ŚRĪ PARĀŚARA SAMHITĀ – The Story of the Nāga Maiden – Nāgakanyāvŗttānta Kathanamm (32nd Chapter)

32^nd Chapter (Dwātrimśatpaţalah)

“The Story of the Nāga Maiden”

(Nāgakanyāvŗttānta Kathanamm)

श्री मैत्रेय:
श्लोक।।
पराशर महाभाग हन्मच्चरितं शुभम्
अन्यद्वदस्य पापघ्नं श्रोतुमिच्छामि सुव्रत! 1

Sage Mytrēya:

“Oh! Austerity bound great sage Parāśara! Remover of consequences of bad acts! I want to hear another aspect of the auspicious history of Hanumān. Hence please tell me”. (1)

श्री पराशर:
मैत्रेय मुनिशार्दूंल हनुमान्पवनात्मज:
किंपुरुषखण्डेन श्रीमान् कृतवान् कार्यमद्भुतम्।। 2

Seer Parāśara:

“Oh! Best amongst sages, Mytrēya! Son of the Wind God and splendour causer Hanumān performed an episode called the kimpuruşakhandam (in the land of kimpuruşa ₌ one of the superhuman exotic Indian tribes probably from present day Tibet and akin to Nāgās). (2)

श्री मैत्रेय:
किं कार्यं कृतवान् तत्र पराशर तपोधन
विस्तरेण तदाचक्ष्व कृपा मयि तवास्ति चेत्।। 3

Sage Mytrēya:

Oh! Penance-rich sage Parāśara! What did Hanumān do there? Be kind and narrate me that. (3)

श्री पराशर:
कश्चि त्तत्रास्ति पुण्यात्मा ज्ञानी परमपावन:
सुशीलस्सत्यसंकल्प: सर्वभूतदयापर:।। 4

Seer Parāśara:

Suşēņa

Oh! Mytrēya! There was a good person, who was scholarly, very pious, the ultimate in character, good-intentional and merciful towards all creatures in the land of kimpuruşas. (4)

तपस्वीसर्वधमज्ञ: यशस्वी गुणवान् कृती
हनूमच्चरणांभोज भक्तियुक्तस्सदाशुचि:।। 5

He was performer of good penances, knower of all virtuous paths to salvation (sarvadharma) possessor of good nature and auspicious, a great devotee at the lotus feet of Lord Hanumān and always remained pure and clean. (5)

आर्ष्णिषेणानुजो धीरो जितक्रोधी जितेन्द्रिय:
सुषेणो नाम गन्धर्वो कुटुम्बी वेदपारग:।। 6

He is a gandharva (a tribe of demi-god) named Suşēņa, brother of Arşņişēņa, very courageous, with controlled anger, an adorable family man and who learnt the entire Vēdas. (6)

परोपकारनिरत स्सजनैरभिसन्नुत:
सवीतरागो गंधर्व: पुष्पै: पत्रै: फलै श्शुभै:।। 7

He always helped others and praised by all people. That gandharva, free from all attachments, with auspicious flowers, leaves, fruits, (7)

पव्म्चामृतैर्दिव्यतोयै श्चंदनै र्मणिभूषणै:।। 8

(With) pańcāmŗut (mix of five nectars = milk, curd, clarified butter, i.e., ghee, sugar and honey), water that is fit for worship, sandal paste, ornaments studded with precious stones, (8)

सत्कर्माश्चामित दिव्य संस्तवै:
तपोभिराश्चर्यकरैस्सुदष्करै:
त्रिधा प्रपूजनैर्दानैर्महद्धि:
हवनैर्महद्धिध्र्यानै रसन्तै:।। 9

(With) good deeds, many god-invocating holy hymns, baffling and difficult ritual sacrifices, three types of worship (śravaņam = listening, smaraņam = reciting internally, and gānam = singing invocations), extensive charity gifts, great fire sacrifices with unending varieties of grains, (9)

नैवेद्यैष्षड्रसोपेतै: भक्ष्य भोज्य समन्वितै:
तस्थौ कर्पूरताम्बूलै: हनुमन्तं भजन् सदा।। 10

Holy offerings of many food items having the six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent), camphor and beatle-leaf offerings – worshipped Lord Hanumān always. (10)

