171 - The Story of Gokarna (continued)

Varaha said:

1. He took the parrot and went to Mathura and presented him to his parents, telling them the whole story about him.

2. Many years passed happily in worship and discussions (of morals).

3. His resources again began to dwindle and he thought of starting trading again.

4. His idea was to collect gems from the sea through experts.

5. He then entered into an agreement with a troupe of sailors and started.

6. On an auspicious day together with the parrot and taking with him all the necessary food and drink.

7. Before entering the ship, he got the blessings of his parents and instructed his wives to do their duties in the temple and to look after the garden.

8. He asked them to agend well on the parents all the time without fail and to do for them what would be normally his duty.

9-10. Instructing them thus and getting their approval and propitiating God, he entered the ship together with the parrot and started voyage in the vast ocean.

11. The sailors moved the craft rapidly into the deep outer ocean.

12. Then an adverse wind began to blow which drifted it away and made the crew helpless and senseless.

13. “What a pity! what can we do now”, they exclaimed. Hearing their words, those on board began to accuse one another.

14. “Some sinful man who ought not to have entered the ship has got into it”, they said. “Because of his sin we are all facing death now”.

15. Four months passed and they observed the fruit of their adventure.

16. Listening to their mutual accusations, Gokarna asked Shuka who was in a self-disparaging mood.

17. “O my son, I am burning within myself because I am the sinner among us, as I have no (real) son and it is wellknown that the man without a son has no salvation.

18. Tell me out of your wisdom and proficiency in scripture what we may do in this predicament”.

Shuka said:

19. “O father, be quiet. don’t have any fear and don’t give yourself up to sorrow. Leave me to do what is appropriate in this situation”.

20. Consoling his father thus, Shuka quickly flew in the northern direction to the region called Dhruva.

21. He crossed the expanse of water by flying low and reached the valley of a mountain spreading over one yojana.

22. He was thrilled to see the big mountain, and flying to its top, saw a fine temple.

23. It was a splendid temple of Vishnu, and after going around it, he hid himself Within.

24. He thought, “I am the son, the father is now a wanderer. When will we be able to get over the present difficulty?”

25. As he was thinking for a moment in this manner, the (chief) goddess entered there with a golden vessel in her hand and performed worship of the god.

26. She uttered ‘Bow to Narayana’ and sat on a seat. In a moment there came numerous (other) goddesses similar to the chief goddess in age and beauty.

27. After delightfully presenting there vocal music, instrumental music and dance, they returned to their places.

28. On the southern side in the temple could be seen many flocks of Jatayu birds.

29. Shuka, the parrot, entered into an understanding with them, as if in written form, and spoke in his language seeking their protection.

30. They consoled him and asked him how he came there crossing the expansive ocean full of all kinds of fish. 

31. Shuka said; “My father remains in the craft drifted away to a difficult place by an unfavourable wind.  

32. Desiring to seek protection for him I have come to this, great mountain. Please see that he is safe and happy”.

The birds said:

33. We shall see that this good desire of yours is accomplished. You will get your father as if by a canoe.

34. I will split the water with my feet (and make a shallow passage across the ocean) and your father will follow on my back.

35. The aquatic beings that come in the way will die by my beak pushing them down”.

36. The plan was conveyed to the father, and he was made to cross the ocean on the back of Jatayu.

37. While crossing, the water was in some places waist-deep, in others chest-deep and in yet others neck-deep.

38. He then reached that wonderful temple and saw there the tank full of gems and lotuses. He bathed there and offered libations to the gods and manes.

39. He collected flowers and worshipped Lord Keshava. After seeing the Pancayatana studded with gems, he sat in solitude with the approval of shuka.

40. In a short time, the goddesses made their appearance as before, and after the dance, the seniormost among them spoke to the rest.

41-42. “To this Gokarna, the visitor who is great and spiritual, give the celestial fruit for eating and fine water for drinking so as to get him satisfaction for three months and his sorrow, sin and delusion disappear”.

43. They did so and said, “Live in this heavenly place as long as you like, you will be free from fear and sorrow”.

44. This continued and Gokarna was as happy as in Mathura.

45. Meanwhile (as Gokarna was just leaving the craft), a favourable wind blew and took it to a place of calm water full of gems.

46. His men collected a good deal of gems, and as they were taking them to him for his examination, they found him missing.

47. They were extremely sad and said, “Where has he gone? Is he dead or lost in water?

48. Or has he drowned himself out of shame? Any way we shall go to his father and move with him as if we are his sons.

49. We shall also give him the share in the gems due to him. This is the rule when we venture jointly as a group.”

50. But Gokarna, who was in that island, was full of sorrow and he piteously spoke to Shuka about his parents.

51. Shuka, however, spoke to him, “I am but a bird with a frail little body, and, as such, I am unable to carry you.

52. I shall go to Mathura across this sea and convey to them your words and convey back to you theirs. Give me your permission”.

53-54. Gokarna then said to Shuka, “Let it be so. May you go to my parents and tell them about me. But return soon as I can’t do without you”.

55. The parrot said ‘yes’, and reaching Mathura told everything to the parents (of Gokarna).

56. They heard all that but, however, presumed Gokarna as dead and wailed for a long time. Then they put affection on the parrot and said:

57. “O bird, you should narrate for our peace of mind stories up-holding dharma.”

58. Distressed at the loss of the son, they were consoled by stories uttered by the parrot remaining in the cage.

59. Then the sailors (who had gone with Gokarna in voyage) returned with their collection of gems and gave to Vasukarna what was due to his son.

60. The mountain was worshipped by them by offering twenty gems each. They were all then duly honoured and sent to their homes.

61-62. They lived there attending to the needs of the old Vaishya (Vasukarna) as if he was their own father.