जनमेजय उवाच धर्मागतेन त्यागेन भगवन् स्वर्गमस्ति चेत्। एतन्मे सर्वमाचक्ष्व कुशलो ह्यसि भाषितुम्॥
Janamejaya said If, O illustrious one, celestial region is the fruit of riches acquired by fair means, do you fully describe it to me. You are wellconversant with the subject and, it is, therefore, proper for you to explain it.
तस्योञ्छवृत्तेर्यद् वृत्तं सक्तुदाने फलं महत्। कथितं तु मम ब्रांस्तथ्यमेतदसंशयम्॥
O twice-born one, you have said to me what the high fruit was that accrued to that Brahmana, who lived according to the Unchcha mode, through his gift of powdered barley. Forsooth, all you have said is true.
कथं हि सर्वयज्ञेषु निश्चयः परमोऽभवत्। एतदर्हसि मे वक्तुं निखिलेन द्विजर्षभा॥
In what way, however, was the attainment held certain of the highest end in all sacrifices? O foremost of twice-born persons, you should fully expound all this to me.
वैशम्पायन उवाच अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। अगस्त्यस्य महायज्ञे पुरावृत्तमरिंदम॥
Vaishampayana said Regarding it is cited this old narrative, O chastiser of enemies, of what took place formerly in the great sacrifice of Agastya.
पुरागस्त्यो महातेजा दीक्षा द्वादशवार्षिकीम्। प्रविवेश महाराज सर्वभूतहिते रतः॥
Formerly, O king, Agastya of great energy, devoted to the well-being of all creatures, entered into a Diksha extending for twelve years.
तत्राग्निकल्पा होतार आसन् सत्रे महात्मनः। मूलाहारा: फलाहारा: साश्मकुट्टा मरीचिपाः॥
In that sacrifice of the great Rishi many Hotris were engaged who resembled blazing fires in the splendour of their bodies. Among them were men who lived upon roots or fruits, or who used two pieces of stone only for husking their corn, or who were supported by only the rays (of the moon).
परिपृष्टिका वैघसिकाः प्रसंख्यानास्तथैव च। यतयो भिक्षवश्चात्र बभूवुः पर्यवस्थिताः॥
Among them were also men who never took any food unless it was placed before them by others desirous of feeding them, and those who never ate anything without having first served the celestials, the departed Manes, and guests, and those who never washed the food which they took. There were also Yatis and Vikshus among them, O king.
सर्वे प्रत्यक्षधर्माणो जितक्रोधा जितेन्द्रियाः। दमे स्थिताश्च सर्वे ते हिंसादम्भविवर्जिताः॥
All of them were men who had obtained a sight of the deity of virtue in his embodied form. They had subjugated anger and acquired a complete mastery over all their senses. Living in the observance of self-control, they were freed from pride and the desire of injuring others.
वृत्ते शुद्धे स्थिता नित्यमिन्द्रियैश्चाप्यबाधिताः। उपातिष्ठन्त तं यज्ञं यजन्तस्ते महर्षयः॥
They were always observant of a pure conduct and were never obstructed by their senses. Those great, Rishis attended that sacrifice and performed its various rites.
यथाशक्त्या भगवता तदन्नं समुपार्जितम्। तस्मिन् सत्रे तु यद् वृत्तं यद् योग्यं च तदाभवत्।१०।
The illustrious Rishi (Agastya) acquired the food which was collected in that sacrifice and that came up to the required quantity, by lawful means according to the best of his power.
एवं विधे त्वगर-त्यस्य क्रतवः कृताः। सहस्राक्षस्तदा वर्तमाने तथाध्वरे। न ववर्ष सहस्राक्षस्तदा भरतसत्तम॥ ततः कर्मान्तरे राजन्नगस्त्यस्य महात्मनः। कथेयमभिनिवृत्ता मुनीनां भावितात्मनाम्॥ नववर्ष अगस्त्यो यजमानोऽसौ ददात्यन्नं विमत्सरः।
Numerous other ascetics at that times celebrated large sacrifices. As Agastya, however, was engaged in that sacrifice of his, the thousand-eyed Indra, O best of the Bharatas, ceased to pour rain (on the Earth. At the intervals, O king, of the sacrificial rites, this talk took place among those Rishis of purified souls about the great Agastya, viz., 'This Agastya, engaged in sacrifice, is making gifts of food with heart purged of pride and vanity.
