Critical Edition
वैशंपायन उवाच तस्मिन्नेव तु धर्मात्मा वसति स्म तपोधनः गार्हस्थ्यं धर्ममास्थाय असितो देवलः पुरा
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said "In this Tirtha lived formerly a virtuous Rishi, named Asita-Devala, leading the life of a house-holder.
धर्मनित्यः शुचिर्दान्तो न्यस्तदण्डो महातपाः कर्मणा मनसा वाचा समः सर्वेषु जन्तुषु
M. N. Dutt: He led life of purity and self-restraint. Possessed of great ascetic merit, he was compassionate to all creatures and never injured any one. In word, deed and thought, he behaved equally towards all creatures.
अक्रोधनो महाराज तुल्यनिन्दाप्रियाप्रियः काञ्चने लोष्टके चैव समदर्शी महातपाः
AI Translation: O great king, he is free from anger, equal in his love for praise and blame, equally seeing gold and a clod of earth, a great ascetic,
Supplementary Passages:
9.49.3 After 3b, B D (except D3.11) ins.: *291 प्रियाप्रिये तुल्यवृत्तिर्यमवत्समदर्शनः
देवताः पूजयन्नित्यमतिथींश्च द्विजैः सह ब्रह्मचर्यरतो नित्यं सदा धर्मपरायणः
M. N. Dutt: The great ascetic looked with an equal eye upon gold and pebbles. He daily worshipped the gods and guests and the Brahmanas. Righteous himself he always practised the vow of Brahmacharya
ततोऽभ्येत्य महाराज योगमास्थाय भिक्षुकः जैगीषव्यो मुनिर्धीमांस्तस्मिंस्तीर्थे समाहितः
M. N. Dutt: Once upon a time, an intelligent ascetic, O king, of the name of Jaigishavya, devoted to Yoga and rapt in meditation and leading the life of a mendicant, came to Devala's hermitage.
देवलस्याश्रमे राजन्न्यवसत्स महाद्युतिः योगनित्यो महाराज सिद्धिं प्राप्तो महातपाः
AI Translation: In the hermitage of Devala, O king, the greatly radiant one dwelt. The greatly ascetic one, always devoted to yoga, O great king, attained perfection.
तं तत्र वसमानं तु जैगीषव्यं महामुनिम् देवलो दर्शयन्नेव नैवायुञ्जत धर्मतः
AI Translation: While the great sage Jaigishāvya was living there, Devavata, showing him, did not practice Dharma.
Supplementary Passages:
9.49.7 For 7cd, D2.3.11 subst.: *292 न ज्ञातस्तेन मुनिना देवलेन महात्मना
एवं तयोर्महाराज दीर्घकालो व्यतिक्रमत् जैगीषव्यं मुनिं चैव न ददर्शाथ देवलः
AI Translation: Thus, O great king, a long time passed for those two. Devala did not see the sage Jaigishavya.
Supplementary Passages:
9.49.8 For 8cd, D2.3.11 subst.: *293 जैगीषव्यः कदाचित्स दर्शयामास देवलम्
आहारकाले मतिमान्परिव्राड्जनमेजय उपातिष्ठत धर्मज्ञो भैक्षकाले स देवलम्
AI Translation: At the time of eating, the wise Parivrājaka Janamejaya approached Devavala, knowing Dharma, at the time of eating.
स दृष्ट्वा भिक्षुरूपेण प्राप्तं तत्र महामुनिम् गौरवं परमं चक्रे प्रीतिं च विपुलां तथा
AI Translation: Seeing the great sage who had come in the form of a monk, he felt great respect and immense joy.
देवलस्तु यथाशक्ति पूजयामास भारत ऋषिदृष्टेन विधिना समा बह्व्यः समाहितः
AI Translation: Devala, to the best of his ability, worshipped (the Lord) with offerings, O descendant of Bharata, and, with a concentrated mind, performed many sacrifices according to the prescribed rites.
कदाचित्तस्य नृपते देवलस्य महात्मनः चिन्ता सुमहती जाता मुनिं दृष्ट्वा महाद्युतिम्
M. N. Dutt: One day, however, O king, in the sight of that great Muni, a deep anxiety distributed the mind of the high-souled Devala.
समास्तु समतिक्रान्ता बह्व्यः पूजयतो मम न चायमलसो भिक्षुरभ्यभाषत किंचन
M. N. Dutt: The latter thought within himself-"Many years have I passed in adoring this ascetic. This idle mendicant, however, has not yet spoken to me a single word!"
