भीष्म उवाच एवमेव महाबाहो नात्र मिथ्यास्ति किंचन। यथा ब्रवीषि कौरव्य नारी प्रति जनाधिप॥
Bhishma said It is true what you say, O you of mighty arms. There is nothing untrue in all this that you say, O you of Kuru's race, on the subject of women, O monarch!
अत्र ते वर्तयिष्यामि इतिहासं पुरातनम्। यथा रक्षा कृता पूर्वं विपुलेन महात्मना॥
About it I shall recite to you the old history of how in days of yore the great Vipula had succeeded in restraining women within the limits laid down for them.
प्रमदाश्च यथा सृष्टा ब्रह्मणा भरतर्षभ। यदर्थं तच्च ते तात प्रवक्ष्यामि नराधिप।॥
I shall also tell you, O king, how women were created by the Grandfather Brahman and the object for which they were created by him.
न हि स्त्रीभ्यः परं पुत्र पापीयः किंचिदस्ति वै। अग्निर्हि प्रमदा दीप्तो मायाश्च मयजा विभो॥
There is no creature more sinful, O son, than woman. Woman is a burning fire. She is the illusion, o king, that the Daitya Maya created.
क्षुरधारा विषं सर्पो वह्रिरित्येकतः स्त्रियः। प्रजा इमा महाबाहो धार्मिक्य इति नः श्रुतम्॥ स्वयं गच्छन्ति देवत्वं ततो देवानियाद् भयम्।
She is the sharp edge of the razor. She is poison. She is a snake. She is fire. She is verily, all these in a body. We have heard that all human beings beings are characterised by righteousness, and that they, in course of natural progress and improvement, attain to the dignity of god. This circumstance alarmed the celestials.
अथाभ्यगच्छन् देवास्ते पितामहमरिंदम॥ निवेद्य मानसं चापि तूष्णीमासन्नधोमुखाः।
They, therefore, O chastiser of foes, assembled together and went to the Grandfather. Informing Him of what was in their minds, they stood silent before him with downcast eyes.
तेषामन्तर्गतं ज्ञात्वा देवानां स पितामहः॥ मानवानां प्रमोहार्थे कृत्या नार्योऽसृजत् प्रभुः।
Having learnt what was in the hearts of the celestials, the powerful Grandfather created women with the help of an Atharvan rite.
पूर्वसर्गे तु कौन्तेय साध्व्यो नार्य इहाभवन्॥ असाध्व्यस्तु समुत्पन्नाः कृत्याः सर्गात् प्रजापतेः। ताभ्यः कामान् यथाकामं प्रादाद्धि स पितामहः॥
In a former creation, O son of Kunti, women were all virtuous. Those however, that sprang from this creation by Brahman with the help of an illusion, became sinful. The Grandfather bestowed upon them the desire of enjoying all kinds of carnal pleasure.
ताः कामलुब्धाः प्रमदाः प्रबाधन्ते नरान् सदा। क्रोधं कामस्य देवेशः सहायं चासृजत् प्रभुः॥
Tempted by the desire of enjoyment, they began to pursue persons of the other sex. The powerful lord of the deities created Anger as the companion of Lust.
असज्जन्त प्रजाः सर्वाः कामक्रोधवशं गताः। न च स्त्रीणां क्रियाः काश्चिदिति धर्मो व्यवस्थितः।।११
Persons of the male sex, yielding to the power of Lust and Anger, sought the companionship of women. Women have no especial acts laid down for them. This is the ordinance that was laid down.
निरिन्द्रिया ह्यशास्त्राश्च स्त्रियोऽनृतमिति श्रुतिः। शय्यासनमलंकारमन्नपानमनार्यताम्॥ दुर्वाग्भावं रतिं चैव ददौ स्त्रीभ्यः प्रजापतिः। न तासां रक्षणं शक्यं कर्तुं पुंसा कथंचन॥ अपि विश्वकृता तात कुतस्तु पुरुषैरिह।
The Shruti declares that women are gifted with the most powerful senses that they have no scriptures to follow, and that they are living lies. Beds, seats, ornaments, food and drink and the absence of all that is respectable and righteous, indulgence in disagreeable words, and love of sexual companionship these were bestowed by Brahman upon women. Men are quite unable to restrain them within limits.
