rule



 

Canto 9

Mahâmantra 1

 

 

Chapter 1: King Sudyumna Becomes a Woman

(1) The king said: 'I have listened to your descriptions of all the periods of the Manus and the wonderful actions performed by the Lord of Unlimited Potency during those periods. (2-3) He who was known by the name of Satyavrata, the saintly king and ruler of Dravidades'a, received spiritual knowledge at the end of the previous day of Brahmâ, by rendering service to the Original Person [the Purusha]. I heard from you how he, as a son of Vivasvân [the sun god], thus became the Manu. You have spoken about his many sons: the kings headed by Ikshvâku [8.13: 1]. (4) Oh brahmin, please describe to us, always eager to listen to your stories, the dynasties of those kings and what characterized them, oh greatly fortunate one. (5) Please tell us about all those pious and celebrated souls who were there before us, who will be there after us and who live at present with us.'

(6) S'rî Sûta said: "After Parîkchit thus in the assembly of the brahmin followers had requested this, the powerful S'uka, the one most learned in the dharma, gave a reply. (7) S'rî S'uka said: 'Oh subduer of the enemies, now hear from me the most important about the dynasty of Manu, because not even a hundred years would be enough to do this extensively. (8) When the Supersoul, who is the Original Transcendental Person of all higher and lower forms of life, found Himself at the end of the kalpa, outside of Him nothing of this universe or anything else existed. (9) From His navel a golden lotus originated upon which, oh King, the selfborn one with his four heads appeared [Lord Brahmâ, see also 3.8]. (10) Marîci appeared from Brahmâ's mind and Kas'yapa was there from him. He in his turn begot in Aditi, the daughter of Daksha, a son: Vivasvân [see also 6.6: 38-39]. (11-12) Vivasvân begot in Samjñâ, Manu S'râddhadeva who, with his wife S'râddhâ, from his sense control fathered ten sons whom he gave the names Ikshvâku, Nriga, S'aryâti, Dishtha, Dhrishtha, Karûshaka, Narishyanta, Prishadhra, Nabhaga and the mighty Kavi. (13) He, the Manu, at first had no sons, but the great personality, the powerful Vasishthha, performed a sacrifice for the demigods Mitra and Varuna that would bring him sons. (14) But S'râddhâ, Manu's wife who as prescribed observed a payo vrata [vow of drinking only, see 8.16], approached with obeisances the performing priest during the sacrifice and begged him for a daughter. (15) The ritvik in charge [the adhvaryu] told the priest performing the oblations [the hota] to engage with this in mind, whereupon the brahmin took the ghee and recited the mantra vashath ['unto the Living Being'].

(16) With that transgression of the performing priest a daughter was born named Ilâ ['the libation']. When Manu saw her he most dissatisfied said to his guru: (17) 'Oh my lord, what is this? As a result of the actions of you transcendentalists, there is alas this painful deviation. This rebellion against the Absolute Truth never should have happened! (18) How could you, versed in Vedic knowledge, connected and austere, of whom all impurities were burned away, deviate from your decision? Since when are the demigods of false promises?'

(19) Having heard what he said, the most powerful one, their great-grandfather Vasishthha, who had understanding for the mistake the performing priest had made, spoke to [Manu] the son of the sun god. (20) 'This unexpected result was the consequence of the wrong action of your priest. However, I will employ my power to give you a nice son!'

(21) With that decision, oh King, the renown powerful master Vasishthha offered prayers to the Original Person with the wish that Ilâ turned into a man. (22) Pleased by him the Supreme Controller Hari granted the desired benediction so that Ilâ became a nice man who was called Sudyumna. (23-24) One day Sudyumna was on a hunting trip in the forest, oh King, being accompanied by a couple of associates. While riding a horse from Sindhuprades'a, he went north in pursuit of the game. For the occasion the hero was equipped with a beautiful bow with very special arrows and an armor.  (25) At the foot of mount Meru he happened to enter the Sukumâra forest where the mighty Lord S'iva is enjoying life with his wife Umâ. (26) Having entered there, oh ruler of man, Sudyumna, the pre-eminent hero, saw himself changed into a woman and his horse into a mare [see also 5.17: 15]. (27) All his companions were also changed into the opposite sex, and seeing each other like this they got very depressed.'