एवं विगणयन्नेव स जगाम महोदधिम् अन्तरिक्षचरः श्रीमान्कलशं गृह्य देवलः
M. N. Dutt: Having thought thus the blessed Devala proceeded to the banks of the ocean through the sky, carrying his earthen pitcher.
गच्छन्नेव स धर्मात्मा समुद्रं सरितां पतिम् जैगीषव्यं ततोऽपश्यद्गतं प्रागेव भारत
M. N. Dutt: Arrived at the cost of the Ocean, that lord of rivers, O Bharata, the righteous Devala saw Jaigishavya arrived there before him.
ततः सविस्मयश्चिन्तां जगामाथासितः प्रभुः कथं भिक्षुरयं प्राप्तः समुद्रे स्नात एव च
M. N. Dutt: Thereat the lord Asita, became filled with wonder and thought within himself-"How could the mendicant come to the ocean and perform his ablutions even before my arrival?'
इत्येवं चिन्तयामास महर्षिरसितस्तदा स्नात्वा समुद्रे विधिवच्छुचिर्जप्यं जजाप ह
M. N. Dutt: Thus thought the great Rishi Asita. Duly performing his ablutions there and purifying himself thereby, he then began to silently recite the sacred mantras.
कृतजप्याह्निकः श्रीमानाश्रमं च जगाम ह कलशं जलपूर्णं वै गृहीत्वा जनमेजय
M. N. Dutt: Having finished his ablutions and silent prayers, the blessed Devala returned to his hermitage, O Janamejaya, taking with him his carthen pitcher filled with water.
ततः स प्रविशन्नेव स्वमाश्रमपदं मुनिः आसीनमाश्रमे तत्र जैगीषव्यमपश्यत
M. N. Dutt: As the ascetic, however, entered his own hermitage, he saw Jaigishavya seated there.
न व्याहरति चैवैनं जैगीषव्यः कथंचन काष्ठभूतोऽऽश्रमपदे वसति स्म महातपाः
M. N. Dutt: The great ascetic Jaigishavya never spoke a word to Devala but lived in the latter's hermitage like a log of wood.
तं दृष्ट्वा चाप्लुतं तोये सागरे सागरोपमम् प्रविष्टमाश्रमं चापि पूर्वमेव ददर्श सः
M. N. Dutt: Having seen that ascetic, who was an ocean of austerities, plunged in the waters of the ocean (before his own arrival there), Asita now saw him returned to his hermitage before his Own return.
असितो देवलो राजंश्चिन्तयामास बुद्धिमान् दृष्टः प्रभावं तपसो जैगीषव्यस्य योगजम्
M. N. Dutt: Witnessing this Yoga power, of Jaigishavya, the intelligent Asita-Devala, O king, began to think over the matter.
चिन्तयामास राजेन्द्र तदा स मुनिसत्तमः मया दृष्टः समुद्रे च आश्रमे च कथं त्वयम्
M. N. Dutt: Indeed, that best of ascetics, O king, wondered much, saying-"How could this one be seen in the ocean and again in my herinitage?'
एवं विगणयन्नेव स मुनिर्मन्त्रपारगः उत्पपाताश्रमात्तस्मादन्तरिक्षं विशां पते जिज्ञासार्थं तदा भिक्षोर्जैगीषव्यस्य देवलः
AI Translation: Thus calculating, that sage, the master of mantras, rose up from that hermitage into the sky, O Lord of the People. Devala, for the sake of testing the monk Jīgīṣavya,
सोऽन्तरिक्षचरान्सिद्धान्समपश्यत्समाहितान् जैगीषव्यं च तैः सिद्धैः पूज्यमानमपश्यत
AI Translation: He saw the Siddhas who move in the sky, who were absorbed in meditation. And he saw Jaigishāvya being worshipped by those Siddhas.
