170 - The story of Gokarna

Varäha said:

1. O Earth, I shall now tell you an old story about Gokarna in Mathurä.

2. There was a wealthy Vaišhya named Vasukarna in Mathurä. He had a very virtuous life named Sušhilä.

3. She was very much devoted to her husband, but did not have a child even after many years.

4. Once seeing many women with children, she was wailing over her unfortunate lot at the confluence of the river Sarasvati.

5, Seeing this, a sage who was sitting at the foot of a tree there, took pity on her and asked her who she was and why she was sad.

6. She told him that when she saw there numerous women playing with their children, she was feeling sorry that she alone had not that good fortune.

7. The sage then told her who was yearning for the blessing to get a child:

8. “By the blessing of God, you will get a son. Go to the Shiva temple known as Gokarna.

9. Worship there with your husband offering abhisheka, lamp and naivedya, reciting stotras and performing Japa”.

10. Hearing this, she prostrated before him and went to her husband to tell him about the agreeable advice of the sage.

11. He told her that he very much liked the idea and felt that his long-felt desire was bearing fruit.

12-13. He went with her to the confluence of Sarasvati and bathing there, worshipped Gokarna every day with flowers, lamp and naivedya. 

14. Ten years passed like this. Then Lord Shiva became pleased with them and said:

15. “You will get a handsome and virtuous son and he will be getting many children by the blessing of God”

16. So said by the Lord, they bathed in the Sarasvati early in the morning and made many offerings to the Lord.

17. They gave to the Brahmins a lot of food, clothes and liberal

18. Signs of pregnancy could then be discerned in Sušhilä. The foetus was growing like the moon in the bright fortnight.  In the tenth month was born a boy delightful like the moon.

1.9. To celebrate the birth of the son, the father gave numerous cows with gold and clothes to people of all castes.

20. He performed the Jätakarma ceremony of the new-born and also the Nämakarana naming the boy Gokarna after well thinking about it.

21. In due course, he performed for his son the other ceremonies like Annapräšhana, Chüdäkarma, Upanayana, Godäna and Viväha at the appropriate times.

22. He gave numerous gifts, worshipped many deities and performed several auspicious ceremonies.

23. But seeing him not getting children even in the prime of youth, he got more girls married to him making them four in all.

24. All of them were lovely, good-natured and in the bloom of youth, but none bore a child.

25. Gokarna started doing many things conducive to get a child like digging wells, making tanks, constructing temples,

26. Stalls for giving water and garlands, daily food, special feasts and such other things.

27. Considering the evanescent nature of human life, he always engaged himself in such activities.

28. Near Gokarna, on its western side, he constructed a temple of Vishnu in the Pañchäyatana.

29. He arranged for an extensive garden around it with all kinds of flowering plants and trees like mango, orange and pomegranate.

30. Around this he constructed a big wall with a moat and made provision for watering the plants and collecting flowers by women.

31. Every service in the temple including cleaning, was done by his wives.

32. All of them were devoted to him and faithfully carried out whatever he said,

33. A garland maker was appointed to water the trees and he was guarding the garden also.

34. In due time, the trees produced flowers and fruits and presented the appearance of an eternal festival of fruits. They were eaten by all and given to others also as in the garden of Indra.

 35. While he was thus living. in Mathurä making lavish gifts, his resources gradually began to dwindle.

36-37. He began to get worried as to what he could do with the little that was left with him to look after his parents, maintain his family and feed his servants.

38. So he started his trading business again and started with his employees to the eastern regions.

39. Purchasing things from there, he sold them in the northern regions with good profit.

40-41. He then bought from there fine gems, horses and clothes and brought them home in Mathurä. This business was continued.

42. Once during a trip like this, he and his people halted for rest in a mountain valley with fine water and profuse growth of barley.

43. In a convenient place near a brook, they put up their tent, deposited their luggage there and let loose the horses for grazing.

44. He gave the necessary instructions to the followers, and with a few of them climbed up the mountain which was full of caves.

45. While he was strolling there for pleasure, he noticed a spot which was full of placid water amidst groves of oranges.

46. There were many trees laden with fruits and many plants full off lowers grown by the flower makers therein between rocks.

47. As he went near and scanned it with his eyes, he heard words of welcome.

48. Surprised at this, he looked more carefully and saw there a parrot in a cage.

49. The parrot said: “Come here, let me accord you welcome and be hospitable to you, O wayfarer. Receive this water for pädya and take this honoured seat.

