CHAPTER V
(INDRA RAVISHES VAPUSTHAMA: VISHWAVASU PACIFIES JANAMEJAYA'S WRATH)
Souti said:—While the foremost of Rishis thus consoled the king Janamejaya, his words, relating to the past and future, were heard by all those who were present in that meeting (1). Their ears were pleased with (drinking) the juice of that great Rishi's words like unto the nectar-carrying rays of the moon (2). Hearing the charming history of the Bhārata war in which many heroes were killed and which yielded virtue, worldly profit and desire, some, in that assembly, shed tears and some engaged in meditation. That chronicle was described by the Rishi as if it was written on his palm (3-4). Having circumambulated all the courtiers present there the divine Rishi Vyāsa obtained their permission and departed saying "I will see you all again" (5). Afterwards the leading ascetics followed that foremost of Rishis Vyāsa, the best of speakers. After the departure of the divine Vyāsa and of the Rishis, the priests and the kings repaired whence they had come (6-7).
Casting off anger like unto a serpent throwing off its venom and wrecking revenge on those dreadful Pannagas king Janamejaya went away. With the Homa fire the great Muni Astika saved Takshaka of burning hood and repaired to his own hermitage. King Janamejaya too, encircled by his own people, went to the city of Hastināpur and with joy began to govern his contented subjects. A few days after Janamejaya duly undertook the celebration of a horse sacrifice accompanied with profuse presents (8-11).
Having controlled herself according to the rites laid down in the scripture the worshipful lady Vapusthumā Kāshyā, went to the horse slain at Janamejaya's sacrifice, and sat down near it. Desiring for that perfectly beautiful lady Vāsava entered into the body of the slain horse and knew her. Beholding that change Janamejaya said to the sacrificing priest, "This horse has not been slain: kill him at once." Coming to know of that endeavour of Indra's the wise priest communicated it to the royal saint Janamejaya and imprecated a curse on Indra (12–15).
Janamejaya said:—"O Shounaka, if there is any fruit accruing to me for my penances, protection of the subjects and sacrifice, I swear by it and tell you some thing; hear; from to-day the Kshatriyas will no more worship the fickle-minded Indra, who has no control over his mind, with horse sacrifices" (16–17). Then greatly worked up with anger king Janamejaya said to the presiding priests:—"While this sacrifice of mine has been spoiled by Indra, forsooth I know that you have not the least of a Brāhmana's energy in you. You should not therefore live in my territory. Do you go elsewhere with your friends." Thus addressed the Brāhmanas grew angry with Janamejaya and went away. Thereupon greatly worked up with anger the highly pious king Janamejaya went inside his palace and ordered his queens saying "Drive away the unchaste Vapushthamā from my house who has placed on my head her feet covered with dust. She has destroyed my glory and fame and spoiled my honor. I do not wish to see that unchaste wife like a cast off garland. He, who in this world lives with a wife fond of other men, cannot enjoy sweet food and sleep happily in a solitary place. He should not enjoy her like unto spoiled Havi." Saying this, Parikshita's son, irate, was crying aloud. The Gandharva princess Vishwāvasu then said to him (18-24):
Vishwavasu said:—O king, thou hast celebrated three hundred sacrifices; Vāsava therefore cannot forgive you any longer. Vapusthamā, this thy properly wedded wife, has no fault. She was formerly the Apsarā Rambhā and is now born as the daughter of the king of Kāshi. Enjoy with this best of beautiful damsels considering her as a great jewel. Do not ever leave her. O foremost of Kurus, thou art like Sachi's lord in riches. Beholding thee ready to celebrate sacrifices, the king of gods, seeking holes, has put in obstacles here. O king, thinking that thou wilt surpass him in fruits of sacrifices, the king of gods has obstructed this Yajna (25–28). Desirous of throwing an obstacle Vāsava, seeing the horse slain and seeking loop holes, has employed this illusion here. Indra has known her thinking her as Rambha whom thou dost regard as Vapusthamā. Worked up with anger in consequence thereof thou hast cursed those priests who have officiated at thy three hundred sacrifices and hast been deprived of the fruits which only Indra is entitled to. And those preceptors too have been driven away by thee. Vāsava always stood in fear of thyself and the Brahmanas. By accomplishing this feat through his illusory power he has been freed from both the fears. How can that highly powerful Purandara, who is desirous of achieving victories, ravish the wives of his sons and grand sons which even the ordinary men do not? As intelligence, virtue, control of senses, spiritual prowess and glory exist sufficiently in Indra the rider of lions so do they exist in thee who hast celebrated three hundred sacrifices. Therefore do not blame Indra, the preceptors, Vapusthamā and thy own self. It is very difficult to overcome the Destiny (29–35). By virtue of his spiritual powers the king of gods entered into the horse and excited thy wrath: but be not worked up with anger. Those, who wish happiness, should always follow the ways of the Providence (36). It is very difficult to overcome the adverse destiny as it is to cross the current from a contrary direction. Therefore desist from the attempt; and shorn of anxiety do thou enjoy in the company of this jewel of a sinless wife (37), O king, if ordinary innocent ladies are divorced by men, they curse the latter. One should never divorce a celestial wife if she is innocent. Rays of the sun, flames of fire, the sacrificial altar, oblations and a wife who is not attached by another are never sullied even when they are touched by others. Wives of good character like the goddess of prosperity should be always respected, maintained, protected and adored by the learned (38-40).
Source: https://archive.org/details/AProseEnglishTranslationOfHarivamsh
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