ŚRĪ PARĀŚARA SAMHITĀ – Dhwajadattacaritamm – Caturdaśa Paţalah (14th Chapter)

14^th Chapter (Caturdaśa Paţalah)

“The Story of Dhwajadatta”

(Dhwajadattacaritamm)

श्रीमैत्रये :-
श्लोक।।
किमकारि द्विजेनाथ ध्वजदत्तेन धीमता
पराशर! महाप्राज्ञ! वृत्तांतं ब्रूहि मे प्रभो! 1

Mytrēya:

“Oh! All knowing sage Parāśara! Please tell me the happenings on what the wise Brahmin Dhwajadatta did afterwards”.

श्रीपराशर:
प्राप्तकामस्तु मैत्रेय! विप्रस्सन्तुष्टमानस:
उपपेदे यतात्मानं पुष्करं गुरुमात्मन:।। 2

Parāśara:

“Mytrēya! Happy with the fulfilled desires Dhwajadatta went to his Guru Puşkara the great sage.

प्रदक्षिणनमस्कारै: पूजयन् विधिवद्गुरुम्
मुखप्रसादसंभाव्य कार्यसिद्धिमवोचत।। 3

So reaching, he performed, as stipulated, reverentially bowed and went around the Guru with folded hands (pradakşiņa namaskāra), as the pleasant serenity in his face, letting out the success of his action.

ब्रह्मान्नद्य कृतार्थो स्मि तवानुग्रहवैभवात्
दैवतं च मयादृष्टं ब्रह्माद्यैरपि दुर्लभम्।। 4

Oh! Great soul! Thanks to the influence of your benevolence, I became auspicious now. I obtained the divine vision of the Lord that even Creator Brahma and others cannot get.

श्रेयसो स्य भवान्मूलमतस्त्वां शरणं व्रजे
त्वदनुग्रहलेशेन दरिद्रो धनितामगाम।। 5

“You are the basic reason for my present well being. Hence I am seeking your asylum only. Just by your grace I became wealthy from being a destitute.

ऋणप्रतिकृतिं कर्तुं न शक्नोमि महामुने!
अनेकजन्म साहस्त्रैइरित् मे निश्चिता मति:।। 6

Oh! Great sage! I strongly feel that I can not repay the debt I owe even after a thousand births.

भवत: प्रियशिष्येण विधेयेन मया गुरो!
किं विधेयमिदानीं ते तद्ब्रूहि करवाण्यहम्।। 7

Revered Guru! Please consider me your dear disciple and instruct me what I have to do here afterwards”.

इत्युक्तो ध्वजदत्तेन पुष्कर: शिष्यवत्सल:
जगाद वदतां श्रेष्ठ स्मितोदंचितवाड्मुनि:।। 8

So requested by Dhwajadatta, Puşkara, ever partial to his disciples and good ever smiling speaker said so.

हनूमत: प्रसादेन कृतकृत्यो स्मि शिष्यक!
नास्ति कृत्यावशेषो द्य निश्कामतपसो मम।। 9

Oh! Dear disciple! You became auspicious because of the grace of Lord Hanumān. There is nothing that you need do for me. Just continue your ritualistic sacrifice having no desires what so ever.

हनुमभक्तिविषये माक्रुधा: व्यग्रतां द्विज! 10

Yes! Dhwajadatta! Never let any deficiency in devotion to Lord Hanumān,

त्वमेव योग्यकालेषु हनुमन्मंत्रमुच्चरन्
प्रमादं मा भज क्वापि भजतो निजदैवतम्।। 11

Keep on reciting the Hanumanmatra at appropriate times and never neglect the service of Lord Hanumān.

अस्माकमिष्टदेवस्य त्वमाज्ञां परिपालय।। 12

Always obey the command of our dear God.

उपभुज्याखिलान् भोगान् शीलया साधुवृत्तया
अन्ते हनुमतस्थानं प्राप्नुहि द्विजसत्तम! 13

Oh! Best of Brahmins! Enjoy all the desires of life along with your virtuous wife and ultimately you shall attain the abode of Lord Hanumān.

