8 Gālava Viśvāmitra’s Adventuring Apprentice [Mbh 5.104.5–5.117] m n the Mahābhārata, the Gālava “metamyth” connects Viśvāmitra’s stories I(and specifically his caste intermixture and conflicts with Vasisṭha) to the legends of Yayāti, Divodāsa, and Śibi, as well as the mythology of Garuḍa and a curious nun named Śāṇḍilī. It comes in the fifth book of the Mahābhārata, the Udyoga Parvan (“Book of the Effort”), after the Pāṇḍavas’ exile is over, and they have demanded the return of their half of the kingdom. Wicked Duryodhana stubbornly refuses to yield any land to his rivals, and pays no attention to the advice of his elders or friends; the divine sage Nārada then warns him against being obstinate by telling this story of what happened because Gālava was obstinate about giving his guru a gift. In the following translation of this long and winding story, I have summarized the plot incidents in which Viśvāmitra is not involved. m [Mbh 5.104.5] Nārada said: It’s hard to find a friend who listens, and hard to find a friend who helps. For a friend stays by your side, when even a brother would not remain. [6] It seems to me, descendant of Kuru, that you should listen to your friends, and you shouldn’t be so 111 acprof-9780199341115-web.indd 111 3/24/2015 2:31:12 PM Gālava obstinate—for obstinacy is very dangerous. [7] In this regard, there is a historical legend (itihāsa purātana) that illustrates how due to obsti- nacy, Gālava found himself defeated. [8] Long ago, Dharma, with a desire to test Viśvāmitra as he was performing austerities, himself became the blessed sage Vasiṣṭha. [9] Taking on the guise of one of the seven sages, Lord Bhārata, he approached Kauśika’s hermitage, hungry and hoping to eat. [10] Viśvāmitra then hastily cooked him a porridge (caru) made with care from the best rice—but [Dharma] did not wait for him, [11] And it was already after he had eaten rice given to him by other ascetics that Viśvāmitra came bringing that very hot food. [12] “I have already eaten, but just hold on,” the god said and went off. The illustrious Viśvāmitra then just stood there, King. [13] Holding that cooked rice on his head, he placed his arms on either side, and stood nearby like a pillar, motionless and subsisting only on air. [14] A men- dicant named Gālava took pains to look after him, out of dedication and respect, and with heartfelt desire to please him. [15] Then, after a hundred years had passed, Dharma again returned to Kauśika, taking on the guise of Vasiṣṭha and wanting to eat. [16–17] Dharma saw that the great sage Viśvāmitra was steadfastly holding the cooked rice on his head, even while subsisting only on air, and then accepted it. He ate that food that was still just as hot and still just as fresh and then, saying, “Mighty Brahmin, I’m delighted,” the mendi- cant departed. [18] By the power of Dharma’s words, Viśvāmitra left the state of being a Kṣatriya and reached Brahminhood, and he too was delighted. [19] Viśvāmitra, gladdened by the care and devotion given to him by the ascetic Gālava, then declared: “I give you leave, my child, and so go as you please, Gālava.” [20] Told this, Gālava happily and in a pleasant voice replied to Viśvāmitra, that glorious and illustrious sage: [21] “What parting gift (dakṣiṇā) shall I give you, in return for your services as guru? For any human action succeeds when it is accompanied by gratuity. [22] Those 112 acprof-9780199341115-web.indd 112 3/24/2015 2:31:13 PM Gālava who give gifts enjoy them in the afterlife, for the results of a rite occur in heaven, and the wise say that a gift means peace. So what ought I to give to my guru, please tell me, blessed sir.” [23] Lord Viśvāmitra, however, was sympathetic, and had already been won over by his services alone. Again and again he urged him, “Just go, just go!” [24] Though Viśvāmitra kept telling him, “Just go, just go,” Gālava kept saying over and over, “What may I give you?” [25] So extreme was the ascetic Gālava’s stubbornness that Viśvāmitra, growing a bit frustrated, said this: [26] “Give me eight hundred horses, white as the moon, but each with one black ear—go Gālava, make no delay!” [Mbh 5.105.1] Nārada said: When the mighty Viśvāmitra had said this to him, Gālava did not sit, or sleep, or eat meals. [2] He