व्यास उवाच पुरा वै नैमिषारण्ये देवाः सत्रमुपासते। तत्र वैवस्वतो राजशामित्रमकरोत् तदा॥
Vyasa said : In days of yore, the celestials performed a great sacrifice in the Naimisha forest. O king, the son of Vivasvata (Yama) became the slayer of animals.
ततो यमो दीक्षितस्तत्र राजन् नामारयत् कंचिदपि प्रजानाम्। ततः प्रजास्ता बहुला बभूवुः। कालातिपातान्मरणप्रहीणाः॥
O king, thus employed in that sacrifice, Yama did not kill any human being. Thereupon the death being suspended among men, the number of human beings greatly increased.
सोमश्च शक्रो वरुणः कुबेरः साध्या रुद्रा वसवोऽथाश्चिनौ च। प्रजापतिर्भुवनस्य प्रणेता समाजग्मुस्तत्र देवास्तथान्ये॥
Soma, Shakra, Varuna, Kubera, the Sadhyas, the Rudra, the Vasus, the twin Ashvinis, these and other celestials went to Prajapati, the creator of the world.
ततोऽब्रुवन् लोकगुरुं समेता भयात् तीव्रान्मानुषाणां च वृद्ध्या। तस्माद् भयादुद्विजन्तः सुखेप्सवः प्रयाम सर्वं शरणं भवन्तम्॥
Alarmed at the increase on human beings, they all thus addressed the master of creation. “We are afflicted with the fear (of the increase of human beings) and therefore wishing to be relieved, we ask your protection.
पितामह उवाच किं वो भय मानुषेभ्यो यूयं सर्वे यदामराः। मा वो मर्त्यसकाशाद् वै भयं भवितुमर्हति॥
The Grandsire said : You have no fear from fear human beings; you are all immoral. You should not be frightened by the mortals.
देवा ऊचुः मा अमर्त्याः संवृत्ता न विशेषोऽस्ति कश्चन। अविशेषादुद्विजन्तो विशेषार्थमिहागताः॥
The Celestials said: The mortals have all become the immortals. There is now no difference between them and us. Being vexed at this, we have come to you so that we may have some distinction (from men).
श्रीभगवानुवाच स्तेन त्विमे न म्रियन्ते मनुष्याः। तस्मिन्नेकाग्रे कृतसर्वकार्ये तत एषां भवितैवान्तकालः॥
The Deity said : The son of Vivasvata (Yama) is now engaged in the great sacrifice. It is this reason that human beings are not dying. When his sacrificial works will be finished, the death will be again among men.
वैवस्वतस्यैव तनुर्विभक्ता वीर्येण युष्माकमुत प्रयुक्ता। सैषामन्तो भविता ह्यन्तकाले न तत्र वीर्यं भविता नरेषु॥
When that time will come, the son of Vivasvata will be strengthened by your respective energies. He will then sweep away thousands of human beings who will have no energy left in them.
व्यास उवाच ततस्तु ते पूर्वजदेववाक्यं श्रुत्वा जग्मुर्यत्र देवा यजन्ते। समासीनास्ते समेता महाबला भागीरथ्यां ददृशुः पुण्डरीकम्॥
Vyasa said : Having heard these words of the first born deity, the greatly strong (celestials) went (to the place of sacrifice) and when they all assembled there, they saw a (golden) lotus in the Bhagirathi.
स्तेषामिन्द्रस्तत्र शूरो जगाम। सोऽपश्यद् योषामथ पावकप्रभां यत्र देवी गङ्गा सततं प्रसूता॥
Seeing that (golden) lotus, they were very much surprised. The foremost of heroes among them, Indra, went (to find out where it grew). Going to the place where from the Ganges always issues forth, he saw a lady as effulgent as the fire.
सा तत्र योषा रुदती जलार्थिनी गङ्गां देवीं व्यवगाह्य व्यतिष्ठत्। स्तत् पद्ममासीदथ तत्र काञ्चनम्॥
The lady who had come there to fetch water was bathing in the Ganges, but she was weeping all the while. The drops of tear that fell from her eyes were transformed into golden lotuses.