अहं वसामि अत्रैव तदाज्ञागौरवात्सदा 14

Out of respect for His command, I am now staying there only.

हितोपदिष्टो गुरुणा ध्वजदत्तो महामति:
तथेति प्रतिजगाह पादमूलमुपागत:।। 15

Wise Dhwajadatta, having been told good things by the Guru, agreed to do so and bowed at his lotus feet.

अथ सम्मानितश्शिष्य: पुष्करेण द्विजोत्तम:।।
द्वित्रांस्तु पदविन्यासाननुयातो महात्मना।। 16

Then, the great soul Puşkara, out of affection for his disciple saw off the good Brāhmin Dhwajadatta by taking a few steps with him.

तिर्यक्कृत्य निजग्रीवां गुरुं पश्यन् मुहुर्मुहु:
तत्पदाब्जं ह्र्दि ध्यायन् जगाम निजपट्टणम्।। 17

Turning his head backwards to see the Guru in face again and again and revering his lotus feet in heart, Dhwajadatta slowly reached his city.

शनैर्गच्छन् तथा विप्रो ददर्श निजमंदिरम्
सुधामंडलसंस्पर्धि प्रासादशतशोभितम्।। 18

Going slowly he ultimately saw his 100-palaced abode, resplendent like the full moon.

नाना रत्नांचितद्वारं हेमप्राकारवेष्टितम्
ध्वजदत्ताभिधानांकध्वजैश्च समलंकृतम्।। 19

It has a main entrance studded with a variety of precious stones, a circumfarance wall made of gold, and hurling flags and bun tings with Dhwajadatta’s name.

महाजलैर्महोत्साहैर्हयैश्च परिवारितम्
ऐरावतसमाकारैर्गजैश्च गजयूथपै:
उष्ट्रैरष्टवदाकारैवेष्टितं च यथाक्रमम्।। 20

Also, it is concentrically surrounded by swift and spirited horses, elephants as huge as the Airāvata (Indra’s vehicle) and golden coloured camels.

आपीनभारवहनात् गच्छंतीभिस्सुमंजुलम्
धेनुभिर्बहुसंख्याभिस्समंतात्परिवेष्टितम्।। 21

The whole premises is teaming with beautiful cows with heavy udders moving around majestically.

दाशीभिर्दासमुख्यैश्च सेवितं तु दिवानिशम्
द्वीपांतरसमानीतं नानावस्तुसमन्वितम्।। 22

It is being served by several servants and maids and is full of many items brought from distant lands.

राशीकृतैर्धनैर्धान्यै: रत्नैश्च विविधैरपि
पट्टवस्त्रैर्महामूल्यैर्दिव्यपीतांबरैरपि।। 23

Money, grains and precious stones of different types are put up in heaps. With highly priced silks (and)

दुकूलैर्भूषणैश्चापि समंतादुपशोभितम्
अनर्धैस्स्वर्णपात्रैश्च सर्वतस्समलंकृतम्।। 24

Quality fabrics, ornaments and other household goods adding lusture and adorned with priceless golden kitchenwear.

एवं सर्वसमृघ्दं तद्गृहरत्नं निरीक्ष्य स:
विस्मयं परमंप्राप हनुमद्वैभवं स्मरन्।। 25

Otherwise wealthy with all riches of that abode, Dhwajadatta wondered greatly at the unbound benevolence of Lord Hanumān.

निजागमनसंभ्रातैर्बन्धुभिब्राह्मणोअत्तम:
प्रतयुद्गतस्सुह्र्द्भिश्च प्रविवेश गृहोत्तमम्।। 26

Received by wonder-struck relatives and friends good Brāhmin Dhwajadatta went in side his grand palace.

स्वगृहीतांगुलीभिश्च सखीभिस्संहतोरुभि:
पश्यन्गृहगरीयस्त्वं निजांत:पुरमाविशत्।। 27

Led by finger-holding well-built maid helpers, seeing the greatness of the mansion he entered the inner palace (antahpura).

