126 - The greatness of Kubjämraka - the story of the serpent and ichneumon

1. Hearing aboüt the power of Mäyä from the lord, Earth asked Varäha again:

Earth said:

2. What you have to say about Kubjämraka is endless, I know. But I am not able to grasp well even what you have said.

3. You may, therefore, tell me about the sacredness and glory of Kubjämraka.

Varäha said:

4. I shall tell you all this which is conducive to the welfare of the world at large, the glory of Kubjämraka and holy spots there.

5. Hear this in full, O goddess, how this Kubjämraka came into being and about the holy places there, and also what accrues to a person who bathes or dies there.

6. O Earth, in the seventeenth aeon when the whole earth was one mass.

7. And after killing the demons Madhu and Kaitabha according to the desire of Brahma and collecting all the waters together for my repose.

8. I was not able to see sage Raibhya who was deep in my devotion, scrupulously performing all the prescribed actions.

9. Very intelligent, virtuous, pure, clever, who had controlled all his senses, who performed penance with upraised hands for one thousand years.

10. Another thousand years by living on water alone and then for five hundred years on moss.

11. I was very much pleased by the supreme devotion of Raibhya and I was well worshipped by him.

12. Then I saw that great sage performing penance at the foot of a mango tree on the bank of the Ganges.

13. This was pointed out to me by some one, but when I came near that mango tree, he became a dwarf.

14. This place thus came to be called 'Kubjämraka' (the place of the mango with the dwarf). People who die there go to my world.

15. I shall tell you another thing, O Earth, namely what that sage said.

16. When I saw him as a dwarf, he crawled towards me with his knees and began to speak.

17. Seeing him bow to me, I was much pleased, and I offered him a boon.

18. Hearing my words, that virtuous sage spoke sweet words.

19. “If you, O lord Janärdana, are so pleased, may you remain in this place for ever.

20. I pray you to be here as long as the world lasts.

21. This is the one boon which I have in mind. May you grant this if you are pleased.

22. May I have devotion for you always. I do not wish to have devotion for anyone else”

23. Hearing these words of sage Raibhya, I said “Let it be as you desire”.

24. Then, O Earth, the Brahmin said after contemplating for a while:

25. “O protector of the worlds, I wish to know from you about the greatness of this great tirtha.

26. As well as of the other tirthas in this place.”

27. (I said then:) “O Brahmin, I shall tell you what you wish to know.

28. In this holy and pleasant Kubjämraka there is a tirtha with the shape of a lily, by the mere bath in which people attain heaven.

29. In the months Kaumuda, and Vaišhäkha, after austerities.

30. One who ends one's life here attains heaven, be the person a man, woman or eunuch.

31. I shall tell you about another, O Earth. Please listen. That is the tirtha known as Mänasa.

32. By bathing in this, one goes to the divine garden Nandana and enjoys there with Apsarases for a thousand divine years.

33. At the end of this period of thousand years; he is born in a big family with abundant wealth and virtues.

34. If he dies there on the Dvädašhï day in Kaumuda, he attains great merit and reaches my world.

 35. I shall tell you about another. Please listen, O Earth. It is known as Mäyätirtha by which people understand mäyã.

36. By bathing there, one attains great fame and remains my devotee for ten thousand years.

37. Gets abundant wealth and reaches the abode of Kubera. He gets the capacity to go wherever he likes for a thousand years.

  38. If one dies in the Mäyätïrtha, he becomes a mäyäyogin and reaches my world.

39. I shall now tell you, O Earth, about Sarvatirtha which has the efficacy of all tirthas.

40. By bathing there on the Dvadašhi day of Vaišhäkha month, one enjoys heaven for fifteen thousand years.

41. If one gives up life there giving up all attachment, one attains my world.

42. O fair goddess, I shall tell you now about the little known tirtha called Pürnasukha.

43. While the whole of the river Ganges is cool, in  Purnamukha it is warm.

44. By bathing in this, one goes to the world of Soma and remains there for fifteen thousand years.

45. Then he is dropped from heaven and takes birth as a Brahmin, purc, clever and a devotee of mine endowed with all good qualities.

46. If he dies there on Dvädashi day in the bright half of the month Märgašhirsha, he goes to my world.

47. And finds me there in my effulgent form with four hands.

He will have no more births or deaths.