न च वर्षति पर्जन्यः कथमन्नं भविष्यति॥ सत्रं चेदहं महद् विप्रा मुनेादशवार्षिकम्।
The deity of the clouds, however, has ceased to pour rain. How, indeed will food grow? This sacrifices of the Rishi, you Brahmanas, is great and extends for twelve years.
न वर्षिष्यति देवश्च वर्षाण्येतानि द्वादश॥ एतद् भवन्तः संचिन्त्य महर्षेरस्य धीमतः। अगस्त्यस्यातितपसः कर्तुमर्हन्त्यनुग्रहम्॥ इत्येवमुक्ते वचने ततोऽगस्त्यः प्रतापवान्॥ प्रोवाच वाक्यं स तदा प्रसाद्य शिरसा मुनीन्। यदि द्वादशवर्षाणि न वर्षिष्यति वासवः॥ चिन्तायज्ञं करिष्यामि विधिरेष सनातनः। यदि द्वादशवर्षाणि न वर्षिष्यति वासवः॥ स्पर्शयज्ञं करिष्यामि विधिरेष सनातनः। यदि द्वादशवर्षाणि न वर्षिष्यति वासवः॥ ध्येयात्मना हरिष्यामि यज्ञानेतान् यतव्रतः। बीजयज्ञो मयायं वै बहुवर्षसमाचितः॥
The deity will to pour rain for these twelve years. Thinking on this, you should do some favour to this Rishi of great intelligence, viz., Agastya of severe penances. When these words were said, Agastya of great prowess, pleasing all those ascetics by bending his head, said, 'If Vasava does not pour rain for these twelve years, I shall then perform the mental sacrifice. This is the eternal ordinance. If Vasava does not pour rain for these twelve years. I shall then perform the Touch-Sacrifice, This is the eternal sacrifice. If Vasava does not। pour rain for these twelve years, I shall, then, putting forth, all my exertions, make arrangements for other sacrifices characterised by the observance of the most difficult and serve vows. This present sacrifice of mine, with seeds, has been arranged for by me with labour of many years.
बीजैर्हितं करिष्यामि नात्र विघ्नो भविष्यति। नेदं शक्यं वृथा कर्ते मम सत्रं कथंचन॥
I shall, with seeds, do much good. No obstacle will arise. This my sacrifice is incapable of being baffled.
वर्षिष्यतीह वा देवो न वा वर्षं भविष्यति। अथावाभ्यर्थनामिन्द्रो न करिष्यति कामतः॥ स्वयमिन्द्रो भविष्यामि जीवयिष्यामि च प्रजाः। यो यदाहारजातश्च स तथैव भविष्यति॥
It matters little whether the deity pours rain or no downpours come. Indeed, if Indra does not, of his own will, show any regard for me, I shall, in that case, change myself into Indra and keep all creatures alive. Every creature, on whatever food he has been nourished, will continue to be nourished on it as before.
विशेषं चैव कर्तास्मि पुनः पुनरतीव हि। अद्येह स्वर्णमभ्येतु यच्चान्यद् वसु किंचन॥
I can even repeatedly create a different order of things. Let gold and whatever else of riches there is, come to this place today.
त्रिषु लोकेषु यच्चास्ति तदिहागम्यतां स्वयम्। दिव्याश्चाप्सरसा संघा गन्धर्वाश्च सकिन्नराः॥ विश्वावसुश्च ये चान्ये तेऽप्युपासन्तु मे मखम्। उत्तरेभ्यः कुरुभ्यश्च यत् किंचिद् वसु विद्यते॥ सर्वं तदिह यज्ञेषु स्वयमेवोपतिष्ठतु। स्वर्गः स्वर्गसदश्चैव धर्मश्च स्वयमेव तु॥
Let all the wealth which is in the three worlds come here today of its own accord! Let all the tribes of celestial Apsaras, all the Gandharvas along with the Kinnarvas, and Vishvavasu, and others there are (of that order) approach this sacrifice of mine! Let all the wealth which exists among the Northern Kurus, come of their own accord to these sacrifices. Let Heaven, and all those who have Heaven for their home, and Dharma himself, come here.
