50th Chapter (Pancaśat Paţalah) 1st Part
“Narration of the Story of Bhīmasēna”
(Bhīmasēna Caritra Kathanam)
श्लोकः
मैत्रेय! शृणु वक्ष्यामि भूयो पि हनुमत्कथाम्
तस्मिन्नपेक्ष्यभक्तिं ते नान्यद् वक्तुमहं क्षमः।। 1
Śrī Paraāśara:
“Oh! Mytrēya! Listen; I am telling another Hanumān story. I can not stop telling you about Hanumān. (1)
को वा समर्थो मैत्रेय! समुन्मज्जतु चाव्म्जसा
परीवाहाद्रुते मग्नस्तत्कथामृतसागरे।। 2
Oh! Mytrēya! Who can come out of the flow of that ocean of nectar named Hanumān story quickly? (2)
को वा भवेत् क्षमो जन्तुः कपिवाक्पतिसन्निभः
निश्शेषमव्म्जनासूनोर्गुणव्याख्यानकर्मणि।। 3
Who, even Lord Creator Brahma, can describe all the good virtues of Hanumān completely? (3)
तथापि रसनायत्वाद्यथामति विजृष्म्भणम्
शनैरुन्मज्य कृष्च्छ्रेण पिबन्वक्ष्ये कथामृतम्।। 4
Even so, since the tongue is there to feel the taste and talk, I will, even if difficult, raising from that nectar sea, will narrate to the best that my ability, drinking from the nectar fountains. (4)
असीत्काशिन्महाराजो विजितारातिमण्डलः
धर्मराज इति ख्यातो धर्मराशिरिवापरः।। 5
The Rājasūya Ritual
Once, there was a great king known as Dharmarāja (Yudhistir). He won over all his enemies and himself is virtue incarnate. (5)
चतुर्भिरनुजैश्शूरैर्भीमार्जुनपुरोगमैः
रेजे परिवृतो नित्यं चतुर्भुज इवाच्युतः।। 6
He shined like the four-shouldered Vişņu, along with his four younger brothers Bhīma, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadēba. (6)
हस्तिनाख्ये पुरे तिष्ठन् युगे द्वापरि नामनि
गुणैर्मनांसि निर्घोषैः प्रजानामनुरव्म्जयन्।। 7
During the 3rd Time Cycle (Dwāparayuga), he was ruling from Hastināpura city virtuously and without any malice so that the people are happy. (7)
पिता निवेदितो पूर्वं पाण्डुराजेन धीमता
शशास सकलां पृथ्वीं पृथयां प्रथमः सुतः।। 8
Dharmarāja, the eldest son of Kuntī Dēvi, earlier instructed by his knowledgeable father King Pāndu, he ruled the whole land. (8)
स कदाचिन्महाराजो राजसूयेन वीर्यवान्
यष्टुं, समुपचक्राम विक्रमाक्रान्तभूमिपः।। 9
That Dharmarāja who won obtained the land with his own valour and courage, once decided of performing a great royal ritual known as Rājasūyayagńya. (9)
तत्र सत्ये महाधम्र्ये धौम्यप्रमुखकारिते
आभुव्म्ज्य तानि शुभ्राणि शलित्रान्नानि मानवैः।। 10
In that great ritual officiated by Seer Dhoumya and other priests, the Brāhmin people were feasted on clean raw rice. (10)
मृदूनि स्वादु सूपानि नाना शाकांकितान्यपि
संपूर्णानि च भक्ष्याणि भोज्यानि विविधानि च।। 11
Soft and delicate pulses, along with different vegetable curries, special delicacies – in fact many varieties of edibles were served. (11)
असंख्यानि च चोष्याणि लेह्यानि मधुराणि च
सौरभाहुतभोज्यानि गोघृतानि नवान्यपि।। 12
Countless items that have to be sucked for eating (coşyam), sweet items that have to be licked for eating (lēhyam), richly flavoured items, milk of freshly calved cows, (12)
क्षीराणि च महार्हाणि सुधास्प£धरसानि च
शरदेन्द्विव शुभ्राणि संपूर्णानि दधीन्यपि।। 13
Milk of best quality, juices that are in no way inferior to the nectar of Heaven, curd that is blistering white like the full moon of autumn, (13)
ब्राह्मणैः क्षत्र्रियैर्वैश्यैं शूद्रैस्संकीर्णकैरपि
पुरन्ध्रीभिः पुरस्थाभिरागताभिरिततस्ततः।। 14
By the Brāhmins, Kştriyas, Vaiśyas, Sūdras, mixed castes, women, residents of the city and by all those who visited that place – (14)
यथारुचि यथेष्टं च भुक्तानि ब्राह्मणोत्तमैः
अगण्यास्तत्र भोक्तारो ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः।। 15