50. You and your people may partake of these Sweet fruits, honey, meat and water as much as you like.

51. My parents will come and offer you further hospitality.

52. The ancestors of a householder, who is indifferent to duly receive guests, go to hell and those of one who respects them, go to heaven.

53. A guest who goes away disappointed, takes with him the merit acquired by the householder transferring to him all of his own sins.

54. So a guest should be attended upon in all seriousness irrespective of the fact whether the time of the visit is suitable or otherwise, for a guest is like Vishnu.”

55. The merchant Gokarna was very happy to hear these words of dharma from the parrot, and he asked him.

56. “Which sage are you? or are you a god or semi-divine that you appear superhuman and utter these words of wisdom?

57. Please tell me who you are. You are enthusiastic and eloquent about guests. Surely blessed is the man near whom you are”.

58. So requested, the parrot began to tell him about an improper action foolishly done by it.

59. “I happened to offend sage Shuka when he was performing penance on the northern side of mount Sumeru.

60. Shuka, the son of Vyäsa, was performing great penance and to hear the Puränas and Itihäsas from him, many sages came there.

61. There were among them the sages Asita, Devala Märkandeya, Bharadväja, Yavakrita, Bhrugu,

62. Añgiras, Taittirïya, Kanva, Medhätithi, Kruta, Tantu, Sutantu, Äditya, Vasumän, Ekata, Dvita,

63. Vämadeva, Ašhvašhiras, Trišhiras, Gautama and many Devas, Siddhas, Pannagas and Guhyakas.

64. They all sat before Shuka and asked him many questions relating to dharma. I was a disciple of sage Vämadeva, by name Shukodara.

65. Curious to know things but not observing the necessary decorum, because of my being young, I went in front and repeatedly put questions of a hypothetical nature.

66-67. My master was stopping me every time saying that the objections are raised and the answers given by those who want to win a point over each other and it was not proper to interrupt them by my questions.

68. Thus chastised by my master, the other sages refused to speak to me.

69. And Shuka pronounced a curse on me: “As this boy blabbers like a parrot, let him become the parrot itself”

70. No sooner did he utter this, than this Šhukodara was transformed into a Shuka (parrot).

71. The sages then sought the pardon of Shuka on my behalf, but he only said:

72. “What I said cannot but happen. But I shall give this parrot a boon to redeem himself after a lapse of time.

73. Because of your pleadings, I give him the power to be highly virtuous and get mastery of all Shästras and get knowledge of the essence of Puranas even while remaining in the form of the parrot.

74. He will die in Mathurä and then go to the Brahmaloka”.

75. Having incurred such a curse and getting the boon for redemption from it, I was living in despondency in a cave in the Himälayas.

76. I was then caught by a hunter and put in a cage, and he and his wife keep me as a plaything.

77. But by the grace of the sage, my knowledge does not leave me. I eat the fruit of my own bad action”.

78. At these words of the parrot, Gokarna said: “O great soul, don’t give yourself up to sorrow.

79. I belong to that holy Mathurä from where you are to gain redemption. I happencd to come here on my way for trade.

30. I will be going back to Mathurä with all my merchandise soon. (I shall take you with me as my son)”.

81. The parrot was happy to know that Gokarna was a resident of Mathurä and he agreed to the suggestion of the merchant that he would take him as his son.

82. When they were conversing thus, the huntress woke upland came out. She saw the handsome man sitting in the scat surrounded by his followers.

83. As she was looking at him again and again, the parrot said:

84. “Mother, here is a distinguished guest for us. He is named Gokarna and deserves to be well honoured”.

85. As she was hesitating in spite of what the parrot said, the hunter returned home.

86. The parrot repeated the importance of honouring guests and the hunter agreed.

87. He offered him fruits, meat and sweet-smelling honey and then asked him what he might do for him.

88. But Gokarna said that what he desired was something else, and that may. be given to him if he was willing.

89. He said: “Please give me the parrot in the cage as my son. I will take him to my parents at Mathurà”.

90-91. Immediately the hunter said: “I shall give you the parrot if you are prepared to give us the fruit of the bath in Yamunä and in the confluence of Sarasvati”.

92. Gokarna replied: “Tell me, if you know, the result Of the bath in the confluence of Sarasvati”.

The hunter said:

93. This parrot has told me about the merit that accrues in Mathurä, in the confluence and in performing Dvädashivrata.

94. He who performs this vrata, let him be a Rakshasa or even an animal, attains final beatitude.

95. He who bathes in the confluence and sees Lord Gokarna there, never goes to the abode of Yama, but goes to the world of Vishnu.

96. Thus have I heard about the great merit that accrues in the confluence (Sangama).