वाचा च वधबन्धैर्वा क्लेशैर्वा विविधैस्तथा॥ न शक्या रक्षितुं नार्यस्ता हि नित्यमसंयताः।
The Creator himself is incapable of keeping them within proper limits, what need then be said of men?
इदं तु पुरुषव्याघ्र पुरस्ताच्छुतवानहम्॥ यथा रक्षा कृता पूर्वं विपुलेन गुरुस्त्रियाः।
This, O chief of men, I heard in former days viz., how Vipula had succeeded in protecting his preceptor's wife in ancient times.
ऋषिरासीन्महाभागो देवशर्मेति विश्रुतः॥ तस्य भार्या रुचिर्नाम रूपेणासदृशी भुवि।
There was in days of yore a highly blessed Rishi of the name of Devasharman of great fame. He had a wife of name Ruchi, who was peerless on Earth in beauty.
तस्या रूपेण सम्मत्ता देवगन्धर्वदानवाः॥ विशेषेण तु राजेन्द्र वृत्रहा पाकशासनः।
Her loveliness intoxicated every one among the celestials and Gandharvas and Danavas. The chastiser of Paka, viz., Indra, the destroyer of Vritra, O king, was in particular enamoured of her and coveted her body.
नारीणां चरितज्ञश्च देवशर्मा महामुनिः॥ यथाशक्ति यथोत्साहं भार्यां तामभ्यरक्षत।
The great ascetic Devasharman fully knew the disposition of women. He therefore, to the best of his power and energy, protected her.
पुरन्दरं च जानीते परस्त्रीकामचारिणम्॥ तस्माद् बलेन भार्याया रक्षणं स चकार ह।
The Rishi knew that Indra had not scruples in seeking the companionship of other people's wives. It was therefore, that he used to protect his wife, putting forth all his power.
स कदाचिदृषिस्तात यज्ञं कर्तुमनास्तदा॥ भार्यासंरक्षणं कार्यं कथं स्यादित्यचिन्तयत्।
Once on a time. O son, the Rishi became desirous of celebrating a sacrifice. He began to think of how (during his own absence from home) his wife could be protected.
रक्षाविधानं मनसा स संचिन्त्य महातपाः॥ आहूय दयितं शिष्यं विपुलं प्राह भार्गवम्।
Gifted with high ascetic merit, he at last hit upon the course he should adopt. Summoning his favourite disciple whose name was Vipula and who was of Bhrigu's family, he said as follows.
देवशर्मन् उवाच यज्ञकारो गमिष्यामि रुचिं चेमां सुरेश्वरः॥ यतः प्रार्थयते नित्यं तां रक्षस्व यथाबलम्।
Devasharman said I shall leave home in order to celebrate a sacrifice. The king of the celestials always covets this Ruchi of mine. Do you, during my absence, protect her, displaying all your power.
अप्रमत्तेन ते भाव्यं सदा प्रति पुरन्दरम॥ स हि रूपाणि कुरुते विविधानि भृगूत्तम।
You shall pass your time carefully in view of Purandara. O foremost one of Bhrigu's race, that Indra assumes various forms.
भीष्म उवाच इत्युक्तो विपुलस्तेन तपस्वी नियतेन्द्रियः॥ सदैवोग्रतपा राजन्नग्न्यर्कसदृशद्युतिः। धर्मज्ञः सत्यवादी च तथेति प्रत्यभाषत। पुनश्चेदं महाराज पप्रच्छ प्रस्थितं गुरुम्॥
Bhishma said Thus addressed by his preceptor, the ascetic Vipula, with senses restrained, always engaged in severe penances, possessed of the splendour, O king, of fire or the sun, conversant with all the duties of virtue, and ever truthful in speech, answered him, saying So be it! Once more, however, as his preceptor was about to start, Vipula asked him in these words.