48. O Earth, listen to my account of another tirtha with full concentration.¹

1. The name of the tirtha is not given. Presumably it is Amaratirtha.

49. If a person with unflinching devotion for me bathes in this tirtha at any time, he goes to heaven and remains there for ten thousand years.

50. At the termination of his period in heaven, he is born again as a virtuous and wealthy devotee.

51. After severe austerities, if one gives up life here on Dvädašhi day in the bright half of the month Vaišhäkha.

52. One will have no more birth or death, nor langour or fear, and becoming free from all attachments, goes to my world.

53. I shall now tell you, O Earth, about the tirtha called Karavira which brings about happiness to all.

54. I shall tell you about its characteristics by which it may be known.

55. If the man with knowledge and devoted to me, on the Dvadašhi day in the month of Mägha, when the Karavira plant (oleander) is full of flowers.

56. Takes bath in it in midday after the prescribed rituals, gets the power to move and live anywhere travelling in a divine car with a thousand women dancing in attendance.

57. If one dies there on the Dvadašhi day in the month of Magha, he sees me, Brahma and Shiva.

58. O Earth, I shall tell you about another tirtha which I formerly told to that Brahmin.

59. That is called Pundarika, and this is particularly dear to me in Kubjämraka.

60. I shall tell you about its characteristics by which it may be identified.

61. At noon on Dvädašhi day there moves in it a tortoise as big as a chariot's wheel. Listen to what I have to say about it.

62. Bathing there confers the same merit as performing the Pundarika sacrifice. There need be no doubt in this.

63. If one happens to die there, he regains consciousness, becomes famous.

64. And after enjoying the merit of performing ten Pundarika sacrifices, becomes highly purified and ascetic.

65. Gains great attainments and gets a permanent place in my world.

66. I shall tell you about another. Please listen. That is the Agnitîrtha in Kubjämraka, proclaimed as efficacious for the sinless on Dvädašhi day.

67-68. The Dvädašhî in the bright half of the months of Kaumuda, Mårgašhirsha, Äshädha and Mädhava are particularly important for this.

69. I shall tell you the characteristics by which this tirtha of mine can be identified.

70. So, you listen with attention. None other than the pure Bhägavatas who master my Samhitãs know the šhästra relating to me.

71. I ask you again to listen, for I am going to tell you about the result accruing by bathing or dying there.

72. The man who bathes in Agnitïrtha in Kubjämrka which is a Vaishnava tirtha of great efficacy.

73. Attains the merit equivalent to that of seven Agnimedha sacrifices.

74-75. If one dies there on Dvädašhi day after remaining there for twenty days, he reaches my world.

76. I shall tell you about the characteristics of this tirtha which it can be known (as I already promised).

77. During the hot season it is cool, and during the cold season it is warm. Such is this Ägneyatirtha, O Earth, and through this people are able to cross the ocean of the woes of worldly life.

78. I shall now tell you about another tirtha in Kubjämraka, called Väyavyatirtha which arose from dharma.

79. He who bathes there after performing the daily ablutions, attains the merit of Väjapeya sacrifice.

  80. If anyone dies in this Väyutirtha after performing worship for fifteen days, he will not have birth or death again in this world.

81. He becomes four-armed and remains in my world.

82. I shall tell you about its further characteristics to facilitate its identification.

83. The leaves of the Ašhvattha (Pipal) tree always flutter there during all the twentyfour Dvädašhi days in the ycar.

84. I shall now tell you about another tirtha in Kubjämraka, known as Šhakratirtha which helps us to cross the ocean of samsära.

85. In that Shakratïrtha, O Earth, Shakra (i.e., Indra) always resides with Vajräyudha in his hand.

86. He who dies in this highly holy Shakratirtha after fasting for ten days, reaches my world.

87. I shall tell you about its characteristics for the sake of identification. Please listen attentively.

88. Five trees stand on its southern side and that is its identification mark.

89. I shall now tell you about another tirtha in Kubjämraka where Varuna performed penance for twelve thousand years.¹

         1. This tirtha was pròbably named Varunatirtha.

90. What merit accrues to a person bathing there, I shall tell you.

91. Also, for the person who dies there. The former goes to the world of Varuna and remaining there for eight thousand years acquires the power to go anywhere he likes.

