TEXT 1
TEXT
sri-suka uvaca
athatah sruyatam rajan
vamsah somasya pavanah
yasminn ailadayo bhupah
kirtyante punya-kirtayah
Srila Sukadeva Gosvami said to Maharaja Pariksit: O King, thus far you
have heard the description of the dynasty of the sun-god. Now hear the
most glorious and purifying description of the dynasty of the moon-god.
This description mentions kings like Aila [Pururava] of whom it is
glorious to hear.
TEXT 2
TEXT
sahasra-sirasah pumso
nabhi-hrada-saroruhat
jatasyasit suto dhatur
atrih pitr-samo gunaih
Lord Visnu [Garbhodakasayi Visnu] is also known as Sahasra-sirsa
Purusa. From the lake of His navel sprang a lotus, on which Lord Brahma
was generated. Atri, the son of Lord Brahma, was as qualified as his
father.
TEXT 3
TEXT
tasya drgbhyo ‘bhavat putrah
somo ‘mrtamayah kila
viprausadhy-udu-gananam
brahmana kalpitah patih
From Atri’s tears of jubilation was born a son named Soma, the moon,
who was full of soothing rays. Lord Brahma appointed him the director of
the brahmanas, drugs and luminaries.
TEXT 4
TEXT
so ‘yajad rajasuyena
vijitya bhuvana-trayam
patnim brhaspater darpat
taram namaharad balat
After conquering the three worlds [the upper, middle and lower
planetary systems], Soma, the moon-god, performed a great sacrifice known
as the Rajasuya-yajna. Because he was very much puffed up, he forcibly
kidnapped Brhaspati’s wife, whose name was Tara.
TEXT 5
TEXT
yada sa deva-guruna
yacito ‘bhiksnaso madat
natyajat tat-krte jajne
sura-danava-vigrahah
Although requested again and again by Brhaspati, the spiritual master
of the demigods, Soma did not return Tara. This was due to his false
pride. Consequently, a fight ensued between the demigods and the demons.
TEXT 6
TEXT
sukro brhaspater dvesad
agrahit sasurodupam
haro guru-sutam snehat
sarva-bhuta-ganavrtah
Because of enmity between Brhaspati and Sukra, Sukra took the side of
the moon-god and was joined by the demons. But Lord Siva, because of
affection for the son of his spiritual master, joined the side of
Brhaspati and was accompanied by all the ghosts and hobgoblins.
TEXT 7
TEXT
sarva-deva-ganopeto
mahendro gurum anvayat
surasura-vinaso ‘bhut
samaras tarakamayah
King Indra, accompanied by all kinds of demigods, joined the side of
Brhaspati. Thus there was a great fight, destroying both demons and
demigods, only for the sake of Tara, Brhaspati’s wife.
TEXT 8
TEXT
nivedito ‘thangirasa
somam nirbhartsya visva-krt
taram sva-bhartre prayacchad
antarvatnim avait patih
When Lord Brahma was fully informed by Angira about the entire
incident, he severely chastised the moon-god, Soma. Thus Lord Brahma
delivered Tara to her husband, who could then understand that she was
pregnant.
TEXT 9
TEXT
tyaja tyajasu dusprajne
mat-ksetrad ahitam paraih
naham tvam bhasmasat kuryam
striyam santanike ‘sati
Brhaspati said: You foolish woman, your womb, which was meant for me
to impregnate, has been impregnated by someone other than me. Immediately
deliver your child! Immediately deliver it! Be assured that after the
child is delivered, I shall not burn you to ashes. I know that although
you are unchaste, you wanted a son. Therefore I shall not punish you.
TEXT 10
TEXT
tatyaja vridita tara
kumaram kanaka-prabham
sprham angirasas cakre
kumare soma eva ca
Sukadeva Gosvami continued: By Brhaspati’s order, Tara, who was very
much ashamed, immediately gave birth to the child, who was very
beautiful, with a golden bodily hue. Both Brhaspati and the moon-god,
Soma, desired the beautiful child.
TEXT 11
TEXT
mamayam na tavety uccais
tasmin vivadamanayoh
papracchur rsayo deva
naivoce vridita tu sa
Fighting again broke out between Brhaspati and the moon-god, both of
whom claimed, “This is my child, not yours!” All the saints and demigods
present asked Tara whose child the newborn baby actually was, but because
she was ashamed she could not immediately answer.
TEXT 12
TEXT
kumaro mataram praha
kupito ‘lika-lajjaya
kim na vacasy asad-vrtte
atmavadyam vadasu me
The child then became very angry and demanded that his mother
immediately tell the truth. “You unchaste woman,” he said, “what is the
use of your unnecessary shame? Why do you not admit your fault?
Immediately tell me about your faulty behavior.”
