Chapter 50

“Yudhishthira said, ‘What is the nature of the compassion or pity that isfelt at the sight of another’s woe? What is the nature of that compassionor sympathy that one feels for another in consequence of one’s living inthe companionship of that other? What is the nature (and degree) of thehigh blessedness that attaches to kine? It behoveth thee, O grandsire, toexpound all this to me.’

“Bhishma said, ‘I shall, in this connection, O thou of great effulgence,recite to thee an ancient narrative of a conversation between Nahusha andthe Rishi Chyavana. In days of yore O Chief of Bharata’s race, the greatRishi Chyavana of Bhrigu’s race, always observant of high vows, becamedesirous of leading for some time the mode of life called Udavasa and sethimself to commence it. Casting off pride and wrath and joy and grief,the ascetic, pledging himself to observe that vow, set himself to livefor twelve years according to the rules of Udavasa. The Rishi inspiredall creatures with a happy trust. And he inspired similar confidence inall creatures living in water. The puissant ascetic resembled the Moonhimself in his behaviour to all. Bowing unto all the deities and havingcleansed himself of all sins, he entered the water at the confluence ofthe Ganga and the Yamuna, and stood there like an inanimate post of wood.Placing his head against it, he bore the fierce and roaring current ofthe two streams united together,–the current whose speed resembled thatof the wind itself. The Ganga and the Yamuna, however, and the otherstreams and lakes, whose waters unite together at the confluence atPrayaga, instead of afflicting the Rishi, went past him (to show himrespect). Assuming the attitude of a wooden post, the great Munisometimes laid himself down in the water and slept at ease. Andsometimes, O chief of Bharata’s race, the intelligent sage stood in anerect posture. He became quite agreeable unto all creatures living inwater. Without the least fear, all these used to smell the Rishi’s lips.In this way, the Rishi passed a long time at that grand confluence ofwaters. One day some fishermen came there. With nets in their hands, Othou of great effulgence, those men came to that spot where the Rishiwas. They were many in number and all of them were bent upon catchingfish. Well-formed and broad-chested, endued with great strength andcourage and never returning in fear from water, those men who lived uponthe earnings by their nets, came to that spot, resolved to catch fish.Arrived at the water which contained many fish, those fishermen, O chiefof the Bharatas, tied all their nets together. Desirous of fish, thoseKaivartas, many in number united together and surrounded a portion of thewaters of the Ganga and the Yamuna with their nets. Indeed, they thencast into water their net which was made of new strings, capable ofcovering a large space, and endued with sufficient length and breadth.All of them, getting into the water, then began to drag with great forcethat net of theirs which was very large and had been well-spread over alarge space. All of them were free from fear, cheerful, and fullyresolved to do one another’s bidding. They had succeeded in enmeshing alarge number of fish and other aquatic animals. And as they dragged theirnet, O king, they easily dragged up Chyavana the son of Bhrigu along witha large number of fish. His body was overgrown with the river moss. Hisbeard and matted locks had become green. And all over his person could beseen conchs and other molluscs attached with their heads. Beholding thatRishi who was well-conversant with the Vedas dragged up by them fromwater, all the fishermen stood with joined palms and then prostratedthemselves on the ground and repeatedly bent their heads. Through fearand pain caused by the dragging of the net, and in consequence of theirbeing brought upon land, the fish enmeshed in the net yielded up theirlives. The ascetic, beholding that great slaughter of fishes, becamefilled with compassion and sighed repeatedly.’

“The fishermen said, ‘We have committed this sin (of dragging thy sacredself from water) through ignorance. Be gratified with us! What wish ofthine shall we accomplish? Command us, O great ascetic!’

“Bhishma continued, ‘This addressed by them, Chyauana, from among thatheap of fishes around him, said, ‘Do ye with concentrated attention hearwhat my most cherished wish is. I shall either die with these fishes ordo ye sell me with them. I have lived with them for a long time withinthe water. I do not wish to abandon them at such a time.’ When he saidthese words unto them, the fishermen became exceedingly terrified. Withpale faces they repaired to king Nahusha and informed him of all that hadtaken place.'”