वैशम्पायन उवाच तस्मिन्नेव त धर्मात्मा वसति स्म तपोधनः। गार्हस्थ्यं धर्ममास्थाय ह्यसितो देवलः पुरा॥
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॥
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 तुल्यनिन्दात्मसंस्तुतिः । प्रियाप्रिये तुल्यवृत्तिर्यमवत् समदर्शन:॥
O monarch, censure and praise were equal to him who was without wrath, he was, like Yama himself, thoroughly impartial, treating all alike,
काञ्चने लोष्ठभावे च समदर्शी महातपाः। देवानपूजयन्नित्यमतिथींश्च द्विजैः सह॥ ब्रह्मचर्यरतो नित्यं सदा धर्मपरायणः।
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 महाभाग योगमास्थाय भिक्षुकः॥ जैगीषव्यो मुनिर्धीमास्तस्मिंस्तीर्थं समाहितः। देवलस्याश्रमे राजन्न्यवसत् स महाद्युतिः॥
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.
योगनित्यो महाराज सिद्धि प्राप्तो महातपाः। तं तत्र वसमानं तु जैगीषव्यं महामुनिम्॥
That great ascetic ever practising Yoga, O monarch, while residing in Devala's hermitage became crowned with ascctic success.
देवलो दर्शयन्नेव नैवायुञ्जत धर्मतः। एवं तयोर्महाराज दीर्घकालो व्यतिक्रमत्॥
Indeed, while the great Muni Jaigishavya lived there, Devala always paid him attention, never neglecting him at any time.
जैगीषव्यं मुनिवरं व ददर्शाथ देवलः। आहारकाले मतिमान् परिवाड् जनमेजय॥
Thus, O king, they both lived long together. On one occasion, Devala lost sight of Jaigishavya, that foremost of ascetics.
उपातिष्ठत धर्मज्ञो भैक्षकाले स देवलम्। स दृष्ट्वा भिक्षुरूपेण प्राप्तं तत्र महामुनिम्॥
At the hour, however, of dinner, O Janamejaya, the intelligent and righteous ascetic, leading a life of mendicancy, approached Devala for soliciting aims.
गौरवं परमं चक्रे प्रीति च विपुला तथा। देवलस्तु यथाशक्ति पूजयामास भारत॥
Seeing that great ascetic re-appear in the guise of a mendicant, Devala paid him grcat honours and expressed much gratification.
ऋषिदृष्टेन विधिना समा बह्वीः समाहितः।
And Devala adored his guest, О Bharata, according to his might, after the rites laid down by the Rishis and with great attention for many years.
कदाचित् तस्य नृपते देवलस्य महात्मनः॥ चिन्ता सुमहती जाता मुनिं दृष्ट्वा महाद्युतिम्।
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 बह्वयः पूजयतो मम॥ न चायमलसो भिक्षुरभ्यभाषत किंचन।
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 श्रीमान् कलशं गृह्य देवलः।
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 ततोऽपश्यद् गतं प्रागेव भारत।
Arrived at the cost of the Ocean, that lord of rivers, O Bharata, the righteous Devala saw Jaigishavya arrived there before him.
तत: सविस्मयश्चिन्तां जगामाथामितप्रभः॥ कथं भिक्षुरयं प्राप्तः समुद्रेः स्नात एव च।
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?'
इत्येव चिन्तयामास महर्षिरसितस्तदा॥ स्नात्वा समुद्रे विधिवच्छुचिर्जप्यं जजाप सः।
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 जनमेजया
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।
As the ascetic, however, entered his own hermitage, he saw Jaigishavya seated there.
न व्याहरति चैवेनं जैगीषव्यः कथंचन॥ काष्ठभूतोऽऽश्रमपदे वसति स्म महातपाः।
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।
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॥ दृष्ट्वा प्रभावं तपसो जैगीषव्यस्य योगजम्।
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।
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 मुनिमन्त्रपारगः॥ उत्पपाताश्रमात् तस्मादन्तरिक्षं विशाम्पते। जिज्ञासार्थं तदा भिक्षोर्जेगीषव्यस्य देवलः॥ सोऽन्तरिक्षचरान् सिद्धान् समपश्यत् समाहितान्। जैगीषव्यं च तैः सिद्धैः पूज्यमानमपश्यत॥
While immersed in these thoughts, the ascetic Devala, conversant with mantras then soared aloft, O king, from his hermitage into) the sky, for ascertaining who the mendicant Jaigishavya really was. Devala numbers of sky-ranging Siddhas rapt in meditation and Jaigishavya reverentially adored by thcm.
