तीर्थयात्रा पर्व — सुकन्या की कथा

Lomasha said: O descendant of Bharata, the son of the great Rishi Bhrigu was Chyavana by name. That greatly effulgent one practised asceticism near the yonder lake. O Pandava, O king, that greatly powerful one sat in the posture called Vira. He remained for a long period of time in this one posture.

O king, after the lapse of a long time he was covered with an ant-hill which was in its turn covered with creepers. Crowds of ants enveloped him.

Covered all over with ants and looking like a heap of earth, that greatly intelligent one performed severe austerities.

Then after the lapse of a long time the king named Sharyati came to sport in this charming and excellent lake.

O descendant of Bharata, with him were four thousand women, all wedded to him. There was also with him his daughter of beautiful brows, named Sukanya.

Surrounded by her companions and adorned with beautiful ornaments, she came to the anthill within which Bhrigu's son was seated.

Accompanied by her maids, she began to sport there, seeing the beautiful scenery and looking at the large trees that stood in the forest.

She was handsome, she was young, she was amorous and she was frolic-some. She began to break the trees that were full of blossoms, The intelligent son of Bhrigu saw her alone without her maids. Adorned with ornaments and clad in one cloth she was wandering about in the forest) like a flash of lightning.

Seeing her sporting in the lonely forest, the greatly effulgent Brahmana Rishi, endued with the ascetic prowess, was filled with desire,

He addressed that blessed lady, but she did not hear him. Then Sukanya saw the eyes of Bhrigu's son within the ant-hill.

Out of curiosity she lost her sense; and saying "what is this,” she pierced the eyes with a thorn.

His eyes being thus pierced, he felt great pain and became very angry. He then stopped the calls of nature of the troops of Sharyati.

Their state thus becoming deplorable, they were greatly afflicted. Seeing this the king asked, "Who has done injury to the illustrious son of Bhrigu, who is old, who is ever engaged in asceticism and who is of wrathful temper?

If you know it, tell me without the least delay.” Thereupon all the soldiers said, “We do not know who has done this harm (to the Rishi).

Do whatever you please and make a searching enquiry into this matter." Thereupon that king, using both menace and conciliation, asked about the matter, his friends. But they could not tell him anything. Seeing the soldiers in great sorrow on account of their great distress and her father aggrieved, Sukanya thus spoke, "While roving in the forest, I saw something brilliant within the ant-hill.

Believing it to be a fire fly, I pierced it with the thorn." Having heard this, Sharyati immediately went to the ant-hill.

There did he see Bhrigu's son, old both in years and asceticism. That ruler of earth then with joined hands prayed thus for his favour.

“You should pardon me for what has been done by this girl out of ignorance.” The son of Bhrigu Chyavana then thus spoke to that ruler of earth, "O king, this one, filled with pride, has insulted me by piercing (my eyes). Even her, endued as she is with beauty and devoid of all sense by ignorance and temptation, even this daughter of yours, I must have for my wife. I tell you truly, I can pardon you only on this condition."

Having heard the words of the Rishi, Sharyati without pausing for consideration at once bestowed his daughter on the high-souled Chyavana.

Having received that maiden, the exalted one was pleased (with the king). Having obtained the Rishi's grace, the king with his soldiers then went to his own city.

The faultless Sukanya also, having obtained that ascetic for her husband, began to wait upon him by practising asceticism and observing the ordinances,

The beautiful-featured one, that guileless lady, worshipped Chyavana and waited upon his guests and ministers to the sacred fire.