तत्र साघ्र्वीं निजां भार्यां सखीभि: परिवारिताम्
महाभाग्यवतीत्येव नित्यं बंधुजनैस्स्तुताम्।। 28

There, his wife, the best of ladies, served by maids and praised repeatedly as a greatly bestowed lady (mahābhāgyatī) by relatives,

सर्वलक्षणसंपन्नां वामांगीं वारिजेक्षणाम्
तारामध्यगतां तन्वीं चंद्ररेखामिवस्थिताम्।। 29

Having all good features, well-formed parts of the body, lotus like eyes, beautiful liken the moon amidst stars,

स्वर्णताटंकसंरोचत्कपोलद्वय जृम्भिताम्।।
नवरत्नप्रभालिप्तमेखलादामशोभिताम्।। 30

Cheeks lustrous from the golden ear rings worn, the loin girdle shiny with studded diamond,

क्वणत्कंकण विद्योति मणिबंधां सुमध्यमाम्
कंठलंबि महामूल्यमुक्ताहारमनोहराम्। 31

The wrists shining with the bracelets that are emanating musical notes, with finely curved lower back, the neck looking grand adorned with pearl chains,

मंजुमंजीरनिनदां दिव्यपीतांबरांचिताम्
एवं विचित्र भूषाढथ्ं बालां दृष्ट्वा द्विजोत्तम:
उवाच वचनं धीरं सुह्र्द्बन्धुसमावृत:।। 32

The anklets emanating pleasant sound, wrapped in grand silks, adorened with hitherto unknown ornaments and surrounded by relatives and friends; seeing his wife in such grandeur, Dhwajadatta said so.

अयि प्रिये! कृतार्थो स्मि तव सौशील्यवैभवात्।। 33

‘Oh! Dear wife! I became auspicious, thanks to your virtuous nature.

पुष्करोनाम धर्मात्मा महायोगी महातपा:
साक्षात्कृतहनूमांश्च सर्वभूतदयापर:
सर्वशास्त्रार्थतत्त्वज्ञ: सदाचारो जितेंद्रिय:।। 34

The pious souled one, named Puşkara is a great self-controlled person (yōgi), performer of great rituals (tāpasi); One who had direct divine vision (darśan) of Lord Hanumān, merciful towards all living beings, adept in all sciences and scriptures, well-behaved, with good conduct and control over senses,

एवंभूतस्तु विप्रेंदो नैमिशारण्यगह्नरे
पुण्यतीर्थं समासाद्य जपन्नास्ते निरंतरम् 35

Such a gem of a Brahmin was always performing penance at Punyatīrtha water body in the middle of Naimiśa forest.

निष्कामजपकर्तासन् हनुमन्मंत्रतत्पर:
संपूर्णं सर्वकामो पि दीनानुग्रहवांछया
जपत्यनुदिनं साक्षात् हनुमद्वादशाक्षरीम्।। 36

He was intently performing recital of Hanumanmantra without any own desires. Even so, all his desires fulfilled, he was daily reciting Hanumaddwādaśākşarīmantra wishing to be helpful to distressed people.

अथास्मिन्नंतरे साघ्वि! तवदैन्य निरीक्षणात्
अतीव दु:खितो भूत्वा त्वत्संभाषणविहल:
उपादानच्छलेनैव निष्क्रांतो हं गृहांगणात्।। 37

Oh! Good lady! On seeing you in a piteous state, I felt very sad, did not have the courage to talk with you and came out of the house on telling that I am going for seeking alms.

निर्गत्य तु चिरंध्यात्वा स्मृत्वा तव मुखांबुजम्
क्व गंतव्यं मया चेति चिंताक्रांतमिवाभवम्।। 38

After coming out, I thought for a while, remembered your lotus like face and started worrying where I should go.

ततोधैर्यंसमास्थाय सर्वसंपज्जिघृक्षया
निद्राहारविहीनो हं नैमिशारण्यमाविशम्।। 39

Then, I gathered my wits, with the intense intent of earning great riches, without food or sleep; I walked and entered the Naimiśa forest.