ततोऽसितः सुसंरब्धो व्यवसायी दृढव्रतः अपश्यद्वै दिवं यान्तं जैगीषव्यं स देवलः
M. N. Dutt: Devala become filled with wrath at the sight. He then saw Jaigishavya start for heaven. saw
तस्माच्च पितृलोकं तं व्रजन्तं सोऽन्वपश्यत पितृलोकाच्च तं यान्तं याम्यं लोकमपश्यत
M. N. Dutt: He next saw him proceed to the region of the Pitris. Devala saw him then proceed to the region of Yama.
Supplementary Passages:
9.49.27 T1.2 G1.3 M1. 2.4 ins. after 27: T3.4 after 27b: *294 तस्मादादित्यलोकं च व्रजन्तं सोऽन्वपश्यत
तस्मादपि समुत्पत्य सोमलोकमभिष्टुतम् व्रजन्तमन्वपश्यत्स जैगीषव्यं महामुनिम्
M. N. Dutt: From Yama's region the great ascetic Jaigishavya was then seen to soar aloft and proceed to the region of Soma. He was then seen to proceed to the blessed regions of the perforiners of various rigid sacrifices.
लोकान्समुत्पतन्तं च शुभानेकान्तयाजिनाम् ततोऽग्निहोत्रिणां लोकांस्तेभ्यश्चाप्युत्पपात ह
AI Translation: And the worlds of the many-sided ascetics who have risen up, Then from the worlds of the Agnihotrins he rose up.
दर्शं च पौर्णमासं च ये यजन्ति तपोधनाः तेभ्यः स ददृशे धीमाँल्लोकेभ्यः पशुयाजिनाम् व्रजन्तं लोकममलमपश्यद्देवपूजितम्
M. N. Dutt: The intelligent Devala then behold him go from those regions of persons performing sacrifices by killing animals to that pure region which is adored by the very gods.
चातुर्मास्यैर्बहुविधैर्यजन्ते ये तपोधनाः तेषां स्थानं तथा यान्तं तथाग्निष्टोमयाजिनाम्
M. N. Dutt: Devala next saw the mendicant proceed to the place of those ascetics that perform the sacrifice called Chaturmasya and various others of the same kind. Thence he went to the region belonging to the performers of the Agnishtoma sacrifice. Devala then saw his guest go to the place of those ascetics that perforin the sacrifice called Agnishutta.
अग्निष्टुतेन च तथा ये यजन्ति तपोधनाः तत्स्थानमनुसंप्राप्तमन्वपश्यत देवलः
AI Translation: And those who perform sacrifices with the Agniṣṭoma, those who are rich in austerities, Devala saw that place as it really is.
वाजपेयं क्रतुवरं तथा बहुसुवर्णकम् आहरन्ति महाप्राज्ञास्तेषां लोकेष्वपश्यत
AI Translation: The best of sacrifices, the Vajapeya, and the one with much gold, The wise bring, and they see them in the worlds.
यजन्ते पुण्डरीकेण राजसूयेन चैव ये तेषां लोकेष्वपश्यच्च जैगीषव्यं स देवलः
AI Translation: Those who perform sacrifices with the lotus flower and the royal consecration, Devavata saw them in those worlds, and also Jaigishavya.
अश्वमेधं क्रतुवरं नरमेधं तथैव च आहरन्ति नरश्रेष्ठास्तेषां लोकेष्वपश्यत
AI Translation: The horse sacrifice, the supreme sacrifice, and the human sacrifice, The best of men bring these to the worlds, where they are not seen.
सर्वमेधं च दुष्प्रापं तथा सौत्रामणिं च ये तेषां लोकेष्वपश्यच्च जैगीषव्यं स देवलः
AI Translation: He saw all those who had attained the difficult-to-attain Sarvamedha and Sauramani sacrifices, and Devavata saw them in the worlds.
द्वादशाहैश्च सत्रैर्ये यजन्ते विविधैर्नृप तेषां लोकेष्वपश्यच्च जैगीषव्यं स देवलः
AI Translation: And he saw that Devala, who was performing sacrifices for twelve years, was not seen in the worlds.
मित्रावरुणयोर्लोकानादित्यानां तथैव च सलोकतामनुप्राप्तमपश्यत ततोऽसितः
AI Translation: He saw that Asita had attained the same world as Mitra, Varuna, the Adityas, and others.
रुद्राणां च वसूनां च स्थानं यच्च बृहस्पतेः तानि सर्वाण्यतीतं च समपश्यत्ततोऽसितः
AI Translation: And the abode of the Rudras and Vasus and of Brihaspati, Having seen all these and the past, Asita
आरुह्य च गवां लोकं प्रयान्तं ब्रह्मसत्रिणाम् लोकानपश्यद्गच्छन्तं जैगीषव्यं ततोऽसितः
M. N. Dutt: Thereafter, Asita crossing all that saw him. Having soared next into the blessed region called Golaka, Jaigishavya was next scen to pass into those of the Brahmasatris.