92. He Who dies there after giving up all attachment and fasting for twenty years, reaches my world.

93. Listen to what I say about its characteristics.

94. There is a uniform waterfall in it which neither increases in the rainy season nor decreases in the summer season.

95. (I shall now tell you about) the tirtha called Saptasamudraka in Kubjämra. He who offers ablutions there gains the merit of three Ashvamedha sacrifices.

96. He soon reaches heaven and after living there for fifteen years, is born again as a noble Brahmin.

97. He becomes an expert in Vedas and Vedäñgas and performs Soma sacrifice.

98. He who gives up life there, after acquiring full detachment and control of senses and fasting for seven days, reaches my world.

99. O fair damsel, listen to my account of its characteristics namely what strange thing occurs in it on the Dvädašhi day in the month of Vaišhäkha.

100. Mixed with the placid water of Ganges, in this tirtha the water turns milky in colour.

101. Soon the colour changes into yellow and then red. Then it becomes emerald-coloured and finally gets the colour of pearl. This tirtha is to be identified by this.

102. Now I shall tell you about another tirtha in Kubjämraka named Mänasaras which is dear to all devotees.

103. He who bathes there goes to Manasasaras and sees their Devas and Rudra, Indra and Maruts.

104. If one dies theft after fasting for thirty days and with full detachment, he reaches my world.

105. I shall tell you about its identification mark.

106. It extends over fifty krošhas and can be known only by those Bhägavatas who do their duties scrupulously not by ordinary people.

107. I told about this to Raibhya particularly because he was an aspirant of moksha.

108. I shall tell you another thing, O Earth, about a wonder that once occurred in Kubjämraka.

Please listen.

109. Near the place where the offerings made to me (in my temple there) were thrown out, a female serpent was moving about without any fear.

110. She was eating the sandalpaste, garlands and the cakes and fruits offered.

111. After some time an ichneumon came there, and he chanced to see this serpent. Then occurred a furious battle bet-ween the two.

112. At noon on the Dvädašhi day in the month of Mägha, the ichneumon was fatally bitten by the serpent in my temple.

113. The ichneumon too bit the serpent injecting his venom and thus both died.

114. The serpent was born as a noble princess in Pragjyotisha (Assam) and the ichneumon was born as a prince in Kosala (Bihar), handsome, virtuous and learned.

115. They grew up in all happincss and steadily like the moon in the bright half of the month.

116. But whenever the princess saw an ichneumon, she wished to kill it and whenever the prince saw a serpent, he too wished to kill it.

117. When they came of age, due to my blessing, the king of Kosala celebrated the marriage of his son with the daughter of the Pragjyotisha king.

118. This alliance gave great jubilation to the kings of Kosala and Prägjyotisha.

119. They were attached to each other firmly like the lac and thc stick or smoke and fire.

120. Like Shachi and Indra playing in the Nandana garden, they were deep in love.

121. But although they were so deep in love, they never transgressed limits, like the ocean not transgressing the shore.

122. Seventyseven years they spent like this, without, however, knowing that fact, as they were under my mãyä.

123. One day, while they were sporting in the garden, thc prince saw a female serpent and he wanted to kill it immediately.

124. Although he was prevented from doing so by his beloved, he did not desist from it. Indeed, Garuda kills a snake at its very sight!

125. So, he too, although prevented, did kill that serpent mercilessly.

126. The princess was very much offended by this and became very cross with him and did not speak a word.

127. Just then the princess saw an ichneumon coming out of a burrow bcforc her in search of food.

128. Seeing the ichneumon who came out to eat the snake (which was killed), the princess became angry and started to kill it.

129. Although prevented from doing so by the prince, she killed it.

130. Seeing the beautiful ichneumon killed, the prince was very sorry, and he asked her.

131. “The husband is always to be respected by a woman. Then why did you kill this ichneumon, which is auspicious and liked by kings, in spite of my warding you off from that action?”

132. Hearing these words of her husband, the daughter of the king of Kosala replied to him angrily:

133. “Although I repeatedly prevented you from killing that serpent, you killed it. Therefore, although you attempted to prevent me from killing this ichneumon, I killed it”.

134. The prince then told her in hard and threatening words.

 135. “The serpent has fierce fangs and dreadful poison. It bites men who die as a consequence. So, I killed this venomous creature.

136. We are kings who protect the people. It is our duty to suitably punish whoever swerves from the right path.

137-38. Those who harass innocent people and those who molest women out of lust are to be punished even with death according to the rules of kingship.