Were eating desired food items as much as they wished. Countless Brāhmins knowledgeable in Vēdas, ate there. (15)
इतरे किं पुनर्मत्र्या असंख्यास्सिकता इव।। 16
What to tell about other people? Like sand, they came in countless numbers and partook food. (16)
एवं धर्मतनूजेन क्रियमाणे महाक्रतौ
दध्यौ तदनुजो भीमः किं विधेयं मयाधुना? 17
Bhīma or Bhīmasēna
Thus, as Dharmarāja was performing the great ritual, his younger brother Bheema thought about what gift from him will be appropriate. (17)
रत्नगर्भापतेस्तस्य न रत्नं दानमर्हति
सर्वकामदुघा धेनुस्सुराणां भुवि दुर्लभा।। 18
‘When he (Dharmarāja) is himself the lord of the earth, which is the source of all precious stones (ratnagarbha) it is not appropriate to present a precious stone. And the Wish-Fulfilling Kāmdhēnu cow of Gods is not available on the earth. (18)
किन्तु यद्दुर्लभं भूमौ यच्च राज्ञो यशस्करम्
बलादाहृत्य तद्देयं किं यत्तदिति सांप्रतम्।। 19
That, that is unavailable on the earth, that, when possessed gives fame to a king, that should be brought using power and given; So thinking – (19)
सव्म्चारात्पुरुषमृगस्य भुक्तशाला…
स्सम्मृष्ष्टास्त्रिदिवनिकेतनस्य कुड्या
आनीयन्तमिति विभाव्य भीमसेनो
निष्क्रान्तस्स वनगृष्हाद्ययौ सुधर्माम्। 20
The dining hall in the heaven remains clean due to roaming by male deers. So, Bheema deciding to bring one such, left the house of rituals (yagńaśāla) for Sudharma, the council hall of gods. (20)
अज्ञाय स्वबलमदान्धदृष्ष्टिपात…
स्तद्वेगं जितमनसं स्वघातुकं वा
अज्ञातस्वगतविशेषबन्धुलोकः
स्वस्थानात्सपदि चचाल भीमसेनः।। 21
Bheemasēna left the place immediately, blinded by his well-known power and not realizing his great speed rhat may harm, nor his specially talented brothers and others. (21)
एवं व्यवसिते तस्मिन् सत्यं भूतदयापरः
साहाय्यं मनुजे कर्तुं हनूमानैच्छदग्रजः।। 22
Hanumān, his elder brother, merciful to all creatures, wanted to help Bheema, who decided to undertake such a difficult task. (22)
गच्छतस्तस्य वेगेन भीमसेनस्य वत्र्मनि
कपीन्द्रो जगराकारः क्षणात्प्रादुरभूत्पुरः।। 23
Bheema and Hanumān
Fast going Bheema found across his path suddenly Hanumān in the form of a great python. (23)
वालेनावृत्य पन्थानं शिवलिङ्गमयात्मना
दूरादिवाध्वश्श्रान्तो निश्वसन् पवनात्मजः।। 24
Son of Wind God spread his tail across the path as though it is full of linga (phallus forms!) of Śiva, feeling tiredness with long travel, taking deep respirations. (24)
तं तथाविधमालक्ष्य विरुद्धसरणिं कपिम्
भीमो जगाद भीमात्मा मृगानयनसत्वरः।। 25
Seeing Hanumān lying across his path in that form, fierce looking Bheema, searching for the deer said so. (25)
जरत्कपे! समुत्तिष्ठ वालं चालय वत्र्मनः
गन्तव्यं तु महाक्षिप्रमितो पसर सत्वरम्।। 26
‘Hey! Old monkey! Remove your tail from across may path. I have to go to the other side on an urgent mission. (26)
मर्कटप्रकृतिं नूनं स्थविरो पि न मुव्म्चति
यद्गन्तव्यपदं कृत्स्नं वालेनावष्त्य तिष्ठसि।। 27
Though old, you are not yet free from the monkey pranks. You are sitting blocking the path with your tail. (27)
किं तवास्ति गिरौ देषे वन्याहारविव£जते
गच्छ सारस्वतं देशं मधुरं सलिलं पिब
भक्षयाम्रफलान्यद्य पक्वानि मधुराण्यपि।। 28
What work do you have in this hilly place devoid of food like in forests? Go to the bank of River Saraswatī. Drink sweet water. Eat good ripe and sweet mango fruits.’ (28)
इति संचोद्यमानो पि भीमेनावरजेन सः
न चचाल ततो देशाद्व्यंजयन्वृद्दचेष्टितम्।। 29
So, as His younger brother Bheema was saying so, Hanumān showing his old-age by strange acts, did not move away. (29)