मपृच्छत् तां योषितमन्तिकाद् वै। र्वाक्यं तथ्यं कामयेऽहं ब्रवीहि॥
Seeing this wonderful sight, the wielder of the thunder (Indra) came to the lady and said, “O amiable lady, who are you? Why are you weeping? I desire to know the truth. Tell me everything."
स्त्र्युवाच त्वं वेत्स्यसे मामिह यास्मि शक्र चदर्थं चाहं रोदिमि मन्दभाग्या। आगच्छ राजन् पुरतो गमिष्ये द्रष्टासि तद् रोदिमि यत्कृतेऽहम्॥
The Lady said : O Shakra, unfortunate as I am, you may know who I am and why I am I weeping. O king, if you come with me as I lead the way, you can then see why I weep.
व्यास उवाच तां गच्छन्तीमन्वगच्छत् तदानीं सोऽपश्यदारात् तरुणं दर्शनीयम्। सिद्धासनस्थं युवतीसहायं क्रीडन्तमैक्षद् गिरिराजमूर्तीि॥
Vyasa said : He (Indra) followed her and soon saw a handsome youth with a young lady. They were seated on a throne on the peaks of the king of mountains and they were playing with dice.
तमब्रवीद् देवराजो ममेदं त्वं विद्धि विद्वन् भुवनं वशे स्थितम्। ईशोऽहमस्मीति समन्युरब्रवीद् दृष्ट्वा तमक्षैः सुभृशं प्रमत्तम्॥
The king of the celestials thus spoke to him, “O intelligent youth, know this universe to be under my sway." Seeing that the person take no notice of what he had said, he (Indra) again said, “I am the lord of the universe."
क्रुद्धं च शक्रं प्रसमीक्ष्य देवो जहास शक्रं च शनैरुदैक्षत। स्तेनेक्षितः स्थाणुरिवावतस्थे।॥
Seeing Indra angry, the youth who was none else than Mahadeva cast a glance at him and smiled. At that glance the king of the celestials was at once paralysed and stood on that spot like a statue.
यदा तु पर्याप्तमिहास्य क्रीडया तदा देवीं रुदतीं तामुत्राच! नैनं दर्पः पुनरप्याविशेत॥
When the game of dice came to an end, he (Shiva) spoke thus to the weeping woman, “Bring him (Indra) here. I shall so deal with him that pride may not again enter his heart."
ततः शक्रः स्पृष्टमात्रस्तया तु सस्तैरङ्गैः पतितोऽभूद् धरण्याम्। तमब्रवीद् भगवानुग्रतेजा मैवं पुनः शक्र कृथाः कथंचित्॥
As soon as Indra was touched by that woman, the chief of the celestials with limbs paralysed by that touch fell down on the ground. The illustrious deity of fierce energy (Shiva) then said to him, "O Indra, never act thus again.
निवर्तयैनं च महाद्रिराज बलं च वीर्यं च तवाप्रमेयम्। छिद्रस्य चैवाविश मध्यमस्य यत्रासते त्वद्धिधाः सूर्यभासः॥
Remove this huge stone, for your strength and energy are immeasurable. Enter the hole and wait with others who are all like you and the sun in splendour."
स्तुल्याश्चितुरोऽन्यान् ददर्श। स तानभिप्रेक्ष्य बभूव दुःखितः कच्चिनाहं भविता वै यथेमे॥
He (Indra) removed that stone and saw a cave on the great mountain in which were four others resembling himself. Seeing them, he became very much grieved and exclaimed, "Shall I too meet with such fate?"
ततो देवो गिरिशो वज्रपाणि विवृत्य नेत्रे कुपितोऽभ्युवाच। दरीमेतां प्रविश त्वं शतक्रतो यन्मां बाल्यादवमंस्थाः पुरस्तात्॥
Then looking at the wielder of thunder (Indra) with expanded eyes, the deity Girisha (Shiva), said in anger, "O Shatakratu, (Indra) enter this cave without delay, for out of folly you have insulted me before my very eyes."
