Canto
9
Chapter 3: The Marriage of Sukanyâ and Cyavana Muni
(1) S'rî S'uka said: 'The son of Manu named S'aryâti was a brahminical king and thus he turned out to be someone giving instruction on matters as the functions to be performed on the second day in the arena of sacrifice of the descendants of Angirâ. (2) There was a lotus-eyed daughter of him called Sukanyâ with whom he went to the forest to visit the âs'rama of the sage Cyavana. (3) When she in the company of her friends was collecting fruits and flowers from the trees, saw she in an anthill some sort of two shining lights [compare 7.3: 15-16]. (4) As the young girl, ignorantly trying, poked in the light objects with a thorn, oozed there blood out of them. (5) The youngsters startled instantly froze on the spot so that the king, observing what had happened, had to address the surprised ones he was responsible for. (6) 'Alas, we have done something wrong in our appraoch of the illumined sage; with what we've done have we clearly fouled his âs'rama!'
(7) Afraid said Sukanyâ to her father: 'It was I who, not knowing what I did, with a thorn have pierced two shiny things.'
(8) When he heard his daughter saying this was king S'aryâti of the greatest concern to appease him, the sage who turned out to be residing within the anthill. (9) Understanding what was needed to set things right handed he, having the greatest trouble, his daughter over to the muni and took he permission to return home.(10) Sukanyâ after having Cyavana for her husband had understanding for him who remained very grumpy with her and tried to satisfy him serving him free from wantonness. (11) But after some time had passed this way reached the two As'vins [the healers of heaven] the âs'rama. Offering them his respects said the sage: 'Please give me youth, o Masters! (12) I promise you to offer a pot of soma-rasa - although you don't drink soma - just give me back the youth and beauty so desirable to young women.'
(13) 'So be it' they thus granted the learned one complimenting him in their role as the two great healers, 'just dive into this lake that will bring you all perfection.'
(14) Thus being addressed was the aged one with his gray hair, loose skin and frail body of which the veins were visible, by the As'vins helped into the lake. (15) The three that rose from the lake were of the great beauty that would allure women: with lotus garlands, earrings, similar features and nice clothes. (16) After the young beauty saw them could the chaste woman not tell which of them was her husband for they were all equally beautiful shining like the sun and so took she shelter of the As'vins. (17) Pleased with the strength of her faith showed they her the saint that was her husband and returned they, taking his permission, in their celestial chariot to the heavenly worlds. (18) Having left for Cyavana's âs'rama, wishing to perform a yajña, saw king S'aryâti thus how at his daughter's side there was a man as radiant as the sun. (19) The King then gave his daughter, after she had paid her respect, not his blessings because he didn't turn out to be very pleased: (20) 'What do you think you are doing now cheating on your husband the great sage honored by all the people? Did you, because he's decrepit of age, unfaithful one, not thinking him very attractive, give him up taking this man, this street beggar, for a lover?(21) Have you lost your mind? You in keeping to this lover are, as a daughter from the most respectable family, a disgrace to the entire dynasty; you, so shameless, are throwing your father as well as your husband into the deepest darkness.'
(22) Chaste laughing she replied her father who was thus rebuking her: 'O father this one here is your son-in-law, the son of Bhrigu!.'
(23) She described to her father everything of how he had changed in age and beauty whereupon he utterly pleased and surprised happily embraced his daughter. (24) Cyavana Muni by dint of his own prowess enabled the great man to perform the soma-sacrifice, and delivered the As'vins, who had no interest in drinking it, a pot full of the soma-rasa. (25) Greatly perturbed took Indra in order to kill him, impetuously, his thunderbolt up immediately, but the man of Bhrigu paralyzed the arm of Indra that held the thunderbolt. (26) With the permission of all the demigods was there henceforth for the As'vins, who as physicians before had been denied a share in the soma-yajña, the pot filled with soma-rasa.