TEXT 13
TEXT
brahma tam raha ahuya
samapraksic ca santvayan
somasyety aha sanakaih
somas tam tavad agrahit
Lord Brahma then brought Tara to a secluded place, and after pacifying
her he asked to whom the child actually belonged. She replied very
slowly, “This is the son of Soma, the moon-god.” Then the moon-god
immediately took charge of the child.
TEXT 14
TEXT
tasyatma-yonir akrta
budha ity abhidham nrpa
buddhya gambhiraya yena
putrenapoduran mudam
O Maharaja Pariksit, when Lord Brahma saw that the child was deeply
intelligent, he gave the child the name Budha. The moon-god, the ruler of
the stars, enjoyed great jubilation because of this son.
TEXTS 15-16
TEXT
tatah pururava jajne
ilayam ya udahrtah
tasya rupa-gunaudaryasila-
dravina-vikraman
srutvorvasindra-bhavane
giyamanan surarsina
tad-antikam upeyaya
devi smara-sarardita
Thereafter, from Budha, through the womb of Ila, a son was born named
Pururava, who was described in the beginning of the Ninth Canto. When his
beauty, personal qualities, magnanimity, behavior, wealth and power were
described by Narada in the court of Lord Indra, the celestial woman
Urvasi was attracted to him. Pierced by the arrow of Cupid, she thus
approached him.
TEXTS 17-18
TEXT
mitra-varunayoh sapad
apanna nara-lokatam
nisamya purusa-srestham
kandarpam iva rupinam
dhrtim vistabhya lalana
upatasthe tad-antike
sa tam vilokya nrpatir
harsenotphulla-locanah
uvaca slaksnaya vaca
devim hrsta-tanuruhah
Having been cursed by Mitra and Varuna, the celestial woman Urvasi had
acquired the habits of a human being. Therefore, upon seeing Pururava,
the best of males, whose beauty resembled that of Cupid, she controlled
herself and then approached him. When King Pururava saw Urvasi, his eyes
became jubilant in the ecstasy of joy, and the hairs on his body stood on
end. With mild, pleasing words, he spoke to her as follows.
TEXT 19
TEXT
sri-rajovaca
svagatam te vararohe
asyatam karavama kim
samramasva maya sakam
ratir nau sasvatih samah
King Pururava said: O most beautiful woman, you are welcome. Please
sit here and tell me what I can do for you. You may enjoy with me as long
as you desire. Let us pass our life happily in a sexual relationship.
TEXT 20
TEXT
urvasy uvaca
kasyas tvayi na sajjeta
mano drstis ca sundara
yad-angantaram asadya
cyavate ha riramsaya
Urvasi replied: O most handsome man, who is the woman whose mind and
sight would not be attracted by you? If a woman takes shelter of your
chest, she cannot refuse to enjoy with you in a sexual relationship.
TEXT 21
TEXT
etav uranakau rajan
nyasau raksasva manada
samramsye bhavata sakam
slaghyah strinam varah smrtah
My dear King Pururava, please give protection to these two lambs, who
have fallen down with me. Although I belong to the heavenly planets and
you belong to earth, I shall certainly enjoy sexual union with you. I
have no objection to accepting you as my husband, for you are superior in
every respect.
TEXT 22
TEXT
ghrtam me vira bhaksyam syan
nekse tvanyatra maithunat
vivasasam tat tatheti
pratipede mahamanah
Urvasi said: “My dear hero, only preparations made in ghee [clarified
butter] will be my eatables, and I shall not want to see you naked at any
time, except at the time of sexual intercourse.” The great-minded King
Pururava accepted these proposals.
TEXT 23
TEXT
aho rupam aho bhavo
nara-loka-vimohanam
ko na seveta manujo
devim tvam svayam agatam
Pururava replied: O beautiful one, your beauty is wonderful and your
gestures are also wonderful. Indeed, you are attractive to all human
society. Therefore, since you have come of your own accord from the
heavenly planets, who on earth would not agree to serve a demigoddess
such as you.
TEXT 24
TEXT
taya sa purusa-srestho
ramayantya yatharhatah
reme sura-viharesu
kamam caitrarathadisu
Sukadeva Gosvami continued: The best of human beings, Pururava, began
freely enjoying the company of Urvasi, who engaged in sexual activities
with him in many celestial places, such as Caitraratha and Nandanakanana,
where the demigods enjoy.
TEXT 25
TEXT
ramamanas taya devya
padma-kinjalka-gandhaya
tan-mukhamoda-musito
mumude ‘har-ganan bahun
Urvasi’s body was as fragrant as the saffron of a lotus. Being
enlivened by the fragrance of her face and body, Pururava enjoyed her
company for many days with great jubilation.
