The Legend of King Bhadreshvara

Verse 1 (padma.1.79.1)

व्यास उवाच । मध्यदेशे स्वराट् सम्राट् भद्रेश्वर इति श्रुतः । तपोभिर्बहुभिः पूतो व्रतैर्नानाविधैरपि

vyāsa uvāca | madhyadeśe svarāṭ samrāṭ bhadreśvara iti śrutaḥ | tapobhirbahubhiḥ pūto vratairnānāvidhairapi

Vyasa said: In the Madhyadesha there was a sovereign emperor known as Bhadreshvara, purified by many austerities and by vows of various kinds.

Verse 2 (padma.1.79.2)

देवांस्तु पूजयेन्नित्यं सुभावेन सदा खलु । तस्य सव्येऽभवत्कुष्ठं करे श्वेतमजायत

devāṁstu pūjayennityaṁ subhāvena sadā khalu | tasya savye'bhavatkuṣṭhaṁ kare śvetamajāyata

He ever worshipped the gods daily, with a good heart; but on his left hand there arose leprosy, and it turned white.

Verse 3 (padma.1.79.3)

ततो भिषक्प्रयोगाच्च लक्षणं दृश्यते पुरा । आहूय द्विजमुख्यांश्च मंत्रिणः सोब्रवीद्वचः

tato bhiṣakprayogācca lakṣaṇaṁ dṛśyate purā | āhūya dvijamukhyāṁśca maṁtriṇaḥ sobravīdvacaḥ

Then, despite the physicians' treatments, the affliction only became more visible than before; summoning the foremost Brahmins and his ministers, he spoke these words:

Verse 4 (padma.1.79.4)

राजोवाच । किल्बिषं मे करे विप्रा दुःसहं लोकगर्हितं । तस्मात्पुण्यं महाक्षेत्रं यत्र त्यक्ष्यामि विग्रहं

rājovāca | kilbiṣaṁ me kare viprā duḥsahaṁ lokagarhitaṁ | tasmātpuṇyaṁ mahākṣetraṁ yatra tyakṣyāmi vigrahaṁ

The king said: 'O Brahmins, this affliction on my hand is unbearable and condemned by the world. Tell me of some sacred field of pilgrimage where I might give up this body.'

Verse 5 (padma.1.79.5)

आज्ञापयत धर्मज्ञाः परलोकहिताय वै । वंशहीनस्य मे वीराः प्रेत्यामुत्र हितं च यत्

ājñāpayata dharmajñāḥ paralokahitāya vai | vaṁśahīnasya me vīrāḥ pretyāmutra hitaṁ ca yat

'Instruct me, you who know dharma, for the sake of the world beyond; O heroes, tell me what is beneficial, hereafter, for me who am now without lineage.'

Verse 6 (padma.1.79.6)

तद्ब्रूत सुप्रसन्ना म उद्दिष्टं यत्करोम्यहं । द्विजा ऊचुः । परित्यक्ते त्वया राष्ट्रे धर्मशीलेन धीमता

tadbrūta suprasannā ma uddiṣṭaṁ yatkaromyahaṁ | dvijā ūcuḥ | parityakte tvayā rāṣṭre dharmaśīlena dhīmatā

'Tell me this, graciously, and I shall do what is prescribed.' The Brahmins said: 'If you, righteous and wise, were to abandon your kingdom—'

Verse 7 (padma.1.79.7)

नष्टं जगदिदं राजंस्तस्मान्नो वक्तुमर्हसि । अयमस्य प्रतीकारो ह्यस्माभिरवगम्यते

naṣṭaṁ jagadidaṁ rājaṁstasmānno vaktumarhasi | ayamasya pratīkāro hyasmābhiravagamyate

'—this world would be ruined, O king; you should not speak of that. We know the remedy for this—'

Verse 8 (padma.1.79.8)

सूरं मंत्रैर्महादेवं यत्नादाराधय प्रभो । राजोवाच । केनोपायेन विप्रेंद्रास्तोषयिष्यामि भास्करं

sūraṁ maṁtrairmahādevaṁ yatnādārādhaya prabho | rājovāca | kenopāyena vipreṁdrāstoṣayiṣyāmi bhāskaraṁ

'—diligently propitiate the great god Surya with mantras, O lord.' The king said: 'By what means shall I please Bhaskara?'

Verse 9 (padma.1.79.9)

अमेध्येनाथ कुष्ठेन लोकानां गर्हितेन च । अदृश्यः सर्वभूतानां गर्हितोस्मि द्विजातयः

amedhyenātha kuṣṭhena lokānāṁ garhitena ca | adṛśyaḥ sarvabhūtānāṁ garhitosmi dvijātayaḥ

'With this impure leprosy, condemned by the world, I am unfit to be seen by any being; I am despised, O twice-born.'