(27) Uttânabarhi, Ânarta and Bhûrishena were S'aryâti's three sons and begotten by Ânarta was Revata born. (28) He after in the deep of the ocean building a town called Kus'asthalî, lived materially happy and ruled kingdoms like Ânarta and others, o subduer of the enemies, and his hundred sons of whom the eldest was Kakudmî were born to be the ones in power [after him]. (29) Kakudmî took his own daughter Revatî before Lord Brahmâ in his drive to go for his abode beyond the modes, with the pupose of asking for a husband for his daughter. (30) Because he was fully engaged in enjoying the celestial musicians playing had he not a second for him, but as soon as it was over could Kakudmî submit his desire to Lord Brahmâ offering him his obeisances. (31) The all-powerful Lord had to laugh about what he heard and said to him: 'Alas , o King, in the course of time, have all those that you'd like to close in your heart disappeared! (32) We do not hear anymore of the sons, the grandsons, the descendants and the dynasties because a period of three times nine mahâ-yugas has passed! (33) Therefore seek Baladeva, He is the great one of power to the God that is God's plenary portion [Lord Vishnu], and give Him, the Excellence of Man, this beautiful daughter o King. (34) The Supreme Lord, the Ever Well-wisher to lessen the burden of the world, the Virtue of the hearing and singing, has now descended with all that belongs to Him.' [see also 5.25] (35) Thus ordered returned the king, after paying the Unborn One his respects, to his own residence, but found it abandoned by his brothers; they in fear of the meritorious people had spread in all directions. (36) After handing his perfectly shaped daughter over to the most powerful One, Lord Baladeva, went the king in order to perform austerities to Badarikâs'rama, the place of Nara-Nârâyana.
Second edition, loaded November 27, 2007.
Source texts:
The Marriage of Sukanyâ and Cyavana Muni
S'rî S'uka said: 'The son of Manu named S'aryâti was a brahminical king and thus he turned out to be someone giving instruction on matters as the functions to be performed on the second day in the arena of sacrifice of the descendants of Angirâ.S'rî S'ukadeva Gosvâmî continued: O King, S'aryâti, another son of Manu, was a ruler completely aware of Vedic knowledge. He gave instructions about the functions for the second day of the yajña to be performed by the descendants of Angirâ. (Vedabase)
There was a lotus-eyed daughter of him called Sukanyâ with whom he went to the forest to visit the âs'rama of the sage Cyavana.
S'aryâti had a beautiful lotus-eyed daughter named Sukanyâ, with whom he went to the forest to see the âs'rama of Cyavana Muni. (Vedabase)
When she in the company of her friends was collecting fruits and flowers from the trees, saw she in an anthill some sort of two shining lights [compare 7.3: 15-16].
While that Sukanyâ, surrounded by her friends, was collecting various types of fruits from the trees in the forest, she saw within the hole of an earthworm two things glowing like luminaries. (Vedabase)
As the young girl, ignorantly trying, poked in the light objects with a thorn, oozed there blood out of them.
As if induced by providence, the girl ignorantly pierced those two glowworms with a thorn, and when they were pierced, blood began to ooze out of them. (Vedabase)
The youngsters startled instantly froze on the spot so that the king, observing what had happened, had to address the surprised ones he was responsible for.
Thereupon, all the soldiers of S'aryâti were immediately obstructed from passing urine and stool. Upon perceiving this, S'aryâti spoke to his associates in surprise. (Vedabase)
'Alas, we have done something wrong in our appraoch of the illumined sage; with what we've done have we clearly fouled his âs'rama!'
How strange it is that one of us has attempted to do something wrong to Cyavana Muni, the son of Bhrigu. It certainly appears that someone among us has polluted this âs'rama. (Vedabase)
Afraid said Sukanyâ to her father: 'It was I who, not knowing what I did, with a thorn have pierced two shiny things.'
Being very much afraid, the girl Sukanyâ said to her father: I have done something wrong, for I have ignorantly pierced these two luminous substances with a thorn. (Vedabase)
When he heard his daughter saying this was king S'aryâti of the greatest concern to appease him, the sage who turned out to be residing within the anthill.
After hearing this statement by his daughter, King S'aryâti was very much afraid. In various ways, he tried to appease Cyavana Muni, for it was he who sat within the hole of the earthworm. (Vedabase)
Understanding what was needed to set things right handed he, having the greatest trouble, his daughter over to the muni and took he permission to return home.
King S'aryâti, being very contemplative and thus understanding Cyavana Muni's purpose, gave his daughter in charity to the sage. Thus released from danger with great difficulty, he took permission from Cyavana Muni and returned home. (Vedabase)
Sukanyâ after having Cyavana for her husband had understanding for him who remained very grumpy with her and tried to satisfy him serving him free from wantonness.
Cyavana Muni was very irritable, but since Sukanyâ had gotten him as her husband, she dealt with him carefully, according to his mood. Knowing his mind, she performed service to him without being bewildered. (Vedabase)
But after some time had passed this way reached the two As'vins [the healers of heaven] the âs'rama. Offering them his respects said the sage: 'Please give me youth, o Masters!