ततोऽसितः सुसंरब्धो व्यवसायी दृढव्रतः। अपश्यद् वै दिवं यान्तं जैगीषव्यं स देवलः॥
Devala become filled with wrath at the sight. He then saw Jaigishavya start for heaven. saw
तस्मात् तु पितृलोकं तं व्रजन्तं सोऽन्वपश्यत। पितृलोकाच तं यान्तं याम्यं लोकमपश्यत॥
He next saw him proceed to the region of the Pitris. Devala saw him then proceed to the region of Yama.
तस्मादपि समुत्पत्य सोमलोकमभिप्लुतम्। व्रजन्तमन्वपश्यत् स जैगीषव्यं महामुनिम्॥ लोकान् समुत्पतन्तं तु शुभानेकान्तयाजिनाम्।
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.
ततोऽग्निहोत्रिणां लोकांस्ततश्चाप्युत्पपात ह॥ दर्श च पौर्णमासं च ये यजन्ति तपोधनाः।
Thence he proceeded to the regions of the Agnihotris and thence to the regions of those ascetics that perform the Darsha and the Paurnamasa sacrifices.
तेभ्यः स दृदशे धीमाँल्लोकेभ्यः पशुयाजिनाम्॥ व्रजन्तं लोकममलमपश्यद् देवपूजितम्।
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 ततो यातं तथाग्निष्टोमयाजिनाम्। अग्निष्टुतेन च तथा ये यजन्ति तपोधनाः॥
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.
तत् स्थानमनुसम्प्राप्तमन्वपश्यत देवलः। वाजपेयं ऋतुवरं तथा बहुसुवर्णकम्॥
Devala next saw him in the regions of those highly wise inen that perform that foremost of sacrifices, viz., Vajapeya and the other sacrifice in which enough of gold is necessary.
आहरन्ति महाप्राज्ञास्तेषां लोकेष्वपश्यत। यजन्ते राजसूयेन पुण्डरीकेण चैव ये॥
Then he saw Jaigishavya in the region of those that perform the Rajasuya and Pundarika.
तेषां लोकेष्वपश्यच जैगीषव्यं स देवलः। अश्वमेधं क्रतुवरं नरमेधं तथैव च॥
He then saw him in the regions of those foremost of men that perform the horsesacrifice and the sacrifice in which human beings are killed
आहरन्ति नरश्रेष्ठास्तेषां लोकेष्वपश्यत। सर्वमेधं त दुष्प्रापं तथा सौत्रामणिं च ये॥
Indeed, Devala saw Jaigishavya in the regions also of those that celebrate the sacrifice called Sautramani and that other in which the flesh of all living animals is required.
तेषां लोकेष्वपश्यच्च जैगीषव्यं स देवलः। द्वादशाहैश्च सत्रैश्च यजन्ते विविधैर्नृप॥
Jaigishavya was then seen in the regions of those that perform the sacrifice called Dadashaha and various others of a similar nature.
तेषां लोकेष्वपश्यच जैगीषव्यं स देवलः। मैत्रावरुणयोर्लोकानादित्य । तथैव च॥
Asita next saw his guest sojourning in the region of Mitravaruna and then in that of Adityas.
सलोकतामनुप्राप्तमपश्यत ततोऽसितः। रुद्राणां च वसूनां च स्थानं यच्च बृहस्पतेः॥
Asita then saw his guest go through the regions of the Rudras, the Vasus and Brihaspati.
तानि सर्वाण्यतीतानि समपश्यत् ततोऽसितः। आरुह्य च गवां लोके प्रयातो ब्रह्मसत्रिणाम्॥ लोकानपश्यद् गच्छन्तं जैगीषव्यं ततोऽसितः।
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.
त्रील्लोकानपरान् विप्रमुत्पतन्तं स्वतेजसा॥ पतिव्रतानां लोकांश्च व्रजन्तं सोऽन्वपश्यत।
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 लोकस्थमन्तर्हितमरिंदम।
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 सिद्धि योगस्य चातुलाम्।
The highly blessed Devala then reflected upon the power of Jaigishavya his vows and success in Yoga.
असितोऽपृच्छत सदा सिद्धाँल्लोकेषु सत्तमान्॥ प्रयतः प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा धीरस्तान् ब्रह्मसत्रिणः। जैगीषव्यं न पश्यामि तं शंसध्वं महौजसम्॥ एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं परं कौतूहलं हि मे।
Then the self-restrained Asita, with joined hands and in a reverential spirit, enquired of those foremost of Siddhas in the regions of the Brahmasatris, saying "I do not see Jaigishavya! Tell me when that energetic ascetic is! I desire to hear this, for great is my curiosity!'