तस्मिन्काले महापुण्या नागकन्या पतिव्रता
देवताराधनपरा सुशीला मव्म्जुभाषिणी।। 11

Utpalākşi

At that time, a very pious lady, a Nāga maiden, a faithful wife, always intent on worshipping gods, of good character, a good speaker, (11)

सत्कर्मनिरता तन्वी सर्वभूतहिते रता:
सर्वलक्षणसम्पन्ना: सर्वाभरण भूषिता।। 12

Always busy with good deeds, having beautiful body, desirous of helping all the creatures, having good bodily signs (on palms, feet etc), decked with all types of ornaments, (12)

सुमुखी पूर्ण सर्वागी सुकेशी तनुमध्यमा
काचिन्नाम्ना चोत्पलाक्षी नागलोकेस्ति भामिनी।। 13

One having a pleasant face, beautiful body parts, luxuriant crown hair, narrow waist, one Utpalākşi named lady was in the land of Nāgās. (13)

सा भीता रक्तरोमाख्य रक्षसा क्रूरकर्मणा
गधर्वनायकं देवी सुषेणं शरणं गता।। 14

That Nāga maiden, having been frightened by a cruel demon named Raktarōma, took refuge with Suşēnņa, a gandharva warrior. (14)

उवाच वचनं श्लाध्य सर्वलोक सुखावहम्
त्रिकालवेद सर्वज्ञ सुषेण सुगुणाकर।। 15

She said the following words that give comfort to people of all the worlds and worthy of appreciation. (15)

कृतार्थो स्मि महायोगिन् त्वत्पदाम्भोज दर्शनात्
श्रुणु गन्धर्व! मद्वाक्यं अभयप्रद! सुव्रत!।। 16

‘Oh! Great Yōgi! I am blessed to have the pious vision of your lotus feet. Oh! All-knowing one! Oh! Suşēņa of good virtues! (16)

यक्षकिन्नर गन्धर्व सिद्ध विद्याधरै स्सुरै:
राक्षसै रपि दुर्दर्ष निरंकुश पराक्रम:।। 17

One undefeatable by demi-gods like yakşas, kinnaras, gandharvas, siddhas, vidyādharas or by gods or by demons, (17)

रक्तारोमाख्य दनुजो कामरूपो पि दारुण:
नागलोकं समागत्य नागान् संपीड्य तेजसा।। 18

A frightening demon named Raktarōma capable of changing form as desired, came to the land of Nāgās (snakes) and started harming them with his mighty strength, (18)

अनन्तबल सम्पन्न: पव्म्चबाण वशंगत:
ग्रहीतकामो मां दृश्ट्वा बलात्कारेण पापधी:।। 19

Powerful without limit and hit by the Cupid Manmatha’s arrow of desire, that evil minded demon saw me and wanted to grab me by force. (19)

ज्ञात्वा ·हं भीतिसंयुक्ता रक्तरोम्णो मनस्तथा
शरण्यानन्यशरणोै तवामस्मि शरणं गता।। 20

Thus knowing the intent of Raktarōma, frightened, pained and with no escape way, I seek your protection. (20)

राक्षसस्य वधोपायो यथा भुवनरक्षणम्
निर्भयत्वं मम यथा तदाचक्ष्व ममानघ।। 21

Oh! Holy One! Please let me know the way of destroying that demon and bring happiness to all the worlds’. (21)

सुशेण उवाच:
श्रुणूत्पलाक्षि मद्वाक्यं सर्वभीति निवारणम्
सर्वश्रेयस्करं ते द्य मनस: प्रीतिकारणम्।। 22

Suşēnņa’s Advice

‘Oh! Utpalākşi! Today I will tell you the One that can drive away all fears, provide security to all and will lift your mood to happiness. (22)

पार्वतीगर्भ सम्भूत: केसरी प्रियनन्दन:
धीमानुदारो निश्शंको सर्वभूत दयापर:।। 23

Son of Pārvatī, dear offspring of monkey lord Kēśari, good discriminator, rich in personal virtues, fearless, merciful towards all creatures, (23)