विपुल उवाच कानि रूपाणि शक्रस्य भवन्त्यागच्छतो मुने। वपुस्तेजश्च कीदृग्वै तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि॥
Vipula said Tell me, O Muni, what forms does Shakra assume when he comes. Of what kinds is his body and what is his energy? You should tell me all this.
भीष्म उवाच ततः स भगवांस्तस्मै विपुलाय महात्मने। आचचक्षे यथातत्त्वं मायां शक्रस्य भारत।॥
Bhishma said The illustrious Rishi then truly described to the great Vipula all the illusions of Shakra, O Bharata.
देवशर्मन् उवाच बहुमायः स विप्रर्षे भगवान् पाकशासनः। तांस्तान् विकुरुते भावान् बहूनथ मुहुर्मुहुः॥
Devasharman said The powerful chastiser of Paka, . regenerate Rishi, is full of illusion. Every moment he assumes those forms that he chooses.
किरीटी वज्रधृग् धन्वी मुकुटी बद्धकुण्डलः॥ भवत्यथ मुहूर्तेन चण्डालसमदर्शनः।
Sometimes he wears a diadem and holds the thunderbolt. Sometimes, armed with the thunder bolt and wearing a crown on his head, he adorns himself with earrings. In a moment he changes himself into the shape and aspect of Chandala.
शिखी जटी चीरवासाः पुनर्भवति पुत्रक॥ बृहच्छरीश्च पुनश्चीरवासाः पुनः कृशः।
Sometimes he appears with coronal locks on his head; soon again, O son, he shows himself with matted locks, his person being clad in rags. Sometimes he assumes a goodly and huge frame. The next moment he changes himself into one of emaciated limbs and clad in rags. as
गौरं श्यामं च कृष्णं च वर्णं विकुरुते पुनः॥ विरूपो रूपवांश्चैव युवा वृद्धस्तथैव च।
Sometimes he becomes fair, sometimes darkish, sometimes dark of complexion. Sometimes he becomes ugly and sometimes beautiful. Sometimes he appears as young and sometimes as old.
ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियश्चैव वैश्यः शूद्रस्तथैव च॥ प्रतिलोमोऽनुलोमश्च भवत्यथ शतक्रतुः।
Sometimes he appears as a Brahmana, sometimes as a Kshatriya, sometimes as a Vaishya, and sometimes as a Shudra. Indeed, he of a hundred sacrifices appears at times as a person born of impure caste, that is, as the son of a superior father by an inferior mother or of an inferior father by a superior mother.
शुकवायसरूपी च हंसकोकिलरूपवान्॥ सिंहव्याघ्रगजानां च रूपं धारयते पुनः।
Sometimes he appears a parrot, sometimes as a crow, sometimes as a swan and sometimes as a koel. He assumes the forms also of a lion, a tiger or an elephant.
दैवं दैत्यमथो राज्ञां वपुर्धारयतेऽपि च॥ अकृशो वायुभग्नाङ्गः शकुनिर्विकृतस्ताया।
Sometimes he appears as a god, sometimes as a Daitya and sometimes he assumes the guise of a king. Sometimes he appears as fat and plump, sometimes as one whose limbs have been broken by the disordered wind in the system, sometimes as a bird, and sometimes as one of an exceedingly ugly form.
चतुष्पाद् बहुरूपश्च पुनर्भवति बालिशः॥ मक्षिकामशकादीनां वपुर्धारयतेऽपि च।
Sometimes he appears as a quadruped. Capable of assuming any form, he sometimes appears as an idiot shorn of all intelligence. He assumes also the forms of flies and gnats.
