Gadayuddha Parva — The story of the Rishi Asita Devala

Vaishampayana said "In this Tirtha lived formerly a virtuous Rishi, named Asita-Devala, leading the life of a house-holder.

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.

O monarch, censure and praise were equal to him who was without wrath, he was, like Yama himself, thoroughly impartial, treating all alike,

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

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.

That great ascetic ever practising Yoga, O monarch, while residing in Devala's hermitage became crowned with ascctic success.

Indeed, while the great Muni Jaigishavya lived there, Devala always paid him attention, never neglecting him at any time.

Thus, O king, they both lived long together. On one occasion, Devala lost sight of Jaigishavya, that foremost of ascetics.

At the hour, however, of dinner, O Janamejaya, the intelligent and righteous ascetic, leading a life of mendicancy, approached Devala for soliciting aims.

Seeing that great ascetic re-appear in the guise of a mendicant, Devala paid him grcat honours and expressed much gratification.

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.

One day, however, O king, in the sight of that great Muni, a deep anxiety distributed the mind of the high-souled Devala.

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!"

Having thought thus the blessed Devala proceeded to the banks of the ocean through the sky, carrying his earthen pitcher.

Arrived at the cost of the Ocean, that lord of rivers, O Bharata, the righteous Devala saw Jaigishavya arrived there before him.

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?'

Thus thought the great Rishi Asita. Duly performing his ablutions there and purifying himself thereby, he then began to silently recite the sacred mantras.

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.

As the ascetic, however, entered his own hermitage, he saw Jaigishavya seated there.

The great ascetic Jaigishavya never spoke a word to Devala but lived in the latter's hermitage like a log of wood.

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.

Witnessing this Yoga power, of Jaigishavya, the intelligent Asita-Devala, O king, began to think over the matter.

Indeed, that best of ascetics, O king, wondered much, saying-"How could this one be seen in the ocean and again in my herinitage?'

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.

Devala become filled with wrath at the sight. He then saw Jaigishavya start for heaven. saw

He next saw him proceed to the region of the Pitris. Devala saw him then proceed to the region of Yama.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Then he saw Jaigishavya in the region of those that perform the Rajasuya and Pundarika.

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

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.

Jaigishavya was then seen in the regions of those that perform the sacrifice called Dadashaha and various others of a similar nature.

Asita next saw his guest sojourning in the region of Mitravaruna and then in that of Adityas.

Asita then saw his guest go through the regions of the Rudras, the Vasus and Brihaspati.

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.

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,

At this point, O chastiser of foes, Asita lost sight of Jaigishavya that foremost of ascetics, who, rapt in Yoga, disappeared from his view.

The highly blessed Devala then reflected upon the power of Jaigishavya his vows and success in Yoga.

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!'

Siddhas said Listen, O Devala of rigid vows, we speak to you the truth! Jaigishavya has gone to the eternal region of Brahman!'

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.

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!

Vaishampayana said "Hcaring those words of the Siddhas, Devala came down, descending from one region to another in due succession,

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.

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)!'

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.

The holy personage of hard austerities, seeing him thus determined, performed all the sacred rites according to the injunctions laid down for that purpose.

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!'

Hearing these lamentations of all creatures that resounded through all the points of horizon, Devala thought of renouncing the religion of emancipation.

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.

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?

Meditating on this, Devala, O king, relinquished the life of a house-holder and adopted that of Moksha.

Having thought thus, Devala, on account of this determination, acquired the highest success, O Bharata and the highest Yoga.

The celestials then, led by Brihaspati, praised Jaigishavya and the penances of that ascetic.

Then that best of ascetics, viz., Narada, said to the gods-"There is no penance in Jaigishavya since he filled Asita with wonder!'

The inhabitants of heaven then said to Narada who has communicated such dangerous words. Do not say about the great ascetic Jaigishavya !

There is no one superior or even equal to this great one in energy, penance and Yoga.

Such was the power of Jaigishavya as also of Asita. Here lived those two and this is the Tirtha of those two great persons.

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."