(28) The honorable king [Parîkchit] said: 'How can that realm have this quality? How came this about, oh mighty one? We would very much like to hear you deliberate about this.'

(29) S'rî S'uka answered: 'Saints, who fixed in their vows dispelled the darkness in every direction, once came there to see the Lord of the Mountain, S'iva. (30) Ambikâ [Durgâ], who sat naked on her husband's lap, was most ashamed when she saw them. She quickly got up and covered her breasts.  (31) The saints seeing the two enjoying sexual intercourse, desisted from proceeding further and departed immediately for the âs'rama of Nara-Nârâyana. (32) Because of this the mighty Lord wishing to please his beloved said: 'Anyone who enters this place will turn into a woman on the spot!' (33) Males in particular since then do not enter that forest, whereabout she [Sudyumna] in the company of her associates thereafter wandered from stretch to stretch. (34) When she as a most exciting woman, thus surrounded by other women was loitering near his âs'rama, the powerful Budha [the son of the moon and deity of Mercury] wished to enjoy her. (35) She also longed to have him, the beautiful son of king Soma, for her husband and thus she from him gave birth to a son named Purûravâ. (36) I heard that Sudyumna who thus, as a king born from Manu, had achieved the female status, [then] remembered Vasishthha, the preceptor of the family. (37) The merciful sage seeing him in that condition was very aggrieved. He wanted his maleness to return and began to pray to Lord S'ankara [S'iva]. (38-39) S'iva, being pleased with him, oh servant of the state, in order to keep his promise [to Umâ] and to show the sage his love, said: 'This disciple of your line will one month be a female and the next month be a male. Sudyumna may with this arrangement [then] rule the world as he likes.' (40) With this settlement he by the mercy of the âcârya acquired the desired maleness and ruled over the entire world, even though the citizens were not quite happy with it. (41) From Sudyumna three sons were born listening to the names of Utkala, Gaya and Vimala, oh King. They became kings over the southern realm and were very religious. (42) Thereafter, when the time was ripe, the master of the kingdom who was so mighty, handed the world over to his son Purûravâ and left for the forest.'

 

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Third revised edition, loaded Oktober 8, 2019.

 

 

Previous Aadhar edition and Vedabase links:

Text 1

The king said: 'I have listened to your descriptions of all the periods of the Manus and the wonderful actions performed by the Lord of Unlimited Potency during those periods.
The king said: 'I've listened to your descriptions of all the periods of the Manus and all the wonderful actions performed by the Lord of Eternal Heroism during those periods. (Vedabase)

 

Text 2-3

He who was known by the name of Satyavrata, the saintly king and ruler of Dravidades'a, received spiritual knowledge at the end of the previous day of Brahmâ, by rendering service to the Original Person [the Purusha]. I heard from you how he, as a son of Vivasvân [the sun god], thus became the Manu. You have spoken about his many sons: the kings headed by Ikshvâku [8.13: 1].

He who was known by the name of Satyavrata, the saintly king and ruler of Dravidades'a, received at the end of the previous day of Brahmâ the spiritual knowledge by rendering service to the Original Person [the purusha]. From you I heard how he indeed as a son of Vivasvân [the sungod] thus became the Manu. You have spoken about his many sons, the kings headed by Ikshvâku [8.13: 1]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 4

Oh brahmin, please describe to us, always eager to listen to your stories, the dynasties of those kings and what characterized them, oh greatly fortunate one.

O brahmin, please describe each of the dynasties of those kings and what characterized them, o greatly fortunate one, for they constitute the eternal of our service unto you. (Vedabase)

 

Text 5

Please tell us about all those pious and celebrated souls who were there before us, who will be there after us and who live at present with us.'