न शक्यमस्य ग्रहणं कर्तुं विपुल केनचित्॥ अपि विश्वकृता तात येन सृष्टमिदं जगत्।
O Vipula, no one can make him out on account of these numberless disguises that he is capable of assuming. The very Creator of the universe is not equal to that feat.
पुनरन्तर्हितः शक्रो दृश्यते ज्ञानचक्षुषा॥ वायुभूतश्च स पुनर्देवराजो भवत्युत।
He makes himself invisible when he likes. He is incapable of being seen except with the eye of knowledge. The king of the celestials sometimes changes himself into the wind.
एवं रूपाणि सततं कुरुते पाकशासनः॥ तस्माद् विपुल यत्नेन रक्षेमां तनुमध्यमाम्।
The chastiser of Paka always assumes these disguises. Do you therefore, O Vipula protect this slender-waisted wife of mine with great care. intent upon
यथा रुचिं नावलिहेद् देवेन्द्रो भृगुसत्तम॥ क्रतावुपहिते न्यस्तं हविः श्वेव दुरात्मवान्।
O foremost one of Bhrigu's race, do you take every care for seeing that the king of the celestials may not defile this wife of mine like a wretched dog licking the Havi kept in view of a sacrifice.
एवमाख्याय च मुनिर्यज्ञकारोऽगमत् तदा॥ देवशर्मा महाभागस्ततो भरतसत्तम।
Having said these words, the highly blessed ascetic viz., Devasharman, celebrating a sacrifice, started from his abode, O chief of the Bharatas.
विपुलस्तु वचः श्रुत्वा गुरोश्चिन्तामुपेयिवान्॥ रक्षां च परमां चक्रे देवराजान्महाबलात्।
Hearing these words of his preceptor, Vipula began to think, I shall certainly protect this lady in every respect from the powerful king of the celestials.
किं नु शक्यं मया कुर्ते गुरुदाराभिरक्षणे॥ मायावा हि सुरेन्द्रोऽसौ दुर्धर्षश्चापि वीर्यवान्।
But what should be the means? What can I do for protecting the wife of my preceptor? The king of the celestials is endued with large powers of illusion. Gifted with great energy, he is difficult of being resisted.
नापिधायाश्रमं शक्यो रक्षितुं पाकशासनः॥ उटजं वा तथा ह्यस्य नानाविधसरूपता।
Indra cannot be kept out by enclosing this retreat of ours or fencing this yard, since he is capable of assuming numberless forms.
वायुरूपेण वा शक्रो गुरुपत्नी प्रधर्षयेत्॥ तस्मादिमां सम्प्रविश्य रुचिं स्थास्येऽहमद्य वै।
Assuming the form of the wind, the king of the celestials may assault the wife of my preceptor. The best course, therefore, for me, would be to enter the body of this lady and remain there.
अथवा पौरुषेणेयं न शक्या रक्षितुं मया॥ बहुरूपो हि भगवाञ्छूयते पाकशासनः।
By displaying my prowess I shall not be able to protect the lady, for the powerful chastiser of Paka, it has been heard by me, is capable of assuming any form he likes.
सोऽहं योगबलादेनां रक्षिष्ये पाकशासनात्॥ गात्राणि गात्रैरस्याहं सम्प्रवेक्ष्ये हि रक्षितुम्।
I shall, therefore, protect this one from Indra by my Yogapower. For satisfying my object I shall with my body enter the body of this lady.
यधुच्छिष्टामिमां पत्नीमद्य पश्यति मे गुरुः॥ शप्स्यत्यसंशयं कोपाद् दिव्यज्ञानो महातपाः।
If my preceptor on return, sees his wife defiled, he will, forsooth, curse me through anger, for endued with great ascetic merit, he is gifted with spiritual vision.