अथा ब्रवीत्प्रियं वाक्यं तद्विपत्तिनिवर्तकम्
जिज्ञासु£वक्रमं तस्य भीमं भीमाग्रजः कपि।। 30
Wishing to encourage Bheema, his elder brother Hanumān said solacing words to him. (30)
राजन् जीर्णशरीरो हं वन्याहारविवर्जितः
पिपासयार्तितो नित्यं न जाने त्रिदिनं पयः।। 31
‘Oh! King! I became lean as I did not have food that is available only in forests. Troubled by thirst, I did not know water for the past three days. (31)
भवादृशो महाधन्यो मासात्पूर्वमिहागतः
मह्यं वितीर्य वन्यानि फलानि विविधानि च।। 32
A pious person like you came here a month back. Giving me many fruits he brought from the forest (32)
अशक्तं मां समुल्लंघ्य निर्ययावमुना पथा।। 33
Crossed over me, weak and immobile, and was gone. (33)
वष्द्धस्यार्तस्य बालस्य स्त्रीणां चैव विशेषतः
भृत्यभावस्य वै पन्था इति शस्त्रविदो विदुः।। 34
Wise people rold that only those that possess the spirit of service towards the old, those in difficulty, children and especially women, have the right of path. (34)
तत्त्वया राजशार्दूल जलं देयं पिपासिते
पाहि मामीदृशं दीनं गमिष्यन्त्यसवो मम।। 35
Hanumān pleads
So, Oh! Best amongs the Kings! Give me water as I am thirsty. I am dying. Please protect me, the pitiable one. (35)
पाययित्वा पयःपानं जीवनं चावधाय मे
तत्कलेवरमालंघ्य गच्छ राजन् यथासुखम्।। 36
Oh! King! Quench my thirst, save my life and cross over my body and go as you like. (36)
अथवा दीर्घरोमाणं वृथा स्थूलं च वालधिम्
अंगुष्ठेन समुत्थाप्य त्वदीयेनान्यतः क्षिप।। 37
Or else, just push push it away aside with your big toe, my this hairy and well grown tail that is useless to me. (37)
यद्वा पुच्छं परिभ्राम्य तुच्छं स्वच्छमना व्रज
अन्यथा नाहमुत्थातुं शक्तः कण्ठगतासुरः।। 38
Or pick me by my tail and, twirling it around, throw me away and go. Any how, I am incapable of raising, as if there is a demon sitting around my neck. (38)
प्रायेण गत्वा ते प्राणाः मम त्राणमपश्यतः
किन्तु संस्थापिता स्थैर्यं धर्मात्मन्भवदीक्षया।। 39
Even my extinguishing life is getting stabilized, seeing you as the protector. Oh! Noble souled one! Have my protection as your mission. (39)
समर्थो सि महाराजन् मयि दीने दयां कुरु
दीनदुःखसहास्सन्तो न शक्ता हि विमत्सराः।। 40
Oh! Great King! You are capable. Have mercy on me, the pitiable one. Virtuous people remain helpful to pitiable and sorrowful ones. All those with malice, are not so capable.’ (40)
इत्याकण्र्य वचस्तस्य करुणं करुणानिधिः
तं वृद्धम्मन्यते कर्तुमियेष सफलोदके।। 41
Hearing the pitiable crys of the old individual, kind-hearted Bheema wanted to see that fruits and water are available to Hanumān, in the form of an old monkey. (41)
अस्पृष्ट्वा कपिमस्पृयं दण्डेनोद्घाटयन्नधः
स नोत्पाटयितुं शेके भग्नमुद्गरविह्नलः।। 42
Bheema’s Frustration
Intending to move the untouchable old monkey without touching, Bheema poked a pole beneath Him and tried to lift Him. Immediately it broke and Bheema got frightened as he failed to lift him. (42)
सरणिप्रतिरोधेन दीर्घमुष्णं स निशसन्
ईप्सितार्थविलम्बेन कृष्तामर्षो भवत्कपौ।। 43
Getting delayed in performing his task due to the monkey obstructing his path, Bheema, shying hot and deep, got very angry on that monkey. (43)
विलंघ्य प्लुतगत्येमं गच्छेयं विगतक्लमः
आनयिष्ये मृगं स्वर्गादिति चक्रे मतिं नृपः।। 44
Bheema thought, ‘I will jump over Him and overcome the trouble. I will catch and get that deer on the way.’ (44)
अथ विज्ञाय सर्वज्ञः स्वात्मलङ्घननिष्चयम्
मारुतिर्वर्धयांचक्रे स्ववालं स्वकलेवरम्।। 45