Please tell us about the exploits of all those pious and celebrated souls who have lived, who will live in the future and who are there around right now.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 6

S'rî Sûta said: "After Parîkchit thus in the assembly of the brahmin followers had requested this, the powerful S'uka, the one most learned in the dharma, gave a reply.

S'rî Sûta said: "Thus in the assembly of all the brahmin followers requested by Parîkchit gave the most learned in the dharma, the powerful S'uka a reply. (Vedabase)

 

Text 7

S'rî S'uka said: 'Oh subduer of the enemies, now hear from me the most important about the dynasty of Manu, because not even a hundred years would be enough to do this extensively.

 S'rî S'uka said: 'Now listen to me about the dynasty of Manu, o subduer of the enemies, as far as possible discussed, because not even hundred years would be enough to do this extensively. (Vedabase)

 

Text 8

When the Supersoul, who is the Original Transcendental Person of all higher and lower forms of life, found Himself at the end of the kalpa, outside of Him nothing of this universe or anything else existed.

When the Supersoul who is the Original Transcendental Person of all higher and lower forms of life found existed at the end of the kalpa could there outside of Him nothing of this universe or whatever else be found.  (Vedabase)

 

Text 9

From His navel a golden lotus originated upon which, oh King, the selfborn one with his four heads appeared [Lord Brahmâ, see also 3.8].

From His navel generated a golden lotus and on that lotus, o King, was there the selfborn one with his four heads [see also 3.8]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 10

Marîci appeared from Brahmâ's mind and Kas'yapa was there from him. He in his turn begot in Aditi, the daughter of Daksha, a son: Vivasvân [see also 6.6: 38-39].

Marîci took birth from Brahmâ's mind and from him there was Kas'yapa who thereafter in the daughter of Daksha, Aditi, begot Visvasvân as his son [see also 6.6: 38-39]. (Vedabase)


Text 11-12

Vivasvân begot in Samjñâ, Manu S'râddhadeva who, with his wife S'râddhâ, from his sense control fathered ten sons whom he gave the names Ikshvâku, Nriga, S'aryâti, Dishtha, Dhrishtha, Karûshaka, Narishyanta, Prishadhra, Nabhaga and the mighty Kavi.

From him appeared in Samjñâ, Manu S'râddhadeva and in his wife S'râddha he of his self-control begot ten sons that by him were named Ikshvâku, Nriga, S'aryâti, Dishtha, Dhrishtha, Karûshaka, Narishyanta and Prishadhra, and Nabhaga and the mighty Kavi. (Vedabase)

 

Text 13

He, the Manu, at first had no sons, but the great personality, the powerful Vasishthha, performed a sacrifice for the demigods Mitra and Varuna that would bring him sons.

At first had he, the Manu, no son but the great personality, the powerful Vasishthha, performed for the demigods Mitra and Varuna a sacrifice that would bring one. (Vedabase)

 

Text 14

But S'râddhâ, Manu's wife who as prescribed observed a payo vrata [vow of drinking only, see 8.16], approached with obeisances the performing priest during the sacrifice and begged him for a daughter.

But S'râddha, Manu's wife, as prescribed with obeisances being on a payo vrata [vow of drinking only, see 8.16] approached in that sacrifice the performing priest to beg him for a daughter. (Vedabase)

 

Text 15

The ritvik in charge [the adhvaryu] told the priest performing the oblations [the hota] to engage with this in mind, whereupon the brahmin took the ghee and recited the mantra vashath ['unto the Living Being'].

Thus requested executed the ritvik the ceremony, with great attention taking the ghee to commence the oblation to which the brahmin chanted the mantra vashath ['to the Living Being']. (Vedabase)

  

Text 16

With that transgression of the performing priest a daughter was born named Ilâ ['the libation']. When Manu saw her he most dissatisfied said to his guru:

With that transgression of the performing priest was a daughter born named Ilâ ['the libation'] and when Manu saw her said he dissatisfied to his guru: (Vedabase)
 
Text 17

'Oh my lord, what is this? As a result of the actions of you transcendentalists, there is alas this painful deviation. This rebellion against the Absolute Truth never should have happened!