प्रविश्य तु महारण्यमद्राक्षं पुष्करं मुनिम्
दृष्ट्वा तु सुमहात्मानं जपंतं पापकोपमम्
विज्ञाप्य ममवृत्तान्तं गतो स्मि शरणं मुनिम्।। 40

So entering that great forest I saw the renowned sage Puşkara. Seeing him meditating with fire like glow, I explained my whole story to him.

ततश्श्रुत्वा तु मद्वाक्यं पुष्करो दीनवत्सल:
हनुमन्मत्रदानेन सद्योमामनुगृह्णत।। 41

Hearing my story, that Puşkara, kind towards distressed people, kindly taught me the Hanumanmantra.

तदनुग्रहमाहात्म्याद् दृष्टं दैवतमुत्तमम्
ततो हनुमता तेन दत्तो मे वर उत्तम:।। 42

Thanks to the influence of that kindness, I could have the direct vision of the greatest of gods – Lord Hanumān. Then I was bestowed the best of boons by Lord Hanumān.

इह सर्वसमृद्धिश्च परत्र च परागति:
एवं वरं गृहीत्वा हमागतो स्मि तवांतिकम्।। 43

Such a boon is that that gives fulfillment of all the and gives the best of paths (to the Lord).

विना तव वियोगार्ति: नास्तिक्लेशो ममप्रिये!
त्वद्दैन्यस्मरणादेव भेदो भवति नान्यथा
तय्यैव तु महाकष्टं भुक्तं दारिद्र्यसंभवम्।। 44

Oh! Dear one! I had no other problem except the separation from you. I have no worry except grieving about my pathetic state. It is you who suffered the tribulations of utter destitution.

इत्युक्तवंतं प्रोवाच पतिशीला पतिव्रता
स्वामिन्नकिंचित्कष्टं मे त्वत्पादासक्तचेतस:।। 45

On hearing these words of Dhwajadatta, that pious lady, considering being with husband and serving him as ritual of her life, his wife said to him, ‘My lord! I have absolutely no worries when I remain near your sacred feet.

किंतु धिड्मामिमा दुष्टां त्वद्वियोगे पिजीवितम्।। 46

But still living even in separation from you is a curse on my life.

ज्ञात्वा तु नानुगत्रीं मां भवत: पादपद्धतिम्
अंतरंगमिदं मन्ये शत्रुरेव न संशय:।। 47

Even knowing this, not reaching your divine presence is, doubtless, enmity on the part of my inner consciousness, (manas) in my view.

त्वद्गतं खिद्यमानायास्तद्वार्ता मे न वक्ष्यति
उपकत्रीं तु तां मन्ये मूर्छनां तु कथंचन
यया वियोगदु:खानि नैव ज्ञातवती ह्र्हम्।। 48

It (inner consciousness) did not hint about your whereabouts to grieving me; hence I cannot consider it useful for not removing the cause of my grief.

पुरस्सरं ममस्वांतं तवमार्गप्रदर्शकम्
पुनर्नायाति शत्रुत्वात्तवामुपादाय संभ्रमात्।। 49

Because it (inner consciousness) is my enemy, it was with you and led you along the right path; hence afraid to come back to me, knowing my vexation with it.

इदानीं बहुमन्येतां वृथां जीवत्यहं पुन:
त्वद्दर्शन महानंद समुद्रोदकसंप्लुताम्।। 50

But, now I am respecting my inner feelings as I am alive and in the swirling ocean of happiness of having your divine vision’.

एवं वदंतीं भार्यां तु वाष्पपूरितलोचन:
आलिंग जवाद्विप्र! परमानन्दनिर्भर:।। 51

Happy listening to these words of his wife, with eyes wet out of bliss, embraced her.

ततस्संतुष्टचित्तस्सन् स्वभार्यामिदमब्रतीत्
कष्टान्यहान्यतीतानि लंघितो दु:खसागर:
इदानीं त्यज कष्टानि हनुमद्दयया प्रिये।। 52

Then with a contented heart, he said so to his wife.