सर्वलोकाधिपश्श्रीमान् कामरूपो जितेन्द्रिय:
दैतेयगणदर्पघ्न: मनोवेगो महाबल:।। 24

Lord of all the worlds, capable of acquiring desired form at will, subjugator of the ego of demons; possessor of rich adornment, control over senses, speed of the mind, great strength, (24)

वेदवेद्यो यज्ञ भोक्ता परंदैवं परंतप:
दुष्टनिग्रह रक्तश्च शिष्टरक्षा परो हरि।। 25

The One that can be known via Vēdas, receiver of the holy offering made in fire sacrifice (yagńya), god from the beyond, destroyer of evil ones and enemies, protector of the good-minded, best among the monkey warriors, (25)

वज्रदेहो महाकायो ह्रांपन्न जनरक्षक:
हनुमानिति विख्यातो सर्वदेवशिखामणि:।। 26

With a body as strong as a diamond, big bodied, protector of all that seek help, foremost among all the gods, renowned as Hanumān, (26)

तन्मूलमन्त्रं शुक्लाख्यं प्रवदामुत्पलाक्षि ते!
तस्मात्तवेष्ट कामार्थ सिद्धिश्शीघ्रं भविष्यति।। 27

That Lord’s basic/root mantra, Oh! Utpalākşi! I will let you know on Friday. Your desired wish will be fulfilled by that. (27)

तन्मन्त्र जपसामथ्र्यात् सुखवानस्म्यहं चिरात्
मद्वांछितानि सर्वाणि सफलानि भवंत्विह।। 28

I am always happy only because I recite that mantra. All my wishes are fulfilled because of it. (28)

साक्षात्कारो हनूमतं: भवेन्मम मुहुर्मुहु:।। 29

I had the divine vision of Hanumān many times’. (29)

इत्युक्त्वा नागकन्यायै सुषेण श्श्रीहनूमत:
उत्पलाक्ष्यै मूलमंत्रे ददौ गन्धर्वसत्तम:।। 30

Hanumān Root Mantra

Having said this, Suşēna, that best of gandharvas, imparted the Lord Hanumān basic/root mantra to that Nāga maiden Utpalākşi. (30)

आदाय हनुमन्मंत्र सुषेण त्राणकन्यका
नितयं जपजपरा तस्य समीपेन बभूवह।। 31

Having received the Hanumān mantra from Suşēņa, she recited it regularly and remained near him only. (31)

ग  श्रीमन्निरंतरकरुणामृतसारवर्षिणं, पिंगलाक्षं, अमोघं,
महेन्द्रायुध क्षतांचित महाहनुं अरुणाधरबिंबभूषित
मुखचंद्रमडलं, आतप्तकार्तस्वर भास्वर कांतिच्छटाकाति
कलित चूडाविराजित, अप्रतिमदिव्यमािणक्य कुन्उलमन्उित
गंडभागंग, असमान माननीय रमाकांत करकमल कीलित
पांचजन्मयबन्धुकम्बुधरं, ऐरावत नासादन्उ
समुत्तदीर्घभुजार्गल, अनन्यसाधारण संकल्प
सम्भवास्थानपीठपरिणाहिबाहन्तरं, अमूल्य पीतांबरलंकृत
कटिप्रदेश, अनवरत विनतजनमनोरथ साधनपादयुगमल,
उष्ट्रवाहनं, अमर गंगानदीपरिवेष्ठित हाटकाचलन
दीर्घलांगूल गगदुत्तुग मगलांगक, अजनानन्दवर्धन, अमलोध्
र्वपुन्ड्रं, तदुपरि कर्पूरसम्मिश्रित शुभ्रविभूतिधारणं,
यज्ञोपवीत तुलसीपद्याक्ष रुद्राक्षमालाभिराम,
श्रीरामचन्द्रचरणारविन्द सन्धित ह्रदयारविदं,
अखिलकल्याणगुणवन्त, श्रीहनूमन्त मुपास्महे।। 32

The prose invocation of Hanuman by the Nāga maiden – (Every interested devotee can recite this without any restraints of time. It gives good results). (32)