'O my lord, what is this, as a result of the actions of you followers of Brahmâ, is there alas this opposite result which is a painful deviation that according the mantras used never should have taken place! (Vedabase)

 

Text 18

How could you, versed in Vedic knowledge, connected and austere, of whom all impurities were burned away, deviate from your decision? Since when are the demigods of false promises?'

How could, of the society of the wise and learned of you all so aware of the Absolute Truth and composed of penance, with all impurities burnt away, there be such a discrepancy, such a falsehood, with what was planned?' (Vedabase)

 

Text 19

Having heard what he said, the most powerful one, their great-grandfather Vasishthha, who had understanding for the mistake the performing priest had made, spoke to [Manu] the son of the sun god.

Hearing that been said by him, the most powerful one, the Manu, spoke, with understanding for the mistake the performing priest had made, their great-grandfather Vasishthha to the son of the sungod. (Vedabase)

 

Text 20

'This unexpected result was the consequence of the wrong action of your priest. However, I will employ my power to give you a nice son!'

'Despite of this unexpected result as a consequence of what your priest did wrong, am I capable of assuring you a nice son!' (Vedabase)

 

Text 21

With that decision, oh King, the renown powerful master Vasishthha offered prayers to the Original Person with the wish that Ilâ turned into a man.

Thus decided, o King, offered the renown powerful master Vasishthha prayers unto the Original Person to have of Ilâ a turn to manhood. (Vedabase)

 

Text 22

Pleased by him the Supreme Controller Hari granted the desired benediction so that Ilâ became a nice man who was called Sudyumna.

Pleased with him granted the Supreme Controller Hari the desired benediction of Ilâ becoming consequently a nice man called Sudyumna. (Vedabase)

 

Text 23-24

One day Sudyumna was on a hunting trip in the forest, oh King, being accompanied by a couple of associates. While riding a horse from Sindhuprades'a, he went north in pursuit of the game. For the occasion the hero was equipped with a beautiful bow with very special arrows and an armor.

Sudyumna once on a hunting trip in the forest, o King, accompanied by a couple of associates and riding a horse from Sindhuprades'a, went north in pursuit of the animals to the occasion of which he as a hero carried his bow and arrows and wore a remarkably beautiful armor. (Vedabase)


Text 25

At the foot of mount Meru he happened to enter the Sukumâra forest where the mighty Lord S'iva is enjoying life with his wife Umâ.

At the foot of mount Meru he entered the Sukumâra forest where the mighty Lord S'iva is enjoying with his wife Umâ. (Vedabase)

 

Text 26

Having entered there, oh ruler of man, Sudyumna, the pre-eminent hero, saw himself changed into a woman and his horse into a mare [see also 5.17: 15].

Having entered there saw Sudyumna, the hero above all, himself indeed changed into a woman and his horse into a mare, o ruler of man [see also 5.17: 15]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 27

All his companions were also changed into the opposite sex, and seeing each other like this they got very depressed.'

So were all of his companions transformed to the opposite sex and seeing each other like this they became very depressed.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 28

The honorable king [Parîkchit] said: 'How can that realm have this quality? How came this about, oh mighty one? We would very much like to hear you deliberate about this.'

The honorable king [Parîkchit] said: 'How can that realm have this quality or for what reason, o mighty one, took this place, this is what I very much would like to see you deliberate about.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 29

S'rî S'uka answered: 'Saints, who fixed in their vows dispelled the darkness in every direction, once came there to see the Lord of the Mountain, S'iva. 

S'rî S'uka answered: 'Once upon a time gathered the great saints to see the Lord of the Mountain, S'iva, there in that forest; being the very best in the vow having cleared the darkness of each direction they so arrived there. (Vedabase)

 

Text 30

Ambikâ [Durgâ], who sat naked on her husband's lap, was most ashamed when she saw them. She quickly got up and covered her breasts.