अधुना त्वं महाभागे भुंक्ष्व भोगान् यथेष्तिान्
भुनक्तु सकलान् भोगन् भद्रबाहुर्यथेप्सितम्
भद्रगो पि महाप्राज्ञे भ्राता मे भ्रातृवत्सल:।। 53

‘Oh! Dear one! By the grace of Lord Hanumān, our bad days are over. The ocean of sorrow has been crossed. So forget all past troubles now.

गुर्वनुग्रहमाहात्म्यात् हनुमन्मंत्रवैभवात्
तव भाग्योदयाच्चैव समृद्धास्सर्वसम्पद:।। 54

The best among ladies! Now enjoy all the appropriate desires. Let my devoted brother Bhadrabāhu as well as the wise Bhadra, both affectionate towards me, too enjoy wishes to their satisfaction.

अतो यथेष्टमत्नानि भुजंतामर्थिनस्सदा
बान्धवाश्च यथाकाममीप्सितार्थान् भुजंतु न:।। 55

By the grace of my respected Guru, by the power of Lord Hanumān’s mantra and your own good fortune all riches accrued.

इत्यादिश्य वधूं विप्रो विरराम महामति:
चक्रे तदाज्ञां शीलापि सुशीला भत्र्रुचोदिता।। 56

Hence, let all the alms-seekers always eat to their heart’s content. Let our relatives too enjoy their desires’.

तत: कदाचिद्विप्रेन्द्र पुण्यकाले नदीतटे
स्नात्वा सुशीलया पूर्वं शीलया भार्यया सह।। 57

On Dhwajadatta instruction his wife so, his virtuous wife Śeelādēvi implemented the same.

यथाविधि यथान्यासं हनुमद्वादशाक्षरम्
दारिद्र्यबंकशमनमज्ञानध्वांतनाशनम्
एवं विधं महामन्त्रं कलत्राय दिदेश स:।। 58

Afterwards, once Dhwajadatta performed bath at an auspicious moment along with his virtuous wife Śeelādēvi in a river on the bank of which,

अष्टाक्षरं महामन्त्रं भद्रकाय दिदेश वै
सप्तमंत्रात्मिकां विद्यां भद्रबाहोस्तु दिष्टवान्।। 59

He taught his wife, along with systemic touching of body parts (añganyāsa) and hand postures (karanyāsa), the holy Hanumaddwādaśākşara mantra, which washes away the mud of destitution and drives away the darkness of ignorance.

एवं हनूमतो मंत्रान् पितृमातृकुलद्वये
विप्र: प्रवर्तयामास यथान्यासं यथारुचि।। 60

He taught the 8-lettered aştākşara mantra to Bhadra. He imparted the Lord Hanuman’s Seven-mantra-knowledge (sapatamantrātmikavidyā).

ध्वजदत्तो महाप्राज्ञस्सुह्र्द्बन्धुसमन्वित:
यथामुखं यथान्याय्यं सर्वान्कामानभुंजत।। 61

Thus Dhwajadatta taught Hanumanmantras along with body-hand positioning systems (nyāsa) to all relatives from his mother’s and father’s families as per their wishes.

इति बहुतिथिकालं भुक्तभोगो द्विजेन्द्रो
दुरितचरितदूरं वायुसूनो पदं तत्
अलभत सुलभात्मा शांतचित्तप्रचारो
भवनिधननिरासं कर्तुकामस्सकाम:।। 62

Dhwajadatta, rich in knowledge, took part of the legendary seven desires of the sea of mundane world along with his relatives and friends, but in a justified manner. Easy going, quiet natured, desirous of relief from the bindings of the mundane world, best among Brahmins Dhwajadatta enjoyed all good thing and ultimately attained the distant holy presence of Lord Hanumān.

इति श्रीपराशरसंहितायां श्रीपराशरमैत्रेयसंवादे सुवर्चलाहनुमन्मन्त्रविवरणे श्रीसुवर्चलाहनुमद्द्वादशाक्षरप्रभावे ध्वजदत्तचरित्रकथनं नाम चतुर्दशपटल:

Thus ends the 14^th Chapter, entitled “History of Dhwajadatta” (Dhwajadattacaritamm ) of Śrī Parāśara Samhitā

 

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