उक्तस्त्वेवं विभुना देवराजः प्रावेपता” भृशमेवाभिषङ्गात्। मश्वत्थपत्रं गिरिराजमूर्ध्नि॥
Thus addressed by the lord (Shiva), the chief of the celestials was deeply grieved in consequence of that imprecation; and with limbs weakened by fear he trembled like the wind shaken leaf of the tree on the breast of the king of mountains.
स प्राञ्जलिः वृषवाहनेन प्रवेपमानः सहसैवमुक्तः। उवाच देवं बहुरूपमुग्रस्रष्टाशेषस्य भुवनस्य त्वं भवाद्यः॥
Thus unexpectedly cursed by the deity that rides the bull (Shiva), Indra trembled from head to foot; and with joined hands the thus head addressed the fearful god of many manifestations, "O Bhava, you are the on looker of the infinite universe."
तमब्रवीदुग्रवर्चाः प्रहस्य नैवंशीला: शेषमिहाप्नुवन्ति। एतेऽप्येवं भवितारः पुरस्तात् तस्मादेतां दरीमाविश्य शेष्व॥
To him thus replied the deity of fiery energy with smiles, “Those that have your disposition never obtain my grace. These others (four in the cave) were like you at one lie there for some time.
तत्र ह्येवं भवितारो न संशयो योनि सर्वे मानुषीमाविशध्वम्। तत्र यूयं कर्म कृत्वाविषह्यं बहूनन्यान् निधनं प्रापयित्वा॥ आगन्तारः पुनरेवेन्द्रलोकं स्वकर्मणा पूर्वजितं महार्हम्। सर्वं मया भाषितमेतदेवं कर्तव्यमन्यद् विविधार्थयुक्तम्॥
The fate of you all should certainly by the same. All of you shall have to take births in the world of men, where having achieved many difficult feats and killing large number of men, you shall again regain the valued region of Indra by the merits of your respective deeds. You shall accomplish all I have said and much more.
पूर्वेन्द्रा ऊचुः गमिष्यामो मानुषं देवलोकाद् दुराधरो विहितो यत्र मोक्षः। देवास्त्वस्मानादधीरञ्जनन्यां धर्मो वायुर्मघावानश्विनौ च। अस्त्रैर्दिव्यैर्मानुषान् योधयित्वा आगन्तारः पुनरेवेन्द्रलोकम्॥
The Old Indras said : We shall go from our celestial region to the region of men where salvation is difficult to gain. But let the celestials, Dharma, Vayu, Maghavata (present Indra) and the twin Ashvinis beget us on our would be mother. After fighting with men with both hunian and celestial weapons, we shall again come back to the region of Indra.
व्यास उवाच एतच्छ्रुत्वा वज्रपाणिर्वचस्तु देवश्रेष्ठं पुनरेवेदमाह। दद्यामेषां पञ्चमं मत्प्रसूतम्॥
Vyasa said : Having heard this, the wielder of thunder (Indra) again addressed that foremost of gods (Shiva) saying, "Instead of going myself, I shall create from myself with a portion of my energy a person able to accomplish the task; and he will be the fifth among these (old Indras)."
विश्वभुग्भूतधामा च शिविरिन्द्रः प्रतापवान्। शातिश्चतुर्थस्तेषां वै तेजस्वी पञ्चमः स्मृतः॥
Vishvabhuga, Bhutadhamana, greatly effulgent Shibi, Shanti and Tejasvin, these are the five Indras of old.
तेषां कामं भगवानुग्रधन्वा प्रादादिष्टं संनिसर्गाद् यथोक्तम्। तां चाप्येषां योषितं लोककान्तां श्रियं भार्यां व्यदधान्मानुषेषु॥
The illustrious deity of the formidable bow kindly granted to the five Indras the desire they cherished in their hearts and he appointed that exceedingly beautiful lady, who was none else than the celestial Lakshmi herself to be their common wife in the world of men.
तैरेव सार्धं तु ततः स देवो जगाम नारायणमप्रमेयम्। अनन्तमव्यक्तमजं पुराणं सनातनं विश्वमरन्तरूपम्॥
Thereupon accompanied by all these Indras, he (Shiva) went to Narayana, who is immeasurably effulgent, infinite, immaterial, the self born, the old the eternal and the spirit of the infinite universe.