न चेयं रक्षितुं शक्या यथान्या प्रमदा नृभिः॥ मायावी हि सुरेन्द्रोऽसावहो प्राप्तोऽस्मि संशयम्।
This lady is incapable of being protected in the way in which other women are protected by men, since the king of the celestials is gifted with large powers of illusion. Alas, the situation is very critical.
अवश्यं करणीयं हि गुरोरिह हि शासनम्॥ यदि त्वेतदहं कुर्यामाश्चर्ये स्यात् कृतं मया।
The command of my preceptor should certainly be obeyed by me. If, therefore, I protect her by my Yogapower, the feat will be considered by all as a wonderful one.
योगेनाथ प्रवेशो हि गुरुपल्याः कलेवरे॥५ एवमेव शरीरेऽस्या निवत्स्यामि समाहितः।
By my Yogapower therefore, I shall enter the body of my preceptor's lady. I shall live within her and yet not touch her body like a drop of water on a lotus leaf which lies on it yet does not drench it at all.
असक्तः पद्मपत्रस्थो जलबिन्दुर्यथाचलः॥ निर्मुक्तस्य रजोरूपान्नापराधो भवेन्मम। यथा हि शून्यां पथिकः सभामध्यावसेत् पथि॥ तथाद्यावासयिष्यामि गुरुपत्न्याः कलेवरम् एवमेव शरीरेऽस्या निवत्स्यामि समाहितः॥
If I be free from the touch of passion, I cannot incur any sin by doing what I wish to do. As a traveller, in course of his sojourn, takes up his quarters (for a while) in any empty house he finds, I shall, similarly live, this day within the body of my preceptor's lady. Indeed, with mind rapt up in Yoga, I shall live today in this lady's body.
इत्येवं धर्ममालोक्य वेदवेदांश्च सर्वशः। तपश्च विपुलं दृष्ट्वा गुरोरात्मन एव च।॥ इति निश्चित्य मनसा रक्षां प्रति स भार्गवः। अन्वतिष्ठत् परं यत्नं यथा तच्छृणु पार्थिव॥
Giving his best consideration to these points of virtue, thinking of all the Vedas and their branches and with eye directed to the penances which his preceptor had and which he himself also was possessed of, and having settled in his mind, with a view only to protect the lady, to enter her body by Yogapower, Vipula of Bhrigu's race, took great care (for accomplishing his object. Listen now to me, O king, as I recite to you what he did.
गुरुपत्नीं समासीनो विपुलः स महातपाः। उपासीनामनिन्द्यागी कथाभिः समलोभयत्॥
Gifted with great penances, Vipula sat himself down by the side of his preceptor's wife as she of faultless features was sitting in her cottage. Vipula then began to discourse to her for bringing her over to the cause of virtue and truth.
नेत्राभ्यां नेत्रयोरस्या रशिंम संयोज्य रश्मिभिः। विवेश विपुलः कायमाकाशं पवनो यथा॥
Directing his eyes then to hers and uniting the rays of light that came out from her organs of vision with those that issued from his, Vipula entered the lady's body even as the element of wind enters that of ether or space.
लक्षणं लक्षणेनैव वदनं वदनेन च। अविचेष्टन्नतिष्ठद् वै छायेवान्तहितो मुनिः॥
Penetrating her eyes with his eyes and her face with his face, Vipula lived, without moving within her invisibly, like her shadow.
ततो विष्टभ्य विपुलो गुरुपल्याः कलेवरम्। उवास रक्षणे युक्तो न च सा तमबुद्ध्यता॥
Restraining every part of the lady's body, Vipula continued to live within her, intent on protecting her from Indra. The lady herself knew nothing of this.
यं कालं नागतो राजन् गुरुस्तस्य महात्मनः। क्रतुं समाप्य स्वगृहं तं कालं सोऽभ्यरक्षत॥
It was in this way, o king, that Vipula continued to protect the lady till the time of his great preceptor's return after accomplishing the sacrifice which he had gone out to perform.