Thereafter, some time having passed, the As'vinî-kumara brothers, the heavenly physicians, happened to come to Cyavana Muni's âs'rama. After offering them respectful obeisances, Cyavana Muni requested them to give him youthful life, for they were able to do so. (Vedabase)
I promise you to offer a pot of soma-rasa - although you don't drink soma - just give me back the youth and beauty so desirable to young women.'
Cyavana Muni said: Although you are ineligible to drink soma-rasa in sacrifices, I promise to give you a full pot of it. Kindly arrange beauty and youth for me, because they are attractive to young women. (Vedabase)
'So be it' they thus granted the learned one complimenting him in their role as the two great healers, 'just dive into this lake that will bring you all perfection.'
The great physicians, the As'vinî-kumâras, very gladly accepted Cyavana Muni's proposal. Thus they told the brâhmana, "Just dive into this lake of successful life." [One who bathes in this lake has his desires fulfilled.] (Vedabase)
Thus being addressed was the aged one with his gray hair, loose skin and frail body of which the veins were visible, by the As'vins helped into the lake.
After saying this, the As'vinî-kumâras caught hold of Cyavana Muni, who was an old, diseased invalid with loose skin, white hair, and veins visible all over his body, and all three of them entered the lake. (Vedabase)
The three that rose from the lake were of the great beauty that would allure women: with lotus garlands, earrings, similar features and nice clothes.
Thereafter, three men with very beautiful bodily features emerged from the lake. They were nicely dressed and decorated with earrings and garlands of lotuses. All of them were of the same standard of beauty. (Vedabase)
After the young beauty saw them could the chaste woman not tell which of them was her husband for they were all equally beautiful shining like the sun and so took she shelter of the As'vins.
The chaste and very beautiful Sukanyâ could not distinguish her husband from the two As'vinî-kumâras, for they were equally beautiful. Not understanding who her real husband was, she took shelter of the As'vinî-kumâras. (Vedabase)Text 17
Pleased with the strength of her faith showed they her the saint that was her husband and returned they, taking his permission, in their celestial chariot to the heavenly worlds.
The As'vinî-kumâras were very pleased to see Sukanyâ's chastity and faithfulness. Thus they showed her Cyavana Muni, her husband, and after taking permission from him, they returned to the heavenly planets in their plane. (Vedabase)
Having left for Cyavana's âs'rama, wishing to perform a yajña, saw king S'aryâti thus how at his daughter's side there was a man as radiant as the sun.
Thereafter, King S'aryâti, desiring to perform a sacrifice, went to the residence of Cyavana Muni. There he saw by the side of his daughter a very beautiful young man, as bright as the sun. (Vedabase)
The King then did give his daughter, after she had paid her respect, not his blessings because he didn't turn out to be very pleased:
After receiving obeisances from his daughter, the King, instead of offering blessings to her, appeared very displeased and spoke as follows. (Vedabase)
'What do you think you are doing now cheating on your husband the great sage honored by all the people? Did you, because he's decrepit of age, unfaithful one, not thinking him very attractive, give him up taking this man, this street beggar, for a lover?
O unchaste girl, what is this that you have desired to do? You have cheated the most respectable husband, who is honored by everyone, for I see that because he was old, diseased and therefore unattractive, you have left his company to accept as your husband this young man, who appears to be a beggar from the street. (Vedabase)
Have you lost your mind? You in keeping to this lover are, as a daughter from the most respectable family, a disgrace to the entire dynasty; you, so shameless, are throwing your father as well as your husband into the deepest darkness.'
O my daughter, who were born in a respectable family, how have you degraded your consciousness in this way? How is it that you are shamelessly maintaining a paramour? You will thus degrade the dynasties of both your father and your husband to hellish life. (Vedabase)
Chaste laughing she replied her father who was thus rebuking her: 'O father this one here is your son-in-law, the son of Bhrigu!'.
Sukanyâ, however, being very proud of her chastity, smiled upon hearing the rebukes of her father. She smilingly told him, "My dear father, this young man by my side is your actual son-in-law, the great sage Cyavana, who was born in the family of Bhrigu." (Vedabase)
She described to her father everything of how he had changed in age and beauty whereupon he utterly pleased and surprised happily embraced his daughter.
Thus Sukanyâ explained how her husband had received the beautiful body of a young man. When the King heard this he was very surprised, and in great pleasure he embraced his beloved daughter. (Vedabase)
Cyavana Muni by dint of his own prowess enabled the great man to perform the soma sacrifice, and delivered the As'vins, who had no interest in drinking it, a pot full of the soma-rasa.
