ष्णमात्मदर्शनमात्मवान् । सहैवाग्निभिरात्मानं युयोज परमात्मनि ॥ 6.54 ॥

tatra taptvā tapas tīkṣṇam ātma-darśanam ātmavān sahaivāgnibhir ātmānaṁ yuyoja paramātmani

There that self-realized sage performed intense austerity, and at the last, together with the sacred fires, merged his very self into the Supreme Self.

Verse 55 (bhagavata.9.6.55)

ताः स्वपत्युर्महाराज निरीक्ष्याध्यात्मिकीं गतिम् । अन्वीयुस्तत्प्रभावेण अग्निं शान्तमिवार्चिषः ॥ 6.55 ॥

tāḥ sva-patyur mahārāja nirīkṣyādhyātmikīṁ gatim anvīyus tat-prabhāveṇa agniṁ śāntam ivārciṣaḥ

O great King, beholding their husband's spiritual attainment, his wives too, by his own power, followed him into that same state — as the flames of a dying fire go still together with the fire itself.