इत्युक्ते सर्वमेवैतदभवत् तपसा मुनेः। तस्य दीप्ताग्निमह सस्त्वगस्त्यस्यातितेजसः॥
After the ascetic had uttered these words, everything took place as he desired, by virtue of his penances, for Agastya was gifted with a mind which resembled a burning fire and was possessed of extraordinary energy.
ततस्ते मुनयो हृष्टा ददृशुस्तपसो बलम्। विस्मिता वचनं प्राहुरिदं सर्वे महार्थवत्॥
The Rishis who were there saw the power of penances with rejoicing hearts. Filled with wonder they then said these words of grave significance.
ऋषि उवाच प्रीताः स्म तव वाक्येन न विच्छामस्तपोव्ययम्। तैरेव यज्ञैस्तुष्टाः स्म न्यायेनेच्छामहे वयम्॥
The Rishis said We have been highly pleased with words you have uttered. We do not, however, wish penances should diminution. Those sacrifices are approved by us which are performed by fair means. Indeed, we wish duly those sacrifices which rest on lawful means.
यज्ञं दीक्षां तथा होमान् यच्चान्यन्मृगयामहे। न्यायेनोपार्जिताहारा: स्वकर्माभिरता वयम्॥
Acquiring our food by lawful incans and observant of our respective duties, we shall seek to go through sacrificial initiations and the pouring of libations on the sacred fire and the other religious rites.
वेदांश्च ब्रह्मचर्येण न्यायतः प्रार्थयामहे। न्यायेनोत्तरकालं च गृहेभ्यो निःसृता वयम्॥ धर्मदृष्टैर्विधिद्वारैस्तपस्तप्स्यामहे वयम्। भवतः सम्यगिष्टा तु बुद्धिहिंसाविवर्जिता॥
We should worship the celestials, practicing Brahmacharya by lawful mean. Completing the period of Brahmacharya we have come out of our house, observing lawful methods. That that your suffer any understanding, which is freed from the desire of inflicting any kind of injury on others is approved by us.
एतामहिंसां यज्ञेषु ब्रूयास्त्वं सततं प्रभो। प्रीतास्ततो भविष्यामो वयं तु द्विजसत्तम॥ विसर्जिताः समाप्तौ च सत्रादस्माद् व्रजामहे।
You should always, O powerful one, commend such abstention from injury in all sacrifices. We shall then be highly pleased, O foremost of twice-born ones. After the completion of your sacrifice, when dismissed by you, we shall then, leaving this place, go away.
तथा कथयतां तेषां देवराजः पुरंदरः॥ ववर्ष सुमहातेजा दृष्ट्वा तस्य तपोबलम्।
As they were saving these words, Purandara, the king of the deities, gifted with great energy, seeing the power of Agastya's penances, poured rain.
आसमाप्तेश्च यज्ञस्य तस्यामितपराक्रमः॥ निकामवर्षी पर्जन्यो बभूव जनमेजय।
Indeed, O Janamejaya, till the completion of the sacrifice of the Rishi of great prowess, the deity of rain poured rain which met the wishes of men both about quantity and time.
प्रसादयामास च तमगस्त्यं त्रिदशेश्वरः। स्वयमभ्येत्य राजर्षे पुरस्कृत्य बृहस्पतिम्॥
Placing Brihaspati be one him, the king of the deities came there, O royal sage, and pleased the Rishi Agastya.
ततो यज्ञ समाप्तौ तान् विससर्ज महामुनीन्। अगस्त्यः परमप्रीतः पूजयित्वा यथाविधि॥
On the termination of that sacrifice, Agastya, filled with joy, adored all those great Rishis duly and then sent them all away.
जनमेजय उवाच कोऽसौ नकुलरूपेण शिरसा काञ्चनेन वै। प्राह मानुषवद् वाचमेतत् पृष्टो वदस्व मे॥
Janamejaya said Who was that mungoose with a golden head, which said all those words in a human voice? Asked by me, do you tell me this.
वैशम्पायन उवाच एतत् पूर्वं न पृष्टोऽहं न चास्माभिः प्रभाषितम्। श्रूयतां नकुलो योऽसौ यथा वाक् तस्य मानुषी॥
You did not ask me before and, therefore, I did not tell you, Hear as I tell you who that mungoose was and why he could assume a human voice.
श्राद्धं संकल्पयामास जमदग्निः पुरा किला होमधेनुस्तमागाच्च स्वयमेव दुदोह ताम्॥
Formerly, the Rishi Jamadagni desired to perform a Shraddha. His Homa-Cow came to him and the Rishi milked her himself.