Verse 10 (padma.1.79.10)

किं करिष्यामि राज्यं च किं स्यादाराधनेन तु । द्विजा ऊचुः । अत्र स्थित्वा स्वराज्ये तु समुपास्य विरोचनं

kiṁ kariṣyāmi rājyaṁ ca kiṁ syādārādhanena tu | dvijā ūcuḥ | atra sthitvā svarājye tu samupāsya virocanaṁ

'What shall I do with my kingdom? What use is worship?' The Brahmins said: 'Remaining right here in your own kingdom, worshipping Virochana—'

Verse 11 (padma.1.79.11)

प्रमुच्य किल्विषाद्घोरात्स्वर्गं मोक्षं च लप्स्यसे । एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु राजेंद्रः प्रणिपत्य द्विजोत्तमान्

pramucya kilviṣādghorātsvargaṁ mokṣaṁ ca lapsyase | etacchrutvā tu rājeṁdraḥ praṇipatya dvijottamān

'—you shall be freed from this terrible affliction and shall attain both heaven and liberation.' Hearing this, the king bowed before the excellent Brahmins,

Verse 12 (padma.1.79.12)

आकार्षीत्तस्य सूर्यस्य परमाराधनं च यत् । नित्यपूजां तथा मंत्रैरुपहारैर्विलेपनैः

ākārṣīttasya sūryasya paramārādhanaṁ ca yat | nityapūjāṁ tathā maṁtrairupahārairvilepanaiḥ

and undertook the supreme worship of Surya — daily worship, with mantras, offerings, and anointments,

Verse 13 (padma.1.79.13)

फलैर्नानाविधैरर्घैरक्षतातप तंडुलैः । जपापुष्पार्कपर्णैश्च करवीरकरंजकैः

phalairnānāvidhairarghairakṣatātapa taṁḍulaiḥ | japāpuṣpārkaparṇaiśca karavīrakaraṁjakaiḥ

with fruits of various kinds, with arghya, with sun-dried rice grains, with hibiscus flowers, arka leaves, oleander, and karanja—

Verse 14 (padma.1.79.14)

रक्तकुंकुमसिन्दूरैस्तथा वासंतिकादिभिः । सुगंधकदलीपत्रैस्तत्फलैः सुमनोहरैः

raktakuṁkumasindūraistathā vāsaṁtikādibhiḥ | sugaṁdhakadalīpatraistatphalaiḥ sumanoharaiḥ

—with red saffron and vermilion, and vasanti and other flowers, with fragrant plantain leaves and their lovely fruit—

Verse 15 (padma.1.79.15)

अर्घ्यमौदुंबरे कृत्वा सदा सूर्याय पार्थिवः । आदित्यसंमुखो दत्ते सदा मंत्रिपुरोहितैः

arghyamauduṁbare kṛtvā sadā sūryāya pārthivaḥ | ādityasaṁmukho datte sadā maṁtripurohitaiḥ

—the king, offering the arghya in a vessel of udumbara wood, presented it always to Surya, facing him, together with his ministers and priests.

Verse 16 (padma.1.79.16)

महिषीभिस्तथा चार्घो भोगिनीभिः समंततः । सर्वैरंतःपुरस्थैश्च सपत्नीकैश्च रक्षिभिः

mahiṣībhistathā cārgho bhoginībhiḥ samaṁtataḥ | sarvairaṁtaḥpurasthaiśca sapatnīkaiśca rakṣibhiḥ

The arghya was likewise offered by his queens and consorts all around, by everyone within the inner apartments, and by the guards with their wives,

Verse 17 (padma.1.79.17)

चेटवर्गैस्तथान्यैश्च दीयतेऽर्घो दिनेदिने । अर्कशांतिभिरत्युग्रैः स्तोत्रमंत्रादिभिः परैः

ceṭavargaistathānyaiśca dīyate'rgho dinedine | arkaśāṁtibhiratyugraiḥ stotramaṁtrādibhiḥ paraiḥ

—and by the servants too, the arghya was given day after day; with the most potent Sun-pacifying rites, hymns, and mantras,

Verse 18 (padma.1.79.18)

मूलमंत्रान्यमंत्रैश्च यजंति स्म दिवाकरं । तथार्कांगव्रतं चान्यत्कृतं तैः सुसमाहितैः

mūlamaṁtrānyamaṁtraiśca yajaṁti sma divākaraṁ | tathārkāṁgavrataṁ cānyatkṛtaṁ taiḥ susamāhitaiḥ

—with the root mantra and other mantras, they worshipped Divakara; and, deeply focused, they also performed the Arkanga-vrata.