139-140. I only discharged my duty as a king. But what crime has the ichneumon committed? It is an innocent creaturé considered as beautiful, auspicious and sacred for royalty.

141. Since you killed the ichneumon in spite of my attempt to ward you off, you are no more my wife, and I am no more your husband.

142. I do not kill you because the royal rules do not permit the killing of a woman”. So, saying he returned to his city.

143. Thus, anger took away their mutual love.

144. In course of time, the king of Kosala came to know of the incident of killing the snake and the ichneumon and the consequent unpleasantness between the couple.

145. He ordered his chamberlains and ministers to bring there his son and daughter-in-law.

146. In accordance with the king's command they duly brought there the prince and his wife before the king.

147. Seeing the son and daughter-in-law, the king said:

148. “O my son, where has gone that intense love between you? How have you become cross to each other?

149. The love between you was fast like the lac on the stick. You used to consider each as thc image of the other.

150. You were always closely united. It is not proper on your part to reject this good-natured and dutiful wife.

151. She never said anything unpleasant even to the servants. On the contrary, she was always eager to feed them sumptuously. It is not proper for you to discard such a person.

152. Dharma is our asset. That indeed is caused by women. It is true that dharma rests on women, the son and the family”.

153. Hearing these words of the father, the prince fell at his feet and said:

154. “O father, your daughter-in-law has no blemish in her. But she killed an ichneumon even when I prohibited her.

155. Then I got angry seeing that creature killed before me and in that anger, I told her.

156. 'Hereafter you are not my wife, and I am not your husband'. This is the reason and nothing else”.

157. Hearing this, the princess of Prägjyotisha bowed her head and said:

158. “An innocent and frightened serpent was quickly killed by him in spite of my repeated attempts to ward him off from that action.

159. Seeing the serpent killed, I got angry and did not speak any more, please know this”.

160. Hearing his son as well as daughter-in-law, the king of Kosala said to them before the people assembled there.

161. ''The serpent was killed by him, and the ichneumon was killed by you. What was the cause of anger at this, I wish to know?

162. “O son, when the ichneumon was killed, why did you get angry? O princess, when the serpent was killed why did you get angry?”

163. At this the Kosala prince softly spoke to his father.

164. “Why should this question be put to me? Ask her, O king. Then you will know”.

165. Hearing the words of the son, the king of Kosala uttered words in order to maintain dharma. 

166. “Tell me, son, what is in your mind that brought about the break in your mutual love.

167. Sons are the closest relations (of the father) in everything. Those who hide the truth when asked by the father, are thc lowest and despicable.

168. Right or wrong, the sons who do not answer the father when questioned fall into the hell called Raurava full of hot sands.

169. Pleasing or displeasing, those who answer the father when questioned, go to the world that is fór the speakers of truth.

170. You should certainly tell me here the reason for the loss of love between you”.

171. Thus, said by the king, the Kosala prince said before that assembly of men:

172. “Let all these people go to their homes. Tomorrow morning, I shall tell you what is most essentially to be told”.

173. When the day dawned, the Kosala king was woken up by the sound of drums and the music of the minstrels.

174. The prince then had his auspicious bath and came to the doorway of the royal chamber.

175. The chamberlain announced the arrival of the prince to the king and conveyed his desire to meet him.

176. The king asked the chamberlain to usher in the prince immediately.

177. Thus, ordered by the king, the prince was led into the chamber.

178. The prince prostrated before his father. The king asked him to sit down and expressed his blessings.

179. The people saw the king and the prince seated together and looking auspicious both within and without.

180. The king then asked the son to give him reply to what he had formerly asked namely the cause of estrangement between him and his beloved wife.

181. Then the prince told his father.

182. “I should certainly tell you what you asked me about, although it is not going to be of any help in this.

183. It is really a secret and if you wish to know it, come along with me to the placc called Kubjämra.

184. There I shall tell you, O Kosala king, this secret which you have asked one about”.

185. Hearing these words of his son, the king agreed out of

his affection for him.

186. When the prince was gone, the king said to his ministers who had assembled there.

187. “O ministers, listen to what I say now after due deliberation. We are now to proceed to Kubjämra.