त्रीँल्लोकानपरान्विप्रमुत्पतन्तं स्वतेजसा पतिव्रतानां लोकांश्च व्रजन्तं सोऽन्वपश्यत
M. N. Dutt: Having by his energy passed through three other regions, he was seen to go to those regions that are reserved for women that are chaste and devoted to their husbands,
ततो मुनिवरं भूयो जैगीषव्यमथासितः नान्वपश्यत योगस्थमन्तर्हितमरिंदम
M. N. Dutt: At this point, O chastiser of foes, Asita lost sight of Jaigishavya that foremost of ascetics, who, rapt in Yoga, disappeared from his view.
सोऽचिन्तयन्महाभागो जैगीषव्यस्य देवलः प्रभावं सुव्रतत्वं च सिद्धिं योगस्य चातुलाम्
M. N. Dutt: The highly blessed Devala then reflected upon the power of Jaigishavya his vows and success in Yoga.
असितोऽपृच्छत तदा सिद्धाँल्लोकेषु सत्तमान् प्रयतः प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा धीरस्तान्ब्रह्मसत्रिणः
AI Translation: Then Asita asked the best of the Siddhas in the worlds, Standing with folded hands, the wise one, the ascetic, asked those who were performing the sacrifice of the Vedas,
जैगीषव्यं न पश्यामि तं शंसत महौजसम् एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं परं कौतूहलं हि मे
AI Translation: I do not see Jaigishāvya, tell me about that one of great power. I wish to hear this, for I am very curious.
Supplementary Passages:
9.49.45 After 45, B2 ins.: *295 सोऽप्यपृच्छद्यदा सिद्धानब्रुवन्पृच्छते तदा यथाभूतं तथादृष्टं प्रभावं तपसां निधेः
सिद्धा ऊचुः शृणु देवल भूतार्थं शंसतां नो दृढव्रत जैगीषव्यो गतो लोकं शाश्वतं ब्रह्मणोऽव्ययम्
M. N. Dutt: Siddhas said Listen, O Devala of rigid vows, we speak to you the truth! Jaigishavya has gone to the eternal region of Brahman!'
स श्रुत्वा वचनं तेषां सिद्धानां ब्रह्मसत्रिणाम् असितो देवलस्तूर्णमुत्पपात पपात च
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said "Hearing these words of those Siddhas, living in the regions of the Brahmasatris, Asita tried to soar aloft but he soon fell down.
ततः सिद्धास्त ऊचुर्हि देवलं पुनरेव ह न देवल गतिस्तत्र तव गन्तुं तपोधन ब्रह्मणः सदनं विप्र जैगीषव्यो यदाप्तवान्
M. N. Dutt: The Siddhas then, once more addressing Devala said to him-"You O Devala, are not competent to proceed to the region of Brahman, where Jaigishavya has gone!
तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सिद्धानां देवलः पुनः आनुपूर्व्येण लोकांस्तान्सर्वानवततार ह
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said "Hcaring those words of the Siddhas, Devala came down, descending from one region to another in due succession,
स्वमाश्रमपदं पुण्यमाजगाम पतंगवत् प्रविशन्नेव चापश्यज्जैगीषव्यं स देवलः
M. N. Dutt: He repaired to his own sacred hermitage very quickly, like a winged insect. As soon as he entered his abode he beheld Jaigishavya seated there.
ततो बुद्ध्या व्यगणयद्देवलो धर्मयुक्तया दृष्ट्वा प्रभावं तपसो जैगीषव्यस्य योगजम्
AI Translation: Then Devī, with wisdom and righteousness, calculated Seeing the power of Jaigīṣavya's austerities, born of yoga,
ततोऽब्रवीन्महात्मानं जैगीषव्यं स देवलः विनयावनतो राजन्नुपसर्प्य महामुनिम् मोक्षधर्मं समास्थातुमिच्छेयं भगवन्नहम्
M. N. Dutt: Then beholding his Yoga power Devala, reflected upon it with his rightcous understanding and approaching that great ascetic, O king, with humility, addressed the great Jaigishavya, saying-I desire, O adorable one, to acquire Moksha (Emancipation)!'