Then the all-knowing Hanumān, realizing that Bheema is going to cross over him, started expanding his body and tail. (45)
ततो वालन्तु लोकानां विलङघयिषुरात्मवान्
पस्चादाक्रम्य वेगेन धावति स्म नष्पात्मजः।। 46
Upon that, Bheema started running behind the tail that seemed to wish crossing over all the worlds. (46)
दूरादेव समभ्येत्य दृष्ष्ट्वा स्वम्मशकोपमम्
अभ्रंकषकपेरग्रे लज्जानम्रमुखो भवत्।। 47
On coming closer, Bheema realized that he is like a mosquito before the sky-high Hanumān; was ashamed and stood with bent head. (47)
अथ धैर्यं समालम्ब्य निश्चियाय गतोच्छ्रयः
इमं प्रदक्षिणीकृष्त्य साधयिष्यामि साध्विति।। 48
Then, on coming to an understanding regarding the length, he thought that it would be fine for him to go around Him (pradakşiņa). (48)
अथ प्रदक्षिणीकर्तुं चरन्पवनरंहसा
न लेभे वालधेः पारं न मूध्र्नश्च कपेनृपः।। 49
Bheema, moving like wind, tried to go around, he neither could see the head nor the tail of that monkey. (49)
अथ भीमो गदां त्यक्त्वा धिक्कृत्य निजविक्रमम्
कपये वृष्द्धरूपाय साष्टांगं प्रणतो भवत्।। 50
Then Bheema, ashamed of own famed courage and leaving his mace (gadā) prostrated and bowed before that monkey. (50)
अब्रवीच्च कपिश्रेष्ठं लज्जागद्गदया गिरा
क्षन्तव्यो मे पराधो यं त्वामवाजानिषं कपिम्।। 51
Hanumān’s Kindness
With choked voice, out of shame, Bheema said so to Hanumān, ‘Excuse my mistake of not knowing you as You. (51)
नाजानीषं महात्मानं विश्वव्याापिनमीश्वरम्
प्रसीद सौम्यरूपेण येन निर्वृतिमाप्नुयाम्।। 52
With a kind disposition, be benevolent towards me for not realizing You the Great Soul, almighty, spread everywhere. Grant me a way of overcoming this fault. (52)
बालभावेन मे मूढा बुद्धिरासीदसम्मता
ममाग्रजो महाराजो-यजते धर्मनन्दनः
सत्यसंधो वृषस्क्न्धो नित्यधर्माभिसन्धिमान्।। 53
Because of childish nature, my intelligence came to a not. My elder brother Dharmarāja, the king emperor always speaks the truth and has virtue as his form. He is performing a great ritual. (53)
तत्र नानाजनाकीर्णभुक्तशालाविशुद्धये
पुंमृगाहरणं कुर्यां स्वर्गलोकादिति प्रमा।। 54
For keeping the cleanliness in the dining hall that is full with people, I thought of bringing the male deer from the heaven. (54)
तदिदं यदि युक्तं स्यात्साचिव्यं कर्तुमर्हसि
न चेन्मामनुजानीहि पुनर्गन्तुं गृष्हाङ्गणम्।। 55
If that wish of mine is appropriate, help me. Otherwise permit me to go back to home. (55)
अथवा पुंमृगादानं प्रतिज्ञाय निजेच्छया
नालं पुरीं पुनर्गन्तुं व्यर्थीकृष्तमनोरथः।। 56
Either I have to fulfill my wish of bringing that deer or I should die (go to heaven) for my unrealizable wish. (56)
किंतु चेतो गदां त्यक्त्वा गदामेनां वृथाश्रमां
पश्यातस्तव निर्मोहं गमिष्ये ह्युत्तरां दिशम्।। 57
So leaving my heart and the mace, carrying of which is unnecessary strain, seeing You that has no love for me, I will go in the northern direction (to die).’ (57)
एवमुक्त्वा महाभागो धर्मराजानुजो बली
विरराम रमानाथं ध्यायन् हृदयपङ्कजे।। 58
Thus, Bheema, a great one, mighty powerful, younger brother of Dharmaja said and started meditating on Vişņu, the spouse of mother Lakşmi. (58)
इति सकलजगन्मयं कपीद्रं
प्रियवचनेन निजोन्मुखं विधाय
पुरुषम्गनिरीक्षणाय भीमः
सपदि समुत्सुकमानसो बभूव 59
So pleasing Hanumān, present in all worlds and the best amongst monkeys, Bheema became rejuvenated and enthused in looking for the male deer. (59)
इति श्रीपराशरसंहितायां पराशरमैत्रेयसंवादे भीमसेनचरित्रकथनंनाम पव्म्चाशत्पटलः
Thus end the 50th Chapter “Narration of the Story of Bhīmasēna”
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