TEXT 26
TEXT
apasyann urvasim indro
gandharvan samacodayat
urvasi-rahitam mahyam
asthanam natisobhate
Not seeing Urvasi in his assembly, the King of heaven, Lord Indra,
said, “Without Urvasi my assembly is no longer beautiful.” Considering
this, he requested the Gandharvas to bring her back to his heavenly
planet.
TEXT 27
TEXT
te upetya maha-ratre
tamasi pratyupasthite
urvasya uranau jahrur
nyastau rajani jayaya
Thus the Gandharvas came to earth, and at midnight, when everything
was dark, they appeared in the house of Pururava and stole the two lambs
entrusted to the King by his wife, Urvasi.
TEXT 28
TEXT
nisamyakranditam devi
putrayor niyamanayoh
hatasmy aham kunathena
napumsa vira-manina
Urvasi treated the two lambs like her own sons. Therefore, when they
were being taken by the Gandharvas and began crying, Urvasi heard them
and rebuked her husband. “Now I am being killed,” she said, “under the
protection of an unworthy husband, who is a coward and a eunuch although
he thinks himself a great hero.
TEXT 29
TEXT
yad-visrambhad aham nasta
hrtapatya ca dasyubhih
yah sete nisi santrasto
yatha nari diva puman
“Because I depended on him, the plunderers have deprived me of my two
sons the lambs, and therefore I am now lost. My husband lies down at
night in fear, exactly like a woman, although he appears to be a man
during the day.”
TEXT 30
TEXT
iti vak-sayakair biddhah
pratottrair iva kunjarah
nisi nistrimsam adaya
vivastro ‘bhyadravad rusa
Pururava, stricken by the sharp words of Urvasi like an elephant
struck by its driver’s pointed rod, became very angry. Not even dressing
himself properly, he took a sword in hand and went out naked into the
night to follow the Gandharvas who had stolen the lambs.
TEXT 31
TEXT
te visrjyoranau tatra
vyadyotanta sma vidyutah
adaya mesav ayantam
nagnam aiksata sa patim
After giving up the two lambs, the Gandharvas shone brightly like
lightning, thus illuminating the house of Pururava. Urvasi then saw her
husband returning with the lambs in hand, but he was naked, and therefore
she left.
TEXT 32
TEXT
ailo ‘pi sayane jayam
apasyan vimana iva
tac-citto vihvalah socan
babhramonmattavan mahim
No longer seeing Urvasi on his bed, Pururava was most aggrieved.
Because of his great attraction for her, he was very much disturbed.
Thus, lamenting, he began traveling about the earth like a madman.
TEXT 33
TEXT
sa tam viksya kuruksetre
sarasvatyam ca tat-sakhih
panca prahrsta-vadanah
praha suktam pururavah
Once during his travels all over the world, Pururava saw Urvasi,
accompanied by five companions, on the bank of the Sarasvati at
Kuruksetra. With jubilation in his face, he then spoke to her in sweet
words as follows.
TEXT 34
TEXT
aho jaye tistha tistha
ghore na tyaktum arhasi
mam tvam adyapy anirvrtya
vacamsi krnavavahai
O my dear wife, O most cruel one, kindly stay, kindly stay. I know
that I have never made you happy until now, but you should not give me up
for that reason. This is not proper for you. Even if you have decided to
give up my company, let us nonetheless talk for some time.
TEXT 35
TEXT
sudeho ‘yam pataty atra
devi duram hrtas tvaya
khadanty enam vrka grdhras
tvat-prasadasya naspadam
O goddess, now that you have refused me, my beautiful body will fall
down here, and because it is unsuitable for your pleasure, it will be
eaten by foxes and vultures.
TEXT 36
TEXT
urvasy uvaca
ma mrthah puruso ‘si tvam
ma sma tvadyur vrka ime
kvapi sakhyam na vai strinam
vrkanam hrdayam yatha
Urvasi said: My dear King, you are a man, a hero. Don’t be impatient
and give up your life. Be sober and don’t allow the senses to overcome
you like foxes. Don’t let the foxes eat you. In other words, you should
not be controlled by your senses. Rather, you should know that the heart
of a woman is like that of a fox. There is no use making friendship with
women.
TEXT 37
TEXT
striyo hy akarunah krura
durmarsah priya-sahasah
ghnanty alparthe ‘pi visrabdham
patim bhrataram apy uta
Women as a class are merciless and cunning. They cannot tolerate even
a slight offense. For their own pleasure they can do anything
irreligious, and therefore they do not fear killing even a faithful
husband or brother.
TEXT 38
TEXT
vidhayalika-visrambham
ajnesu tyakta-sauhrdah
navam navam abhipsantyah
pumscalyah svaira-vrttayah
Women are very easily seduced by men. Therefore, polluted women give
up the friendship of a man who is their well-wisher and establish false
friendship among fools. Indeed, they seek newer and newer friends, one
after another.