188. Make the neceessary arrangements. Get ready the elephants and horses”. They replied, “We shall do so at once”.

189. In the course of a week they made everything ready, elephants, horses, bulls, vehicles, money and cows.

190. Also, gold, gems, cloths, food and everything else that was neceessary. Then they informed the king that everything was ready.

191. Then, O Earth, the great king called his son and asked him: “How can we start, O son, leaving the country void”.

192. Hearing the words of the father, the prince bowed to him, and told him softly.

193. “My younger brother, who is born of the same mother, may be endowed with the kingdom”.

194. The Kosala king then observed: “When the elder son is there, how can the younger son be considered for this?”

195. At these words of the father, the prince of Kosala spoke to him impelled by dharma.

196. “I give my full consent for you to kingdom (to my younger brother). The acceptance of this will not involve him in any transgression of dharma.

197. Having gone to Kubjämra, I will not return from there. O father, I swear this in the name of truth and dharma”.

198. Consented thus by the elder son, the younger son was duly installed on the throne.

199. After a long time, the king reached the place called Kubjämraka with his family and attendants and with all the necessary equipment.

200. Then he performed the prescribed rites in that tirtha and gave their abundant gifts of food, cloth, gold, cows, elephants, horses and land.

201. After many days, the king once asked his son who came near him, about the secret of estrangement between him and his wife.

202. “O son, this is the holy spot sanctified by the feet of Vishnu.

203-204. We have given as gifts here a lot of money and gems according to rules. Now tell me the truth why this beautiful daughter-in-law, who is noble and virtuous and who never commits any wrong, has been given up by you without any real cause.”

205. The prince then told the father: “Let this night pass. May you sleep. Tomorrow morning, I shall tell you everything”.

206. Then, when the night was gone and the sun was rising, he took his bath in the Ganges and put on silken dress.

207. He then worshipped me and circumambulated his father and said as follows:

208. ''Come father; let us go. You ask me the secret. Please know it from me”.

209. Then the prince, the princess and the king went to the place where the remains of the offerings made to me were heaped.

 210. Going close there, the prince held his father's feet in respect and said:

211. “O king, I was an ichneumon living at the foot of the plantain. Once I chanced to go to this place where the remnants of offerings to the Lord are thrown.

212. I saw there then a female serpent crawling about eating the sandalpaste, flowers and other things there.

213. Seeing that fierce serpent, my eyes turned red with anger and soon I jumped upon her.

214. A terrible fight ensued but none noticed it. It was on thc Dvädašhi day of the month of Mägha.

215. In the course of the fight, when I was guarding myself, the serpent bit me on my nose.

216. The poison from me got into the serpent too. Thus, both of us were dead.

217. After a lapse of time, when our anger and stupor were gone, I was born as the son of the Kosala king,

218. The serpent was killed in these circumstances, mainly because of my anger. This is the secret I have to communicate to you.”

219. After this narration by the prince, the daughter-in-law said: “I was that serpent moving about in the remanants thrown out from the lord's offerings.

220. During the fight I was crushed down by the ichneumon. I was then born as the daughter of the king of prägjyotisha, and then I became your daughter-in-law. 

221. Because of that anger inherent in me, I killed that ichneumon. This is the secret I have to tell you”.

222. After listening to what his son and daughter-in-law had to say, the king went to Mäyätïrtha and died there.

223-224. O lovely Earth, the prince and the princess then went to Pundarikatirtha and died there and went to the supreme heaven lorded over by Janärdana.

225-226. The king, the prince and the princess then reached the Shvetadvipa due to my blessings.

227. All their attendants became highly meritorious, and they also got entry into the Shvetadvïpa.

228. Thus, have I told you about the splendour of Kubjämraka, as I narrated to the great Brahmin Raibhya.

229. This is a sacred narrative which deserves to be recited by people of all the four castes and in all ceremonies.

230. This is the best of all lustre and the highest of all penance. This should not be recited in the midst of fools.

231. Nor should it be recited amidst cow-slaughterers or those who condemn the Vedas and Vedäñgas; so too before those who harbour ill-will to their teachers or speak ill of šhästras.

232. This should be recited in the assembly of Bhägavatas or of those who are initiated.

233. He who recites it at dawn liberates ten generations of his ancestors and ten generations of his successors. He who dies reciting this, attains a four-armed form and resides in my world.

234. Thus, O Earth, have I told you about the place Kubjämraka. What else do you propose to ask for the good of my devotees?