Ambikâ [Durgâ] naked on her husband's lap was very ashamed when she saw them and quickly got up covering her breasts. (Vedabase)

 

Text 31

The saints seeing the two enjoying sexual intercourse, desisted from proceeding further and departed immediately for the âs'rama of Nara-Nârâyana. 

The saints seeing the two enjoying sex desisted from proceeding further and left immediately that place for the âs'rama of Nara-Nârâyana. (Vedabase)

 

Text 32

Because of this the mighty Lord wishing to please his beloved said: 'Anyone who enters this place will turn into a woman on the spot!' 

Because of this said the mighty lord for the pleasure of his sweetheart: 'Anyone who enters this place will consequently on the spot turn into a woman!' (Vedabase)

 

Text 33

Males in particular since then do not enter that forest, whereabout she [Sudyumna] in the company of her associates thereafter wandered from stretch to stretch.

Ever since do in particular males not enter that forest in the vincinity of which she [Sudyumna] in the company of her associates was doomed to keep wandering. (Vedabase)

 

Text 34

When she, as a most exciting woman, thus surrounded by other women was loitering near his âs'rama, the powerful Budha [the son of the moon and deity of Mercury] wished to enjoy her. 

With her, the most enticing woman, this way surrounded by other women loitering nearby his âs'rama, desired the powerful Budha [the son of the moon and deity of Mercury] it to enjoy her. (Vedabase)

 

Text 35

She also longed to have him, the beautiful son of king Soma, for her husband and thus she from him gave birth to a son named Purûravâ.

She who also longed to have him, the beautiful son of the king of the moon, for her husband and thus gave she from him birth to a son named Purûravâ. (Vedabase)

 

Text 36

I heard that Sudyumna who thus, as a king born from Manu, had achieved the female status,  [then] remembered Vasishthha, the preceptor of the family. 

This way having achieved femininity did Sudyumna, as a king born of Manu, remember Vasishthha, the preceptor of the family, so I've heard. (Vedabase)

 

Text 37

The merciful sage seeing him in that condition was very aggrieved. He wanted his maleness to return and began to pray to Lord S'ankara [S'iva]. 

He upon seeing him in that condition was very aggrieved and desiring maleness began he out of his mercy to worship Lord S'ankara [S'iva]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 38-39

S'iva, being pleased with him, oh servant of the state, in order to keep his promise [to Umâ] and to show the sage his love, said: 'This disciple of your line will one month be a female and the next month be a male. Sudyumna may with this arrangement [then] rule the world as he likes.'

Pleased with him said he, o servant of rule, keeping true to his given word and to show the sage his love: 'This disciple of your line will every other month be a female and with this settlement may Sudyumna as desired rule the world.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 40

With this settlement he by the mercy of the âcârya acquired the desired maleness and ruled over the entire world, even though the citizens were not quite happy with it.

With this arrangement by the mercy of the âcârya having the desired maleness ruled he over the entire world even though the citizens weren't quite happy with it. (Vedabase)

 

Text 41

From Sudyumna three sons were born listening to the names of Utkala, Gaya and Vimala, oh King. They became kings over the southern realm and were very religious. 

Of Sudyumna there were three sons listening to the names of Utkala, Gaya and Vimala, o King; they became kings over the southern realm and were very religious. (Vedabase)

 

Text 42

Thereafter, when the time was ripe, the master of the kingdom who was so mighty, handed the world over to his son Purûravâ and left for the forest.'

Thereafter, when the time had arrived, handed the master of the kingdom who was so mighty the world over to his son Purûravâ and left he for the forest. (Vedabase)

 

 

  

 

 

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The text and audio are offered under the conditions of the
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The painting is titled 'Shakuntala stops to look back' and is of Raja Ravi Varma. Source.
Production:
Filognostic Association of The Order of Time


  

 

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