स चापि तद् व्यदधात् सर्वमेव ततः सर्वे सम्बभूबुर्धरण्याम्। स चापि केशौ हरिरुद्धबह शुक्लमेकमपरं चापि कृष्णम्॥
He (Narayana) approved of everything and then they (Indras) all took births in the world of men. Hari (Narayana) took up two hairs from his body; one of then was white and the other black.
तौ चापि केशौ निविशेतां यदूनां कुले स्त्रियौ देवकी रोहिणीं च। तयोरेको बलदेवो बभूव योऽसौ श्वेतस्तस्य देवस्य केशः। कृष्णो द्वितीयः केशवः सम्बभूव केशो योऽसौ वर्णतः कृष्ण उक्तः॥
Those two hairs entered the wombs of the two ladies of the Yadu race, named Devaki and Rohini. The hair of the deity that was white became Baladeva and the hair that was black became Keshava's self, Krishna.
स्तस्यां दर्यां पर्वतस्योत्तरस्य। इहैव ते पाण्डवा वीर्यवन्तः शक्रस्यांशः पाण्डवः सव्यसाची॥
Those Indra-like ones who were kept confined in the cave of the mountain are none less then the five sons of Pandu, possessing great prowess. And the Pandava Savyasachi (Arjuna) is a portion of (the present) Indra.
र्ये ते राजन् पूर्वमिन्द्रा बभूवुः। लक्ष्मीश्चैषां पूर्वमेवोपदिष्टा भार्या यैषा द्रौपदी दिव्यरूपा॥
O king, thus were born as the sons of Pandu those that were at one time Indras and the celestial Lakshmi herself who had appointed to be their wife is the exceedingly beautiful Draupadi.
कथं हि स्त्री कर्मणा ते महीतलात् समुत्तिष्ठेदन्यतो दैवयोगात्। यस्या रूपं सोमसूर्यप्रकाशं गन्धश्चास्याः क्रोशमात्रात् प्रवाति॥
How could she whose effulgence is like that of the son of the moon, whose fragrance spreads over two miles around, take birth in any other but an extraordinary way? She rose from within the earth by virtue of your sacrifice.
इदं चान्यत् प्रीतिपूर्वं नरेन्द्र ददानि ते वरमत्यद्भुतं च। दिव्यं चक्षुः पश्य कुन्तीसुतांस्त्वं पुण्यैर्दिव्यैः पूर्वदेहैरुपेतान्॥
O king, I cheerfully grant to you this boon, I give you spiritual sight. Behold the sons of Kunti now possessing their sacred and celestial forms of old.
वैशम्पायन उवाच ततो व्यासः परमोदारकर्मा शुचिर्विप्रस्तपसा तस्य राज्ञः। चक्षुर्दिव्यै प्रददौ तांश्च सर्वान् राजाऽपश्यत् पूर्वदेहैर्यथावत्॥
Vaishampayana said : Thereupon, that holy Brahmana, Vyasa of greatly generous deeds, gave celestial sight to that king (Drupada) by his ascetic power. Then the king saw them (the Pandavas) all possessing their former forms.
ततो दिव्यान् हेमकिरीटमालिनः शक्रप्रख्यान् पावकादित्यवर्णान्। बद्धापीडांश्चारुरूपांश्च यूनो व्यूढोरस्कांस्तालमात्रान् ददर्श॥
He saw them with celestial garlands, each of them resembling like a Indra himself, with complexion as effulgent as the fire or the sun, each adorned with every ornament, each handsome and youthful, each with broad chest and stature with a height of five cubits.
र्माल्यैश्चावयैः शोभमानानतीव। नादित्यान् वा सर्वगुणोपपन्नान्॥
Possessing every accomplishment, attired in celestial robes of great beauty and adorned with fragrant garlands of excellent make, the king saw them as so many, three-eyed gods (Shiva) or Vasus, Rudras or Adityas.
तान् पूर्वेन्द्रानभिवीक्ष्याभिरूपान् शक्रात्मजं चेन्द्ररूपं निशम्य। प्रीतो राजा दुपदो विस्मितश्च दिव्यां मायां तामवेक्ष्याप्रमेयाम्॥
Seeing the (four others) Pandavas in the forms of the (present) Indra sprang from Indra himself, the king Drupada was exceedingly pleased. He was greatly surprised on seeing the celestial manifestation of Maya.
