Vīravikrama and His Promise

Vīravikrama was a Śūdra of good character. He honoured brāhmaṇas, kept his word, and served his elders and Bhagavān Vishṇu. A chaṇḍāla came to him dressed as a brāhmaṇa and asked for his daughter in marriage. Vīravikrama gave his right hand and promised her. His family priest Kṛshṇaśarman and all his relatives warned him, but he would not break a promise made with his right hand. Bhagavān Vishṇu came with conch, discus and mace, riding on Garuḍa, and praised him. He then took Vīravikrama, his whole family, the chaṇḍāla and the priest to Vaikuṇṭha in a golden vehicle that moves through the sky.

Why a promise must be kept

The chapter begins with a general teaching. The puṇya (merit) of keeping a promise is a crore times greater than the fruit of giving a hundred cows.

A fool who breaks his promise goes to a terrible naraka (hell) and is roasted there for a hundred periods of Manu. Then he is born on earth in a poor family, with no food and no clothes.

A person should take an oath truthfully, in the presence of a deva, of fire or of a teacher. Suppose someone has touched the flowers of Vishṇu’s pūjā and takes a true oath, but does not keep it. He is roasted in naraka for a long time together with seven members of his family. In every later birth he is born a leper.

He who offers his right hand in a promise and keeps it obtains Kṛshṇa. He who has offered his hand and does not keep the promise brings torment to his dead ancestors in naraka. He himself goes to a terrible naraka and is freed from it only after crores of generations.

Vīravikrama’s character

Long ago a Śūdra named Vīravikrama lived in a city. He ate much, was well built, talked much, and was very handsome. He was rich, had sons, was polite and learned, and was dear to all people. He always honoured brāhmaṇas and guests. He was devoted to his father and always kept his promise. He protected his elders and served Vishṇu.

The chaṇḍāla’s trick

One day a handsome, young and clever chaṇḍāla came to Vīravikrama’s house. He had taken the disguise of a brāhmaṇa and came with a trick in mind. He said: “O wise one, listen to my words. My good wife is dead. What shall I do? Where shall I go? Please tell me today. What is the use of gifts, visits to holy places, yajñas or crores of vows for one who would give his daughter in marriage to a brāhmaṇa?”

Vīravikrama heard this and said: “O brāhmaṇa, listen. I have a daughter who is not yet married. If you wish, I will give her to you by the proper rite. Hold my right hand. I will give her. It will not be otherwise.”

The chaṇḍāla, still in disguise, held Vīravikrama’s hand. He was pleased, and he asked Vīravikrama to fix a good time for the wedding. Vīravikrama agreed: “O brāhmaṇa, I will give you my daughter tomorrow. This will not be otherwise. A man who has offered his right hand should not act like a mean man.”

The family’s warning

Vīravikrama called his family priest Kṛshṇaśarman and told him of the agreement. Kṛshṇaśarman said: “How do you give your daughter to a brāhmaṇa when you wish to give her to a śūdra? Do not give her to an unknown person who does not belong to a good family.”

His relatives, his father and others, also objected: “O dear Vīravikrama, men of our jāti do not give their daughter to a man whose family, country, race, wealth, character and age are not known.”

Vīravikrama answered simply: “I have offered my right hand. Now I cannot change my words at all.” With these words to them, he went on to offer his daughter to the “brāhmaṇa”. All his kinsmen were amazed.

Vishṇu comes

Bhagavān Vishṇu heard Vīravikrama’s truthful words. He came there suddenly, holding a conch, a discus and a mace, and riding on Garuḍa. He said: “Blessed is your family! Blessed is your way of life! Blessed are your mother and father! Blessed is your truthful speech! Blessed is your right hand! Blessed is your deed! Blessed is your life! There is no such person in the three worlds. By such a deed, O good man, you will free your family.”

The ascent to Vaikuṇṭha

While Bhagavān Śrī Kṛshṇa was speaking in this way, a golden vehicle came through the sky. It was full of Vishṇu’s attendants and was hung everywhere with banners of Garuḍa. The holder of the conch and the lotus, Bhagavān Vishṇu himself, placed all of Vīravikrama’s family in the vehicle. He placed the chaṇḍāla and the priest Kṛshṇaśarman in it as well. He took them all and went to his home in Vaikuṇṭha. They stayed there for a long time and enjoyed rare pleasures.

Closing warnings

The chapter ends with strong warnings against breaking a promise. A man who breaks his word, or a promise made with his right hand, goes to naraka with his whole family. His pitṛs (ancestors) and devas do not accept the food and water he offers. Dharmarāja leaves his house. The foolish man who raises hope and then lets people down goes to naraka and takes a crore of his family with him. Dharma destroys his wealth by means of a king, fire or thieves.

Sources

• Padma Mahā Purāṇa, Brahma Khaṇḍa, Chapter 26