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा उपदेशं चकार सः विधिं च योगस्य परं कार्याकार्यं च शास्त्रतः
M. N. Dutt: Hearing these words of his, Jaigishavya gave him lessons. And he also initiated him in the mysteries of Yoga and taught him the all important and obligatory duties of individuals as also their reverses.
संन्यासकृतबुद्धिं तं ततो दृष्ट्वा महातपाः सर्वाश्चास्य क्रियाश्चक्रे विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा
M. N. Dutt: The holy personage of hard austerities, seeing him thus determined, performed all the sacred rites according to the injunctions laid down for that purpose.
संन्यासकृतबुद्धिं तं भूतानि पितृभिः सह ततो दृष्ट्वा प्ररुरुदुः कोऽस्मान्संविभजिष्यति
M. N. Dutt: Then all creatures with the Pitris, seeing Devala determined to adopt the religion of emancipation began to weep, saying-"Alas, who will hereafter offer us food!'
देवलस्तु वचः श्रुत्वा भूतानां करुणं तथा दिशो दश व्याहरतां मोक्षं त्यक्तुं मनो दधे
M. N. Dutt: Hearing these lamentations of all creatures that resounded through all the points of horizon, Devala thought of renouncing the religion of emancipation.
ततस्तु फलमूलानि पवित्राणि च भारत पुष्पाण्योषधयश्चैव रोरूयन्ते सहस्रशः
AI Translation: Then the fruits, roots, and sacred things, O descendant of Bharata, And the flowers and herbs cry out in thousands.
पुनर्नो देवलः क्षुद्रो नूनं छेत्स्यति दुर्मतिः अभयं सर्वभूतेभ्यो यो दत्त्वा नावबुध्यते
AI Translation: Again the wicked Devadatta will certainly cut off my head. He who, having given fearlessness to all beings, does not understand,
ततो भूयो व्यगणयत्स्वबुद्ध्या मुनिसत्तमः मोक्षे गार्हस्थ्यधर्मे वा किं नु श्रेयस्करं भवेत्
M. N. Dutt: Thereat that foremost of ascetics began to think with the help of his understanding, saying "Which of the two, viz., the religion of Moksha or that of a housc-holder, will be the better for me?
इति निश्चित्य मनसा देवलो राजसत्तम त्यक्त्वा गार्हस्थ्यधर्मं स मोक्षधर्ममरोचयत्
M. N. Dutt: Meditating on this, Devala, O king, relinquished the life of a house-holder and adopted that of Moksha.
एवमादीनि संचिन्त्य देवलो निश्चयात्ततः प्राप्तवान्परमां सिद्धिं परं योगं च भारत
M. N. Dutt: Having thought thus, Devala, on account of this determination, acquired the highest success, O Bharata and the highest Yoga.
ततो देवाः समागम्य बृहस्पतिपुरोगमाः जैगीषव्यं तपश्चास्य प्रशंसन्ति तपस्विनः
M. N. Dutt: The celestials then, led by Brihaspati, praised Jaigishavya and the penances of that ascetic.
अथाब्रवीदृषिवरो देवान्वै नारदस्तदा जैगीषव्ये तपो नास्ति विस्मापयति योऽसितम्
M. N. Dutt: Then that best of ascetics, viz., Narada, said to the gods-"There is no penance in Jaigishavya since he filled Asita with wonder!'
तमेवंवादिनं धीरं प्रत्यूचुस्ते दिवौकसः मैवमित्येव शंसन्तो जैगीषव्यं महामुनिम्
M. N. Dutt: The inhabitants of heaven then said to Narada who has communicated such dangerous words. Do not say about the great ascetic Jaigishavya !
Supplementary Passages:
9.49.64 After 64, B D ins.: *296 नातः परतरं किंचित्तुल्यमस्ति प्रभावतः तेजसस्तपसश्चास्य योगस्य च महात्मनः एवंप्रभावो धर्मात्मा जैगीषव्यस्तथासितः तयोरिदं स्थानवरं तीर्थं चैव महात्मनोः
तत्राप्युपस्पृश्य ततो महात्मा; दत्त्वा च वित्तं हलभृद्द्विजेभ्यः अवाप्य धर्मं परमार्यकर्मा; जगाम सोमस्य महत्स तीर्थम्
M. N. Dutt: Bathing there and distributing wealth to the Brahmanas, the great wielder of the plough, of great deeds, acquired great merit and then went to the Tirtha of Soma."