Verse 19 (padma.1.79.19)

क्रमात्समांसमासाद्य रोगस्यांतं गतो नृपः । बाधिते चामये घोरे स राजा निखिलं जगत्

kramātsamāṁsamāsādya rogasyāṁtaṁ gato nṛpaḥ | bādhite cāmaye ghore sa rājā nikhilaṁ jagat

Gradually, month by month, the king approached the end of his disease; and when that terrible affliction had been overcome, that king caused the whole world—

Verse 20 (padma.1.79.20)

नियम्य कारयामास कल्ये च याजनव्रतम् । एवमेव जपापुष्पं सुगंधं कदलीफलम्

niyamya kārayāmāsa kalye ca yājanavratam | evameva japāpuṣpaṁ sugaṁdhaṁ kadalīphalam

—to observe this same rite of worship, made universal under his direction; in this same way, with hibiscus flowers, fragrant plantain fruit,

Verse 21 (padma.1.79.21)

बाणैर्जायाभिरालभ्यमर्कपर्णान्यपुष्पकं । एवमेव महापुण्यं कृत्वा सर्वजनप्रियं

bāṇairjāyābhirālabhyamarkaparṇānyapuṣpakaṁ | evameva mahāpuṇyaṁ kṛtvā sarvajanapriyaṁ

—with arka-leaves and other flowers touched by his queens' own hands, in this way, having performed this great, universally beloved rite,

Verse 22 (padma.1.79.22)

हविष्यान्नो निराहारो जनो यजति भास्करम् । एवमेव त्रिभिर्वर्गैरर्चितस्तैर्विभाकरः

haviṣyānno nirāhāro jano yajati bhāskaram | evameva tribhirvargairarcitastairvibhākaraḥ

—the people, taking only sanctified food, fasting, worshipped Bhaskara. In this way, worshipped by the three classes together, the Light-Maker—

Verse 23 (padma.1.79.23)

संतुष्टो भूपमागम्य कृपया चाब्रवीद्वचः । वरं वरय चाभीष्टं यस्ते मनसि वर्तते

saṁtuṣṭo bhūpamāgamya kṛpayā cābravīdvacaḥ | varaṁ varaya cābhīṣṭaṁ yaste manasi vartate

—well pleased, came to the king and spoke with compassion: 'Ask for whatever boon your heart desires,'

Verse 24 (padma.1.79.24)

सर्वेषां वो हितार्थाय सानुगः पुरवासिनाम् । राजोवाच । यदीच्छसि वरं दातुं सर्वलोचनमत्प्रियम्

sarveṣāṁ vo hitārthāya sānugaḥ puravāsinām | rājovāca | yadīcchasi varaṁ dātuṁ sarvalocanamatpriyam

'—for the good of all of you and your followers, the people of the city.' The king said: 'O eye of all, beloved to me — if you wish to grant a boon—'

Verse 25 (padma.1.79.25)

सर्वेषां नः परं स्वर्गं त्वत्सकाशे भवत्विति । सूर्य उवाच । अमात्यास्ते द्विजा विप्राः सदारास्सपरिच्छदाः

sarveṣāṁ naḥ paraṁ svargaṁ tvatsakāśe bhavatviti | sūrya uvāca | amātyāste dvijā viprāḥ sadārāssaparicchadāḥ

'—let there be for all of us the supreme heaven, in your very presence.' Surya said: 'These ministers, the twice-born, the Brahmins, with their wives and households—'

Verse 26 (padma.1.79.26)

नवीनयौवनाः शुद्धा यावदाभूतसंप्लवम् । तिष्ठंतु मत्पुरे रम्ये सर्वभोगैर्निरामयाः

navīnayauvanāḥ śuddhā yāvadābhūtasaṁplavam | tiṣṭhaṁtu matpure ramye sarvabhogairnirāmayāḥ

'—ever fresh in youth, pure, until the very dissolution of creation, shall dwell in my lovely city, free of affliction, with every enjoyment.'

Verse 27 (padma.1.79.27)

सुरद्रुमैः सुसंपूर्णैः प्रासादैर्द्रुमकल्पकैः । प्रमदाभिर्महाभाग नृत्यगीतादिभिः परैः

suradrumaiḥ susaṁpūrṇaiḥ prāsādairdrumakalpakaiḥ | pramadābhirmahābhāga nṛtyagītādibhiḥ paraiḥ

'—filled with celestial trees, with wish-fulfilling-tree-like palaces, O most fortunate one, with lovely maidens, dance, song, and other delights.'