Cyavana Muni, by his own prowess, enabled King S'aryâti to perform the soma-yajña. The muni offered a full pot of soma-rasa to the As'vinî-kumâras, although they were unfit to drink it. (Vedabase)
Greatly perturbed took Indra in order to kill him, impetuously, his thunderbolt up immediately, but the man of Bhrigu paralyzed the arm of Indra that held the thunderbolt.
King Indra, being perturbed and angry, wanted to kill Cyavana Muni, and therefore he impetuously took up his thunderbolt. But Cyavana Muni, by his powers, paralyzed Indra's arm that held the thunderbolt. (Vedabase)
With the permission of all the demigods was there henceforth for the As'vins, who as physicians before had been denied a share in the soma-yajña, the pot filled with soma-rasa.
Although the As'vinî-kumâras were only physicians and were therefore excluded from drinking soma-rasa in sacrifices, the demigods agreed to allow them henceforward to drink it. (Vedabase)
Uttânabarhi, Ânarta and Bhûrishena thus were S'aryâti's three sons and begotten by Ânarta was Revata born.
King S'aryâti begot three sons, named Uttânabarhi, Ânarta and Bhûrishena. From Ânarta came a son named Revata. (Vedabase)
He after in the deep of the ocean building a town called Kus'asthalî, lived materially happy and ruled kingdoms like Ânarta and others, o subduer of the enemies, and his hundred sons of whom the eldest was Kakudmî were born to be the ones in power [after him].
O Mahârâja Parikshit, subduer of enemies, this Revata constructed a kingdom known as Kus'asthalî in the depths of the ocean. There he lived and ruled such tracts of land as Ânarta , etc. He had one hundred very nice sons, of whom the eldest was Kakudmî. (Vedabase)
Kakudmî took his own daughter Revatî before Lord Brahmâ in his drive to go for his abode beyond the modes, with the pupose of asking for a husband for his daughter.
Taking his own daughter, Revatî, Kakudmî went to Lord Brahmâ in Brahmaloka, which is transcendental to the three modes of material nature, and inquired about a husband for her. (Vedabase)
Because he was fully engaged in enjoying the celestial musicians playing had he not a second for him, but as soon as it was over could Kakudmî submit his desire to Lord Brahmâ offering him his obeisances.
When Kakudmî arrived there, Lord Brahmâ was engaged in hearing musical performances by the Gandharvas and had not a moment to talk with him. Therefore Kakudmî waited, and at the end of the musical performances he offered his obeisances to Lord Brahmâ and thus submitted his long-standing desire. (Vedabase)
The all-powerful Lord had to laugh about what he heard and said to him: 'Alas , o King, in the course of time, have all those that you'd like to close in your heart disappeared!
After hearing his words, Lord Brahmâ, who is most powerful, laughed loudly and said to Kakudmî: O King, all those whom you may have decided within the core of your heart to accept as your son-in-law have passed away in the course of time. (Vedabase)
We do not hear anymore of the sons, the grandsons, the descendants and the dynasties because a period of three times nine mahâ-yugas has passed!
Twenty-seven catur-yugas have already passed. Those upon whom you may have decided are now gone, and so are their sons, grandsons and other descendants. You cannot even hear about their names. (Vedabase)
Therefore seek Baladeva, He is the great one of power of whom Lord Vishnu is a plenary portion, and give Him, the Excellence of Man, this beautiful daughter o King.
O King, leave here and offer your daughter to Lord Baladeva, who is still present. He is most powerful. Indeed, He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose plenary portion is Lord Vishnu. Your daughter is fit to be given to Him in charity. (Vedabase)
The Supreme Lord, the Ever Well-wisher to lessen the burden of the world, the Virtue of the hearing and singing, has now descended with all that belongs to Him.' [see also 5.25]
Lord Baladeva is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One who hears and chants about Him is purified. Because He is always the well-wisher of all living entities, He has descended with all His paraphernalia to purify the entire world and lessen its burden. (Vedabase)
Thus ordered returned the king, after paying the Unborn One his respects, to his own residence, but found it abandoned by his brothers; they in fear of the meritorious people had spread in all directions.
Having received this order from Lord Brahmâ, Kakudmî offered obeisances unto him and returned to his own residence. He then saw that his residence was vacant, having been abandoned by his brothers and other relatives, who were living in all directions because of fear of such higher living beings as the Yakshas. (Vedabase)
After handing his perfectly shaped daughter over to the most powerful One, Lord Baladeva, went the king in order to perform austerities to Badarikâs'rama, the place of Nara-Nârâyana.
Thereafter, the King gave his most beautiful daughter in charity to the supremely powerful Baladeva and then retired from worldly life and went to Badarikâs'rama to please Nara-Nârâyana. (Vedabase)
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