became all skin and bones, jaundiced, and afflicted by grief and worry. He was filled with tremendous anxiety, and burned inside with remorse. [3] “Where can I get rich friends? Where can I get wealth, where can I get assets? How could I get eight hundred horses, white as the moon? [4] How should I now have any faith in food? How should I have any optimism for delights? Even my faith in life has been shattered, so why should I live? [5] I will go to the other side of the ocean, or to the farthest reaches of the earth, and commit suicide—for what is the point of living for me?” [6] “If a man is penniless and hasn’t accomplished his goals, if he has missed out on all kinds of profits and bears debts, how would indiffer- ence bring him joy? [7] Having used up the resources of one’s friends and relatives, having shown the affection that is wished for, when one is unable to repay it, it is then better to die than to live. [8] If one has promised, “I will do it,” but still leaves that task incom- plete, whatever pious merit has been earned is wasted, for he is tarnished by telling lies. [9] A liar has no beauty, a liar leaves no legacy. A liar has no authority, so how could this be a good way to live? [10] How could an ingrate gain celebrity? Or high rank? Or happiness? An ingrate is never to be trusted, and there is no requital for an ingrate. [11] A villain cannot live without wealth, for how would the villain’s family be supported? A villain who has destroyed what others have done will always himself face ruin. 113 acprof-9780199341115-web.indd 113 3/24/2015 2:31:13 PM Gālava [12] “This is what I am—a villain, an ingrate, and a lying scoundrel, for although I have been able to achieve my goals through my teacher, I have not done as I said for him. And so I will let go of my life, after making one final effort. [13] “I have never before made any requests to the gods, and all have shown me honor during sacrificial procedures. [14] I will seek out that most supreme of gods, Lord Viṣṇu, the lord over the three worlds, that Kṛṣṇa, who is the highest path for mortal creatures. [15] He pervades all the other gods and demons, and so he establishes all joys. I would like to try to visit this mighty and everlasting Master.” [16] As he was saying this, his friend Garuḍa, son of Vinatā, saw him, and with a desire to help him, he said joyously, [17] “You are a dear friend of mine, and a dear friend, if he has the authority, should be employed toward whatever intent his friends hope for. [18] The author- ity I have, Brahmin sage, is Viṣṇu, the younger brother of Indra. I have already spoken to him on your behalf and he has granted my wish. [19] So come, let’s go! I will carry you as you like, to the land on the other side of the ocean or even the other side of the world. Come, Gālava, without delay!” [Mbh 5.106] Garuḍa asks Gālava which direction to go, and then describes the significance of the East. [5.107] Garuḍa then describes the South, [5.108] the West, and finally, [5.109] the North. [5.110] Gālava first asks to go east. He mounts atop Garuḍa and they set off. Gālava is frightened of the eagle’s speed, and asks him to slow down. He then tells his friend what he is looking for: [Mbh 5.110.16] “I have promised eight hundred white horses, having the luster of the moon, each with one black ear to my teacher. [17] I can see no way to confer them, bird, and so I am now looking for a way to cast off my own life. [18] I have no money, I have no friends who have money; and not even with a great deal of money can this be handled.” [19] Nārada said: As miserable Gālava was saying this, Garuḍa, while still in motion, then laughed and replied: [20] “Exalted sage, you are not very smart, if you want to commit suicide. Death is not artificially pro- duced, for Death is the paramount lord. [21] How come you hadn’t just 114 acprof-9780199341115-web.indd 114 3/24/2015 2:31:13 PM Gālava let me know about this before? There is a great solution by which they can be acquired! [22] But first, there is this mountain named Ṛṣabha, in the heart of the ocean, where we may rest, eat, and then we will set off again, Gālava.” [Mbh 5.111] The pair alight upon Mount Ṛṣabha, and are shown hospitality by a female Brahmin ascetic named Śāṇḍilī.