तां चैवावयां स्त्रियमतिरूपयुक्तां दिव्यां साक्षात् सोमवह्निप्रकाशाम्। योग्यां तेषां रूपतेजोयशोभिः पत्नी मत्वा दृष्टवान् पार्थिवेन्द्रः॥
Looking at his daughter, that foremost of women possessing great beauty as that of a celestial maiden and splendour as that of the fire or the moon, the king considered, that for her beauty, splendour and fame, she is really worthy to be th y wife of those celestial beings.
स तद् दृष्ट्वा महदाश्चर्यरूपं जग्राह पादौ सत्यवत्याः सुतस्य। नैतच्चित्रं परमर्षे त्वयीति प्रसन्नचेताः स उवाच चैनम्॥
Seeing that wonderful sight, he touched the feet of the son of Satyavati, (Vyasa) and said, “O great Rishi, there is nothing wonderful in you."
व्यास उवाच आसीत् तपोवने काचिदृषेः कन्या महात्मनः। नाध्ययगच्छत् पतिं सा तु कन्या रूपवती सती॥४४।
Vyasa said : There was in a certain wood a daughter of an illustrious Rishi, who though handsome and chaste, did not get a husband,
तोषयामास तपसा सा किलोग्रेण शंकरम्। तामुवाचेश्वरः प्रीतो वृणु काममिति स्वयम्॥
She gratified by her asceticism the deity Shankara (Shiva). The deity being pleased with her, himself thus spoke to her “Tell me what you want."
सैवमुक्ताब्रवीत् कन्या देवं वरदमीश्वरम्। पतिं सर्वगुणोपेतमिच्छामीति पुनः पुनः॥
Having been thus addressed, she repeatedly said to the boon-giving supreme lord, "I desire to have a husband endued with all accomplishments."
ददौ तस्यै स देवेशस्तं वरं प्रीतमानसः। पञ्च ते पतयो भद्रे भविष्यन्तीति शंकरः॥
That deity Shankara gave her the boon in joyful heart (saying), "O amiable girl, you shall have five husbands."
सा प्रसादयती देवमिदं भूयोऽभ्यभाषत। एकं पतिं गुणोपेतं त्वत्तोऽर्हामीति शंकर॥
She who had been able to please the deity said again, “O Shankara, I desire to have from you only one husband endued with all accomplishments."
तां देवदेवः प्रीतात्मा पुनः प्राह शुभं वचः। पञ्चकृत्वस्त्वयोक्तोऽहं पतिं देहीति वै पुनः॥
The god of gods, being well-pleased with her, spoke again to her thus, “You have addressed me five times saying, “Give me a husband"
तत् तथा भविता भद्रे वचस्तद् भद्रमस्तु ते। देहमन्यं गतायास्ते सर्वमेतद् भविष्यति॥
O amiable girl, therefore it shall be as you have asked. Be blessed. All this will happen in one of your future births.”
दुपदैषा हि सा जज्ञे सुता वै देवरूपिणी। पञ्चानां विहिता पत्नी कृष्णा पार्षत्यनिन्दिता॥
This your daughter of celestial beauty is that maiden. The faultless Krishna of the Prishata race had been pre-ordained to be the wife of five (men).
स्वर्गश्रीः पाण्डवार्थं तु समुत्पन्ना महामखे। सेह तप्त्वा तपो घोरं दुहितृत्वं तवागता॥
The celestial Lakshmi has risen in the great sacrifice to be the wife of the Pandavas. After serve penances she is born as your daughter.
सैषा देवी रुचिरा देवजुष्टा पञ्चानामेका स्वकृतेनेह कर्मणा। सृष्टा स्वयं देवपत्नी स्वयम्भुवा श्रुत्वा राजन् दुपदेष्टं कुरुष्व॥
O king, that handsome goddess, who is waited upon by all the celestials, becomes the wife of five husbands. She has been created by the self-created (Brahma) for this purpose. Hearing all this, do what you desire.