TEXT 39
TEXT
samvatsarante hi bhavan
eka-ratram mayesvarah
ramsyaty apatyani ca te
bhavisyanty aparani bhoh
O my dear King, you will be able to enjoy with me as my husband at the
end of every year, for one night only. In this way you will have other
children, one after another.
TEXT 40
TEXT
antarvatnim upalaksya
devim sa prayayau purim
punas tatra gato ‘bdante
urvasim vira-mataram
Understanding that Urvasi was pregnant, Pururava returned to his
palace. At the end of the year, there at Kuruksetra, he again obtained
the association of Urvasi, who was then the mother of a heroic son.
TEXT 41
TEXT
upalabhya muda yuktah
samuvasa taya nisam
athainam urvasi praha
krpanam virahaturam
Having regained Urvasi at the end of the year, King Pururava was most
jubilant, and he enjoyed her company in sex for one night. But then he
was very sorry at the thought of separation from her, so Urvasi spoke to
him as follows.
TEXT 42
TEXT
gandharvan upadhavemams
tubhyam dasyanti mam iti
tasya samstuvatas tusta
agni-sthalim dadur nrpa
urvasim manyamanas tam
so ‘budhyata caran vane
Urvasi said: “My dear King, seek shelter of the Gandharvas, for they
will be able to deliver me to you again.” In accordance with these words,
the King satisfied the Gandharvas by prayers, and the Gandharvas, being
pleased with him, gave him an Agnisthali girl who looked exactly like
Urvasi. Thinking that the girl was Urvasi, the King began walking with
her in the forest, but later he could understand that she was not Urvasi
but Agnisthali.
TEXT 43
TEXT
sthalim nyasya vane gatva
grhan adhyayato nisi
tretayam sampravrttayam
manasi trayy avartata
King Pururava then left Agnisthali in the forest and returned home,
where he meditated all night upon Urvasi. In the course of his
meditation, the Treta millennium began, and therefore the principles of
the three Vedas, including the process of performing yajna to fulfill
fruitive activities, appeared within his heart.
TEXTS 44-45
TEXT
sthali-sthanam gato ‘svattham
sami-garbham vilaksya sah
tena dve arani krtva
urvasi-loka-kamyaya
urvasim mantrato dhyayann
adhararanim uttaram
atmanam ubhayor madhye
yat tat prajananam prabhuh
When the process of fruitive yajna became manifest within his heart,
King Pururava went to the same spot where he had left Agnisthali. There
he saw that from the womb of a sami tree, an asvattha tree had grown. He
then took a piece of wood from that tree and made it into two aranis.
Desiring to go to the planet where Urvasi resided, he chanted mantras,
meditating upon the lower arani as Urvasi, the upper one as himself, and
the piece of wood between them as his son. In this way he began to ignite
a fire.
TEXT 46
TEXT
tasya nirmanthanaj jato
jata-veda vibhavasuh
trayya sa vidyaya rajna
putratve kalpitas tri-vrt
From Pururava’s rubbing of the aranis came a fire. By such a fire one
can achieve all success in material enjoyment and be purified in seminal
birth, initiation and in the performance of sacrifice, which are invoked
with the combined letters a-u-m. Thus the fire was considered the son of
King Pururava.
TEXT 47
TEXT
tenayajata yajnesam
bhagavantam adhoksajam
urvasi-lokam anvicchan
sarva-devamayam harim
By means of that fire, Pururava, who desired to go to the planet where
Urvasi resided, performed a sacrifice, by which he satisfied the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, Hari, the enjoyer of the results of sacrifice.
Thus he worshiped the Lord, who is beyond the perception of the senses
and is the reservoir of all the demigods.
TEXT 48
TEXT
eka eva pura vedah
pranavah sarva-vanmayah
devo narayano nanya
eko ‘gnir varna eva ca
In the Satya-yuga, the first millennium, all the Vedic mantras were
included in one mantra–pranava, the root of all Vedic mantras. In other
words, the Atharva Veda alone was the source of all Vedic knowledge. The
Supreme Personality of Godhead Narayana was the only worshipable Deity;
there was no recommendation for worship of the demigods. Fire was one
only, and the only order of life in human society was known as hamsa.
TEXT 49
TEXT
pururavasa evasit
trayi treta-mukhe nrpa
agnina prajaya raja
lokam gandharvam eyivan
O Maharaja Pariksit, at the beginning of Treta-yuga, King Pururava
inaugurated a karma-kanda sacrifice. Thus Pururava, who considered the
yajnic fire his son, was able to go to Gandharvaloka as he desired.
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