Verse 28 (padma.1.79.28)

पंचकल्पांतरे राजा मन्वादौ त्वं भविष्यसि । अमी ते मनुजा भूप पुरस्थाश्च पुरोधसः

paṁcakalpāṁtare rājā manvādau tvaṁ bhaviṣyasi | amī te manujā bhūpa purasthāśca purodhasaḥ

'After five kalpas, O king, you shall become an Indra at the start of a Manvantara; these your subjects, the city-dwellers, and priests—'

Verse 29 (padma.1.79.29)

तथा जनपदस्थाश्च विद्वांसो धनिनो नराः । तत्र मत्तो वरं लब्ध्वा सुखं स्वर्गमवाप्स्यथ

tathā janapadasthāśca vidvāṁso dhanino narāḥ | tatra matto varaṁ labdhvā sukhaṁ svargamavāpsyatha

'—and the countryfolk, the learned, and the wealthy — all of them, having received this boon from me, shall attain happy heaven.'

Verse 30 (padma.1.79.30)

एवमुक्त्वा जगच्चक्षुस्तत्रैवांतरधीयत । ततो भद्रेश्वरो राजा सपुरो दिवि मोदते

evamuktvā jagaccakṣustatraivāṁtaradhīyata | tato bhadreśvaro rājā sapuro divi modate

Having spoken thus, the Eye of the World vanished then and there; and thereafter King Bhadreshvara, together with his city, rejoices in heaven.

Verse 31 (padma.1.79.31)

तत्र कीटादयो ये च ते पीताः ससुतादयः । स्वर्गे देवद्रुमे भोग्यं कुर्वंति महदद्भुतम्

tatra kīṭādayo ye ca te pītāḥ sasutādayaḥ | svarge devadrume bhogyaṁ kurvaṁti mahadadbhutam

There, even the insects and other creatures were taken up, with their offspring; in heaven, beneath the divine tree, they partake of wondrous enjoyment.

Verse 32 (padma.1.79.32)

एवमेव नृपा विप्रा मुनयश्शंसितव्रताः । ये च क्षत्रादयो वर्णास्सूर स्वर्गं ययुर्द्रुतम्

evameva nṛpā viprā munayaśśaṁsitavratāḥ | ye ca kṣatrādayo varṇāssūra svargaṁ yayurdrutam

In this same way, kings, Brahmins, sages devoted to their vows, and the Kshatriyas and other castes — through the Sun — swiftly went to heaven.

Verse 33 (padma.1.79.33)

कैश्चिदभ्यर्थितं वित्तं पुत्रदारास्तथापरैः । सुखं स्वर्गं तथारोग्यं भास्करस्य प्रसादतः

kaiścidabhyarthitaṁ vittaṁ putradārāstathāparaiḥ | sukhaṁ svargaṁ tathārogyaṁ bhāskarasya prasādataḥ

Some had prayed for wealth, others for sons and wives — happiness, heaven, and health all came to them by Bhaskara's grace.

Verse 34 (padma.1.79.34)

पुण्यकूटमिदं भद्रं यः पठेन्मानवः शुचिः । सर्वपापक्षयस्तस्य रुद्रवत्पूजितो भुवि

puṇyakūṭamidaṁ bhadraṁ yaḥ paṭhenmānavaḥ śuciḥ | sarvapāpakṣayastasya rudravatpūjito bhuvi

Whatever pure man recites this auspicious accumulation of merit — all his sins are destroyed, and he is worshipped on earth as if he were Rudra himself.

Verse 35 (padma.1.79.35)

सर्वसाक्षी भवेत्स्वर्गे वरदो भास्करप्रियः । शृणोति संयतो मर्त्यः सोभीष्टं फलमाप्नुयात्

sarvasākṣī bhavetsvarge varado bhāskarapriyaḥ | śṛṇoti saṁyato martyaḥ sobhīṣṭaṁ phalamāpnuyāt

He becomes a witness to all in heaven, a bestower of boons, beloved of Bhaskara; whatever disciplined mortal hears this obtains his desired fruit.

Verse 36 (padma.1.79.36)

पारगः सर्वपापानां भास्करस्यैव संसदि । वावदूको भवेन्नित्यं श्रवणात्पुण्यवान्धनी

pāragaḥ sarvapāpānāṁ bhāskarasyaiva saṁsadi | vāvadūko bhavennityaṁ śravaṇātpuṇyavāndhanī

He crosses beyond all sins, attaining a place in Bhaskara's very assembly; by hearing it, he becomes ever eloquent, meritorious, and wealthy.

Verse 37 (padma.1.79.37)

इदं गुह्यातिगुह्यं च भास्करेण प्रचारितं । इदं यमाय कथितं क्षितौ व्यासेन कीर्तितम्

idaṁ guhyātiguhyaṁ ca bhāskareṇa pracāritaṁ | idaṁ yamāya kathitaṁ kṣitau vyāsena kīrtitam

This most secret of secrets was proclaimed by Bhaskara himself; this was told to Yama, and has been declared upon this earth by Vyasa.