तत्पय: स्थापयामास नवे भाण्डे दृढे शुचौ। तच्च क्रोधस्वरूपेण पिठरं धर्म आविशत्॥
He then placed the milk in a vessel which was new, durable, and pure. The deity Dharma, assuming the form of anger, entered that vessel of milk.
जिज्ञासुस्तमृषिश्रेष्ठं किं कुर्याद् विप्रिये कृते। इति संचिन्त्य धर्मः स धर्मयामास तत् पयः॥
Indeed, Dharma desirous of determining what that foremost of Rishis would do when seeing some injury done to him. Having thought thus, Dharma spoiled that milk.
तमाज्ञाय मुनिः क्रोधं नैवास्य स चुकोप ह। स तु क्रोधस्ततो राजन् ब्राह्मणी मूर्तिमास्थितः।
Knowing that the spoiler of his milk was Anger, the ascetic was not at all enraged with him. Anger, then, assuming the form of a Brahmana lady, showed him self to the Rishi.
जिते तस्मिन् भृगुश्रेष्ठमभ्यभाषदमर्षणः॥ जितोऽस्मीति भृगुश्रेष्ठ भृगवो ह्यतिरोषणाः। लोके मिथ्याप्रवादोऽयं यत्त्वयास्मि विनिर्जितः॥
Indeed, Anger, finding that he had been vanquished by that foremost one of Bhrigu's race, addressed him, saying, 'O chief of Bhrigu's race, I have been conquered by you. There is a saying among men that the Bhrigus are very wrathful. I now find that that saying is false, since I have been subdued by you. was
वशे स्थितोऽहं त्वय्यद्य क्षमावति महात्मनि। बिभेमि तपसः साधो प्रसादं कुरु मे प्रभो॥
You are endued with a powerful soul. You are endued with forgiveness. I stand here today, acknowledging your sway. I fear your penances, O righteous one! Do you, O powerful Rishi, show me favour.
जमदग्निरुवाच साक्षाद् दृष्टोऽसि मे क्रोध गच्छ त्वं विगतज्वरः। न त्वयापकृतं मेऽद्य न च मे पन्युरस्ति वै॥
I have seen you, O Anger, in your embodied form. Go you wherever you like, without any anxiety. You have not done me any injury today. I have no grudge against you.
यान् समुद्दिश्य संकल्पः पयसोऽस्य कृतो मया। पितरस्ते महाभागास्तेभ्यो बुद्ध्यस्व गम्यताम्॥
Those for whom I had kept this milk are the highly blessed Pitris. Present yourself before them and ascertain their intentions.
इत्युक्तो जातसंबासस्तत्रैवान्तरधीयता पितॄणामभिषङ्गाच्च नकुलत्वमुपागतः॥
Thus addressed, stricken with fear, Anger vanished from the sight of the Rishi. Through the curse of the Pitris he became a mungoose.
स तान् प्रसादयामास शापस्यान्तो भवेदिति। तैश्चाप्युक्तः क्षिपन् धर्म शापस्यान्तमवाप्स्यसि॥
He then began to please the Pitris in order to bring about an end of his curse. By them he was told these words ;-By speaking disrespectfully of Dharma you shall attain to the end of your curse.'
तैश्चोक्तो यज्ञियान् देशान् धर्मारण्यं तथैव च। जुगुप्समानो धावन् स तं यज्ञं समुपासदत्॥
Thus addressed by them, he wandered over places where sacrifices were performed and over other sacred placed, employed in censuring great sacrifices. It was he who came to the great sacrifice of king Yudhishthira.
धर्मपुत्रमथाक्षिप्य सक्तुप्रस्थेन तेन सः। मुक्तः शापात् ततः क्रोधो धर्मो ह्यासीद् युधिष्ठिरः।।
Dispraising the son of Dharma by a reference to the prastha of powdered barley, Anger became freed from his curse, for Yudhishthira (as Dharma's son) was Dharma's self.
एवमेतत् तदा वृत्ते यज्ञे तस्य महात्मनः। पश्यतां चापि नस्तत्र नकुलोऽन्तर्हितस्तदा॥
This is what took place in the sacrifice of that great king. The mungoose disappeared there in out very presence.