श्रीमन्निरंतर करुणामृत वर्षिनम्	Srīmannirantara karuņāmŗta varşinam	For the ….. Illustrious One that always showers nectar of kindness
पिज्ङ्लाक्षम्	Pińgalākşam	Golden colour eyed
…. so on	Amōgham	The great one
	Mahēndrāyudha kşaņāncita mahāhanum	One with a bent jaw (hanu) due to the hit by Indra’s vajrāyudha weapon
	Aruņādharabimba bhūşita mukhachandra mandalam	One, with shining red lower lip, having face like the Moon disc
	Ātaptakārtaswara bhāsvara kānticchaţākānti kalita cūdavirājitam	One with radiant hair that shines like burnished gold and the luminance of phosphorous
	Apratima divya maņikyakundala mandita gandabhāgam	One with the cheeks shining due to the ear rings studded with precious stones of uncomparable quality
	Asamāna mānavīya ramākānta karakamala kīlita pańcajaņyabandhu kambukadharam	One with a neck like the great conch Pańcajaņya of Vişņu, the husband of highly respected Lakşmī
	Airavata nāsādanda sumattadīrgha bhujārgaļam	One with mighty pair of arms long like the trunk of Indra’s vehicle the Airāvata elephant in rut
	Ananya sādhārāņasankalpa sambhavāsthāna pīţha pariņāhi bāhvantaram	One with powerful mighty vast chest like that of a great raising plateu
	Amulya pītāmbarā lamkŗta katipradēśam	One with the hip region adored with priceless pure silks
	Anavarata vinatajana manōradha sādhana pādyugaļam	Possessor of two lotus feet that always protect the people bowing with reverence
	Uştravāhanam	One with camel as his vehicle
	Amaragańgānadī parivēşţita hātakācalana dīrgha lāngūļa rangaduttunga mańgaļāńgakam	One with an auspicious body wound by the great tail, like the Mount Mēru encircled by the Milky-Way
	Ańjanānanda vardhanam	One who gives bliss to mother Ańjana
	Amalōrdhva pundram	One with a clear and pure vertical holy mark on the forehead
	Tadupari karpūra sammaśrita śubhra vibhūtidhāraņam	One who wears camphor-tainted pure ash over that
	Yagńyōpavīta tulasī padmākşa rudrākşa mālābhirāmam	One shining with the sacred thread, lotus bead chain and jujube seed chain that he wears
	Srīrāmacandra caraņāravinda sandhita hŗdayāravindam	One whose lotus heart is always at the lotus feet of Lord Srīrāmacandra
	Akhilakalyaņa guņavantam	One with all the auspicious virtues
	Srī Hanūmanta mupasmahe!	Such Lord Hanuman, I worship!
NOTE: 1. For ease of reading the above Sanskrit compound words (samāsas) are given as 2 – 4 parts. Otherwise they have to be read together as one word. 2. The suffix ‘am’ indicates that the compound word is in accusative case.

तस्मिनकाले महाबाहो वरदो भीमविक्रम:
परिवारयुतो धीरो समात्यो भक्तवत्सल:।। 33

Arrival of Hanumān

At that time, Hanumān, the one with high raised shoulders, boon giver, valour that makes the enemies tremble with fear, very brave, kind to the devotees, followed by His ministers and family members, (33)

सर्वालंकार सुयक्तं उष्ट्रमारुह्मा वेगवान्
त्रिमूत्र्यात्मा महावीर: हनुमान् ससुवर्चला:।। 34

The very fast one, a soul-embodiment of Brahma – Vişņu – Śiva, immensely valorous, accompanied by his consort Suvarcchala, riding the highly decorated camel, (34)

भक्तसंरक्षण घिया भगवान्वायुनन्दन:
सम्मुखे नागकन्याया: प्रादुरासी न्महाकपि:।। 35

The almighty, son of the Wind God, best among the monkeys, because of great desire to save His devotees divinely appeared before that Nāga maiden. (35)

इति श्री पराशर संहितायां श्री पराशर मैत्रेय संवादे नागकन्यावृत्तानत कथनं नाम द्वात्रिंशत्पटल:

Thus ends the 32^nd Chapter (Dwatrimśatpaţalah) “The Story of the Nāga Maiden” (Nāgakanyāvŗttānta kathanamm) of Śrī Parāśara Samhitā

Click here to visit the Contents of the Part 1.