सिद्धा उचुः शृणु देवल भूतार्थं शंसता नो दृढव्रत॥ जैगीषव्यं स वै लोकं शाश्वतं ब्रह्मणो गतः।
Siddhas said Listen, O Devala of rigid vows, we speak to you the truth! Jaigishavya has gone to the eternal region of Brahman!'
वैशम्पायन उवाच स श्रुत्वा वचनं तेषां सिद्धानां ब्रह्मसत्रिणाम्॥ असितो देवलस्तूर्णमुत्पपात पपात च। ततः सिद्धास्त ऊचुर्हि देवलं पुनरेव ह॥
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.
न देवलगतिस्तत्र तव गन्तुं तपोधन। ब्रह्मणः सदने विप्र जैगीषव्यो यदाप्तवान्।॥ तद् वचनं
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!
वैशम्पायन उवाच तेषां श्रुत्वा सिद्धानां देवलः : पुन:। अनुपूर्वेण लोकांस्तान् सर्वानवततार ह॥
Vaishampayana said "Hcaring those words of the Siddhas, Devala came down, descending from one region to another in due succession,
स्वमाश्रमपद् पुण्यमाजगाम पतत्रिवत्। प्रविशन्नेव चापश्यजैगीषव्यं स देवलः॥
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 व्यगणयद् देवलो धर्मयुक्त्या। दृष्ट्वा प्रभावं तपसो जैगीषव्यस्य योगजम्॥ ततोऽब्रवीन्महात्मानं जैगीषव्यं स देवलः। विनयावनतो राजन्नुपसर्प्य महामुनिम्॥ मोक्षधर्मं समास्थातुमिच्छेयं भगवन्नहम्।
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 तद् वचनं श्रुत्वां उपदेशं चकार सः॥ विधिं च योगस्य परं कार्याकार्यस्य शास्त्रतः।
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.
संन्यासकृतबुद्धि तं ततो दृष्ट्वा महातपाः॥ सर्वाश्चास्य क्रियाश्चक्रे विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा।
The holy personage of hard austerities, seeing him thus determined, performed all the sacred rites according to the injunctions laid down for that purpose.
संन्यासकृतबुद्धिः तं भूतानि पितृभिः सह॥ ततो दृष्ट्वा प्ररुरुदुः कोऽस्मान् संविभजिष्यति।
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।
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॥ पुष्पाण्योषधयश्श्चैव रोरूयन्ति सहस्रशः। पुनर्नो देवलः क्षुद्रो नूनं छेत्स्यति दुर्मतिः॥ अभयं सर्वभूतेभ्यो यो दत्त्वा नावबुध्यते।
Then all sorts of sacred fruits and roots, O Bharata and thousands of flowers and deciduous herbs, began to weep, saying, the wicked and mean Devala will, forsooth, once more pluck and cut us! Alas, having once promised all creatures no injury, he sees not the wrong that he thinks of doing.
ततो भूयो व्यगणयत् स्वबुद्ध्या मुनिसत्तमः॥ मोक्षे गार्हस्थ्यधर्मे वा किं नु श्रेयस्करं भवेत्।
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।
Meditating on this, Devala, O king, relinquished the life of a house-holder and adopted that of Moksha.
एवमादीनि संचिन्त्य देवलो निश्चयात् ततः॥ प्राप्तवान् परमां सिद्धिं परं योगं च भारत।
Having thought thus, Devala, on account of this determination, acquired the highest success, O Bharata and the highest Yoga.
ततो देवा: समागम्य बृहस्पतिपुरोगमा:॥ जैगीषव्ये तपश्चास्य प्रशंसन्ति तपस्विनः।
The celestials then, led by Brihaspati, praised Jaigishavya and the penances of that ascetic.
अथाब्रवीदृषिवरो देवान् वै नारदस्तथा॥ जैगीषव्ये तपो नास्ति विस्मापयति योऽसितम्।
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॥ नैवमित्येव शंसन्तो जैगीषव्यं महामुनिम्।
The inhabitants of heaven then said to Narada who has communicated such dangerous words. Do not say about the great ascetic Jaigishavya !
नातः परतरं किंचित् तुल्यमस्ति प्रभावतः॥ तेजसस्तपसञ्चास्य योगस्य च महात्मनः.
There is no one superior or even equal to this great one in energy, penance and Yoga.
एवं प्रभावो धर्मात्मा जैगीषव्यस्तथासितः। तयोरिदं स्थानवरं तीर्थं चैव महात्मनोः॥
Such was the power of Jaigishavya as also of Asita. Here lived those two and this is the Tirtha of those two great persons.
तत्राप्युपस्पृश्य ततो महात्मा दत्त्वा च वित्तं हलभृद् द्विजेभ्यः। अवाप्य धर्मं परमार्थकर्मा जगाम सोमस्य महत् सुतीर्थम्॥
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."